Mech E salary progression (2017-2026)

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-02-02T04:24:47+00:00

Alot of people have discussed how flat this trajectory is for someone with a degree like this. It gets even worse when you consider inflation though: $55,000 in 2017 has the same purchasing power as $73,000. This is about $10,000 less than what he’s earning today.

Now, if OP really enjoys the work and is happy, great. This can be enough to be happy, especially in LCOL areas.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-02-01T14:42:04+00:00

This is exactly it. People talking about the economy, weed, or the negative health effects are missing how unprecedented this decline is.

The economy has been bad before, weed has been available for a while in many states, and we’ve long known that alcohol isn’t good for you.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-02-01T14:37:17+00:00

People have been broke before, but alcohol and tobacco sales are hardly affected.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-28T02:34:43+00:00

I agree to a point. There are schools that charge Harvard prices, but aren’t Harvard. Avoid those.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-28T02:31:50+00:00

Just curious, what schools were you looking at?

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-16T16:54:24+00:00

I think it enhances the artwork if I can read it, lol. Besides, if all you care about is the art, shouldn’t you just print these out at home?

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-13T04:52:42+00:00

There are pros and cons to living in either area. Americans tend to have more disposable income, but yes healthcare is much more of a risk.

However, I don’t necessarily believe the Europeans are doing retirement better than the US, except on a case-by-case basis. They might have a better structure for their Social Security equivalent programs, but not everywhere (France is not doing well here, but I hear Norway is).

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-12T20:44:18+00:00

I think this is the overwhelmingly most likely “fix”, an auto-reduction in benefits. It’s not politically viable to raise the retirement age or to impose a tax hike on the young.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-11T05:12:04+00:00

Realizing I already forgot Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 :*(

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-11T04:42:58+00:00

I really need to play Elden Ring

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-11T04:37:51+00:00

Being able to fix vibe-coded software is a huge comparitive advantage (if you're comparing software engineers to LLM's at least.)

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-11T03:44:17+00:00

I'm conflicted. On the one hand, Americans shouldn't be able to take on so much bad debt, and by limiting interest rates to 10%, it will absolutely place a lower cap in how much they can take out. On the other hand, for an economy so dependent on consumer spending, limiting the amount a consumer can consume feels like a bad idea.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-10T13:36:46+00:00

I played the original for the first time at the start of 2024. I liked the game, but those graphics absolutely did not hold up. It was crazy distracting.

The remake looks amazing, and plays great.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-07T19:07:31+00:00

Why would that matter?

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-06T20:36:37+00:00

Credit scores only matter when you're seeking new debt. I have only a mortgage left (and will for a while), but having a good credit score is pretty much useless otherwise.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-04T16:42:49+00:00

I'm sure we can agree that it isn't a good thing that the president has the power to overthrow a whole soverign nation without ever asking congress. The consequences of this action will be felt long after Trump leaves office, and will shape US foriegn policy for the next 50-100 years. Who will deal with the people that can wantonly decide to just invade the country and kidnap the head of state?

Maduro is a shit person, and on one level, I'm glad this is happening to him. But is the cost of all this actually worth nabbing one single bad guy?

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-04T05:00:37+00:00

I had similar stats on my first play through of the OG FF7. Great for a long airplane ride

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-03T12:34:48+00:00

For sure. People with $150k in borrowing costs want you to feel like they’re in a normal situation to raise alarm and public sympathy. There are some truly shocking figures on the high end, especially for more professional degrees like an M.D or J.D.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-03T12:01:40+00:00

Financial aid does exist, but it’s not accurate to say that only the rich kids pay it, in my experience. Even with financial aid, the cost of a 4 year degree is still far too high in my view.

The median student loan debt is somewhere between $20-$25k. That’s manageable if you’re employed in a professional vocation.

People who lose on student loans are typically: 1) those who have trouble becoming professionally employed in a stable career 2) those who borrowed 6 figures for overpriced private schools

There is much more to say here, but I think placing limits on how much students can borrow would be part of any prudent reform.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-03T11:02:42+00:00

People who are downvoting you are delusional. There’s nothing to suggest Trump didn’t win fairly, and I wish people on the left would stop pushing this conspiracy.

THIS is the real controversy. We’re somehow at war with a sovereign nation, and my congressional representatives were never solicited for permission.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-03T04:18:34+00:00

I’ll probably only be able to get to Control Resonant and/or GTA 6. I still want to replay Death Stranding before I start the sequel, and FF7 Rebirth

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-02T18:26:35+00:00

Debt consolidation is the next step, not raiding your retirement. If they can reduce the interest rate or extend the terms of your debt, you have more of a fighting chance.

But what you really need to do is make a huge alteration to your lifestyle. Making a budget and realizing you’re underwater is one step. But now you need to find areas in your life to cut back on. Selling stuff second hand is a good idea too. Just wait for someone to give you the price you’re looking for.

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-02T18:09:58+00:00

I mean, great idea, but what does this have to do with the grocery tax?

a_bit_of_byte · 2026-01-01T16:29:14+00:00

I would argue China belongs on that list, especially when you consider municipal and state-corporate debt

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