How Calculating Your Real Hourly Wage Changed My View on Money
There was this job I had—probably my worst ever. It was the kind of role that drained you not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and yes, financially too. I clocked in, slogged through the day, and then needed hours—sometimes days—to decompress. When I finally did the math on my real hourly wage, it came to around £7.50. Not great, especially for the toll it took on me. That calculation wasn’t just numbers on a page; it was a mirror reflecting how much of my life energy was being traded for less than it was worth.
Listening to Your Money or Your Life again, what struck me most was how the authors—particularly Vicki Robin—use small, vivid stories to bring their ideas to life. Like the story of Vicki buying a van for camping, chasing what she loved rather than chasing a paycheck. It made me imagine myself doing something similar, maybe camping with my family, somewhere calm and green. It’s these personal touches that make the book feel less like a finance manual and more like a gentle invitation to rethink what money really means.
Here’s what I’ve been learning about the quiet power of knowing your true hourly wage and the energy you’re really spending.
🌿 Why This Matters: Rethinking Work, Money, and What We Truly Value
We all know the drill: “Get a 9-to-5 job, work until you’re 65, and hope for a comfortable retirement.” It’s the background hum of modern life that we rarely stop to question. But what if that rhythm isn’t actually what we want? What if there’s a way to see money not just as numbers in a bank account, but as life energy—time, effort, and freedom?
Your Money or Your Life challenges this default mindset, not by preaching austerity or deprivation, but by asking us to get curious about the stories we tell ourselves about money and work. It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and seeing the real cost of how we spend our time and money. For me, that shift from hustle to mindful reflection was both comforting and a bit of a wake-up call.
The Power of Small Stories: Bringing Abstract Ideas to Life
One of the book’s strengths is how it breaks down big, abstract ideas into small, relatable stories. Take Vicki Robin’s van for camping—on the surface, it’s a simple choice. But it’s loaded with meaning: prioritising joy, community, and freedom over the conventional markers of success. It’s a story that sticks because it’s easy to step into. I found myself imagining my own version, maybe camping with my baby and family, creating memories instead of chasing more stuff.
These stories aren’t just fluff; they’re bridges from theory to real life. They make you pause and think: What’s my “van”? What’s the joy or freedom I’m chasing beneath my day-to-day grind?
Real Life Energy in Action: Calculating My Own Hourly Wage and What It Taught Me
So, about that hourly wage calculation. After crunching the numbers on my worst job, I was stunned to see how little I was really earning when you factored in all the extra costs—commuting, buying lunch, the mental toll. It was a long slog for very little return.
Fast forward to now: I’ve done the same math for my current situation. Taking into account taxes, necessary spending, and the perks of working from home (no commute, no work clothes), my real hourly wage comes to about £13.33. But here’s the kicker—if I buy snacks or meals while out on walks, that number slips closer to £14.83. The solution? Carrying a water bottle, taking a different route, avoiding Tesco on my walks. Small, practical changes that feel surprisingly doable.
This awareness isn’t about guilt or cutting all joy out of life. It’s about understanding the true cost of what we spend and where we choose to put our energy. It’s empowering, really.
Gentle Questions for the Road
Right now, I’m embracing this idea of life energy in small, simple ways. We’re heading to a rural seaside town in Devon for a family holiday—a little reset of time and priorities. And I’m starting to dream about camping with my baby next summer, blending joy with intention.
Here are a few questions for you to ponder on your own journey:
- What’s one small thing you might change about your money or time use if you weren’t afraid?
- How do you reckon your “life energy” compares to what you think it should be?
- Where do you feel ready to let go of a worn-out money story?
If you’ve read Your Money or Your Life, or are thinking about dipping your toes in, my gentle advice: read it all once, then read it again and do the steps. Understanding the why behind the numbers makes all the difference.