Carlos, did you even try the tool? First, Payscale and Salary.com have different datasets. Second, it is absolutely free to do the salary checking portion, as noted in the article. Third, did you generate a Raise Request or are you just talking hypothetically about a product you haven't actually seen?
@Guest - I'm curious why you feel that your age (as opposed to experience, tenure, or education) plays a part in how much you feel your salary should be. Maybe it's implied when you say age - my apologies if that was your intent.
And nothing is infallible in terms of databases, especially if you work in a niche industry or or very specialized field. Sorry you didn't find the tool useful.
Although it's not always possible, I think a related great idea is for the gift giver to be the one who takes the child to the store. Then the kid gets to pick out exactly what he wants, and the gift-giver gets to enjoy watching it happen.
One of the best gifts I ever received was a book store gift certificate given to me by my boyfriend after we entered the store...although I imagine it wasn't quite as entertaining watching me shop as it would be to watch a small child.
I wish I knew more about playing the stock market/investing. They really need to teach the basics of PF in high school, and this shouldbe included. If everyone knew a little more about the market, we can boost the economy with some investing.
Thoughtful article, and well done! Another way storytelling has been used throughout history is to tell parables and teach with life lessons. But this personal spin on storytelling can change the internal dialogue.
Seems like a lot of hoops to jump through for data you can get for free at Payscale and Salary.com. And the "Raise Request" is kind of a silly gimmick...who would hand out a form letter like that to their boss?
I used Vanguard and I like it. It seems like one of the lower-fee options out there. Opening one was very simple and I don't have to do anything to manage it (unless I choose to - for example, if I want to change my investments). Here's an explanation of how to open one: http://englishmajormoney.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-to-open-your-roth-at-v... (obviously you could choose another company if you desired).
How can I cut down on my food budget each month without clipping tons of coupons? (I already know that eating at home more is the first step.) Where can I find good recipes that use healthy food and are freezable?
I thiNk get raised is not using experience correctly. It indicated I'm underpaid, but trade surveys I have read indicate drastically otherwise. If I were 5 or 10 years older, I would be underpaid.
I've been a big Dave Ramsey fan for years and have learned a ton listening to his show. Anything he said that didn't make sense to me I just went out and researched. So I feel pretty knowledgeable. However, I'm just starting my own business and business taxes are very confusing to me. I would love to learn more about that.
I don't know the best way to spend money overseas. Should I use a debit/credit card? Or should I withdraw money before leaving in the form of travelers checks and convert to local currency once I arrive?
Philip, I think this is one of your better articles, and it is another way of viewing your previous post, "What I've Been Trying to Say". Thanks for posting and giving me thoughts about changing my story. Well said.
Motgage: paid off;
Utilities: $400
Food and petrom:300
Income from Rental(part of house): $800
Savings: $130,000
STOCK : $360,000
Raw Land :$80,000
Retirement saving nil
Age 61
Dependants none
Debt none
Am in a precarious position?
I used to be scared of asking for more money. But after a few lucky breaks, I learned I don't need to be. As a woman in a male-dominated field (engineering), I worry about the pay difference and any impressions people might have of women engineers.
When I got my first job post-college, I actually started working for two companies on the same day 20 hours each per week. One, paid $15/hr and the other paid $19/hr. The lower paying job was in my chosen field, so when my boss asked if I could come on full time, I was honest. I told him if he could match the rate of the other company, I would give my two weeks notice to the other company that afternoon. He accepted, so I did.
Later, the same boss started asking when I would buy a car (I biked to work back then), so that I could go to site visits and client meetings. I once again was honest - I told him I couldn't afford car payments and insurance at that time because of huge student loan payments. I told him if he raised my pay to cover the extra costs, I would buy a car within a few months. He accepted, so I did.
If I had accepted the initial $15/hr, and not bargained for a raise for the car, I would be making $20,000 less per year than I am now.
