This is an intrusive personal question

[APDell]

So feel free to not answer

I am curious as to how much money you make, what you do for the money, and how many hours you put in a week to accomplish this. Also, your location (general location).

I have been looking at all these half assed yahoo news reports by these dime a dozen "writer/journalists" about income and which cities are good for so-an-so and blah blah blah, and It got me curious.

In good faith I'll go first; as well as a little personal opinion.

I work in the Midwest in a machining factory. I put in between 60-72 hours a week. I am currently making about $4,300 a month before taxes. I get paid overtime for anything over 40 hours per week. I get decent benefits for a reasonable price per month. No complaints really.

I feel I have to put in a lot of hours to raise my family because of the poor spending habits of our government and the cost of living is insane.


I feel as if I should be making more money sometimes when I am at the end of my 7th day in a row; but I guess I am doing ok. I feel like I work a lot, but also it could be because I do not particularly enjoy what I do. I do not hate it, don't get me wrong. But I think if I spent as many hours doing something I aspired to do I would not notice as much.


I feel like I work waaay to many hours to provide for my family. Part of this is because of the projects that got torn down in Chicago and got set up near our town and I have to see the scumbag welfare abusers everytime I go somwhere. Drives me nuts knowing that I work to support them as well as my family ... another topic though...


Thanks for any input.

 

[APDell]

*I live a frugal lifestyle, no luxuries or fancy cars, nor do we live in a big house. It is quite small in fact, and we do it off of one income*

 

[guyver_dio]

I'd suggest switching companies. I don't know what you should be earning for your line of work but it seems like a real bad balance of work and leisure time to me, not to mention any additional stresses like if it's a bad company, bad co-workers etc... The company can really make the difference, not just pay you more but look out for your general well being too, that includes your happiness and stress level.

 

[Frisco]

I'd suggest switching companies. I don't know what you should be earning for your line of work but it seems like a real bad balance of work and leisure time to me, not to mention any additional stresses like if it's a bad company, bad co-workers etc... The company can really make the difference, not just pay you more but look out for your general well being too, that includes your happiness and stress level.

I sure agree with all that. It's just that the economy as it is now, and has been for quite some time now, has really squeezed off the number of choices a worker has.. some are just stuck at where they are and are grateful to be employed, others may have an option or two, but employers know what's going on and many have become less than ideal employers by a long shot.

 

[coldfuzion]

My situation isn't really similar, but I kind of feel your pain. I'm a mechanical engineer (24 yrs old) ,(graduated college in december 2009 with a BS in mech. engr. ) , finally got my first engineering job (as an intern) in september 2010 making 15 dollars an hour. When they finally put me on salary in early 2011 (after telling me once they were going to do it a few months earlier, then finding out that my boss's boss, the owner of the company, didn't think they should... what a confidence booster that was... )

So currently i'm the only person with the title "Mechanical Engineer" at our company (we only have maybe 25 employees) my boss is one too, but his title is VP of operations,
I went into my yearly review with hopes of negotiating a salary (somewhere in the 50-60k range is average for starting mechanical engineers) , but instead, my boss tells me "You're making about 31[k per year] right now , so we'll bump you up to 33."
and that was the end of it.
(so, just for comparisons's sake, that's approximately 2750 a month before taxes , take-home pay being almost exactly 2000 after all is said and done) benefits include a 401k plan (my company doesn't have the money to match controbutions) , high deductable health insurance (3000 dollars I think?) , health spending account, and one week paid vacation per year (more after working there for like 5 yrs I think)




Our company designs/builds/sells outdoor products (outdoorrooms.com is the web address if you want to see specifically what i'm talking about) like fire pits, fireplaces, custom bbq grill islands, currently we're working on some new stuff involving gel fuel for indoor/outdoor portable fireplaces and tabletop units. Nothing super high tech, although we do have some unique products and patented technology.

Currently I do a lot of CAD drawings for new and existing products, I do google sketchup renders of grill islands for potential customers, create framing drawings to be used in a steel "roll former" machine (similar to those machines that make custom length gutters , except that this one does steel studs for building structures) , I write-up instruction manuals for new products and re-write crappy chinese ones from products we've outsourced to China, If I have time, I brainstorm ideas for new products and modifications to existing designs, as well as help out around the office with my computer knowledge (doesn't take much to know more than everyone in your office when you're the youngest person working there by a few years) , etc...

the hours I work are generally 40 a week, although its kind of expected that if they need more from me, I'll do it (sucks not getting overtime anymore...)


