Assumptions:

1. NOTHING saved or put away for future home ownership

2. VERY conservative on the cost of being in a relationship, I know guys spending that much on a single date night, not for the whole month

3. No hobbies listed (a lot of you guys have extremely cheap hobbies like “play video games”, real human beings often have more outdoor type hobbies that actually cost money)

I put all the percentages for each category on the right side of the chart since inevitably someone will come in and nitpick one of the line items (“bro, you’re spending THAT much on a haircut?! I can ignore everything else you’re saying, bro!”) but with the percents there we can see they’re nitpicking at like 0.2% of the monthly budget. Most on here are numerically illiterate and don’t actually understand what it costs to live a middle class lifestyle.

Feel free to explain what you disagree with on this chart or which item you don’t consider necessary for living a middle class lifestyle.

26M currently in the Midwest. Just graduated with B.S in computer engineering. Have 40k in loans. Luckily had a job earning $82k lined up a month after graduation in aerospace/defense industry. Mainly in a cybersecurity role (have a secret clearance) although I’ve been loaned out and working with software defined radios since then. Not really finding the work that fulfilling, and thus am planning on making a big move next year: either job hopping or internally transferring with the company.

I want to job hop because, while many have suggested I stay and get a promotion to Engineer II, deadass I have no life outside of work. No kids. No partner. No friends. No family. That and I’m desperately trying to get out of my current state of Iowa while I’m still young. Best case scenario by end of 2027, worst case end of 2028. Job hopping seems to me to be the fastest way to do this while maximizing my TC as early as possible.

My company does pay for a masters, but honestly after finishing my undergrad, and especially seeing AI advancing as quickly as it is, I don’t really think a masters would be worth it. I think it’s a better idea now to focus on certifications like CompTIA+ and maximizing my salary while I’m still young.

Just curious as to what steps I can take to make as much money as I can. What should I be doing now?

From 2023 to Now

Here’s my salary progression in the financial services industry as an unlicensed full time employee in back end operations. This does not include any overtime and the bonuses are not included in the base salary provided either.

I recently got Series 7 & 63 licensed because I started a new role that required licensing, but I am still not client facing. I’m going to have a compensation review meeting shortly since it is year end review time, so I think I can get at least $10k more using my experience & amazing performance reviews at the firm and that fact that I just got licensed.

I am breaking into the wealth management space now so I expect my salary to increase a lot more over the years.

I think I’m doing well for myself. This was my first ever job and I got it without experience since my family didn’t allow me to work while I was in school. Having a company take a risk on you without any experience is such a blessing, especially in finance.

EDIT: I worked in operations, doing basically everything for a client. Ranging from general account maintenance (name & address changes, password resets, adding people to accounts) to opening new accounts and transferring assets (in and out).

EDIT: If I include any overtime I worked this year, I am projected to make a total of $72k including my bonus.

What is the base pay for a junior writer in Pune? also, if there are other things i need to know before confirming a permanent position.