It really depends what u want to do......weather it be physical or mental. My job is physical and it kinda sucks but i'm a warehouse selector and make decent $$. Plus if u do the warehouse thing u make extra $$ for incentive...meaning about .10cents per piece per hr depending on what the piece rate is. I make anywhere from $50-$300 extra per paycheck on incentive. I banked about 31k this yr which is the most i've banked ever....and it'* gonna keep going up. $5k of that was just incentive!!

Wow its intresting to see the different wage levels all over North America.
Welders generally make in the 30/hr range here
Mechanics make around 30/hr
Parts Personell can make around 28-30/hr after a few years
Oilfield..its endless $$$$

I budget myself, I have one all wrote up, I have it figured in with my bills what I can spend per day and keep on track, I must save a certain ammount of each paycheque, gotta save for that house downpayment

im a graphic designer, and i do not have my degree YET.. im making $14/hr and i made $27000 this year

I make a pretty decent living on just a regular 9-5 Office job. Ive been with my company for just over 5 years and I have increased my pay $4500 since starting with the company. Year end bonus', 401K, and plenty of office perks including sabatical after 8 years of service and lots of parties.

Its pointless to throw out numbers. Cost of livnig varies so much across the country its not even funny.

I was making 25k a year when I started my current job (tech support), and thats increased slightly since I've been promoted.

Keep in mind I rent out a 1500sq foot house that is 6 years old for 700 a month, 350 a person plus utilities, so if I had to pay 700 a person I'd need several thousand dollars a year more to have the same quality of living.

Experienced mechanics around here make around 20 an hour, I know 2 personally. they have both been in the industry over 5 years.

Walmart tire and lube people make $5.85 to start for changing oil, i know a guy that does that.

Welders make around 10-15 an hour I believe to start at most smaller business.

Most other "jobs" in the town pay no more than $5.15 an hour. that is $10,000 a year for a LOT of people my age.

So it depends where you live, you can get a nice 1 bedroom appartment for 400 bucks a month here which you cant in most parts of the country. if you dont mind a commute you can find "projects" style housing for 200 a month in some of the subburbs.

Yea, the cost of living here is pretty high. Even a "junker" home in nasty areas are around 150K now. Just 10 years ago they were only around 60K. Small towns are the way to go here. Homes are usually 120K in town. As far as a career is concerned i'm more interested in a trade than anything else. I have ADHD so office work and me don't mix. I have been looking into the railroad and hopefully I can get into the local tech school'* program. Unfortunitly I have a blemish on my driving record that may make that not possible for almost 2 years.

MN region for welders aren't that great compared to alot of places like Canada, not including the oil fields, take Iowa, welders out there can make 100000 a yr. with a degree right out of school.

Are you still doing the two seasonal jobs, landscaping, and snow removal?

Yes, and its the same employer.

The problem you're facing is, you're not in a licensed area of construction (best place to move up in money) and you're on seasonal/good weather jobs.

You can't always work every day summer or winter.