I'm currently living with my parents still (I know, lame...) so I can't really complain as far as money goes, but I'm moving out within the next few months and am not quite sure what that'll mean for my financial situation considering I already pay about just over 400 dollars a month to my student loans, among a few other bills I now have, such as car payments , insurance, cell phone, (and a few other bills that if it came down to it, I could probably cut out all together if need be)

I feel like maybe its greedy of me to want more than what I'm making, considering some people would be happy to be making as much, but it just sucks when you're making less than a lot of people who skipped college and just went into a trade such as heating and AC installation, construction, etc. Those people didn't end up 50 grand in debt, 4.5 yrs behind in making a steady income, and can now afford to live better than myself.


i feel like i'm starting to ramble here... this has been something that's been frustrating me for a long time, but the work keeps me busy and I do enjoy the people I work with , and , for the most part, the work I do there.

as everyone says though , (this is directed at you, OP)
if you don't like what you're doing , find something you do, becuase you spend too much of your life working to not enjoy it, considering , (depending on your religion I guess) you only get one chance to enjoy your life.


having said that, I realize how tough it is to just switch jobs in this economy considering a lot of companies are STILL laying people off and not a lot of new jobs are being created in any field (except maybe suicide prevention, but that might be a volunteer job...lol)


for a comparison though, I have an acquaintance from college who graduated a year after me, got offered a job straight out of college with goodrich (sensors and systems) as an electrical engineer starting at 68k per year.

 

[APDell]

Thanks for the input.

The company I work for does dick around the emloyees; although the benefits for medical and the 401k make it hard to find work elsewhere. On the floor level I have worked hard for all of my managers and I can run several machines. I do have other "benefits" such as taking a vacation day off with just a days notice; because I often do favors for my immediate managers. That is something that they won't allow other people to do, not by a long shot. So I do have that going for me. I have built up a rapport and if I need something I am granted MUCH more leniency than most.

As for finding something I enjoy doing; I wish I could. Right now the responsibilities of being a gainfully employed father and husband subordinate any dislikes I have towards my job and keep me focused on providing.

I might be able to move on someday when my kids are old enough and can take care of themselves (I am 29 if anybody is wondering).

I really like reading about your situations and hearing your input. I am not sure why, but thank you for taking your time. I guess maybe I feel like its easier to open up to strangers via the internet. Sometimes the response is much more honest. But I'll never know the difference I guess!

 

[Crude]

I'm not sure there's much we can do about our job situation. The ecconomy isn't favoring the working class.
IRS: 235,413 million-dollar earners - Jennifer Epstein - POLITICO.com

I've conceded to the fact that work sucks, so you might as well get paid well. I'd be willing to put up with a job I don't like for better hours, better pay and/or more benefits. But I'm not moving from one problem job to another.

 

[Bob Maxey]

I am very, very, happy. Answer enough for you?

Write, spheres, assemble, philately, banjos, restoration, consulting, collecting, selling, a few cons and lots of hard work.

 

[APDell]

I am very, very, happy. Answer enough for you?

Write, spheres, assemble, philately, banjos, restoration, consulting, collecting, selling, a few cons and lots of hard work.

Thats all you are gonna give me? Just kidding. Good to hear you are enjoying life

 

[B2L]

My situation isn't really similar, but I kind of feel your pain. I'm a mechanical engineer (24 yrs old) ,(graduated college in december 2009 with a BS in mech. engr. ) , finally got my first engineering job (as an intern) in september 2010 making 15 dollars an hour. When they finally put me on salary in early 2011 (after telling me once they were going to do it a few months earlier, then finding out that my boss's boss, the owner of the company, didn't think they should... what a confidence booster that was... )

So currently i'm the only person with the title "Mechanical Engineer" at our company (we only have maybe 25 employees) my boss is one too, but his title is VP of operations,
I went into my yearly review with hopes of negotiating a salary (somewhere in the 50-60k range is average for starting mechanical engineers) , but instead, my boss tells me "You're making about 31[k per year] right now , so we'll bump you up to 33."
and that was the end of it.
(so, just for comparisons's sake, that's approximately 2750 a month before taxes , take-home pay being almost exactly 2000 after all is said and done) benefits include a 401k plan (my company doesn't have the money to match controbutions) , high deductable health insurance (3000 dollars I think?) , health spending account, and one week paid vacation per year (more after working there for like 5 yrs I think)




Our company designs/builds/sells outdoor products (outdoorrooms.com is the web address if you want to see specifically what i'm talking about) like fire pits, fireplaces, custom bbq grill islands, currently we're working on some new stuff involving gel fuel for indoor/outdoor portable fireplaces and tabletop units. Nothing super high tech, although we do have some unique products and patented technology.

