What’s it like living on an attending’s salary

[abolt18]

Weird Guy - Emperor of Slub - Grand Blue

The Emperor of Slub - Grand Blue is a 23oz Unsanforized Japanese selvedge denim with an extremely slubby uneven texture, a result of low tension weaving techniques, and the use of custom developed irregular sized King Slub Yarn. The King Slub Yarn was developed over a 2 year period, as standard...

tateandyoko.com

Emperor of Slub. Naked and Famous. Great brand. Most of their products are made in Canada with sourced fabric, but these ones were made in Japan. $500 buckaroos and worth it. Also got a pair of Vulgar Selvedge, Black Cobra. There are some good deals on Amazon and even on Zappos but sizing can be limited, and obviously not including their super premium products.

I did a lot of online research on the other denim companies like Momotaro and Japan Blue, but N+F I think is the best quality at the given price point.

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Spending that on jeans is unfathomable to me. I hope they will last you 30 years... I bought a nice pair of hiking pants for $80 and thought that was crazy. They're finally needing to be replaced 9 years later.

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[Ashers]

That is funny bc the only thing that appreciates me less than my kids is our cats. They are overjoyed with the cardboard box and plastic that came with a new mattress.

They make about $100/month on instagram recently, so they're pulling some weight. They are fans of expensive catnip and handmade toys (which I buy at Christmas, and they do catmas exchanges). But fortunately, they also have some sponsors too which helps.

 

[pgg]

For me this is especially important. I actually love cars and driving, so a nice car is important. I am not talking brand new Ferraris or Aston Martins, but there are plenty of very affordable used 3-5 year old "exotics" out there. I'm talking cheaper than a new Chevy full-size SUV or Ford electric pickup truck. (Not to mention that right now you can actually get one of those used exotics).

Some people are all about travelling. I'll do some of that, but I get to enjoy my new-to-me exotic vehicle every single day.

I bought a used 2006 E46 M3 about 6 years ago for about 1/3 what a new F150 pickup costs. I drive it every day. It's awesome.

 

[anesussy]

Spending that on jeans is unfathomable to me. I hope they will last you 30 years... I bought a nice pair of hiking pants for $80 and thought that was crazy. They're finally needing to be replaced 9 years later.

Even if they last 30 yrs, the style will be massively outdated by then. And that's assuming your body never changes.

 

[coffeebythelake]

Spending that on jeans is unfathomable to me. I hope they will last you 30 years... I bought a nice pair of hiking pants for $80 and thought that was crazy. They're finally needing to be replaced 9 years later.

I like to buy nice things. I lived most of my life buying cheap things only to have to replace them not long later.

 

[abolt18]

Even if they last 30 yrs, the style will be massively outdated by then. And that's assuming your body never changes.

Lol I know. My point was that it seemed beyond crazy to me. Then again, I more buy stuff for functionality than "style" so it's just not something I can ever imagine myself buying. To each their own!

 

[pgg]

thats a massive tree. you cut that down yourself? where did that giant tree fall??

Big open area behind my house ... you can see some more dead ash trees in this photo.

No need to use a chainsaw or an axe, you have money to pay professionals to do that so you don't see your local orthopaedic hand surgeon because you cut off your fingers and livelihood

I see your point. I'm actually very risk averse. I got a pilot's license when I was a teenager, but quit flying about 25 years ago, because I knew I didn't have the time (or money then) to do it enough to do it safely. Motorcycles, trampolines, scuba diving, lots of things, including cutting down big trees, are dangerous.

It requires some training and supervised experience, and the right equipment beyond a saw. And good judgment to recognize when it's not straightforward. The trees that are closer to the house or barn, or that have been dead a long time and might be unpredictably rotten/weak on the inside, will get done by pros. We have about 8 acres of woods similar to the background of this picture that will need to be bulldozed, piled, and burned. That'll get outsourced. But even though I could, I'm not going to pay someone to take down easy trees

These trees were easy. Plenty of space, easy to direct. They didn't need guide ropes but I used them anyway. The trees all fell exactly where I told them to fall. The only hiccup in the day was the untimely death of the phone. Even the otterbox couldn't save it this time ...