I will still be nervous when asking for raises or more money in the future, but I know that the worst they can do is say no, that's too high. But so far, that hasn't happened yet.
When I worked for a nonprofit that went door to door for donations, we were always told to start asking at the highest level of donations ($300-600), regardless of what we thought the person could give. In my first week, I didn't follow this advice, and was only bringing in $200 in donations per week. I walked up to a house, and a student (or so he looked) opened the door, and he didn't look like he could afford to donate much. So I started at a low level, asking for $60. To my surprise, he said sure, whipped out his wallet, and wrote me a check. A month into the job, I was bringing in $700 in donations per week, because I just went in with confidence and charisma and didn't underestimate anyone.
Lesson learned: ask, with confidence, for more than you think you can get. You'll probably get it.
This is a great list. I'm always surprised at the variety of expenses that can be tax deductible. You just have to be vigilant and organized to maximize your benefit.
This is great. I'd been peering at the tiny circuit board inside my HTC Desire's headphones to try and figure out what was going on - now I know, and can get building rather than hacking up the original (and making mistakes).
Do you have any idea how the microphone relates to the setup?
I admit that I do not know everything about money, but I do know more than most. My wife and I have recently been exploring more avenues to make some more money.
Milk Paint - yes, this is what was traditionally used as paint, however you must add lime to it (as in quicklime (limewash) made from limestone, not the fruit) to make it stick and harden. But, DO NOT add this to ordinary paint that you buy in the store (latex / acrylic or oil) as it will destroy it! They are not compatible with either casein (milk) or lime. Milk paint probably will not adhere to acrylic-painted walls without a pre-treatment. But you can try aging an unfinished piece of wood furniture with it. Without the lime though the finish will wash away over time.
Carlos, did you even try the tool? First, Payscale and Salary.com have different datasets. Second, it is absolutely free to do the salary checking portion, as noted in the article. Third, did you generate a Raise Request or are you just talking hypothetically about a product you haven't actually seen?
@Guest - I'm curious why you feel that your age (as opposed to experience, tenure, or education) plays a part in how much you feel your salary should be. Maybe it's implied when you say age - my apologies if that was your intent.
And nothing is infallible in terms of databases, especially if you work in a niche industry or or very specialized field. Sorry you didn't find the tool useful.
@Nat - Thanks for the advice! It seemed too simple to be able to just slap some milk on the walls....(smiles)
I'd Like to know more about futures
Although it's not always possible, I think a related great idea is for the gift giver to be the one who takes the child to the store. Then the kid gets to pick out exactly what he wants, and the gift-giver gets to enjoy watching it happen.
One of the best gifts I ever received was a book store gift certificate given to me by my boyfriend after we entered the store...although I imagine it wasn't quite as entertaining watching me shop as it would be to watch a small child.
I wish I knew more about playing the stock market/investing. They really need to teach the basics of PF in high school, and this shouldbe included. If everyone knew a little more about the market, we can boost the economy with some investing.
Thoughtful article, and well done! Another way storytelling has been used throughout history is to tell parables and teach with life lessons. But this personal spin on storytelling can change the internal dialogue.
I find taxes very confusing. I have a nagging suspicious that this results in my losing money each year.
Seems like a lot of hoops to jump through for data you can get for free at Payscale and Salary.com. And the "Raise Request" is kind of a silly gimmick...who would hand out a form letter like that to their boss?
I used Vanguard and I like it. It seems like one of the lower-fee options out there. Opening one was very simple and I don't have to do anything to manage it (unless I choose to - for example, if I want to change my investments). Here's an explanation of how to open one: http://englishmajormoney.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-to-open-your-roth-at-v... (obviously you could choose another company if you desired).
Congrats on taking this step!
How can I cut down on my food budget each month without clipping tons of coupons? (I already know that eating at home more is the first step.) Where can I find good recipes that use healthy food and are freezable?
I thiNk get raised is not using experience correctly. It indicated I'm underpaid, but trade surveys I have read indicate drastically otherwise. If I were 5 or 10 years older, I would be underpaid.