Currently I do a lot of CAD drawings for new and existing products, I do google sketchup renders of grill islands for potential customers, create framing drawings to be used in a steel "roll former" machine (similar to those machines that make custom length gutters , except that this one does steel studs for building structures) , I write-up instruction manuals for new products and re-write crappy chinese ones from products we've outsourced to China, If I have time, I brainstorm ideas for new products and modifications to existing designs, as well as help out around the office with my computer knowledge (doesn't take much to know more than everyone in your office when you're the youngest person working there by a few years) , etc...

the hours I work are generally 40 a week, although its kind of expected that if they need more from me, I'll do it (sucks not getting overtime anymore...)


I'm currently living with my parents still (I know, lame...) so I can't really complain as far as money goes, but I'm moving out within the next few months and am not quite sure what that'll mean for my financial situation considering I already pay about just over 400 dollars a month to my student loans, among a few other bills I now have, such as car payments , insurance, cell phone, (and a few other bills that if it came down to it, I could probably cut out all together if need be)

I feel like maybe its greedy of me to want more than what I'm making, considering some people would be happy to be making as much, but it just sucks when you're making less than a lot of people who skipped college and just went into a trade such as heating and AC installation, construction, etc. Those people didn't end up 50 grand in debt, 4.5 yrs behind in making a steady income, and can now afford to live better than myself.


i feel like i'm starting to ramble here... this has been something that's been frustrating me for a long time, but the work keeps me busy and I do enjoy the people I work with , and , for the most part, the work I do there.

as everyone says though , (this is directed at you, OP)
if you don't like what you're doing , find something you do, becuase you spend too much of your life working to not enjoy it, considering , (depending on your religion I guess) you only get one chance to enjoy your life.


having said that, I realize how tough it is to just switch jobs in this economy considering a lot of companies are STILL laying people off and not a lot of new jobs are being created in any field (except maybe suicide prevention, but that might be a volunteer job...lol)


for a comparison though, I have an acquaintance from college who graduated a year after me, got offered a job straight out of college with goodrich (sensors and systems) as an electrical engineer starting at 68k per year.

That's pretty brutal, I'm the same age as you and it's sad to say this but I'm currently making slightly more than you are and I'm a Sales Rep for a web based company that manages government bids. (And I have no college education.)

Things are extremely tough right now for everyone, I'm currently making 35K a year living in a studio apartment with my fiancee. Which is hardly enough to pay the bills. If it was possible I would get a better job, but no one is hiring around here, and I highly doubt I would make more than I am currently.

In a situation like yours, I would demand a raise of some sort. Because that really seems like they are taking advantage of you.

Also, to the OP I completely agree with you the cost of living is INSANE! I live in an area that supposedly has a lower cost of living, but I still only manage to afford the basics.

 

[330D]

I am a union heavy equipment operator in upstate NY. I have good years and I have bad years. Last year was brutal, I only worked for two and a half months. The economy here was fairly robust until the end of 2009. We are a little behind the curve compared to the rest of the country in that respect.

My best year ever I made six figures. Last year I barely broke 30k (including odd jobs and a few months of unemployment). Luckily the good years allow me to scrimp and save for the tough ones.

I am formally uneducated, but I consider myself to be fairly intelligent, and a very hard worker (I know union and hard worker don't generally mix.) I do enjoy my job, especially when times are good. I wouldn't trade it for much, but sometimes I wonder if finding steady work albeit at a lower rate of pay would relieve some of the stress from working only when there is work to be had.

I really feel for folks getting out of college burdened with a mountain of debt, starting a career with little to no experience in this job market. It must be disheartening to face the challenges of starting from scratch in this day and age. Especially with the dollar being as weak as it has ever been.

