Could he get an MA in modern dance? People will pay a fortunate to see professional modern dance.

I agree about working smart. Your DH needs to choose a different career path if money is the goal. Only he can figure out his skill set and how to apply it.

How about working at a music store? I have a relative with a music degree who started out working as salesperson of a large chain. He has worked his way up to corporate hq.

I had a friend who played the triangle for the Coast Guard. Eventually he left it to become a lifeguard in Key West. All fine. until a Great White attacked a Russian babushka - he lost his own life rushing to save her.

No one could hear the little tinkle of the triangle over the roar of the waves.

How about joining the military as a musician? I have two friends who did this? Steady work. Both were very good musicians, but eventually learned not good enough to make it as a symphonic player.

One eventually left the Army and changed careers going into law enforcement.

Anonymous wrote:It is not about working hard, it is about working smart. I just made $200 for 20 minutes worth of work. All I had to do was write a few emails. Do you know how many times I am going to lather, rinse, and repeat?

Stop whining and get out there and make some money. Plenty of people have it to spend. Make yourself useful to them.

This is dumb advice.

Anonymous wrote:
It makes me sick (and jealous!) to see the HHIs well over 100k and feel so frustrated that DH works so hard for so little.

Why does it make you sick and jealous that others are making more? A lot of people work hard for what they make. DH chose his path when he picked music major. Working odd office jobs is just that, odd office job that does not require a college degree. His compensation is probably reasonable for the skillset he has to offer. I work 55 hours on average a week, often late at night or on the weekend. I have had weeks with 40 but also with 90 hours a week. I work hard and most of my friends think i am crazy to work that much. But i have a goal i am pursuing and believe it is worth it. My comp is above 100K with a degree in accounting. There are plenty of people making a lot more than me but i dont feel sick and jealous that they are making more. Yeah, every once in a while you come accross someone who is grossly overpaid for what they do and for the efforts they put in. But it is rare.

It is not about working hard, it is about working smart. I just made $200 for 20 minutes worth of work. All I had to do was write a few emails. Do you know how many times I am going to lather, rinse, and repeat?

Stop whining and get out there and make some money. Plenty of people have it to spend. Make yourself useful to them.

does he play an instrument? why not give lessons? Once the kid is older, he could give them in your house and watch the kid at the same time.

he needs to suck it up. hes a grownup with a wife and kid. he may have to do something that isn't just his passion

Commissioned sales. If you can sell stuff, the sky is the limit.

How are you getting benefits if his job won't provide them?

Can you get a masters degree and earn more? He could stay home with the baby.

In all seriousness, what type of job/pay scale did he expect with a BA in music? Did he expect to live in a lower cost if living area?

Anonymous wrote:Music teacher at DCPS, a charter or Levine?

Nope, he went through ed training and decided he doesn't want to teach. He actually did everything except student teach and take the teaching tests and then decided it wasn't for him. Ideally wants to just be in a symphony (has performance degree) but not enough time to practice to win a job.

Music teacher at DCPS, a charter or Levine?

DH has a music degree...which has been pretty useless at this point. He's worked odd office jobs and at age 32 works his tail off doing webinars for a software company making under 50k with no benefits. He works HARD, usually not even taking a lunch break, works when he wakes up, into evening hours, on weekends, etc. I'm a teacher, so not huge income for me either, but we now have a baby with special needs that cannot go to daycare so now I'm staying home.
It makes me sick (and jealous!) to see the HHIs well over 100k and feel so frustrated that DH works so hard for so little. He's applied before to fed jobs, but doesn't have the skill set they're usually looking for. Help! What job can he look for that will take him entry level for a more liveable salary for this area?