Tag: value

#PaidMe

Hi, folks!

Guess who’s still in a strange land of finicky data? No matter! That doesn’t prevent writing a few things down 🙂

There’s been a few hashtags going around over the last few weeks. #TechPaidMe, #GameDevPaidMe, #PublishingPaidMe, #ComicsPaidMe, even just #PaidMe.

Think it’s about time I contributed to #TechPaidMe / #GameDevPaidMe. Why? Why not? Transparency in worker pay gives power to the worker. Gives power to you.

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Uncle Sam from Pixabay.com

My history has been thoroughly and chronically underpaid for the value brought. After reading Chris Voss’s Never Split the Difference, I’ll never do such things again. After reading this post, maybe you won’t be underpaid either. Sound good?

I’ll save you some time by crunching the numbers with 2020’s income tax for take home pay (THP), then inflation (Inf; doesn’t count Roth 401K and IRA contributions), then normalized cost of living (CoL; to a US national 100%) so you can get some decently useful.

The Data

(Skipping pre-2013 dev work as I was preoccupied with other things at the same time.)

2013
#TechPaidMe
Software Developer
Base: $45,000
THP: $37,816
Inf: $41,620.54
CoL: $54,122.93
Secure Banking Solutions
Madison, SD

That means in 2020 dollars, adjusted for cost of living nationally, I took home about $54K. Let’s continue…

2014-2015
#TechPaidMe #HealthcarePaidMe
Technical Services Problem Solver (customer support + custom dev)
Base: $69,000 (I think? I actually can’t remember. I just know it was under folks hired some 3-6 months after!)
THP: $51,757
Inf: $55,988.32
CoL: $50,079
Epic Systems
Verona, WI (Outside Madison)

2015-2016
#GameDevPaidMe
SDET II Tools Developer
Base: $66,000
THP: $48,387
Inf: $51,690.73
CoL: $40,926.94
Microsoft
Tigard, OR (Outside Portland)

2016-2018
#TechPaidMe #GameDevPaidMe
Software Tools Developer
Base: $75,000 (not including bonus up to 15%)
THP: $59,588
Inf: $60,842.61
CoL: $54,518.47
Aristocrat Technologies
Las Vegas, NV

At this time, I read Never Split the Difference among other books and Reddit posts. Continuous learning evidently pays dividends:

2018-2020
#TechPaidMe #GameDevPaidMe
Senior Software Engineer
Base: $104,500 (not including bonus; had a raise for a few months before a promotion with a final raise here)
THP: $80,179
Inf: $-
CoL: $71,844.98
Aristocrat Technologies
Las Vegas, NV

2021+
Checkout the post.

Despite all of the lower-than-expected pay, despite coming late to the FIRE Movement, I am well on my way to financial independence. No debt, minimal other expenses, and investment performance is set to CoastFIRE me in less than 10 years, FatFIRE in less than 15. If we suffer a crash in the markets, independence will happen sooner with savings on hand that were meant for buying property 2 weeks before COVID-19 locked the US down. #BulletDodged

If you feel comfortable in sharing, what have been your numbers in tech and game dev? I used to be very sensitive over letting others know what I earn, so I understand if all you get is a reference point for your future salary negotiations 😉

Before we go, checkout these resources that have been such boons to me:

It’s dangerous to go alone. Take this, and ask for what you’re worth ❤ cheers ~

Cast 24 – Motivation Under Stress

Download for home. (4m 29s)

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Image from Pixabay.com.

Times are tough. That’s true for millions if not more. It’s likely true for you.

Out of all of it, keep this in mind:

You got this. You are strong. You are resilient. Others have survived immense struggles. You have too. You will again.

You got this. And for all the work you’re putting into each day, each hour, that’s awesome. You are awesome. You are incredibly capable.

You got this. You overcome obstacles rather than cower. Even the smallest hurdle will stop those of lesser ability. You are much more than that.

I look forward to hearing of your feats, but it may be dangerous to go alone – take this toolbox to help stress and decision making. Hit me up to share your accomplishments – I want to know them, grow from them, for that being shared would be generous indeed.

Cast 21 – Tools to Face Uncertainty

Download for home. (22m 22s)

This is a long one. Listen – it’ll be worth it.

