1st Job - 90k…. Is this a good salary? Late to the game at 34. Don’t even know anything about personal finance. Basically feeling like an 18 year old over here with no knowledge of how to run my own life. Having to start over after long term controlling relationship where I was left out of all the finance stuff. So I’m lost TBH. Engineering makes sense, managing my money not so much.

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90k for a first job is great but it definitely feels different for a new grad 20-something year old vs a 34 year old. You'll hopefully get raises/promotions and worst case scenario, you can always switch jobs for more money a few years later.

Your main priority should be calculating your expenses per month (rent + utilities, groceries, takeout/eating out, car payments, buying things, etc). If you're just spending too much, then you have to cut back your expenses to make it work. Remember that taxes probably eat up 20-30% of your salary so you probably only get around $65-70k of it (prob like $2600 per paycheck).

The goal for you should be to have money to pay for important expenses (like rent and groceries), contribute some amount to a retirement fund, and save some money (invest as well if you can do both).

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90k is great for your age and qualifications. Onward and upward!

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Difficult to say whether or not it's a good salary without a better understanding of the position, skills/education required, the industry you're in, and cost of living in your area

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Northern VA.
Industrial manufacturing.
1st year process engineer.
Bachelors in eng needed.

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I’m currently at my 1st job at 85K, so 90K is pretty good. And don’t feel bad about not knowing how to manage your money, it’s not something that was taught in school

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Yallright my dude. 36 and just cracked 100K. I'd worry more about happiness than money if you're above 80k.

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💲For those who DON'T think a six figure salary is possible:

👉Just ask for it. Really, you would be surprised. Might be easier to switch to a new company and ask. I did that 3 years into my career.

And 🛑 wasting your time at a company that under-values you severely. Sometimes switching companies every 2 years or so will allow you to keep raising the bar for yourself.

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