First On-Air Television Job

[weather55]

Hey Guys,

Since most of you have been down this road before... I want to shoot a few questions at you.

In the spring I'll be looking for my first on-air television job. I will be fresh out of college, but do have a few years weather producing experience in a large market.

Here are my questions:

Assuming the station likes my demo tape and I interview well...

1.) Do most stations help you out in anyway with moving expenses?

2.) Do you usually get any sort of clothing allowance for the first job?

Also any other ways to help a very very broke and heavily in-debt college student?!?!

I know they are really doing you the favor by hiring you and giving you experience, so I am not expecting a lot. However, I don't want to miss out on certain opportunities either.

If you guys could fill a naive guy in. Thanks!!

[forecastguy]

1) Moving expenses:

Many stations do not... Some still do... Best case scenario is for $1k to $2k in relocation costs. It really depends on the station and the group. BTW, if a station is willing to fly you in for an interview, that is usually the first sign that they will be willing to help you relocate.

2) Clothing allowance:

This is also becoming more rare with time. However, it does vary widely station to station. You are more likely to get a clothing allowance from a #1 station in a market than a #3. $500 may be all you can expect for a 1st job.

3) Cost cutting:

TAFKA is the expert in this area... But go item by item and decide whether you really need it... examples: Cable - do you really need it? If you do without, it will save you $40 to $90 per month. Buy store brand foods, cleaning supplies, etc, you will save $70 to $100 per month on groceries. Most college loans will allow either graduated repayment programs, where your initial payments are lower, many will also allow hardship forbearances for up to one year. Depending on your situation, those first years may be really tough... Prepare yourself mentally. Practice living frugally. Make sure though you are willing to tough it out. In the long run, you can make a good career in TV. However, there are other places in the industry (government, military, private forecasting companies, weather vendors, energy companies, etc.) where starting salaries for the first 3 to 5 years are MUCH higher.

[wxvixen]

Hey Weather55 -

First good luck in job hunting...I also wx produced in a large market, kept practicing and kept updating my tape until I found my first job - so it may be a good idea to hang on to the wx producing gig until you get your feet wet.
Depending where you get your first job (ie the size of the market) will depend on moving expenses. I know my small market does not incorporate moving expenses unfortunately and I believe it is like that for most small markets. However, I did get a clothing allowance which helped. I also got a hair allowance which has also helped. The make-up allowance, although I got one is extremely minor but still works out. I guess I am lucky to get all of this.
A couple other places that I interviewed for my first job included clothing and hair allowances as well--so hopefully that is pretty standard.
Prepare to watch your expenses extremely closely for the next few years. I know reporters who have gotten second jobs at clothing stores in order to get discounts and the extra cash. Send me a PM if you are interested in a small market on the east coast. We should have an opening in the spring!

[CyclonesWxMan]

I'm rather in debt as well, so I feel your pain, weather55.

As somebody who's roughly in the same place in his "career," as it were, I can offer you this advice: practice in front of the wall as often and as much as you can. Find your weak areas and focus on them. Have folks critique you - they'll find other areas to work on, too. Find your groove - whatever style works for you and people like, run with it. The more you honestly try to improve, the better your chances (theoretically!) of finding a job near graduation.

[Ping-Pong Ball]

When you land your first gig, most likely in a small to medium market, you'll likely have several options as to where you want to live.

Most small towns/communities have that one really nice apartment complex. It'll have the pool, weight room, and a nice pad to call home. Before you sign that lease, know that on your first job salary you won't be able to afford it.

If you have pride on where you want to live, swallow it. Find a cheap place. Heck, you work in TV, so starting out you want to own no more worldly possessions that can fit in your car in one trip. This will save you in moving expenses and make your next move more simple. Plus, people in small to medium markets are always coming & going so picking up furniture that is free or next to nothing is easy as your co-workers constantly move on.

I took a chief's job once in a small market. My apartment was 2.25 rooms. (the .25 was the kitchen that was so small the fridge door & oven could not be opened at the same time). I paid $300 a month in rent which included heat & utilities. All my co-workers lived at the fancy place where they paid more than double plus heat & utilities. Guess who had the bigger salary? (Answer: me ) Guess who was always complaining about being broke? (Answer: them.) Guess who could use the pool whenever he wanted because his co-workers gave him a blanket invite?

One word of advice, if you do live in the cheap apartment, and someone tells you their car has broken down and they need ride as you get out of your car after parking it at your apartment when coming home at the conclusion of the late newscast, don't be a good Samaritan and offer a ride. I made that mistake, once. I was young and naive and the person with the "broken down" car turned out to be a prostitute. Turns out "needing a ride" is code for "wanting a date." I did not know this at the time and it made for a very awkward encounter. And no, the lady did not look like a professional. She was more of the type who looked like was poor with car had broken down (i.e. even Tony wouldn't tap that.)