I don't really mind paying professionals to do things, but for some basic tasks there comes a point at which you're paying someone else to live your life for you.

 

[Dr. Rude]

I like to buy nice things. I lived most of my life buying cheap things only to have to replace them not long later.

The things you own end up owning you.

 

[anaesthetic]

Not sure why we’re ragging on a good pair of jeans when I have colleagues spending 3x that on suits every month and 30x that on shiny things that tell time. To each its own.

 

[vector2]

Weird Guy - Emperor of Slub - Grand Blue

The Emperor of Slub - Grand Blue is a 23oz Unsanforized Japanese selvedge denim with an extremely slubby uneven texture, a result of low tension weaving techniques, and the use of custom developed irregular sized King Slub Yarn. The King Slub Yarn was developed over a 2 year period, as standard...

tateandyoko.com

Emperor of Slub. Naked and Famous. Great brand. Most of their products are made in Canada with sourced fabric, but these ones were made in Japan. $500 buckaroos and worth it. Also got a pair of Vulgar Selvedge, Black Cobra. There are some good deals on Amazon and even on Zappos but sizing can be limited, and obviously not including their super premium products.

I did a lot of online research on the other denim companies like Momotaro and Japan Blue, but N+F I think is the best quality at the given price point.

(This is not an advertisement)

Spending 500 bucks on pants wins the thread. Shut it down, @Arch Guillotti . Shut it down.

 

[amyl]

Being an attending is great. I take expensive vacations. Nice house. Nice Merc. Fabulous closet. Spending habits my girl chocomorsel gives me a hard time about. I like nice things. I rag on medicine and anesthesia from time to time but the truth is I make a great living helping people. Not many people can say that- I don’t think many bankers help people.
good times, bad times I’ll always have a good job and get to help people.

 

[chocomorsel]

Being an attending is great. I take expensive vacations. Nice house. Nice Merc. Fabulous closet. Spending habits my girl chocomorsel gives me a hard time about. I like nice things. I rag on medicine and anesthesia from time to time but the truth is I make a great living helping people. Not many people can say that- I don’t think many bankers help people.
good times, bad times I’ll always have a good job and get to help people.

It's cuz I am a village girl.

 

[nimbus]

Being an attending is great. I take expensive vacations. Nice house. Nice Merc. Fabulous closet. Spending habits my girl chocomorsel gives me a hard time about. I like nice things. I rag on medicine and anesthesia from time to time but the truth is I make a great living helping people. Not many people can say that- I don’t think many bankers help people.
good times, bad times I’ll always have a good job and get to help people.

Do you still ride horses?

 

[amyl]

Do you still ride horses?

No. I still have three retired show jumpers- they’re 28, 29 and 32.

 

[MirrorTodd]

What’s it like living on an attending salary?

It’s like warm apple pie.

McDonald's or homemade?

 

[staple]

What is life on an attending salary???

extra queso? yes please

dont look at prices on groceries at the store

have to squint to see how many zeroes are after numbers in your bank account

throw 100s into the wishing well instead of coins

Realize your 50k two year old car isn’t even close to the nicest in the parking ramp

go to the casino and be disappointed only leaving $50 up

paying for a body double to watch your kids while you go have beers with the boys

paying your friends to take down the photos they posted on Facebook of you at the bar

have an Amazon box show up on your doorstep every day of the week

buy a boat and use it no more than 2 times a year

spend 1k on fireworks on the 4th of July

your Kids have more toys than space in your mansion

you don’t bend down and pick up pennies

sleep at night knowing your tax bill is funding more government services than all the residents in your previous program combined

get an exceptional number of credit card offers in the mail because you spend so much

Pay your neighbor kids to mow your yard when you’re post call

ask your wife how much her manicure costs and she has literally no idea

throw away milk on it’s expiration date despite it still being good



yeah, life is good.

 

[aneftp]

Attending like you should have Amex plat or similar credit card with cell phone protection built in.

But yes. Those $1000 or even $3000 unexpected expenses as attending. While it’s still a lot of money. Most of us can handle it without affecting day to day expenses.

