good salary for a mid 20's person

[vescaegg]

greggy50 said:

Snollygoster said:

Am I the only one who has been reading this thinking most people on PH (or at least those willing to post it in here) are earning some serious money for their age?

Considering the average wage in the UK is around £26,500 for all ages, only a couple of people have admitting to earning less and majority are earning at least double this, if not substantially more.

I agree as I said I am on 25k aged 22 which is near enough the lowest wage I have seen on here yet most of my friends back home seem to think I am on an incredible wedge considering I only finished Uni this year...

Highest wage I know is my friend at Jag on 32k at 23 then another mate at network rail on 26.5k the rest of them are earning 20k at best.

I should be on mid 30s by 24 when I finish the scheme and to me that was is a very good wage for the age but then again I am not a powerful company director...

Bear in mind some people didnt go to uni in the traditional way.

I started as a trainee QS aged 18 and did uni part time so at 28 I am on 10 yrs experience whereas others who went to uni traditionally may only be at 4 or 5 years after looking for a job etc.

5yrs experience counts for a lot in terms of job opportunity and salary. A number of my uni friends who did similar are on £45-65k depending on how many times they have moved company - big pay rises usually come when you move.

[AyBee]

phib said:

For me its about the choices money gives and with more of it I can retire (or at least doe the work I want) from 50 onwards !!

I'm agreeing with phib again, money, whilst not the be all and end all, also gives the options to go where you want and buy what you want without having to worry about it, and if that means working a few more hours during the week, then I'm happy to do that personally.

[greggy50]

AyBee said:

I'm agreeing with phib again, money, whilst not the be all and end all, also gives the options to go where you want and buy what you want without having to worry about it, and if that means working a few more hours during the week, then I'm happy to do that personally.

I would rather enjoy myself whilst younger than work silly hours in the hope or retiring a few years earlier but that's just my view.

When get to 50+ not going to be able to do some of the things you would have been able to do in your 20's plus you never know what your health may be like etc...

[BrabusMog]

AyBee said:

phib said:

For me its about the choices money gives and with more of it I can retire (or at least doe the work I want) from 50 onwards !!

I'm agreeing with phib again, money, whilst not the be all and end all, also gives the options to go where you want and buy what you want without having to worry about it, and if that means working a few more hours during the week, then I'm happy to do that personally.

I plan on retiring from full time work in 16-21 years max (45-50) and then working within the business on a part time basis up until my pension kicks in. I guess everyone has a different outlook, but I'm happy to work my current hours as they still provide me with a massive degree of flexibility with regards to how I arrange my private/social life.

[BrabusMog]

greggy50 said:

I would rather enjoy myself whilst younger than work silly hours in the hope or retiring a few years earlier but that's just my view.

When get to 50+ not going to be able to do some of the things you would have been able to do in your 20's plus you never know what your health may be like etc...

I couldn't agree more with this statement!

[okgo]

If he was on decent money he'd be saying the opposite. That is the way it works.

[BrabusMog]

I disagree, okgo, I am on "decent" money and have exactly the same outlook. Having done 60/70 hour weeks, I'd never go back now I'm doing half that, even if I was offered a 50-100% salary increase.

[Testaburger]

okgo said:

If he was on decent money he'd be saying the opposite. That is the way it works.

Utter rubbish.

There's far more truth in saying that the typical person who makes statements such as yours, probably has little else in his life outside work.

I'm early 30s, make excellent money, and am also of the opinion that, whilst not being deliberately irresponsible, life is for living, and the stark reality of life is that it is uncertain. Take opportunities to live whilst young, because a lot of things can hamper your 'living life' when you're 50+.

[okgo]

Testaburger said:

Utter rubbish.

There's far more truth in saying that the typical person who makes statements such as yours, probably has little else in his life outside work.

I'm early 30s, make excellent money, and am also of the opinion that, whilst not being deliberately irresponsible, life is for living, and the stark reality of life is that it is uncertain. Take opportunities to live whilst young, because a lot of things can hamper your 'living life' when you're 50+.

He's cutting his cloth accordingly hence wheeling his mates out as examples of why he is doing what he does every time someone says they earn x.

