SavvySugar -- It Makes Sense.

Ask Savvy: How Should I Discuss Salary in a Bad Economy?

SavvySugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:30:38 -0800

Dear Savvy,

With the economy the way it is, what's the average pay cut people are being forced to take after their position is eliminated and they need a job? And what is the best way to handle an employer asking what salary you are looking for in this kind of economy?

See my answer when you

Even in Human Resources, Men Make More

SavvySugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:00:40 -0700

Human Resources departments are dominated by women 70 percent of the time, yet men in the field dominate when it comes to salary. The pay gap between male and female HR executives trickles down to every level of the department: In 2007, the median salary for male HR managers was 47 percent more than female paychecks, while male rank-and-file employees took home 28 percent more than their female counterparts.

One HR consultant assumes the gap could be blamed at least partially on the fact that many men in HR were executives at other firms who were recruited to their roles and enticed with the hefty compensation they were already earning. It is interesting that the people in charge of our payroll and employment issues have their own very visible gender wage-gap.

Source

Three Things to Ask For If Your Raise Is Unremarkable

SavvySugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:30:20 -0700

Performance reviews aren't all about the money, but for an employee's bottom line, they are. Companies have been making big decisions this quarter based on the poor performance of the past year and the uncertainty they face going in to 2009. With big companies laying off by the thousands (in the last week we saw Yahoo and Goldman Sachs cut ten percent of their massive workforces) and many smaller companies instilling temporary hiring freezes, we can be fairly certain that 2008 raises will be, at most, unremarkable. So what if you want more to show for your hard work in the last year than the fact that you held on to your job? See three things to ask for when you

Next Year's Paycheck Is Safe, Study Says

SavvySugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:30:05 -0700

Despite speculation that salaries in 2010 may be lower than 2000, next year's paycheck is probably safe. That is according to a recent study that shows that employers don't expect to make major changes to next year's salary budgets.

So how are our checks safe despite the dangerous economic climate and tightening of corporate budgets? Most salary budgets for next year were mapped out in April. Unfortunately, the same study found employers do plan to slim workforces, cut back on hiring, and minimize bonus payouts.

Earlier this month, the New York firm looked at 2009 salary-budget projections for 190 midsize and large US firms with a total of 2.8 million employees and average annual revenue of $5 billion. The majority — 58 percent — said they haven't changed their budget projections from April; 24 percent said they have, but plan to reduce their budgets by only one-half of a percentage point. Surprisingly, 18 percent said they expect to increase their budgets from the Spring by one-tenth of a percentage point.

Do you expect your paycheck will be reduced, stay the same, or see a healthy growth?
Source

How Much Would Your Salary Buy in Another City?

SavvySugar — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:00:26 -0700

Temperatures have begun to drop in many parts of the US, which usually means more hours spent indoors. Here is something that keeps me busy when I'm bored: a cost-of-living calculator. There are plenty of variations online, but I like the calculator on CNN Money best. Just enter your current salary, city, and state, and then choose a city and state for comparison. The calculator will generate a cost-of-living analysis with comparable salary and expenses including groceries, housing, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

There will always be personal variables that skew the accuracy of the calculations, but it's a fun way to pass the time and get an idea of how far your salary would go if you lived somewhere else.

TV Jobs, Real Life Salaries: How Money Are You?

SavvySugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:00:36 -0700

So much of our lives revolve around work that the office has become one of the most common settings for TV sitcoms. Whether or not the characters are relatable, we can relate to what it's like to work, and sometimes the scenarios are eerily familiar. The actors get paid much more than their TV counterparts, but let's see if you can guess what they'd really make with their titles on television. How money are you?

2010 Salaries May Be Lower Than in 2000

SavvySugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:00:33 -0700

Unemployment has been an unfortunate effect of the credit crisis, and even those of us who haven't lost our jobs may see the state of the economy reflected in our paychecks. It's estimated that median household income may be more than 5 percent lower in 2010 than it was ten years earlier, giving way to an income slump that the US hasn't seen in a very long time.

According to the Census Bureau, today's $50,600 median pay is already a little lower than it was in 2000 when the pay was $50,400. An expanding pay slump would cut in consumer spending even more than it already has been and would make it more difficult to pay off outstanding loans.

