Career
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Discuss your salary with coworkers to determine if you are being underpaid.
Companies thrive on the taboo because they know people won't discuss it, allowing them to pay employees less.
- Employers may notice a decline in performance and use it as justification for dismissal.
- At-will employment means employers do not need to give a reason to let you go.
3 people, independently
Consider leaving a company if you have been there for more than two years and pay increases or promotions have become stagnant.
Staying longer may result in being stuck with minimal raises, such as 2%.
- Do not jump between jobs too frequently, as holding a job briefly can look bad on a resume.
one person who lived it
Choose a partner who supports you through both good and bad times.
It makes all the difference.
one person who lived it
Leave quickly if a job's actual responsibilities do not match the title promised during hiring.
Staying can cause you to fall behind in skills and become outdated.
- Leaving may be difficult if you live in a rural area with few opportunities.
one person who lived it
Ignore advice to buy a house if you do not have the down payment, as it is not feasible for those in poverty.
You cannot follow this advice if you lack the capital, such as $10,000, needed for the down payment.
one person who lived it
salary, raise, raises, pay55
Research market rates using public sites like Glassdoor or levels.fyi, university library databases, union salary databases, or job postings that are legally required to list pay.
Counter job offers within reason, keeping in mind it is harder to negotiate lower salaries (e.g., $18k/year) than higher ones (e.g., $50k).
The worst outcome is rejection.
one person who lived it
Let the employer make the first salary offer; if they do, repeat it back out loud and then remain silent.
The first offer is often low, and silence may prompt them to offer more.
2 people, independently
- Repeat a raise offer out loud, then stay silent to allow the employer to potentially improve it.1
Observe how bosses treat long-time employees to detect if they are preventing upward mobility.
Some bosses use sweet talk to keep workers in low-wage positions and prevent them from moving up.
one person who lived it
Set specific financial goals like paying off a house or reaching $1 million in liquidity to motivate staying in a hated job.
It helps you reframe the situation as using the employer to get your goals.
one person who lived it
49 more on this
Refuse to budge on your standard rate for freelance work, even if clients are shocked.
Clients who shop around often end up back with you after cheaper options fail.
one person who lived it
Recognize that accepting small annual raises can lead to wage compression, where new hires earn more than long-term employees.
Accepting flat raises acts as a pay cut over time, causing coworkers hired later to start at higher salaries.
one person who lived it
Focus on knowing your own value rather than comparing your pay to others, even if you hold the same position.
Others may undervalue themselves, which does not reflect your worth.
2 people, independently
Demand a raise that exceeds the current inflation rate to maintain purchasing power.
Any increase below the inflation rate constitutes a pay cut.
3 people, independently
- Recognize that receiving no raise over two years means you are earning less in real terms due to inflation.1
Inform your employer that a better-paying position is available and ask if they can meet your salary expectations.
Asking for a raise should not be made harder than it is.
one person who lived it
Decline counter-offers from previous employers that do not exceed your new offer or match the benefits you turned down.
Employers often admit to prior underpayment by failing to match offers even when explicitly told of them.
one person who lived it
Talk to trusted colleagues and start a union to gain collective bargaining power and protection against retaliation.
They can't fire all of you.
one person who lived it
Only ask for a raise if you have another job offer or well-documented exceptional performance; otherwise, do not be forceful.
Asking without leverage can lead to being let go.
- Can lead to termination if you are too forceful without options.
one person who lived it
Get a new job to secure a raise.
Internal raises often fail to keep up with inflation, reducing your salary.
one person who lived it
Take jobs that others find gross or unpleasant, such as waste management, as they often pay more due to lower applicant pools.
Unpleasant tasks command higher wages because fewer people want to do them.
one person who lived it
Do not stay at a job out of loyalty to coworkers or a sense of obligation.
Loyalty does not pay bills and employers will replace you immediately when it benefits their bottom line.
one person who lived it
Do not limit your raise request solely to the inflation rate if you are performing well.
Asking only for inflation adjustment undervalues your market worth.
one person who lived it
Transfer to another department within the same company if your current manager refuses to acknowledge inflation-based raise requests.
One person transferred departments after their manager dismissed inflation concerns, resulting in a significant raise.
- Based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
Compete external job offers against each other rather than using them to pressure your current employer.
Current employers may resent being forced to compete for you.
one person who lived it
Increase your pension contribution when you receive a pay rise.