 

[ucladoc2b]

I can Doordash from the Taco Bell a block away post call and be only slightly mad at myself.

 

[nimbus]

I can Doordash from the Taco Bell a block away post call and be only slightly mad at myself.

That’s like $30 for TB.

 

[anbuitachi]

how did you tell them where to fall

 

[nimbus]

how did you tell them where to fall

“Away from the fence!!”

 

[Urzuz]

My buddy likes to say “money solves most problems.”

My buddy liked to say “Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems”

 

[Ashers]

So I may live with my parents (after selling my awesome house), but my parents ask me how I afford to fly first class and staying in nice hotels. I tell them its because I don't have 4 kids, and I like flying first class. (My dad is an orthopaedic surgeon, so I am slightly biased with how I grew up. I did not grow up flying first class, we probably put TWA out of business by the number of times we got free tickets to Europe from Hawaii, we traveled on a budget, but to awesome places.)

 

[pgg]

how did you tell them where to fall

I start by asking nicely

In general. For a tree that isn't leaning too much one way already, and doesn't have other issues. You cut a notch about 1/3 of the way through on the side that you want it to fall toward. Notch is flat on the bottom, angled about 60-70 deg upward. Then on the back side you make a horizontal cut just above the bottom of that notch, stopping a couple inches away from it. You may need to drive some felling wedges in on that side as you make the cut. The uncut area in the middle is a hinge and it falls toward the notch.

For trees that lean in a direction you don't want them to go, usually you'll want to use (the correct kind of) rope tied fairly high up in the tree, then anchored in the direction you want it to fall, and tensioned.

This guy explains it pretty well and does it deliberately wrong a few times to show why wrong is wrong.

 

[Realgassy]

Life is infinitely better as an attending. I’m a couple years out living in a VHCOL area and have had a lot of fun. Loan free and no kids. Lots of sun, surf, and new hobbies. I value my time more than money as does my spouse. But, the trying to do a little bit better has come into focus for me at this point. We could buy a house, but with the absurdly high price point I would feel trapped by my job. Looking at changing up jobs vs going locums based on the current rates.

 

[pgg]

I was just looking at one of the Stihl electric chainsaws today. I mainly want it for those smaller trees when I am clearing new paths or new foliage that creeps in. What size do you have? Would you go bigger or smaller?

It's a MSA 140C. I think it's the perfect size for a small electric.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/battery-saws/msa140cbq/

 

[anbuitachi]

I start by asking nicely

In general. For a tree that isn't leaning too much one way already, and doesn't have other issues. You cut a notch about 1/3 of the way through on the side that you want it to fall toward. Notch is flat on the bottom, angled about 60-70 deg upward. Then on the back side you make a horizontal cut just above the bottom of that notch, stopping a couple inches away from it. You may need to drive some felling wedges in on that side as you make the cut. The uncut area in the middle is a hinge and it falls toward the notch.

For trees that lean in a direction you don't want them to go, usually you'll want to use (the correct kind of) rope tied fairly high up in the tree, then anchored in the direction you want it to fall, and tensioned.

This guy explains it pretty well and does it deliberately wrong a few times to show why wrong is wrong.

incredible.

 

[nimbus]

I start by asking nicely

In general. For a tree that isn't leaning too much one way already, and doesn't have other issues. You cut a notch about 1/3 of the way through on the side that you want it to fall toward. Notch is flat on the bottom, angled about 60-70 deg upward. Then on the back side you make a horizontal cut just above the bottom of that notch, stopping a couple inches away from it. You may need to drive some felling wedges in on that side as you make the cut. The uncut area in the middle is a hinge and it falls toward the notch.

For trees that lean in a direction you don't want them to go, usually you'll want to use (the correct kind of) rope tied fairly high up in the tree, then anchored in the direction you want it to fall, and tensioned.

This guy explains it pretty well and does it deliberately wrong a few times to show why wrong is wrong.

You might find these entertaining.

 

[Iso4ane]

That’s like $30 for TB.

Like he said, he makes enough where $30 for TB is reasonable. That’s attending salary money.

 

[Twiggidy]

The things you own end up owning you.

