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.

@ThatOtherPoster

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.

This is true, also some people think that women shouldn’t earn a good salary and if they dare to openly talk about money it’s showing off.

There is a huge, misguided social pressure to always want more money.

If you earn enough to have the lifestyle you want, have enough surplus to save for a decent pension, like your job, and don't work in an "up or out" environment, then it is you who have clarity and your friend who is deluded.

It's not enough, in that the more you get, the more you want.

OP, you are doing well. You earn more than me and I am 49
Trust your own judgment. You know how much money you need and what makes you happy. Pity your friends who are striving and probably not as happy as you.

If this is genuine then your friends are monumentally out of touch. £70k is more than double the median UK full time salary. It's more than I will ever earn as a teacher (without being a Head and I would rather eat rusty nails).

Oh go away

Following for potential deletion message

What on earth do you and your friends do for a living where that would be considered a bad wage?!

You earn double what I do and I’m comfortable living in the south. You’re fine. Your friend is a muppet.

@SmidgenofaPigeon

Well it’s odd. Because presumably you have a good level of intelligence to be earning well, yet you actually have to question if 70k is a good enough wage at your age and with no dependants? Presumably you are aware of what the average U.K. wage is?

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

Or OP might have name changed? 🤔

Your friend sounds a nasty piece.

I’m glad my friends aren’t like that!

MimiSunshine
😂😂

Piss off! Don’t wanna read nonsense like this.

Jesus christ. Thread like these. How the hell are you managing to earn 70k a year without realising the vast majority of the country get NO WHERE near that. Just how?

What does your friend earn?

OP you can always go for the next big promotion in a few or more years time.

How the hell are you managing to earn 70k a year without realising the vast majority of the country get NO WHERE near that. Just how?

😂 I always think this too. The utter lack of awareness or critical thinking skills among some people who allegedly pull in huge incomes is baffling.

Assuming that some of these people are likely our lawyers, bankers, chartered accountants and other professionals you may approach for advice, it's actually more than baffling - it's pretty scary!

1. if your friend was intending to be supportive she didn't do well at it
2. it depends on the context of your role and industry
3. no, unless your company gives you an inflating - beating pay rise each year £70k will not sound as good as it does now.

Weird that you have 2 friends who were both rude enough to make those comments and weird that you have 2 friends who think that 70k isn’t a good salary.

@RaiseTheBeastie

How the hell are you managing to earn 70k a year without realising the vast majority of the country get NO WHERE near that. Just how?

😂 I always think this too. The utter lack of awareness or critical thinking skills among some people who allegedly pull in huge incomes is baffling.

Assuming that some of these people are likely our lawyers, bankers, chartered accountants and other professionals you may approach for advice, it's actually more than baffling - it's pretty scary!

Beyond belief! Do they go through life with blinkers on?

What do you do that pays that much?

Genuine question.

Im in a ridiculously low paid profession and i console myself that its average. 70k would be a real high flyer to me, lawyer? Doctor?