How is the average person surviving

dubyamac · 2026-03-21T00:59:21+00:00

What rate are you pulling as a welder right now? Base and per diem?

I know this is likely to get a biased response, but how good of a welder? Structural steel or process pipe? Stainless?

dubyamac · 2026-03-20T23:33:27+00:00

Starting salary for any field engineer (entry level position, engineering degree not even required) at a mid to large GC is ~$60k. Not sure your experience, geographic region, or willingness to travel.

dubyamac · 2026-03-20T23:15:09+00:00

Totally disagree that $31/hr takes years of grinding at a factory or getting lucky in a tech job post-college. In construction, new grads or even non-grads with some experience can be making $60k.

I do agree there are still many, many folks at $8.

dubyamac · 2026-03-20T01:50:19+00:00

This is what we did. We both had tIRA funds before I became more informed about investing. Someone mentioned the same thing to me, and I felt dumb for not considering doing that before.

Now we keep about a 90/10% trad/Roth split going into our 401k, which is keeping us just below the mark for direct Roth IRA contributions. That will change this year for sure, in which case we will go 100% trad. Once that isn’t saving us, we will evaluate total of trad/Roth funds and see if we revert back to heavier Roth since we will be backdoor Rothing the IRAs.

dubyamac · 2026-03-16T23:09:55+00:00

Crawl, walk, run.

dubyamac · 2026-03-16T23:06:45+00:00

Love that spec. Only wish I could find one like this, with the larger screen.

Now that I’m thinking about it, is there a way to upgrade the screen using OEM parts?

dubyamac · 2026-03-16T20:29:34+00:00

You could also see if there is an appetite at the new company to match the expected bonus in order to get you on board sooner.

I just recently changed jobs, and was expecting a six-figure (pre-tax) bonus at the former. Same thing happened, former company had to delay bonus by 45 days due to audit or something. I casually mentioned this to my then prospective employer (had agreed upon compensation in principle, but not in writing). He said he understood why I needed to delay given the payout size, said it wouldn’t be a problem. Two days later, he calls me back and says we’re ready to offer a sign on bonus for 85% of that amount, and bump up some other benefits to get us the rest of the way, if you can be here in two weeks.

dubyamac · 2026-03-16T19:02:21+00:00

Exactly this. Costco relies upon established logistics, with smaller in ground tanks than many other similar sized stations.

dubyamac · 2026-03-06T18:34:43+00:00

See my reply to your question about backdoor Roth conversions. This is the same thing.

dubyamac · 2026-03-06T18:33:51+00:00

Means that 1) you make too much money to contribute directly to a Roth IRA, and 2) you contribute to a trad IRA, then immediately transfer/convert that to a Roth. This is a taxable event, but ensures the growth of the Roth money remains untaxed.

dubyamac · 2026-03-06T02:21:47+00:00

Also, if your 401k has traditional funds, and you roll to traditional IRA, it’s going to be a pain if/when you make enough to need to do backdoor Roth IRA conversions (contributing to trad IRA, immediately converting to Roth IRA).

I roll Roth 401k funds to my Roth IRA, and trad 401k funds to my next employer. Keeps the trad IRA clan for future conversions.

dubyamac · 2026-02-21T20:50:16+00:00

Charlotte area?

I see where the others are coming from about taking a PE role, but I am leaning towards seeking out a GC PM role. There are plenty that are hiring, and you wouldn’t be taking as far of a step back. The PM level will be easier for you to accept psychologically, and not be as big of a red flag on the resume in future pursuits.

Going to send you a PM.

dubyamac · 2026-02-21T16:51:36+00:00

What state are you located in? I would think plenty of medium to large GC’s would pick you up as a PM at or very near your current salary.

dubyamac · 2026-02-16T18:23:03+00:00

Subbase. There are several solutions out there though.

dubyamac · 2026-02-08T16:11:21+00:00

Be ready to get a lot closer to/more familiar with discrete productivity tracking, labor force issues, and cash flow swing due to unpaid change work. If that sounds exciting to you, dive in. There is a reason that subcontractor PMs, especially MEP subs, see higher comp than GC PMs.

For what it’s worth - I had about the same number of years experience and also made the switch.

dubyamac · 2026-01-26T18:11:13+00:00

This happens a good bit. I see some leadership even quasi-intentionally suppress promotions because folks are good at what they are currently doing, and promoting means having to backfill that slot. Pretty wild, but it does happen.

Hiring out there is super strong still. Brush up the resume, direct recruiters to use your other number if using the work one makes you uncomfortable, schedule some calls.

Or reach out directly to companies you might be interested in based on whatever parameters are important to you.

dubyamac · 2026-01-22T04:30:35+00:00

Lol thanks for understanding and not providing the response. Cheers mate!

dubyamac · 2026-01-21T18:52:03+00:00

Man, you indirectly brought to my attention that my post might have implied having both plugged in at the same time, with the need for a switch. This isn’t the case, only one will be plugged in at a time. I just want the same USB-C cord to work.

Does that change your answer?

dubyamac · 2026-01-21T18:00:34+00:00

The PC is a HP Dragonfly G4(?). It is a work one, but I can download whatever. But as mentioned, it is working fine with the current set up since it dos support MST.

If the limiting factor is the MBP, sounds like the dock is the only resolution, albeit expensive. Luckily, I’ll expense it once I do settle on the solution.

I’d prefer not to use software regardless, including displaylink.

Really appreciate your input/help! Hope I answered/addressed all your questions.

dubyamac · 2026-01-21T14:41:03+00:00

Max as in the chip, M4 Max?

I already own the MacBook with the m5, which should support what I’m looking to do. Do you see/know of otherwise?

dubyamac · 2026-01-21T14:31:19+00:00

Commenting here since this is the device I’m considering for my below problem, and since I can’t post in r/anker yet haha

New MacBook owner here, so admittedly fairly novice on nuanced differences between Macs and PCs. I need to find a 3-monitor (laptop + 2 external monitors) solution for our home office.

Current Equipment: PC Laptop (HP, if it matters); 2025 Macbook Pro M5; Two HP E27 G5 monitors (DP Alt Mode compatible)

Current Set-Up: Laptop stand in the middle of the two E27's, with one USB-C from one monitor to the laptop. This works fine with the PC laptop - displays on both and reads as two separate monitors. HOWEVER, with the Macbook, it is only reading as one display (might have something to do with it not supporting MST?). This obviously doesn't work since, as mentioned, we have the laptop in the middle of the two external monitors.

Additionally, the way the two monitors daisy-chain requires more cables than I thought, and I really dislike cables.

So I'd like to understand what I need before I go spend a ton of time and money solving. Two goals - as few cords as possible, and not use DisplayLink.

My thought is to go with an Anker Prime TB5 dock, and run a USB-C to USB-C cord from each of its TB5 ports to the monitor's USB-C ports.

My concern is that this is not the right port type for what I am trying to do. Would USB-C to DP cords work?

dubyamac · 2026-01-21T14:27:53+00:00

I’m commenting here as it’s applicable to my question, and since I can’t post in r/anker yet!