High Earners of OzBargain, Whats Your Reason for Being Here?

L[Deactivated] on 21/06/2015 - 12:22

As a high earner (note below), you don't need to be saving on most purchases so whats your motivation to visit ozbargain?

I don't want this to become a discussion about what qualifies as a high earner. I'll go with a simple version of singles >75k p.a and families >140k p.a. Feel free to disagree and select the "Feel like I still don't earn enough to be splurging" option but please don't flood the discussion with why you think its not enough. (But this is ozbargain, you guys don't like being told what to do… just remember I said please.)

Poll Options expired

  • 467
    It's not really about saving, its the principle of paying less for the same item
  • 42
    Feel like I still don't earn enough to be splurging
  • 24
    I don't really buy much, I come here to get ideas on what to spend on
  • 14
    I'm doing all this to buy a house
  • 10
    Other
  • 7
    My partner spends all my money, so I need to save where I can
  • 6
    I bought a house over my intended budget and the mortgage is killing me
  • 4
    Kids are money pits
Financial

Comments

  • syousef on 23/06/2015 - 17:27

    High earner means you get concessions on nothing and everyone thinks you are rich. Well I'm the sole bread winner for the family. Only 2 kids but I try to make sure they have a good life. And yes sometimes your family wastes money. But I know there are a lot of 2 income households out there that combined earn more and some still do get concessions. I like gadgets - cameras, telescopes, remote control planes….Not all my purchases work out but I do try not to be wasteful or frivolous. So in summary 1. I need to find ways to make the money stretch for me and my family 2. I have hobbies and like gadgets 3. I'm a mug.

  • Dack Smith on 23/06/2015 - 19:05
    +1

    Singles on >120K a year are considered high earners, young engineers, architect associates, various tradesmen, banking, finance, insurance executives, stockbrokers, politicians, so you got the desk jockeys and construction, mining workers earning a ton of cash and spending it on bargains here.

    And they earn more money in half an hour than you in a full day.

    And they have more eneloops, usb drives and SSDs than you ever will.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/06/2015 - 19:12
    +3

    Reason for being here? The unreasonably high cost of living in Aus!

  • T1OOO on 23/06/2015 - 20:04

    I can get more stuff if I pay less for them ??

  • Clementt on 23/06/2015 - 20:07

    I just graduated and unemployed. With inflation, credit card debt, and my uni debt. I am pretty much slave to the economy and money now. Don't even think of buying a house.. Getting by with general goods is good enough for me. So I am here to grab a bargain to save whatever I can

  • chansc on 23/06/2015 - 20:37

    The main reason is because I've found this site improves my investment skills. For example, I always try to find the best bargain when purchasing an investment property. OzBargain helps me to remember there are lots of bargains in the world.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/06/2015 - 20:40
    +9

    Current situation: Single, $75k+/year, live on the sunshine coast where I end up with just over $1000/week in my pocket after tax and rent, working a Monday-Friday office job and enjoying the lifestyle.

    Its just a way of staying ahead of the rat race. Friends my age are envious of my situation (30yo, currently looking to buy a ~650k house, travel a lot, drive a semi decent car, have a nice surf board, road bike & camping gear), but don't realize that the compromise is that 99% of the time I wear $3 tee shirts and $2 shorts, spend ~$2/breakfast, $4/lunch, $8/dinner, buy almost everything else online at a discount, have a $19/month phone plan etc..

    I see the value in skimping on stuff that you really don't need. Spending unwisely doesn't add value to my life, just feels like it sets me back.

    Have been to NZ, Singapore & Melbourne so far this year, heading to Peru, Japan, Sydney, Melbourne & NZ later this year, and will still save around $25k this year / be buying a house.

    The only place I do waste money is going out ~2-3 times a week with friends (probably $100/week), but I see the value in that and have a great time. Spending money on a Galaxy S6 wont make me happier however, than the S5 I picked up for $350 a few months back. My friends who cant afford to travel however, can always afford the new galaxy or iphone.

    • leiiv on 24/06/2015 - 16:21
      +1

      Where did you get the S5 for $350?

      • [Deactivated] on 28/06/2015 - 20:37

        Gumtree.

  • Shwayne on 24/06/2015 - 11:01
    +1

    I seek good value on principal, not because I'm poor. It also results in a vastly higher level of product quality most of the time too, but there are some confused members here too.

  • DealzEddy123 on 24/06/2015 - 11:34
    +2

    wish I was a high earner so I could participate in this survey

  • 4foxache on 24/06/2015 - 13:05

    I earn about 140kpa and wouldn't consider myself a high earner, after salary sacrificing to super and adding to the gap of 2 investment properties there's not a whole lot left for other expenses.

