Since we're in bonus announcement season, what are some of the most frugal things you've heard of folks doing at your firm? I'll share one of my former coworkers and one of mine to start.

Former coworker, not biglaw but makes HHI of $700k: will take paper towels they used to dry their hands from the bathroom and let them dry in their desk to later use as a napkin at the office/at home.

Me: on a phone plan with childhood friend's family phone plan to pay $63 for service.

funnylike
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

Someone my year brings Tupperware the days the office caters lunch and bring the leftovers home.

likefunnyhelpful

I mean after the staff goes through it, anything left over is just going to be thrown away. I don’t judge this as it’s less food waste.

like
Recent IconRecent

I travel to a state with lower sales tax each time I buy a new Rolex

likefunnysmart

Technically you need to pay use tax.

That’s paper towel thing is a mental disorder and filthy.

likesmart

LOLLL

If the free lunch is good I'll circle back for a second portion and stash it for dinner.

My net worth is in the millions...

likefunny

I buy all of my clothes on clearance at Target and Kohls. Nothing over $20.

likesmart

There’s a show called extreme cheapskates. I think your fc would have been easily featured.

likefunny

Lol ewww - money is to live better?

I still wear mostly clothes I bought freshman year of college

like

I have some stuff from middle school…

I steal toilet paper from my firm’s bathroom.

likefunnysmart

Me too!

Midlevel associate with no debt. I mostly wfh because I don’t want to pay for gas for a 20 minute commute. And when I do go in, my work clothes are almost entirely from target or Costco and I usually bring a lunch from home.

Midwestern frugality runs deep in my veins.

likesmart

Same on the lunch thing. Maybe if I forget my lunch I'll grab something but those $20 lunches add up.

like

Lol I def do the paper towel thing. I think I’m protecting the environment.. I just wiped my clean hands not my ass

likefunny

Gross

like

I take a handful of sweet n low from chipotle every time I go so I don’t have to buy my own

funny

I used to steal paper cups and plates from the office to use as my home cups and plates

like

My SO was at a firm where he made banks and until 5 years in, he still kept his IKEA college furniture that looked straight up disgusting.

like

Are you and my husband kindred spirits? 😂

Most of these sound depressing more than frugal 🙃

funny

Is he taking paper towel, using it, and then taking the used paper towel to his desk for later use? That sounds more like he’s trying to avoid waste than be frugal. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he just grab extra paper towel that hadn’t been used? Unless he’s an equity partner, he’s probably not saving any money by taking less paper towels.

like

This person is in BL and bragged about how he ate breakfast and lunch every day at work and spend $5 dollars every evening for food (less than $1 rice, $4 vegetable, $5 shredded beef, stir fry, eat half and save half for tomorrow), so he only spent $200 a month on food. He used to stay pass 8pm every day at his last firm so that they would pay for his dinner.

like

Thrift shops

My first doesn’t currently require in person attendance. I know of a few people who live a block or so away from the office. They come in for our lunch meetings (food provided) and sneak out 30 minutes to an hour after it ends.

I spent less than $150 on food for 2.5 months bc of the summer associate program.

Related Posts

A client recently sent me an email that in plain text say that their brand would never want to be associated with: men holding hands. Not very progressive, huh.

like

How do you overcome humility at job interviews?
I haven’t been at the market for 8 years, and I am struggling with bragging a lot. I don’t even know where it comes from but I downplay my achievements a lot. I practice Buddhism and bragging is not the best trait for a Buddhist for sure. But downplaying is not a Buddhist trait too.
So I guess the question here is how to reframe bragging into something more acceptable...

like

Which is the best to choose between these two comapnies in terms of WLB and learning curve given same salary and grade?

1.Capco
2.Fractal Analytics

like

Comp and raise sanity check: $10bn fund in NE (not nyc) 4 YOE including 1 in PE. Currently 120k + 100% bonus. First of all is this low, and second what’s a reasonable raise to ask for in year 2 associate?

like

Hi Fishes,

Can you please help understand my in hand salary based on below break-up?