Source

I'm Asking: Do Your Friends Know How Much You Make?

SavvySugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:30:07 -0700

People may be more willing to talk about money matters than before we were reading dooms-day headlines every morning, but I'm wondering if some things are still off limits. Personal finances and friends can be a tricky mix and there are often unspoken boundaries around what's sharing material and what is private. Do your friends know how much money you make, and vice versa?

Source

Wondering What Your Old College Classmates Are Up to?

SavvySugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:40 -0700

Most of you have jobs related to your college majors, but have you wondered what your old major mates might be up to? PayScale put together a list of some of the most popular majors along with the most popular jobs and median salary for each. Their list includes the ten most popular jobs for each major, but you can find the two highest paying jobs for the majors they provided listed below. Are any of these occupation / major pairings surprising to you?

Business Management Majors: Human Resources Director ($86,000), Project Manager, Construction ($86,000).
Criminal Justice: Operations Manager ($81,000), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($63,000).
English: Marketing Manager ($69,000), Technical writer ($65,000).
Economics: Consultant, Business Process / Management ($104,000), Project Manager, IT ($95,000).
History: Project Manager, Construction ($86,000), Operations Manager ($76,000).

See five more majors and their corresponding jobs when you

Guess How Much: Millionaire CEO Compensation

SavvySugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:00:43 -0700

Big companies have been making even bigger headlines these days, and all the recent economic drama has encouraged greater scrutiny regarding how much the CEOs of these companies are taking home.

Six figures would be nice for most individuals, but these executives have been taking home as much as nine figures! Can you guess how much some CEOs have made including base salary, stock, and bonuses?

Source

Are You Making As Much Money As You Expected?

SavvySugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:00:59 -0700

We all had to start somewhere, and that somewhere is probably an entry level job. When you're fresh out of college and know nothing about the job market, it can be easy to overvalue or undervalue your salary potential. No matter where you are in the workforce — entry level or well into your career — it's a rare worker who doesn't harp on her paycheck. Are you making as much as you expected at this point in your career?
Source

Are You Making As Much Money As You Expected?

Yes, my salary has met my expectations.

I never had any salary expectations.

No, I'm not making what I expected.

Something else. See my comments below.

Voluntary Salary Cut: Brilliant or Baffling?

SavvySugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:00:46 -0700

There have been countless books released this year based on keeping your job during a down economy, and one of these book's authors recently appeared on a Fox News interview segment. Stephen Viscusi, author of Bulletproof Your Job offers Fox viewers typical tips like making yourself visible to your boss, and throws in one tip that made me pause. If your boss tells you the company is letting you go, he recommends offering to take a 20 percent salary cut in order to secure the job you have. The clip is below: What do you make of his advice?

Get Flash to see this player.

Voluntary Salary Cut: Brilliant or Baffling?

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Undecided.

Want a Raise? You'll Have to Work For It

SavvySugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Have you been feeling like you're in a seemingly endless salary funk? You're so not alone. A new Hewitt Associates study shows that base pay in 2009 will rise just enough to make it the seventh year in a row of flat salary growth. That's quite a long time for workers to be barely keeping up with inflation, and those of us who entered the workforce within the last seven years may have more than noticed that our salaries are taking small baby steps.

While we can't expect a boost in our base salary, the good news it's expected that one-time performance-based pay will grow by 10.6 percent. These are different times than just a decade ago, when the majority of compensation growth came from increases in base salary rather than merit-based bonuses.

Source

Money Tip: Calculate a Purchase in Terms of Hours Worked

SavvySugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:00:05 -0700

As much as we all promise ourselves that we'll only buy things we absolutely cannot live without, sometimes in the heat of the shopping moment that mentality is substituted by one of like not love. I know there are some items in my wardrobe that fall in the camp of wish-I-never-bought-it, and perhaps that remorse could have been prevented by using this logic.

Salaries are tricky in getting us to think about our income in yearly or by-paycheck terms, but it may pay off to break down your salary (after taxes) in terms of hourly compensation. When you're holding up a cool sweater that you don't necessarily need, look at the price tag and compare it to the number of hours you worked to earn that sum. So, if you're eying a $150 sweater and earn the equivalent of $30 an hour, ask yourself if it's worth five hours of work.

