Comments on: How much money do you make?

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 20 May 2008 01:32:38 +0000

I have a few select friends who I can be candid with about finances and I think those are incredibly valuable (no pun intended) relationships. They have helped me with job negotiations, saving decisions, etc and I have done the same for them. But, with certain friends I think it would just be awkward. I think you need to use a little judgment before you discuss salary because it can change people’s perspective of you and you of them.

By: Jx2

Jx2 — Sat, 17 May 2008 23:54:15 +0000

I’m in my early 30s, and my close friends and I share salary/debt/investment information. I don’t’ think it’s particularly helpful to speak strictly to salary…you need to understand a persons total financial life to truly appreciate their salary and what it represents.

Jx2

By: salaryresenter

salaryresenter — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:30:32 +0000

I have been struggling with this salary issue as of late.

I have a BA and a MA and yet I make less (working 2 jobs) than my partner and sister who are not college educated and some family members who only have a Bachelor’s degree. I only share my salary information with my parents and my partner.

I know that I do “important” work (education) and I knew that I would be paid less when I entered this field. But lately I am really resenting the financial freedom others seem to have.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:30:33 +0000

I am in my mid-20s and I told my parents what I was offered at a job because I wanted to know if I should negotiate or not. However, since my offer was what my dad currently makes their viewpoint was a bit skewed.

My cousin that just graduated from college at 20 did the same thing as I did and they in turn told my parents who told me. I’m not sure if he wanted it shared with more than just his parents but it was.

I do not sure that information with my friends.

By: LDH

LDH — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:10:46 +0000

I do share among my friends when we are talking about finances, because I think putting it out there makes it easier for all of us to realize that sometimes finances are a problem, maybe we should get together for dinner in instead of constantly thinking the only way we can see each other is to go out. It also decreases expectations that would be awkward to discuss later, like if they ask you to chip in on a wedding gift for an amount exorbitantly higher than you were thinking of contributing, etc. I don’t with strangers or coworkers, necessarily, but I think not being open with your friends just causes a veil of secrecy that, if they are my close friends, I don’t want around.

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:07:14 +0000

About all I’m comfortable discussing with people is the expected salary range for my job with the equivalent amount of experience. There’s no reason to be significantly underpaid, so knowing the salary range is valuable, however, knowing exactly what I make doesn’t really help anyone.

By: Becky

Becky — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:19:27 +0000

I’m in my early 30s, My experience with comfort has varied. Some my friends and I share $$ per hour and amount of debt (yes, even amount on a given card or educational debt). Its all in the open. If we can talk about the details of buying a house, giving birth and potty training, we can talk about money. Other friends turn cold and awkward if the question is raised. My parents however are not comfortable at all sharing annual salary. I heard up and down about the injustice of having to fill out FAFSA parent income forms before going to college. My father laments hearing younger co-workers talk about their paychecks, and personal debt. To my parents, your income is as sacred as your social security number, never to be shared unless the government asks at tax time.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:32:48 +0000

I often wonder about what my co-workers are making. I work for a public company, which does give us the salary range for our positions, so we can at least see where we fall. I think it would make me feel horrible if I found out that co-workers that I perceive as less hardworking were making significantly more. I have been with the company for two years and got the salary I asked for when I started, but will always wonder what they would have offered if I hadn’t committed to a number.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:59:13 +0000

I typically don’t care if people know what I make, but had a bad experience with being honest. I was naive and was applying for a retail job a few years ago since I knew my temporary job was a little iffy. I put my salary down on the application, and the store manager proceeded to bring up my other job’s salary every chance I get. “Why don’t you work more that the job that pays you $25 PER HOUR!” “Are you losing the job that you earned $25 PER HOUR?”

I figured that she didn’t give me as many hours as promised when hired because she had some beef with my salary. Now I’m a little more cautious. I think people believe that I make much less than I do, because I am so conservative with money. Oh well. I’ll compare salary, retirement savings and debt with them if asked. I just won’t volunteer anymore.

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:39:50 +0000

I am in my mid-30s, and I find that many of my friends are willing to share their salary information, especially if it’s helpful! Many of them work in the same field (IT) so it’s extremely valuable when negotiating salary. I’m not out there advertising mine, but would not keep it secret if I think it’s useful information to someone outside of using it to boost or demoralize an ego!