Have an announcement I’m leaving in the cast. But to help you, below are abridged bullets my notes on dealing with stress and making decisions when things are uncertain.

(Most of these tips come from my mentors, both virtual and live, so if anything here helps you, they will be of greater utility!)

Dealing With Stress

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Stress pencil from Pixabay.com
  1. Sleep.
  2. Eat (fats and proteins).
  3. Make lists.
  4. Meditate.
  5. Long walks.
  6. Visit nature.
  7. Intense exercise.
  8. Cut down the schedule.
  9. Remember and consume intense media.
  10. Discover minimally viable life.
  11. Days > years.
  12. Bonus not included in the cast: Cut down on stimulants. (Looking at you, coffee!) ☕

Making Decisions

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Feet and arrows from Pixabay.com
  1. Doing > planning.
  2. What do I enjoy more?
  3. What is required for me to feel satisfied?
  4. Will I be better for having done it?
  5. Am I living my best life? How can I?
  6. What do other people want more?
  7. What would I need to do if I was to die in three months? Six?
  8. What would the decision look like if it were easy?
  9. Make the decisions / choices simpler.
  10. 90/10 Principle (upgrade from the 80/20 Principle).
  11. Say “no” if I can’t give it a “HELL YES!”
  12. Say “no” if there are no next steps or long term benefits.
  13. Say “no” if I am considering this because of guilt or obligation with no merit for myself.
  14. What’s the worst possible failure? How can we mitigate that?
  15. What would I do if not afraid?
  16. Will worry help the outcome?
  17. What do I fear that lacks unrecoverable risk? 💀
  18. Does it tell a white truth?
  19. How close is this to my sought-for legacy?

Tell me, what are your strategies for dealing with stress? Techniques for making decisions? Comment – I and others could learn a lot from you!

Cheers!

Cast 20 – Living Mentors

Download for home. (7m 20s)

Last week’s cast talked about those I’ve never met though consult on a daily basis.

This week I thank a few people I who’ve had unimaginable impacts on my life, true role models to emulate.

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Water droplet impact from Pixabay.com

There are more of you out there, those that know not of this podcast, those that listen every week, more than I can count (or include in a <15 minute ‘cast!) – I adore you ❤ This is no slight to you, merely a recognition of the gifts others have made.

Such acts of gratitude are supposed to be cathartic, especially in times such as those we find ourselves in. I highly recommend you to try the same – come up with the role models in your life, living or dead, and listen to what they teach, watch what they do. They persevere – you will too 😊

Cheers ~

Cast 19 – Virtual Mentors

Download for home. (12m 53s)

I am a multitude. A legion. I am a bit over everyone and everything that I’ve experienced.

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Lego figurines from Pixabay.com

Their intelligence, insight, and inspiration have made my life objectively better 😊

This is about those people and things that I continue to learn from every day, things that you too could could add to your squad of virtual intimates.

Here’s a short list of the living mentors I go to for guidance on the daily:

  • Gary Vee – CEO, writer, speaker, inspirational hustler with more drive than you can shake a stick at and aspire to live up to.
    • Redact February 16 2022: After being told I work too much and learning about workaholism, I am attempting to recover by “being chill.” Gary is all about the work, meaning I have had to abstain from this former mentor for a few years now.
  • Tim Ferriss (a chat with Gary Vee) –  Writer, self-experimenter, professional life- and work-hacker; a nice balance to Gary.
  • Jocko Willink – Former Navy SEAL commander, writer, leadership consultant, tea maker, jujitsu artist, and master of getting after it.
  • Jordan Peterson (a chat with Jocko) – At times controversial Canadian psychologist, writer, and current cultural phenomenon.
    • Redact February 16 2022: While taking personal responsibility to be useful to society and ourselves, Dr. Peterson has devolved over the years to not be someone to live up to. Look elsewhere for a mentor.
  • Paula Pant – Financially independent Afford Anything host, humorist, and charming voice for what we don’t talk about in enough detail: money.

(Be sure to listen in for books and historical figures!)

I also highly recommend these folks:

Who do you already follow from on this list? Who are you adding? 🤔 Let me know who your mentors are – I want to learn from them too!

Cheers through next week.