    Besides that I like ozbargain as why pay more for the same thing?

  • 2ndeffort on 24/06/2015 - 14:31
    +1

    Why is there an expectation that if you earn a higher salary money will have a lesser importance/meaning? One of the tightest guys i know is a Multi Millionaire, we go skiing overseas together every Feb and he visits here a couple of times a year, normally importing sports cars he has bought and putting them into the warehouse he has bought in Oz to house his collection. I have seen him hassle waiters over a couple of dollar miscalc on a menu and I have also seen him give big tips to waiters for good service. He doesn't waste his money, he has better means now and he buys more expensive things but he is never frivolous with his money. He might knowingly afford a sports car but he would make sure he got the best deal humanly possible when he does so.

    We became mates years ago in the Army when neither of us had anything! Arguably, understanding the importance of money and using it rather than wasting it is what has made all the difference for my mate. The bloke has 3 or 4 houses around the world (Aus/US/UK), yachts and sports cars but he still turns up for a ski holiday in Canada walking through the snow wearing boots with holes in the sole!

  • dannyhc on 24/06/2015 - 14:47
    -6

    Having millions of gubbermint fun tokens invented out of thin air and equating that to being wealthy shows just how deluded and deceived you are.

    Having eternal riches in Heaven because you put your trust in the one who created you is what you are commanded to do, even if it takes a lifetime of searching.

    Some helpful advice from the one who made and will also eventually destroy everything;

    "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

    "Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him."

    • 2ndeffort on 24/06/2015 - 15:07
      +1

      So Bill Gates is in trouble then? no point donating half of his wealth to the poor, no point helping charities or helping those more needy? What you are potentially saying is that if i work hard and get some promotions at work, if i get some pay-rises and make some clever career choices the result will be eternal damnation? Better that I keep my wife and kids in poverty and make every day a struggle so that i can reap the rewards when i die?

      • dannyhc on 24/06/2015 - 15:20
        -5

        Bill Gates is in big big trouble, funding planned parenthood with it's roots in eugenics and getting involved with vaccines that poison will have him in a dire situation when he stands before the Lord of Hosts and gives an account for his actions. Did I mention that you must work to get into heaven by staying impoverished? No, I didn't, seek the kingdom of God FIRST and all these things will be added, hold loosely onto the things of this world. The point made is to reconcile with your creator at your utmost priority and given the foremost thought with an urgency of life or eternal death.

      • 00 on 24/06/2015 - 15:48
        +3

        If you can keep your family in poverty and make every day a struggle, then you can aspire to be a future famous rapper.

    • Mumbles on 25/06/2015 - 18:50

      The Catholic church is the largest and richest land owner in the world.

      As for accountability and reckoning. Why do the leaders of churches cover up scandals as in the abuse cases in Australia and Ireland? Isn't it biblical to address the sin via confession and repentance. Also to obey the law of the land by giving unto Ceasar rather than hide behind expensive law firms.

      Malaria is one of the largest causes of death in impoverished communities. Bill Gates is a huge supporter of a zero target for the eradication of Malaria. Ask God why he chose to create such an infliction effecting the most needy whilst His church is so slow to help with their wallets. What kind of God is He?

      • dannyhc on 25/06/2015 - 20:38

        The Catholic Church also appears in Bible Prophecy way before it even existed, the warning for those caught in it's religious cult is as follows;

        Rev.18

        [4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

        There is your God, one who protects and warns against the many false teachers who roam this cursed planet,

        Matt.7

        [15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

        Bill Gates wants a population reduction, he doesn't hide this fact, 40,000 of his Polio vaccines caused paralysis to those in India where it was administered to.

        Do not fall for the trap of having no answers all your earthy life, this world has nothing of lasting value, it's all bitter sweet, look but don't touch, taste but don't swallow.

        Rev.3

        [17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

        Sin is addressed by trusting in the blood of Jesus Christ, having faith in his death and resurection and by doing this you will never lose your salvation, no priest has any right or can absolve you of this.

        Acts.10

        [43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

        Thanks for your interest.

  • Guilty Flamez on 24/06/2015 - 15:37
    -1

    I like free stuffs

  • Guilty Flamez on 24/06/2015 - 15:42
    +1

    After reading all those comments ppl saying 75k is average I am feeling even poorer now :(

    • DealzEddy123 on 24/06/2015 - 16:01

      australian bureau of statistics says ~75k is average

    • SnakeCasablanca on 24/06/2015 - 16:22
      +1

      Dont feel poor.

