Hi all. Apologies if this is not allowed here. I know people out there are struggling, but I just want to share my good news with someone.
It’s a big milestone of accomplishment in my life, but I feel weird just telling family members or my online friends about it. The only other people who know are my coworkers because we all got the same raise. Money doesn’t go as far nowadays due to crazy inflation post COVID and my area has higher cost of living than where I grew up, but I’m still very happy about this. I remember back when I used to only make minimum wage. All those years of schooling eventually made their way back to me. I’ll never make as much money as someone like a doctor, but it’s definitely enough for me to live comfortably as a single person.
Anyway, I’ll delete this in a bit (or sooner if it gets removed by a mod), but I hope you guys out there have a good weekend.
Edit: Thank you guys very much :)
Edit 2: Jeez there are so many more comments than I expected. You guys are so nice!!
Congratulations!
Dude, I feel a lot of what you’re saying. I spent years making awful wages at terrible jobs, then fell ass-backwards into a six-figure career. The whiplash is really hard going from thinking you’ll die young and poor into having more than you know what to do with.
With that being said, I have advice to share if you’re interested in such things:
- Six figures isn’t rich, but it certainly is more than enough. After this point, finding even more money isn’t really going to make you much happier, so start prioritizing other important gains you can make in your career (hours, day-to-day job satisfaction)
- Focus on improving emotional intelligence. You can afford stuff now, so you can no longer hide behind notions like “this stuff isn’t for poor people like me” – you need to find actual reasons to say no to things and that requires the skill of knowing why you want something.
- Lots of problems can be solved with money, but you have to be super careful about it or you’ll just end up wrecking yourself! Feeling mixed up? Don’t buy self-help books – get therapy. Feeling lonely? Don’t buy friends – take some classes at the local community center. Feeling self-conscious? Don’t get a face-lift – hire a personal trainer and maybe a stylist.
- Money guilt is real and it’s OK. Use that feeling to keep yourself down on Earth. Obviously look out for #1 first – pay off bad debt, max out your 401k, set aside enough cash to max out your insurance deductibles and still live a few months without income – once you’ve done that, dial back on the money hoarding. Be better than the assholes who kept you down: tip well, give back to the people who make the things you love, be charitable. Sharing is caring.
Yes you do have someone to share the news, the IRS :). (Assuming you are in the USA)
Seriously though congrats!
Six figure incomes may not be as impressive as they once were, sure, but many of us may never make that much. Don’t downplay it. This is still a great accomplishment, and you are rightfully proud. I hope you are able to enjoy it. Remember, you work to live, not live to work. Vacation days and other benefits are part of your total compensation, and none of it matters a whit unless you use all of your salary and benefits on things that make you and the people you care about happy and healthy.
Keep up the good work!
Congrats! I had that happen a few years ago, and it is a great feeling. Cherish it! You have worked hard and earned this!
