Polls: Education & Career

I work 50 hours every week

** Not a financial advice question **

Ever since I was working age from about 18 in my country, i've always been grateful for the insurance in my superannuation. I don't think it's equivalent to the American or other countries 401(K) or retirement funds earnt from working etc etc : unrelated to the pension.

I'm always grateful that regardless if I'm employed or unemployed, as long as I've got funds in my super, it basically stores for the winter for me, life insurance coverage and disabled insurances coverage. It's something an anxiety prone me is always grateful for, after all, life's unpredictable and dangerous, and as someone with dependents or relatives, it's a peace of mind to me for me. Again not an advice to get such coverage.

Do you have life insurance? Why or why not? How long now? Through employment or retirement fund or? I think I've been insured for over 10 years now.

Should ONLY buyers pay? Sellers? Split? At what ratio? Should brokers ONLY get a percentage or are flat fees (either as a standalone cost or ON TOP of the percentage cut? Are they even NEEDED?

Real estate

Commercial sellers / property managers: Brokers specialize in arranging transactions for offices, retail spaces, and industrial buildings.

Finance & securities

These professionals charge higher fees, often a percentage of assets under management, in exchange for a wide range of services.

Insurance.

Commissions: Brokers typically earn a commission paid by the insurance company as a percentage of the policy's premium. They may also earn a smaller "renewal commission" when the policy is renewed.

Broker fees: In addition to or in place of a commission, a broker may charge a fee directly to the client for their advisory or administrative services

Business and mergers and acquisitions

Brokers commonly charge a commission of 10% to 12% on smaller deals, with the percentage decreasing on larger transactions.

Retainers: For larger M&A deals, advisors often charge an upfront retainer fee in addition to a success fee paid at closing.

Mortgages.

Lender-paid compensation: In most cases, the lender pays the broker a commission, which may result in the borrower paying a slightly higher interest rate. Some pay borrower directly, typically 1% to 2% of the total loan amount, usually paid at closing.

Shipping and logistics.

Commission: A freight broker's compensation is typically a percentage of the difference between what the shipper pays and what the carrier charges or flat fee. This can range from 10% to 25% depending on the load.

Customs.

Transaction fees: For each entry or declaration, customs brokers charge a service fee, which can be a flat rate or based on a percentage of the goods' value.

Luxury goods

Art brokers: Facilitate the buying and selling of art and charge a commission or fee based on the transaction.

How intelligent do you consider yourself to be?

Please vote in the poll.

I have had a lot of setbacks, yes. As of today, I collect disability, yes. But I will say that I have had a hell of a ride with both positive and negative experiences.

• Held 25 jobs in a span of 15 years
• Was certified as an Emergency Medical Responder at age 17
• Was a recruit in firefighter academy as a senior in high school
• Was a fire explorer most of high school
• Worked as a lifeguard in high school
• Voluntarily participated in clinical and EMS ride alongs my junior and senior year of high school
• Volunteered with a county rescue squad at age 18
• Drove to Colorado by myself at age 19 for EMT school and achieved my Advanced EMT
• Worked in EMS for 2 years, even while attempting university. I worked 24 hour shifts, sometimes even 96 consecutive hours. I started intraosseous infusions, IVs, drove lights and sirens through heavy traffic congestion while parting the sea of cars, transported patients to different states at times, loaded patients onto helicopters, and all sorts of kick-ass experiences
• Was kicked out of a college program and showed up there shortly after in a security uniform, making the program's president's mouth drop (a funny experience and a reaction to remember). I was hired on there after I was kicked out of class. I only lasted a few minutes before I was fired, lol.
• I was hospitalized involuntarily over 20 times
• I was arrested and later convicted of stalking at age 21 trying to pursue a romantic interest at that time
• I have been to the Mayo Clinic (top hospital in the nation) to see the top psychiatrist for my mental health problems
• I have corresponded with state legislators to proactively advocate for certain issues
• I became a self-taught fullstack developer, skilled in a wide array of different technologies
• I worked on projects for some big-name, reputable companies, including Daimler (Freightliner/Western Star), Zoetis (veterinary pharmaceutical company), and McCain Foods
• Now, I finally found the love of my life and happily married

From the nauseating slop they have fed kids during lunch, to reducing their recess and socialization time, to restricting their movements throughout the building, to crowding 23 kids in a classroom with 1 teacher, to common core curriculum that fails to address individual strengths and challenges. What are your thoughts?

These were just my observations when I was a kid in school. My wife and I for certain homeschooling our future kids or opting for co-op.

Concerning just meaning you would think "hmm, I definitely have to ask them about this"

Crossing guard is part time, barely above minimum wage, contractual obligation to work during school months, and gotta pass a background check to make sure I'm not a pedophile. Garbage man is full time, moderately above minimum wage with chance for more pay over time, essential job so can never be laid off if economy worsens, and very physically demanding. However though, crossing guard being part time and super easy to do allows me enough time and effort to further dedicate the next few months for my startup to take off, whereas garbage man I can finally achieve financial independence in a short time frame (months instead of years if I relied on startup) and I don't have to be at home with my weird family.

Of course, it's up to the employers if they wanna hire me or not based on available positions and how fucked or easy the hiring process is, and if I can be offered to work as either, I still don't know which to choose. I've checked other public sector jobs in my city, and sadly they're not eligible for me as I either lack the necessary credentials and/or the relevant work experience (so volunteering, freelancing, transferrable, etc don't count). I basically gave up on applying for private sector jobs, since I've applied to probably thousands at this point over the past decade with almost no success besides some interviews that got me nowhere. And also because the economy is so fucking terrible, along with employers not wanting to hire full time positions nor provide benefits nor pay a liveable wage.