      The government always talk about the 'average' salary but the 'median' salary is a better representation. The average is driven up by super wealthy outriders. But the government likes to report this because they can pretend that everyone is doing really well out there. Also everyone who earns around the reported average likes to think they are only earning an average amount so that they have an excuse for not being able to afford a house or invest and therefore can spend all of their money on living it up (Im talking about single people people with no dependants).

      The median salary in 2011 was $57,400.00 (not sure if this is inclusive or exclusive of super but I feel it would be exclusive). And this isn't even taking into account people in part time employment. If you take this into account the median is $46,900. These were the last figures reported but I can tell you that in my industry (finance) there hasnt been very much wage growth during that time so it wouldn't have increased that much since then.

  • scratchback on 24/06/2015 - 16:36

    200k+ income(senior management level, doctor) is high earner period.
    Consequently the discussion is ridiculous

  • Randxyz123 on 24/06/2015 - 18:01

    For me it is mostly if I am interested in buying expensive(i.e a camera, a new TV) or similar usually this is a good place to start looking.

  • DeafMutePretender on 24/06/2015 - 23:11

    For me it is a way of looking back at my past, back when I was born into a poor family, my father trying to make ends meet and put food on the table for our family. It's a way of reminiscing on what it was like to be a struggling college student and then struggling minimum wage worker. Penny pinching, seeking out bargains, saving money, needs not wants. Those were the days! These days I have more money than the GDP of most countries so I'm not a bargain hunter as much, but them memories…

    …

    Just kidding! I've never been not rich.

    Seriously though, as a man of my stature and position, it gets old keeping company with the esteemed upper class all the time. I come here on Ozbargain to observe the lower class of society. I'm here to get the perspective and the point of views of the great unwashed.

    And people call me heartless and unempathetic!

  • herbertg21 on 25/06/2015 - 09:35
    +1

    Ozbargain has been a daily webpage for me since poor ass uni days. Also some bargains are very useful such as flights which even "high rollers" would look into.

  • Unknown1 on 25/06/2015 - 10:01

    Satisfaction of maxmising consumer surplus.

    Disclaimers: I'm not rich, but my freinds and family are.

  • vkan1991 on 25/06/2015 - 11:47

    It's more of a consumer's whirlpool, I get a first hand user review on things that they have bought and also the trick buys with loopholes and T&C's simplified !

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 25/06/2015 - 12:26

    OzBargain does occasionally cater to more expensive tastes e.g. Allan's Island.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2015 - 13:23

    Because most items on here are commodity products i.e. the exact same thing. If one guy can sell me a Chromecast for $39, then the other guy trying to sell it for $49 is ripping me off, trying to steal $10 off me.

    Here in AU we get absolutely screwed over because most of the population pays the asking price without thinking twice, and thinks that you're being tight if you try to get a better price.

    Secondly, despite being wealthy you still live EXACTLY the same:

    $75K or $200K there is no difference:

    • Same house, different suburb
    • Corn Flakes instead of Korn Flakes
    • $7 shampoo instead of $4 shampoo
    • Audi instead of Toyota

    You gain absolutely nothing aside from incremental differences to the EXACT SAME thing. Whether you're rich or poor, all you can do is make these choices, pay less and stop people RIPPING YOU OFF.

    That's why I'm here. To stop people stealing my money.

  • Mumbles on 25/06/2015 - 16:10
    +2

    I chose "Other" as the reason because I created my OzBargain account for philanthropic reasons. To share the awesome deals I've found in the hopes of improving other peoples circumstances.

    Life has been good to me and I'd like to share the love with others.

    One of life's secrets is that even high earners fall on tough times too. I've met ex-business owners. The statistics are 50% of starting businesses don't survive 2 years. 80% of business aren't around in 10 years time.

    Companies have such niche/unique job roles that if you ever get fired then you'd never be able to regain the same pay with a competing employer.

    My personal opinion is the uber rich follow the mantra "Time is money". They utilise other peoples labour and expertise. eg. Financial planner vs comparing credit card/internet banking interest rates. Housekeepers make the grocery decisions. An interior designer chooses the home furniture. A fashion consultant chooses their best clothes. Their car choice is determined by their business accountant.

    Everything's relative.

    • fillit on 26/06/2015 - 11:48

      I would highlight the fact that your job role indirectly attributes to "job security". I do not believe we should still think of job security as being employed by the same company, however as your ability to be re-employed.

  • ThadtheChad on 25/06/2015 - 23:15

    I'd say my household would qualify as a 'decent-income' household. We're both in our late-20s with a net combined annual income of $200+k.

