Don't understand the TC chase

May 18, 2020 13 Comments

I grew up in an asian environment which highly prioritized education and income. I bought into the narrative that high income=happiness when growing up, and I still understand the need for a decent, steady income.

While I am grateful for what I have, after spending time in different parts of the US, especially the South, I struggle to understand the correlation between higher income and higher fulfillment. In the bay area, in particular, I see individuals prioritizing TC over family time, hobbies, and self growth time and time again. My question is what is the end goal in this seemingly endless TC chase? After material needs+desires are met, what is the purpose of sacrificing personal time for higher tc?

Personally, I don't take much joy in spending money and can fit all my needs + desires in about 25k/year which may contribute to this lack of understanding.

TC:180k

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TOP 13 Comments
  • Amazon
    fhhwoc6sdl

    Go to company page Amazon

    fhhwoc6sdl
    >I dont understand the TC chase
    >$180,000 dollars a year TC

    ok
    May 18, 2020 4
    • Amazon / Eng
      10xngineer

      Go to company page Amazon Eng

      10xngineer
      Is 180k TC standard for L61 SDE in Redmond?
      May 18, 2020
    • I went 80->180 too then went 180->300+. I can identify with your thinking coming from a similar background. 80 you’re living well and have all the money you could need, but aren’t saving a lot, but all the vacations and food you wanted are covered. You’re not a poor student any more. 180 you have more than you need, and are saving a decent amount. 300 is when I have more than I could ever need, but now I can to provide for myself and my family. As the circle of people who depend on you get bigger (your spouse, pets, kids, parents, etc) you need more TC. I think at some point it does become marginal and I hope I get to that point, but yea I used to think it was just greedy people until I saw what it costs to really support a family in the bay area with a small single family home, two cars, 1 domestic vacation a year. (6000/month mortgage for a cheap small town house, 1800 general expenses, 400 / month car assuming 10 year usage on small SUV, 400 vacation savings). Just to cover the above expenses and contribute to a 401K would take 180K. You’d be saving nothing if your spouse wasn’t working.
      May 18, 2020
  • Some people just have more expensive needs, desires, and hobbies.
    May 18, 2020 1
  • Amazon
    ihuyg

    Go to company page Amazon

    ihuyg
    100% agreed with you. My tc is in the same ballpark ish and I don't feel any need to sacrifice personal time to increase it. I have not noticed a substantial increase in happiness by being able to afford more expensive things generally.
    May 18, 2020 0
  • To retire earlier
    May 18, 2020 0
  • MediaMath / Eng
    Beaaaar

    Go to company page MediaMath Eng

    Beaaaar
    Buy yourself something nice and see if you still have no need to chase the TC.
    May 18, 2020 0