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froglet posted:I think most IT workers hate their jobs after a while. Somewhere around the 3-5 year mark they realise that the nature of their job means it will be a perpetual uphill struggle. Other than the knowledge I'd get, I don't have much interest in getting a degree. It's too goddamn expensive. The big regret that I have is burning out because I spent 5.5 years at a toxic workplace (with absolutely insane on-call hours) that wore me down and made me a bitter person with a poor work ethic. I've been kind of recovering, now that I've got an alright job at a low-stress company, but I feel like it set me back in ways that I may not ever be able to recover from. Mentally, that is... tl;dr: it's hard for me to HTFU now
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Jul 3, 2014 17:41
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CountOfNowhere posted:The big regret that I have is burning out because I spent 5.5 years at a toxic workplace (with absolutely insane on-call hours) that wore me down and made me a bitter person with a poor work ethic. Glad to know it's not just me; I'm at the point where I spend more time browsing SA than actually working. I just can't work up the motivation to get anything done (Since I know all the projects are going to die in middle-management hell, and even the quickest of "Hey guys, see below" email requires an hour of justification and explanation). I don't work for the government, I don't even work for a big company. There's literally five of us. Yet it takes me over a day to get an email out to external people.
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Jul 3, 2014 17:43
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FrozenVent posted:Glad to know it's not just me; I'm at the point where I spend more time browsing SA than actually working. I just can't work up the motivation to get anything done (Since I know all the projects are going to die in middle-management hell, and even the quickest of "Hey guys, see below" email requires an hour of justification and explanation). I spent a couple years after that toxic job either unemployed (and doing random poo poo for money) and 6 months working a poo poo call center job before my current job found me. Other than not having any money, it was great. Really makes you appreciate what is important. Not that I *suggest* that, but if you can somehow swing it, it might help improve your perspective. It's not a permanent fix, tho, I'm starting to feel like I want a break again.
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Jul 3, 2014 18:04
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My finances won't support a period of prolonged voluntary unemployment right now. I could if I was willing to reach into my retirement savings I suppose. Right now I'm applying to everything tangentially related to what I do right now, and I'm hoping that the "Frozenvent is looking for work???" word of mouth will make its way around the industry. I know there are good jobs out there, and I know I'm a good worker. Otherwise, I'm quitting in a few months and going back to sea for a while. Three months should net me like 15k cash-on-hand, and that's enough to take a break and reassess what I want to do with my life. I'm also seeing a therapist, although initially it wasn't for work related issues. So you know, rationally, I think I have the situation in hand. Emotionally... Not so much.
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Jul 3, 2014 18:08
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FrozenVent posted:Glad to know it's not just me; I'm at the point where I spend more time browsing SA than actually working. I just can't work up the motivation to get anything done (Since I know all the projects are going to die in middle-management hell, and even the quickest of "Hey guys, see below" email requires an hour of justification and explanation). Oh, yup, I can't escape. I went and got a law degree to try to get out. I even did really well in law school. But the legal economy fell apart and my IT career boomed, so now I'm back in my career. At least the pay and work/life balance are much better now.
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Jul 3, 2014 18:14
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The only downside to moving to sc and working in nc is that I have to drive past a giant inflatable lawn jockey advertising fireworks the second I cross the border.
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Jul 3, 2014 18:27
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How is that in any way not an upside?
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Jul 3, 2014 18:33
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tuyop posted:Well Don't know! Luckily I have 18+ months to figure that part out. Once I start the courses I'm sure something will jump out at me. Though I did just find out the specific degree I am going for doesn't qualify for the TEACH grant. Bah. But I will get a 5% tuition discount.
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Jul 3, 2014 22:03
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spinst posted:Don't know! Luckily I have 18+ months to figure that part out. Once I start the courses I'm sure something will jump out at me. Why are you getting the masters anyway?