Source

Is Your Job Typical of Your Astrological Sign?

SavvySugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:30:07 -0700

Careerbuilder saw the signs and used them as the basis for its most recent survey. Between color tests and astrology, it seems the folks there believe career paths are more than just your college major. If you've ever wondered how your job field, salary, and satisfaction compare to other workers who share your sign, wonder no more. Here are the jobs certain signs are reportedly drawn to, along with some job satisfaction and salary patterns. How do your sign and job match up with their findings?

Aquarius: sales, military, engineering, mechanic, food preparation, facilities management, and transportation. Among the most likely to earn less than $35,000.
Pisces: social work, personal care, IT, facilities management, and mechanic. Among the most satisfied with their current jobs.
Aries: government, construction, hotel /recreation, IT, education, and transportation.
Taurus: nursing, engineering, attorney/judge, marketing/public relations, and higher education. Among the most likely to earn $100,000 or more.
Gemini: art/design/architecture, nursing and personal care, sales, law enforcement, firefighter, and machine operation. Among least satisfied with current job.
Cancer: government, legal services, advertising, higher education, machine operation, transportation, and military. Among the most likely to earn $100,000 or more, but among least satisfied with current job.

See the other six signs when you

Forbes Ranks Best Cities to Earn a Living

SavvySugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:00:02 -0700

There are plenty of factors to consider when making a move, from a city's affordability to the quality of available jobs. Forbes ranked the best cities to earn a living in the US by considering the quality of the business environment, median income in each city compared to cost of living, and job-growth forecasts. How does your city rank?

Houston, TX
Minneapolis, MN
Boston, MA
Washington, D.C.
New York, NY
Pittsburgh, PA
San Francisco, CA
Dallas, TX
Milwaukee, WI
Philadelphia, PA

Source

I'm Asking: Have You Ever Asked For a Raise?

SavvySugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:30:03 -0700

More than half of you indicated that you're not fairly compensated for your job, which means the majority of you are disappointed every time you look at your paycheck.

When we're not properly rewarded for our efforts it can be hard to keep giving our all at work, and sometimes it becomes obvious that our situations won't change unless we ask for more. Have you ever requested a raise?

Source

Your Two Cents: Are You Fairly Compensated For Your Job?

SavvySugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:30:19 -0700

We'd all love to make more money in general, but we should also be pretty pleased when we're being paid enough for the work we do. Are you fairly compensated for your job compared to the other people in similar roles? Source

Your Two Cents: Are You Fairly Compensated For Your Job?

Yes, I'm paid a fair salary for my job.

I'm not sure if my salary is fair or not.

No, I'm not paid enough for the work I do.

Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below.

Would You Quit If a Co-Worker Earned More For the Same Job?

SavvySugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:30:02 -0700

Salary isn't a topic that typically comes up among co-workers and most of you would like to keep it that way. But if you discovered someone was being paid much more for doing a similar job, you may actually be happy the topic finally surfaced. It's rumored that Tori Spelling, aka Donna Martin, has backed away from reprising her role on the new 90210 because she found out that Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth's contracts were paying them more. Would you react like Tori and turn your back on your job if your employer was underpaying you compared to your co-workers?Source

Would You Quit If a Co-Worker Earned More For the Same Job?

Yes, I'd be job searching in a second. I wouldn't want to work for an unfair employer.

I'd only leave after making the best case for a raise.

No, I'd probably stay if my boss had a good argument to back-up the discrepancy.

No, I wouldn't say anything to my boss.

Something else. See my comments below.

Guess Who? $75,000 Per Episode

SavvySugar — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:02:32 -0700

According to TV Guide's annual survey, who earns $75,000 per episode?

TV's Behind-the-Scenes Salaries

SavvySugar — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:01:31 -0700

It takes a lot of people on payroll to make all of the lights, camera, and action happen on TV shows. BuzzSugar filled you in on how much the big moneymakers make on-screen (hopefully you'll do better than me on her quiz!), and I wanted to give a shout-out to those behind the scenes whose roles aren't as visible. TV Guide included some interesting pay facts about how much money these important contributors command. Do any of the numbers surprise you?

