so....

Norway_T

I some how ended up on the page where you can look up salaries for anyone in Norway and choose to look up a friend. I make around 360 000 NOK a year, my one friend makes oh about 1 200 000 NOK a year. Kind or makes me feel pathetic...I know in life you should not compare and normally I don't but well today I did and I was jealous.

And yes in Norway you can really look up ANYONES salary and how much tax they paid.

jeanacorina

Why do you even post this crap? You look like a selfish, self-centered, gold-digging jerk.

I mean, I really try to give you the benefit of the doubt. I don't honestly think you are the person we see here. I think you might be a decent, nice girl. But honestly.

diamonds, diamonds, money, salary, benefits, diamonds, free daycare, money, diamonds, salary, money, diamonds, benefits, blah blah blah.

What do you think we think of you from what you normally post? I mean, really.... what can we possibly think?

Back up, take a good look at your posts, and ask yourself "Am I this person?" Because I really hope you're not.

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_so-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:7c7e282c-d603-4bf3-b9e5-d9eff70586faPost:2e0d47ad-f269-4d9b-9142-a0fe9849b829">so....</a>:
[QUOTE]I some how ended up on the page where you can look up salaries for anyone in Norway and choose to look up a friend. I make around 360 000 NOK a year, my one friend makes oh about 1 200 000 NOK a year. Kind or makes me feel pathetic...I know in life you should not compare and normally I don't but well today I did and I was jealous. And yes in Norway you can really look up ANYONES salary and how much tax they paid.
Posted by Norway_T[/QUOTE]

MeganFace

Oh man, first of all that is crazy Norway! I kind of wish we had that here, and also kind of don't....

As to your situation; oh boy, do I feel you!!! I work with three of my good friends. And this is the second time we have all worked together (DC can be like that). At our last company, we were all pretty much "on the same level", but at this place, every single one of them is more senior than me. They all have offices, I still live in cubeville. They all make at good amount more than me.

It's hard to not feel al ittle demoralized, no matter how many times you tell yourself to not think about your career in terms of comparing it constantly to others and playing catch-up or whathaveyou.

What I do is just focus on myself, my career, have frank conversations with my boss about compensation, and think about all the great things I've got going in my life outside of career....and just roll with it. You're definitely not pathetic, and money definitely isn't everything! But I do understand.

MeganFace

Hm, just seeing your post Jeana.

I hadn't noticed your other posts Jeana references Norway, but I agree that if this is a trend, and you're constantly focusing on money or other "Keeping up with the Joneses" kind of thing, then maybe you need to think about that. Like I said, it's human nature to maybe feel jealous at times, but if it's your singular focus that is definitely not healthy!!

katanne9

This is weird.

Stop wasting your time.

Button5807

just having the damn gigantic diamond picture in the signature was enough to turn me off, it's like a huge "i'm shallow" billboard.

rickylee244

I thought I was the only one who thought this.  And I agree with Jeana, you come across very materialistic, and I hope that is not how you really are.  You should be happy your making any money.  There are millions of people who are alot less fortunate than that.

PaigeMcC

*SMACK* That was the sound of my palm hitting my forehead. 

hetshup

I think it's fun and slightly voyueristic that you can do that. Not gonna lie, I would look it up if I could. And I would ask everyone here what their jobs were.

Jeana- I'm going to respectfully disagree, I don't see any of her posts as money grubbing. That's just me though. I can now go back to agreeing with you.

Button5807

hetshup I don' t know if I've ever seen anyone disagree with jeana before.

I'm going to hold my breath and stand back in anticipation. ;-)

PaigeMcC

So how much is that in real dollars....?  *runs to find calculator* Is that really like $65,000?! Dude, if I am correct then I want to make that much money, like, now!

jeanacorina

Button, yes about the diamond pic. It's really unnecessarily huge, too.

And yes to what Ricky said--- at least you HAVE a job, and a roof over your head, and your biggest concern is what clarity your diamond is... and whether you should continue living in your personal paradise of Norway or move to the US.

I mean.... really? REALLY? You have something to complain about here?

Norway_T

Thanks hesup.

Hehe. I work in human rights and development and am going to go to law school to practice public interest law, if I were obsessed with money I would have chosen a different path.

Umm. yah that damn diamond in my signature is too big, but the week I got around to making it was the week we were ordering my diamond and I was excited about it. I am too lazy to go and delete it. PLUS its a wedding board, I think it is ok to have a picture of my engagement diamond.

I have to worry about money sometimes like how I am going to pay off student loans,  pay my mortgage, buy a car ectera... I worry about how we are going to have to pay for our condo balcony project and a wedding and more school. 

Sometimes when I see friends at similar ages or a bit older making nearly 3 times as much money, I am  jealous for a second and then I get over it. I just wanted to have one of those moments where I wished for a second my financial situation was a bit easier...