I've been a big Dave Ramsey fan for years and have learned a ton listening to his show. Anything he said that didn't make sense to me I just went out and researched. So I feel pretty knowledgeable. However, I'm just starting my own business and business taxes are very confusing to me. I would love to learn more about that.
I don't know the best way to spend money overseas. Should I use a debit/credit card? Or should I withdraw money before leaving in the form of travelers checks and convert to local currency once I arrive?
I don tknow enough about investing or about taxes
I wish I knew more about saving for retirement.
Philip, I think this is one of your better articles, and it is another way of viewing your previous post, "What I've Been Trying to Say". Thanks for posting and giving me thoughts about changing my story. Well said.
Unemployed
Mortgage : paid off
Motgage: paid off;
Utilities: $400
Food and petrom:300
Income from Rental(part of house): $800
Savings: $130,000
STOCK : $360,000
Raw Land :$80,000
Retirement saving nil
Age 61
Dependants none
Debt none
Am in a precarious position?
I wish I knew more about how much to save for retirement, and which way is the best way to do it.
I used to be scared of asking for more money. But after a few lucky breaks, I learned I don't need to be. As a woman in a male-dominated field (engineering), I worry about the pay difference and any impressions people might have of women engineers.
When I got my first job post-college, I actually started working for two companies on the same day 20 hours each per week. One, paid $15/hr and the other paid $19/hr. The lower paying job was in my chosen field, so when my boss asked if I could come on full time, I was honest. I told him if he could match the rate of the other company, I would give my two weeks notice to the other company that afternoon. He accepted, so I did.
Later, the same boss started asking when I would buy a car (I biked to work back then), so that I could go to site visits and client meetings. I once again was honest - I told him I couldn't afford car payments and insurance at that time because of huge student loan payments. I told him if he raised my pay to cover the extra costs, I would buy a car within a few months. He accepted, so I did.
If I had accepted the initial $15/hr, and not bargained for a raise for the car, I would be making $20,000 less per year than I am now.
I will still be nervous when asking for raises or more money in the future, but I know that the worst they can do is say no, that's too high. But so far, that hasn't happened yet.
When I worked for a nonprofit that went door to door for donations, we were always told to start asking at the highest level of donations ($300-600), regardless of what we thought the person could give. In my first week, I didn't follow this advice, and was only bringing in $200 in donations per week. I walked up to a house, and a student (or so he looked) opened the door, and he didn't look like he could afford to donate much. So I started at a low level, asking for $60. To my surprise, he said sure, whipped out his wallet, and wrote me a check. A month into the job, I was bringing in $700 in donations per week, because I just went in with confidence and charisma and didn't underestimate anyone.
Lesson learned: ask, with confidence, for more than you think you can get. You'll probably get it.
This is a great list. I'm always surprised at the variety of expenses that can be tax deductible. You just have to be vigilant and organized to maximize your benefit.
Here is the Target ad, plus lots more- http://blackfriday.savingsmania.com/
This is great. I'd been peering at the tiny circuit board inside my HTC Desire's headphones to try and figure out what was going on - now I know, and can get building rather than hacking up the original (and making mistakes).
Do you have any idea how the microphone relates to the setup?
I admit that I do not know everything about money, but I do know more than most. My wife and I have recently been exploring more avenues to make some more money.
We came up with 101 Ways to Make More Money. Check out this article and others on my website: http://www.lifeandmyfinances.com
Milk Paint - yes, this is what was traditionally used as paint, however you must add lime to it (as in quicklime (limewash) made from limestone, not the fruit) to make it stick and harden. But, DO NOT add this to ordinary paint that you buy in the store (latex / acrylic or oil) as it will destroy it! They are not compatible with either casein (milk) or lime. Milk paint probably will not adhere to acrylic-painted walls without a pre-treatment. But you can try aging an unfinished piece of wood furniture with it. Without the lime though the finish will wash away over time.