thread has been derailed and should go back on topic soon i guess

what your saying is indeed correct if you are working with a very large sum of money - 100k is nothing though - not even anywhere close to a large amount of money - it's mere pennies in the market

1/28/2009 8:36:21 PM

I've been doing alright. I should have more money saved up but I have only myself to blame in that regard. What's going to kill me is relocating back to the States and trying to find a new job next year.

2/5/2009 8:25:18 AM

i should totally have more money...I'm saving well but i really need to curb my spending habits.

I'm currently looking to purchase my first home which has me reevaluating my habits. When it comes to buying large goods (tv, new computer, gadgets) i always restrain and only purchase what i really deem necessary. I bought myself a ps3 last year and have not regretted it, but that was my one big item. I've been trying to convince myself to purchase a new computer but i keep backing out. But then on the other hand, i have no problem eating out all weekend and pulling out cash to spend at a bar. Its something i'm going to try and curb this year.

2/5/2009 9:54:25 AM

Not bad, doing pretty well since I'm working in IT for public safety.

2/5/2009 11:27:26 AM

i really dont think I make enough at my current job. Its a good job with potential, but at the moment i think i am underpaid compared to my peers in the industry. And in this economy i'm a little scared i won't be getting a raise this year.

2/6/2009 10:51:42 AM

I'm doing ok, however I just got laid off so it will be interesting to see how the next couple weeks/months go.

I am thinking about starting up my own LLC so that I can do independent consulting and keep more of the money, anyone know how that works? I have a couple friends that are CPAs that I'm going to ask, but I thought I'd check on here too.

2/9/2009 9:36:54 AM

http://thesimpledollar.com has some good suggestions for handling behaviors like over and chronic spending.

2/9/2009 5:51:23 PM

my cardboard box has grown quite comfy. jk

2/10/2009 1:26:29 PM

Finances aren't super hot right now, but I have expenses of $16000/yr and have an excellent shot at a decent job right now. Got offered a job today, but everything in me tells me I shouldn't take it. Really bad vibes from the future boss on the phone...

Waiting may prove to be very good for my financial situation. I have a shot at an amazing fed job that'll allow me to make and save money beyond what I imagined. We'll see about acquiring an apartment or whether my Jeep's transmission finally decides to die this year!

2/10/2009 8:12:43 PM

Are all of you happy where you are at your salary level?

I am very impatient, and feel I should be making over double what I am currently making now, but don't see the possibility of that in mechanical engineering. I would love to be someone that didn't have to stress about money, but how realistic is that?

We're doing fine, but it frustrates me to know I will be working 8-5 probably until I am 65 (min), with no way to have a sudden surge of income to reduce that number (selling a website for $texas for example)

3/11/2009 11:07:08 AM

Do you have your PE yet? If not, won't that pretty much guarantee you a fairly significant salary bump?

beyond that, the first few years out of college you get the most salary adjustments, assuming a good economy and strong job performance, after which you kinda get a slow, steady rate of salary increases, if you stay in the same job role.

Beyond that, you can move into management, do part time consulting, to increase your compensation.

You make a few stabs at developing the next hot iphone app, or website, or whatever. 99% of these fail, but at least you have a goal that you can work towards.

I think a lot of folks who start working in high school and on through college, co-op and then full-time employment see such a huge bump in pay as you progress, that it comes as a shock once you hit that plateau. It definitely shocked me at first, but after thinking on it, it made sense and i got over it (i guess it's also easy knowing i have a wife who'll make my salary meaningless in about 5 years).

3/11/2009 11:56:23 AM

I'm probably going to steal your wife from you in about 4.5 years. Just a heads up.

[Edited on March 11, 2009 at 3:06 PM. Reason : a]

3/11/2009 3:06:08 PM

Simply put, my income isn't too bad now. But my financial situation SUCKS DOG BALLS. I seriously need to act on my entrepreneurial streak.

3/12/2009 12:11:53 AM

My financial situation is miles ahead of where I used to be prior to graduation. I'm able to make the maximum (company matched) contribution to my 401(k), pay off credit card bills that amounted the last semester of college, bought the car I have wanted forever, and take the girl out as much or little as I would like.

I literally just bought the car about a week ago. So in a year I will have the credit cards long paid off. Refinance the car for lower payments. Then start seriously considering purchasing a home.

3/12/2009 8:23:05 AM

You shouldn't be refinancing the car for lower payments, you should be paying it off as fast as you can so you can put that extra money towards something else.. like a house. People get so upside down in car loans it's ridiculous..avoid that.

3/12/2009 8:50:07 AM

Quote :

"my income is up ten fold, but my expenses are up just as much, i am horrible with money"

3/14/2009 10:06:36 PM

I will tell you what, I will discuss my finances when I figure out what exactly it is I'm doing for work.

I just want a 9-5 job.... soooo tired of 2nd shift.

3/16/2009 11:09:55 PM

Does anyone work 9-5 anymore?

3/17/2009 4:29:36 PM

I'm not making six figures, but I'm not making peanuts either. I'm happy with my current job and career path, especially considering all of the people that cannot find work with masters degrees.

3/17/2009 4:44:27 PM

Yeah, don't refinance it. I refinanced my car at my Mom's suggestion 3 years into the loan, turning a 5 year loan into an 8 year loan. It fucking sucked.

3/17/2009 7:25:40 PM