Then again I do appreciate that a lot of people are out of work and I am thankful everyday to have what I have, but every once in while I just have a moment where i see someone who has more, and wished that sometimes it was easier...that choices on where to live, what to do study, where to work, when to have a child didn't revolve around how much money I have.

But some of you on this board are awfully judgmental these days. I am starting to think I am going to find a board where people are nicer...

Norway_T

Jeana/---Are you mixing me up on diamond clarity here, I really could have cared less about clarity. Although I did find it appropriate to educate myself before we made the purchase so I knew what we were buying. But since we bought it, I have not really thought about diamonds, although I do try to provide advice to those who are trying to educate themselves.

Button5807

GBCK?

Norway_T

 I am personally happy with my salary, but you should know that 65 000USD is not very much in Norway, it is the most expensive country in the world, things are expensive and taxes are very high. I pay over 40% of it to taxes, then 2500USD for my condo. Even through the amount might seem like a lot, it was easier to save money working a minimum job in the US then on that salary in Norway...granted I was renting in the US and I have a home here and pay more accordingly.

And I do know someone who works in a preschool  here (who has been there for 10 years) who makes more than I do...

loopy82

I am going to put myself out there and risk sounding like an idiot. Because it is so blue I always thought the oversized giant "diamond" was one of those goofy large stones that people hang in their window that will cast of color on all the walls. Anyone follow what I'm saying...? Or maybe its a kaleidoscope that I'm thinking of.

jeanacorina

Norway, I promise I am not mixing you up. I've just been reading your posts long enough to remember when you were obsessed with the 4Cs and never talked about your actual relationship.

I also remember when you put that redonkulous hearts and arrows diamond in your sig, and how I said I much prefer the cat pic if you're going to have something of redonkulous size.

But then, as I said, the only thing I have to go by when I think about you as a person are the posts you've made. And based on that I guess the giant diamond suits you.

Your constant money-related chatter just grates on my nerves. Sure, I don't have to read.... but it's like watching late-night infomercials. There's nothing else good on TV, so why not?

Everybody has money "problems." Yours are not that bad, and neither are mine for that matter. If you were here talking about people problems I guess I'd understand a little better, but it's always money. You've had an actual, real problem like.... one time. About bridesmaids or something.

You "somehow ending up" on a website and checking out how much your friends make is NOT a real problem. That's a YOU problem. It's in your head. You're not doing too freaking bad if you HAVE a condo. And you have the OPPORTUNITY to continue your education in your chosen field. And you travel all over the world. And you were ABLE to study diamond quality and choose what I can only assume is a nice one instead of having to make do with a little diamond chip from Wal-Mart, which by the way some people would be totally happy with because that's what they can afford and it's not the price tag that counts.

If you GBCK I will actually feel kind of bad because I am finally telling you what I think and you probably SHOULD be offended. But I'm afraid you'll just run off somewhere else where people will tell you what you want to hear instead of being honest.

You sound like a spoiled brat, and that sucks.

I have had a crappy couple of weeks, and here you are creating your own problems out of thin air, so pardon me if I am fed up with you.

paintgirl

Wow - you looked up your friends' salaries? Holy crap. If you are living a decent life - as in, clean water to drink and shower with, a roof over your head, and good food to eat, WHY THE HECK DO YOU CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE MAKE???
 
Having more money does not guarantee happiness. Wow. Wow. That's all I can say. I live in the land of federal government jobs and non-profits. Non-profit organizations are required to publish the salaries of their top x% earning staff members. With the government, all you need to know is a person's pay band or GS level and you get a general idea of what they make. So in this city, you can make a decent guess at almost anyone's salary. And it's total BS. I've never found SOMEONE ELSE'S salary to make me more stable, more confident, or happier.

I say worry about your own. Nosey people get what they're looking for.

paintgirl

Now that I'm over my shock and done with my rant, thank god my family can't look up what I make. They'd come out of the woodwork, not understanding that it only takes about $50K a year to live a decent life where they live, and almost double to live decently here!

MeganFace can vouche for me on that one!

jeanacorina

Paintgirl, I would like to virtual high-five you. Because you're still kinda new-ish (and need an avatar) but you just made awesome happen.

*virtual high-five*

paintgirl

Jeana - I'm honored to accept your virtual high-five. I'm feeling scrappy lately.

Bottom line: We wash our vehicles with cleaner water than some people have to drink. B*tching because someone else makes more makes me want to vomit. Be happy for your friend's success. Work your *ss off to meet or beat their success, if that's what turns your crank. But know that no one has ever purchased happiness, peace, or integrity.

notquiteblushing

My salary is public info too and I've looked people up, I admit it.  It's so easy, it's tempting and in my line of work (politics) people often do it to see how far up the food chain others are.  And sure sometimes I'm like "they pay him what?" but I try not to compare myself too much.

