NationStates Jolt Archive

Just curious - please participate and share how you're doing. If you weren't able to work in 2000 then please either select the very last option or respond using your parents status.

It is up to you if you want to include non-cash compensation - things like the heath care benefits, 401k match or others.

It'd be nice to see how the last few years have treated everyone.

There is a notable difference between then and now, even though during both times I was on my own. That difference is a BA and graduate degree. Even so, marginally better.

earnings went up. Raises, bonuses, etc...

spending down. (yay)

Benefits remain about the same.

I made more money in 2000 than I did last year, but I worked about 110 hours a week in 2000 and only about 50 hours a week (on average) last year, so it's not really a fair comparison.

My income increased by 10^Graham's Number.

Basically, I was 12 in 2000.

My income is rather less than it was in 2000, as I was in basic training during September of 2000 and I'm a college student now.

And if you factor in healthcare, housing, food and such I'm making a hell of a lot less.

I don't have a job right now, so my income is just interest coming off my savings account, about $6/month, just enough to pay for my cell phone. I love waving my five buck a month bill in people's faces. I pay less in a year than my father in a month. Of course, he uses his phone more in a day than I do in a month, and right now he's using it more in a week than I do in a year.

Just curious - please participate and share how you're doing. If you weren't able to work in 2000 then please either select the very last option or respond using your parents status.

It is up to you if you want to include non-cash compensation - things like the heath care benefits, 401k match or others.

It'd be nice to see how the last few years have treated everyone.

Let's see now. In 2000 I was earning a little less than US $40,000.00. I just got a pay raise last month and am now earning almost US $54,000.00. I think I'm doing a little better now than I was then. :p

I don't have a job right now, so my income is just interest coming off my savings account, about $6/month, just enough to pay for my cell phone. I love waving my five buck a month bill in people's faces. I pay less in a year than my father in a month. Of course, he uses his phone more in a day than I do in a month, and right now he's using it more in a week than I do in a year.

If you have so little income why do you even have a cell phone?

My income is rather less than it was in 2000, as I was in basic training during September of 2000 and I'm a college student now.

And if you factor in healthcare, housing, food and such I'm making a hell of a lot less.

Good reasons to have re-enlisted. :D

I made more money in 2000 than I did last year, but I worked about 110 hours a week in 2000 and only about 50 hours a week (on average) last year, so it's not really a fair comparison.

But both then and now you worked 280 hours a week as a mom and wife. Good for you. :)

Yeah back in 2000 I had a minimum wage job working retail while I was still in high school.

In 2000, I was in highschool and I only worked occasional babysitting jobs. Now I'm a grad student.

In 2000, I was in highschool and I only worked occasional babysitting jobs. Now I'm a grad student.

and still "only working occasionally"? Don't worry Dak, your salary will improve after graduation. What's your major?

I don't need to become independent, so there is no option for me to pick.

I'd be earning more if I ever got paid.

in 2000 I had just started law school. Now I'm a corporate attorney.

Yeah, my salary has gone up a smidge.

I don't need to become independent, so there is no option for me to pick.

just wait till dad reads this...

In 2000 I was a junior in college making, IIRC, about $8.00 an hour and working less than 40 hours a week.

Now I'm making about $31k a year (depends upon the exchange rate) so life is MUCH better.

Of course my expenses have also gone up quite a bit, but at least I'm not stuck eating macaroni and cheese all the time anymore. ;)

I had a 'decent' job in 2000, considering I was only 17.

Today I don't work, thankfully. My wife makes terrific money, more than enough to support our family comfortably, which affords me the joy of being a stay-at-home dad for our three children.

Sugar momma!

just wait till dad reads this...

Pfft, like he'd notice I'm siphoning money from his wallet..

In 2000 I was working for a large corporation making decent money. I actually left in that year to open a business. The business has worked out well and now is making a good living for us. I got myself into a partnership in another business and that one is doing well also. With some other investments such as rental properties we have a variety of income sources. From 2000 until now our family income has gone up considerably.

I just started my first job in 2000, but I earned about 25% more in 2006 than I did in 2001. This is due to increases in wages as per my union contracts and getting more hours at work.

