friend shocked at me being content with pay rise?

[whatlowhere]

I’ve reached the peak of my earning capacity unless I go for the next promotion. I got a promotion I was pleased with and dont want to progress further as the next job up is just too much, too time consuming etc. It just isn’t what i want.

My pay went up to 70k. I’m 35. My close friend asked what pay I had gone up to. I stupidly told her. I felt on the spot and we talk about most things. Her response was ‘so still got quite a way to go to be earning the big bucks? Must be frustrating now you’re mid 30s.’

I know rationally that what she thinks doesn’t matter. And I also know I have enough money. I don’t live with DP but he earns similar and neither of us have ever had cause to worry about money.

But now I feel like maybe I am deluded? Should I be expecting more? I work long hours but to be honest I felt this was good pay for my age. I confided in another friend and she said I will soon realise 70k isn’t much and wish I had worked harder...am I missing something?

I live in Leeds so hardly anywhere expensive. They both live in northern cities too.

Definitely don't progress if that's not what you want. You're probably already beyond the level where extra money doesn't buy extra happiness, especially if it comes with more hours, responsibilities, stress etc.

If it makes you feel better, I've earned £40k for the last 10-12 years with not a penny more thanks to public sector pay freezes. I'd like to earn more obviously, but not to the extent that I'm prepared to move areas, sectors or give up an extremely secure job with otherwise good T&Cs.

I'm not offended at all, I think your friend is weird though! My DH and I jointly earn a bit less than your salary and I always thought we were quite well off. We live in a nice house in a very nice area (though based on house prices now we wouldn't be able buy in this area on our current salaries). I don't think either of us will ever earn much more than we do now, a bit perhaps but not a significant amount and I can't see us ever having a problem with that. I used to earn quite a lot more but I hated the responsibility and long hours and streas. I'm much happier now.

It's all relative though, we are happy with our lifestyle, I know people who wouldn't be happy with our lifestyle and therefore feel like they want more money to be happy. If you're happy ignore your friend.

I suppose it depends on what the "average" wage within your profession is? If people are earning 200k+ then yeah maybe you have a "long way to go" but to be honest, most people will never earn this much and will have an amazing life. And have much nicer friends.

I mean £70k is hardly slumming it

You need better friends

Your friend is nasty.

Ha!
Well I’m 20 and earn 100k so yeah, you’d better get a move on OP or you might starve on your 70k a year

Dreaming

Depends what your profession is.. I earn less than half of that and in my 40’s and full time. I too work hard and long hours. But it’s a job anyone could do after a few weeks of training. I have a great friendship group and we discuss money, but rarely, and never judge. Some of us earn 20k and some of us earn 50k, and some in between. Ultimately we don’t care about salaries. We are pleased for the ones who have done well at work, and we are also pleased that some of us don’t give a sh*t. Remember, some people are so poor all they have is money.

Do people really live in bubbles where they think 70k isn't really privileged?!

I think it depends on the job. If you’re a solicitor, consultant anaesthesiologist, banker, etc then £70k (while being a great salary) wouldn’t be seen as particularly high.

If you’re a cleaner, you’re minted! So it depends.

OP come on.. did you really think I’m a few years that 70k won’t be enough? 70k! That’s a huge amount!

@ Pollypocket89
Only people who live in make-believe land.

I'd assume they'll be inflation level pay rises each year so it's not going to STAY £70k.

It also depends a bit on whether you get pension contributions on top or you need to put 15%+ of salary into a pension.

But anyway as everyone has said £70k is good money.

I can only dream of that salary

Are you taking the piss?

If not (which seems unlikely) you are being a bit dim and your friends are not friends.

You’re in to the top 5% of salaries in the UK (at least based on 2019 - it’s actually £70,300 but near enough) & the average salary in the UK at 30 is just over 30k so she’s not that bright or well informed (& being a bit of a twat?).

@Pollypocket89

Do people really live in bubbles where they think 70k isn't really privileged?!

Yes, it's called most of Mumsnet. Even £100k 'really isn't that much'.

Well done you.

Lol i love these threads. For perspective op im 30 in a few months and earn 10k a year. Buzzin that you're questioning if 70k is enough for one person in the north.

The way I read the the OP was that she us fully aware £70k is a good salary but her friends have made her doubt her career choices and should she be pushing to progress further?

As if she’s now in a twightlight land where actually £70k is rubbish.

Assuming that’s correct then no OP you’re not weird or wrong to stick at a level you are happy with on a salary you are More than comfortable on. You don’t have to keep going for promotions just because others think you should.

I think you’re friends are trying to puss on your chips as they probably expected you to say a lower amount.

🙄 *piss on your chips

@whatlowhere

I’ve clearly expressed this wrongly, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to offend anyone or come across as boasting.

Well you have , most people won’t get anywhere near that figure in a lifetime.

I don't think anyone would begrudge you the salary, op, just like the pp said above, most people won't get near that ever so it seems like a bit of a slap in the face not appreciating how obviously privileged you are :)

@LawnFever

Anyway, this is your first post, which is interesting.

Ah, that all makes more sense then, nice try OP

Why? I name change every week to avoid the stalker types.

You need new friends!

I am envious of your wage as I work f/t and earn less than £20,000.

Maybe your friend is envious and is trying to put you down in order to feel better.

In the future I would advise that you keep your wage to yourself.