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Jul 4, 2014 01:14
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tuyop posted:Why are you getting the masters anyway? $$$ I'm almost maxed out on the pay scale for a BA, so if I want to continue to move up I'll need an MA. https://www.k12.wa.us/safs/PUB/PER/SalAllocSchedule.pdf Pay Scale for Washington State ^
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Jul 4, 2014 03:45
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spinst posted:$$$ Jesus christ... your highest pay-scale for a PHD maxes out lower than the 0-year MA salary at my high school, and I graduated in 2001.
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Jul 4, 2014 15:35
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Sundae posted:Jesus christ... your highest pay-scale for a PHD maxes out lower than the 0-year MA salary at my high school, and I graduated in 2001. Yeah, same. Starting with two bachelors degrees my salary is like 72. There is no possible way that I'm more effective than a teacher with a PhD and years of experience, that's just embarrassing for all of us.  Can I donate like a third of my salary to some poor EdD teacher with 20 years in class who makes as much as a sous chef? 
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Jul 4, 2014 15:43
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poo poo I made more than that straight out of college with a technical diploma. That payscale is ridiculous.
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Jul 4, 2014 15:51
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The form says "The state schedule determines ALLOCATIONS of state funds. ACTUAL SALARIES ARE DETERMINED IN LOCAL NEGOTIATIONS." So I'm assuming that means that a fair number of districts have higher teacher salaries due to local contributions.
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Jul 4, 2014 19:46
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pig slut lisa posted:The form says "The state schedule determines ALLOCATIONS of state funds. ACTUAL SALARIES ARE DETERMINED IN LOCAL NEGOTIATIONS." You'd be surprised! Most districts in WA use that pay scale and nothing else. Some even cut it down a little - like cutting out the BA+35 column, so you have to go from +15 to +45. Some of the Seattle area school districts (Bellevue, for instance) have a very decent increase on the base to help compensate for the ridiculous cost of living. My school district does have a modest increase, like 3% or something. But they wrangle it in a way so that it doesn't up our hourly wages. It's a supplemental contract. I make a decent amount extra money (maybe an additional 10% to 15% of my salary) through hourly work outside the school day (mentoring, trainings, IEP writing, etc). And if the Washington state legislature weren't such d-bags, all of those salaries would be 12% higher. They suspended teacher cost-of-living increases (1.9% a year or something) 6 years ago. Right when I started teaching. :| You should see how much I pay my unions each month! 
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Jul 4, 2014 19:55
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spinst posted:You'd be surprised! Most districts in WA use that pay scale and nothing else. Some even cut it down a little - like cutting out the BA+35 column, so you have to go from +15 to +45. Have you looked at finding a better paying city/county/state/whatever? Or even just changing jobs? That payscale is just painful, QA contractors in Seattle make as much as MAs, probably even as much as the PHDs, after union fees are taken out. And the job doesn't even need a BA/BS.
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Jul 5, 2014 00:57
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I have always wanted to be a teacher and have never wanted to do anything else... I could move to the Seattle area, I guess, but I would have to pay at least double in rent what I pay now… I live in a pretty cheap area. I make enough money to support myself with some to spare for savings, and the benefits are pretty great, so I don't worry too much about it. Now, if I were a single mother…
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Jul 5, 2014 03:25
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Is it me or financial service providers are really pushing YOU MUST KNOW YOUR CREDIT SCORE AT ALL TIMES!!!!! these days? I've been arching a bit too much American cable tv these past few days, and it seems everyone is trying to sell me credit report. I'm Canadian, so maybe that's why, but I don't know my credit score and I really couldn't care less.
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Jul 6, 2014 17:32
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FrozenVent posted:Is it me or financial service providers are really pushing YOU MUST KNOW YOUR CREDIT SCORE AT ALL TIMES!!!!! these days? I've been arching a bit too much American cable tv these past few days, and it seems everyone is trying to sell me credit report. It's all free money for them if you view your score through their service, so of course that's a smart thing to push. Also in America we have a shitload of TV commercials pimping "free credit reports" that are really "whoops - you didn't read the fine print and cancel within 30 days of signing up, we're going to charge your credit card $70 - have a nice day!" scams. My grandparents fell for that, even after I told them what site to go to if they wanted their free annual reports (https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action).
