varyingExpertise

8k after taxes? That's like 16k before.

High risk, high reward I guess. Less social security, more immediate gain.

German here, 30% of income after taxes was the rule since a few decades, but in reality many people are closer to 50% now. How do you manage 15%?

EDIT: Oh, right, just saw the 8k income. That's C-Level money here.

Yep, I've seen friends reach the seven figure area through steady seven day weeks and some luck picking their trade and finding industrial clients over a period of fifteen to twenty years. I have seen how little they slept and how kids were basically only possible because they were pretty self reliant from age 12 or 13 and helped a lot around the house. I have no idea how a human could possibly create a thousand times that value in their lifetime.

To be honest, it wasn't until my late thirties that I finally mastered the crucial skill of identifying my own needs and transforming them into clear, appropriate communication. Before that breakthrough, I constantly defaulted to avoiding conflict—thinking "I shouldn't bother anyone," "I'm not entitled to make requests," or "my primary role is ensuring everyone else's happiness." This self-effacing approach actually made me difficult to be around, as the unresolved internal conflict was painfully obvious to anyone with even minimal emotional intelligence. The irony is that in trying so hard not to inconvenience others, I created a more uncomfortable situation for everyone.

Yeah, but that isn't prevented by turning the inverter off. 🤷

You can't get mad at the loyal acolyte of a cargo cult

Yeah, I can. It's probably not productive or helpful or change inducing, but boy, can I. And some days I don't have energy to waste on regulating my feelings towards intentful idiots and then I do get mad. It doesn't change shit but at least I don't have to bottle all that up.

Huh, I always assumed MXM was a well meant but stillborn gadget standard. Neat to hear that it actually serves its purpose here and there!

What kid of form factor is used for that? Is it something brand specific?

Also it gives the morning coffee that lovely crunch.

https://www.extrudr.com/shop-eu/products/greentec/?variant=UHJvZHVjdFZhcmlhbnQ6MTczNQ%3D%3D

Somewhat expensive but pretty temperature resistant.

There will most certainly be an after. Unfortunately, very likely not for a lot of us.