currently making 60k a year in a IT job barely surviving. Also going to school for cyber security full time. Is it worth it to pick up a part time job while working full time and school full time to pay off debts?

I’m 31 years old and feel I should at least be making 100k a year with my own house but im a rentcel who is just surviving and it makes me feel like ****.

where do you live? 60k isn't bad if you had a gf who matched that.

This, and what is the average pay for the job you're trying to get?

california, I currently have a gf that I don’t want anymore and I know I need to get away but can’t go anywhere else because prices so damn high. Going to have the talk with her soon and try to figure it out and see if maybe we can just be roomates doubt she will let it fly though. I’m a fuk up.

average pay for job im trying to get once I get my degree is 100-120k. Could be wrong seen people say it’s much higher.

need pics of gf to make accurate assessment

Yeah, CA is expensive and the taxes suck ass; if you can work remote moving to a smaller town can help. Blows my mind though how much houses are going for, mine is now worth twice what I paid almost and no way in hell is that a good deal for living in middle of fck nowhere Coalinga.

Ever look at State jobs? A lot open, pay is good and benefits are amazing, it's also very easy to lateral and go up once you're in, they provide training and out of class opportunities.

Stop comparing yourself to others or where you "think you should be".

Get rid of the GF.

If you need a cheaper place rent a room somewhere in a house and live a spartan lifestyle while you finish your degree.

The only thing you should be focused on is the productive things you are doing today and your "Avatar" or the person you aspire to be. To me that means crushing the gym daily, eating well, eliminating negative things in my life (in your case the gf), and dominating the next 18 hours after you wake up.

Be comfortable with being uncomfortable for awhile.

Get the fuk out of California once you have your degree (or sooner if you can complete it remote/online).

https://dqydj.com/average-median-top...e-percentiles/

you're actually about 10k higher than the average US male for your age (31).

instagram/youtube/tiktokt/etc makes us think that EVERYONE is light years ahead of us monetarily, socially, dink size wise, but in actuality you are above average.

How long have you been at the job? I guarantee you can leave that job and get paid more simply by posting added experience to your resume.

that’s a good idea, I haven’t looked into part time remote jobs. Thought about door dashing but gas is so damn high. Don’t want to leave my current full time job because I get a lot of downtime where I am able to study for school.

four years. Don’t want to leave current full time job because of downtime at it that allows me to study for school, also health insurance is good and dirt cheap.

You're already working too much as it is. Doubtless this will visit health consequences upon you that right now you either don't feel or haven't addressed in this thread yet. Especially if you keep it up for much longer. Surprising you can do it at 31. No way you could do it in your 40s without resorting to extremely questionable means and probably still have "health episodes" (heart attack, stroke, etc). Part-time job is not the answer. Look for other solutions.

Calif is insane. Can you find a cheaper apartment so your financial demands aren't as high? Get a cheaper car? Have you really discussed this with your GF? Not sure that would make a diff because if she is around the same age, either she isn't addressing issues with you, or she can't feel them, herself, because it's very easy to subconsciously bury these things at that age, especially depending upon personality type. As an INFP, I am more sensitive to these things than well over 90% of the population, I can assure you.

Have you thought about getting on The Great California Economic Emigration Trail? Doing so would mean that you're acknowledging your own humanity.

I know none of these questions and suggestions are rose-colored. Sorry. I'm trying to speak from a position of "greater wisdom". I'm almost 20 years older than you. Although I haven't been in your exact shoes.

those things are copium.

I hardly meet people making sub 6 figures after 28. Srs

But I think 60k is fine for living lol.

dude, 4 years? You can easily get $10-15k more per year if you leave your current place and apply for the exact same job title with the same responsibilities but at a different company....and that would be a very conservative transition. with 4 years under your belt you can probably get a Lead or supervisory role in your field.

This isn't our parents job market anymore. Long gone are the days of getting a job at 20 and staying there for 45 years. If you're not job hopping every 1.5 years you're doing yourself a disservice financially, and remember, don't feel like you have to stay because of some commitment. That job doesn't care about you. They will drop you on a moments notice. Never get comfortable, always have an updated resume ready too.

If your insurance is good and cheap then stick with it as long as you need while studying. Housing costs particularly in Cali are about to get wrecked by 7-10% mortgages and the continued collapse of tech companies requiring in person work.

I don't feel it's too much. I still go out have fun, play games and hit the gym. To be honest I think me going out having fun, and playing games is the reason why I'm behind in life but my discipline is balls. Also would love to get out of california.Don't want to leave due to downtime that allows me to work on school while at work, also health insurance is good and cheap there. Have an upcoming surgery too for my labrum in my shoulder.

what do you mean cheap health insurance?? Isn't it always dirt cheap when u have a job lol??

When I graduated college my goal was just to make 6 figures before 30. Now it's to get to $175k+ gross before 30. I'm in Cyber security too.

I don't think you specified where in CA you are, but odds are $60k there is like $45k here.

Sounds like you haven't applied to any entry level jobs yet. I recommend doing more than just getting a degree in Cyber, you should also get a Security+ or GSEC.

Leave GF and move to the midwest where you can afford a house, import a Filapina wife that is happy with simple living and get over keeping up with the Jonesies hustle culture.

Wow you make 60 grand and have a gf that lives with you. Slow down and enjoy life mate.

Whats your academic and professional qualifications like? Write exactly what degree's, certifications you have/studying to aquire

Can you move into your parents basement or something? I was making 70k and couldn't afford to live on my own so I moved into my dad's basement and saved up 10 grand. Now I'm starting a 90k job in November and I will still stay in my dad's basement because I refuse to pay $1800 for a 1 bedroom in a decent neighborhood. Leave your gf and move back in with parents no shame in it

Yeah because life is totally a race, and your worth as a human can be summed up and ranked bassd on your salary and assets.

Go rent an efficiency till you're financially stable. All anyone really needs is a roof above their head and ac.

Edit: Let me clarify, stop setting goals and expectations. You will always have a desire to be fulfilled. Stop putting weight on your shoulders, stop setting yourself up for a potential disappointment.

thank you man

Get the fuk out of California. Also you are doing everything an average person would do so you will remain average. My little brother owns a bunkhouse, works for the big 4 making $120k and owns a lawncare business and is also developing a high end electronic salt water fish tank product. He lives like an absolute rat. He knows that employment can only get you so far and living like his coworkers will keep you in the same place. I have no doubt he will probably be able to start considering retirement in mid 30's to early 40's.

You have to ask yourself what you really want. Working part time is going to barely move the needle and will probably affect your school and sanity. Making more money at work is going to level you up a bit, but you are still going to basically be in the same position. You need to start thinking outside of the box and start exploring more opportunities if you want to get ahead. You have to understand almost everyone is in the same position as you or even worse. If you stay the course doing exactly what you are doing you will have a middle class life in your late 30's. If you want more than that you need some type of business, good investments, or serious career advancement.

Cyber security can be a good career. My girlfriend is executive vice president of sales for a global cyber security company. They have sales teams and also the tech support team side. Not sure what the tech support team makes but the cyber sales guys start around $300k per year as a base but can make a fuk ton more with commission. It's commission on 2-30 million dollar deals. Once they hit a goal number they get accelerated commission and can easily double their salary or much more. They also get a lot of company stock. Seems like a chaotic job but can make a ton of money. Not sure what your goals are, I would normally say fuk going to college but that is a good career field if you are able to climb that ladder. Good luck brah.

Would also say that Florida is becoming a major tech hub kinda like silicon valley. Get out of Cali bro

1) get government security clearance
2) join a firm selling consulting services into government in DC