I grew up poor, not in a no food getting evicted kind of way, but in the living in a used trailer, wearing clothes until sewing them back together couldn’t save them anymore, free meals at school, only eating generic everything so much that to this day name brands taste gross to me kind of way.
I never thought I would have a high paying job. I barely passed math after 5th grade, I was lucky to get a C even in the remedial classes, I didn’t have anything I was passionate about that wasn’t extremely hard to make decent money doing (writing, art, and video games being my passions), and I read enough to know even in junior high that the school I went to was not giving me a good education. No one in my family has a college degree and my cousins, siblings, and I all went to college determined to be the first to get a degree only to drop out before the second year finished. (I made it the longest at two and a half semesters)
When I dropped out of college I took the first full time job I could get and lucked out that I actually liked it. I thought I’d work there for years, become a supervisor and eventually a manager. It wasn’t going to make me rich, but it was decent money. They screwed me out of the supervisor position I’d been training for a year for and I decided to apply to other positions at the company that weren’t customer facing. I lucked out again and the company was hiring on a team I was only barely qualified for if you squinted, but they were desperate and willing to train me if I agreed to take less than the people they were hiring with experience to also be on the team. It was still double what I’d expected to make as a supervisor so of course I jumped at it.
It turned out to be something I was actually passionate about and enjoyed doing. From there I worked hard, learned everything I could even outside of work, and now I can without a doubt say I earned my current position and am very qualified. I got paid to relocate just before covid for a new job and after the mandates lifted we never went back into the office so I moved somewhere I’d always wanted to live and I work remotely. I’m one of the few people in the highest position on my team I can be at without going into management (something I no longer ever want to do) and I actually enjoy my work even when I get frustrated at people I work with/for.
Yesterday we had compensation talks for the year and I got the maximum percentage of raise they’re giving this year as well as a stock grant. Technically, I still make just under 100k base pay but when you add in the stock grant I make 110k now.
I never dreamed I could make this kind of money and I know it isn’t going to make me rich, but when you grow up hearing “we just can’t afford that right now” when you ask for non necessities, this kind of money makes you feel like you made it big. I still have debt to pay off and I haven’t been saving much since I started making more money in the last few years because of constant medical issues, but I just signed a lease on a place $300 cheaper a month than my current place and I’m so exited to be able to put some in savings while making enough to actually start making a dent in my debt.
Thanks for reading if you’re still here, I just wanted to gush about it all since the only people I really have to tell are my parents. I have friends that I’ll tell I got a raise, but I don’t like talking specifics about what I make because growing up poor showed me how horrible it feels to have someone brag about getting/having more than you and my friends have jobs that I reasonably think don’t pay as well as mine and they have kids. There’s also the fact that half my family only comes out of the woodwork when you have money and they think you could give them some, so I try not to go around announcing what I make.
I just never thought someone like me could hit the six figure salary mark and I wish I could go back and tell younger me that just because your math homework makes you cry every night doesn’t mean you’re stupid or won’t amount to anything and dropping out of college because of undiagnosed ADHD and untreated depression doesn’t make you a loser.
Comments
What a great post! I’m so proud of you that’s so great that you’re doing better off financially than you were prior. I hope the same will happen to me. I grew up similar but couldn’t get the necessities too. It was rough. Now I’m living paycheck to paycheck but not sure what to do in life job wise (I am 21).
So proud of you! You deserve this for all your hard work!
I am happy for you!
WTG!!! That’s awesome!!
It’s great to see such a positive post in the sub for a change. you go!
Hold your head high and never lose your values. Pay it back by sharing your story with others to inspire them to keep searching for their lane. Every single person has something great to offer, and helping others awaken to their potential is one of life’s gifts.
Well done. This is awesome.
Never stop learning, next year $130k. You got this….
Congratulations!! I am so happy for you that life has worked out well for you in this regard. I hope your medical issues are resolved soon also.
