Earn your age and you’re doing well

[Sunpiercer]

Has anyone else heard this? I was told this by a family friend when I was a teenager and ironically pretty much from 17 onwards I’ve earnt slightly above ‘my age’ which was my target. Ive gone from about 30k (29) 18 months ago to 45k (30) so I’m physiologically happy that I’m ’earning above my age’ even though on MN terms that’s not a great salary 🤣
I’m aware how daft this sounds and it’s not something I’ve discussed outside that random conversation! 😆

Did he make this up? Was/Is this a thing?

I’ve heard this too. I just took it to be that in your 20’s you should earn 20-29k, 30’s 30-39k etc

Someone told me 20 years ago to always strive to earn your age and to have visited as many countries as your age, and I've tried to live by it ever since!

Ah, my mum always says this! Thought it was just her, she has a lot of ‘sayings’

It’s def a saying. I heard this years ago and thought it made sense. Whether it works as well now that everything is so much more expensive though, I don’t know. Earning 30k at 30 would have been much better 20 years ago than it is now

But does that take inflation into account? Do I need to be earning over £70k in my 70s 😱

You'd definitely be doing well but it's not really sustainable as people get older.

Definitely not made up...I've heard it too and believe if you're earning above your age then you're doing well

Yes I've heard it! Sadly never achieved it...

Damn, I'm 33 and I'm paid 31k

I remember reading this in Cosmo or something when I was a teen and it stuck with me!

Yes it was def a thing when I left school, it sure it works as well now though sadly

I’ve heard it but it isn’t so good now with inflation. It should probably be earn your age + £10k now, so £40k when you’re 30, £50k when you’re 40.

I earn less than half my age due to health

I’ve never heard this.

Never heard this before. I was earning well then, but since having my son and going part-time it's obviously not as much!

I think it's like the 'rule' for dating someone older than you - exists only on MN.

I bet no one ever gives this daft advice to men. Men generally aim much higher and are expected to achieve much higher. I certainly wouldn’t repeat this nonsense to my daughter.

I've heard it, it's bollocks though as inflation isn't really taken into account!!

I earn less than half my age but I'm definitely doing very well. Chronically ill but maintained a 20 year career, roof over my head, bills paid.

I'd take it with a pinch of salt.

Yes, I’ve heard this, it was in the 1990s though!

Have never and never will earn my age. Middle aged teacher.

Me too, I think my parents said it to me.

I thought 30-39k in your thirties was a pretty respectable salary until I joined MN and everyone seems to be on 80k as a bare minimum.

Surely if it applied 20 years ago, it can't apply now?

FwIw, my first job at 18yo paid £4500 pa. Now at 54, I earn £71k

Someone said this to me decades ago but because of wage stagnation I can’t see how it’s true anymore.

50k today is approx 33k in 2010

Yes, most people I knew had heard it. I used it as a vague benchmark through my career, and more or less met it. That career ended in 2003, though.

The Bank of England says prices have increased by 76.73% since 2003, so you'd be looking at close to double your age now