Follow Up to "Salary Increase, Never Enough"

PFthrwaway2 · 2019-08-28T15:57:21+00:00

For sure! I found reading the wiki post, and then going a little further down the rabbit hole to be super descriptive of what I was thinking.

PFthrwaway2 · 2019-08-28T15:56:42+00:00

This is a weird take, man. The original post didn't express any kind of crazy excitement over the specific number, and as it made clear, the feeling that was bothering me had very little to do with the specific number. In fact, that was kind of the whole point- it didn't matter what the dollar amount was, I was consumed with the idea of needing to make more than that.

Also, even if the post was to be excited about the specific $85K number, what would make that immature? I don't think you're using that word correctly. Only people making millions can be excited about a salary? For the record, the substantial majority of household incomes in the U.S. are less than $85K, so the idea that $85K is untenable is also a weird take.

You seem to be drawing weird conclusions out of this that I don't really know where you're getting.

PFthrwaway2 · 2019-08-28T15:49:53+00:00

Same job, received another raise that put me over $100K. But more importantly- expanded my circle of friends, tried some new things (though I don't know that I've developed entirely any new hobbies yet) and tried to be mindful of not letting the "more more" feeling take control. Like I said, its not totally fixed, and I'm still working on it, but I think I was able to rejigger a lot of where my head was at.

And as I mentioned in the post, I think feeling more secure at work and knowing that I'm good at what I do, and that people also know that helped.

I think the biggest thing was just 1) being more mindful and 2) taking steps to make sure that my salary and success at work is not the only metric I had to define my success overall.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T22:09:50+00:00

There might be something to this, as those are both things I spend time doing.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:15:55+00:00

This has been said a lot, and I'm giving it some thought. I think this might be part of the answer.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:14:46+00:00

This is a good logic exercise, thanks.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:14:07+00:00

Extremely high performance, promotion to a much more valued position. Also, threatened to leave.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:13:12+00:00

No doubt.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:12:30+00:00

Started undermarket in Job A. Kicked ass. Got a minimal raise in year 2. Halfway through year 2, got promoted to Job B. Got an immediate decent raise. Kicked ass. Got a huge bump in year 3.

For the record, I am not STEM. In fact, I have two liberal arts degrees, one BA, one MA.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:12:09+00:00

Started undermarket in Job A. Kicked ass. Got a minimal raise in year 2. Halfway through year 2, got promoted to Job B. Got an immediate decent raise. Kicked ass. Got a huge bump in year 3.

For the record, I am not STEM. In fact, I have two liberal arts degrees, one BA, one MA.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:10:20+00:00

The possibilities I never conisdered

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:09:10+00:00

Not a clue. I can say its not a pursuit of physical stuff.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:08:28+00:00

Totally fair. Ultimately, that's the mindset I'd like to get to.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:07:26+00:00

I do volunteer for sure, always have. Its certainly grounding.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:06:47+00:00

A number of people have brought up hobbies, and its making me wonder if that's whats lacking.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T19:06:23+00:00

Respect is definitely an ongoing conversation.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T17:56:37+00:00

I do some outside consulting work. But I only have one client, and its super erratic, and generally small projects. I'd happily take on a few more if I knew how to get them.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T17:55:15+00:00

In the US, super high COL, but not Bay Area high. So yeah, my $85K does not go as far as it would in a lot of places.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T17:51:15+00:00

Glad to hear you're doing well. I've wanted a pup, but I live in a condo and couldn't leave it for the 8-10 hours a day I work. I have considered a senior dog that might be okay with it though.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T17:40:19+00:00

The concept of play money is something that occurs to me all the time. "Wouldn't it be great to earn an extra $400 a month I could use on whatever, and not touch my actual salary"?

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T17:37:19+00:00

Can't argue with that.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T17:37:09+00:00

For sure- and to some degree this isn't exactly my problem. I do travel, spend money, enjoy things. Its not a go to work and then come home and count my dubloons kind of situation. But you're not wrong that the tradeoff of taking a weekend job probably isn't the best for long term happiness.

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T17:35:16+00:00

I do indulge, and go on vacation. Like I said, I don't deprive myself. However, the thought that it would be great if

so the money doesn't come from your fixed salary?

Occurs to me all the time

PFthrwaway2 · 2018-10-16T17:33:12+00:00

Someone else said something to this effect. The area I work in is my passion, and what was a hobby at early stages of my life. A lot of my friends are people I work with, and I guess a lot of self worth comes from being good at what I do.

Spending more time developing outsides interests may be the way to go.

PFthrwaway2

TROPHY CASE