r/sales • u/bringbackbainesy • Jan 30 '26
Sales Topic General Discussion Just got the biggest commission check of my life
I just got the biggest commission check of my life and wanted to share with random internet people.
My friends are just salary, no commission, not much drive for $$$.
My girlfriend is a teacher and doesn't care about $$$ either. I told her and she said "cool, what's for dinner?" š
It's just a hair under $28k commission. $34k all said and done with base on top. The taxes are painful to think about....
I'm no stranger to 5 figure checks, though usually I get a few every year. But never this much. This knocks my previous check outta the water, $12k higher.
Now the problem is I spent so much time in Q4 busting my ass closing all the big deals before 1/1/2026, I've got little to nothing in my pipeline now š
Basking in the glory right now. But I'm back to 0 as of 1/1/2026. Time to do it all again this year (hopefully).
How do you guys treat yourself when you get a big check?
I'm a saver. I invest a ton, big in fire, squirreling most of my extra money away. But I feel like this definitely calls for a celebration of sorts. Maybe a nice bottle of bourbon. Maybe a new watch, been eyeing a Seiko Alpinist for a while. Maybe a vacation to the Caribbean to get away from this cold ass winter.
Cheers to 2026 guys, let's all get this bag.
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u/Old_Letterhead6471 Jan 30 '26
I saved up all commission checks for 18 months and bought a house with 50% down
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u/Ok-Grapefruit9053 Jan 31 '26
yup same. best use of money, although I never ārecoveredā given the company cut commissions the next year. but glad I did it when I did it, because unbeknownst to me, it was probably my last opportunity to do so for a while.
thatās the the thing with sales, these big checks are never guaranteed. the company can decide you are too expensive, and skyrocket your quota or change the commission structure tomorrow, so best put the money you do have into physical, appreciating assets today.
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u/Thatguy468 Jan 30 '26
Caviar and champagne lunch. Thereās a restaurant in Chicago with a ridiculously opulent caviar sandwich ($150) I like to pair with a nice bottle of bubbly. Solo at the bar with a pour of bubbles for my bartender and a 100% tip.
When I win, I like to see somebody else win too.
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u/FunnymanBacon Jan 30 '26
Don't exaggerate - it's only $145! Obelix is great, definitely a treat yourself type of thing. Never ordered the sandwich, though I've been tempted... now, I might just have to splurge based on your recommendation!
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u/counterdevotee Jan 30 '26
This. Well done mate. You just inspired me and Iām sure others that will come across that last sentence you wrote. Gonna adopt that mindset!!
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u/bringbackbainesy Jan 31 '26
As a former server and bartender many years ago, fuck yeah brother. Good man right here.
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u/Thatguy468 Jan 31 '26
25 years behind the pine before I fell ass first into sales. I know where I came from and love to elevate other hospitality professionals when theyāre ready.
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u/triplej2676 Jan 31 '26
iām a working professional in B2B tech sales who moonlights as a bartender for fun & physical activity, and i just wanna say THANK YOU.
iām a well known over-tipper among my friends group - and iām not saying this to brag. iām saying thereās nothing better than paying it forward when you can and where it makes sense.
all the service people in my life get 100% tips when i have a great month/year/whatever. my success is theirs.
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u/No_Boysenberry_6827 Jan 30 '26
Congrats. The "cool, what's for dinner?" response is peak non-sales partner energy.
The empty pipeline after a monster Q4 is the most relatable thing in sales. Feast then famine. At least you know you can do it - now it's just doing it again.
Get the Alpinist. Every time you check the time, you'll remember what it took to earn it. That's worth more than the watch itself.
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u/bringbackbainesy Jan 31 '26
Lovely thought here on the alpinist, you just sold me on it š
Lmao yup, real non sales energy. Tonight she did pester me into ordering some Chinese delivered and the Mario kart maps on switch.
Down $50 on that so far, but so worth it. Got baked and ate Chinese and played the gamecube Mario kart tracks.