Even a small increase benefits massively and is unlikely to be noticed.
one person who lived it
Be wary of Multi-Level Marketing schemes that require payment to become a competitor.
The structure allows the recruiter to earn a percentage while you pay to sell the same products as them.
one person who lived it
If you are paid higher than your colleagues, be discreet to avoid social friction, such as being expected to pay for group meals.
Colleagues who know you earn more may pressure you to cover costs during social outings.
one person who lived it
Adjust annual salary estimates downward to account for unpaid sick leave and vacation time.
Most people take unpaid sick days and vacations, making lower estimates more accurate.
one person who lived it
Do not give ultimatums unless you are truly prepared to walk away from the job.
The usual response to ultimatums or mentions of other job offers at some workplaces is immediate termination ('OK then see ya').
2 people, independently
State your case clearly for fair compensation without feeling like a blackmailer if you are underpaid.
Underpayment undervalues you and your work; stating your worth is not blackmail.
one person who lived it
Use union labor grades or standardized pay bands to help with open and safe salary discussions among coworkers.
Knowing someone's labor grade allows you to know their pay range.
one person who lived it
When negotiating, emphasize that you are selling your skills, not just your time, and that additional responsibilities require additional pay.
You are not giving the employer a gift of employment; your skills are the product.
one person who lived it
Prepare to leave your job if your raise request is denied.
Accepting a denial without consequence weakens your negotiating position.
one person who lived it
Recognize that pay discrepancies may exist because some people are more qualified, have more experience, or are just better workers.
Experience should count for something, and some people *should* make more due to these factors.
one person who lived it
Work out job offers and raises as a total package including workload, benefits, flexibility, and enjoyment rather than focusing solely on salary.
Over time, the desire for large percentage increases often shifts toward seeking peace and stability in the role.
one person who lived it
Verify that a new job is a better deal by comparing total compensation, including benefits and retirement contributions.
Higher salaries can be offset by expensive benefits or mandatory deductions, resulting in less take-home pay.
one person who lived it
Wait until you leave a job to disclose your salary to former colleagues to avoid being targeted.
Disclosing salary while still employed risks being targeted at work.
one person who lived it
Consider joining a union for better benefits and job security, even if it requires accepting a lower base salary.
- only where they exist
one person who lived it
Verify actual working hours and overtime expectations before accepting a job based on average salary statistics, as averages may include unpaid or high-overtime scenarios.
- One person discovered their profession required lots of overtime to reach the average salary; without it, the pay was significantly lower.
one person who lived it
Look for a job every year to verify you are being fairly compensated.
one person who lived it
Demonstrate how your work contributes to the company's bottom line or mission.
Employers require evidence of this contribution before granting a raise.
one person who lived it
If you recently received a raise for your current level of work, wait until the next cycle and continue performing well.
Your recent contribution was already recognized with a raise.
one person who lived it
Request raises well before your annual review to avoid conflicts with budgets that have already been finalized.
Company budgets often lock in raise figures early, making it difficult to adjust them later.
one person who lived it
Work out raises based on the local cost of living changes in your specific area rather than just national inflation figures.
Local cost of living increases can be drastically different from national inflation and have a direct effect on cash flow.
one person who lived it
Ask for detailed information on total compensation before accepting a job offer to identify hidden costs.
Hidden costs such as premiums, fees, long vesting timeframes, and parking fees can reduce the value of your salary.
one person who lived it
Frame a competing offer as a request for career guidance to encourage an honest discussion about your future.
This approach usually generates an open dialogue.
one person who lived it
Ignore negative online opinions about your salary negotiations; they do not constitute a valid value system.
Online opinions are not a value system and should not hold such high esteem.
one person who lived it
Acknowledge the company's financial situation (profitable, breaking even, or losing money) before asking for a raise.
Recognizing this lets the employer know you understand their position, creating a more empathetic audience for your needs.
one person who lived it
Buy your own computer for personal use and learning, assuming work devices log keystrokes.
Workplaces are logging keystrokes, so you cannot get away with unauthorized activities on work laptops.
one person who lived it
Ensure all job offers and agreements are documented in writing to prevent recission or disputes.
Verbal agreements are insufficient and risky given stories of withdrawn offers.
one person who lived it
Share salary information with coworkers.
to prevent employers from exploiting information asymmetry
one person who lived it
Leave quickly if a company demands additional responsibilities without increasing your wage or salary.
