Finally making $100K and I'm not happy about it

You only put away $900/month off a $105k salary hahaha. That's terrible, especially for a bachelor.

Gordon Shumway wrote:

I know the feeling. I assume you live on the West Coast like me where that doesn't mean much these days. Anywhere else you would live like a king off that.

Live like a king off on $100k here on the North Shore of Long Island ? Hah - struggling on $350k...

Random Runr wrote:

There was a thread on this board a while back. The author was "struggling to get by on a $300k combined household income" in the NY metro area.

Point is, $100k is ok if you're single and don't live in NYC, Boston or SF.

If you have a wife, double that. If she works, too, $200k combined works fine.

Add roughly $50k per child, unless wife stays home.

By the way, in Europe a family of 4 can live off $50k a year, EASILY.

those numbers sound about right. we live in one of those mentioned areas and its sure not cheap.

really need about $200k to live (family of 3)....250 is better....350 and things start rolling...

taxes are killing me though...

Flagpole wrote:

vivalarepublica wrote:

You should work in state government. 100k is basically a dream unless you are a political appointee. When people leave or retire, you often get their duties without a raise. Your extra contributions are not rewarded and the best way to move up is to be a brown noser. And raises that you do get barely keep up with the cost of living.

And after writing that, I think it's time that I reconsider my career.

Going to get a pension though, eh?

Maybe. First of all, I have stick around for another 3+ years to get any pension at all. And a pension for those years of service probably will not top $200/month. Second, the pension fundhas to still exist when I retire. Third, even the full pension is not enough to live of. It's meant to be supplementary income in addition to Social Security, investments, savings, anything else (a concept I actually agree, as many government pensions are out of control).

Dude there is no such thing as happiness. Nothing will make us happy. It doesn’t exist.

pics?

Dollars wrote:

The USD lost 11% of its value over the last 12 months. Are you sure you received a raise?

....relative to the Euro? Not relevant when you can't use a Euro to buy anything in the U.S.

The dollar losing value relative to goods and services (which has the same root cause as depreciation relative to other currencies - the fed) is the problem. Aka inflation

Le Grande Orange wrote:

Gordon Shumway wrote:

I know the feeling. I assume you live on the West Coast like me where that doesn't mean much these days. Anywhere else you would live like a king off that.

Live like a king off on $100k here on the North Shore of Long Island ? Hah - struggling on $350k...

Is this a real post? If you don't know how to manage money move to a cheaper city and negotiate a similar salary. You're owning yourself by living on Long Island.

Look for the warning signs because once they are comfortable with the merger sometimes they reduce staff which means either you or your counterpart might be hitting the street. Most likely him at that price tag unless he has a better handle at the inter-office politics.

Good luck

Wow, all of you people making six figures, really need to stop complaining. I would love just to be in the $65,000 bracket. I'm one year older than you and put away just as much money away as you do a month, making half of what you are making. I also live in one of the most expensive areas in the country as well. It's called living within your means. Yes, I share an apartment with people, I pay attention to my money and realized I can't do everything that I want to do. I work long work weeks, mostly 6 days a week. Be happy with the salary you are given because so many people would love just to have a quarter of that to make their lives better.

I know many people who are in the six figures and it frustrating when they talk about money problems as they don't realize how much other people really struggle.

I declined the 2% raise.

The new CEO tried to validate my pay with analytics.

My response was that you are worth what someone is willing to pay you.

After a flurry of interviews, I got an outside offer for $108k today (10% increase). I think they'll give 110 if I push a little.

I won't look for a counter offer. I'm moving on.

This isn't a big leap or anything.

But I think I am at a better place.

My soon to be former employer will have to figure out if they made a good move or not by keeping payroll as low as they could.

First World Problems wrote:

I declined the 2% raise.

The new CEO tried to validate my pay with analytics.

My response was that you are worth what someone is willing to pay you.

After a flurry of interviews, I got an outside offer for $108k today (10% increase). I think they'll give 110 if I push a little.

I won't look for a counter offer. I'm moving on.

This isn't a big leap or anything.

But I think I am at a better place.

My soon to be former employer will have to figure out if they made a good move or not by keeping payroll as low as they could.

Dude... that is a really small amount of money to make a move over.

You realize that after taxes that ends up being like an extra $400-500 months?

I'm a job hopper, but it's silly to switch jobs over such a minor amount of money like that. The general rule is 20% or more...

Also - you come across like you are some valuable integral piece of the puzzle.

Reality is.. you're not that important. You're probably just some interchangable office drone, hence why the company was not willing to pay you any more than your current salary.

Work on your skill set more and maybe someday you'll make some serious $$, rather than trying to act like making another $200 each paycheck is some huge financial windfall.

DudeReally1 wrote:

Dude... that is a really small amount of money to make a move over.

I would have made a move for the same exact pay rate.

It was more about the new management along with the higher workload.

The low raise was just a little extra incentive.

I have a lot of knowledge about the company that they bought so it will be a bit bumpy for them without me.

Yes, they will manage, though.

And I'm in a better place.

My whole point is that whatever level you are ($100K, $20K, $500K) don't simply accept anything they give you.

Ask for more. Or go get more.

Unemployment is low. Companies need good people and have fewer options. We all should demand higher pay.

Most young people in my city making low six figures are barely scraping by thinking they can live a yuppie lifestyle:

* $2k/mo rent

* $500/mo pet (deposit plus meds plus hired dog walker)

* $600/mo Whole Foods groceries

* $200/mo gym membership plus yoga classes

* $300/mo restaurants, bars and clubs

* $250/mo parking space

* $1000/yr replacement iPhone

* $200/mo cell phone plan

* $100/mo high-speed internet

They could get tons of free money from their employer if they maxed out their ESPP and 401(k) match, but then they wouldn't have enough money for avocado toast.