Also, skip on cable or dish, only have one phone (ie land or cell), bring your dinner to lunch, & buy the generic booze. In a small market you'll drink a lot. So much, you won't know if it is PBR or Budweiser after the 4th round.

[Bob Sakamano]

I agree with the others, moving expenses may be hard to come by. However, a friend of mind landed a reporter gig in Boise recently. He was flown out to interview, hired, and they paid his moving expenses, including shipping his car. This was his first on-air job.

I didn't get moving expenses, but I did get hotel expenses while I looked for an apartment. I milked that for two weeks. I was in a military town, before the war started, and apartments were very hard to come by. There was a huge waiting list.

I did not have a clothing allowance on my first job. I had two suits from JCPenney, a $20 tie from Belks, and I bought my ties from Wal-Mart. When I was promoted, the talent coach came in and took me on a shopping spree. :o

You can find good deals on dress clothes. JCPenney is a great place to find suits. Most of my Wal-Mart ties are not what I'd call TV friendly. But you can find some nice TV friendly ties at places like Marshal's and Ross Dress For Less. I've found ties that retail for $50+ on sale for $5-$10 at those stores.

Most stations get the newspaper. If you work on Sundays, be sure to get the sale ads and bargain hunt. You'll likely be in a small town, so you won't have to drive far if you find a bargain across town. Clip coupons! My wife and I use coupons every time we go to the grocery store and save on average $30 or more. CVS is also a good place to bargain hunt, if you understand how their sales work.

Choose either a cell phone or a land line phone. Don't have long distance through the phone company. I picked up a MCI card fro Cosco that has 2.85 cents a minute for long distance. Sams Club has a similar deal through AT&T. You can get free 10 minute phone cards from Phonehog.com.

If you must have TV, go with satellite. It is usually cheaper and a better deal.

If you have student loans through the federal government, they will happily give you a forbearance. You have to reapply every year, but they have worked with me since I graduated in 2002. The biggest mistake I've seen some people make in college was to get their loans through a private bank. Those dudes don't usually work with you too well.

Be cautious about signing up for credit cards. I made that mistake during my first job. It has taken me three years to get back on track, and my balance never got above $4k.

Good luck.

[SureFireWeather]

My first on-air job 'freebies' ....

* $1,000 moving expenses
* free hair cuts (this is fairly typical... but not 'the standard')
* work cell phone with so many extra minutes that I can use it as I please without any problems

I agree with the apartment cost-cutting. In many small markets, the cost of living is low enough that you can get a decent place for under $500. (My wife and I pay $423 / month for rent in a two bedroom place with a small deck in a friendly neighborhood. The carpet was used as a toilet by previous tenant's dogs (hopefully the dogs) --- but other than that, it is not a bad place. It would cost twice what it does if it were where I grew up.)

One other thing that saves a few bucks -- since my first TV job has me working as a weekend met / weekday reporter, there are times when I am 'on call' as a reporter, so I take a newscar home once or twice a week.

[CasaNova]

As you've already heard, there are many different scenarios of what can play out for you at your first gig...It definitely depends on Company moreso than market... I'm only a few years in the biz, started out in a small market(150ish) mom and pop shop. Was making about $17,000/yr doing AM & noon. No re-location, no clothing allowance, no vacation for the 1st year. Only "perk" was free haircuts.

Rent was $400/month utilities included...but it was about 600 sq.ft. I worked out a deal with a local radio station to do forecasts for them, in return they "paid" me with food coupons(free whoppers, free appetizers at local restaurants, etc).

The main thing you're going to have to understand about your first job. It may be a great shop, it may be a crappy shop, but more importantly its a foot in the door. Get in, get your experience, make the best of your time there, and get out.

[Randy Steinman]

Great responses, folks. It's these quality answers to legitimate questions that make me proud to be associated with MediaLine.

This thread is someday headed for a well-deserved spot on the "Best of" forum.

Thanks. :cheers:

[rellet]

I'm only a few years in the biz, started out in a small market(150ish) mom and pop shop. Was making about $17,000/yr doing AM & noon. No re-location, no clothing allowance, no vacation for the 1st year. Only "perk" was free haircuts.

This describes my experience almost exactly. The most important thing, after getting your education, is just getting that foot in the door. If a station isn't willing to provide perks and the pay is very low ask about contract length. If the station has a short contract or doesn't have one at all then you can work hard, get a good tape together, and move on much quicker. This isn't to say you won't have any perks. I recently had a friend that graduated with his degree landed a job in a small to medium severe weather market (100ish) and is making low $30,000 range with all of the perks but almost all of us don't get that lucky. Good Luck!