Taking on more work without compensation is unfavorable.
one person who lived it
Never disclose other employment opportunities to your current employer.
Employers who match offers often begin looking for your replacement immediately.
one person who lived it
Research market rates using public sites like Glassdoor or levels.fyi, university library databases, union salary databases, or job postings that are legally required to list pay.
4 people, independently
Continuously monitor new job opportunities while employed to maintain career flexibility.
This approach provides leverage for salary negotiations, access to more substantial raises, and reduced risk.
one person who lived it
Recognize that entry-level positions rarely pay the 'average' salary for a profession.
Averages include experienced workers with raises and seniority; new entrants start at the bottom of the pay scale.
one person who lived it
Help underpaid coworkers prepare arguments for their raises; once they succeed, use similar arguments to negotiate your own raise.
one person who lived it
Calculate compounded inflation rates for backlogged raises rather than adding percentages linearly.
one person who lived it
Investigate potential misclassification in salary grades with your manager if you suspect discrepancies.
one person who lived it
support, family, advice, ignore14
Seek child support from the father of your child.
It is his child too.
one person who lived it
Ignore advice to buy multiple houses to rent out if you do not have family loans or capital.
Such strategies often rely on external help, like a loan from a wealthy parent.
one person who lived it
Secure employment before moving out of a parent's home to ensure financial stability.
Do not move out when you do not have a job.
one person who lived it
Stay out of legal trouble to protect your ability to find housing and employment.
A criminal record seriously hinders prospects for jobs and housing.
one person who lived it
10 more on this
Hire a CPA to handle taxes related to debt forgiveness to avoid unexpected tax bills.
One person avoided a huge tax bill on forgiven amounts by having their CPA file the necessary forms with the IRS.
one person who lived it
Do not disclose increased income to family members who might rely on financial support from you.
Family may exploit the new income under the guise of past support.
one person who lived it
Factor in the risk of car repossession and impound fees, which can derail finances if payments are missed.
one person who lived it
Keep a high-earning side job temporarily alongside a new primary role to build savings for emergencies or large purchases.
Combining income streams helps save for cars, repairs, or rainy days.
one person who lived it
Focus entirely on getting yourself out of poverty before trying to save or support family members.
Giving away resources before building your own stability leaves you with nothing.
one person who lived it
Accumulate substantial cash and investment reserves before expanding your lifestyle or purchasing a home.
Having these reserves provides a foundation for safely expanding your life.
one person who lived it
If you have family support and a spouse with a day job, leverage that safety net to reduce business risk.
- This level of support is not available to everyone.
one person who lived it
Accept that luck plays a significant role in extreme financial success.
one person who lived it
Ignore success advice from trust fund recipients or those with unlimited income if you are financially struggling.
Money provides infinite attempts at overcoming obstacles, which is not available to those with limited resources.
one person who lived it
Practice flexibility to seize opportunities and accept help.
Lack of flexibility can prevent you from taking advantage of opportunities or receiving assistance.
one person who lived it
jobs, job, resume, experience24
Do not burn bridges when leaving a job, as former colleagues are valuable networking resources.
Limit your time in low-paying, non-relevant jobs to under two years.
Staying longer devalues you and others with similar degrees or training.
one person who lived it
When asked why you are looking for a new job after a short stint, state that you don't mind working hard but the schedule (e.g., 5am to 5pm Monday through Friday) is too demanding.
It shows you are a hard worker.
one person who lived it
Apply for ten jobs every day and tailor your resume to each position.
Fifteen applications per week is not enough.
one person who lived it
Consider omitting very short job stints from your resume to avoid being viewed as a flight risk by future employers.
Future employers may fear you will leave soon and be unwilling to take the risk.
one person who lived it
20 more on this
Do not burn bridges when leaving a job, as former colleagues are valuable networking resources.
Staying connected to former co-workers can be the key to finding a new job.
2 people, independently
Turn down work that is not worth your time or effort to attract better job opportunities.
One person reported getting better jobs once they started doing this.
one person who lived it
Consider job hopping early in your career when you have fewer responsibilities to increase your salary, then transition to a stable role once you have family commitments.
Younger people have less to lose and can explore options more freely.