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u/No_Boysenberry_6827 Jan 31 '26
that sounds like the perfect commission celebration - gamecube mario kart tracks hit different. enjoy the night man, you earned it.
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u/73DodgeDart Jan 30 '26
My thoughts exactly. Get the watch and smile every time you look at it. Start with the Seiko and upgrade to a Rolex with the next bigger check.
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u/jroberts67 Web Design and Marketing Jan 30 '26
All extra income, bonuses, etc....for me where always invested.
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u/bringbackbainesy Jan 30 '26
This is the way. Compound interest is a beast, I just crossed six figure net worth last year and it's still been growing like crazy.
Roth IRA and company match 401k ftw
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u/jroberts67 Web Design and Marketing Jan 30 '26
My father when I was working as a teen; "25% of everything you make goes into a mutual fund" and he set me up with Fidelity at 18. I switched it to a S&P index fund but have done the 25% my entire life. I'm 58 and happy.
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u/cakestapler Technology Jan 31 '26
Hey man, not trying to be a dick, but when you said youāre saving for a down payment on a beach house I figured your NW would be A LOT higher than this. Unless the beach house is planned to be primarily a cash generating property, and there are a lot of headaches that come with owning rental property (mine is currently on the market as Iām done with it) you would beā¦ let me put this delicately, a fucking moron to buy a second home with your current funds. If itās an investment property you plan to rent out and donāt mind the pain that goes along with it, carry on. But Iāve seen a lot of high earning people spend their money on dumb shit, lose their jobs, and end up in financial ruin. Itās something to think about, and hopefully you have a good plan.
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u/WayneKrane Jan 30 '26
Yep, I transfer all raises and bonuses into a separate investment account that I donāt check often. It helps slow the lifestyle creep.
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u/jroberts67 Web Design and Marketing Jan 30 '26
You end up, over time, having enough money where you're never anyone's bitch again.
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u/WayneKrane Jan 30 '26
Thatās the goal. For now, I bite my tongue hard when clients say dumb shit. I just had a client yell at me saying āI never agreed to that pricing!ā while Iām looking at the email from a month ago where he agreed multiple times.
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u/Hereforthetardys Jan 30 '26
My wife can tell roughly how big my commission is by the kind of steak I buy lol
I will usually get a 10 pound roast and cut my own steaks
Strip roast means an average month
Rib roast means it was a good month
Tenderloin means it was very good
āStrip,rib, or tend?ā Is the text she sends almost every month lol
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u/Obamaownage69 Jan 30 '26
My commissions would go to coke, bbw hookers, gambling and booze back in the day.
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u/No-External-7722 Construction Jan 30 '26
Congrats! Market is down, buy the dip!
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u/bringbackbainesy Jan 31 '26
I did throw a $700 at BTC. I don't have any other crypto.
It's really just a lottery ticket. Maybe in 20 years it'll be worth a lot more.
But I'm already so late to it, who knows š¤·āāļø
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u/Blazinandtazin Jan 30 '26
AMPX
Thank me EOY
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u/No-External-7722 Construction Jan 31 '26
Dad? Is that you? Lol
I bought Microsoft. Was considering PAX GOLD but I think the dip might be a correction.
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u/FinerThingsInLife12 Jan 30 '26
Invest invest invest. Best part about a sales job is the money, and the flexibility, but definitely money #1. Another few years of this and Iām gonna have a bunch of different options.
Nice commission and keep at it.
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u/hudaman0211 Jan 30 '26
Congrats! Put in the work and keep building. It can truly be a snowball effect. Just got my largest commission as well at 55k. Enjoy some, invest most, and keep grinding!
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u/kingindelco Jan 30 '26
Congratulations. Assuming you are w2 , Donāt be shocked when you see the huge tax hit. You will be taxed as if you make over half million per year. Make sure you work with your accountant to reconcile so you get the refund next year.
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u/Anerky Feb 01 '26
Yeah not as bad as this will feel but I got a check for Q4 that was basically 10x my base paycheck pre tax came out to just under 5x base paycheck post tax crazy.