YoE: 4years & 10months

Post Photo
like

Hello Fishes, I am going to join EY on 21st february as Tax Manager in EY GDS. I wanted to know if i will be eligible for hike and bonus in Oct' 22. people from US taxation profile, need your inputs.

like

What’s the total comp range at big banks (Canada) post Canadian mba? Does the pay scale jump significantly between senior consultant/senior manager>director>senior director?

like

What’s reasonable average total comp (base+bonus) for second year manager post-mba? This is the year before you’d make AP (junior partner) at McKinsey, for context. At mck id say 240-250. Other firms?

like

Hi Fishes,
I have recently joined NTT data ,i was offered fixed 27 lpa+ 16% variable.Will i get variable,if so how they will pay.What is teh max salary for 7 YOE Grade 11

like

🐟 any suggestions on next move? Have offers from following
1) Deloitte - 175K
2) PwC - 160K
3) EY - 165K
Role - M , HCOL, PAM/IAM.
Which one to go with? D has better comp but not sure how WLB is ?

likehelpful

About to get an offer at Microsoft as an SSP for data and AI. What should I be expecting as far as comp ceiling, role, wlb, etc?
Current TC: 225k (salary/OTE)
Is looking for 300k OTE realistic outside of equity/signing?

like

I started a solo criminal defense practice last November. I am considering taking contract in a totally different area of law (nursing home defense) to help ease the pressure of not having a full client load. How much do contract attorneys make? Any other considerations other than salary and timelines that I should be thinking about?

like

Bonus paid out today. Taxes are crazy, basically only got half - is that normal?

like

Curious what’s a fair salary in MA? Was just told that there is likely not going to be a chance for a raise during my upcoming performance review due to my salary already being “above average for the industry” based on my employer’s questionable research. I’ve been with the company 8.5 years & am the only one in my role, which they can’t operate without. I execute tasks from two investment advisors and two financial planners - they make the decisions of what should happen & I make it happen.

like

Hello. What is the average salary for a remote corporate recruiter? I have 4 years of experience in agency recruiting. Thank you!

like

What’s the realistic salary expectations post-pandemic for an experiential producer with 5+ years of experience and 8+ years of managerial experience (in multiple fields)?? Is everyone seeing a rise in lower paying jobs and starter roles?? Im in a role equivalent to my entry level college role which was almost 8 years ago.

I’m looking to hire a junior advisor in the Plano,Tx area, whom is licensed and preferably has a small book.
Compensation DOE....PM if interested.

Any recommendations for software that helps you manage compensation reviews, bonus/STI/LTI admin, sales ops/commissions, and headcount planning in one?

like

Hi everyone, soon to have an interview for a designer role...
Does anyone have an idea what's the typical salary for an experienced graphic designer/business presentation designer in Switzerland?

like

More Posts

Anyone buy outside of NYC? I’m in the beginning stages, researching where to buy. I’m from Long Island, but being single, it’s just not affordable. Queens? Connecticut? Upstate? I hate the idea of going into Grand Central and taking the subway since I work in midtown

like

As an Indian, do we even bother to go for a GC, especially when the waiting time is like 10 years?

like

What can you do in 35 minutes with 30 kids? Classes are filling up. Am I going to be able to do anything after time is sucked dry with passing out/picking up supplies and then the cleaning?

like

How would you rank the different ad awards from most to least impressive?

For any professionals new to Chicago, or anyone just looking for a new neighborhood, I’m sharing a link to the lovely apartment I’m leaving in North Center (cont).

I'm working as azure data engineer having experience in azure for around two years. I got project as data engineer with aws services. Any suggestions.. should I stick with azure itself and try to learn more about it. because companies prefer someone with good hands-on in particular technology.

Hi fishes, I recently joined as an executive in Risk Advisory at KGS and I was offered 6.8 LPA. I have 5 YoE (overall). Is it okay or am I being underpaid?

like

Hi Fishers,
I am looking for a role in supply planning at Accenture. There are some good opportunities too on their website. But is there anyone who can refer me to these roles? Need someone who can help get me feedback on the job application.

like
like

It’s worth it. My Animal Crossing life is so much more fulfilling than real life rn.

