Originally Posted by
tallpilot
I'm about the same. I budget for the worst case (reserve guarantee) and it's breakeven. (Which really makes one wonder how people who make less than half what we do get by)
Historically I've done far better than that even as a reserve. Now I'm a solid lineholder and robust hiring is keeping things moving. Would I commit to ratcheting my mandatory spending closer to my actual income? Absolutely not.
What is affordable on 3rd year FO pay vs what is prudent are very far apart. Good times in this industry never last.
I second this as someone making the jump from NK.
Not including first year pay, nobody will ever be able to convince me that it's okay to have a lifestyle that cannot be afforded on min guarantee.
I would even add a 10% buffer in the event of BK and pay cuts. No company in the US is above this.