Wages and Job titles

You make $18.19/hour with less than a full year of experience.

What would your company pay for these fields
-- 0 to 3 years--
-- 3 to 5 years--
--5 to 10 years--
--10 years +--


Will that pay be enough for your needs and wants?

Do you contribute to medical costs?
Does the company contribute to a 401K matching plan and do you contribute at the MAXIMUM percentage or amount?
Do you anticipate marriage and a family?
Home ownership?
New vehicle?
Vacation home, boat, camper, etc?
Saving for kids education, weddings?
Emergency funds?

Answer these questions honestly and you will have your decision.

I recently retired from a Big3 auto company as a union member. Good luck whatever choice you make.

You make $18.19/hour with less than a full year of experience.

What would your company pay for these fields
-- 0 to 3 years--
-- 3 to 5 years--
--5 to 10 years--
--10 years +--


Will that pay be enough for your needs and wants?

Do you contribute to medical costs?
Does the company contribute to a 401K matching plan and do you contribute at the MAXIMUM percentage or amount?
Do you anticipate marriage and a family?
Home ownership?
New vehicle?
Vacation home, boat, camper, etc?
Saving for kids education, weddings?
Emergency funds?

Answer these questions honestly and you will have your decision.

I recently retired from a Big3 auto company as a union member. Good luck whatever choice you make.

I make $18.19/hour. My company gives 1.5% to 3% cost of living raises yearly. Generally it is 1.5%. You can only get 3% if all job requirements are Above Expectations. Also, my job position is a pay grade 5. Which means we cap out at $24.77/hour. once you make it to that point, you cant get yearly raises anymore. I don't know what there plan is in the future to continue the raises system, but i would eventually like to make more than what i will cap out at.

Do you contribute to medical costs?- Yes, but insurance isnt good.
Does the company contribute to a 401K matching plan and do you contribute at the MAXIMUM percentage or amount?- Yes, the company matches 3%.
Do you anticipate marriage and a family?- Already married and have 2 kids.
Home ownership?- Would like too, currently renting.
New vehicle?- Just bought a 2018 Jeep Renegade. Nice car. Payments are under $300/month Insurance included.
Vacation home, boat, camper, etc?- boats are nice. i would like to own a boat.
Saving for kids education, weddings?- This is gonna be the tricky one.
Emergency funds?- Also don't have much of an emergency fund. Always keep a small cushion of around 1 to 2 thousand in the bank. I'd like to have a safer cushion.

Hello ThePudds!

It looks like you are on a good path. I don’t see any negative responses in your reply.

Are you the sole breadwinner for your family? Absolutely nothing wrong with that, just sometimes a second income can be helpful. My wife worked for a few years to help out when things got tight for our family.

Your peace of mind and a happy family life are the most important aspect to who you and your family are.

Your top pay grade rate at $25.77 might be enough for your needs. What can you do to make more? Education and knowledge and experience go a long way to financial goals.

Maybe a move to a better paying employer? Relocation is not for everyone. Being away from family and friends can lead to marital destruction.

Only you can decide what direction you need to take.

Anyways, best of luck and keep learning and map out a plan for your successful future.

ThePudds Dave Ramsey's "baby steps" are working fine for me, 5 kids, Momma stays at home, zero debt, and enough to go out and play. Highly recommend it!

Kp61dude! holy moly! 5 kids??? Glad life is going good for you!

Last pregnancy were twins! Shop is closed, only practice from now on... but yep 5 little trophies. Millennials are many but few of us have brass balls! jk.

Kp61dude! Im 20 years old and I already have 2 little ones. I'll probably stop with 2. Cheaper and they will both be "adults" by the time I'm 38!

Right on man! I had my first born when I was 18. You'll be alright just bob and weave all those distractions/pitfalls out there.