ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

[AngraRULES]

For some reason I thought UPS drivers start at around $12/hr. I may be totally wrong, but that's information I got from a person who used to work for them.

 

[nailz]

Nailz where do you get the $9.00 a hr figure? Most UPS Drivers out here in California make more than you do?

Bear

Yah, but in California, a loaf of bread costs $84.

 

[freakchylde]

So you don't just have the one contract then? You've got multiple? Do you run your own business? Just curious. I mean, I have a work ethic too, but I work smarter, not harder. Working IT for the 2nd most important group on a 65,000 student College University is pretty demanding, but you honestly wouldn't believe the downtime I have because I've streamlined everything. I have virtually no job stress, and since I only make 40k a year, I don't think I'd tolerate much.

I have two contracts (one of them I'm getting ready to take over completely) plus my own clients (massage therapist). If my current contracts maintain where they're at, I'll make just shy of $20K this year, which is up by about 5K of what I made the last two years. I do physical work, which means I'm limited by what I can do, thankfully, as I've said on past threads, I don't require much and as long as I can maintain my BJJ and world travels, I'm a happy camper.

I worked for Blockbuster for about 6 months because I couldn't find employment in a shit hole town and I wasn't ready to leave. I worked my ass off at that job and was an absolutely model employee. I made $7 an hour. And my store manager (who happened to be my best friend who only hired me after I prodded him for like, a month) had to fight for that. The only reason I gave a shit at all about it was because he was my friend and he'd been my boss before. He still works there, 5 years later, as the only Store Manager who can continue to turn a profit in the stores with the highest theft rates. Long story short: He's been passed up for promotions several times because he's "too valuable", and has gotten nominial raises. He hates his job and works shit hours for his wife and kids, and since the kids aren't his, they can't leave Buffalo for custody reasons (he loves them, they love him, happy marriage and all). It's a bullshit situation at blockbuster for him. He's a better man than I am though, I'd have gone crazy.

Which means you fall into the trap that you're complaining about. You made the choice.

As for your friend, he failed at one of the many issues of climbing the corporate ladder - make yourself invaluable, but not so much that you can't be replaced in your current position. His best bet, would be to start trying to bring someone up, that's close, but not all the way there.

Ok, you're right. I definitely agree on this point with you. And that's fine, there's nothing wrong with that. However, it goes with my "you are where you deserve to be, financially" statement. There's nothing wrong with doing these jobs if that's really what you enjoy, and can make a comftorable living on the money you make. I just don't think these people are the ones deliberately throwing around packages.

You never know, everyone has a breaking point and sometimes that point happens "at the office".

Defeatist attitude says what? ... Yardly seems to have taken a rotten situation and turned it into an oppertunity. I don't see why everyone else can't. I, myself, am trying to take advantage of what's happening with the economy. There's always oppertunity for those who are willing to look and work for it. Just because the economy is in the shitter doesn't mean I shouldn't get rewarded for being amazing at my job, which is what's happening. I'm getting a pay cut for something that's in no way my fault. I plan on fixing the situation. There's no reason for people to take a metaphorical steak knife up the ass and have to say "thank you!".

That's not the point. Some people make the choice to not take advantage of things. Yeah, if you're unhappy with your situation, either do something with it or STFU. But some people just need to make the money, in the meantime, so they can move towards where they need to be. It's called an interim job, provides what's necessary to move forward. I had to do it the last time I got laid off, worked for 5 years in a low-end retail job, which allowed me to pay my bills and go to a trade school. The crap jobs I've had since then have allowed me the necessary experience to put me in the position where I am today and be able to pull off, what I'm about to launch.

I've been on both sides of the coin. I wasn't exactly born into wealth. My Mom raised me single for 7 years working 14 backbreaking (literally) hour shifts in a psyche ward 6 days a week to make sure I had everything I needed. I know now even if not back then everything she did and what she gave up on my behalf. To sit here and say "I'm ok getting by, and don't feel like doing better" would be the worst insult I could imagine to her. Everyone's had someone in their past who's given up everything to make a better life for their families for generations, either by coming to America or doing whatever it is they do in another country. I just can't fathom not being the best I can to honor that sacrifice.

Well, this is where we're going to differ. My parents worked their ass off, so I could pursue my dreams. Yeah, it's taken my Mum and Dad a while to understand that my dream life is to be comfortable, have what I need and be able to do what I want and do the things I'm passionate about. Not exactly what they had in mind for me, but they have greater appreciation for the fact that I am happy with what I have and I'm living the kind of life I want to live. On top of that, I'm pursuing my dreams, which is something my Mum is envious of. Both my parents put off following their dreams until now, and while they're happier now, they regret not finding a way to do that sooner. I've made the choice to pursue my happiness, not pursue my wealth. That is what my parents worked for, and I'm grateful for that and I work my ass off, because I'm passionate about what I do, and I very much love what I do. Base foundation, it's all about what your goal in life is, if you view gaining wealth as "fulfilling your potential", then by all means, pursue it. But if your goal is to be happy and pursue that, then I hate to break it to you, but sometimes, that comes with territory of "just getting by".

And FYI, one of my personal requirements in what I'm pursing this year, is that my salary will never cap out in the 6 figure range, no matter how successful my company becomes. At most, I might consider taking home 30-50K a year, with the majority of that going into an account for charity distribution or something like that. Money is nice, but there is a point where you have more than you actually need, and leads you, IMO, to a degradation of character if not used wisely.

 

[Perpet]

Yah, but in California, a loaf of bread costs $84.

Stop exaggerating...A loaf of bread only costs 64 dollars out here now...sheesh

 

[13ShadesofGray]

Just friggin' wrong it is. Don't get me started on the State of the State of CA

 

[nailz]

Stop exaggerating...A loaf of bread only costs 64 dollars out here now...sheesh

Damn you, economy!

 

[Prog_Muse]

Hi, people: TESSERACT.
See, if any of you had any sense at all, you would just do like I do and tesser said package to your doorstep.
I assure you that subatomic particles can reconstitute themselves just fine and it's far cheaper than allowing the chimps at UPS to test out the durability and functionality of those newfangled fancy-pants "biodegradable" packing peanuts.

Buncha crybabies, all of you...