[Lemmo]

(06-28-2012 05:14 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(06-28-2012 05:06 PM)Deb Auchery Wrote:  

I'm calling you out as a troll(motive unbeknown), regardless of your previous role, you claim to have turned down half a mil per annum to work as a mechanic. I can't really see it in the interview room..... "Thanks for your generous offer of fabulous wealth, but my mate's exhaust has just blown, Zeus to the rescue, see ya"

As I said most people would only do such a thing in their late thirties or forties when they've burned themselves out, have amassed considerable savings, built a family, and have decided enough's enough.

I left a contract that I was getting paid 6k to 7k a week working 60 to 70 hours a week. I did that for roughly 2 to 3 years, on that contract, and a year being paid less prior. I was miserable. No amount of money is worth being miserable. I really don't know why that is hard to understand.

It was tough to start over but things are way better and I call the shots.

Yes, but you did it for a few years before giving up. I suspect this guy is a troll. If he was really unwilling to spend a couple of years earning $500K, he is just lazy or has incredibly bad judgment. Or perhaps this was a performance based finance position, in which case "$300-500K" was never really going to materialize so he exaggerated what he was actually giving up.

[Kurupt]

I have absolutely no trouble believing this guy - congratulations on the decision.

[Zeus]

What I find remarkable are the responses calling me a troll , and the back handed shaming of skilled trades. Precisely the reason I didn't get into it years ago. It doesn't faze me, and so be it. The trolling responses are all about money. I tried to stay away from that and make it about life happiness but here goes.

I'm in my 30's not 20's. I don't live in the USA so this is what I see in Canada. All the trades people I know that got started out of high school are way farther ahead than me. Electricians pulling $150k a year owning multiple houses, and having 5 guys under them and multiple trucks. My cousin is a plumber. He works 20hours a week. He hires people do do his work.

What is your time worth?

Heavy duty mechanics making $200k out West.

How much do you value your hands.

You're focusing on the dollars. The dollars are there. Getting your hands dirty doesn't preclude you from having freedom, cash in the bank and time to do what you want, not what other think you should do.

[WestCoast]

(06-29-2012 10:38 AM)Zeus Wrote:  

What I find remarkable are the responses calling me a troll , and the back handed shaming of skilled trades. Precisely the reason I didn't get into it years ago. It doesn't faze me, and so be it. The trolling responses are all about money. I tried to stay away from that and make it about life happiness but here goes.

I'm in my 30's not 20's. I don't live in the USA so this is what I see in Canada. All the trades people I know that got started out of high school are way farther ahead than me. Electricians pulling $150k a year owning multiple houses, and having 5 guys under them and multiple trucks. My cousin is a plumber. He works 20hours a week. He hires people do do his work.

What is your time worth?

Heavy duty mechanics making $200k out West.

How much do you value your hands.

You're focusing on the dollars. The dollars are there. Getting your hands dirty doesn't preclude you from having freedom, cash in the bank and time to do what you want, not what other think you should do.

This story now is 100% believable. Again, real finance is a young mans game. If you didn't start making 200+ by 30 you take the hint and move otherwise you end up getting burned saving nothing because the stress causes you to spend more, drink more etc. Guy is not a troll. Wish you the best of luck and a smart decision to boot. Hopefully you took care of your health! That's the only thing I put above money right now since I want to still look young at 30+. Most guys look 35 by the time they hit 25.

[txbeachbum]

Very wise move Zeus

[WanderingSoul]

Not a troll. I would have done the same. Money doesn't buy happiness. Many people think it does, but it doesn't. It is part of it, but not all of it.

On second though, considering I am dead broke, I MAY have toughed the job out for 4-6 months and then just split. I could use 100K right about now. No way I could do something I hate for 70+ hours per week for an extended period of time though. Some people can, but it's not in me. Guess that's why I am 27 and broke living in Bangkok hah.

[Deb Auchery]

Can't really make sense of the story, you were looking for a job for one year, you succeeded in finding one that pays 300-500k a year, then you turned it down when offered. I would have imagined the second thoughts would have occurred during that tough year of job-hunting, not when the offer was on the table.

Troll or not. I don't get it.

[Fathom]

(06-29-2012 01:49 AM)Kurupt Wrote:  

I have absolutely no trouble believing this guy

Given your alias, I have trouble believing you have no trouble believing.

[WestCoast]

(06-29-2012 01:08 PM)Deb Auchery Wrote:  

Can't really make sense of the story, you were looking for a job for one year, you succeeded in finding one that pays 300-500k a year, then you turned it down when offered. I would have imagined the second thoughts would have occurred during that tough year of job-hunting, not when the offer was on the table.

