I was reading through the Sunday newspaper yesterday and to my delight I saw that Parade Magazine had their annual "What People Earn" edition.
This year they compared people's salaries from years ago to what they earned now.
I love this annual edition because although they throw in the salaries of celebrities or sporting professionals, it mainly focuses on the likes of you and I.
People with jobs from tour guides, funeral directors, teachers of many subjects, freelancers, social workers and cosmetic surgeons are asked about the money they make.
Some have doubled their incomes in just a few years, many have seen their incomes decreasing. But the comment sections of the people interviewed were the most interesting.
While actors, entertainers and sports professionals make the most money, they are certainly not the happiest. Personal and (ironically) financial woes often plague the rich and famous, especially if they have no idea how to handle their money. It's the poor who know how to make the most of every dime they have.
The behaviors and sense of entitlement amongst some of the rich and famous can be appalling. This doesn't mean the working man and woman are bastions of good and moral living but it shows that although money eases the fear of paying the bills and offers an opulent lifestyle, it doesn't guarantee happiness and can't ensure a life of good health.
Many interviewed admitted that their salaries were difficult to live on, but if they loved their jobs -- and had health benefits -- it really didn't matter.
Tanya Tabachnikoff was making $14,500 back in the 80s as an Editorial Assistant. Now, at the age of 47, she's making $32,000 as a Teen Counselor -- so hardly in it for the money. But she says " I'm in my third career now. I choose jobs based more on what interests me than money."
Hai On went from making $32,000 as an architect in Alaska to making one-third of that in Hawaii nearly thirty years later. But he says "It was difficult working in Alaska. I came to the Big Island for the quality of life. Working 24/7 is not important."
Not everyone is happy with their small salaries. Naturally, almost everyone wants more. But the prevailing thought is that a job you love creates peace of mind and better mental health.
More good news is that a poll from Payscale showed that 70 percent of respondents say that they are either extremely or fairly satisfied with their jobs. Although of course that means one third of workers are not happy in their jobs -- not a happy statistic.
Since so many live paycheck to paycheck, that can cause enormous physical and mental strain. If the saying of "many of us are two paychecks away from being on the street" is true, then many of us are living under constant emotional distress that can lead to physical ailments.
For freelancers (and there are many of us), we need to take extra precautions. Health insurance can cost a fortune and having a partner or spouse who can take care of that from their own jobs can be a huge asset.
It's tempting to not even think about taxes when that paycheck comes in, but remember to put at least 30 percent away for tax day. Freelancers aren't usually in a high tax bracket and during hard times (and they can be quite often!), paying the bills can be a bit of a strain.
But benefits like flexible work schedules allows us to attend school functions, pick our kids up when sick and work from home when they are not feeling good. We're not bound to a cubicle. And for those in the Arts, creative freedom is a huge advantage.
Back in the old days, a job was merely a way to support a person and their family. But this has evolved.
Because we spend so much time working, job satisfaction really means something, and it can affect both our mental and physical health. And based on those interviewed in Parade Magazine, being happy with one's career usually means a healthier body and mind.
Tell Us
Does your like or dislike of your job affect your physical or mental health? What would you change about your job if you could?
Want to add your two cents to this survey? You can, at www.Parade.com/jobs/
SOURCE:
Parade Magazine. "What People Earn Then and Now." Sunday, April 16, 2012. Cover page, pages 4, 6. Paper Edition.
Edited by Jody Smith