Education and Income

[postpositivist]

Over $100K this year.

Have four degrees--BS Business, MBA, MEd (from Harvard University), and a Ph.D.

I only went on to get my PhD because I wanted to be a researcher and professor. Extremely high opportunity costs with staying in school so long.

Professor is perhaps the only job where you can lean back in your chair, close your eyes, and tell people "I'm working."

[forum]

I'll be somewhere between 50-55k this year, working an average of maybe 45 hours a week. Working on paying off the majority of my debt and planning to start college finally.

[devildog12210]

I make about 38k a year doing armed security. Job sucks though. I'm just waiting on several law enforcement applications to go through. Money is money though. I work crazy hours.

[Boanerge]

Originally Posted by RVwannaB

BS in Aeronautics. 55K this year and should be around 66k next year, as an Air Force pilot. Before going to training, I made a cool 17k as a flight instructor!


GSH341 that's some great advice!

Don't forget to factor in your Basic allowance for housing and Subsistence. It definitely makes you feel better about Military benefits!!!

[Boanerge]

Originally Posted by postpositivist

Over $100K this year.

Have four degrees--BS Business, MBA, MEd (from Harvard University), and a Ph.D.

I only went on to get my PhD because I wanted to be a researcher and professor. Extremely high opportunity costs with staying in school so long.

Professor is perhaps the only job where you can lean back in your chair, close your eyes, and tell people "I'm working."

My Mama always said you have to work hard to be lazy. Either you work hard at attaining an Education and have it easier at Work; Or you take the easy way out and gain Little Education, but you will work hard in your Trade/Field!! However, competing for Research Grants is no Walk in the Park!!!

Congrats Professor!!!!

[tnroadrunner]

I'm retired and between my wife and I we get 40K+ a year. My wife was an RN and I worked for an Insurance Company before we got bought out.

[SpringfieldXD.40]

24 years old making about $35,000 a year with a highschool diploma. Raises are frequent.

[yeahYeah]

27 making $90K i work as a web and graphic designer for a defense contractor and run my own business as well. My income includes my wifes - she works in a private school (doesn't pay much)

ive got an associates and am 12 credits shy of my bachelors.

[focusr3]

Age 26, Helicopter tech. Maryland State Police. 56,000 year. I had 5 years in the Marine Corps. then got my a&p. My 1st job was 50,000 then got on with the state police. I would recommend this career it would take a new guy 2-3 years in an aircraft school. But you are preety much going to get 50,000 out of school.

[drgonzo]

Originally Posted by postpositivist

....
I only went on to get my PhD because I wanted to be a researcher and professor. Extremely high opportunity costs with staying in school so long.

Professor is perhaps the only job where you can lean back in your chair, close your eyes, and tell people "I'm working."

Yeah, I could tell you all about 'opportunity costs.' When I finished up all of my training, I was 35. My wife got me a Hallmark card for a graduate and inside she wrote "Congratulations on completing 29th grade!" Nice payback now but I'm making up for lost time and didn't have the chance to take advantage of 'the 8th wonder of the world' which is compound interest.

My wife's brother is a professor and his wife is a nurse anesthetist. Lucky SOB has it good--academic lifestyle and a wife that brings home nice change so he can enjoy all his time off.

I usually don't discuss income b/c there's little upside to it and a whole lot of potential downside. If I find out someone makes more than me my usual thoughts are something like "How'd that idiot get into such a good gig?" or envy. Like most people my thoughts don't immediately turn to "Congratulations! You must be worth every penny." YMMV.

The PP about avoiding debt and paying yourself first (i.e. disciplining yourself to invest) is right on. My experience is that you can tell a whole lot about how much someone spends every month by looking at their house, car, etc. but you have no idea how much they bring in every month--until you find out they're bankrupt and then you have an idea. My approach has always been that if I wanted something I saved and figured out how to pay for it before I got it. Seems like a lot of folks 'get' something they want and then try to figure out how to pay for it later (e.g. the current housing/foreclosure mess).