College friend let it slip last night they make $750,000 a year and I’m sick

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just noticed an old college friend was on social media and linkedin saying they're taking some (totally cliche) sabbatical thing after the small tech company they work for sold for big bucks. I safely assume the friend just made millions. They weren't a software engineer either, just in sales with a joke degree from a public U. No way of predicting the company would blow up like it did. No genius IQ. No academic pedigree. Luck? Right place, right time?

Go reread your judgmental post, pp...I'll wait.

Done?

Let me explain something to you: the wealthiest people with the easiest jobs typically have jobs in sales or some other low-brow sector...and their joke degree from a public U was all they needed to get their foot in the door. I thought this was common knowledge, but I'm shocked by the parents who put extreme pressure on their kids to stress out over APs freshman year and go in debt to attend colleges with $250k price tags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just noticed an old college friend was on social media and linkedin saying they're taking some (totally cliche) sabbatical thing after the small tech company they work for sold for big bucks. I safely assume the friend just made millions. They weren't a software engineer either, just in sales with a joke degree from a public U. No way of predicting the company would blow up like it did. No genius IQ. No academic pedigree. Luck? Right place, right time?

Do you actually KNOW what they did at that company, how much time and effort they put into their work, etc.? Cuz if you don't then you have no right to say they were lucky.

"Joke degree from a public U"? You're like, green with envy right now, so much so that you have to resort to that tired insult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just noticed an old college friend was on social media and linkedin saying they're taking some (totally cliche) sabbatical thing after the small tech company they work for sold for big bucks. I safely assume the friend just made millions. They weren't a software engineer either, just in sales with a joke degree from a public U. No way of predicting the company would blow up like it did. No genius IQ. No academic pedigree. Luck? Right place, right time?

Do you actually KNOW what they did at that company, how much time and effort they put into their work, etc.? Cuz if you don't then you have no right to say they were lucky.

"Joke degree from a public U"? You're like, green with envy right now, so much so that you have to resort to that tired insult.

I don't mean joke degree because it's from public university, joke as in "Mickey Mouse" department, fairly worthless diploma that has a bimbo rep. And as for what friend did ... sales/marketing for a few years? But that's really unimportant, what is important is that the friend was a fairly early employee at a still pretty small tech company and hauled in stock options. Hit the lottery. ZERO way on knowing that company would blow up like it did. None. Not even the founders could have predicted. That's luck, is it not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stop thinking about this. It’s not like some flashy tech job with stock options or dental surgeon or law partner. Totally unexpected.

You ever been caught off guard after a friend let it slip they’re doing really well?

When I was 25 and single and working an unrewarding job, I went to visit a childhood friend who despite not going to college had just bought a large new home containing three cars plus a motorcycle in his garage, and was about to get married. I wish I could say that I had the wisdom to change my life right then and there, but it took me about 5 years to really turn my life around. Some people shy away from successful people because of how it makes them feel. Some even seek out friends who are doing worse just to feel better about themselves in comparison. However I have since realized that one of the key ways to improve my own situation is to surround myself with those who are doing better than me, like my childhood friend. From him I learned the importance of being entrepreneurial, investing wisely, and giving up short term consumption for long term gains. I have found successful people to be incredibly generous and willing to share their experience once they discover that you are not jealous of them. Therefore I've trained myself to quickly get beyond the initial shock within a matter of 10-20 seconds and move on to expressing genuine curiosity of their achievements.

The flip side is also true. I generally do not discuss our finances with friends and let the chips fall where they may as they observe our consumption - I am not going to hold my enjoyment back for the sake of others. Some friends have stuck with us, most have not.

Love this. I try to adopt the same attitude, and expect the same of others who see us enjoying our money. We don’t go around flaunting our money or telling people how much we make, but I can’t imagine not being able to take a nice trip, like a PP had mentioned, for fear of others becoming jealous. This is why it’s hard for people in different SES to be friends with each other.

+1

Also, the most popular question in the D.C. area is the most offensive question you could ask anyone: "what do you do"? Because you are basically asking them how much they make. If you are about picking someone's brain (professionally or financially), it will be obvious, and also offensive. Too many people try to do that at cocktail parties, and I know more than a handful of people who give the wrong answers (ie: give the story of a less successful guy they know, because they think the brain picking is rude).

Brain-picking = The act of exploring another's ideas through questioning.

For example in seeking ideas on solving a problem from a more knowledgeable colleague. It's a good thing.

The term you're looking for is more akin to intrusive questioning from a busybody.

Yes. In the form of brain picking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband has started making 7 figures in the last couple of years (previously at least $500k per year), it really hasn’t changed our lives other than we are padding our savings in a big way. I guess people may be shocked if they ever found out as we don’t live like he makes that much- he still drives a 10 year old car to work, we live in a relatively modest house, (value is less than he makes per year), and I’d like to do a winter and/or break trip but he thinks airline tickets are too expensive!! It’s a little ridiculous. Not sick to your stomach envy-worthy! Not sure how much he wants socked away before we can actually enjoy it. I really don’t feel any different or have a different lifestyle than my friends other than I don’t work anymore.

Gym time now Mrs Bezos.

Stop this this Bezos crap you always mention

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just noticed an old college friend was on social media and linkedin saying they're taking some (totally cliche) sabbatical thing after the small tech company they work for sold for big bucks. I safely assume the friend just made millions. They weren't a software engineer either, just in sales with a joke degree from a public U. No way of predicting the company would blow up like it did. No genius IQ. No academic pedigree. Luck? Right place, right time?

Do you actually KNOW what they did at that company, how much time and effort they put into their work, etc.? Cuz if you don't then you have no right to say they were lucky.

"Joke degree from a public U"? You're like, green with envy right now, so much so that you have to resort to that tired insult.

I don't mean joke degree because it's from public university, joke as in "Mickey Mouse" department, fairly worthless diploma that has a bimbo rep. And as for what friend did ... sales/marketing for a few years? But that's really unimportant, what is important is that the friend was a fairly early employee at a still pretty small tech company and hauled in stock options. Hit the lottery. ZERO way on knowing that company would blow up like it did. None. Not even the founders could have predicted. That's luck, is it not?

Well if your friend is a sales rep she has more personality and charisma than you could ever dream to have. Naturally she will always do better than you. You obviously are an absolute wet blanket.

[Anonymous]

My first instinct is to be really happy for them. But I'm a decent person...

[Anonymous]

the ONLY THING that would make these posts EVEN MORE ENRICHING would be including the professions of these Top Earners. Some of us are trying to help our kids get to secure places/careers in life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why I enjoy living in a middle class neighborhood

Agreed. I admit I am actually afraid to live in a wealthy neighborhood although my parents continue to claim how I am starving their grandchildren of “proper quality of life.” And [I don’t think] our neighbors are none the wiser.

[Anonymous]

this college friend will not be mooching money from you. thats the pro of having rich friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the ONLY THING that would make these posts EVEN MORE ENRICHING would be including the professions of these Top Earners. Some of us are trying to help our kids get to secure places/careers in life.

Surgeon. Even a dental surgeon my husband golfs with pulls in $600k. But your post comes across as really thirsty and striver. Nobody likes families like that. Chill out.