    I think it is more about spending money on a good deal more than anything. Both of us are shopaholics and I'm a hardcore propellor-head with a lot of interest in electronics and computer gear. Most of the things we buy from OzB fall in either of the two categories:
    - Stuff we'd buy anyway, the discount/bargain is the proverbial 'cherry-on-top'; or
    - deals that pique our interest (a.k.a. killer bargains on things that could be quite useful) - impulse purchases also fall in this category.

    While we're both quite careful with money within reason, excessive frugality is not something that is particularly appealing to either of us. We've both been povo International uni students and have "walked the hard yards". Now, its time for us to live and enjoy, while saving/investing for a better future. :)

  • ghostdom on 26/06/2015 - 15:08

    just want to ask. if single make 75K+ a year, that is high earner???

    • fillit on 26/06/2015 - 15:16

      We are implying it for the purposes of this conversation.

      However I guess the general consensus from the discussion is that it's average.

      I earn more than 75K and I do not consider myself a high earner by any means.

      • ghostdom on 26/06/2015 - 15:31

        thats exactly what I think about myself….

  • shortgum on 29/06/2015 - 01:42

    Sadly, I'm not a high income earner… but who cares, pay less almost like saving money. is best habit everyone should have!

  • nimnomnimy on 13/07/2015 - 22:58

    am I the only lazy person on ozbargain?

    From what I read, people here are always about the price, the bottom line. I use it more as a service than a price book.

    For me, ozbargain is like window in early January. Everything is on sale and you just have to find something you like.

    That said, there's a sport to getting a good deal and the challenge to get officeworks to price beat it which is very satisfying in itself

  • Utopian on 14/07/2015 - 11:40
    +2

    "A penny saved is a penny earned"

    So long as it doesn't destroy your time-finances.

    "Time is money"… well, no. Time is worth MUCH more.

    I've spent HOURS going-around in circles, to save MUCH less than my hourly wage.

    I should grab the fast/simple bargains, and spend my time-savings with family or making more money.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/07/2015 - 10:23
    +1

    I think I'm classed as a high earner (>$180K) but I rarely feel like I am.

    • tomleonhart on 29/07/2015 - 11:58

      I think the reason for that is you are surrounded by people who earn the same as you therefore it feels less special ?

    • strikerzebra on 29/07/2015 - 12:01

      180k and you don't think you are a high earner, have to be joking?

      • [Deactivated] on 29/07/2015 - 19:11

        I just think that the cost of living is so damn high that I just don't have the spare cash that I used to have. I do wonder how people manage on much less…..and often look like their managing much better than I am too!

        Maybe they are up to their necks in credit??

        • strikerzebra on 30/07/2015 - 09:23

          But everyone has the same cost of living, you must be living a more extravagant lifestyle, so if you are a high earner at 180k, what is someone that earns 60k to you?

        • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2015 - 10:53

          @strikerzebra:

          Less than my tax bill?

          We certainly don't live extravagantly. A thick slice of ham is what I'd call luxury.

        • strikerzebra on 30/07/2015 - 11:22
          +1

          @Mattress:

          You need a new accountant then,you need some assets with expenses to offset your tax bill.

        • nimnomnimy on 19/08/2015 - 10:51

          @Mattress:

          Maybe like us, as you earn more convenience is worth more to you so you aren't as frugal day to day.

          Eh. I'll spend average $20 on lunch a day, back when I was on much less I'd spend $6-$7.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2015 - 11:34

          @clickship:

          Yeah, we don't really tend to scrimp on anything and just get something if we want it…rather than need! Maybe a more frugal lifestyle is what's required?!

        • nimnomnimy on 19/08/2015 - 11:57

          @Mattress:
          I started another thread in finance to withdrawl their secrets

  • Keen Bargain Hunter on 30/07/2015 - 21:39
    +5

    I don't consider myself to be a high income earner, I support my family and we live a good lifestyle. Were not rolling in the dough. Im thankful for what we have. I was saying to my partner that perhaps we should donate meals or something (blankets) to help the less fortunate people ( eg vulnerable, homeless, people who are down on their luck) not for the accolades but because I would like to think that if I was in the same situation someone would offer us some reprieve. there is no money in this idea for us, but a warm feeling of satisfaction to another human. Call me naive.

    I look on ozbargain…for that…. a bargain. if I can use it to help others (by way of advice or recommendations) which may end up saving them money, then I am more than willing to share.

  • rosebee on 22/08/2015 - 08:03

    I was brought up to look after the pennies as the pounds will look after themselves, yes we are fortunate to have a decent income and a good lifestyle. However like most people we were brought up with a good work ethic that has never left us, both myself and oh have worked since a young age. My parents always told me if I wanted something I had to be able to pay for it with cash and until I had the money I went without. I still follow this rule to this day and it had stood me in good stead to this day.

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