“Better” Pay Is Subjective

You know, I’ve always grown up with the idea that the perfect life would involve fame and fortune. I would make a lot of money, be a huge success, and live happily ever after. I’ve been thinking about that concept lately, and I’ve discovered that it’s a bit “skewed,” for lack of a better term. The idea of making “good money” or “better pay” is entirely subjective, and it changes based on your perspective and position in life. Let me explain…

When I first got out of high school, I worked as a cashier at Hobby Lobby, making a staggering $300 a month. I then moved on to working as a server, where I made about $1,200 a month. At the time, I felt rich beyond all reason. When I started working online, I got to a point that I made $3,000. My baller status continued to rise from there. Now I make more than three times that money, and I still have aspirations of making more. It seems to be a never ending cycle, and I know I’m not the only one going through it.

With more money comes higher bills. You get in the mindset that you can afford “better” things, so you finance them or buy them to show off how much money you make. At the same time, you always have this feeling that someone else is doing better than you, so you strive for even more. Sure, this may lead you to one of the top careers in your field, but it could also lead you into depression, debt, or insurmountable stress – none of which is typically associated with success.

Before you start drooling over the idea of making a ton of money, think about the positives in your current situation. When you start appreciating what you have now, you will be able to handle the “better” stages of your life with dignity and grace.

How to Calculate Your Future Pay

Have you ever wondered what you could make in your future career? What will your annual earnings look like? How many zeros will you see on your paychecks? There is no question in my mind that you have thought about this at least once or twice, if not more. The world is fueled by money, so you have to be able to make enough of it to sustain your life. Trying to predict your future pay is just a logical part of living in the modern world. Here are some tips to help you calculate what you’ll make in the future:

1. Find a site that offers salary statistics for people in your career.
2. Compare rates by location, education, specialization, and more to determine what you may make.
3. Factor in inflation rates to show a more accurate prediction for the future.
4. Plan for the low end of the pay scale, just to be on the safe side.

There is no way of knowing how much money you are going to make in the future, even if you plan on working in one of the top careers in the country. All you can do is make assumptions and hope that you meet your goals when you start working. Crunch some numbers and see what your future may hold. It’ll probably be more than you think.