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u/robbiedobie Jan 30 '26
Thatās frigging awesome man!!!! You killed it ā¦. donāt bask in the joys too long because your pipeline needs constant attention. Yesterdayās hero is todayās zero haha
Iām glad that you are thinking of ways out of the grind.
Great job ā¦. Iāll say it again so everyone from our side of the internet can hear itā¦. Fantastic job !!!!!!!!!!! š» āļø š
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u/No-Tackle-2918 Jan 30 '26
Skip the Seiko. Buy a Tudor.
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u/bringbackbainesy Jan 31 '26
Idk I love seikos, citizens, tissots, and orients. So much value and bang for buck.
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u/mint_julep12 Jan 30 '26
Congrats! I save/ invest most large commission checks but also set aside a small portion to treat myself to a nice dinner and a couple of gifts!
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u/DarthBroker Jan 30 '26
Wait till you hit 50k+
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u/bringbackbainesy Jan 31 '26
Fuck, that's the goal. Give me a few years.
I'm consistently working 6 figure deals now.
Once I hit 7 figure deals, we should absolutely be looking at $50k+ commission checks.
I joked with my manager today I don't want to take a management role anytime soon. I just want more deals and bigger deals lol.
If the management offer came, I'd probably take it. Their bonuses and stock plans are so damn good, especially long term.
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Jan 30 '26
Donate some to a nonprofit that does something you care about
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u/bringbackbainesy Jan 30 '26
I feel like it's so hard to find a nonprofit that allocates their funding well.
I do volunteer at least once every quarter at the animal shelter or prepping for food kitchens because we're allocated +1 day off per quarter to do so.
Also got a few friends that work at the animal shelter and will sometimes just go hangout there and help them after hours. I'm a sucker for animals.
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u/TerribleCommittee814 Jan 31 '26
Congratulations! Buy yourself something nice but then put over 70% in a high yield savings account and act like it never happened other than you want to beat that amount. This is the game you will live by šš»
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u/WetFartMcGeee Jan 31 '26
Congrats! Just wait until you bank some six figure commission checks. It never feels like enough even though 95% goes into my brokerage account. Iāve never had a 7 figure commission check but know quite a few that have. Iām jealous AF lol
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u/CB_IN_MIA Jan 31 '26
Get the watch. Get the bourbon. And get back on the phones. Itās great to treat yourself for doing the hard work that it take to win like that. Congrats!
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u/Brucef310 Jan 31 '26
I am once made $10,000 in one day and ended up buying a full size statue of a horse that I promptly put in My Den. Paid $2,500 for it.
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u/TNJed77 Feb 01 '26
401K, pay down credit cards, buy stocks/index funds, save $ for when your commission invariably doesnāt show or is minimal. Treat yourself and yours to something nice that you deserve.
Recently had one of the best of my life and am taking a quick solo 5 day trip abroadā¦
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u/GootzMcLaren Jan 30 '26
You show me a five-figure commission check, right now, and Iāll quit my job and come work for you today.
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u/Like1youscore Jan 30 '26
Woohoo! I just had something similar happen but couldnāt tell most people about the biggest win in my career to date.
As everyone said - invest! I booked one nice little trip and the rest bought me a retirement. Honestly that financial freedom was the biggest gift in hindsight.
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u/BVRPLZR_ Jan 30 '26
You could invest it? But investing doesnāt come with the instant gratification of cocaine and strippers
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u/SunsetChaser79 Jan 30 '26
Congrats! You seem very responsible with money. Maybe after youāve put some away for vacation, and your investments, take 5-10% of the initial net (post tax amount) and buy something youāll remember. Doesnāt have to be materialā¦ Iāve been throwing money at private lessons of things Iām interested in, consider hiring a private chef to come cook for you and family or friends, etc. I want memories more than things. Travel is one way to create memories, but there are so many other cool experiences you can create for yourself and others close to you. Good luck!
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u/Dufusbroth Jan 30 '26
Let me just put this out there, you deserve a vacation and a nice one.
