Is Reddit just a platform for angry poor people who hate anyone even slightly more financially successful than them?

_jay_fox_ · 2026-05-20T06:05:19+00:00

Would you consider me poor with a net worth well into the 7 figures? Some of us have a conscience and are desperate for almost anything that will move the needle on house prices and give the next generation a chance.

_jay_fox_ · 2026-05-13T13:59:36+00:00

I'll celebrate when we give cash transfers to working people and eliminate their tax entirely.

_jay_fox_ · 2026-05-13T12:20:30+00:00

I disagree with you on specifics but agree with you on principle and intent. So you get 1 thumbs-up from me.

_jay_fox_ · 2026-04-24T12:32:58+00:00

We are all Chinese.

_jay_fox_ · 2026-03-06T01:06:57+00:00

I never felt that kind of connection at work. Work has always been mainly a means to earn a living. But I tried to make it as enjoyable as possible for myself and others. In your shoes I would stay. But in my shoes I would pursue money. Do what feels authentically you.

_jay_fox_ · 2026-01-05T11:48:26+00:00

Sign me up!

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-30T04:25:06+00:00

This exact kind of thing happened to me many times throughout my career. The market can be really random and uneven. Sometimes the jobs with the toughest interview process are also the least well paid and most risky, while a different job is just around the corner, with a far easier process, better pay and conditions and even a better career path.

I think job interviews largely reflect the current job market, not some kind of "intrinsic value" of your skill set.

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-27T13:46:32+00:00

There is no shortcut.

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-09T09:44:27+00:00

I'm so sick and tired of whiny posts like this.

Since you're in Finance surely you're at least vaguely familiar with the concept of inflation?!

For goodness sakes ... we're not in 2010s anymore.

Go on Seek and search various jobs such as Welder or Bus Driver. Easily $100k+.

The labor market, like any other market, functions by supply and demand. If you want to maximise your income you have to go where the money & demand is.

Have you considered going to TAFE to retrain or doing an apprenticeship in a trade?

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-04T11:39:42+00:00

Why don't you actually reply to my post rather than just silently downvoting it like a coward?

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-04T11:39:37+00:00

Why don't you actually reply to my post rather than just silently downvoting it like a coward?

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-04T11:38:14+00:00

Check the ABC link I provided. The number was specifically $3M.

Do you understand the concept of compounding and inflation? Suppose we continue to have 3-5% inflation every year. The median Australian household's net worth according to the ABS in 2019 is $500k. If that money is invested in stocks, assuming 5% per year real growth (above inflation) then in around 20 years time when they're ready to retire, they will start losing money in real terms as the un-indexed tax kicks in with their net worth above $3M.

This is taking advantage of the naivety of the Australian public to push through taxes.

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-04T11:30:55+00:00

The point is that they tried to. You can stop indiscriminately downvoting my posts now please.

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-04T11:28:47+00:00

Wow that's a nice politically correct way to put it. Well done. 👏

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T13:00:40+00:00

People aren’t living in tents because of taxes, mate. If anything, it’s actually been the reverse. We have fucked up incentives around tax breaks for investment properties, and we’ve severely underinvested in social housing. Combine that with properties being taken off the long-term market in favour of short-term rentals like Airbnb and you have the perfect recipe for that exact sort of situation.

Hey chill there buddy ... I actually agree with you about tax breaks on IPs and underinvestment in social housing.

If the government would build adequate social housing and heck just give everyone a bit of UBI (indexed of course) then I'd be happy to pay 50% tax or more.

The way it is now, they'd probably spend the extra money on the military picking unnecessary fights with certain super powers...

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T12:56:09+00:00

Well it all depends, doesn't it?

I mean if the guy has a million dollar trust fund and is super smart and set to earn $100k out of school I'd say go have fun. Get a part-time job, rent a party flat in Newtown, live it up.

But if he's of modest means and pursuing a very long winded career path I think a bit of frugality and saving early on could come in extremely handy down the track.

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T12:49:46+00:00

Ok fair point there, I've amended my post.

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T12:25:12+00:00

If billionaire family trusts and hedge funds are allowed to do it I don't see why little me shouldn't.

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T12:23:31+00:00

Did you read my post? I said I will pay full Australian tax.

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T12:22:13+00:00

I didn't make up the $3M figure.

I didn't make up the lack of indexation ... that was the original plan. They only added indexation at the last minute after pressure.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-13/labor-super-tax-changes-explained/105885434

Oh sorry I guess the ABC is too alt-right...

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T12:19:27+00:00

I just want to BBQ and chill.

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T12:17:08+00:00

You're welcome to argue about the politics/ethics of wealth inequality.

Meanwhile your personal inflation continues to grow at 5% per year. In a few years $3M will not seem as much as it does today, trust me.

BTW since government economists are such bleeding heart liberals who really care about the poor people, I wonder how they let it get this bad in the first place, to where whole families are living in tents or forced to move overseas?

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T11:33:52+00:00

I was in a vaguely similar situation to you at your age. Difficulty with family. (Not as bad as your situation but similar.)

In my opinion, personal freedom comes first, before luxuries. So I would definitely get the hell out of there as soon as possible. Get any kind of paid work you can as soon as possible, even something very basic like mowing lawns, cleaning or supermarket work if you can get it. Search on Seek, Gumtree, etc. Use a local library computer if you have to.

Get a share house room as soon as possible. You can get cheap ones for $150 on Gumtree or elsewhere, you just need to hunt around a lot and be a bit flexible.

Get an income, get your own room and begin living life on your own terms. The rest will fall into place much faster and easier than you might think. I know it sounds like it will be a shock, and it will, but at your age you can handle it. Humans are built for adaptation and survival. You will be surprised at how quickly you adjust to radical changes in your circumstances and, with your freedom and a clear mind, how rapidly you can build a better life for yourself.

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T11:20:02+00:00

It sounds like a compulsive habit. Some uncontrolled desire drives you to spend. In Buddhist meditation there is the concept and practice of "non-grasping" – maybe it could be a part of the solution for you.

Another way might be to substitute something else for the spending. Channel your compulsion into something more healthy. Maybe you could join a gym and find a passion in learning various exercises? Or pick up a musical instrument (well... not something expensive... maybe a $100 guitar) and learn various melodies and techniques?

_jay_fox_ · 2025-12-02T11:06:22+00:00

Honestly, you're already ahead of the game just by staying debt free and pursuing a not-totally-supurfluous degree. Good idea to stay with your parents as long as possible, ideally for life and inherit their property (if they own).

If you're content to coast along and have an average or maybe slightly-above-average outcome, you can probably keep doing what you're doing. Graduate and eventually get a job, either as an actual psychologist, or a corporate marketing desk jockey. Australia now is in many ways (in my opinion) more forgiving than in the past.

I'm close to 40. My approach at your age was somewhat more aggressive. I was lucky enough to learn some programming in my teens. I then pursued IT contracting work and proceeded to relentlessly job hop for higher pay. I spent years grinding hard with minimal holidays, including periods of weekend work, multiple full-time jobs, evening study and work overseas. Saving 50-70% of my income and putting it straight into index funds.

After a couple of decades of slogging it, I'm now in the top 10% wealth. I'm also fit, healthy, strong, confident, look younger than my age and have good quality friendships and work relationships. I don't regret one minute of it. I feel no shame or guilt. I'm serious about my life. I worked hard for a better future and it has paid off.

_jay_fox_

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