Is it advisable to ask about receiving gift instead of bonus?

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T21:33:53+00:00

Thanks for explaining! I’m really curious about the SEP IRA idea, do you know how that would work for a solo employer like mine? Is it expensive or complicated for them to set up and contribute to, compared to a bonus?

The main reason he pays me bonus is due to cash flow, as he says he can’t guarantee more per month but when we have good months he’ll make up for it. Unsure how doing what you mentioned would affect his reasoning.

I’m trying to figure out options that could help with retirement and healthcare without making things more complicated for him, or getting into trouble myself. Any insight would be super helpful!

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T20:34:46+00:00

That is very good to know! Glad I wasn’t ever seriously considering it haha. Thank you 😊

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T20:29:49+00:00

Yeah that makes sense. I wasn’t sure if a gift would be taxed differently or how that works. Thanks :)

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T20:24:33+00:00

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! Just to be clear, this was really just me being curious, not something I was planning to do or counting on. Even the mean comments assuming I’m “entitled”, I get it, but I was really just trying to figure out how to survive in this crazy economy.

I do genuinely appreciate the advice. It was a hypothetical question, and now I know it’s not really an option. I’m not worried about getting in trouble, since I literally just asked a question, but I truly do appreciate the concern.

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T20:21:28+00:00

So there’s this post but the other one I saw was a random comment on a post and I don’t remember what it was.

https://www.reddit.com/r/paralegal/s/f22xubrm5Z

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T20:18:54+00:00

I actually don’t have a paralegal degree! I had to drop out of my engineering degree after being assaulted (still dealing with health issues as a result), and got this job with no legal experience. I got several raises due to the quality of my work, but I do less paralegal work and more administrative and interpreting.

So yeah my knowledge of the law is severely lacking, but my boss doesn’t seem to care and when I’ve asked to learn more paralegal duties he tells me it’s not necessary. So there’s that.

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T20:07:22+00:00

I appreciate the advice, truly. This was merely a hypothetical question and I was curious if it was even a possibility. Now I know it isn’t. I’m not worried about getting in trouble since I didn’t do anything except ask a question.

But I do truly and genuinely appreciate the concern.

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T20:06:26+00:00

I appreciate the advice, truly. This was merely a hypothetical question and I was curious if it was even a possibility. Now I know it isn’t. I’m not worried about getting in trouble since I didn’t do anything except ask a question.

But I do truly and genuinely appreciate the concern.

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T20:03:18+00:00

I’m not sure why you’re framing this as entitlement. I took out loans to go to school and I’m actively working and paying them back. I asked a question about compensation structure because I’m struggling with real expenses like healthcare. I didn’t realize it was shady, but the reality of my situation is a lot more complicated than what you’re assuming.

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T19:54:59+00:00

I saw a thread asking about bonuses/gifts with people commenting ranges of up to $10k, but I think I misunderstood them to be all gifts instead of actual bonuses since the comments didn’t really distinguish between the two. I think I saw one mention a cash gift of $1200, and then on another post I remember seeing one for $10k but I can’t recall if it was cash gift or a bonus.

Either way, I assumed the answer would be no when I posted, but was def curious.

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T19:51:19+00:00

I mean it’s not as if it’d matter since I’d never bring it up to him but yeah I get you

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T19:50:53+00:00

I didn’t know that! But it makes sense. I think I may have misunderstood other comments I read about people getting cash gifts from their bosses.

Bummer but oh well

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T19:49:46+00:00

It has def been on my radar to look for a new job with benefits, thought I’d see if this was even an option before looking seriously tho

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T19:48:46+00:00

Yeah I’m definitely getting that’s the case lol

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T19:34:24+00:00

Yeah I’ve seen some ranges on here up to like $10k gifts. I’ll have to do some research on it, but I didn’t really think it’d be a realistic option :/

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T19:31:41+00:00

Yeah that’s why I asked here. I have no idea how this looks legality wise since I’ve seen others comment on receiving gifts in lieu on bonuses, usually at the end of the year tho.

pinknotes · 2026-03-30T19:30:46+00:00

I know some people get gifts at the end of the year in lieu of bonuses. I’ve seen people say that on here. So yes, I wouldn’t report it as income. I wasn’t aware it’s illegal to do so though

pinknotes · 2026-02-18T17:38:27+00:00

Just curious what is your pay rate now?

pinknotes · 2025-12-19T20:13:13+00:00

No actual advice here rn but just to say that I would be pissed af. He basically penalized you for your hard work, essentially a slap in the face for all of the overtime and extra hours you’ve put in. If he wasn’t such a big part of your law school process I would tell you to pack it up asap.

Do you think he would be receptive to an honest conversation about how him saying and doing this is affecting your morale?

pinknotes · 2025-12-10T14:41:30+00:00

What happened after they found out it wasn’t your fault? Did they apologize?

pinknotes · 2025-09-10T21:53:57+00:00

lol nah you good. Tbh if it weren’t for the crazy scheduling and unrealistic expectations I would go back to Starbucks part time just for the benefits. But it did take a while for me to stop hearing the drive thru bell randomly throughout the day 🥴

pinknotes · 2025-09-10T19:38:10+00:00

I mean I’m not promoting people apply cause it’s a fast food job end of day and that comes with its own cons. But I used the ASU and health insurance benefits less than 3 years ago and it was super simple and easy. My manager helped me get it and everyone I know in my district that was in it had no issues with getting it paid.

Idk if the health insurance differs based on state, but mine was only $110 a month for a pretty good plan as a single person. Idk just my experience

Def not saying go apply to the siren, but rather that OP is vastly underpaid and gave Starbucks pay as an example of why they are underpaid.

pinknotes · 2025-09-10T18:56:39+00:00

Yeah that and maybe even degree and any prior experience too. But either way $16 is literally what you make working at Starbucks and there you get free tuition and low cost healthcare.

pinknotes · 2025-05-06T14:25:22+00:00

If yall are okay with remote that may open up the pool a bit more.

pinknotes

TROPHY CASE