Hit $200 an hour for the first time and honestly felt weird about it

I landed a $200/hour retainer with a fintech startup in Austin last month (up from $125) and expected to feel pumped, but instead I got this nagging feeling I overcharged. Then they never flinched at the invoice and even asked for more hours, which made me realize I'd been leaving money on the table for years. Anyone else feel guilty when a raise sticks harder than you thought?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason_murray81d ago

The guilt is just your brain catching up to the fact you were basically volunteering before.

rivera.hannah23h ago

and honestly that feeling is so real and you're not alone. i think a lot of us get that weird guilt when we finally charge what we're worth because we've been undercharging for so long it feels like stealing. your brain is used to the old number and it takes time to catch up. but the fact they didn't blink and wanted more hours tells you everything you need to know. you weren't overcharging, you were just finally playing fair with yourself. the guilt fades, it just takes a few invoices to sink in.