Does anyone struggle with Keeping up with the Jones’: Career Edition? I feel like either my peers and those with a slightly higher title are either loaded beyond belief or faking it to make it/in secret debt. I make decent money, but it feels like everything goes to childcare and rent. Hearing about the homes, vacations, subtle increases in youthful looks (cosmetic and/or glp-1), makes me concerned that my pragmatism could lead to ageism. Cont’d. in comments…

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Comparison is the thief of joy. You don’t know each person’s individual financial situation. Some may have partners who earn a higher income, some may come from wealthy families and have trust funds, some might have side hustles or be really good at investing.

What is making you believe everyone else is loaded? And even if they are, what has that got to do with your career growth? As long as you’re good at what you do and have strong relationships with the leaders in your company and your clients, it shouldn’t matter what your household income is.

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I agree on the comparison piece and it’s making me crazy that it’s even entering my brain as I sincerely never give a shit. It’s confusing.

Ultimately, I’m doing my job well, so not concerned about that and hope that will carry me. It’s more that I’m trying to sort whether not investing as much in my looks will hold me back. I know my priorities (family, education, safe place to live, experiences), but also know that everything costs money (and costs even more by the day). I’m also the breadwinner and try to be intentional with what I spend. Ultimately, just wondering if diverting some money to a glow up would be worth it - spend $ to make $?

Nymag just had a whole series on how tons of NYC “middle class” types actually live on family money, or have big ticket items paid by family (private school tuition, rent).
Also def true you can’t discount the effect of partner income. I’m a lowly ACD but my husband makes about $1.2M. We are not flashy at all, I don’t do any beauty treatments or get my hair done other than a trim once a year. But we do indulge in vacations and maybe my coworkers have wondered how we do long Europe trips and ski trips for a family of 4 every year.

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I never gave a damn about these things in life, but with the state of the industry and everything outlined above, am wondering if I need to make investments in these things to either get ahead or stave off the advertising reaper a little longer. FWIW, I absolutely LOATHE writing this. Just curious if anyone else is in a similar boat with similar thoughts.

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