$37,005: Minimum rate for director of a one-hour show on network or pay cable.
$2,132: Weekly minimum for a costume designer on a half-hour or one-hour show.
$486: Residual per episode for a writer who creates a new character on an existing show (up to four episodes).
$31,748: Writers Guild minimum for one-hour teleplay.
$2,202: Weekly minimum for makeup artist.

Check out four more behind-the-scenes roles and their pay when you

How Much Does Your Alma Mater Affect Salary Potential?

SavvySugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:30:03 -0700

Selecting the best college for you is an extensive process of weighing various pros and cons, and a new compensation study by PayScale Inc. may introduce another factor into the equation. The year-long study involved reviewing 1.2 million workers with bachelor's degrees from 300 American schools and at least 10 years of work experience, and excluded anyone with advanced degrees.

PayScale's data concluded that bachelor's degree holders from non-Ivy schools earn less than Ivy League graduates for doing the same job. Discover more about how college choice affects salary, including which school's graduates earn the highest wages, when you

Schwarzenegger Terminates Full Salaries of State Employees

SavvySugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:02:27 -0700

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a man of his word this week. His threat to significantly cut the salaries of 200,000 state employees if lawmakers failed to produce a budget turned into reality when he signed an executive order reducing their pay to $6.55 an hour. The Governor's order also eliminates more than 20,000 state jobs, saying the state can't pay its bills without a budget.

Today, I am exercising my executive authority to avoid a full-blown crisis and keep our state moving forward. This is not an action I take lightly, but we do not have a budget, and as governor, I have a responsibility to make sure our state has enough money to pay its bills.

Needless to say, state employees facing enormous pay cuts are not happy about the situation. Karen Bass, the speaker of the State Assembly, shows her solidarity with the workforce: "It is an unwise and unfortunate move to cause economic strife to public servants and their families who are working hard and playing by the rules."

Source

News Flash: JetBlue's CEO Is a Well-Paid Team Player

SavvySugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:00:32 -0700

Following last week's reports of a $7 million quarterly loss, JetBlue's chief executive David Barger has voluntarily taken a 50 percent base salary cut. The action brings his salary down from $500,000 to $250,000 and will apply through the remainder of 2008.

His pay-cut won't have much of an impact on the airline's overall struggle to survive the cost of fuel, but as The New York Times puts it, Barger's gesture is in show of solidarity with JetBlue's employees.

Source

Schwarzenegger's Wage Threat: A State Employee's Reaction

SavvySugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:00:51 -0700

As California Democrats and Republicans struggle to find a satisfactory compromise and seal the deal on a new and overdue state budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's frustration has risen to the point of making threats. He's considering an executive order that would reduce 200,000 state employees' salaries to the $6.55 per hour federal minimum wage, which CitizenSugar points out is $1.45 less than the state's minimum wage.

A good friend of mine happens to be a hard-working California state employee, so I asked him for his thoughts on the governor's threat and how it would affect him should the order go through this week.

SavvySugar: How would something like this affect the public sector?

State Employee: I think it is a fair assumption that state employees do not jump into the public sector expecting some great financial windfall as a result. No, most people are doing it for a sense of security. Every month you are going to get your paycheck and you are going to get it on the first or the 30th and that's it. Likewise, you are going to have not just financial security, but job security. In general terms a concept such as the one which Arnold is proposing would overthrow one big benefit of being a public sector employee.

See his thoughts on the concept of Arnold's threat and how he'd personally be affected when you

Forbes Ranks Hollywood's Top-Earning Actors

SavvySugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:30:46 -0700

If you thought Hollywood's A-list actresses made a killing with their big-screen paychecks, you'll be blown away by the guys' ability to rake it in. When Forbes compared the 10 best-paid actresses to their male counterparts, it discovered the men's paychecks over the past year totaled $487 million while the women's added up to $244.5 million.

With his estimated income of $80 million, Will Smith is sitting pretty at number one on Forbes' list of the best-paid actors in Hollywood. He's no stranger to high marks — he broke into the top 10 this year in the second annual PopSugar 100! Check out the actors who earn the most in the list below.