You’re not your khakis

 

[anbuitachi]

500 isn't that bad... Many people buy fancy bags in the thousands. The jeans get more use than the bags

 

[pjl]

I had a Kobalt 80v chainsaw with an 18 inch bar and it was impressive until I broke it, probably due to my inexperience. I upgraded to a gas powered Stihl with a 20 inch bar, but now I'm wanting another battery one for the small stuff or if I only need to make a couple cuts. I'm thinking 16 inch would be a good size myself.

I did buy the Stihl handheld pruning chainsaw for my wife. I gotta say that thing is hella fun.

I just upgraded all my lawn care equipment to stihl battery powered. The lack of maintenance and noise is awesome.

Those chainsaws are great. If you have a 20” the 16 should cover most of the rest, be lighter, and super easy to use.

Re: attending life- I spent years after becoming an attending still living cheap. Now 10+ years out, I bought myself 18 weeks off this year, and still had/have no issues sending kids to private school, buy random stuff that will make my life easier without looking at the price, and am considering buying beachfront property because my wife is really wanting to blow a few mil (she is obviously more excited about it).

Life gets pretty good. I personally have made more on investments than salary for at least the past 5 years though, so have a lot more options than if I had lived like I do now right away. I cut most of the crap I hate out of my job (admin stuff) and could easily stop at anytime, but actually enjoy it.

 

[chocomorsel]

500 isn't that bad... Many people buy fancy bags in the thousands. The jeans get more use than the bags

That I don't understand. I literally have bags I go years that I never use. And they only cost $50-150. What's the point of looking at a bag sitting in the closet sometimes a whole year or two and never being used.
Yeah, if you are gonna wear those jeans on a regular, that makes way more sense.
Apparently however, Berkin bags go up in value over time. It's apparently an investment. Ok.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

That I don't understand. I literally have bags I go years that I never use. And they only cost $50-150. What's the point of looking at a bag sitting in the closet sometimes a whole year or two and never being used.
Yeah, if you are gonna wear those jeans on a regular, that makes way more sense.
Apparently however, Berkin bags go up in value over time. It's apparently an investment. Ok.

and not everyone has or can afford a Birkin. Its about exclusivity and having a sense of fashion superiority over others. Its a flex.

 

[dabears505]

That I don't understand. I literally have bags I go years that I never use. And they only cost $50-150. What's the point of looking at a bag sitting in the closet sometimes a whole year or two and never being used.
Yeah, if you are gonna wear those jeans on a regular, that makes way more sense.
Apparently however, Berkin bags go up in value over time. It's apparently an investment. Ok.

Coco, you gotta live a little. You can't take it with you. Splurge a little

 

[chocomorsel]

Coco, you gotta live a little. You can't take it with you. Splurge a little

I don’t believe in stocking my closet full of stuff I don’t use and being totally wasteful. I also have people who depend on me. I am not into overpriced name brand stuff. Haven’t been brainwashed like that. I don’t think a $2000 bag is gonna hold my makeup, lotions, keys and wallet any different than a $100 bag. And I have seen plenty of women in pain wearing $1000 shoes. They aren’t any more comfortable than $100-200 ones. Just a fact.
I am into traveling. That’s living for me. I splurge when I want. Just not on stuff but experiences.

 

[coffeebythelake]

I am into traveling. That’s living for me. I splurge when I want. Just not on stuff but experiences.

Experiential things (traveling, learning new skills, etc) are always great. Being able to get time off work can be tough though

 

[chocomorsel]

and not everyone has or can afford a Birkin. Its about exclusivity and having a sense of fashion superiority over others. Its a flex.

Dumb. I don’t flex. I am a simple village girl. Love it or leave it. Far from a fashionista.
It’s all brainwashing. People go into debt for status they can’t afford.
Ain’t no way in hell I am paying $10k-50k for a bag. Even if I could. I could do so much more with that money.

 

[chocomorsel]

I just went part time. Sick of this grind and tired of letting life pass me by. Covid has shown me that life can be very short.

