Fri May 31 2024, by Tyler Gardner

Five Years Later

I'll bet I make way more money as a corporate lawyer than you do as a mechanic in Vermont. Maybe. Let's see how this one plays out.

My starting salary was $200,000 right out of law school. Moved to the financial district, bought some Armani suits, a Rolex, and a BMW. You know, to fit in with the in crowd. Awesome!

My starting salary was only $60,000. But I moved to where all my friends were in a pretty affordable neighborhood. I bought a used Toyota Camry that works pretty well, and a Timex.

Fifteen Years Later

I make a million bucks a year now. Upgraded to a place on the Upper West Side, upgraded the car to a Range Rover, and upgraded my watch collection to a couple of Patek Philippe. Perhaps you've heard of them. It's just how we roll when we're rich.

Wow! I've just gotten a small raise each year, but I do drive the same car, live in the same house, and I wear the same clothes. Every time I get a raise, I just put it right in my retirement fund. Ooh, and my Timex still works.

Thirty Years Later

Oh man, all my friends are moving to Greenwich and throwing these elite parties, and they all have like ten pools and seven elevators. I don't know how I'm gonna keep up with all this.

I still have the same house in Vermont. Fully paid off. I switched used cars once to another Toyota Camry, but guess whose Timex still works?

I think I just had one thing that you never had. Oh yeah? What's that? Enough?

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