What kind of work/job do/did you guys all do?

JustChristine · Post by **JustChristine** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 2:37 am

Computer programmer/Landlord. I like the latter much more than the former. Unfortunately the tenants don't cover all the bills so I'm stuck in front of a computer for a few years yet.

Melissa · Post by **Melissa** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:34 pm

Boy do I feel under employed! I'm a contract processor for a natual gas marketer. Not really great pay, but very good people, they work with my schedule and have decent benefits. They just added an hsa option to our health insurance which became the free option (and of course I took) all I had to do was get a normal physical and they put $500 into my account. Very convenient, it'll take me quite a while to use that much. The other great perk is that I'm at work right now

landedgentry13 · Post by **landedgentry13** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 9:45 pm

I'm a photographer/real estate investor. A bit of an odd combination, I know.

Q · Post by Q » Fri Aug 27, 2010 12:00 am

@landed - That sounds like a great combination. I've been trying for years to push my mother into retiring from the work she does and becoming a "part-time" photographer.
She is an expert in printing and color, as that was her former job for like 20 years. Now she works at a copy shop, so sort of small scale.
I joke that she could print the proper colors on a rock.

AlexOliver · Post by **AlexOliver** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 3:34 am

Wrt bikini baristas...the coffee stand we go to advertises that their baristas are fully clothed!

Micaela · Post by **Micaela** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:32 am

Wow, all these brainy guys! I am actually a sex worker. More specifically a fetish provider. I have a very unique service that I provide to mostly white collar guys.... Blah blah blah: I make about $60,000 per annum after taxes ( because I do pay them), and I work about 10-14 hours per week. I save about $1000 per month but my goal is put away $1500. I do like to travel though, which is a drain,I must admit. I am also a landlord and I am planning to have another house to rent out by next year.
I know that a few sex workers are serious ERE'rs but quite shy about coming out of the closet. So I am here to represent....
An astrophysicist, a monk and a sex worker walked into a bar....

Micaela · Post by **Micaela** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:34 am

I posted via ipod, so please excuse the typos.

Marius · Post by **Marius** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:21 pm

@Micaela "An astrophysicist, a monk and a sex worker walked into a bar...."
If they hadn't been INTJ/P's, they might have seen it...
Welcome!
What a colourful bunch we are!

NYC ERE · Post by **NYC ERE** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:36 pm

Hey Micaela--
White collar guys--I'm guessing domination? I guess that's not unique enough... domination in a dinosaur mask?
$1,500 a month saved would only be 30% savings! More like LR (late retirement)--buckle down!

Micaela · Post by **Micaela** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 4:29 am

$1500=30%

man, that is depressing! I am dealing with debt repayment and downpayment saving though.

Plus I have a family, etc. Maybe I should aim for $2000. I must say that stocks intimidate me! I want to learn but it is awfully complicated. I will keep on trying to learn.
Regarding my work, it is a non-issue for me. I am not attached to it. I plan to retire in10-12 more years. I do have a medical-related degree which I decided not to use for political-social reasons. University, what a waste that was!
Is everyone here as well versed in stocks as Jacob? Because I feel severely inadequate!

Post by **jacob** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 5:31 am

@Micaela - The important part is how much of your income you spend. With a 10-12 year horizon, you need to spend less than 40%. Debt is lost money (doesn't count) but house down payments can be included in the savings rate; a house should after all reduce one's rent if owned (otherwise buying it was a financial mistake).
Stock returns are not that important/should not be counted on---what's important is not to lose money. See the post about the beginner portfolio to get started. Until you get close enough to only have a few years to go, don't be in a hurry to get started with investing though. Especially not in this market climate.
But roughly speaking, I think of saving up as how many months of expenses I can cover with passive income. Suppose I use my numbers, which are $500/month. At 4%, I need to save $12,500 for each month I cover. If I can save that much each year, I will have covered all expenses for 1 month. After 2 years, I will have covered 2 months. So in 12 years, all 12 months are covered. Two points: 1) The returns will help you along and make it faster than 12 years. 2) You should aim for 3% rather than 4%. If you live the "ERE lifestyle", it's pretty hard not to make some kind of money even if you don't intend to. It's better not to rely on it though.
BTW I think George knows more about stocks than I do.

HSpencer · Post by **HSpencer** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:05 am

Due to Micaela's post I am changing my occupation to a "White Collar Guy".

At present, I have no money.

hickchick · Post by **hickchick** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 5:33 pm

Just moved to a cheaper area, so I'm happily unemployed right now. My hubby is a musician, so every once in a while I get to pretend that I'm his manager and "represent" him. I've been a bartender and an engineer. I've scored standardized tests,driven a horse carriage, and worked on a farm. My dream job is crazy schemer. I'm also an INTP, if that wasn't readily apparent.

George the original one · Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:12 pm

@Jacob - Assuming you mean me, you flatterer! I think you know as much as I do (we've read the same stuff), but I've had the benefit of 15 years more experience.

MadPenguin · Post by **MadPenguin** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 7:51 pm

I work for a satellite communications company setting up the internets for ships all over the world. Have done: construction, retail, technical support and computer repair services.

djc · Post by **djc** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:56 am

I was a Commercial Bank Managing Officer followed by a stint as an Elected Official. I now substitute teach mostly High School. I highly recommend to anyone interested to NOT major in Business Management and get involved in the corporate life. Razor blade chewing would probably be less painful.....

jeremymday · Post by **jeremymday** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 1:44 am

Had about 25 different jobs, most of my main ones were in sales and management.
Currently I work as a sales manager for a School Portrait Company.

a.e.k · Post by **a.e.k** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:02 am

Registered massage therapist.

In the future- I'd like to do more textile design/weaving.

senryo · Post by **senryo** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:13 pm

2 years - Movie Theater Manager/ Projectionist

1 year - Special Education Assistant

5 years - High School Physics Teacher

1 year - break

2+years - Air Traffic Controller

jeremymday · Post by **jeremymday** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 12:51 am

How did you like being an Air Traffic Controller senryo?