Troll or not. I don't get it.

Basically what happened is he finally got the papers an he realized that the cycle was going to begin again.

1. High rent (you must pay $1500 to work in high finace because you cannot commute in, no exceptions)
2. Stress causes drinking. Fact. Cost goes up to $800 a month
3. Need to own a car to go to meetings at that level.
4. Your base salary is all blown - vice president gets 100%+ base as bonus if he is good. Bet OP's base salary was $125k-150K.... Max
5. If you suck? Good bye no bonus 10K severance and the door.

I have seen guys get re-hired, they quit within a month after realizing what they signed up for. If he was 25-30? Immature and likely a troll. You cannot do this job in late 30's without high level promotions just the way it is. Your health goes to complete shit, and you end up missing out on ever slaying quality girls.

[Deb Auchery]

Ok if in his old job he was earning $125-150k, then I can imagine he would not being saving a huge fortune after his city expenses. Although he would make savings on the fact that he's working 12hrs a day plus and does not have so much time to spend his salary.

But, he was offered a job making 300-500k a year!, that's a ridiculous sum of money. A couple more years of hard work and you have a huge bank balance. I cant imagine being a mechanic is particularly good for your health either.

[WestCoast]

(06-29-2012 02:02 PM)Deb Auchery Wrote:  

Ok if in his old job he was earning $125-150k, then I can imagine he would not being saving a huge fortune after his city expenses. Although he would make savings on the fact that he's working 12hrs a day plus and does not have so much time to spend his salary.

But, he was offered a job making 300-500k a year!, that's a ridiculous sum of money. A couple more years of hard work and you have a huge bank balance. I cant imagine being a mechanic is particularly good for your health either.

.

You're assuming that's a salary it is not. If he does bad on the job he will only make 125 an be given the door. Finance is entirely performance rated comp at that level. This is like taking a job where I say to you...

"125K rest is bonus your range is $3-500K" CAVEAT if we don't fire your ass at year end. All layoffs happen ~1 month before bonuses.

Finally, remember you eat out for every single meal, food expense is $30-40 a day. You cannot cook, unless you want 2 hours of sleep. There is no such thing as a "lunch break"

[Zeus]

WesCoast:

You're nailing it all.

And thats 80 hour weeks plus after work entertaining.

Eating at your desk like you said. Paying for it. Threat of getting fired with zero warning.

I fought for this position and the closer I got to it, the more I didn't want it.

I valued my time more.

And when you make that money, you just spend it faster. And everything is upgraded. Mazda, fuck that. BMW. Coach. Nope. Business.

What do I care about cell phone roaming charges. Covered.

Your life gets more expensive.

I have 7 suits with a total retail ticket value at $35K. Some cashmere.

I used to wake up a minimum 3 times everynight to check the markets. Asia, German and London open. Because if you don't have your shit together by 6am when you're up, you're losing.

[Deb Auchery]

(06-29-2012 02:19 PM)WestCoast Wrote:  

(06-29-2012 02:02 PM)Deb Auchery Wrote:  

Ok if in his old job he was earning $125-150k, then I can imagine he would not being saving a huge fortune after his city expenses. Although he would make savings on the fact that he's working 12hrs a day plus and does not have so much time to spend his salary.

But, he was offered a job making 300-500k a year!, that's a ridiculous sum of money. A couple more years of hard work and you have a huge bank balance. I cant imagine being a mechanic is particularly good for your health either.

.

You're assuming that's a salary it is not. If he does bad on the job he will only make 125 an be given the door. Finance is entirely performance rated comp at that level. This is like taking a job where I say to you...

"125K rest is bonus your range is $3-500K" CAVEAT if we don't fire your ass at year end. All layoffs happen ~1 month before bonuses.

Finally, remember you eat out for every single meal, food expense is $30-40 a day. You cannot cook, unless you want 2 hours of sleep. There is no such thing as a "lunch break"

Not assuming anything, OP tells us he turned down making $300-500k, not "potentially earning $300-500k"

So op was really offered $125k...my advice, become a mechanic!!, get outta there!

[WestCoast]

(06-29-2012 02:45 PM)Zeus Wrote:  

WesCoast:

You're nailing it all.

And thats 80 hour weeks plus after work entertaining.

Eating at your desk like you said. Paying for it. Threat of getting fired with zero warning.

I fought for this position and the closer I got to it, the more I didn't want it.

I valued my time more.