- Frequent moves can be hard on children.
one person who lived it
Apply to many jobs, including those where you feel underqualified, as degree requirements are often scare tactics.
Employers often say they want a bachelor's degree to scare people off, but rarely is it true.
one person who lived it
Gain relevant work experience while studying to improve employability and earning potential after graduation.
Having actual work experience positions you for higher-paid jobs and increases the likelihood of making six figures within five years.
one person who lived it
Job hop during your early career years to secure faster pay increases.
Employers often value experience gained elsewhere more than time spent at their own company.
one person who lived it
Choose jobs that build transferable skills to enable future career mobility.
Building specific skills allows you to move up or transition to better-paying office jobs later.
one person who lived it
Continue interviewing while you are still employed.
You have less pressure and leverage when you do not desperately need a new job.
one person who lived it
Gain real-world experience and projects during college to improve employability, regardless of the degree.
Real experience helps get a job, whereas having a degree without learning practical skills does not.
one person who lived it
Take online courses on a skill like Google Ads, then offer free help to local businesses to gain experience you can claim in interviews.
Having real-world experience allows you to fake confidence in an interview, which can lead to the opportunity needed to gain actual experience.
one person who lived it
Be cautious about frequent job switching, as having too many short stints can negatively impact your resume and reduce interview opportunities.
Employers may view frequent moves negatively, especially in tough labor markets.
2 people, independently
Look for jobs that marginally relate to your degree if direct roles are scarce.
This allows you to leverage your core skillset while gaining an outsider's perspective.
one person who lived it
Be cautious about switching jobs if you hold a niche position with few employment alternatives.
Switching can be a detriment in this specific situation.
one person who lived it
Actively ask your manager for tasks in your desired field, as they rarely assign higher-level work without a request.
Managers rarely push employees toward higher-level tasks on their own.
one person who lived it
Accept job offers even if you feel underqualified or skeptical about meeting the requirements.
Have faith in yourself.
one person who lived it
Secure a new job offer before resigning from your current position to avoid financial instability and maintain negotiating power.
You are better mounted to negotiate terms when currently employed versus being desperate; leaving prematurely without a plan can lead to misery.
2 people, independently
Research a company's stability and growth opportunities before accepting a job offer.
Industries like tech are facing layoffs, so understanding advancement paths and company stability is crucial.
one person who lived it
Focus on developing market-wide skills rather than company-specific ones to increase your leverage.
Transferable skills de-emphasize reliance on a single employer's specific needs.
one person who lived it
Use college career services and job boards to find relevant roles after graduation.
Graduates can often use their university's career services for some time post-graduation.
one person who lived it
Maintain an updated resume and LinkedIn profile even when not actively looking to gauge your marketability.
It allows you to measure unsolicited offers and understand your value in the market.
- Turn off your 'available' flag if you are not currently seeking employment.
one person who lived it
pursue, education, skills, school36
Be skeptical of wealth coaches and courses.
Pursue good education or training at any age as a path out of poverty.
It can be life-changing and helps you get out of poverty.
one person who lived it
Invest in education or skilled training, such as construction, which can lead to high earnings without formal schooling.
Construction workers with six years of experience and no school were reported to make $80k a year.
- Based on one person's knowledge of specific construction workers.
one person who lived it
Focus on securing a stable nine-to-five job to pay down debt before attempting risky side hustles.
It is considered a smart move for getting out of debt.
one person who lived it
Apply for grants if you have low income and scholarships if you have high academic merit to cut down on student loan debt.
One person owed only $8k in student loans using this approach.
one person who lived it
31 more on this
Use a temp agency to find immediate hard labor jobs to quickly regain financial footing.
One person secured a job within a week and earned enough to buy a car and recover financially.
- The work may involve hard labor.
one person who lived it
Take free online IT courses to gain skills for better-paying entry-level jobs.
These courses could help land an entry-level job that pays more.
one person who lived it
Pursue a master's degree in social work if you can secure grants or work-study funding.
Social work is a diverse field with lots of expansion opportunities, and a master's can be completed in one year fully funded.
one person who lived it
Get your GED through free programs that allow you to work at your own pace.
to qualify for learning grants or better jobs
one person who lived it
Reserve quiet rooms at local libraries for free study sessions if available.
Some libraries offer free reservation blocks, such as two-hour slots.
- Availability depends on the local library.
one person who lived it
Obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to drive trucks for higher pay.