 

[NYCHitman1]

I guess I technically have 3 jobs. I'm an EUSA (End User Support Analyst) by day, full-time student/parent by night. I make a measly 42K a year, but we get raises annually and we have amazing benefits overall.

 

[Frisco]

I guess I technically have 3 jobs. I'm an EUSA (End User Support Analyst) by day, full-time student/parent by night. I make a measly 42K a year, but we get raises annually and we have amazing benefits overall.

The benefits thing is what is missing for so many people on the job.. good benefits. Low wages are bad enough.. of course, benefits are factored into the payouts of the company to each employee, and that adds up.. so, many employers are cutting down or completely removing health insurance, etc.

We're fortunate that we both are fully covered in those areas, and we both have great earnings and are doing great. But part of that is because we chose to live in one of the states with the lowest unemployment rates, year in and year out, and that the recession has not touched as badly as the rest of the country. I'm sure things would be different if we both, with our same types of work, lived in California, Texas or Illinois, etc.

People in dire need of good work/wages, should be willing to move, if possible, after doing a bit of homework on where the jobs are across the country.

 

[NYCHitman1]

The benefits thing is what is missing for so many people on the job.. good benefits. Low wages are bad enough.. of course, benefits are factored into the payouts of the company to each employee, and that adds up.. so, many employers are cutting down or completely removing health insurance, etc.

We're fortunate that we both are fully covered in those areas, and we both have great earnings and are doing great. But part of that is because we chose to live in one of the states with the lowest unemployment rates, year in and year out, and that the recession has not touched as badly as the rest of the country. I'm sure things would be different if we both, with our same types of work, lived in California, Texas or Illinois, etc.

People in dire need of good work/wages, should be willing to move, if possible, after doing a bit of homework on where the jobs are across the country.

You couldn't have said it any better. I would love nothing more to get an internship under my belt so that I could have a bit more experience in the software engineering realm, but unfortunately my family cannot afford for me to not work since the misses does not bring in much cash. I guess that's her fault for being a civil servant, but that's irrelevant. I read articles on the web all the time about the avg salaries for graduates in the CS fields (they state it's roughly in the 60-70K range depending on the company you end up with), but I don't feel confident that those numbers will reflect on the real world number. We're in the shitter right now, so I can't imagine a company shelling out that kind of money to a graduate who is basically just looking to put some money in the pocket to pay off debts/loans/bills/etc..

 

[Frisco]

I see what you're dealing with.. it sounds like you're making good choices as a reflection of how things are where you are living.

 

[excav8ter]

I own my own excav8ting company in west Michigan. I have been doing this type of work most of my life and REALLY like it. Depending on how many people pay their bills in a given year I end up making about $50,000. I work a LOT of hours in the non-snow months and miss out on a lot of time with my family, but I have to do what I have to do. If the government would run itself like a small business owner runs his business, we would be in a lot better shape.
I generally only work 9-10 months of the year, then I do some snowplowing. I have always been the one to give people slack when it comes to paying on time, but after I realized no one gives me any slack I've become a bit tougher.
My type of work generally consists of sewer and water service installation, concrete and asphalt removal, residential and commercial excavation, demolition as well as slope reconstruction, erosion repair and most recently I have been working for a company that does vinyl seawall and retaining walls work.

 

[APDell]

Very much appreciate the input. I think subconciously this was an effort to see that other people are out there doing what they have to do, and doing the right things in life.

It makes me feel better about humanity I guess!

 

[APDell]

I own my own excav8ting company in west Michigan. I have been doing this type of work most of my life and REALLY like it. Depending on how many people pay their bills in a given year I end up making about $50,000. I work a LOT of hours in the non-snow months and miss out on a lot of time with my family, but I have to do what I have to do. If the government would run itself like a small business owner runs his business, we would be in a lot better shape.
I generally only work 9-10 months of the year, then I do some snowplowing. I have always been the one to give people slack when it comes to paying on time, but after I realized no one gives me any slack I've become a bit tougher.
My type of work generally consists of sewer and water service installation, concrete and asphalt removal, residential and commercial excavation, demolition as well as slope reconstruction, erosion repair and most recently I have been working for a company that does vinyl seawall and retaining walls work.

Self employed people are the hardest working people I know. I grew up on an organic veggie and fruit farm. My father worked 7 days a week and us kids work 6 1/2 days a week. Hard work, but a great lifestyle (I appreciate it now that I am older).