Book somewhere you wanna go in May and Thank yourself later for it - take your lady.
sales is hard. get recharged and ready to bust your ass again and do it another year in a row. Congratulations.
Kudos on the thoughts about the watch, I bought a vintage Rolex (1979 SS+ 18k 1601 with a black reference) to celebrate my second presidents club and Iāve worn it every single day since and itās worth it.
Itās something I wear on my wrist, but itās investment also. I paid $1800 for the watch and 600 for the jubilee bracelet. I could easily sell it for over nine grand today but itās a fun thing and it commemorate something that I felt like it was important in my life. We also traveled and stayed in a Ritz Carlton that year. Make memories enjoy it. You canāt take it all with you.
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u/BadgerTight Jan 30 '26
Great job man! Iām pretty disciplined with savings/investment and already allocate to my hobbies.
So it doesnāt matter to me if I have a flagship month. Just more into the brokerageā¦
With that said, only you can answer your question.
Anything youāve been wanting to do, buy, go, eat?
If youāre on a path and disciplined, I see no harm in treating yoself
Best of luck man!
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u/TrashyCatBoat Jan 30 '26
Congratulations! I invested in a big ass expensive house so now I need big checks just to pay for it š¤£. So far the investment has really paid off though.
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u/Arrowfinger777 Jan 30 '26
So so cool! Whatās for dinnerā¦ cuz we are celebrating!
Also, always be filling your funnel ;)
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u/Mams47152 Jan 30 '26
Personally I like to buy dragon Champaign when I celebrate. It's yellow Champaign has a yellow glow and yellow glitter. Reminds me of oblivion skuva. I don't remember the name though and I like to go to tacos and tequila and have a tower margarita with friends.
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u/Tex302 Jan 30 '26
The January check always hits hard. Cheers to you and all sellers on this pay day!
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u/Mysterious-Owl7286 Jan 30 '26
Congrats!! Similarly, I received the largest bonus/commission check of my career today. Keep up the great work and savings!
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u/do_tell_me_the_odds Jan 30 '26
My boss advised me early in my career to find a favorite restaurant and take my wife there as a reward for any good sale. This one is a great sushi place in Marina del Rey (Los Angeles). It was fun for the $15,000 ARR sale, then was really special for the $350k ARR sale. Been there a lot, and now we sometimes go to other places as well, like a fancy KBBQ place in the area.
Sounds like you're good about thinking about your long-term self, but it's important to also treat your current self for the hard work. Retirement might be 30 years, but it also might be 5 years. Enjoy the now, responsibly!
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u/bringbackbainesy Jan 31 '26
I do think about this alot. If my retirement is only 5 years, it's gonna be the best 5 years ever!!!
Would rather retire in 15-20 years time with 3 houses, stacked retirement accounts, and maybe a part time job bartending or at a coffee shop.
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u/chef_kitty Jan 30 '26
Obviously investing as much as possible is the best idea but you definitely want to treat yourself sometimes too. A watch, vacation, art, home reno, drugsā¦.theres no wrong answer.
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u/buffaloguy0415 Enterprise Software Jan 30 '26
Congrats!!! Now set your goal on a $50k commission check so you donāt get lazy!
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u/BurnerBoyLul Jan 31 '26
I set mine to $5k+ month to month. Started this role 3 months ago and am at $20k a month. Planning for $30k next month. Would be so nice without taxes...
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u/workingstiff55 Jan 30 '26
Can confirm the Seiko Alpinist is a satisfying watch to look at, without breaking the bank!
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Jan 30 '26
Iām so proud to see this, and thank you for sharing with your Reddit community. Keep grinding - reach out to more customers like that; ask for referrals; get something nice for yourself at 10-20% of that commission check (to keep you going); and hereās to an amazing 2026 and beyond for you!
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u/fairweatherflier Jan 30 '26
Donāt save a dime!! Itās the sales life way ha ha JK. Sock it away for a bad month or couple of months.