Truck drivers make more money.
one person who lived it
Follow the sequence of getting a job and saving money before taking on debt or buying a house.
- Avoid going into debt for fields that regularly lay off workers.
one person who lived it
Pursue a community college degree using financial aid to cover tuition, books, supplies, and food if your income is low.
- Applies to those with low income
one person who lived it
Become an expert in a specific, well-paying field like JavaScript to command higher wages.
Someone who is really good at a skill makes good money, whereas someone who is not does not.
one person who lived it
Use saved commute time to study for certifications or network to increase earning potential.
Extra time can be used to get a certification or join a union to secure a higher-paying job.
one person who lived it
Seek mentors to learn skills like budgeting and interviewing that are not acquired while in survival mode.
It is easier to plan for the future when you are not constantly hungry.
one person who lived it
Pursue a trade degree in fields like plumbing, electrical work, or machining.
These trades offer great living wages and constant demand for workers.
one person who lived it
- Pursue skilled trades like plumbing, HVAC, or welding through quick degree programs to secure high-paying employment.1
Seek unionized trade jobs with paid apprenticeships to learn a skill while earning money.
This approach allows you to earn while learning and avoids adding student debt.
one person who lived it
One approach that worked for a concrete contractor: pursue trade work like concrete contracting, which can yield six-figure incomes with fewer hours and self-insurance options.
Trades offer solid retirement and self-insurance with high income relative to hours worked.
one person who lived it
Be skeptical of wealth coaches and courses.
Their primary income often comes from selling the method rather than practicing it.
2 people, independently
Search for all possible scholarships to attend school without paying.
2 people, independently
Get clean from drugs and focus on education above all else to improve your life.
one person who lived it
Speak with college financial aid officers to discover how much assistance you might qualify for.
You may be surprised by the amount of aid available.
one person who lived it
If you are a single mother struggling in retail, get a CNA license (a three-week class) to secure immediate employment, then use tuition reimbursement to become an LPN.
one person who lived it
Focus on building real skills, consistency, patience, and creating something people actually want.
Real money is boring.
one person who lived it
Invest money in yourself through classes or skill-building to increase your income.
one person who lived it
Consider moving away from your impoverished hometown as a strategy to escape poverty, potentially combined with higher education.
One individual identified leaving their poor area and getting a college education as the two factors that lifted them out of poverty.
- This is based on one person's specific experience.
one person who lived it
If you cannot afford professional repairs, learn to fix your own cars; this necessity can develop into a career.
It reveals natural aptitude and creates employment opportunities.
one person who lived it
If you were a high school straight-A student but lacked study skills, expect difficulty in undergrad and potential career delays; focus on building those skills early.
Poor study skills can cause difficulty in higher education and derail career trajectories.
one person who lived it
Focus on STEM, labor trades, or certifications to earn well without accumulating miserable amounts of debt.
This approach helps avoid lifestyle creep and excessive debt.
one person who lived it
Avoid minimum wage jobs that only pay immediate bills; focus on developing skills that pay well.
one person who lived it
If you are in poverty, take an undesirable entry-level job, show up consistently, and ask to learn new skills over years of small improvements.
- This approach takes years, not overnight.
one person who lived it
Consider technical school for lab technician roles, which can lead to decent pay with minimal background or degrees.
one person who lived it
Consider quitting work or reducing hours to enjoy life, sleep, learn skills, travel, or workout if financially feasible.
one person who lived it
Invest in qualifications such as community college, trade school, or certifications for long-term benefit.
one person who lived it
Use the flexibility of gig work to pursue education or certifications that increase future earnings potential.
one person who lived it
often, work, quality, personal32
Focus on increasing your income rather than just saving money to escape poverty.
Add commuting time to actual work hours and recalculate your hourly wage to judge true earnings.
Commuting time doesn't allow for other accomplishments.
2 people, independently
Define what 'better' means to you beyond just money before accepting a new job.
Factors like commute time are worth considering; an extra half-hour commute equals five more hours on the road per week.
one person who lived it
Focus on financial needs over loyalty to your current employer when considering job offers.
Loyalty does not pay the bills.
one person who lived it
Focus on increasing your income rather than just saving money to escape poverty.
Frugality only provides temporary relief; higher earnings are the only long-term solution when basic expenses exceed income.