I work 45 hours a week and do plenty outside of work, however these bullst statements are often reserved for people making excuses for what they've done/not done IMO

Edited by okgo on Tuesday 4th November 12:30

[Testaburger]

Bullst?

Get a grip; horses for courses. You may disagree with his/my outlook, but he is every bit as 'right' as you.

[fido]

okgo said:

I work 45 hours a week and do plenty outside of work, however these bullst statements are often reserved for people making excuses for what they've done/not done IMO

Your outlook will change I'm sure. I used to hate travelling for example - didn't bother with a gap year (was too skint!), very rarely took vacation (easy when you live in London and there is so much to do) and sneered at my friends holiday stories. Now I appreciate all those things and more. Work is still a big motivator for me, but it's more of a balance.

[BrabusMog]

okgo said:

He's cutting his cloth accordingly hence wheeling his mates out as examples of why he is doing what he does every time someone says they earn x.

I work 45 hours a week and do plenty outside of work, however these bullst statements are often reserved for people making excuses for what they've done/not done IMO

Edited by okgo on Tuesday 4th November 12:30

People are entitled to have their own view if what is an ideal lifestyle choice, no single answer is correct, I think calling his statements bullst is a bit strong.

[okgo]

fido said:

Your outlook will change I'm sure. I used to hate travelling for example - didn't bother with a gap year (was too skint!), very rarely took vacation (easy when you live in London and there is so much to do) and sneered at my friends holiday stories. Now I appreciate all those things and more. Work is still a big motivator for me, but it's more of a balance.

I think you misunderstand me for one of the earlier chaps who says they work 70 hours a week. I do not, and I take all my holiday.

Anyway, yes there is a balance, working 70 hours a week is not for me, I've done it, there are very few jobs I would say are worthy of such commitment when pay day rolls around. But what I am trying to say is that you don't have to be mr 100 hours a week to do alright for yourself. Earlier poster seemed to intimate that you were either the flexi-time floater OR the high flying lawyer sleeping at his desk.

[z4RRSchris99]

fk working 70 hours a week, lifes too short.

9-6 and then home.

[AyBee]

greggy50 said:

AyBee said:

I'm agreeing with phib again, money, whilst not the be all and end all, also gives the options to go where you want and buy what you want without having to worry about it, and if that means working a few more hours during the week, then I'm happy to do that personally.

I would rather enjoy myself whilst younger than work silly hours in the hope or retiring a few years earlier but that's just my view.

When get to 50+ not going to be able to do some of the things you would have been able to do in your 20's plus you never know what your health may be like etc...

I'm not talking retirement like Phib is, but it's nice to be able to afford the cars, the new bikes and the holidays without worrying about whether I can afford it like my friends do - if that means a few extra hours a week, I'm happy to do that. There's usually going to be a trade-off between how much you earn and how much time you have to enjoy the money you earn, you just have to find the balance that suits you.

[BrabusMog]

z4RRSchris99 said:

fk working 70 hours a week, lifes too short.

9-3.30 and then home.

EFA.

[R11ysf]

jonah35 said:

What happens is you spend years chasing the money then all of a sudden realise you're over 40 and you don't have another go at life.

You look back and think about the times you were progressing your career whilst your mates were on stag dos, out at barbecues, in vegas or living life. Then you get to 60, get ill and realise it's too late to spend your cash, you'd look stupid in vegas even if you had friends that were up for going. Then you realise you don't want to be the richest man in the graveyard.

Don't worry about salary, if you have got your health just enjoy life, save a bit, don't take it too seriously and just have fun.

The people on here going on about £60k and a 3 series company car won't be partying every night like a guy working in a bar on £10k per year or a scuba instructor in the Seychelles. Or a bar man in cancun.

So long as you're not skint a good salary is any job that you enjoy

I couldn't disagree with all of this more. It's just such rubbish. You work hard therefore you don't stop until you are 40 when half your life is gone and then at 60 you're too old/ill to spend your cash. What???

You seem to miss out on the point that the more you earn at a younger age then the more likely you are to more exciting / outgoing stuff at a younger age. You have more disposable cash to travel / buy track cars / eat out or whatever so if fact you live MORE life that someone on a lot less money.