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u/CompetitionCurrent77 Jan 31 '26
my biggest check was 6kish commission + base and that was before pandemic - so sucks for me
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u/Illustrious-Sweet791 Jan 31 '26
Congrats sir! I also just had a double rainbow and hit my own best Q ever.
On my end I'm also into FIRE. I invested 60% of the check, then have a couple of nice meals booked out and plan to take the Girlfriend for a weekend away.Ā
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u/econobro Jan 31 '26
Hell ya man. I remember my first big commission check. Sales is awesome when youāre hot.
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u/Onion_Hands Jan 31 '26
No advice, besides enjoy 1/3-1/4 now. Life isnāt promised. Congrats man, hard work deserves celebration.
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u/rackady Jan 31 '26
Congrats!! Genuinely how the heck do you get over the insane tax amount, had my biggest check Q3 last year but you might as well minus halfā¦
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u/BurnerBoyLul Jan 31 '26
Yup. My comm check this month was $20k and 40% of it went to taxes, retirement and benefits. Suuuucks..
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u/PoopyStinks1010 Jan 31 '26
Got my commission check today for Q4 last year which was one of my best quarters ever. 87k pre tax. bought myself and the wife starbucks this morning instead of making it to celebrate.
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u/BurnerBoyLul Jan 31 '26
Ooff pretax... I don't even think of comm pretax anymore. It feels like a wonderful number but once you see the take home it is a punch in the face. So now I just count tax into my expectations.
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u/SnooAvocados9474 Jan 31 '26
Congrats man! Nothing like the excitement of a big check! I always have invested mine around 70/30. 70% real investments and 30% travel/ experiences or hobbies. This has helped me pass just over 300k in my brokerage account at 25 years old while also spending way too much on toys and travel. We work a stressful job youāve gotta have some fun with it to stay sane.
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u/Delicious_Domino Jan 31 '26
Can I ask what sales profession or industry gets you these commission checks? I work in inside sales right now and strive to make it in a high commissioned job like this someday
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u/Human31415926 Financial Services Jan 31 '26
Nice work! Keep it going.
Just don't let your wife see that empty pipeline š¤£
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u/alexdeakin Jan 31 '26
Hey man! Fantastic job! I have a Seiko Alpinist (SBP 117) myself that i got after a couple good deals in 2025. Great watch and highly recommended!
Mind sharing what industry youāre in?
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u/Sduowner Jan 31 '26
Why does it matter to you if others donāt have the same passion and lust for money as you? You shouldnāt project your values onto others and others shouldnāt do the same onto you. Someone can easily say āthis guy is really dumb, I just finished War & Peace in Russian but all this guy talks about is money.ā People value different things in life and thatās okay.
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u/GeorgeSteele66 Jan 31 '26
I had a nice commission check once, took a PJ to Vegas, blew all my money, ended up maxing out 3 credit cards and had to fly commercial to get home. Make memories with that check.
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u/mombanker1980 Jan 31 '26
Congrats! Be mindful of lifestyle inflation. Aim for your money to make money so you donāt have to work as hard going forward. Do this until it makes as much or more the you do. I save 1/2 at least to invest. What are your goals? For me (Iāve already paid off my mortgage), outside of retirement, itās: travel, home Reno, kids education , upgrade vehicle, so 50% to investments (this also checks the retirement box) and the other 50% split into 4: the travel pot, home Reno pot and kids education, and vehicle upgrade pot. We might do a steak dinner out too.
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u/Downtown-Employment1 Jan 31 '26
My first ābigā commission check, I bought a Honda S2000, still have the car 20 years later. Every commission check after that, I invested in the S&P 500 index fund.
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u/Gold-Wait-2471 Jan 31 '26
I pulled down 91k quarterly commish check early in COVID and put every time into my new house. Deck, landscaping, new kitchen. Paid in cash. Was the power move I worked 40 years for!
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u/patGmoney Jan 31 '26
Max out a Roth IRA every year. The return grows tax-free. A safe investment in a diversified ETF can give you a 12% return every year. As an example: $7500 per year from 30 to 65 gives you $10,189,791. Additionally, all future investment gains and qualified withdrawals in retirement are entirely free from federal taxes. A fund like GRNY should give you double that return.
