Round about this time last year we were making our way north through Vietnam via Hoi An and Hue. This year, we’re working! Yes, T is once again employed. And that is all I’m going to say about that or I’m going to jinx it.
But on that note, I thought I’d touch on something I haven’t thought about for a long time – minimum and entry level wages. Until T was on the job hunt this year I didn’t realize the minimum wage is now $14.25 (a whopping three bucks higher than it was when I started looking for full time work), and I see Seattle just voted to raise its minimum wage to $15. It’s crazy that an American city is on track to overtake us on that front.
Once upon a time $18 an hour sounded like a fortune. It’s what my mom earned 10-15 years ago; I remember I was a kid when she got her first industry job here after we moved to Auckland, and that sum seemed so enormous. It’s what I made at my first grown up job four years ago, and I thought I was doing so well, making so much more than minimum wage. Now it doesn’t sound like a lot at all. That’s not even $40k – it’s barely enough to get by in this country, let alone this city. How things change. When I was in publishing I actually used to worry that the minimum wage would catch up with me.
This week’s links
The unexpected side effects of spending time living abroad
Here’s the truth: everyone trades time for money. “Stop trading time for money” is an inspiring goal, but it’s kind of like “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps”, in that it isn’t actually possible.
For the fashion challenged like me, here’s a neat post about color theory to help you look more put together
Right on. I can make fun of my race but you can’t (although spouses are exempt, right? That’s how we play it…)
Oh how I relate to this piece on loathing telephone conversations
Y’all may recall how I feel about salads. Here is how to make one without dumb leaves
More madness from our rental market in Auckland
Some real talk about pregnancy and having a first kid
Finally, enjoyed the stories in this thread about the best bosses. I’m so glad I’ve had nothing but amazing bosses in my professional jobs – managers who don’t micromanage, recognise potential and encourage you and champion you, who are sensitive to your workload rather than piling things on unthinkingly