Identifying the identities of the Frugalwoods didn't take much time at all. I believe I was multitasking when I did it, sitting on the toilet or waiting for a train or something...
I wanted to find out who they were to see what their jobs were. I then discovered that she worked for WGBH and he worked for ActBlue. Probably $80 to $100k jobs in the Boston area, maybe they crack $200k combined.
So, when I discovered what Nate makes ALONE, it seemed like a bit of a scam. Yes. I am jealous, too. It is something I am passionate about. I mean, it seems to me my university would have their best interest in mind. I make a ton of money, and can give some back to my university. Win-win situation. Even when I was there, a sports arena was being built, courtesy of a wealthy donor. Good, I thought! Me next! This was obviously a success story as most where I went to were lower middle class. That's another topic, but segregation is alive and well in this country. Sure, there are always exceptions, but the rich go to Harvard and Yale, not because they're brilliant. Likewise, folks like me go to bullshit State U. It's like that for a reason...
I sound bitter about this, almost rabid, perhaps, and I'm sorry...
Yes, those rich folks don't care one whit about me, even the lower middle class folks I went to high school with have scattered. The rich folks all went to private schools early on. Segregation starts young. The better off stayed behind, worked in a family business. A few became tradesmen. The rest had to scatter. No where really to work there. It almost feels like my whole entire high school class was on a ship that went down and I was the only survivor. I am not on Facebook; perhaps if I was, it would be better.
As I have gotten older, I have discovered the truly wealthy form their own businesses. I failed to realize this growing up. To me, small businesses equalled minimum wage. Of course, it did so for me, but family members not so much. I think to myself, why didn't I think to form Amazon or something, but even that company had a substantial initial investment by Jeff Bezos' parents.
The part about GE...I meant to say that had somehow I been made CEO in 2001, I surely could have done a better job. Who wouldn't have? Do I have what it takes to be a CEO? Certainly not, too introverted for one. I always thought that I probably didn't have what it takes, but hey, if I do, great! If not, resign quietly with a severance package and I am set for life. (As you can see, I like the get rick quick approach!)
I live well beneath my means, and was FIRE before I even knew about it. But, it isn't all bad. I could retire tomorrow and live modestly if I need to, and I have a pension. I can retire with a pension in a little over 10 years, so I shall plug away until then. My enjoyment truly is a buy and hold approach to stocks. For me, the ideal job would be a salary of $300-$500k a year so I could comfortably invest regularly, a quiet office, a computer, and a Wall Street Journal.
I cannot understand how most folks are NOT FIRE. Yes, I get it that there are expenses like health care and college, and college is designed to make one rely on credit from a young age. But I don't understand the allure of restaurants, fancy vacations, etc. Restaurants are never good, are way overpriced, and you don't know how your food is prepared. I do enjoy going to the UK every few years. Hostels are a bargain, why pay a lot for a fancy hotel? Your eyes are closed most of the time anyways.
I have never seen the inside of a country club, would feel uncomfortable at this point doing so, I think.
I am ashamed that I am a government employee. We really are detested. Not getting paid until this shutdown ends. I get no real perks, which is a downer, no bonus at Christmas. But, on the other hand, my expenses are minimal relative to my job. I can wear casual, cheap clothes, drive a generic car with 137,500 miles on it, etc.
There ARE many positives to my current position, just I feel like I could have been an asset at a major corporation.
It isn't necessarily your course of study that gets you ahead in life. An English Lit degree from Harvard or Yale is far more valuable than a mathematics degree from good old State U.
Again, I know I often come across as bitter, and I apologize. Just trying to point out the way I see things...warped or otherwise.