Experiential things (traveling, learning new skills, etc) are always great. Being able to get time off work can be tough though

 

[Southpaw]

I just went part time. Sick of this grind and tired of letting life pass me by. Covid has shown me that life can be very short.

you like to sail? learn to sail, buy a boat, and sail around the world. that's my dream. not sure I can drag my wife and kids along though.

 

[chocomorsel]

Yeah no. I am black. Don’t want to be in deep water that long unless it’s a giant cruise ship. Nope nope nope.
Planes, trains and automobiles.

you like to sail? learn to sail, buy a boat, and sail around the world. that's my dream. not sure I can drag my wife and kids along though

 

[Osteoth]

Yeah no. I am black. Don’t want to be in deep water that long unless it’s a giant cruise ship. Nope nope nope.
Planes, trains and automobiles.

 

[nimbus]

you like to sail? learn to sail, buy a boat, and sail around the world. that's my dream. not sure I can drag my wife and kids along though.

I while back I read about a doctor, I think he was EM, who spent his life sailing around the globe with his family. They homeschooled their kids. He would fly back to the US every few months to work locums for a few weeks, then fly back to rejoin his family on their boat.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Dumb. I don’t flex. I am a simple village girl. Love it or leave it. Far from a fashionista.
It’s all brainwashing. People go into debt for status they can’t afford.
Ain’t no way in hell I am paying $10k-50k for a bag. Even if I could. I could do so much more with that money.

Dumb is in the eye of the beholder. Similarly, most people spend 5 to 6 figures on watches. Do what makes you happy, and dont denigrate the hobby of others that makes them happy.

 

[D P356]

I still wear some t-shirts, polos, shorts, khakis, jeans etc from college. Wife tries to insert new clothing into the “rotation.” Very few items make the cut.

I dress simply, but that’s my style.

Duluth Men’s Ballroom Jeans are a great purchase if you want to avoid “the splitter.” Highly recommended.

 

[Ashers]

I don’t believe in stocking my closet full of stuff I don’t use and being totally wasteful. I also have people who depend on me. I am not into overpriced name brand stuff. Haven’t been brainwashed like that. I don’t think a $2000 bag is gonna hold my makeup, lotions, keys and wallet any different than a $100 bag. And I have seen plenty of women in pain wearing $1000 shoes. They aren’t any more comfortable than $100-200 ones. Just a fact.
I am into traveling. That’s living for me. I splurge when I want. Just not on stuff but experiences.

I'm with you! I love traveling. My wings have been clipped a bit since covid and job changes during that. But now, with locums, I have a lot more flexibility. However, I keep looking at cruises. I want to do an Antarctica cruise and get a few additional countries during that trip. It's my last continent I need to set foot on.

 

[nimbus]

I still wear some t-shirts, polos, shorts, khakis, jeans etc from college. Wife tries to insert new clothing into the “rotation.” Very few items make the cut.

I dress simply, but that’s my style.

Duluth Men’s Ballroom Jeans are a great purchase if you want to avoid “the splitter.” Highly recommended.

I still have some 1-2 decade old tshirts but my family makes me trash them when they become holy. The good thing about poly/cotton blend tshirts is that they don’t get too many holes even when they become transparently threadbare.

 

[chocomorsel]

Dumb is in the eye of the beholder. Similarly, most people spend 5 to 6 figures on watches. Do what makes you happy, and dont denigrate the hobby of others that makes them happy.

To go into debt in order to flex to people who don’t even care. One thing if you got it and just want to spend money.
But it is DUMB to go into debt over status symbols one can’t afford. It ain’t denigrating. It’s being honest.
As a black person, I see lots of us spending money for name brands we can’t afford. For what exactly? It’s all a brainwashing. Some of the poorest are the biggest flashers. Brainwashed.

 

[chocomorsel]

I still wear some t-shirts, polos, shorts, khakis, jeans etc from college. Wife tries to insert new clothing into the “rotation.” Very few items make the cut.

I dress simply, but that’s my style.

Duluth Men’s Ballroom Jeans are a great purchase if you want to avoid “the splitter.” Highly recommended.

I can only imagine what the “splitter” is. But I see the commercials for Duluth and they are hilarious and honest.

 

[Iso4ane]

It nice feeling that you don't need to flex, but you can if you wanted too.