'I'm starting in April for $170,000': Encouraging stranger gets his dream job after 5 years on the grind, offers wholesome advice to a hopeful audience

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    "For the first time I feel like I might be able to afford a house/family"
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    Posted by u/Rogue_Diplomacy Working towards a goal actually does pay off. Hang in there.
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    33m When I first moved to my current city in 2019, I was making $40,000 a year and spending 86% of my take home pay on rent. I took the job because it was in a field I was passionate about, and I knew had growth potential.
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    In 2022, I got a new job for $109,000. Those first 3 years were extremely difficult and degrading. I felt tired all the time and didn't feel valued. After the massive pay increase, I could afford to breathe a little and move into a nicer place and enjoy my hobbies again.
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    I just accepted a new position starting April 1 for $170,000. This is a mind boggling number to me. I'm not sure how I will adjust to this change in life style, but for the first time I feel like I might be able to afford a house/family.
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    I know this isn't an easy path, and I am lucky to have found these opportunities. I see a lot of doom on this sub of people thinking things can never improve, but they can. Make a plan and stick with it.
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    BarryLicious2588 · 2 days ago Just remember, just because you got the bigger reward doesn't mean unleash all Keep those spending habits low and you'll be worth more than how your income actually feels
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    Emotional_Sky_8532 2 days ago I couldn't agree with this more. 40M, single - Once I hit $100k 8 years ago I felt I finally made it and could breath. I kept my spending habits low and as my income grew to $150 > $200 > $250 I kept my spending habits relatively the same and banked more and put it in
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    stock. In November, I decided to take a 6- 12 month sabbatical to travel and enjoy life without a single worry about finances. My friends who drive nicer cars, have other toys, are miserable in their jobs but need to keep them to maintain their lifestyles...the Range Rover is a lot less fun after a few weeks compared to the financial freedom you have to do anything if you're disciplined.
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    Kyoto Bliss 1 day ago This. My salary has gone from where rent was 50 percent, to 20 percent to a mortgage now that is 5 percent of my salary. The rest goes into savings and living - and I've kept the entertainment costs proportionate. People need to avoid the income trap of upgrading unnecessarily.
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    VentingID10t 2 days ago This is so true. Reward yourself, but imagine how awesome it would be to live off $70k and save 100k a year for 3 years. Save that 300k for 25 years at 10% and you've got over 3.25 million. You've basically set yourself up for retirement.
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    Tokita-Niko 2 days ago edited 2 days ago You don't need to adjust your lifestyle. Keep living like u earn 109k. 164 Reply Share ... Blanik Pilot 2 days ago Yup, a one time self gift of about $1000 is what I did with my last large raise.
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    FatRatFlopke 2 days ago Congrats my man happy to hear you're achieving your goals! 76 Reply Share gaybilly69 2 days ago Read that as happy to hear you're achieving my goals and had a chuckle
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    Middle-Detail3999 2 days ago What job? Degree? 34 Reply Share Rogue_Diplomacy OP 2 days ago Legislative analysis, I have an MA in international policy and development economics
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    gmalis1 2 days ago Spend frugally and save, save, save. Max out your 401K, have your employer contribute to it to the max...and max your IRA contribution annually.
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    Invest in "safer" investments, such as mutual funds. I'm not brave enough to invest in individual stocks, and was burned a bit by a "friend's" advice on some stock purchases, which tanked about a year later.
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    You'll be amazed how much wealth you can accumulate by growth in the stock market and reinvesting dividends and capital gains.
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    Jason_Kelces_Thng 2 days ago Best advice for a big pay bump is to try your best to maintain your precious lifestyle and not let your expenses creep. Want to get a luxury car? Fine, but put the car and insurance payment into a savings account for a few months just to get a feel for how much less you will have to spend.
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    Second best advice is if you have a lot of excess money make sure to increase or max out tax advantaged accounts (401k, HSA, IRA, dependent care FSA, etc.) Congrats on the pay bump. It's a great feeling when that suffering meant something after all!
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    Huncho11 2 days ago Congrats man. I'm 30 in a new city trying to get my feet under me and into a comfortable spot. I'm being frugal and grinding at work. I'll reach the promised land.
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    BotaRONomus · 2 days ago Man, those are incredible pay increases. Shoutout to you and the work I know you had to do to obtain those. Like everybody else is saying, try to shovel all the extra money you're making from 109k to 170k into retirement, savings, or your dream/forever home.
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    Make sure you enjoy the fruits of your labor, but also, instill a bit of discipline and you'll be floored at what your accounts look like in 3- 5 years. Good stuff.
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    No_Conversation_9413 2 days ago I've set a goal for myself to make $40/hr in my profession. 3 years I started at $20/hr. I'm now at $36. I'm pushing to get $40/hr! I'm really proud of myself for setting this goal when I graduated in my field. It's now becoming a reality!
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    tequillasunset ________. 2 days ago Needed to hear this, thanks bro 2 Reply Share

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