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Jul 6, 2014 17:37
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FrozenVent posted:Is it me or financial service providers are really pushing YOU MUST KNOW YOUR CREDIT SCORE AT ALL TIMES!!!!! these days? I've been arching a bit too much American cable tv these past few days, and it seems everyone is trying to sell me credit report.
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Jul 7, 2014 00:57
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Cicero posted:I figure the recent obsession has to do with gaming. Both that playing video games in some form has become much more popular thanks to smartphones, and that the generation that grew up in the 8-bit and 16-bit eras are becoming adults now. what 
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Jul 7, 2014 01:35
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People treating their credit scores like the score in a video game. One of the threads here even used to refer to this behavior in its thread title.
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Jul 7, 2014 01:42
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Cicero posted:People treating their credit scores like the score in a video game. One of the threads here even used to refer to this behavior in its thread title. Yeah we do get it in BFC a lot where some goon will waltz into the newbie thread and be like, "I would like to get those last 5 points on my credit score that I want. And no, not buying a house or borrowing money any time in the next five years, I just hear (some arbitrary value) is a good number to have."
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Jul 7, 2014 02:06
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Mind you the commercials I was referring to imply that you won't be able to buy a house or car, ever, if you don't have the best credit score ever. And yes, people absolutely drop in the newbie thread and ask how to min/max their credit score. They usually can't tell you why they should even care about it.
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Jul 7, 2014 02:19
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Ah, interesting. Thanks for explaining.
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Jul 7, 2014 02:27
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I personally hit level 80 a while ago, but you know, keep grinding and you'll get there eventually
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Jul 7, 2014 02:31
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I recently sperged out about my credit score and passed level 25 (this is a big deal for me because I have a life), but all my friends are under level 15 so we can't play together anymore. Is there a way to lower your credit score? I just want to hang out with my friends and get some loans!
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Jul 7, 2014 06:18
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Oh goodness I start my new job in three hours.
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Jul 7, 2014 10:16
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100 HOGS AGREE posted:Oh goodness I start my new job in three hours. I'm working for a summer camp and the kids arrive in three hours. What if I'm not good with kids??
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Jul 7, 2014 12:51
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tuyop posted:I'm working for a summer camp and the kids arrive in three hours. They're just like soldiers except their hearing isn't as developed, so you have to talk louder. You'll be fine.
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Jul 7, 2014 12:53
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I didn't bring lunch today  But at least the total cost for a 3 day vacation was <$80 and we received a large cooler of food to take home too! And foods for lunches the rest of the week even, I just didn't have time to assemble last night or this morning being we got home so late and I need mah sleeps.
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Jul 7, 2014 17:47
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I'm beginning to fully embrace a frugal lifestyle. As such, I've made some changes. I am now biking to work, and anywhere I can. At minimum this will save me $78 per month (bus pass), but I figure I'll also be cutting down my bullshit driving levels by $50 per month. I've switched to eating a peanut butter sandwich and half a banana for lunch at work (the other half gets eaten at breakfast) instead of pasta or stir fry leftovers. At a savings of roughly $3 per lunch, this will save me around $66 per month. Add these together and you have $194 per month, or $33,578.45 over ten years, annualized at 7%. I may miss my over-indulged lunches, but my peanut butter sandwiches taste like freedom.
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Jul 7, 2014 18:05
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Rick Rickshaw posted:I've switched to eating a peanut butter sandwich and half a banana for lunch at work (the other half gets eaten at breakfast) instead of pasta or stir fry leftovers. At a savings of roughly $3 per lunch, this will save me around $66 per month. You're switching from a potentially much more nutritionally balanced lunch to a fat/carb heavy one. I doubt you'll be saving $3 a lunch, unless for some reason fresh vegetables are grossly overpriced where you live.
