I have been clawing to try and make more money as a graphic designer. I’m 26, and desperately trying to pay off student loans, save for a house and eventually kids someday, and still travel occasionally… everything is expensive.
I just gave my notice to leave my current job yesterday. I liked the job, and I was good at it. But I started at 60k and only received 3% raises despite positive performance reviews. Discussions about growth and raises have been met with hand-waving, and “keep up the good work!”
So I’ve been interviewing for about a year. When asked salary expectations, I have been asking for $70-75k. I had one offer previously that wouldn’t budge from $65k, and I declined.
I FINALLY got a job offer this week for $70k and accepted. I’m very excited about it. It’s a swanky place in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, and I have only lived/worked in the nearby suburbs.
The job doesn’t have designated parking spots, and I knew parking would be expensive… but OH MY GOD. I was expecting to pay about a hundred or so per month, but the lot underneath the building is a whopping $350 per month.
Public transit from my area would take over an hour with transfers, when the drive is only 15-20mins. I did find cheaper lots about a mile outside of the main hub for $150/$200, but the idea of paying that much to still have to walk in Minnesota winters is so discouraging. But looks like I’ll have to toughen up a bit.
I’m just so demoralized. The extra few thousand that I was hoping to save is going to be eaten by parking, and it feels like I’m just right back to square one.
I’m hopeful that maybe I’ll be able to grow more quickly in this new role. They said they support growth with bonuses and promotions, but so did my last job… ugh. Just ugh.
THANK YOU! I feel silly that I didn’t fully look into this before spiraling. I found a park-and-ride that is a 10 min drive, and 20 min bus ride (no transfers!)
@Frey
Also look into if your job allows you to put pre-tax money into a flexible spending account for qualified commuting costs. You will have to verify, but it would be very unusual if the monthly bus pass didn’t qualify.
You can estimate your bus pass yearly cost and only contribute enough to cover slightly more.
Some companies also may have discounted bus passes available - it absolutely doesn’t hurt to ask HR while onboarding/scouring the benefits website/documents.
Well, it’s better to take the higher pay even if it gets eaten up by parking, because then when you go for your next job you’ll be able to leverage your current $70k salary in the negotiations. And now you also know to ask your next employer about the parking situation!
@Jalen
Technically the higher salary isn’t something you’d directly leverage. There is nothing holding the OP back from saying he makes 70k in current role. What he’d want to leverage is a new employer with a bigger brand name or a title that is higher than his current role.
Hope said: @Lex
yes there is - a huge number of employers use The Work Number and know exactly what you’ve made your entire career.
So I’ve never heard of this before and looked up my data - literally every year on this report has the wrong salary for me - most overshoot by ~$5k and a couple years are off by over $10k
Jagger said: @Jalen
Your future employers should never know your current salary.
And if they ask, it’s 25% highest than what it actually is
if they ask you don’t answer and instead say “what is your budget for this position for someone of my skills and experience?”. if from that point on they won’t tell you what they pay and keep pressing what your current salary is, that is a massive red flag and will just be the beginning of many things if you end up working there.
Jagger said: @Jalen
Your future employers should never know your current salary.
They are gonna ask and a candidate is going to have to say something. The correct response is to look at your entire compensation package- salary, bonuses, ESOP plans, 401k contributions, employer social security contributions, healthcare contributions, pension, etc, etc and work with that as a starting point.
Look up a transit map from your office and what routes pass by it. Find the higher frequency routes that come often during rush hour. Follow one of them towards your home and find parking there.
Drive 10 min take 15 minute bus ride kind of thing.
Also look into your offices policy for storing e-bikes or scooters. Often you can park somewhere free and just ride into downtown and take your scooter to your desk. Even if you only do it 10 months a year when it’s nice out then pay for parking during the coldest winter months that’s still a win
@Reece
Second the bike idea. For being in Minnesota and with the cold and the snow, they weirdly have one of the most amazing “bike highway” systems. Would definitely see how feasible commuting by bike is.
@Reece
Yeah, when I worked downtown our building only offered parking for VP level and up but if you rode a bike you got access to the same garage for free.