Norway_T

Yah. I generally don't bother to look, but I had to look up myself for a FAFSA form and well I got curious.

Jeanna, you spend way too much time judging me find a new hobby. 

noelle24

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_so-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:7c7e282c-d603-4bf3-b9e5-d9eff70586faPost:ff2a643f-5338-49e6-ac99-ddb2b0f699f2">Re: so....</a>:
[QUOTE]Jeana/---Are you mixing me up on diamond clarity here, I really could have cared less about clarity.
Posted by Norway_T[/QUOTE]

After ALL of jeana's points, THIS is what you choose to focus on? That she "mixed you up" on clarity?  Her point would've been the same whether she used the word cut, color, or carat. 

Every.single.one. of your posts falls into one of two categories:
1) Money and benefits
2) whining about how your BF hasn't proposed yet

ALL of your posts are Livejournal style rants.  It gets tedious.

Frankly, if you participated more on the board and actually got involved in conversations that didn't revolve around you, then maybe we'd have a better opinion of you.  Because we'd have something else to go on besides your whiny rants.

PaigeMcC

I maintain that I want to make $65,000! LOL

I know Norway is wayyyyyyyy more expensive then Canada...but seriouslly I could buy a nice igloo with that much monies!

jeanacorina

Norway, until this very post I didn't spend more than two seconds thinking about you. I usually read what you type and say "Wow, that chick has issues" and move on. Maybe I reply if I'm feeling chatty.

However, I just figure it was probably inevitable that I go off on a rant about your stupid selfish posts. It doesn't take me very long. I'm a pretty quick typist. And I also wasn't doing anything yesterday other than reading stupid emails from people who can't communicate properly and then act like I should know what they want. So.... you know.... I just happened to have the time to collect my thoughts and share them, and I was in a foul enough mood to do so bluntly.

I think it is safe to say that ANYONE posting on this forum has time on their hands. I have several hobbies, and posting on NEY is just the one that fits neatly into whatever else I'm doing.

Sitting in a boring class....
Sitting at work waiting for the mail to come....
Sitting at home working on wedding crap....
Sitting at adoption day when there aren't any people coming up....
Watching FI play a video game while I surf the interwebs....

Trust me, I really didn't waste much time on you. I'm great at multi-tasking.

ekathleen684

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_so-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:7c7e282c-d603-4bf3-b9e5-d9eff70586faPost:3137d513-2a9a-4a18-b764-8cb8929d3a3f">Re: so....</a>:
[QUOTE]I am going to put myself out there and risk sounding like an idiot. Because it is so blue I always thought the oversized giant "diamond" was one of those goofy large stones that people hang in their window that will cast of color on all the walls. Anyone follow what I'm saying...? Or maybe its a kaleidoscope that I'm thinking of.
Posted by loopy82[/QUOTE]

Dont feel bad Loopt, I did too.

oceana919

First of all, I agree with everything Jeanna said.

Second of all, seriously guys, look at her posts. They are all about:

1) Her diamond
2) Her "inner debate" as to whether or not to leave the paradise that is Norway
3) Moaning/complaining about money, money, status, money, status

Throw an occasional post about how she should probably have kids now because she'd get a maternity paycheck from Norway and free childcare (aka mooching off Mom), and that pretty much sums up her posts. I've literally started ignoring them unless I notice a huge number of responses to them - those practically blink out "AW" in neon lights.

Norway, no offense, but I don't feel anyone's being particularly or unjustly harsh. I just think people are finally saying what they've been thinking for <em>months</em> now. If we were really as mean as you think we are, we would have responded with this on your first or second post.

You're welcome to find a new board...I'm sure there's a board that would feed all this money money status diamond freebaby money status crap you've got going on. As I've said about <em>a hundred times before</em>, if you're looking for puppies and rainbows, this is not the board to go to.

<a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_nye-board-laws"><img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/1/11/d11bf201-0bb3-4f49-abc6-32c362897961.medium.bmp" alt="" /></a>

Oh, and one last thing...

[QUOTE]But some of you on this board are awfully judgmental these days. I am starting to think I am going to find a board where people are nicer... [/QUOTE]

You forgot how bad we suck in bed and how horrible you feel for our poor FI/BFs.

**Mutley**

Solution: block her posts.  We can all guess what the topic of her posts are going to be.  There is no point in actually reading them anymore, at least for me. 

GBCK please! 

Narwhal

The word choice is what aggravates me here. That makes you feel pathetic? Pathetic? I'm doing all I can to find a job (I would be a dog walker if someone would hire me) to be able to pay a little to my student loans every month, and I know people who are in the same position as I am, except with an entire family to support.

Are we pathetic? I mean, since we don't live in Norway and make nearly as much as you do and all.

Oh, and maybe if you didn't feel the need to take a vacation to Mozambique, maybe that would make you able to afford an even bigger ring, so everyone who sees you knows just how "pathetic" you are.