I recently, at 63, left my NTT full-time teaching position, to write full-time and spot babysit my grandkids. I too resist the word "retired"-- even though I haven't pulled in much from writing yet, it's still my WORK, and saying I'm "retired" doesn't reflect where I am in my life. Love this essay!
I think I agree with your mother's advice -- "stop being afraid, look money in the eye, and claim your worth." I like to use Glassdoor.com to check salaries in my field of expertise -- and the IRS site that tells you what to charge for mileage has been available for years. We have to be proactive because no one else will do it for us, that's for sure!
Thank you for addressing this important issue. Talking about money and self worth go hand in hand. I am 66yrs. old and it has taken me this long to ask for and receive what I deserve to be paid.
talking about money remains the biggest taboo. I've made some bold decisions over the years (some may say idiotic) like sharing my tiny salary with the world at the age of 22 in the pages of Parade magazine and later in my editorial letter of an alt weekly in my 30s. both time people thought I was bonkers but I was happy to see it caused others to question their worth and demand more. I finally demanded to be compensated fairly as an editor in my 40s... and then was laid off soon after so... is that a cautionary tale?
Thinking about leaving my full-time, non-tenure stream position, and thinking a lot about productivity, self worth, and money. Thanks, Jessica. Come back in a year and let us know how it's going.
Almost 72, not afraid of asking questions but of course no way to get the answers, until I'm gobsmacked to find that a male doing the exact same job may still be making more...(and of course as a Nurse Practitioner, I've always known that an MD will make at least twice as much for the exact same job) and having to accept that I likely won't see any of this change in my working lifetime. Good luck with the career change and I can't wait to see what you do next!
Beautifully written piece. It's difficult, as we know, to place a money value on what we bring to the table. But even politely asking for what you're really worth — say as a college adjunct, can backfire.
May 5, 2022·edited May 5, 2022Liked by Jessica Handler
It has been an honor and a privilege to be your faculty colleague over the last decade! Though I am sad for our students and myself that you’re going, I am ecstatic for your next chapter and honor the strength it took to start it. Love you, John
Such a great facedown of the complicated way we think about money and earning. When I started working in NYC in the mid '80s, everyone talked about what they were making as they went from job to job in the magazine industry. Then I moved west and no one said a thing. It's hard to navigate in a salary vacuum. Thank you for your piece!
Thank you for this, Jessica! I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't even know about the IRS website that gives you mileage rates. I too could do much much better at this!
I recently, at 63, left my NTT full-time teaching position, to write full-time and spot babysit my grandkids. I too resist the word "retired"-- even though I haven't pulled in much from writing yet, it's still my WORK, and saying I'm "retired" doesn't reflect where I am in my life. Love this essay!
I think I agree with your mother's advice -- "stop being afraid, look money in the eye, and claim your worth." I like to use Glassdoor.com to check salaries in my field of expertise -- and the IRS site that tells you what to charge for mileage has been available for years. We have to be proactive because no one else will do it for us, that's for sure!
Thank you for addressing this important issue. Talking about money and self worth go hand in hand. I am 66yrs. old and it has taken me this long to ask for and receive what I deserve to be paid.
Living life is work
Enjoying living life is work
Enjoying work is living life
The moment you were created you start working
Working at living life is enjoying your work
Living life is work that retirement cannot stop
Work is enjoying living life in retirement
Your old stories and memories have collided
And blended together showing you your next steps
Your worth has been built on previous steps of living life
Working at living life is enjoying your work and will increase your net worth
Just a ramble of thoughts could be a 70 thing !
Turned 70 April 24 it all goes by way to fast
life is like the RPM for disc records 16 , 33 , 45 , 78
The RPM’s go faster as we get older
You are a great investor in living life
You have consolidated your worth
Into “living your life” stock that will provide a great return on investment.
Enjoy your dividends
Enjoy each day it is great investment in living life
talking about money remains the biggest taboo. I've made some bold decisions over the years (some may say idiotic) like sharing my tiny salary with the world at the age of 22 in the pages of Parade magazine and later in my editorial letter of an alt weekly in my 30s. both time people thought I was bonkers but I was happy to see it caused others to question their worth and demand more. I finally demanded to be compensated fairly as an editor in my 40s... and then was laid off soon after so... is that a cautionary tale?
I just subscribed to Oldster recently, and what a treat to find you here! Good luck on the new path.
Thinking about leaving my full-time, non-tenure stream position, and thinking a lot about productivity, self worth, and money. Thanks, Jessica. Come back in a year and let us know how it's going.
Almost 72, not afraid of asking questions but of course no way to get the answers, until I'm gobsmacked to find that a male doing the exact same job may still be making more...(and of course as a Nurse Practitioner, I've always known that an MD will make at least twice as much for the exact same job) and having to accept that I likely won't see any of this change in my working lifetime. Good luck with the career change and I can't wait to see what you do next!
Beautifully written piece. It's difficult, as we know, to place a money value on what we bring to the table. But even politely asking for what you're really worth — say as a college adjunct, can backfire.
It has been an honor and a privilege to be your faculty colleague over the last decade! Though I am sad for our students and myself that you’re going, I am ecstatic for your next chapter and honor the strength it took to start it. Love you, John
Great topic, not discussed enough, and handled with straightforward and admirable candor.
Such a great facedown of the complicated way we think about money and earning. When I started working in NYC in the mid '80s, everyone talked about what they were making as they went from job to job in the magazine industry. Then I moved west and no one said a thing. It's hard to navigate in a salary vacuum. Thank you for your piece!
Thank you for this, Jessica! I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't even know about the IRS website that gives you mileage rates. I too could do much much better at this!