melekmikayel
New member
Is my situation really that bad?
Do everyday normal Australians working full time really earn 100k+ p.a ? If so what do they do? and whats the work-life balance like?
I'm nowhere near that but I get to do most school drop off's, I'm home in time for dinner (5:30) I work 5 days (Tuesday-Saturday) and have essentially unlimited sick leave.
I don't blame anyone but myself for our financial situation, and I don't blame anyone but myself for decisions I made in my teens through early 30's.
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My Background:
I come from a average working class background, grew up very poor (single mum, dad never played a cent of child support) but didn't know it thanks to mums approach in raising us.
Addiction, Apathy and Mental Health issues through my Teens / 20's / early 30's
Never had any real advice or support in finding a 'career' /pursuing futher education / how to manage money. Wasn't actively discouraged either but certainly not encouraged beyond, "it's a good thing to do / work it out for yourself"
I graduated highschool (barely) never really had a 'real' job, some casual work, off and on the books, centrelink bludger, would get a job that had potential but then would flake out on it, hardest thing I ever did was complete a 3 week security course (then never worked in that industry)
Wife also had no financial instruction apart from "save everything / spend nothing /make sure you top level insurance on everything."
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Somehow through luck, love, getting clean and finding Jesus I've ended up with a Wife, 3 Kids and an (older) 4 bedroom house (bought 10 years ago)
I make the most money I ever have in my life at $63024 p.a before tax (though I do only work between 25-30 hrs p/w + 10 hrs driving p/w) and I don't really see how I could ever earn more than that as I am unskilled, unexperienced and unable (various reasons) to study.
Wife earns slightly less/the same/slightly more than me (depending on year) but only works 2-3 days p/w.
We don't have any debt apart from the house and don't live extravagant lifestyles though we do get to many takeaways and have to many streaming services and I donate money we don't really have to Church to help those with less than ourselfs plus be charitable to people on the street if I can.
I've very little super as I never made much and some of it was off the books.
Assuming I can't upskill and would find it very difficult to even move into a position of equal pay closer to home, what would you all suggest as a way to start seriously planning for our future?
What would you do in my situation to help set yours kids up?
Anyway cheers for reading and God Bless you.
Do everyday normal Australians working full time really earn 100k+ p.a ? If so what do they do? and whats the work-life balance like?
I'm nowhere near that but I get to do most school drop off's, I'm home in time for dinner (5:30) I work 5 days (Tuesday-Saturday) and have essentially unlimited sick leave.
I don't blame anyone but myself for our financial situation, and I don't blame anyone but myself for decisions I made in my teens through early 30's.
My Background:
I come from a average working class background, grew up very poor (single mum, dad never played a cent of child support) but didn't know it thanks to mums approach in raising us.
Addiction, Apathy and Mental Health issues through my Teens / 20's / early 30's
Never had any real advice or support in finding a 'career' /pursuing futher education / how to manage money. Wasn't actively discouraged either but certainly not encouraged beyond, "it's a good thing to do / work it out for yourself"
I graduated highschool (barely) never really had a 'real' job, some casual work, off and on the books, centrelink bludger, would get a job that had potential but then would flake out on it, hardest thing I ever did was complete a 3 week security course (then never worked in that industry)
Wife also had no financial instruction apart from "save everything / spend nothing /make sure you top level insurance on everything."
Somehow through luck, love, getting clean and finding Jesus I've ended up with a Wife, 3 Kids and an (older) 4 bedroom house (bought 10 years ago)
I make the most money I ever have in my life at $63024 p.a before tax (though I do only work between 25-30 hrs p/w + 10 hrs driving p/w) and I don't really see how I could ever earn more than that as I am unskilled, unexperienced and unable (various reasons) to study.
Wife earns slightly less/the same/slightly more than me (depending on year) but only works 2-3 days p/w.
We don't have any debt apart from the house and don't live extravagant lifestyles though we do get to many takeaways and have to many streaming services and I donate money we don't really have to Church to help those with less than ourselfs plus be charitable to people on the street if I can.
I've very little super as I never made much and some of it was off the books.
Assuming I can't upskill and would find it very difficult to even move into a position of equal pay closer to home, what would you all suggest as a way to start seriously planning for our future?
What would you do in my situation to help set yours kids up?
Anyway cheers for reading and God Bless you.