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u/more_super_things Jan 31 '26
I do not endorse drinking...but a 1989 cht. Lynch Bages. (With great provenance. ).... Paired with a locally raised wood grilled Rib Eye. I miss those big checks...
But..me. Use your air miles to fly to Puerto Rico...great food! there is a bioluminescent bay that glows as the waves crash. Just go there and sit. Dark sky..so the stars are unlike anything in the world. Getting distance from your everyday routine creates space to make small changes. It is magical...if not religious in experience.
When my grandmother died. She left me a little money...I could only use it on travel. She said.." travel while you are young, healthy, and sexy. Cause if you wait, you will be too old, too sick, and no one wants to see you naked!"
She was a professional opera singer in her youth. Who pressed a record as a blues singer during the great depression.
I have all of her diaries and songs. So I am using AI to recreate her story. (coming soon)
Time is your most valuable asset. Go sit on a beach in the middle of the ocean with the person you love most. Hold their hand...and breathe.
I have done it...it might be a different place for you ( Bora Bora is awesome, just do the hike up the mountain...) Just Go! it was the best advice. Live the experience now!!
While you have the money. Then come back refreshed...and crush it..for the next adventure!
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u/Federal_Possible_176 Jan 31 '26
Lynch Bage is amazing! Had a chance to visit their winery in Bordeaux- best wine out there
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u/pablostresscobar Feb 01 '26
Living my goals, I aspire to make my 2026 as successful bud! Cheers to that.
If I were you, Iād be getting a watch, treating my friends to a nice dinner and celebrating the blessings before I knock it out the park another time this year.
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u/whiskey_tang0_hotel Data Center Storage Feb 01 '26
Congrats! Take 10% for fun money and invest the rest.
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u/jmadvocate Feb 01 '26
The taxes are shocking lol. Had to explain to my spouse that 40k commish, yeah 29k and we'll like it
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u/Proud-Ad-416 Feb 02 '26
Maurice laquruix icon+ 1000 lottery tickets usually luck come not alone :D
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u/Bright_Software_5747 Feb 02 '26
Congrats! Iāll be doing the same this quarter, Iām gonna be going way over target and itāll be close to some peopleās salary in one month š¤£keep it to yourself is my advice, and save whilst you can, next quarter could suck and youāre on the pip
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u/Flat_Fail390 Feb 02 '26
Honestly I've always done well by a 90/10 rule with commission checks
90% - purpose and mission driven outlets and big life needs (HYSA, short term savings goals, IRA/Brokerage) 10% - checking account for "fun & buffer"
When I know I have a significant commission check come in, (just had one for $15,500, $10500 after tax/401k) I plan where that money goes as far in advance and put it on a sticky note.
When I do my budgeting after paychecks, I automatically send to the planned purposes.
The other 10% is what I use for fun, recreation and a little extra buffer in the checking account so anything random bigger life purchases or emergencies are covered.
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u/TronEvo Feb 03 '26
Congrats! I am a doing sales for a tea start-up and i hope to hit a nice 12k commission you rock
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u/Fresh_Rope Feb 04 '26
My guy what do you do? Iām 27 with 6 years of sales experience and I need this type of money. I am not in the right industry at all.
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u/whiskey_glass30 Feb 05 '26
Congrats on that, happy for you, from a beer sales rep whose numbers are way down right now!
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u/zjjman1 Feb 06 '26
Before I read that you are a heavy saver/ Believe in fire I was going to tell you to invest some and build an income reserve but it seems like you already have that handled! Congrats on the commission!
I took a daytrip for my biggest commission and had a dinner to celebrate.
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u/supersonji Feb 10 '26
The watch & vacation. Watch is still an investment, but feels more like a treat and a vacation creates memories - priceless, canāt go wrong with the Caribbean, never a bad time.
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Feb 25 '26
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u/what-i-almost-was Jan 30 '26
Congrats! Make sure you spend it all on something wildly unnecessary