Poll of the Day > It's so weird going from 12k/year to 50k/year...

(+) Yeah! (+)

It's like if I want something I can just buy it and use time for enjoying things. Like all these things I wanted that I thought were so expensive I bought and then I did a bunch of upgrades to my apartment, and I'm still having like 20k/year leftover. And then I realized it's a waste of time to not eat optimally while going to the gym, so I bought protein powder and am eating the right amounts of protein. Still thin, but I'm improving. And I bought broadway tickets for some shows I really wanted to see. I realized I can even go fly to a new city every month and stay in a nice hotel (but I'd probably opt for a cheaper one) and still save like $1000/month.

This makes me want to go into private practice for that 180k/year gig instead of going to get my PhD first :/

But I think the correlation with money/happiness would probbaly stop around 80k/year.

Uh huh
---

Someone likes to brag.

I mean 50k/year is pretty typical for someone with only a B.S. It's not really a difficult goal, but I'm surprised how much it increases your lifestyle.

Perfexion posted...

But I think the correlation with money/happiness would probbaly stop around 80k/year.

funny, I actually had this exact type of thought not too long ago (even same amount).
---

Yeah 50K is alot for an individual. I make a little more than that and have to support a family. I get by ok but it will be nice when my wife goes back to work and we have a bit more disposable income.
---

Money is nice. I wish I made more. I currently make $12 an hour and while it's not minimum wage it still isn't much. I work a side job where I double my weekly income in a single day. It's just not reliable.

Do you recommend going in debt to go to school so I can make more money?
---

My advice, start saving instead of blowing it all. Just because you now have more income than before doesn't mean you should spend it all on frivolous things until you get down to 12k/year again.
---

FellWolf posted...

Do you recommend going in debt to go to school so I can make more money?

Sometimes you need to invest in yourself. If you feel it's worth it, of course
what do you wanna do? Also if you're broke doing 2 years at a CC and finishing at another school would be wise financially
---

Having money makes your life easier.

Crazy
---

Perfexion posted...

I mean 50k/year is pretty typical for someone with only a B.S. It's not really a difficult goal, but I'm surprised how much it increases your lifestyle.

"I'm shocked things are better going from below the poverty line to above it"

For a guy who supposedly has a Bachelor's degree you really aren't very smart.
---

50k is barely middle class in most areas

BaronessRolab posted...

50k is barely middle class in most areas

For a family, not an individual.

Unless you count "most areas" as downtown Manhattan.
---

Dikitain posted...

BaronessRolab posted...

50k is barely middle class in most areas

For a family, not an individual.

Unless you count "most areas" as downtown Manhattan.

50k for an individual is poverty level in manhattan.

Amazing huh. Money allows you to do the things you want. I remember making real money for the first time, its great.
---

Perfexion posted...

I mean 50k/year is pretty typical for someone with only a B.S. It's not really a difficult goal, but I'm surprised how much it increases your lifestyle.

I wish that were true were I live. 16K is about the norm for a B.S. degree here, assuming the job hires above minimum wage.

BaronessRolab posted...

Dikitain posted...

BaronessRolab posted...

50k is barely middle class in most areas

For a family, not an individual.

Unless you count "most areas" as downtown Manhattan.

50k for an individual is poverty level in manhattan.

100k/yr in my area is lower middle class.
---

Perfexion posted...

It's like if I want something I can just buy it and use time for enjoying things. Like all these things I wanted that I thought were so expensive I bought and then I did a bunch of upgrades to my apartment, and I'm still having like 20k/year leftover. And then I realized it's a waste of time to not eat optimally while going to the gym, so I bought protein powder and am eating the right amounts of protein. Still thin, but I'm improving. And I bought broadway tickets for some shows I really wanted to see. I realized I can even go fly to a new city every month and stay in a nice hotel (but I'd probably opt for a cheaper one) and still save like $1000/month.

This makes me want to go into private practice for that 180k/year gig instead of going to get my PhD first :/

But I think the correlation with money/happiness would probbaly stop around 80k/year.

I had more disposable income when I was earning <20k annually than when I was earning >60k annually.
---

Jiggy101011 posted...

My advice, start saving instead of blowing it all. Just because you now have more income than before doesn't mean you should spend it all on frivolous things until you get down to 12k/year again.

Yeah, definitely. I'm going to have at least 40k saved in two years, but I'm debating on if I should make it 60k or not.

obligatory i make 80k a year
---

Ugh and I was finally used to you being gone.

you made a topic just to say "I'm making x and gonna do a PhD" why
---

Clench281 posted...

you made a topic just to say "I'm making x and gonna do a PhD" why

It's his gimmick.

Go_Totodile posted...

Clench281 posted...

you made a topic just to say "I'm making x and gonna do a PhD" why

It's his gimmick.

his gimmick should have been just starting a PhD program after undergrad instead of first doing a master's and then going into a PhD
---

Clench281 posted...

Go_Totodile posted...

Clench281 posted...

you made a topic just to say "I'm making x and gonna do a PhD" why

It's his gimmick.

his gimmick should have been just starting a PhD program after undergrad instead of first doing a master's and then going into a PhD

This is the optimal route you should take in most fields. This is not the safe route in mine.

There is a 1/4 shot at getting a job in the field with a MS and 1/2 with a PhD, and you only get two shots (well, three but that's pushing it logistically). In this field the optimal route is to get a MS, work for two years (which is still like paid training), and then do a PhD. Or if you are in the 3/4 who can't get a job with the MS, do a PhD and try again. You could do a PhD, but that doesn't work out for 50% of people.

And jobs outside of the field that your degree helps you get are non-existent.