I made more money in 2000 than I did last year, but I worked about 110 hours a week in 2000 and only about 50 hours a week (on average) last year, so it's not really a fair comparison.

Holy Sweatshop Batman! What were you doing for 110 hours a week?

There is a notable difference between then and now, even though during both times I was on my own. That difference is a BA and graduate degree. Even so, marginally better.

Congrats on the degrees - particularly the grad degree. What in?

I'm not sure i I should believe the 'notable difference' part or the 'marginally better' part. Which is it?

My income is rather less than it was in 2000, as I was in basic training during September of 2000 and I'm a college student now.

And if you factor in healthcare, housing, food and such I'm making a hell of a lot less.

Cool. Thanks for your service.

Are you on some sort of scholarship or grant? What are you studying? How soon will you be done? I Envy you a bit - poor as I was in college it was still some of the best times in my life.

Not sure if it helps, but here are a few ways I stretched a dollar;

1) Never buy a book. Always choose a seat next to the most attractive woman who already has a book. When the instructor announces the bookstore is sold out (about 50% of the time) look at her with sad puppy-eyes and ask to be study partners. Two birds - one stone.

2) I lucked out and my favorite bartender at my favorite bar had a TV blow out. I gave him mine. (had three roommates w TVs) I made a great friend and drank at least eight TVs worth o cocktails over the next few years. (though I always tipped still)

3) Find restaurants which serve complimentary food during happy hour - cheap dinner.

4) Over the long run - beer in a keg is cheaper than six-packs or cases.

5) I found a shitty old motorcycle and fixed it. Cheap on gas - cheap on parking. Even better - motorcycle parking was closer to campus than even the handicap parking! Downside - you had better learn defensive driving if you want to live to graduation - no joke. Also - make sure the front brakes are in good shape - lesson learned the almost-hard way for me.

6) More classes - less social life. My last semester I took 24 units - had my best GPA ever! My best friends saw me only on occasion though.

7) Cook in bulk. A pot of Chili lasts almost a week. A large bowl of salad will keep better if you fill it with water. Scoop some of each and dinner is served. Save time and money!

I had others but these certainly helped the most. Good luck!

In 2000, I was in highschool and I only worked occasional babysitting jobs. Now I'm a grad student.

As I recall there isn't much difference! :p


(except you were paid then and you pay now!)

Smack an undergrad for me today.

In 2000 I was working for a large corporation making decent money. I actually left in that year to open a business. The business has worked out well and now is making a good living for us. I got myself into a partnership in another business and that one is doing well also. With some other investments such as rental properties we have a variety of income sources. From 2000 until now our family income has gone up considerably.

Dude - well done. Leaving the comfort of a salary/wage to start your own business takes great courage. I am so happy it worked out for you. What sort of business is it?

In 2000 I was 10 years old, so no job. In 2007, I'm 17 and still have no job, because since I decided to take an extra class (8 instead of 7) my parents and I agreed that it probably wouldn't be a good idea to add a part-time job on top of that and all of my extra-curricular activities. I made maybe $100 or so from tutoring over the summer though. :)

Not sure how much my parents earned then compared to now, but my mom is a teacher and I know she's taken classes and stuff that have brought up her salary a bit.

I only recently settled down, so there's no real basis for comparison. If I'd worked as much then as I do now, my income probably wouldn't have changed.

Holy Sweatshop Batman! What were you doing for 110 hours a week?

working and saving money, I didn't have kids then, hubby and I weren't married yet......even when we did get married before we started having kids, I worked 90-100 hours a week and he did as well.


We like having more money than we "need".

We like having more money than we "need".

I haven't yet met anyone who enjoys the opposite...

In 2000 I was still in that worthless money hole they call college.

I haven't yet met anyone who enjoys the opposite...

yeah, but most people say one thing and do another.

yeah, but most people say one thing and do another.

And the best ones get elected...

Depends on how you're measuring it. If you take into account increases in fuel prices and inflation. Not not really. If you're just looking at X>Y then yeah, making more.

As I recall there isn't much difference! :p


(except you were paid then and you pay now!)

Smack an undergrad for me today.
Actually, I'm getting paid to go to school now. I had to pay for the past 5 years through undergrad. Now the school pays me and I feel rich. :)

Congrats on the degrees - particularly the grad degree. What in?

I'm not sure i I should believe the 'notable difference' part or the 'marginally better' part. Which is it?

I was working as a buyer at a record store when I quit and moved to Santa Cruz to finish college.

I got a BA in Film and Digital Media and a graduate degree (barely qualifies as one, called a 'certificate', a one year degree) in Playwrighting.

I now work as a freelance crew person on film and television projects. My first year doing that I would be lucky to make $1000 in a month, which is a little less than I was making as a buyer.

This year, thanks to Gavin Newsome's packages to encourage filming in SF, and to my increased connections, I am doing better this year. I'll occasionally make $2500-3000, but I can still make less than $1000 in a month. I'm getting more comfortable and not spending as much money (in my first year I was still living in Santa Cruz and having to drive 150 round trip to work, now sometimes I don't have to drive at all as I live in the city). Now I can start to concentrate on moving out of the entry level jobs I've been taking (production assistant) and into a more skilled position (field sound recording) and getting my plays produced again.

, now sometimes I don't have to drive at all as I live in the city).

How can you afford to live in the city on $1000-$3000 month?

BTW - good for you pursuing your dream. I am certain that it hasn't been easy and you have faced more than your share of discouragement. In a competitive field like yours it is not about how hard you work - it is about how hard you network.

How can you afford to live in the city on $1000-$3000 month?

BTW - good for you pursuing your dream. I am certain that it hasn't been easy and you have faced more than your share of discouragement. In a competitive field like yours it is not about how hard you work - it is about how hard you network.

I make in that amount and live in the Bronx on my own and I am living very comfortably.

I'm now a trophy husband. My wife gives me an allowance of about 30% more than I got in 2000 - so erm what should I put?

I want to marry a rich girl :). Seriously, women always marry rich guys for their money, why can't we marry rich girls for their money.

How can you afford to live in the city on $1000-$3000 month?

BTW - good for you pursuing your dream. I am certain that it hasn't been easy and you have faced more than your share of discouragement. In a competitive field like yours it is not about how hard you work - it is about how hard you network.
Hard work facilitates networking, though. People like the work I do and hire me back when they can. Not always, but I'm not always on my game.

I live in low-income housing in the living room, so my rent is less than $500.

I'm making more. It's niicccee, I liikkeee[/borat voice]

I want to marry a rich girl :). Seriously, women always marry rich guys for their money, why can't we marry rich girls for their money.

Because they will either marry richer guys -or look like them

I make in that amount and live in the Bronx on my own and I am living very comfortably.

I don't know about NY, but SF is about the most expensive city in the US to live in - and space there is VERY limited.

Hard work facilitates networking, though. People like the work I do and hire me back when they can. Not always, but I'm not always on my game.

I live in low-income housing in the living room, so my rent is less than $500.

Not always on your game? I think I misunderstood what it is you do...

Hard work facilitates networking in any career, but networking is nearly a 2nd job in itself done right. Your reputation follows you - the next (and harder) step is to make it precede you. Networking is how it is most easily achieved.

In my experience, if they're good at their job and good to work with, they'll get hired again. Networking is for people who get paid more than their fair slice of the pie.

In my experience, if they're good at their job and good to work with, they'll get hired again. Networking is for people who get paid more than their fair slice of the pie.

then I'm afraid you don't have much experience. You said "hired again" - the real trick is to get hired in the first place. For most people - when they need a person to perform a service - they start by asking around. The more people who know you and what you do - the better. Doing everything you can to help you get known for what you do is called networking. There is no limit to the size of slice of the pie you deserve. You deserve all the business you get - no matter how much it is - or isn't.

In my experience, if they're good at their job and good to work with, they'll get hired again. Networking is for people who get paid more than their fair slice of the pie.

Networking is for people who want to make money and have options.

then I'm afraid you don't have much experience. You said "hired again" - the real trick is to get hired in the first place. For most people - when they need a person to perform a service - they start by asking around. The more people who know you and what you do - the better. Doing everything you can to help you get known for what you do is called networking. There is no limit to the size of slice of the pie you deserve. You deserve all the business you get - no matter how much it is - or isn't.

Hi, I talk to directors, producers, actors, runners etc all the time and I know what they all say. I'm happy with that level of experience. What you're saying might be true in whatever it is you do but it sure as hell isn't true in film.

Hi, I talk to directors, producers, actors, runners etc all the time and I know what they all say. I'm happy with that level of experience. What you're saying might be true in whatever it is you do but it sure as hell isn't true in film.
I suppose it depends.....hubby has gotten lots of acting jobs by networking, if people don't know you exist it's harder to get an interview/audition.

I suppose it depends.....hubby has gotten lots of acting jobs by networking, if people don't know you exist it's harder to get an interview/audition.

And if he went in to any of those jobs and performed like De Niro he'd be extremely rich now.

Not always on your game? I think I misunderstood what it is you do...

Hard work facilitates networking in any career, but networking is nearly a 2nd job in itself done right. Your reputation follows you - the next (and harder) step is to make it precede you. Networking is how it is most easily achieved.

PAing is a lot about being there when needed, which also means knowing where you might be needed and being able to make someone elses job easier. It's a lot of standing around and then launching into action seconds before someone knows they need you. With 14 hour days, I'm not always on top of it. Everyone has a bad day at work, but if it's the only day you've worked with some people then that's all they have to go on.

My first gig in film the guy was desperate and I happened to know a lot about what he was doing (I was a picture car PA and knew a lot about vintage cars). He hooked me up, told me what lists to get on, introduced me to the right folk (even though those folk haven't been around in a while, they got me started enough that I have a healthy client list now) and even paid for my business cards.

I have learned that sucking up to producers, ADs, and even co-ordinators isn't nearly as useful as getting on with other PAs. We're hired based on our ability to answer the phone and the first guy hired will give the co-ordinator the number of all his friends. So now I have a clutch of PAs that I make sure to hook up whenever I can and they do the same for me. Things have gotten better since I started doing that.

Next step, following sound guys like I'm a damn puppy. Two years is too long to be a PA (though I've run into commercial PAs who have been doing it for 4 years and don't care...)

And if he went in to any of those jobs and performed like De Niro he'd be extremely rich now.

not necessarily.

And if he went in to any of those jobs and performed like De Niro he'd be extremely rich now.

When I was doing a lot of playwrighting I also had to do a lot of auditioning. I would give an actor I knew a lot more weight because I knew that I could get certain things out of him or her. And I knew that they'd show up to rehersal on time, lines memorized. It's such a risk to hire someone for projects like these that you really do have to go with who you know. That's why they'll hire all a PAs friends, because they have someone to vouch for them.

PAing is a lot about being there when needed,

OK now I'm really confused. Are you talking about Performing Artists? Personal Assistant, Public Attorney? Palestinian Authority? Padme Amandala?

When I was doing a lot of playwrighting I also had to do a lot of auditioning. I would give an actor I knew a lot more weight because I knew that I could get certain things out of him or her. And I knew that they'd show up to rehersal on time, lines memorized. It's such a risk to hire someone for projects like these that you really do have to go with who you know. That's why they'll hire all a PAs friends, because they have someone to vouch for them.

I tended to have my plays directed by an out-and-out director but in my opinion it's probably counter productive to restrict yourself in that way. It's certainly silly to keep it between your friends unless it's an amateur production or whatever.

OK now I'm really confused. Are you talking about Performing Artists? Personal Assistant, Public Attorney? Palestinian Authority? Padme Amandala?
Production Assistant. Those guys you see on 'behind the scenes' deals with headphones on getting people coffee, handing out schedules, and telling people that they're needed somewhere? That. There's more to the job, but that should be recognizable.

I tended to have my plays directed by an out-and-out director but in my opinion it's probably counter productive to restrict yourself in that way. It's certainly silly to keep it between your friends unless it's an amateur production or whatever.

I never got to direct my plays myself (but I did get to direct other people's material), but I still had a say in the casting.

And I still held auditions, but if it came to the wire I'd use someone I know because I know they'll be there at the end. It's fairly common for writers or directors to use a 'company' of players. You still leave the door open for someone to come in and surprise you, and it happened often-there was a part that I had believed was just written for someone but when the play went to festival the person cast in it for that nailed it in a way I hadn't imagined possible, actually revamping how I looked at a play I had written.

Production Assistant. Those guys you see on 'behind the scenes' deals with headphones on getting people coffee, handing out schedules, and telling people that they're needed somewhere? That. There's more to the job, but that should be recognizable.


Getting people coffee? I have two assistants and if I ever asked either one to get me coffee I have little doubt I'd end up wearing it.

Getting people coffee? I have two assistants and if I ever asked either one to get me coffee I have little doubt I'd end up wearing it.

I work part time as a PA in radio, basically I get coffee and run errands and do anything else the on air talent needs done that they can't do while on air, I would go piss for them if they figured out how to make that work......luckily they don't often need me, and I only have to work when someone else is sick.

I have seen the PA's in films that hubby has acted in, mostly they run around extras in vans and make sure the director, casting director, et alii have whatever they need. If someone needs something off set, the PA better get it quickly. I got a job once in craft service, worst movie job ever.

I work part time as a PA in radio, basically I get coffee and run errands and do anything else the on air talent needs done that they can't do while on air, I would go piss for them if they figured out how to make that work......luckily they don't often need me, and I only have to work when someone else is sick.

I have seen the PA's in films that hubby has acted in, mostly they run around extras in vans and make sure the director, casting director, et alii have whatever they need. If someone needs something off set, the PA better get it quickly. I got a job once in craft service, worst movie job ever.
Man, I love crafty. If it weren't for them I'd die out...Viva le craft services, most important job on set! (says the starving PA...)
Getting people coffee? I have two assistants and if I ever asked either one to get me coffee I have little doubt I'd end up wearing it.
We're not working in an office, we're on location for 10-16 hours and sometimes base camp (if we even have one) is pretty far from set. Crew is busy and can't just hold up the shot to get something like coffee or water (more often than not, I'm delivering waters to people who would collapse if they didn't get any). It's only a small fraction of my job-fetching shit and telling people to be quiet is the bulk of it.

Man, I love crafty. If it weren't for them I'd die out...Viva le craft services, most important job on set! (says the starving PA...)

We're not working in an office, we're on location for 10-16 hours and sometimes base camp (if we even have one) is pretty far from set. Crew is busy and can't just hold up the shot to get something like coffee or water (more often than not, I'm delivering waters to people who would collapse if they didn't get any). It's only a small fraction of my job-fetching shit and telling people to be quiet is the bulk of it.

I was just sharing the difference - no biggy. I can't help but wonder though - coffee goes through me pretty dang quickly... What about them? What do they do? Maybe I shouldn't ask...

My salary is around 3000 euro each month. Netto - after taxes.

But it doesn’t satisfy me. That’s one of the reasons why I want to be independent again.

I was it for 8 years. My income was double sometimes triple.

And I am missing it. I confess, I’m greedy.

I never got to direct my plays myself (but I did get to direct other people's material), but I still had a say in the casting.

And I still held auditions, but if it came to the wire I'd use someone I know because I know they'll be there at the end. It's fairly common for writers or directors to use a 'company' of players. You still leave the door open for someone to come in and surprise you, and it happened often-there was a part that I had believed was just written for someone but when the play went to festival the person cast in it for that nailed it in a way I hadn't imagined possible, actually revamping how I looked at a play I had written.

I tended to stay out of casting (except one time when the producer wanted to bring in a soap "star"). In film the role of the director is massively overestimated but in theatre it's the opposite. I figure it should be up to the director to realise the play in the way he sees fit.

We all deal with these things differently I guess, but like you say, "people surprise you" and it's one of the reasons I believe you should see as many people as you can.

Just got out of college in '99, so 2000 was the first full year of working for me. Since then, my salary has tripled. Not difficult to do, seeing that I started out pretty low (30k, living in DC). Much more comfortable now that I'm living in a much less expensive area...

2000, I was at Teacher's College full-time, while working 3 nights a week typesetting at the local rag. iirc I was earning about ~$700US a month.
Now I'm teaching 'full-time' (that is, if you consider 12 hours a week 'full-time' though I do have to be at school 8am-4pm Mon-Fri) and getting a little over ~$5000US a month.
So a slight improvement there.

How am I earning? Umm good old fashioned work for me!

Man, I love crafty. If it weren't for them I'd die out...Viva le craft services, most important job on set! (says the starving PA...)
Everyone loved the food, hated me, I couldn't seem to get the freaking table stocked with what they thought was appropriate, I explained (many times) that I am not usually doing this, I am for all intents and purposes a soccer mom, not craft service, I was helping out a friend who was the casting director for the film who broke up with craft girl and thus was going to lose his job unless somebody showed up with fruits and bagels and the like. Who complains about free food anyway?!

We're not working in an office, we're on location for 10-16 hours and sometimes base camp (if we even have one) is pretty far from set. Crew is busy and can't just hold up the shot to get something like coffee or water (more often than not, I'm delivering waters to people who would collapse if they didn't get any). It's only a small fraction of my job-fetching shit and telling people to be quiet is the bulk of it.

and keeping idiots from walking on scene......we were shooting a movie set in the 1920's and this idiot walks right onto scene with his digital camera and takes a flash pic during filming.....it was one of the days the actual big name actor guy was there too, it was hilarious.....until the PA came and dragged him away and made him leave, I was really scared of that PA after that. Didn't even breathe during filming.

In a related thingy! I am supprised how many people reacted to this post, with such personal things. I'd be inclined to say mind ya own business.

I mean, I wonder what would happen if I posted a topic like:

'What time do you work until, who's in the house, and whats you address again?'

In a related thingy! I am supprised how many people reacted to this post, with such personal things. I'd be inclined to say mind ya own business.

I mean, I wonder what would happen if I posted a topic like:

'What time do you work until, who's in the house, and whats you address again?'

Eh, it's not that big a deal for me. My salary/bonus info is actually posted on the Washington Post website. Granted, it's a few years out of date, but if you know the federal pay system, you could figure it out rather easily.

Eh, it's not that big a deal for me. My salary/bonus info is actually posted on the Washington Post website. Granted, it's a few years out of date, but if you know the federal pay system, you could figure it out rather easily.

Thats madness! When people ask you how much do you earn, don't you just automaticaly go 'Fuck off!'

Everyone loved the food, hated me, I couldn't seem to get the freaking table stocked with what they thought was appropriate, I explained (many times) that I am not usually doing this, I am for all intents and purposes a soccer mom, not craft service, I was helping out a friend who was the casting director for the film who broke up with craft girl and thus was going to lose his job unless somebody showed up with fruits and bagels and the like. Who complains about free food anyway?!
Not me, not ever. But crews can be whiners.



and keeping idiots from walking on scene......we were shooting a movie set in the 1920's and this idiot walks right onto scene with his digital camera and takes a flash pic during filming.....it was one of the days the actual big name actor guy was there too, it was hilarious.....until the PA came and dragged him away and made him leave, I was really scared of that PA after that. Didn't even breathe during filming.
I hate lock up the most of all. I had to do that in Oakland, at dusk, one block from a homeless shelter. Trying to tell a crazy person they can't cross, not easy. Also, being tasked with keeping the homeless from crafty was soul sucking. I was purposefully shabby at that.

Thats madness! When people ask you how much do you earn, don't you just automaticaly go 'Fuck off!'

Nope, not any more. Like I said, my salary is listed on the web - if you know my name and agency I work for, you can look up what I made a couple years ago. Based on that, you could figure out how much I make right now (government employees get promotions based on time-in-service, as long as performance is acceptable).

Nope, not any more. Like I said, my salary is listed on the web - if you know my name and agency I work for, you can look up what I made a couple years ago. Based on that, you could figure out how much I make right now (government employees get promotions based on time-in-service, as long as performance is acceptable).


Meh whatever, we are all I guess diffrant!

How am I earning? Umm good old fashioned work for me!
sorta like "how are you doing?" that's all - plus it was a typo when I entered the thread title...

Thats madness! When people ask you how much do you earn, don't you just automaticaly go 'Fuck off!'

No. Actually the people I work with know exactly what I make - my commissions are posted each month.