Will Smith
Johnny Depp
Eddie Murphy
Mike Myers
Leonardo DiCaprio

Find out the other five when you

Career Tip: Keep This in Mind When Asking For a Raise

SavvySugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:32:58 -0700

Confidence is key when asking for a raise, and the strength in your argument and poise in presentation should come from your accomplishments and conviction that it's the right move. Listing your personal financial hardships should be left out of the equation when approaching your boss; if you really do need more money and are ready to take on more responsibility, find out what you can do to make yourself more valuable.

While I think the point is pretty clear, Michael Zwell author of Six-Figure Salary Negotiation said it best: "When we were young, our parents told us that if we wanted money, we had to earn it. So, we mowed the lawn, did house chores or watched younger siblings to earn a buck. Similarly, if you need more money per paycheck, ask your boss how you can contribute to earn a little extra."

Source

How Often Do You Get Paid?

SavvySugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:36:11 -0700

Source

How Often Do You Get Paid?

Once a month.

Twice a month.

Every other week.

Every week.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments below.

Forbes Ranks College Majors by Average Starting Salary

SavvySugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:36:46 -0700

Maybe your degree doesn't hold the title of most lucrative college major, but that hardly means all your four years got you was a meager paycheck.

Forbes gathered median salary information from PayScale.com for 20 popular majors, and while all jobs were included in the study anyone with an advanced degree was not part of it. PayScale's director of quantitative analysis commented that those with majors in economics, finance, and math have remarkable earning potential that can be realized with some experience.

Computer Engineering
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Finance
Mathematics
Civil Engineering
Political Science
Marketing

There are ten more on the list so just

Guess the Most Lucrative College Major

SavvySugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:32:24 -0700

You all surprised me when you indicated that most of your college majors have been put to use since graduation. Because they've earned you some type of job it's apparent that your majors have been lucrative to an extent, but maybe you'd have had an easier go of things if your major had been different.

Personally, I have no regrets even though I'm sure another major would have meant a different career path and higher starting salary. Aren't you curious to see which college major is considered the most lucrative? Take your best guess!

Source

Ask Savvy: How to Respond When Asked For Salary Requirements

SavvySugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:32:34 -0700

Dear Savvy,

When you are applying for a job and they ask for your salary requirements how should you respond, especially if you do not have a current salary? I just graduated from law school and I am looking for my first job as a lawyer and have no idea how to respond to this.

See my answer when you

Will the US Follow Britain's Lead in Exposing Underpaying Companies?

SavvySugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:04:23 -0700

The US is very hush-hush compared to other countries when it comes to discussing money, and our federal law protects our income tax information from being exposed. Not only does this protect individuals' privacy, it also conceals the prevalent gap between the rich and poor and makes the exact gender gap difficult to measure.

UK Equality Minister Harriet Harman has spearheaded proposed laws that would encourage companies to publish figures showing their average gender pay gap. It's a clever way to get around sharing individual salaries while clearly exposing the companies who underpay their female employees compared to men. Harman explained, "We have structural discrimination on pay and we will be able to see it clearly for the first time, workplace by workplace. Women will be able to see they are paid less than men and will be able to complain about it and challenge it."

The legislation would require public companies to share these figures while heavily suggesting that private companies follow suit, and Harman says she's confident they would. I think they could really be on to something with the proposed law, but how do you feel about the second piece of it? The legislation would also promote "positive discrimination" by favoring female and ethnic minority job candidates with equal qualifications.

Source

Scandinavians' Income Available For All to See

SavvySugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:05:22 -0700

When Italy posted every citizen's taxable income on their website without warning, Italians were livid and 75 percent of you said that you would be, too. While most of the world remains in the dark about what other people are bringing home, Sweden, Finland, and Norway have the practice of publishing everyone's tax information each year.

The Italian government posted their citizens' details in an attempt to curb tax evasion, but Scandinavian governments share the information as a way to provide checks and balances. You don't have to worry about the US trying any funny business as federal law protects your privacy. Would you still mind your income on show if it were a customary procedure and wasn't sprung on you unexpectedly?

Source

Ask Savvy: How Do I Approach My Boss About More Money?

SavvySugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:41:11 -0700

Dear Savvy,

I love my job and the company I work for. I've just recently hit my one-year mark and received the typical yearly raise. However, I am weeks away from finishing my masters degree (which does relate to my job) and my salary, even with the raise, does not reflect what I should be earning as a master. Is there a proper way to approach my boss to talk about new responsibilities and compensation once I finish my degree?

See my answer when you

I'm Asking: What Would Make You Like Your Job More?

SavvySugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:03:15 -0700

I recently asked if you love your job or just the paycheck and about 60 percent of you said you do it for the cold hard cash. While I understand monetary compensation is often the most weighty factor in job and career selection (we all gotta eat, right!), it can't hurt to strive for a job that is fulfilling financially, intellectually, and emotionally.

Wacky workplaces like the one depicted on The Office don't suit everyone, but I've found that my friends who work at companies that celebrate humor, creativity, and the ongoing achievements and accomplishments of employees are the most content.

Is there a single factor or shift that would make you happier at your current job?

Photo courtesy of NBC

New Job Site Lets You See Other People's Salaries

SavvySugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:33:11 -0700

Could this be what we've been waiting for? Almost 70 percent of you said that discussing salary with your co-workers is a big no-no, but going into a job search with some idea of average salary can only help us when negotiating. Whether you're planning to stay in your current field of work or go another direction, having knowledge about what type of earnings to expect can be a powerful tool. Find out how you can start peeping other people's salaries when you

Do You Love Your Job or Just the Paycheck?

SavvySugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:29:46 -0700

We all need to earn a living, but there are some people who love their jobs so much they'd take a pay cut if it meant they could continue in their line of work. They are working not only for the check but for the fulfillment they get from their particular jobs, while others simply work for the money and aren't necessarily connected to their jobs. Where do you stand — do you love your job or your paycheck? Source

Do You Love Your Job or Just the Paycheck?

I love my job.

I just love the paycheck.

Both!

Other. See my comments below.

You Might Not Expect These Jobs Come With Six-Figure Salaries

SavvySugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:55:18 -0700

If a six-figure paycheck is out of the realm of possibility in your current career-path and you're unhappy with that prospect, you may be considering a switch in gears. Some careers and companies are rigid in their compensation structures or simply will never be flush enough to pay you the big bucks. Forbes points out 14 jobs that surprisingly come with six-figure salaries along with the states that pay best relative to each job, and I've chosen seven from the list that I found to be most surprising. Could relocation be in your future?

Flight attendants: Corporate flight attendants will earn the most. The top 10 percent of flight attendants earn $102,660 a year, the average annual salary is $62,880, and the median annual salary is $61,120. Florida is the top-paying state for this occupation.
Farm, ranch and other agricultural managers: The top 10 percent earn $103,660 a year, the average annual salary is $61,030, and the median annual salary is $53,720. Florida is the top-paying state for this occupation.
Loan officers: This one surprised me not because of the six-figure salary, but because of the top-paying state. The top 10 percent earn $106,130, the average annual salary is $62,610, and the median annual salary is $53,000. Alaska is the top-paying state for this occupation, followed by Massachusetts.
Gaming managers: The top 10 percent earn $106,220 a year, the average annual salary is $69,600, and the median annual salary is $64,410. Nevada is the top-paying state for this occupation.

There are four more six figure jobs so just

Ask Savvy: When Compensation Prevents Employers From Hiring You

SavvySugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:07:30 -0700

TeamSugar member polrber182 posted this toughie in my Résumé Remedy group, but it isn't her résumé that's causing employers to refrain from hiring her. Here's her question.

I've been working in marketing for almost 9 years now. I need to find a job closer to my home (gas!!). However, all my résumé responses have been "We only pay XX, sorry." For some reason they all assume I will not take a pay cut. How do I indicate that money is not the object, the job is!

To see my answer just

Sex and the City Salaries: How Money Are You?

SavvySugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:32:51 -0700

Like most women on this planet, I am anxiously awaiting the premiere of Sex and the City. There's a certain amount of glitz and glamour that's gone hand-in-hand with the series from the start: From the fashion (ohhh the shoes!), restaurants, trips, and seemingly endless fabulous bags. We all know it's just a show (or in this case, movie), but that doesn't stop some people from thinking the series is a bad influence on women and consumers. In the spirit of being completely realistic, I've investigated what the characters from the show might make in their respective fields based on national averages. How money are you?