And when you make that money, you just spend it faster. And everything is upgraded. Mazda, fuck that. BMW. Coach. Nope. Business.

What do I care about cell phone roaming charges. Covered.

Your life gets more expensive.

I have 7 suits with a total retail ticket value at $35K. Some cashmere.

I used to wake up a minimum 3 times everynight to check the markets. Asia, German and London open. Because if you don't have your shit together by 6am when you're up, you're losing.

Yep exactly the life I expected. If you're not positive you can kill it, leave at mid 30's it's a trap.

I luckily had the help of older dudes to see this go down. Save maybe 33% of all in pay now which is enough for a full year abroad anywhere. I will not move from my studio, I will not buy new suits, and I will not buy a car. Unless my Rolodex is stronger than the competition I would be a fool to stay. I would also be foolish to grind through this if it takes a toll on my health.

[Menace]

What's the churn rate at these positions? Given an incoming class of traders, how many still around at year 1, year 2?

I've always thought that this is what I should have done (i.e. get in, make millions, quit), but it seems like that it's not that easy.

[Fathom]

When I was in college I was dead set on getting into finance. I studied day and night, volunteered in the pet charities, befriended seniors and recent graduates from my school, went to the information meetings. I was obsessed. Barely two semesters in I started to feel empty and unsatisfied. I couldn't figure out why I was working so hard toward my goal yet felt like it was all pointless.

All those people were perfectly courteous, socially responsible citizens. They were also somehow cold and calculating. I realized, to my great disappointment, it wasn't my world. Now I had to change my major to something "impractical" and explain it to my family.

Looking back on it today, I don't regret defecting from the Finance major. I admire the work ethic of the people in that field, but I do not envy their lifestyle. I'm glad I changed my course before I lost a lot more than a couple of months' time.

[WestCoast]

(06-29-2012 05:03 PM)Menace Wrote:  

What's the churn rate at these positions? Given an incoming class of traders, how many still around at year 1, year 2?

I've always thought that this is what I should have done (i.e. get in, make millions, quit), but it seems like that it's not that easy.

Wall Street is not easy. I worked at a large corporation before "9-5" some $60K gig. I am not even going to be nice about it, your average dude on wall street who survives 3yrs or more? He can do that job + 5 more people at that same level and not even blink. So paying him 150-200 is actually cost savings.

The more realistic goal is saving essentially your bonus which will average 33% of pay. That's good money. $50K salary in your pocket. Then you can't move up until you look "old enough" then u buy a nice suit and start networking and make the jump at 30. 90% failure rate here and that's of the 80% of people who didn't hack even 3 years. My "class" was about 50 number people still employed on street? 4.

For me it made sense because my return on pussy is still low, I have not once gone into a meeting where they didn't think I was a recent college grad. If you think age doesn't st least matter a tad you're crazy, avg 25 year old wants to date a dude who LOOKS 29/32. This is why the long-term players look relatively young for their age. No coincidence.

[Rurik]

are you going to go break your back in the canadian oil sands now?

[Screwston]

Good for your man. What's the point of making that much money if you can't even have fun and do what you want. Yes, there are a lot of guys around here who would NEVER do physical labor work and look down on it like they're above it.

[kosko]

Your Canadian so this does make a ton of sense. Trades are indeed shamed here everybody has the mindset of going to school and getting some Govt job to rot away at. I am in the same boat too I laughed at my homies whom went into trades and for me I have always wanted to run my own business I want nothing to do with having some bass or bureaucracy tie my down. So lately my mind has been wandering also I am starting late and I have nothing but respect to my homies whom have started their own start-ups and are pocketing everything that comes into them after some modest bills and fees.

(06-29-2012 01:08 PM)Deb Auchery Wrote:  

Can't really make sense of the story, you were looking for a job for one year, you succeeded in finding one that pays 300-500k a year, then you turned it down when offered. I would have imagined the second thoughts would have occurred during that tough year of job-hunting, not when the offer was on the table.

Troll or not. I don't get it.

The game is rigged. If you still cant see it yet then you still have a lot to learn. Money means nothing. You will loose 85-90% of it in your lifetime and you toils mean nothing if you don't acquire anything of worth in the end. Chase happiness instead. I want to wake up and do work and make myself and others happy. Money is still a big part to me as its deep in my culture but I have nightmares of what my future will be if I stay on my current path to being nothing but a paper pusher in some policy branch in a under funded Govt sector.

Chasing the Joneses just gets you broke or in debt. You will die with nothing to your name and a bill to your children. That is how the chips are stacked now days.