3 people, independently
28 more on this
Focus on your work-life ratio and personal happiness over career advancement if growth is stagnant.
Continual growth does not always improve quality of life and can consume unpaid time without increasing pay.
one person who lived it
Do not believe that hard work alone guarantees success.
Systemic advantages play a major role; if hard work were enough, millions more would succeed.
one person who lived it
View entrepreneurship as working for yourself and paying bills, not as a guaranteed path to getting rich.
Getting rich probably won't happen.
one person who lived it
Account for out-of-pocket benefit costs when comparing hourly wages to freelance or gig work income.
Freelancers must pay for their own benefits.
one person who lived it
Demonstrate your value by highlighting results rather than effort.
Results equate to value, whereas effort only speaks to cost.
one person who lived it
Avoid side hustles if you are struggling to survive, as they demand time and energy you likely lack.
People in poverty often do not have the luxury of time or energy required for extra work.
one person who lived it
Do not believe claims of being self-made; recognize that such assertions often ignore advantages and privilege.
Nobody is truly self-made.
one person who lived it
Plan finances based on guaranteed contract amounts rather than total potential earnings, accounting for agent fees and taxes.
Contracts are not guaranteed.
one person who lived it
Work to live, not live to work; do only what is needed to live and do not go the extra mile for a company that does not reciprocate.
one person who lived it
Judge workplace culture and management quality, as these factors often matter more than pay for daily satisfaction.
Big pay jumps cannot hide terrible management; you don't know the culture until you are there.
one person who lived it
Make career choices in your own best interest rather than showing loyalty to the company, as companies rarely reciprocate that loyalty.
Loyalty primarily benefits the company while harming the employee.
2 people, independently
Stop asking questions solely because you are near management; instead, demonstrate reliability to become an 'A player'.
Being an 'A player' makes you someone others can rely on.
one person who lived it
Do not work overtime unless you specifically want the extra hours, as promises of future help often do not materialize.
One person reported that schedulers promised to help later but never did and didn't remember when brought up.
one person who lived it
Increase income through job advancement or unionization rather than adding a second job to improve quality of life.
Getting a second job often adds stress or changes what you are stressed about without improving quality of life.
one person who lived it
Do not let the success stories of wealthy entrepreneurs discourage you.
Most come from privileged backgrounds rather than starting from nothing, and they often mistake their advantages for superior work ethic.
one person who lived it
Identify your personal purpose before pursuing high-income opportunities.
Money without purpose is not fulfilling.
one person who lived it
Explicitly tell your manager you want different types of work, not just more work, to avoid being perceived as merely needing a workload increase.
Managers may misinterpret dissatisfaction as a need for more tasks rather than a desire for expanded scope.
one person who lived it
Avoid financing expensive new items like cars when starting a higher-paying job to preserve profit margins for savings.
Financing new items prevents significant savings from the increased salary.
one person who lived it
Understand that high tip earnings are inconsistent and depend heavily on individual skill rather than being a guaranteed baseline.
High earnings often reflect exceptional performance at the job, meaning others may not replicate those results immediately.
2 people, independently
Be wary of companies that describe their work environment as a 'family,' as this often signals toxic cultures where boundaries are blurred.
Such environments often treat employees poorly despite the familial branding.
one person who lived it
Recognize that employers often overvalue their benefits packages compared to salary.
Claims that benefits make up for lower pay are often incorrect.
one person who lived it
Maintain engagement with potential mentors rather than shunning them.
Shunning these people can be a mistake; maintaining icy indifference prevents leveraging opportunities that come from senior folks who like you.
one person who lived it
Consider working in advertising agencies for high pay and professional connections.
It offers good money and company, though it may involve ethical compromises.
- Sell your soul
one person who lived it
Do not leave a job you love and that offers good culture and compensation solely because of arbitrary internet advice about time limits.
Online tips should not override personal satisfaction and favorable employment conditions.
one person who lived it
Eliminate low-value activities and relationships, such as endless scrolling, toxic friendships, and binging, and redirect that time toward family and personal development.
Investing time in what matters improves life quality.
one person who lived it
Be skeptical of 'self-made' billionaire narratives.
Many rely on undisclosed family wealth, connections, or early access to resources.
one person who lived it
Avoid idolizing wealthy businesspeople or celebrities.