Photo courtesy of New Line

Good News For New Grads: The Class of 2008 Is So Money

SavvySugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:21:53 -0700

According to a recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary offer is 4 percent higher for 2008 graduates than offers received by the class of 2007. Whatever you received your bachelor's degree in doesn't necessarily point to what type of job you'll end up working as your first, but some majors lend themselves to a more direct path than others.

If you regret choosing your major, don't feel like you must pursue a job in a related field — consider using your first job as a stepping stone and a way to get your foot in the door with an industry that interests you, even though you may not have the educational background to support it. Transitioning is always an option at any point in your career, but you're better off taking those chances now instead of in a couple of years when your salary needs and life demands may not be so flexible. Careerbuilder rounded up some of expected salaries for common majors that new grads can look forward to, along with some of the job opportunities that you could possibly pursue with your degree.

Economics - $52,926: Career options for economics majors vary from private consulting for businesses to working for government agencies.
Nursing - $52,129: Nursing majors can find job opportunities in hospitals, clinics, doctor offices and other medical facilities.
Chemistry - $52,125: Chemists can find work in laboratories, pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing or research and development, and more.
Political science/government - $43,594: Political science and government graduates have the option of working in the state, local or federal governments, as well as in the private sector or nonprofit organizations.
Human resources - $40,250: Human resources majors work as assistants and payroll or benefits coordinators, and in diversity training.

There are five more on the list so just

Ask Savvy: Should I Ask For a Raise or Look For Another Job?

SavvySugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:32:45 -0700

Dear Savvy,

I need your help and advice! A year and a half ago I started an awesome job with a company. It was perfect for what I needed then. It was close to home and was relatively small in size, so it was very personal and I have grown to be friends with a lot of the people here. Since I have started, I have grown a lot and learned a lot. I am still very young in the eyes of a professional, but even on my yearly review I was told that they couldn’t believe my work ethic for someone my age and that I am a very good worker and they are glad they have me around.

But here’s the problem – I am not getting paid enough. I live in a city where there is a great economic boom, people working at fast food joints can make up to $15 an hour! I recently got my yearly raise, but when it boils down to it. . . . I need more. The cost of living here has also taken a hike up, and I can barely afford to pay my bills and save on what they pay me let alone try to go on a vacation.

My question is this, should I ask for another raise, or should I just look elsewhere for a job? I have been doing my research and figure I can make at least an extra $3,000/year if I found a job somewhere else, which could really go a long way for me.

To see my answer just

Putting a Salary on The Toughest Job in The World

SavvySugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:56:33 -0700

Your mom would get upset with you when you were a kid when you didn't say thank you, and you probably scoffed a bit at her sensitivity. My dad was always reminding us kids to thank our mom, but the meaning of it all didn't come together until I was older. Not that we weren't polite or ungrateful children, but the act of saying thanks to your mom doesn't always come naturally when you're a kid. You think she's supposed to do nice things for you like cooking dinner and making ginger ale runs when you're sick and it's all just part of the job. I'm not a mom, but I've heard it's the toughest job in the world and you bet I believe it — that's why I'm in no rush to have my own little Savvies anytime soon. Salary.com just came out with their annual mom report that puts a salaried figure on the work that both Working Moms and Stay-at-Home Moms tend to perform. To see how much a mom's work would be worth just

Would You Be Furious If Your Income Was Available Online?

SavvySugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:48:32 -0700

Mama Mia, the Italian government is dealing with some livid Italians right now. They brought the fury on themselves, however, when they posted every citizen's taxable income on their website for everyone to see and did so without warning. Friends, enemies, and everyone in between have this in common, and it's part of the government's attempt to put the kibosh on tax evasion. Granted, the site was only live for a few hours before Italy's privacy watchdog required its suspension. Tax minister Vincenzo Visco said, "It's all about transparency and democracy. I don't see the problem," while a consumer group said the site is "a danger for an increase in crime and violence as the data are an irresistible source for criminals." And Italian daily news provider Corriere della Sera said the site was "a delicious opportunity to find out with a click how much your neighbour or colleague or, for gossip fans, celebrities earn."How would you feel as an Italian citizen whose income was exposed to be viewed by everyone with Internet access? Source

Would You Be Furious If Your Income Was Available Online?