Just because you work a few more hours every day means you can do more with your time off. Most of the people who do a 9-5 on 'average' money go home and watch tv after work. Great so by being in the office until 7 I'll miss out on Neighbours. Go in to any bar in the city on any night (manybe not MOndays) and you will find them full. Try walking in to get a table at a good restaurant Wednesday-Friday and you've got no chance.

I think you need to actually know the lives you are commenting on before spouting such rubbish. And as for comparing people in UK jobs to a barman in Cancun??? I mean what utter crap! But I can tell you this, a guy in the city on £100k is living a life ten times closer to a barman in Cancun's than a guy in and office up north on £25k.

[LouD86]

Spare tyre said:

I rememeber you posting on a thread last november just after buying your place ( same time as me) I'm amazed that you call a measly wage in the area of 60-70 k!

Got any jobs at your place?!

No jobs at the moment, quite happy with what I'm earning now though, as I have a lot more time to enjoy myself, and really not stressing.

I have very little out going's compared to some of the others on here, smaller mortgage, no kids, wife etc to pay for, so for me its all my money. I can randomly buy vehicles by mistake like I did the other day, its not a biggie

[vescaegg]

R11ysf said:

I couldn't disagree with all of this more. It's just such rubbish. You work hard therefore you don't stop until you are 40 when half your life is gone and then at 60 you're too old/ill to spend your cash. What???

You seem to miss out on the point that the more you earn at a younger age then the more likely you are to more exciting / outgoing stuff at a younger age. You have more disposable cash to travel / buy track cars / eat out or whatever so if fact you live MORE life that someone on a lot less money.

Just because you work a few more hours every day means you can do more with your time off. Most of the people who do a 9-5 on 'average' money go home and watch tv after work. Great so by being in the office until 7 I'll miss out on Neighbours. Go in to any bar in the city on any night (manybe not MOndays) and you will find them full. Try walking in to get a table at a good restaurant Wednesday-Friday and you've got no chance.

I think you need to actually know the lives you are commenting on before spouting such rubbish. And as for comparing people in UK jobs to a barman in Cancun??? I mean what utter crap! But I can tell you this, a guy in the city on £100k is living a life ten times closer to a barman in Cancun's than a guy in and office up north on £25k.

I agree. Having that extra income means you can do more with your spare time even if it is slightly less in quantity than someone else.

Im in the office around 7am each day and leave around 6pm. Commute is 30mins each way; in the evening im home by 6.30pm which is 'normal' and im up at 6am anyway so may as well be productive at work rather than sitting at home until 8am doing nothing and thinking about working which is fast approaching.

Working isnt wasted time when you have nothing better to do, especially if you are well rewarded financially for it.

I always take my 5 weeks holiday a year too (plus 8 days bank holiday on top) and as a result of working hard, can usually go anywhere in the world each time I take a holiday too. It all adds up to a nice job package rather than just counting hours.

Edited by vescaegg on Tuesday 4th November 14:25

[decadent]

Meh it's all work life balance for me.

I'm 31 have a decent enough house (1930s semi, just outside London but I am missing a garage ), have a baby, wife works part time, walk to the station, work 35 hours a week - max (sometimes 8-4 for nursey pick up), don't manage staff and make about 43k. I got to 40K @ 28 and have worked in the same company for 7+ years startin at 28k @ 23.

Oh and I also get 38 days annual leave + 10 days study/development leave too.

I didn't go to Uni but have done professional exams. I could earn more money but I don't see the point right now - my boss makes an extra £15k / year, yet has to work more hours, manage a team and doesn't really get ownsership/reward of the interesting tasks the team work on.

I've never been one to live for work, if i was that type I'd no doubt be a lot more stressed and earn a lot more cash. My Dad for exampe is that type, works all week and all weekend in the medical profession, now as senior management away from medicine and less happy than he was when he was on the "shop floor".

I didn't see him when growing up and still don't, he has no hobbies and actually has no hope in paying off his mortgage before retirement. Sounds like a cr4p path all things considered to me, but he is respected for his work; even has letters of thanks from the Prime Minister, Sheikhs and the Queen (incidently all hung up on the wall in the downstairs bathroom lol).