Looks as if you have a lot of business related costs too. Not that it matters but I definatly applaud you.

 

[APDell]

I guess I technically have 3 jobs. I'm an EUSA (End User Support Analyst) by day, full-time student/parent by night. I make a measly 42K a year, but we get raises annually and we have amazing benefits overall.

^this dude gets shit done!

 

[APDell]

I am a union heavy equipment operator in upstate NY. I have good years and I have bad years. Last year was brutal, I only worked for two and a half months. The economy here was fairly robust until the end of 2009. We are a little behind the curve compared to the rest of the country in that respect.

My best year ever I made six figures. Last year I barely broke 30k (including odd jobs and a few months of unemployment). Luckily the good years allow me to scrimp and save for the tough ones.

I am formally uneducated, but I consider myself to be fairly intelligent, and a very hard worker (I know union and hard worker don't generally mix.) I do enjoy my job, especially when times are good. I wouldn't trade it for much, but sometimes I wonder if finding steady work albeit at a lower rate of pay would relieve some of the stress from working only when there is work to be had.

I really feel for folks getting out of college burdened with a mountain of debt, starting a career with little to no experience in this job market. It must be disheartening to face the challenges of starting from scratch in this day and age. Especially with the dollar being as weak as it has ever been.

I agree. I cringe when I hear about college students entering the work force with so much debt, only to get $30,000 per year jobs. I feel like they have been bamboozled.

I definatly take some knowledge from you. Save when we get it. Because of course there are no guarantees...

 

[NYCHitman1]

^this dude gets shit done!

It's all about focus and drive. Without those two pieces, you might as well just be a hobo.

 

[Frisco]

It's all about focus and drive. Without those two pieces, you might as well just be a hobo.

Nail on the head, amigo.

 

[NYCHitman1]

Nail on the head, amigo.

In reference to my hobo comment, it bothers me that these people make zero effort to better themselves. I can understand the hardship they endured which got them in the positions they are in, but they are always in control of the outcome of their lives.

I remember once I attempted to give a homeless man some food, and he literally threw it at me as I walked away, and asked for money instead.

F**k that, man! Crap like that makes me sick. I'm definitely NOT going to assist your drug abuse.

 

[coldfuzion]

That's pretty brutal, I'm the same age as you and it's sad to say this but I'm currently making slightly more than you are and I'm a Sales Rep for a web based company that manages government bids. (And I have no college education.)

Things are extremely tough right now for everyone, I'm currently making 35K a year living in a studio apartment with my fiancee. Which is hardly enough to pay the bills. If it was possible I would get a better job, but no one is hiring around here, and I highly doubt I would make more than I am currently.

In a situation like yours, I would demand a raise of some sort. Because that really seems like they are taking advantage of you.

Also, to the OP I completely agree with you the cost of living is INSANE! I live in an area that supposedly has a lower cost of living, but I still only manage to afford the basics.

the problem with where I work is that from the sound of it, pretty much EVERYONE here is underpaid , and those who transferred here from other companies took pay cuts when they started. (the person who started this company also started a large fireplace company (heat n glo) and some people who worked there are now working here) , that , combined with the fact that we're not really making a profit right now (i think we're just barely taking in more than we spend now) makes me think i'd be better off finding a new job than asking for a raise right now...

i'm kind of trying to keep the mindset that i've got the rest of my life to make lots of money. Lol. we'll see how it goes here for a bit, if it doesn't get any better, i'll be looking for something else... If i can't support myself as an engineer, maybe I'll just become a construction laborer... haha

 

[Frisco]

In reference to my hobo comment, it bothers me that these people make zero effort to better themselves. I can understand the hardship they endured which got them in the positions they are in, but they are always in control of the outcome of their lives.

I remember once I attempted to give a homeless man some food, and he literally threw it at me as I walked away, and asked for money instead.

F**k that, man! Crap like that makes me sick. I'm definitely NOT going to assist your drug abuse.

Well, I part company with you on that issue, NYCHitman. I work with them, cook for them, serve them and try to hook them up with healthcare, etc, mostly on weekends. Many of them have no addiction at all, but even the ones who do need us.

The ones who seem to be there by choice don't last long because they do have a support system they left behind and they eventually go back to it out of misery on the streets. They are a small minority of the "hobos" I work with.