Post Photo
likefunny

Any idea why some big law firms are not on Chambers Associate?

like

Hi folks
Please suggest
I am working in service management and ops domain (non tech) with two year of experience.
I have been offered
Epsilon- 8lpa wfh for initial 6 months
Capgemini- 8.7lpa (have to relocate immediately)
Which one should I join

How common PIP in Aws Pro services ?

like

I’m currently at a PT office in NY, working as a patient representative. I’ve been there for a year and the pay is $16/hr. I’m looking for at home remote roles that are FT OR PT. I have front desk experience, as well as customer service experience. Ready to begin something new and hopefully get paid more.

Is there anything I can do as a store manager to make it easier on the logistics team?

like

Is it possible to work 1-2 years as a junior associate at a super boutique doing a combination of fraud/abuse and transactional work in the healthcare space and then lateral to biglaw to practice securities law? I’m happy doing health law, but it’s not what I want to do long term and I worry the longer I stay in that space, the harder it will be switch to the kind of law I truly want to build a career in.

like

What is there in the new hire kit ? (Some branded products i think) Has anyone taken it ?

like

Does anyone know of an expert in financial marketing we could hire as a consultant?

like

How can I/what do I need to start a side gig being a handyman?

likehelpful

Additional Posts in Big Law

Anyone else just sitting around waiting for the ax to drop? I'm a soon to be 2nd year corporate associate who has seen work completely dry up. My utilization held pretty steady around 50% immediately after shutdown, but August was below 15 billables with no appreciable work in the pipeline. Aside from letting people know I'm available and doing pro-bono/CLE, it's starting to feel like a serious "covidcation" leading to termination.

like

I've been noticing a new trend in biglaw passive aggressiveness: Adding a question mark to a non-question when you're following up on something. E.g., "Hi X, just wanted to check in on Y as the client would like to see a draft as soon as possible? When can we expect this?"

And to the people who do this... why?

like

If you are working with a recruiter, what is a reasonable amount of time to wait after the recruiter applies to a position(s) for you before you start to question things? I know this depends on firm response time - just curious how long I should be waiting before I ask what’s up.

like

How soon after a partner leaves to another firm will associates hear from said partner or the new firm about offers to move to the firm? Is there a typical number of days that partners or firms are required to wait before they can reach out?

like

What’s color suit to start first day at a new firm tomorrow? Black, grey or blue?

like

Hours check anyone? I’m at 1400 to date with pro bono. 2000 target. On track but September is looking slowwwww

like

Recent laterals: what made you choose your new firm?

like

What do you think? Is it ever okay to tell another senior associate that you are not their junior associate? My rate is 10% higher.

like

Hi! I’m a junior associate at a big law firm in NYC, and I’m considering a move to Dallas. I’m 28 and single, originally from Texas but have lived in the northeast/midwest since graduating from high school. Has anyone else made a similar move to the south? Thoughts on living in the Uptown area?

like

Turned in work product, partner waits two weeks to give comments despite my follow ups, finally gives comments and says turn by tomorrow. Assignment is not time sensitive and not work product the client asked for. This is egregious.

like

The one day I leave early the Chairman of the Firm is in the lobby

likefunny

Any good resume resources? Updating mine just so I have it if needed but not sure if I should put pre-law school work. I worked for 2 years before switching careers

like

Anyone have any insight as to how many hours are acceptable to bill annually at Kirkland?

like

Any leads for good contract doc review attorneys/companies? Working on a complex internal investigation that requires analysis far beyond simple responsiveness coding and getting quotes that outsource to India for a fraction of the cost of reviewing in house is actually not what I’m looking for. Saving money is a consideration but primary driver is dedicated/consistent time commitment. Team is stretched too thin to make it through the volume.

like

Anybody here know starting salary for a second year attorney at Ogletree Deakins and/or Fisher Phillips in their LA or SF offices?

like

Hate research assignments with no answers 😭😭

like

What are some non-firm exit options for restructuring associates? Third year at v30 dreaming of a better future 🤔

like

No hate please. How do you handle the conversation with partners about depression becoming a problem and/or intervening with your performance at work? I have days where I operate at 300% and others where I struggle to even brush my teeth in the morning. And yes, I am on medication.

like

how to be a lawyer if you can barely use a computer help

likefunny

Does anyone have experience working in China (preferably mainland)? For background, I currently work in an energy practice at a firm without a China office.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal