May 5, 2009

What do you do for a living?

Do you like your job?

Think it might go away?

Ever thought of starting your own company (if you haven't already)?


82 comments:

Anonymous said...

Start a company in California?

I don't THINK SO.

Not while the goon squad of Pelosi-Boxer-and Honest Dianne Feinstein are anywhere near elected office.

Next Up, in my opinion, will be a choice of a philandering do-nothing SF mayor (Pretty boy Newsome) or a crazy-dumb lifelong politician (Brown)with a little E-bay money thrown in (Whitman) for comic relief..

California will be on the road to further ruin after the May 19th Special proposition vote where the taxpayers will tell the Government to F*ck Off with their crazy budget fantasies.

Flee California.

cracker said...

I did it 22 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. The large company I was working for in 1987 was managed like a Dilbert comic strip. People who thought they had "careers" there were all gone by 1992 and one of my managers even came to me looking for work after they gave him the boot.

Was it easy? Hell no, there were some tough times. I had to learn the hard way that employees are never satisfied, even when they're paid more than the president of the company. In the late '90s we replaced about half of our payroll with machines and that made managing the rest much easier.

Looks like Obama has a free bullseye t-shirt for small business owners like me. I'm only 54 years old but with the tax and regulation crap I see coming, it may be time to sell out and find a new place to live.

Lady Di said...

I'm a self employed lawyer. I work about 25 hours a week. Job is stable. My clients seem happy with my work. The rest of the time is totally consumed raising my 3 kids (12, 10 and 8).

Re my own business: My husband's family is in the olive oil business in Greece. It is the best (organic) olive oil ever!!! Would love to start a business selling it here in the US, but too busy right now to pursue.

Anonymous said...

Crappy vid choice, Keith.

Much funnier ones out there; I like the one where they taser the guy till he yaks.

They spark his shit @ {1:10}, again @ {1:14}, and the papers start floatin' downstream a few seconds later.

What I don't get is he's convulsing on the floor; doubled over with his nuts hangin' out, and the taser guy doesn't kick the living shit out of them?

I would've; especially after he hurt that chick.Don't want those kind of genes reproducing.

les said...

Had a bar/restaurant in Calif. for 5 years. Sold it in Jan 09.

Sales were declining, landlord wanted higher rent, cost of beer is up, proposed alcohol tax was looming, dine and dash was increasing, bug in my food, and slip & fall con artists were becoming too common.

I loved the business. But the last 6 months, I felt like I was getting punked.

I hate California. I would say half the people in California have no integrity. I would say that for California companies also. Everyone feels that they need a 3000 sq ft house with two bmw's parked out front. They will lie and cheat to make their money.

I am definitely looking to flee California.

Mammoth said...

Manufacturing Engineer – medical equipment.

“Do you like your job?”
The work itself is o.k. Heck – sometimes I actually get to do some real Engineering work (but not too often)!

But too much time & energy at work is spend dealing with management’s crap – their retarded initiatives, endless meetings…another poster already mentioned Dilbert’s world…that just about sums it up.

“Think it might go away?”
Possibly. For one thing, business has really slowed down. We now have a warehouse full of products that hospitals & clinics are not purchasing. Also, we are currently in the process of moving some of our products to a manufacturer in another country. More are likely to follow.

It also probably doesn’t help that I am a matter-of-fact type of person who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is, and management-types are afraid to deal with honest people who speak the language of reality. So if it came to layoffs, my name would likely come up.

“Ever thought of starting your own company (if you haven't already)?”
I have a small business on the side, selling plants, as well as fruit & vegetables from my garden. Would like to bump up the volume of what we produce, but it is impossible with both of us commuting & working.

Purchased the adjacent 2½ acres of property last year (no RE agent was involved); this is mostly pasture with a 4-stall barn. Currently in the process of putting in electricity & water in order to board horses – this will bring in some income.

Our residence is paid off, still have $85K to go on the land. Thanks to living prudently, we will have this paid off within 5 years, then we will be able to chuck the day job & commute and realize our dream of being independent, without an employer.

The wild card is: how do self-employed people afford & pay for health insurance? Anyone?

-Mammoth

Jim in San Diego said...

I have two jobs. I sell auto parts during the day m-f for a large, but little known wholesale auto parts distributor. Business is booming and I am good salesperson, so I am not at risk of losing my job. I also manufacture and sell a niche product on eBay and that is also booming. I am getting pretty tired of working so much honestly. But, I am young and making more money than I ever have so I can't complain. I still wish I could figure out how flip houses, or start a good ponzi scheme so I can make some real dough though.

Anonymous said...

Well so far only one person out out three have answered the question correctly. I would like to know what we all do?

Anonymous said...

Bernanke: U.S. Recovery Ahead, Housing Near Bottom- AP
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Tuesday that the economy should pull out of a recession and start growing again later this year. But in testimony to Congress' Joint Economic Committee, Bernanke warned that even after a recovery gets under way, economic activity is likely to be subpar. That means businesses will stay cautious about hiring, driving up the nation's unemployment rate and causing "further sizable job losses" in the coming months, he said.

Bernanke wins you lose ha ha!

blogger said...

Mammoth - check out ehealthinsurance. You might even pay less for better coverage than what you get through your employer

Also do you really need coverage that pays for your office visits?

The future of healthcare is high deductable its-there-when-you-really-need it coverage. Just like auto insurance.

And on taxes, Obama is going to FORCE people to work for themselves if he eliminates the cap on social security contributions

Anonymous said...

The money that funds my family lifestyle come from a career as a military officer. The funny part is a few years back everyone was telling me to get out and make some "real money" and stop wasting my time playing soldier. Now when I see people they say " you so lucky to have your job" getting really tired of these people. These people were making 3-4 times as much as me, but they were spending 5-6 times on crap and blowing it faster then they were making it. Yes I have thought of starting a small handyman service company after retirement. We have also planned do work at something even part time later in life to stay busy and make money. The days of early retirement are long gone. Best of luck to everyone.

Anonymous said...

Engineer working on LEED projects things are busy. Yes, working for myself sounds good at time.

Anonymous said...

Out of work construction guy, building huge houses in northern california coast. Kinda glad, sick and tired of rich or thought they were rich redesigning their kitchen the fifth time. And most of these people didn't cook, its all about the image.

Anonymous said...

I have two jobs. I sell auto parts during the day m-f for a large, but little known wholesale auto parts distributor. Business is booming and I am good salesperson, so I am not at risk of losing my job.Yeah boy, you keep spinning that hamster wheel harder in California, because all the gangs, inmates, illegals, homeless, and Mexican welfare parasites are breeding like flies and need your taxes to live on. Keep up the good work; Pelosi, Boxer, Feisntein, Octomom, and Mexico really appreciate it!

Enjoy your retirement in poverty.

Anonymous said...

Remember folks, you're only considered a REAL engineer, if you actually have a degree in engineering. Lots of high school dropout hotel handymen calling themselves engineers these days.

Anonymous said...

Design / Product Development / Exporter.

Let's put this way, the entire company had 15% pay cuts a few months back, and yesterday another 5 big-wigs got laid-off. Every month around five workers get laid-off. Oh, and most of our benefits were erased.

I guess that about 30 co-workers have been laid-off so far (highly educated folks with a bunch of specialized degrees, kids to support, and mortgages). Next on the list of lay offs, IT Department.

Business is mostly dead, with a few things here and there that don't add much.

And the stock market rallies everyday...bwahahaha...what a rigged POS casino!

Anonymous said...

Laid off on 4/24 from a CPA firm. Last hired, first fired. Just studying for the CPA exam now. Happily renting which means I can relocate ANYWHERE for work at a moment's notice.

Anonymous said...

The future of healthcare is high deductable its-there-when-you-really-need it coverage. Just like auto insurance. This is such an illusion. Insurance companies start lowering your deductible amount when they notice that you're healthy or don't use much insurance. Warren Buffett's Geico did that to me. Initially I was able to get a high $2,000 deductible, but now I can only get $500, because I've been a safe driver who never used it.

Anonymous said...

govt IT worker. Sec Gates was talking about increasing funding for the work we do so I don't see my job going anywhere soon.

The wife and I bought a small business out of state. (Currently in CA and as other posters have said - not much reason to stay, I don't plan to. Once the child graduates we are done.) The business is about half paid for, the thought was being able to have a mom and pop place that could / would subsidize any retirement.

Till then paying off what I can and working on the exit strategy for CA. Buh bye now...

Anonymous said...

Mammoth, you should raise goats to sell cheese. Low cost-high profit, poor people's cow.

Anonymous said...

Regarding the video, oh yes, they just happened to be filming the workers in cubicles to catch their rants in the act. Got it!

Happy snapper said...

I got 2 jobs

1) Postage stamp architectural manager.
I stand at the entrance of my local post office with my tongue hanging out, and lick stamps for a nickel, business has been slow lately partially due to these new ‘peel and self stick’ stamps but mostly Bushes fault according to Keeferoni.

2) Produce designer / engineer.
Recently began offering supermarkets to straighten their curved bananas, for a small charge per box.
Ran into snag the other day when I came to collect my money,
An ex-realtwhore now apple polisher runs the produce department and was trying to convince me that all the bananas I straightened have been re-curved,
me being a religious Sasher was not gonna take this kind of NWO conspiracy crap especially from a lowly ex-realtwhore, so I did what any good Sasher would have done and immediately sent a non stamped letter to Ron Paul with my complaint,
Now that’s gonna teach this punk a lesson.

Anonymous said...

I fled CA 3 years ago. I definitely don't miss the taxation. However, I do miss the climate and the coffeeshops, restaurants and culture (meaning music and the like) of the bay area.

I've been in Reno since then and have saved over 190k in taxes so far. However I'm on the hunt for someplace less bland. No-way am I moving back to CA, though. Once you go state-income-tax-free you don't want to go back.

I'd love to hear from other ex-CAns -- where did you end up and how does it measure up?

Anonymous said...

Do you like your job? it's ok.

Think it might go away? ROTFLMAO!!! i'm a tax accountant.

Ever thought of starting your own company (if you haven't already)?

Nope.

Anonymous said...

Outside commissioned sales.

3rd Generation Silicon Valley Family. Residence in Las Vegas, no state taxes, No Feinstein-Boxer-Pelosi-Terminator-Brown RATS. Just Harmless Harry Reid. Frankly I couldn't care if it was represented by Frankenstein... Tolerant attitude prevails unlike Hitler-youth California with all the Liberal assholes from border-to-border. Few Mexican illegals here (or visible) in LV, bad welfare and unforgiving climate.

Paychecks direct deposit to Nevada. Cherry pick stupid, ignorant liberal Californians for all they are worth at every chance, esp. in Bay Area homeground. Idiots Delight.

Live like a King. Showgirls on call. Great desert motorcycle riding. Live in paid off 4800 ft purpose-built bachelor pad in Best Area of Old Town with automotive motiff. Great Mayor down the street, around the corner, Oscar Goodman. Approachable, fair, great guy to have a drink with. Terrific Family.

Can you say THAT about your stupid, corrupt dipshit California Mayors?

I didn't think so.

Enjoy your 1 Bdrm condos near the freeway overlooking the dumpster and your high taxes.

At least you have wetbacks to mow your lawns and congregate at Lowes and Home Depot...

Some Tradeoff.

DIE

Wind Farmer said...

Mammoth,
I just looked into reducing our Health Insurance...We only wanted a plan for something catastrophic...not for the small stuff.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
$10,000 Family Deductible
No copays (you pay for Dr. visits)
No prescription coverage

$439.20/mo To cover my son, husband and me.

After the $10,000 deductible is met, 100% is covered.

Plus...link the HDHP to an HSA (Health Savings Account). You have to check with your accountant/tax preparer on your maximum allowable contribution to your HSA. But say it's $5,000/year...you can deduct this contribution from your income. You can use the money in the HSA only for medical expenses, including meeting your deductible. The interest on an HSA is miniscule, though.

Looked into ehealthinsurance...we're waiting for a quote.

A votre sante!

Guberville Smack said...

I am a licensed architect, mostly experienced in commercial retail construction. My job can never be replaced, codes and regulations are only get stricter, and to get my license took 10 years!
That being said, here in Vegas I have been laid off twice the past year. Last year my old firm closed the entire Vegas branch, this year over 30% of my recent firm got the axe. Since I was the last to get hired, I had no chance.
No, I currently have no ambition to start my own firm, the thought of the hours and responsibility is too much.
When my house forecloses, I will be leaving Las Vegas ready to start over. I have my sights on a new destination and am ready to continue my exciting career without looking back!

Keep your bailout!
Keep your cheese!

Anonymous said...

"Remember folks, you're only considered a REAL engineer, if you actually have a degree in engineering."

Ok, but what about if you're a salesman with an engineering degree?

Hate to say it, it's no longer the supermarketable degree it once was, only a decade ago.

Mike said...

I work as a financial analyst. The one thing that keeps me up all night (literally!) is the fact that my job can or will probably be outsourced soon. I work for a large company and they already outsourced the basic rudimentary accounting jobs to India. I know for a fact that sooner or later global wage arbitrage is coming. For any white collar worker who works at a desk with a computer, it's coming.

Right now I am figuring out what to do. This is the new reality.

Anonymous said...

Laid off on 4/24 from a CPA firm. Last hired, first fired. Just studying for the CPA exam now.Go for the kill, man. If you have a business degree, just put another 2 years to get your law degree, then add the CPA thingy to become a tax lawyer. You'll make tons of money.

That's what I would do if I were younger. Regret to this day...ended up with a business degree and MBA only, even though my peers were telling me to add the law degree on top.

dirty said...

I shag realtors and give them money shot.

Anonymous said...

A little piece of advice for the SMART people fleeing rip-off-bum heaven California.

Make sure you double check your forwarding address because those crooks like to add mysterious taxes as you leave the state, without telling you about it.

Then, when you check your credit report, there's a surprise tax lien that sticks for 7 years, even after paid in full.

It happened to my girlfriend. Even though she had paid and filled on time, the state came up with a BS tax and put a lien on her record. If you don't catch it or they can't get a hold of you, the credit record gets screwed.

And get this, the tax lien was for a stupid $200 that came from nowhere (fee this, fee that, wrong tangible value, etc), which they refused to take it off even after paying all the late fees and justifying that she never got a written notice from the state.

We're so glad that we left that dead-end-rip-off state! We now live better, bigger house with pool, 10 minutes commute to work, much lower cost of living, healthier environment, and we're able to save a ton of money. Best thing we did about 15 years ago.

I won't say we're we moved to because we don't want the BO Californication bums moving here, just to f*ck everything up.

Anonymous said...

Work as a supermarket refrigeration technician. The job will never go away, unless people stop shopping for groceries.

Do i like the job? NO... It's a very thankless job that basically you're on call 24/7/365.... or at least it feels that way. However it pays good, and what else would one replace the pay with these days?

Would i start on my own? NO, not in this day and age where small businesses are becoming extinct. Will probably work for the company until they plant me. Welcome to the new America.... welcome to Hell!!

Ross said...

I am a broker for a highly respected Discount Broker with a big presence in Phoenix. The pay is terrible (salary + "bonus") and the benefits are great.

Layoffs have happened in just about every department besides the one I work in.

I am working on starting a couple different businesses from scratch with a female friend of mine. My goal is to get the hell out of corporate America and never look back.

Anonymous said...

I stand at the entrance of my local post office with my tongue hanging out, and lick stamps for a nickelHEY I do the same thing! Only I'm kneeling, near a women's poolside locker room in Malibu, and I charge a dollar.

Seriously, though, I'm in software, and my enterprise is getting billions in stimulus, so my job seems relatively secure, and likely busy for a couple of years yet. Makes up for this industry being run into the ground while the Repubs spend all our money destroying and rebuilding OTHER countries, while making war profiteers rich. Okay, now, idiots, call me names, but I'm just stating the observable FACTS. Look them up.

I've thought about going independent, and still might, but I don't like people, especially idiots, enough to be a boss, I like computers much better, so I wouldn't build that kind of business. And being a solo independent might be kind of solitary--I don't dislike people THAT much.

I've briefly considered doing work directly for the government, but it would probably end up being the war profiteers, so then I couldn't point out their wealth- and dollar-depleting ways on blogs.

Devestment said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bukko Boomeranger said...

I've said it before, but since you posed the question, I'll say it again: Nurse in a large public hospital in a semi-socialist country that loves its medical system. No layoffs here, not until civilisation has collapsed so badly that people are being allowed to die in the street. I might have to work harder as things decline -- look after more patients than I currently get assigned -- and I might get paid less. Doesn't bother me, because I'm underworked and overpaid. I love my union for that! However, sorry to seem Pollyannish, my main motivation is to help the unfortunate sick people I deal with, and if that task becomes more difficult, I'm still willing.

Would I start my own business? Hell no! I could freelance as an on-call agency nurse, where I go to hospitals, nursing homes and home health assignments when someone calls in sick or they need extra staff at short notice. I did that for five years in Florida in the mid-1990s, but I got sick of the unpredictability. I appreciate my factory work -- punching in for shifts at the sick-person factory, doing my hours and then going home.

I could conceivably set up an on-call business, or some sort of consulting practise. But why would I want to do that? I'd need to develop skills in accounting, marketing myself, paying taxes, all sorts of things. I'm not lazy, but I don't want to devote extra hours of my life to doing all that. Australia's big on "work/life balance" -- you work just enough so you can live, not live just so you can work.

Bukko Boomeranger said...

That said, two other points here. (Didn't want to make too long-winded a bloc of type).

Did you notice the demographic of most of those ragers? White males. The most dangerous species of monkey. I'm one myself, and I lose my temper a lot, but I confine myself to making angry faces and muttering curses. People have told me I look like an idiot when I do that. They're right. I'll try to remember what fools these outta control guys seemed the next time I'm tempted to "spit the dummy." ("Dummy is what Aussies call a baby's pacifier. When a baby throws a tantrum, it spits its dummy out.)

What scares me about America is that there are many angry white guys there with guns. (And ethnic guys too, like the Vietnamese bloke who shot up the immigrant centre in upstate New York.) As things get worse in the U.S., I'm afraid that more men are going to lose it and go on shooting rampages. Even if I didn't get caught in one myself -- the odds of getting shot will probably always be small -- when enough of that happens, it will warp society. There will be metal detectors and frisking everywhere, most business will have to be done behind bulletproof plexiglass, it's just going to be a nasty country to live in.

For the questioners about ex-Californians: my wife and I are those. We'd move back, if it wasn't for the economic collapse. My wife loves the place. I like it here better, but I'm flexible.

However, we were not the typical Californians. We had stable, good-paying jobs and lived literally at the top of liberal la-la land, high on a hill in San Francisco. We didn't have to deal with as much crime and traffic and shittiness as people in L.A. or other parts of the state. So our view of it is rose-coloured. It was nice while it lasted, and I always appreciated how fortunate we were to have what we did, while we had it. Sadly, it seems as though darkness is descending on the Golden State, as it is on all of America.

msNJ said...

Currently unemployed after working for non-profits for the past 7 years as an administrator of sorts. Collecting unemployment cheese and spending most of my time parenting a 19 month old and halfheartedly looking for new employment.

Making plans to go back to school to get an MBA in Accounting. Hoping to become CPA sometime in the next few years... I'd like to work for myself someday, but want to get some experience under my belt first.

FWIW, by my count that is three SA'ers in this thread who are accountants (or wannabes). Must be something in the water..?

vanilla ice said...

Wanna be Rapper/Civil Engineer

I will hand it to Obama, he's keeping us employed, or at least giving us an incredible sense of urgency. We have to get our road projects out as soon as possible. Use up the stimulus money before it goes away.

Thought about starting my own company, but won't.

Mike H. said...

I am the big boss (CEO, MD, whatever) of a manufacturing plant making electronics components. The business is cutthroat with razor thin margins and it's boom or bust with the business cycle. We had our bust from Nov - Feb and now it's in a mini boom cycle. Not sure if this is inventory being built or a real upturn. Have to wait and see.

Normally I find the job fun but there are days of intense frustration. I've been feeling the latter of late so maybe it's best for me not to post right now.

The job may go away but as the boss I have the most visibility to this firsthand. Of course my board / Group CEO could screw me over but they will have to pay me out a few months salary first per my contract. I can accept that.

It's just business.

I really thought about starting my own venture as a wind farm management company- was getting ready to spend all my own personal savings to do this around mid last year. Glad I didn't though as the peak price in oil distorted everything including assumptions on investment and payback calculations.

Now I think I'd just like to do something part time like sit on a few Boards.

Keith, how about you answer the question you posed to everyone here?

-Mike

Out at the peak said...

My job is pretty nice. It's second choice behind game designer/lead programmer. It also pays better than the stated.

If the company decided to lay off 50% of engineering, I think I have a 90% chance of staying on.

I wouldn't mind getting laid off especially if it had some kind of severance (this company would only give 2 weeks though). Plus the unemployment would roll in.

That would be prime opportunity to start my own independent game company. I'd try it for a year and see if things work out.

I have almost no time to work on my current project since I have too many responsibilities at home.

mimi said...

Was a graphic artist for years - most companies outsource them now and freelance work is too unreliable. Now a mid-level manager at a large corporation - job is ok - it's a little drone-like but I do it for the money - heck yes I'm worried about losing it - I might go but there is a line of far less productive, lazy sh*ts in front of me. I'm thinking it's far more likely they'll keep me and have me do the work of 10 instead of the 3 that I'm already doing. Sometimes it's not good to be one of the last ones standing. I have plenty of savings though - but would be nice to be able to use it for my old age instead of my middle age.

long beach, ca said...

i am an office assistant for the state of calif, edd, seven years now. i like my job now but if i had this job in my 20's i would have hated it because it would have been beneath me. too smart too good for it. now that i am older, 42, easy is good. especially when i am single with no kids with a $500 a month mortgage.
i am an union state employee. so, no.
my father is self-employed. he used to work 80-90 hours a week. dont want to be like him. so, no.

Anonymous said...

GM shareholders wiped out

Anonymous said...

somebody over at curbed.com sorta figured out that there must be 145 million baby boomers with one primary residence and half of 145 million with second residences or vacation homes trying to sell to 44 million baby busters of the birth control generation and that those numbers do not back up NYC average average price increase or rent and now commentators must sign in..................... got "trashy"..??????????

blogger said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
blogger said...

Drifter

Hope that sums it up Mike

The less you need, the more you can do

Mike H. said...

Bukko,

Why don't you start a home care nursing business? I know you don't like to manage idiots but if you have a proper interview you can screen this lot out.

Seems like such a service would be desirable in Oz.

What territory do you live in again? NSW?

-Mike

Mike H. said...

Devestment,

Nice page. But after reading your comments on buying low / selling high, I don't feel compelled to order anything from your site.

Hint- if you want to advertise your business don't do it on a forum where you post honest blog comments!

-Mike

blogger said...

Mike - feel free to email me

Anonymous said...

"Les said...
I hate California. I would say half the people in California have no integrity. I would say that for California companies also. Everyone feels that they need a 3000 sq ft house with two bmw's parked out front. They will lie and cheat to make their money."

Then get the f*ck out out my state. People like you are as bad as the Illegal Aliens--they America but they like our money.

If you hate it here I-10 East goes all the way to Florida so get out or shut up.

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...

Remember folks, you're only considered a REAL engineer, if you actually have a degree in engineering. Lots of high school dropout hotel handymen calling themselves engineers these days."

So Thomas Edison was not a REAL engineer?

will shill for coin said...

> What scares me about America is that there are many angry white guys there with guns.


Dude, you're too much. As if no injustice was ever committed by anyone who wasn't white. Unbelievable willful naiveté. Every time you write something that I enjoy I marvel that it's the same you.

Bukko Boomeranger said...

Mike -- as my Blogger bio says, I live in "the cold state." You visit here. You can work out which one that is. I don't like to put out too much specific info on teh Internets tubez, because even as geographically isolated as I am, there's no point in being too specific with the many weirdos out there. Not necessarily you. But maybe.

As for why I don't start my own biz, I enjoy being a wage slave. I have a good boss, work for a good organisation, and that's enough for me. I'm the type of person who never wanted to be leader -- I'd rather be the vice president. Nobody goes gunning for the VP. Instead of being the surgeon, I want to be the person who's anticipating what instrument the surgeon needs and handing it to him a split-second before he asks.

I liked my previous career as a newspaper reporter enough to be enthusiastic about it and want to push it further. But that career crashed and burned. Medical work is fine, God bless its fibrillating heart, but it's just something I do, not who I am. I have no desire to hustle and immerse myself in it as an entrepreneur. Society needs line workers, the way an army needs privates. I'm happy to be a worker bee.

Damn, that makes me think of the dystopian novel "Brave New World" -- the brain-deficient slave/drones saying "I'm glad I'm an Epsilon"...

Anonymous said...

"Ross said...
I am a broker for a highly respected Discount Broker with a big presence in Phoenix."

Highly respected and Phoenix are mutually exclusive. Laughing Out Loud.

Mammoth said...

Great thread we have going here!

Now, commenting on the comments is almost as fun as commenting on the original thread-post.
------------------------------
"Remember folks, you're only considered a REAL engineer, if you actually have a degree in engineering."
- - - - - -
O.k., Yes I bashed my head against the wall and lived the life of a starving student long enough to receive the prize of a ‘sheepskin.’ This brought me a decent-paying job as well as work which anyone with common sense – degree or not – could perform.

Cleverness and technical ability: either you have it or you don’t – whether or not you have a college degree.
------------------------------
“Do i like the job? NO... It's a very thankless job that basically you're on call 24/7/365.... or at least it feels that way. However it pays good, and what else would one replace the pay with these days?”
- - - - - -
The key is to reduce your living expenses. This will reduce your NEED for ‘good pay,’ so that you can find a job – albeit lower-paying – which you actually enjoy doing. You spend a lot of time at work; isn’t it worthwhile pursuing doing something that you like?
------------------------------
Ross said…
“My goal is to get the hell out of corporate America and never look back.”
- - - - - - -
Amen!
------------------------------
“I've thought about going independent, and still might, but I don't like people, especially idiots,”
- - - - - - -
That is why I prefer working with plants & animals. Plants always give you back what you put into them, and they always do their best with what they have.

And animals don’t talk back.
------------------------------
Keith said…
“The less you need, the more you can do”
- - - - -
Golden words!
How many here are getting this message yet?
------------------------------
Why don't you start a home care nursing business?
- - - - -
One of my former tenants kept alzheimer’s patients in my rental house. She didn’t have to commute, and seemed to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of working at home.

BTW, one of these alzheimer’s patients actually died inside the house. When I sold the house, no – I did NOT inform the buyers!

-Mammoth

Devestment said...

Hi Mike,
I just wanted you to know the truth.

Signing out from Moms basement!
Devestment,

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...
"Les said...
I hate California. I would say half the people in California have no integrity. I would say that for California companies also. Everyone feels that they need a 3000 sq ft house with two bmw's parked out front. They will lie and cheat to make their money."

-----CORRECTION------

it's 90%+ with No integrity and 100% of elected official with less than no integrity starting with
Feinstein
Boxer
Pelosi
Arnold

and many of them, are in fact, Felons.

DIE Kalipornia. May 19th Just around the Corner.

Firefighters and Oakland Cops Beware. Mass Layoffs coming.

Hurray!

Mike H. said...

Bukko,

Well if I start up a home nursing business and am looking for wage slaves I'll look you up.

Brave new world is a great book. Don't forget the Epsilon's were sterilized prior to birth to limit the brain development so they couldn't think above their designed niche. Kind of like what American Idol does to the avg brain today.

I know where you are from now... Enjoy a VB for me mate.

I'm probably a weirdo like most who haunt this blog. But I'm not the malicious type of weirdo so don't worry about it.

I value my privacy as well.

-Mike

Stuck in So Pa said...

Imagine if any one of those idiots had a CWP. There would be bodies all over the office.

1.Do I like my job?

Semi-retired with a love/hate relationship. Boss wants me to come back full time (for the third time) because one of the "kids" is packing it in. He's leaving (full time, company paid benefits) for the same reason I won't go back full-time: stupid, moronic, retarded customers. He's had enough!

2.Think it might go away.

As long as people have to eat, I have a job.

3.Ever thought of starting your own company (if you haven't already)?

Tried being my own company years ago. Two major problems. My one employee was far too conscientious and worked himself to death, AND THE BOSS WAS AN A$$HOLE! No, I think I'll work for others. When no one is exactly sure what you do, no one complains about your work, and no one wants to admit their stupidity that they don't know what you do. It's great!

My greatest achievement in my professional life was to achieve the super power of invisibility. You know you are "there" when one of the office big shots comes up to you on a Friday after a 40 hr week, and says: "Oh, have you been out sick this week?"

Love it!

MY work life philosophies, have worked so well for me.

Anonymous said...

My wife and I owned a small business here in nor cal for 5 years but just sold it in December because we were starting to lose money. I have also been working for JPM Chase, my job sucks ass so I'm quitting July 1st and going back to school to get my MBA.

If you can't beat em' join em'!!

Anonymous said...

I'm a landlord/ real estate investor/used car dealer. Properties are doing OK, not a lot of vacancy and good cash flows. Car business sucks, lost financing last October when the world crashed and struggle to pay the bills ever since. It's looking like Inventory liquidation and closing the doors is a distinct possibility.
I found a niche in the real estate crash that may turn out to be a lucrative opportunity. I'll keep that one to myself till I see how it works out.
Have about 10 friends who have lost their jobs, mostly construction gigs but also mechanics, industrial sales, mortgage brokers, and financial analysts. I have real estate investor friends having issues staying afloat. Leverage is great on the way up but painful on the way down.
The media is trying to make it like things are improving, but I have a sick uneasy feeling that another shoe is soon to drop. I also think their is great opportunities being a part of cleaning up the real estate trash.
If you need a cheap house, apartment or car look me up. I have them all. I'm getting by working the bottom of the markets.
Bottom feeder in Philly

Anonymous said...

"The media is trying to make it like things are improving, but I have a sick uneasy feeling that another shoe is soon to drop. I also think their is great opportunities being a part of cleaning up the real estate trash."

It's called deficient Alt A/+ mortgages. This should take the economy all the way down and absolutely bury anyone now 'buying at the bottom' unless of course, you are 'buying' with OPM or stupid US govmnt free money.

Everyone in Moodys RE rating agency should be taken out and shot dead. AAA+ huh?

DIE AMERICA. Hurry Up.

GM Next.

then

Wells Fargo
Bank of America
Wachovia
and many, many others.

Got Ammo?

Anonymous said...

I work for a top government figure. I get paid more than double than most of my classmates from college. I dont have a punchclock. I never have to do overttime. My work is not audited and i never get evaluated. I pretty much spend the whole day surfing the web ina room with other well paid and underworked people. Most of my tasks are pointless...
I hate my job. I feel like im slowly decaying. I cant quit because theres no other job opportunities, let alone on my salary range. I envy the guy who cleans the street, at least hes doing something useful. Im way overeducated to do manual work (not that I wouldnt do it, just that nobidy will employ me because of my qualifications)...

Pete, somewhere in western europe...

the dude said...

reinsurance underwriter

Anonymous said...

"I work for a top government figure. I get paid more than double than most of my classmates from college. I dont have a punchclock. I never have to do overttime. My work is not audited and i never get evaluated. I pretty much spend the whole day surfing the web ina room with other well paid and underworked people. Most of my tasks are pointless..."

----------------

LOL...I had a job like that with Lockheed Martin. Came to work at 10 am...surfed the Net til 12...took a 2 hour lunch and then went home early at 4:30....Paid about 120,000 per year with lavish taxpayer funded benefits.

It drove me insane.....I resigned.

Now I own my business work 7 days a week and had $7,000 in taxable income last year. And I am profoundly happy.

Aunt Fanny said...

Keith said…
“The less you need, the more you can do”.

Amen, brother. I have been slowly down-sizing my living expenses for the past few years, and I am now down to working 3 days a week at a job I enjoy and making enough to rent a studio apartment and pay my small monthly bills. I have no debts and I am single with no dependents. I have more freedom than 90% of the people I know who make much higher salaries but have saddled themselves with huge debts and expenses. Time is indeed money. I can always make more money, but my time is very very precious.

Jeff said...

Process engineer helping make popular military hardware. Business is booming and we're trying to adjust.

The job is hard but I have a BSME so I have real solutions if management wants to let me use them. ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm a self-taught-from-an-early-age software architect making nearly six figures. So many employees at my company are practically worthless. Most of them have no potential, and don't care about getting any. I have frequently expressed my desire to do great things and to work to my full potential but I am being held back by management fearful of change and unwilling to take risks. My job has stagnated intellectually. Sometimes I wish I just had a job that made a difference, like farming or gardening. Something natural and productive.

It's amazing to me how much of our society revolves around consuming instead of producing. I make a great salary but am I truly deserving of it? Are the dollars I earn worth the same as the dollars a farmer earns? Am I part of the problem?

I struggle every day trying to find the answers to these questions, but I feel like even if I do find them I will have no choice but to remain a cog in the giant corporate consumerist machine.

I feel like there truly is no escape.

Mitesh Damania said...

I'm a self-taught-from-an-early-age software architect making nearly six figures. So many employees at my company are practically worthless. Most of them have no potential, and don't care about getting any. I have frequently expressed my desire to do great things and to work to my full potential but I am being held back by management fearful of change and unwilling to take risks. My job has stagnated intellectually.

I make a great salary but am I truly deserving of it? Are the dollars I earn worth the same as the dollars a farmer earns?
I've had the exact same thoughts. I came out of college ready to work hard and work my way up the ladder. But the damn company wouldn't train me and most of the work was repetitive and menial.

There's absolutely no thought of organizing teams wherein the juniors can learn from the seniors during the project. Everything has to be about time and money.

Pathetic.

I also see the time and effort that goes into low level / less education type jobs like a farmer or laborer. They sure do work hard. They have skills just as much as an educated person, but they are not paid as much and not as respected.

When you look at who's producing for society, it's all these low level workers. What would life be without a manager? What would life be without a farmer or someone that fixes your car?

Just because you are more 'formally' educated doesn't mean you should automatically earn more, especially when you don't contribute as much to society.

White collar jobs are clean office jobs. That's all they are.

Mitesh Damania said...

"I struggle every day trying to find the answers to these questions, but I feel like even if I do find them I will have no choice but to remain a cog in the giant corporate consumerist machine."

Where are you located? I'm in the OC!

laid-off accountant said...

OP on May 5, 2009 9:11 PM here.

Going to law school is not an option with student loans from undergrad liberal arts and M.Acc degrees.

Every CPA firm in town had mass layoffs after the end of busy season. 60+ hours a week, churn and burn.

To Ms NJ: make sure whatever MBA program you attend gives you the required hours to sit for the CPA exam in your state. The M.Acc automatically qualifies you to sit for the exam in Ohio.

Mike said...

Anonymous laid-off accountant said...

OP on May 5, 2009 9:11 PM here.

Going to law school is not an option with student loans from undergrad liberal arts and M.Acc degrees.

Every CPA firm in town had mass layoffs after the end of busy season. 60+ hours a week, churn and burn.

To Ms NJ: make sure whatever MBA program you attend gives you the required hours to sit for the CPA exam in your state. The M.Acc automatically qualifies you to sit for the exam in Ohio.

May 7, 2009 1:54 PM


As an accountant, I strongly urge you to consider getting into a career or some sort of a business that can't be outsourced. All white collar employees are going to compete with workers in India, Poland, Romania, China, South Korea, etc... The days of getting a job and then getting an advanced education to be more marketable are over. The competition is going to get tougher and tougher.

I seriously urge many of us professional educated employees to think outside of the box. Global wage arbitrage is coming, it is a trend that started with basic customer service tasks and it is getting to rudimentary work right now. Then soon they will outsource mid-level and advanced work too. Don't think it can happen to you!

msNJ said...

will do, thanks for the tip, laid-off accountant. hope that the industry treats you better in the coming days...

Anonymous said...

So Thomas Edison was not a REAL engineer?So are you comparing handymen, who work at hotels changing light bulbs, to Thomas Edison?

Got it!

Anonymous said...

As far as I'm concerned, nurses are individuals who didn't have the intelligence or the balls to pusruse a doctorate degree.

It's pathetic to do all the dirty work for slave wages, while you could be a real doctor earning 500k.

Nurses are like paralegals; although some paralegals are smart and ambitious enough to pursue law school on the side.

European/Californian/Liberal Collectivism does that to individuals; it cuts their balls until they start justifying their cowardliness (or laziness) with lame excuses like, "living for experiences", "I need a simpler life", "love my union"...and list of BS excuses goes on and on and on.

Right, Bukko?

bottom feeder in philly said...

I make a great salary but am I truly deserving of it? Are the dollars I earn worth the same as the dollars a farmer earns?


If someone is willing to pay for your services then that is what your services are worth. I make my money renting apartments and efficiencies. We live off the cash flows. Do I deserve to earn that money DAMN RIGHT I DO. If I didn't buy those buildings, fix them up and provide a housing service people would be homeless. Money is just a way to exchange goods and services. I assure you if your company stops making money off the work you do you will be out of a job.(like many of my friends have discovered) Farmers made a choice to be farmers. You made a choice to be a software architect, I made a choice to be a landlord. As long as it's an honest living and provides a service you have a right to be paid well for it.
You work just as hard as the farmer, you just work differently.

Miss Goldbug said...

I work part time in payroll/payables for a family owned business here in the bay area.

My husband was laid off for the first time in his life over a month ago because he was the last hired... he has never been laid off and has 27 yrs experience in electrical controls. He's collecting unemployment, and sent out resumes- and he's networking, but the phone isnt ringing-it's a first for him.

Thank god we rent and are debt free with money in the bank. We could hold out for a while, but its scary indeed. I'm looking for a full time position, but the market is really tight, and I expect it to get worse in the months to come, regardless what Ben says.

Anonymous said...

According to The Onion, more and more American workers are outsourcing their own work. bwahaha Funniest sh!t:

http://tinyurl.com/ddza52

Anonymous said...

Thank god we rent and are debt free with money in the bank. Yeah, it's good to rent, but what's your annual rent to gross income ratio? 30%, 40%, 50%?

A lot people don't pay attention to this ratio and get financially screwed.

Anonymous said...

CPA used to be more than a fancy accountant; they're suppose to make money for clients, connect them with good deals, have a Rolodex full of good stuff.

Now everyone wants to be a CPA to charge when clients drink water or breath air in their offices, while the back office accountant types data in the Peachtree program.

CPA + Law Degree never gets layoff or outsourced, because you get all clients by the balls.

And this is how I define the new economy: Getting people by the balls to make money. Don't believe it? Look around you and pay attention to the last 8 months to know what I'm talking about.

My fancy-schmancy professors at B-School called it, "Competitive Advantage". But don't be a fool, in reality this is French for getting people by the balls and squeezing hard until their wallets drop. Be it a boss, supervisor, client, customer, supplier, politician, what have you.

Oh, and one more advice from the smart money: If floats, flies, or fornicates; don't buy, rent it.

Now I let you kids go back to your guitars and Timbuktus...

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