[wxvixen]

oh yeah, as mentioned early...a biggie...

no vacation the first year...its a little bit of a dagger...and you will def. notice....

just have to keep working through it

[wxaffectsyou]

My station offered to give me $1,000 for moving expenses, but they were going to subtract 1,000 from my salary to make up for it. I also got $1000 for clothing, free haircuts, gym membership, free tickets to athletic events, and one week of vacation until the new year rolled in.

The low salary hurts, but you are able to survive off of it. I picked up a second job, and didn't realize how much the extra cash helped until i started to get the extra paycheck.

[Great Cornholio]

I've always had my moving expenses paid. Of course, for my first job they amounted to just my gas money for the 5 hour drive since all my stuff fit in my car!
My other full time on-air gigs had make-up paid for. First job didn't have haircuts included and clothing, 2nd job did.
As somebody else said, TAFKA has the ultimate budget cutting list, but I'm sure he'll agree with this one which I'll repeat from above: Make lunch/dinner at home and take it with you. Eating out every single day will blow up your budget and probably your waistline! Go back to your childhood where all you wanted to eat was mac & cheese or peanut butter sandwiches, because you won't be able to afford much more than that!
I don't know if it's in the best of postings, but at one point we had a crock-pot/slow cooker recipe posting. If you're a lousy cook, a crock-pot is an easy way to make meals that you can get several servings out of them. If you can't eat the entire recipe, make some plates and freeze them...instant TV dinners for later!
Some people will hose me for saying this, but if you go out with the guys/gals at the station after the show, don't drink! I know, that might sound like blasphemy, but let me finish: You'll pay what, a few bucks for one beer, maybe more. After you've had 2 or 3 beers you could've paid for at least a 12 pack of beer, or a case of Natty Light. Go by the store, get a couple of 12 packs and hang out at somebody's place. I remember going out after the Saturday 10pm and some of the guys would end up with a $100 tab just for the night! It'd be $200 a weekend for one guy in bar tabs. Those are the same guys wondering why they had 10k credit card bills too!

Ok, I'm done!

[weather55]

wxvixen, check your PM's :)

[newsandwx]

For my first job, moving expenses were included for each offer I had except one. The moving expenses ranged from $1000 to potentially over $2000 for a job in the pac NW. I opted to take the job that did not offer me moving expenses. They said "no moving expenses" was corporate salary, but I asked for a bump in salary as a result (and got it).

You will never get anything you don't ask for. Do not forget that. I got free hair, gym membership, ams/nwa seal and membership fees paid for, the bump in salary for my "moving expenses," and probably other stuff I can't think of. If you don't ask, you won't get it. The worst thing they can do is say no.

I made a list of questions that I would go through with every ND that offered me a job. If you want that, PM me, let me know and I will find it. Good luck!

[Bob Sakamano]

One more tip is that if you are going to make any big purchases, shop online. Prices are usually cheper and it is easy to Google up coupon codes to get discounts. I use ebates.com to get cash back. I don't have to do anything other than connect to the company's website through the ebates site. I got 4% cash back from Circuit City last Monday just for using ebates. I paid less for buying my items from the Circuit City website and I went to the store to pick it up and saved on the shipping charges.

[weather55]

Good information guys!!! Keep it coming. I'm already used to many of the downfalls of working mornings already. I've been doing it for three years now, so I'm used to the 1:30 AM wakeup call, the turnarounds, doubles, etc... The never feeling clean or fresh syndrome... I also have budgeted myself out pretty well with respect to money and time.

So that's the good part... no acclimation to scheduling needed. Now I'm ready to get on-camera fulltime come Spring. The station I'm at now has been great. They allow me to make a lot of tapes and also to record our local Weather Plus hit on Sundays when our main girl is out on remote.

Thanks again for helping a novice out...

[SureFireWeather]

You will never get anything you don't ask for. Do not forget that. I got free hair, gym membership, ams/nwa seal and membership fees paid for, the bump in salary for my "moving expenses," and probably other stuff I can't think of. If you don't ask, you won't get it. The worst thing they can do is say no.

I agree with you, NewsandWx.

*My only word of caution* -- FOR THAT FIRST JOB, don't play too much "hardball." I interviewed at one station (they invited me out, and I drove to a neighboring state footing my own bill for gas, which I was okay with)... and they offered me 16,500 ... I said that I would love the job, but my wife and I couldn't afford to take it for less than 18,000. I felt good about the interview, and they told me I was their top candidate at the time, but I never got a call back. I have no doubt that I never got a call back because they wouldn't pay a dollar over that $16,500. I don't think they liked a 'newbie' trying to negotiate a better (but still uncomfortably slim) salary.

Bottom line -- I played a little 'too much' hardball for that first job, and there was no room for negotiation at that position.

I think there is plenty of room to ask for the additional 'freebies' -- stations more readily hand out free haircuts & other stuff than actual money, especially for newbies.