It does not matter what your craft or skill is. Some people can work with their hands others not but the main thing is being in charge of your own destiny and being compensated for your true worth. Being some cog in some machine is not going to get you ahead you will just spin your wheels.

[TheBulldozer]

Zeus...

I often get complimented and cuddled about my career choice but I can tell the subliminal "what's wrong with you?" behind every compliment. I roared though an Ivy degree and people expect that to come cunting with some high paying mercenary paying job. I saw through that convuluted, misguided prism of unrequited wealth and said fuck it all.

Hell, the shit I've encountered in the last 48 hours would make a Wall St. Trader shit through his Savile Road suit trousers. I can't help but laugh as to how balls deep I've indebted myself into the experience of living, learning and experiencing.

Find the job you love and the cash you make will probably allow you to live the life you've imagined.

[Ami5]

(06-30-2012 04:48 AM)MaleDefined Wrote:  

Zeus...

I often get complimented and cuddled about my career choice but I can tell the subliminal "what's wrong with you?" behind every compliment a exiled compliment. I roared though an Ivy degree and people expect that to come cunting with some high paying mercenary paying job. I saw through that convuluted, misguided prism of unrequited wealth and said fuck it all.

Hell, the shit I've encountered in the last 48 hours would make a Wall St. Trader shit through his Savile Road suit trousers. I can't help but laugh as to how balls deep I've indebted myself into the experience of living, learning and experiencing.

Find the job you love and the cash you make will probably allow you to live the life you've imagined.

Mind if you elaborate a little more?

[TheBulldozer]

I got my CC stolen and slept in a 1star hotel in china last night. Have you ever eaten rice porridge for breakfast and been happy to swig the bowl dry,laughing how you ended up there?

[Deb Auchery]

(06-30-2012 05:50 AM)MaleDefined Wrote:  

I got my CC stolen and slept in a 1star hotel in china last night. Have you ever eaten rice porridge for breakfast and been happy to swig the bowl dry,laughing how you ended up there?

Damn dude, that's not good. You really need a back up card though. Hope they send another to you quick

[Veloce]

(06-28-2012 12:35 PM)Zeus Wrote:  

Gentleman,

My life is about to take a turn. Back in December I lost my job at a bank after a contract of a manager took over for the former male manager. He was banging one of my colleagues and got pinched. As soon as she came in, I saw the target.

For a full year I was trying to find another job. I did find one. Making $300-$500k yr as a trader. I turned it down. Th not got canned.

Best thing to be very happen to me.

Back in high school I was adamant I wanted to be an auto mechanic. Then a brief conversation with a friends father scared me to going to university.

I became obsessed with making money, getting miserable while doing it. Getting canned was the best. I was happiest.

I was looking back at emails and stumbled on one I sent to a mentor. A true alpha. A cop. Greatest guy. I sked his advice about going into a trade. That was 2009!

Every once in a while Roosh tweets about the value of learning a craft. Working with your hands. It hit me hard. I want to do a skilled trade like I was planning almost 20yrs ago.

So here I am. I just gave notice to my apartment. Going to travel for 2 months and then head to a part of the country that desperately needs apprentices and such.

There's no time for waiting.

That's all.

Workplace psychology has always interested me.

I believe there are 3 primary types of workers.

Mercenaries, Craftsmen, and Artists.

Mercenaries chase money no matter what the cost. If they have to swim in human feces 60 hours a week so they can get that quarter mil a year, so be it, with the idea that it's worth the lifestyle upgrade in their offtime. They want the car, the girl, the travel, the diversified portfolio, and the early retirement.

Craftsmen are only happy doing what they love. Mechanics, chefs, carpenters. If they're not using their hands, they're miserable, and will trade down financially in order to do work that makes them happy. Obviously we know the OP is in this category. They'll work to an old age happily, having earned a lifetime of satisfaction doing what they love. Check out a documentary called "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" to see the ultimate example of this. 3-michelin starred japanese chef in his 90s who's worked every day in his life.

Artists are your actors, painters, musicians. They statistically don't make shit doing their "art" so they take side jobs to pay the bills like waiting tables or telemarketing. Less than 1 percent of 1 percent can actually live off their art, but their dream is worth it and they just have to "get it out". They're not fulfilled unless a large part of their life is spent expressing themselves.

Each category typically laughs at the others and can't imagine how they can do what they do.

I find myself in the second category. I love work. I love what I do. There's a part of me that is fulfilled by it in a way that no woman, vacation, or car can ever come close to.