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Jul 7, 2014 18:09
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Rurutia posted:You're switching from a potentially much more nutritionally balanced lunch to a fat/carb heavy one. I doubt you'll be saving $3 a lunch, unless for some reason fresh vegetables are grossly overpriced where you live. Factoring in the chicken, rice, vegetables and sauce, it's usually around $4 per meal for the stir fry I make. I'm in Canada. If I switched to a veggie-only stir fry, it'd probably be about half the cost, but I have my limits. If I eat that stir fry for supper instead, I think I'll be getting enough nutrition. I eat an apple and almonds for morning/afternoon snacks at work as well.
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Jul 7, 2014 18:17
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Rick Rickshaw posted:Factoring in the chicken, rice, vegetables and sauce, it's usually around $4 per meal for the stir fry I make. I'm in Canada. If I switched to a veggie-only stir fry, it'd probably be about half the cost, but I have my limits. Cost of food is kinda my thing. Would you mind passing me the recipe for that Stir Fry? Stir fry for roughly 600 calories, off the top of my head would cost less than $1.50 Maybe $2.50 for beef or $2 for pork? 1-2 cups cooked Rice $0.10 - $0.20 2 Tbsp Oil $0.25 1/4 tsp sesame oil ?? (pennies) soy sauce or salt (less than pennies) 1 egg $0.25 (optional) 3-6 oz Peppers,onions,broccoli $0.20 - $0.40 5 oz Chicken thighs $0.40 (preferably leftovers) I know food is cheap where I live. So I'm curious if the extra cost is coming from the recipe or the price of ingredients. Folly fucked around with this message at 21:02 on Jul 7, 2014 |
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Jul 7, 2014 20:59
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As I mentioned earlier, I am pretty sure I burned out and haven't really recovered. The workload at my current job has increased dramatically and I am starting to feel that familiar feeling of anxiety, and am wondering if people have any tips for coping. It's worse this time around because the work is far less interesting than before - it's hard for me to stay focused. Best case scenario (if I keep studying and pass my CCNA) I can YOTJ in 3 or 4 months, but that's a long shot that's only getting longer the more downtrodden I feel.
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Jul 7, 2014 21:49
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Lately I've had to go to work really early, which is really challenging in that I find myself extremely tired towards the tail end of the week because I'm waking during what feels like the middle of the night (it's winter here in Australia). I've sort of given up on bringing my own lunches every day of the week, so instead I've been making sure I don't buy coffees or snacks out by bringing my own. Yeah, probably not the most BFC option but it's better than just saying 'stuff it' and eating out every day.
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Jul 8, 2014 00:27
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froglet posted:Lately I've had to go to work really early, which is really challenging in that I find myself extremely tired towards the tail end of the week because I'm waking during what feels like the middle of the night (it's winter here in Australia). I've sort of given up on bringing my own lunches every day of the week, so instead I've been making sure I don't buy coffees or snacks out by bringing my own. Do you normally make your lunch for the day in the morning? It might be easier to keep the habit later in the week if you make your lunch before bed the night before. That way, if you wake up late, you don't have to stress about the time spent making a lunch.
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Jul 8, 2014 03:11
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Husband found new work as well, which means we went from both collecting unemployment for a few months there, to about three times that amount. We cut down our expenses a little while unemployed, but it was mostly just collating bills and streamlining, not sacrificing anything, so we plan to stick to that level of spending, and put all the extra earning into the house. We can pay it off in under a year, and be mortgage free before 34.
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Jul 8, 2014 11:21
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Got a new job! Job with the state, slightly better pay (~6% raise) but way more stability and out of the dead end admin monkey path I was in. Instead of hedging around telling people what I do to avoid using dumb jargon and bullshit, I can now say just say that I determine if people are eligible for state disability benefits or not. Boom. Still no free parking though. Will continue living the bus life...sigh.
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Jul 8, 2014 23:55
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