In Which I Discuss Debt, and the Freedom From It, Among Other Things

[tanick]

Wow. It's been a long time since I've posted here. I've found that the sort of things I tend to share are shorter, and more easily shared these days on Facebook or Google+. But this one is something that's better served by a somewhat longer format, so here goes

Comments

[indigofan]

So what you're saying is that I need to hire YOU to get us out of debt? See- it's not a game for me, it's a chore. It's like stat-weights in WoW. It's not fun, it's just confusing, and I'd rather just close my eyes and pretend it will go away. It won't, though. Stupid debt

[tanick]

Hah -- I didn't take it as shitting on our accomplishments at all. Like I said, we've been pretty lucky in addition to being determined -- we both have solid jobs with decent salaries, and income is certainly a part of the equation that you can't change all that much with good budgeting skills

[tanick]

Also, I like stat weights in WoW. That's probably why I also like budgeting. Like I said: Nerd. :)

[indigofan]

Oh, I know. That's why I made that analogy. :)

[phobean]

#1 I applaud you for bringing up this subject, which is never far from the core of my thoughts

[tanick]

Thanks for the nicely numbered responses

[tanick]

Also, to put my salary in another frame of reference, I am a white male who works in a mid-level position at a for-profit government contractor. There are industry standards for salaries that are essentially required to be met, and it's a more competitive market than, say, a non-profit. I could likely get a job doing what I do at another company for roughly what I make now, so it's probably representative of my industry.

[phobean]

Exactly! "Race" and sex aside, I often wonder how my skills would be compensated in a different market. I mean: writer, organizer, web-master, new media, relationship building (great for wooing donors, though that grosses me out), graphic design and design consultation, photographer (albiet essentially unskilled), desktop publisher, program manager, "thought leader" (I love that one, so silly, just had to throw it in there)! Not to mention that I rallied my co-workers and essentially kept everyone from quitting simply by force of personality. That in and of itself saved my organization big money over the past two years. C'mon

[tanick]

Yeah, he's a bit too religious for my tastes, so most of his books and tapes have a God-vibe to them (it's all God's money, so it's our duty to be good stewards of it, etc), but if you can get past that, or don't mind it at all, then his core message really just boils down to "Debt is bad, and you can do something about it," which I think everyone can get behind.

[phobean]

The "rideshare" part of this statement has invoked my intense curiosity. Tell more!

[phobean]

Agreed! I read a book about it that revolutionized me. I'm in the process of trying to learn how to ask for more than I think I'm worth.

Part of the problem as that companies don't always respond well to women who ask. At my job, I ask for things and usually get some version of them, if not exactly what I asked for, but my co-workers have not experienced the same. We're all women, so it may or may not have something to do with sex/gender. I tend to think my success is directly connected to my level of expectation. I go at my asks whole-hearted, with no sense of skepticism or doubt. Still, it's an uphill battle.

[phobean]

Not shockingly, the title of the book is "Women Don't Ask," http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/192313.Women_Don_t_Ask

I've got it on my shelf if you'd like to borrow!