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At the time I got my first job in tech, I was working 2 jobs to clear $29K/year. My salary as a junior dev was $76K/year. My next role was $105K/year, then $120
by danielvaughn 4y ago
At the time I got my first job in tech, I was working 2 jobs to clear $29K/year. My salary as a junior dev was $76K/year. My next role was $105K/year, then $120K/year, then $135K/year, then $150K/year.
At each level, my lifestyle adjusted to my income, and it did so completely subconsciously. It felt invisible; I can't think back to a particular time where I was like "I am going to spend more money because I can". It just happened.
I've always felt guilty about it, because I know that I'd be in a much more secure position if I had been more conscientious about how I managed my finances.
- omginternets 4y agoI suppose it’s somewhat natural for this to happen at the lower end of the pay-scale, because one stops actively restricting one’s expenses. But I’m curious, what form did the creep take from 135-150? Are you still living paycheck to paycheck?
- danielvaughn 4y agoI didn't adjust my lifestyle very much, though the extra income allowed me the opportunity to make some larger purchases that I wouldn't have otherwise made. An iPad Pro, a nice standing desk, a herman miller chair, etc. After around the $120 mark, I don't think I was living paycheck to paycheck. But I was not nearly as frugal as I should have been.