I'd be furious! That's extremely invasive of my privacy.

I'd be upset that it was posted without warning, but greater transparency could be a good thing.

I wouldn't mind. I have nothing to hide and think the benefits could outweigh any downside.

Other. See my comments below.

Tax Rebates Could Clue You in to Your Co-Worker's Paycheck

SavvySugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:43:42 -0700

Tax rebates started making their way into taxpayers' bank accounts on Monday, and because the amount of your check is based on household income Fortune points out that keeping your ears open during this time could clue you into your co-workers' ballpark salaries. Of course, they'd have to drop the amount of their check into conversation and you'd have to know their personal details like if they're married or not and if they have dependents.

The vast majority of you think that talking about salary with co-workers is a big no-no, but if you're really dying to know this could be a way for you to determine about how much your co-workers are making without asking them outright. Don't go asking the whole office how much is each person's rebate check, but you're not doing anything terribly wrong by tracking the details your co-workers volunteer. Find out the clues you should be looking for when you

Should You Never Talk Salary With Your Co-Workers?

SavvySugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:36:17 -0700

“If we can talk about how many orgasms we have with our mate, why can’t we discuss how much we make,” asks 32-year-old Ilana Arazie of Manhattan in a New York Times article called "Not-So-Personal Finance." She has a powerful point, but it still isn't so easy to open up the door to discussing salary with our peers. The article points out that while younger generations of workers are more likely to talk about salary than our parents, we're more inclined to have these discussions with friends and not with colleagues.It's natural for workers to discuss first job offers with their friends because they're not yet sure what they're worth and what's fair. But it seems that as careers progress these salary-focused conversations disappear — it's not as worthwhile to compare paychecks when your careers don't relate to one another. It would seem more beneficial to discuss pay with your co-workers than your friends, but the article refers to a 2007 survey that showed 84 percent of respondents under age 35 agreed with the statement “you should never let your co-workers know how much you make.” Do you agree with these respondents? Source

Should You Never Talk Salary With Your Co-Workers?

Yes, talking salary with your co-workers is a big no-no.

No, I don't think talking to co-workers about salary is a big deal.

Other. See my comments below.

Guess Who? Making Big Bucks

SavvySugar — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:03:00 -0700

Who earned over $2 million last year?

Deep Pockets: Celebs Earning 100 Times More Than You

SavvySugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:25:12 -0700

We've all just spent too much time staring at our W-2s while filing our tax returns, and are all too familiar with how much we earned last year. Whatever the number, be proud of yourself for earning a living. That being said — wouldn't it be nice to have a salary with some extra zeros? Parade's 25^th Annual "What People Earn" Salary Survey featured celebs from various parts of the entertainment and sports industries along with their star salaries.

Oprah Winfrey, 54, TV personality, $260 million
Tiger Woods, 32, golfer, Orlando, $115 million
Steven Spielberg, 61, movie director, $110 million
Dr. Phil McGraw, 57, TV host, $90 million
Gisele Bundchen, 27, model, $33 million
50 Cent, 32, rapper, $33 million
Miley Cyrus, 15, singer/actress, $18.2 million
Mary-Kate Olsen, 21, actress/entrepreneur, $17 million
Ryan Seacrest, 33, TV/radio host, $12 million

There are eight more on the list so just

Have You Ever Negotiated Your Salary?

SavvySugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:05:00 -0700

The unfortunate workplace pattern has been that men are more likely to negotiate for a higher salary than women. Whether it's that men are told it's OK for them to ask for more and women aren't, or that they're more confident in standing up for what they believe they're worth, the fact remains that most women don't negotiate after a salary has been offered. Where do you fit into this man-woman-negotiation equation. Source

Have You Ever Negotiated Your Salary?

Yes, I've negotiated and got what I wanted!

No, I haven't negotiated but haven't been in the position to.

No, I've wanted to but couldn't muster up the courage.

Other. See my comments below.