To ask if you have a wage/income that would shock people?

[Newmumatlast]

Inspired by the tipping hairdresser thread, and a post on there about people having no idea what some people earn with an anecdote about a London cabbie earning twice what his nurse wife did.

I just wondered if anyone does a job where people would actually be shocked to know their true earnings based on stereotype- either way. For example cleaner earning loads or lawyer earning very little.

The original Post asked for example of salaries that people do not believe in. I gave my example. Believe it or do not believe it, it does not change things 🤷‍♀️ no need to be offended or indirectly suggesting that I am lying. Again, it does not change things for me if strangers believe me or not.

The ancient Volvo and moth eaten cashmere lot can a get in the bin though. It’s not a Jilly Cooper novel and no one believes that nonsense.

I think a lot of people are not getting the fact that big salary increases can happen further along in your career and/or during earlier periods a lot of salary is eaten up by nursery fees, saving a deposit, doing up a starter home etc so many people (myself included) get used to being very careful with money over a long period of time. It can be hard to get out of the habit when you finally start to have a good surplus and some people don’t feel the need to. They don’t need a medal but it’s all perfectly understandable.

Before I became a SAHM, I worked as a freelance copywriter. I earned, in the early 1990s, about £350-400 per day. If I didn't fancy the project being offered to me, I upped the rate to £500-600 per day, and if they insisted, at least I was being very highly paid to be bored to sobs. Then I decided to retrain as a teacher, because old copywriters were so over, and never worked again because no SLT really wanted a 52 yo NQT who had opinions.

I did quite like teaching, but most of the paperwork was so unnecessary. And SLT don't want this pointed out. It really doesn't improve your ability to educate; only the stats matter.

It is up to each person to choose how they spend money. For some that I paid 5 sets of day school fees (and indeed university fees - not student loans) is ludicrous as those things are available from the state. Each to their own. If you earn your money spend what the state does not take back in tax on what you choose.

What does the company do? Is it a big name like Google? How is he feeling about the most recent layoffs in the sector, does the issue salary make him feel at risk? .... Of course hopefully means you are well insulated from it too

full time NHS Dentist on 50k - super high stress and lots of abuse from patients who think I drive a Porsche when really I get the bus to work and barely cover the nursery fees and mortgage!

I work for a GP his pay is £150,000

This thread has reminded me how poor we are. Urgh.

I also don’t understand why you rich folk don’t want to buy some new clothes or a new car. All that money but living like you’re broke. Maybe us poor people don’t get the ‘I'm rich but don’t want to spend it’ mentality.

@teaandcoffee23 it's something I've considered over the years. Initial cost of setting up/extra training/resources etc is a big consideration - but it's probably something I should give serious thought to tbh.

It's frustrating as I love the job and love the kids where I am but I'm becoming disheartened by other factors!

There have been some odd attitudes to money displayed on this thread, to be sure.

I also think the ones talking about how they are treated by salespeople etc. sound very much like they have a massive chip on their shoulder. I'm normal and scruffy and have somehow never managed to be ignored or dismissed by a salesperson. 😂

The ancient Volvo and moth eaten cashmere lot can a get in the bin though. It’s not a Jilly Cooper novel and no one believes that nonsense.

Okay but this did make me laugh

Agree, think it depends on your priorities. We had a huge house at one point and I loathed it, too much work to keep up. We downsized and I’m much happier. I like nice clothes but I cannot fathom spending 1000s on designer stuff. I just don’t get it. We are no longer in debt for anything and I like that. I have a paranoia that if we splash out too much we’ll go into debt. Neither my husband nor I care about cars and aren’t really into travelling because we both loathe flying. I see these things as big ticket items. We are discussing maybe getting a hot tub at some point lol

It's not odd to prefer not to parade your earning power via conspicuous consumption. Most high earners know that it could be quite short lived, for example if your hot sector expertise is debunked as unviable. I earned a lot in my 30s and 40s, and invested it, earned peanuts from 50 to 67, but the investments made at 45 will pay us £40k a year until we die, and then be transferred to DC. On top of state pensions, savings and the eventual income from our investment savings, it makes sense for us to leave the UK to retire in another country where our income will be taxed at 7%. Yes we shall have to buy medical insurance on top. So what?

I agree.

I worked something like 78 nights OT in that financial year to be able to earn that amount.
I lost a lot of money due to shielding during Covid so pushed myself to earn it back if you like.

My hourly rate is laughable though.

For us we never expected to earn well. How we live (and spend) is consistent with our values and upbringing. We don’t feel we need to buy expensive clothes, cars etc. We buy what we need and that’s it.

So much this!! What do they want from the sales people, to be fawned all over because they actually do have a bit of money. Bit embarrassing tbh

Buying quality clothes / furniture and enjoying holidays isn't really "conspicuous consumption". I'm not talking designer brands and bling, I'm talking natural fabrics, well made stuff, things made by people paid a fair wage rather than primark.

I would actually judge someone negatively if they can afford to buy ethically (which does obviously cost more) but choose not to.

If you are minted and buy your clothes from Shein (for example) - why??

I agree but there’s ethical options that aren’t super expensive. Pre-loved clothes also have environmental benefits of course 🌎

My husband is on just over 100k as a QS, we do not live a lifestyle of a family household income of over 120k… 1 car nearly 13 years old the other 6 yrs. We just aren’t showy off people. We live in a Kent town. We don’t care what other people earn and our friends earn considerably less.

Totally agree. Also, what counts as "expensive" is very subjective.

A (new) decent wool jumper from a British company (so paying workers a proper wage, not a sweatshop) is going to cost £130+. Some would say that's very expensive, others wouldn't. It will last a lifetime though.

I worked as a lawyer supporting asylum seekers and earnt between 22-28,000£ because I worked for a charity relying on legal aid and grant funding. It’s not a well paid or respected job and lots of us do evenings and weekends. I left after 15 years due to stress and vicarious trauma

I suppose the smart ones invest in property and pensions so they have something to fall back in.

Just for a bit of balance I’m a self employed cleaner, I work 15h a week and I earn 12k a year.
DH works for the NHS in a clerical role and earns 17k a year.