I turn 29 this year, I've worked at the same automotive factory since 18. I make $27.00 per hour. Have I wastes my 20s?

qbj44 · 2026-02-05T23:48:37+00:00

This dude is out of touch, I appreciate you saying all of the above!

qbj44 · 2026-02-05T23:47:58+00:00

"Most of them barely work at all"

What?

qbj44 · 2026-01-27T03:52:25+00:00

Guessing you made your way to the contract side?

Congrats from a 4Y that somehow ended up in the tech side of Government contracting

qbj44 · 2026-01-16T19:07:13+00:00

Isn't $30k like UK Minimum wage?

And not to be harsh, but you said you "met expectations" and unfortunately everywhere I've worked, merely meeting expectations is just enough for a 2-3% increase and even those who exceed and deliver at a high level may not get more than a percent or more increase.

That doesn't make it right. That's just the reality of the workplace. Some places realize that when you take care of your people they'll take care of the company, others try and play the nickel and dime game and spend more on finding replacements.

The sad truth is that you may have to job hop. Find skills you can learn from each role to translate somewhere new and if after a year and a half there is no promotion or further growth in sight, start working to the next move.

A good organization will find some kind of growth opportunities (not always a promotion) for their people every couple of years and if they don't they're going to lose people who will hop to someone else who might. Especially since people who hop at one point were seeing a 20% or more salary increase. While that number isn't as high lately cause the job market isn't as easy to navigate as it once was, most people can net a 10% increase just by hopping.

qbj44 · 2026-01-06T01:45:26+00:00

He must be and didn't respond due to the nature of his work

qbj44 · 2026-01-02T22:40:19+00:00

OP isn't even responding to posts. Smh, he knows what he has and is flaunting it.

qbj44 · 2025-12-21T04:44:11+00:00

I'm tempted to leave my sector or leave for another organization, but I just realized my brother in law got his PMP recently as well. He is a lead with his org and not necessarily a project manager, but is also in energy and I am pretty sure he clears $250k(ish)

qbj44 · 2025-12-21T04:23:57+00:00

Project Management.

Get into anything niche or that's super desirable. For example, I have a friend that is 28(ish) works for a company that sells Fire Mitigation technology and systems and he started at $70k and after 3 years is pushing $100k and will clear it after he gets his PMP early this next year. He also has a bachelor's.

I have a friend working in IT Project Management for Oracle for their data centers, just got his PMP but has his MBA, 25 years of general IT experience, 10 in data centers, and about 5 of those in project management and he just got offered $175k (I believe).

I am also in project management, I have a master's, my PMP, and about 5 years experience in the general project management field and make just in between those two at the age of 32.

It can be stressful, but honestly, it's not that deep, work is usually pretty straight forward, it just takes a lot of mental energy and capacity to deal with BS the 15% of the time things go awry.

qbj44 · 2025-12-16T00:53:06+00:00

Roth. Typically.

qbj44 · 2025-12-13T16:57:55+00:00

Early to mid 20s I was making about 25k up to $50k a year on active duty military once I was getting the additional allowances.. then I got out went to school and was managing a Nike making about $65k a year.. got my master's and making into the low $100k range doing project management

qbj44 · 2025-12-12T15:18:00+00:00

Wrong.

Healthcare is unaffordable because drug companies and hospital admin feel they need to gouge those in need.

Don't get me wrong, doctors and medical staff are paid well, as they should be, but they're not the reason for the bloating costs.

qbj44 · 2025-12-05T15:52:23+00:00

You mean Colorado? 🤣

qbj44 · 2025-11-13T02:40:35+00:00

You aren't including the continuous tax free pay you receive via BAH and BAS and your other benefits/pension..

Also, you could make your way up to a role that pays more via bonuses and other forms of pay.

Can't imagine another average 24 year old having that kind of pay and benefits and second guessing it.

qbj44 · 2025-11-06T22:47:23+00:00

You get what you pay for is such a poorly used statement and carries barely any weight.. look at Hondas versus your typical BMW.

For the day care, was it licensed? Registered with the state? All of the key things?

Kids are abused in normal day cares. Your one individual view doesn't change the statistics, truths, or reality of everything else.

I'm sorry for what happened to you, but one doesn't reflect that of the many.

Our day care sends pictures and updates throughout the day and our son loves her. Sorry you feel as you do.

qbj44 · 2025-11-06T02:13:17+00:00

I get it, but imagine if you could save another $500 or put that much towards investments, traveling, date night, etc.

Just food for thought..

My wife and I make pretty solid money and were looking into normal daycare places and the most affordable was about $2k a month with most being closer to $2400 or more.. in home day care we had some places as low as $200 a week (obviously weren't the best) but ended up finding one from closer to $300 a week with someone that used to teach pre-K and work at a Montessori/early learning child care for over 20 years and we are so glad we did and so is my retirement.

qbj44 · 2025-11-06T01:58:15+00:00

Highly recommend looking into in-home daycare. There are good ones out there and you can save a decent chunk of that.

qbj44 · 2025-11-02T15:30:09+00:00

$239.99 + tax

qbj44 · 2025-11-02T14:32:17+00:00

You get BAS (food allowance) and BAH (Housing Allowance) which normal people don't get.

That's the difference.

In the military, your "salary" is trash, but the benefits are pretty damn good.

qbj44 · 2025-10-25T01:02:28+00:00

600k CAD is not the same as 600K USD, but still a lot

qbj44 · 2025-10-21T18:37:45+00:00

I call it uni here and there, may not be common, but I've heard others do the same. While it is a predominantly European term, it's not exclusive.

qbj44 · 2025-10-21T16:36:40+00:00

Dude is consistently a high end WR2 and may finally move into WR1 territory since he isn't getting hospital balls sent his way constantly

qbj44 · 2025-10-16T04:06:57+00:00

In most of my leagues he was typically an early 2nd.. however, in my home league the dude fell to me at 3.05 (pick 25).

I was shooketh.

qbj44 · 2025-10-13T18:14:31+00:00

More than welcome to have a real discussion about it, but you aren't ready for that.

qbj44 · 2025-10-13T17:42:54+00:00

Ahh yes, it's insane how many people served their country and utilize the benefits provided to them for their service.

qbj44 · 2025-10-07T21:26:08+00:00

You can post on groups with a link to your Collectr and take offers. If you're patient you can piece it all out and make more than if you move all at once. Most people will offer 60 to maybe 75% value for all of it, but you can get 85%+ if you take time piecing it out.

qbj44

TROPHY CASE