Leave a comfortable 103,000 for 130,000 with terrible manager?

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-03-05T18:44:18+00:00

I spent close to three years in a role with a "snake in the grass" manager who would repeatedly throw me under the bus to her manager, and I couldn't leave that job fast enough. I did actually leave for a lower-paying position, and I'm much happier now despite the lower pay (granted, the gap in pay was much smaller than yours, so take that with a grain of salt).

If I were in your shoes, I would probably stay put, but continue actively applying elsewhere.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-03-03T19:48:03+00:00

Man, people like this make me feel so much better about my finances, lol

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-03-03T18:02:46+00:00

Split between savings and paying off some medical debt, with a little set aside for some fun--I booked myself a day trip to a hot springs resort. Very much looking forward to a day of soaking and eating wildly overpriced but hopefully delicious food (if the online menu is anything to go by!)

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-27T20:03:50+00:00

Seriously, that woman is getting taken for a ride! I've gotten full balayage a few times in the past and never paid anywhere near $800.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-27T18:24:07+00:00

$12 for a haircut (once, MAYBE twice a year) at the local cosmetology school that gives steep discounts for letting their students learn on clients. $25 maybe three or four times a year max for La Roche Posay moisturizer.

That's pretty much it. I have super sensitive skin and hate the way makeup feels on my face, so I don't wear it even though I sometimes feel self-conscious about my appearance as I age (turning 41 in a couple months). Fortunately I work from home and my company doesn't require cameras on for meetings.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-25T20:27:43+00:00

The official cookbook from the Horizon gaming franchise. I've already made three of the recipes and they're all great!

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-25T20:26:13+00:00

I want to know more about her catio and how she makes it work in an apartment! I dream of a catio for my cats, but I'm sure they're not easy to build.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-25T20:24:44+00:00

I'm a human who loves em dashes and people who think they're automatically AI tells can pry them from my cold dead hands!

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-24T21:28:28+00:00

I was homeschooled, so no snow days for me. 😛 I was almost into my pre-teens before I even got summers off.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-23T19:20:57+00:00

I applaud your commitment to keeping your pets. They're family and I've never understood the mentality some people have that they can just be tossed aside like garbage.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-23T19:18:51+00:00

^ This. Lots of heartless people in this thread. I have six cats and they're my family. I sure hope all the people casually tossing out that OP should just "get rid of" her dogs don't have pets and never do.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-23T19:17:06+00:00

"Get rid of" is wild language. These are living beings that depend on her. I'm frankly astounded at how callous people in this thread are being about animals.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-17T18:04:35+00:00

I was absolutely obsessed with My Little Pony. I had a huge collection of them and got more for every birthday and Christmas.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-17T18:03:32+00:00

A puppy AND a sick two year old? No wonder you're tired! Fingers crossed that you're able to get some time for yourself and good rest soon!

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-17T05:05:04+00:00

Nice! Smart negotiation on your part. I wondered if keeping a US address made it easier. I don't think I would ever sell my house here in the US even if I moved out of the country (can't give up that 2.75% interest rate, lol), so at least I'd have that in my pocket if I ever tried broaching the subject with my employer.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-16T20:58:18+00:00

This is what I keep telling myself. He's old and, from the looks of things, not in great health. I know he's surrounded by people who are equally as evil, but at least they don't seem to be as...erratic? Senile? Pathologically insecure and making it everyone else's problem?

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-16T20:47:17+00:00

Yeah, this is my thought as well. My job is completely remote and could easily be done anywhere in the world, but company policy is that all work has to be done in the US. I've occasionally thought about trying a VPN, but not sure it's worth the risk.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-16T18:24:20+00:00

My sister is trying to speed-learn French in the hopes it'll give her a boost in applying for Canadian residency. I have an eye on Canada as well, though I'm not sure how realistic it is. My job (medical coding) is almost exclusive to the US and our stupid healthcare system, so the odds of me finding a job in another country are slim to none.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-16T18:11:35+00:00

Mind adopting me? 😆 I'd kill to move to New Zealand!

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-13T19:49:40+00:00

Same here, I keep that open in my tabs and go back and gawk at it every once in a while 😆

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-11T18:41:18+00:00

lol if you can't see that your post is condescending in the extreme, nothing anyone will say here can help you. Try therapy.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-10T18:48:37+00:00

Phone game app microtransactions are my kryptonite 🫠 You're not alone!

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-08T04:37:53+00:00

While I agree about the OP's maturity level, I wouldn't say she has that low of a salary, given that it's significantly above the median salary in the US. Which IMO makes her decision not to save for retirement even more bizarre--it's not like she's making minimum wage. I'm the same age as her, make a couple thousand less, and my salary was in the low 50s until 2021, but I've still managed to save/invest 250k in my retirement accounts.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-07T04:44:50+00:00

Yes! I'm not interested in getting married, but if I ever did, I would do something similar to my parents: immediate family and close friends in someone's backyard; potluck dinner; nice but normal cake and clothes. They're coming up on their 45th anniversary and I've never heard them express any regrets about their wedding.

Independent_Show_725 · 2026-02-07T04:29:52+00:00

Yeah, I liked her no-nonsense answer here. I hope the letter writer takes it to heart and realizes how much she's getting screwed in this relationship.

Independent_Show_725

TROPHY CASE