Their public images are often constructed by PR teams and hide unethical behavior; they are just people.
one person who lived it
Understand that some industries or roles lack labor shortages, limiting bargaining power for raises.
In fields with heavy competition and narrow command structures, positions can be inelastic, reducing leverage compared to other sectors.
- Applies specifically to careers with heavy competition and inelastic demand.
one person who lived it
expenses, cash, avoid, less19
Buy necessities in bulk and high quantities to pay less in the long term.
Focus on increasing income rather than just cutting expenses if living on a very low wage.
You can't budget your way out of no money.
one person who lived it
Negotiate settlements with creditors, as they are often willing to accept less than the full balance owed.
3 people, independently
Choose hybrid or remote work options to save money on commuting fuel and vehicle wear.
It acts like a pay upgrade.
one person who lived it
Pay it forward by helping others in need, such as elderly people, families, or those in food deserts, when you have the means.
You cannot pay back past help, so recognize others like you and assist them.
2 people, independently
15 more on this
Make pizza at home using store-bought dough and sauce instead of buying ready-made pizzas.
It costs less per pizza than buying them individually.
one person who lived it
Build reciprocal relationships with neighbors by offering small favors like beer or food to exchange services instead of paying for them.
Spending time on each other saves money, which is more valuable for those with limited funds than having extra cash.
one person who lived it
Use a cheap used Android phone and a cheap plan to reduce monthly expenses.
This combination usually ends up being cheaper.
one person who lived it
Leverage compound interest to gain wealth.
It is described as the most powerful weapon for gaining wealth.
one person who lived it
Buy necessities in bulk and high quantities to pay less in the long term.
8 people, independently
Act as a designated driver when going out to avoid buying drinks while still socializing with friends.
One person used this to have no excuse to buy alcohol while maintaining social time.
one person who lived it
Track every cent you spend, including cash and small irregular expenses, without making exceptions.
It is a good start to becoming conscious of spending habits.
one person who lived it
Use rice, beans, frozen veggies, and salsa as base ingredients for cheap meals.
5 people, independently
Live below your means, save consistently, and avoid accumulating debt to maintain financial stability.
3 people, independently
Always obtain receipts for cash rent payments to prevent landlords from falsely claiming non-payment due to lack of proof.
one person who lived it
Freeze your credit to prevent unauthorized credit card applications or pulls by others.
8 people, independently
Avoid keeping leftover money in savings because the interest is terrible; look into other options.
the interest it'll make is terrible
one person who lived it
Never borrow what you cannot pay back and avoid high-interest loans taken out of desperation.
one person who lived it
Pay off all existing debt, especially car payments, to cut down on life expenses and achieve financial stability.
Eliminating debt reduces monthly expenses and allows for greater financial freedom.
one person who lived it
Cut down on or eliminate vices like weekend drinking and sharing bottles, as these habits accumulate significant costs.
Generosity with alcohol adds up financially.
one person who lived it
Limit snacking and take breaks to walk around in sedentary office jobs to prevent weight gain.
You will be sitting more than usual, and constant snacking can lead to significant weight gain.
one person who lived it
Look into hospital programs that pay for CNAs to become RNs to increase future family income.
Many hospitals cover this training, offering a path to higher earnings.
one person who lived it
Treat gig delivery apps as side hustles for spending money or debt repayment rather than primary full-time jobs.
Regular part-time jobs may offer better financial stability without the high wear-and-tear costs on your vehicle.
one person who lived it
Consider non-bedside nursing roles such as clinics, insurance, or case management to reduce physical strain.
Bedside nursing can be physically grinding over time, while non-bedside jobs resemble typical office work.
one person who lived it
1 more on this
Seek promotions and specialized roles through internal hospital hiring processes.
Hospitals have many positions that focus on internal hires.
one person who lived it
Prepare for business costs to be at least double your initial estimates.
Costs cannot be properly forecast until operations are running due to rework, scrap, and wild commodity price fluctuations.
one person who lived it
Focus on location when choosing where to open a small business or restaurant.
Many small businesses and restaurants fail because they opened in the wrong place.
one person who lived it
Avoid day trading courses that promise easy money.
Seasoned traders may profit from the mistakes of excited newbies who buy books and enter the market without full understanding.
one person who lived it
If you work in the bar or restaurant industry, expect difficult management personalities.
The industry tends to attract such personalities for management roles.
one person who lived it