Congrats
Congratulations! Do Not tell anyone you know in real life. Just don’t!
I love this so much. ❤️
I’m happy for you! I actually felt so much relief from reading this. It may not be "that much money" to a lot of people, but the relief of knowing you aren’t living paycheck to paycheck anymore is unmatched.
❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations ❤️
I am so happy for you. I wish you continued success!!!
Awesome congrats
Great job, OP! If you have not already, check out the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and learn how to be good with your money. Beginners usually start by reading one of these 2 books: (1) I Will Teach You to be Rich by Ramit Sethi and (2) A Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. Your local library may have copies.
What you mean someone like you??? You deserve it. I’m so glad you shared it with us!! You’re not continuing the cycle of what you were brought up in! Congratulations!!
Congratulations buddy! I’m happy for you (for what that’s with being an Internet stranger). Make the most of it, treat yourself a little bit don’t forget to invest in yourself. Keep learning and growing and make sure you’re saving some money so your next medical issue doesn’t create more debt and then look at some investments for retirement so one day you can live an easy life. In the meantime keep enjoying your work and breathe a little easier knowing you’re successful.
Congratulations! You have done a great job. I don’t care for his politics but Dave Ramsey has good techniques to wipe your your debt.
I’m in about the exact same situation. It’s just really awesome. I feel like I won the lottery.
Congrats OP
Thanks for sharing I love reading posts like this.
Congrats. Pay off that debt, then build a security blanket in savings (3-6 months of $), then start an IRA Roth or traditional depending, then start investing the rest in some CDs/stocks/mutual funds/etc., retire comfortably and maybe even early if possible. Also, keep your mouth shut to people that don’t need to know how much you make, about your money.
Hey thanks for sharing.!. Same with me. I grew up poor lucked into a career that I absolutely loved and retired from a few years ago. My husband grew up poor and he’s now making six figures a year. We’re doing well
Congratulations OP. Hats off to your perseverance.
Good for you! Congratulations – i hope you make time/money to also enjoy/treat yourself a bit, not just pay off loans although important…
Awesome! I’m so happy for you. The money is great and it’s wonderful to feel valued, but on top of that it’s also a great bonus to have a job that you actually like 👍 You are winning on top of winning 🥇
congratulations that’s amazing!!
Do not increase your spending. Save and invest as much as you can. DO NOT BUY A NEW CAR.
You deserve it all!
Hey Stranger, I’m proud of you and all the hard work you’ve put in over the years to get where you are! You’re doing great and it sounds like you’ve got a humble head on your shoulders. Keep up the good work, I hope when the opportunities arise you can give back where and when you can and may more blessing come your way!
Please invest. Put a lot into retirement. Congrats on the new gig. Making a hundred g’s for the first time is an amazing feeling. You deserve it! And don’t start doing coke lol
I’m proud of you!
I’m 31 and I dropped out of college bc I just never could figure out what I wanted to do in life. I’ve worked mostly customer service type jobs too. Read this does give me hope though
Congrats!
Just curious on what your day to day work is like?
I recommend trying school again, you’re still young! I was a college drop out and returned again recently and fell in love with my original major from my first try at college. I know it’s not for everyone but it helps you get a little bit more pay and learning stuff is fun
you’re awesome dude
I make more money now in 3 months than my mom used to make all year as a shirt presser at a dry cleaners. Without a doubt she worked harder than I ever will.
It humbles me and shocks me. And I thank her, as without her sweat and tears – I wouldn’t be where I am.
Hell yeah man, cheers brotha!
Good on you OP. I’m happy for you and your success. Sounds like you earned it.
Congratulations to you.
God bless homie
Good for you, man. Enjoy it.
Congratulations!
As someone who was broke and afraid of becoming homeless, though never in as bad as a situation as you described, and eventually “made it” in that sense, wanted to drop two more cents after some years:
MOTIVATION!! Thank you 😊