Anonymous wrote:How old are you? 29
How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) 58K
Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) Yes and no. Professionally? Eh. Not really. I make enough to support my family. But I never had huge professional ambition to begin with. I'm not waiting tables or working retail, but I'm not in charge of anyone or saving the world.
Personally? Yes, I am successful. I've had some rough times, but survived and am now (mostly) thriving. I provide a happy, stable home for my child and we lack for nothing. I'm a good person, raising a good, kind kid and I like myself and my life. That may sound corny, but ultimately, I'm proud of myself and what I've accomplished so far, even if it's not impressive by DC standards or something I can put on a resume.
What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? (example- an ivy education, good parents, etc? ) An abusive marriage in my mid-20s, very supportive parents, a wonderful therapist, and sheer dumb luck that both my child and I are healthy. The first decimated my financial situation but motivated me to get my shit together and keep it together, the rest helped get back and stay on my feet.
Are you satisfied with your life? Yes. I wish I could work part-time or enjoyed my job more, but overall, I am satisfied
Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? Sort of. I was definitely a lot more stressed when I needed government assistance and had to make choices like "pay for gas to get to work or the electric bill" each week. I'm glad I no longer have to make those kinds of choices. I do wish I made more so that I could save more (and quiet that nagging financial stress that is constantly humming in the background). We may not have all we want, but we do have what we need and I'm on the right path financially. I can always make more money if I have to. Not $400K, but I could downsize our life or pick up a side job if needed. We're in a good place right now and I know it will continue to get better.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Are you a lawyer? Will you quit by age 40-45?
Yes and yes, if not sooner.
Good luck! I was in the same boat and quit at 43.
PP here. Did you suffer from one more year syndrome? What was your metric for determining you had enough?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Are you a lawyer? Will you quit by age 40-45?
Yes and yes, if not sooner.
Good luck! I was in the same boat and quit at 43.
Did you have children while working?
Anonymous wrote:How old are you? 28
How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) approx $90k
Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) Yes, but I'm surrounded by people who've got ten years on me and are therefore more advanced in their careers, so it's easy to feel like I'm behind.
What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? education, intelligence, luck, and loving what I do
Are you satisfied with your life? Yes! DH & I have a happy marriage, a happy child, we're able to contribute to charity and our religious community life and we're making progress in our careers.
Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? My piece of mind - yes but satisfaction, not necessarily. Having a stable income, even if lower, would be manageable and we could still be happy but suddenly losing a job - being stuck (at least in the short term) with expenses that don't match your new income level - that's stressful. I've been there and we're setting up safeguards to not be in that situation again.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Are you a lawyer? Will you quit by age 40-45?
Yes and yes, if not sooner.
Good luck! I was in the same boat and quit at 43.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Are you a lawyer? Will you quit by age 40-45?
Yes and yes, if not sooner.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Are the PPs mostly all lawyers?
Not me, I'm a marketing director. But I only make $150K.
Seriously, you folks are so far out in space that I wonder if you can see how most of humanity lives.