As it turned out, things worked out well... I later took another job where they flew me to the interview, fed me, put me up in a hotel, and offered me a job that paid much better than the first offer. I didn't really negotiate for anything, aside from a minor detail in my "outs." -- The job that I took was just with a better employer.

[TAFKA wacowx]

OK...I have been quoted at least twice so here goes:

Whatever you do for the first few years of your career, LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS. Then, in 3-5 years when you are making a larger (but certainly not earth-shattering) paycheck, you won't be paying off credit card bills and you will finally be able to live AT your means and enjoy life a bit. Heck, if you are smart, you should always live below your means, then you'll have plenty of money in the bank for emergencies and buying majors things in the future.

Most folks fresh out of school want to live alone, have a brand new car and go out and live it up! These are three things that, unfortunately, a career in TV weather does not allow us.

I used to work with a guy I will call Koogs (those who worked at AccuWeather may know who I am talking about.) We both made around $17,000 a year...I wanted a new car, to live in a townhouse, go out to for wing nights...etc. Koogs (while he did attend some wing nights) didn't party a whole lot, lived in a 1 bedroom apt with 2 other people, had no car, brought his PB&J sandwiches to work and his only other expense was titheing to his church. At the end of our 3 year contract, I had over $5000 in credit card DEBT on top of student loan and car payments. He had, by my estimates AT LEAST $20,000 in the bank!

In what position would you rather be?

If you live frugally now, you will not be living paycheck to paycheck 10 years down the road with a 35K/year salary.

Does it suck not being able to buy things? Sure, but save up the money and only buy when you have enough to afford it.

I borrow at least one or two tips from Dave Ramsey, like save up an emergency fund of $1000. That way, if something comes up like a repair bill or the like, you have the money to pay it and don't have to use credit.

If you have any credit cards: PAY THEM OFF NOW!!! Work some extra hours or part times jobs if you have to, but DON'T start off on a path in TV weather with ANY debt over student loans.

Even on the tiniest TV salary, you should be able to save at least $20 a paycheck and I would argue even $100-200 is not out of the question. Find a roommate, share expenses...or just on't have them (see others aboout ONE phone 'line' cheapest plan possible, NO cable or sat (digital broadcasts give every market now many more options than before...sometimes as many as 20 different channels all free, all over the air) make your lunch, don't feed the soda machine at work, bottle your own water.) You can do all of this stuff later on, when you are making enough money to justify the expense.

You like movies?...see a matinee or find the dollar theatre in your town (just about every one has one).

You like surfing the web? There are dial-up plans for less than $10 a month, or you can do it for free at work or at the library (if you already own a laptop...coffee shops always have free WiFi) for the ultimate in savings.

I used to show the exact savings per month and year you could see from this stuff, but I think you realize that some folks waste 4-500 bucks a month on some of this stuff. You CAN live without it, and just keep telling yourself how much better off you will be in a few years by not ringing up large bills after graduation.

Once you start living frugally, it's easy to continue later...imagine the look on the saleman's face when you offer to pay for your next car (used not new of course....there's another several thousand dollars people throw out the window just for a 'smell') ...when you offer to pay for that $14K car in CASH! :D

Actually paying for a house down the road in cash wouldn't be out of the question either. When you start living with debt, it's very hard to escape. BUT, if you manage to avoid falling into it, live can become very sweet very fast.

That being said...

Be sure you know this is NOT a high-paying industry. I would say that 50% of those in TV who have been in TV for 10 years or more are making less than $50K. If you can crack $30K in 5 years, you will be lucky.

On the other hand, the government and private firms will start people close to those levels.

Unless you are extremely talented or extremely lucky, you will not get rich doing TV weather and it will consume your life (not having time off on holidays or needing to be on call due to severe weather...etc) You can make a good living if you start out living very frugally and continue on that path. But realize that the chances of you even breaking $100K are just about slim to none as salaries get lower and lower each year.

I'm being all 'doom and gloom'y because I , like many others, thought that weather would be a job where I could do something I loved and get paid a lot of money. The jobs are still there certainly, but the money is not...and I hope you realize that from the start, so there are no dissilusions.

My first job 16.5K....no 'perks' per se 'cause it was AW. 5 years later my first TV job...took what I could to get my foot in the door which was part-time and fill ins for what would be $18K IF I worked a full 40 hours a week for the year. (mind you, I was making close to $30K at AW by this time and took a AMSSIVE payut to get in TV). No perks in my first TV job...aside from pleading with them for clothes money and they let me use Dave Price's leftover 'budget' at one of the nicer Erie men's stores.

Moving expenses are nice, but I never was able to get them from a station....except in my two energy jobs which provided me several thousand which would serve as a signing bonus/moving expenses.

I agree...don't play hardball too strongly, or they just might move onto one of the hundreds of other recent grads that sent tapes/DVDs. Ask if they can offer you anything else and they might be able to provide you some goods/services that they have in trade with local companies. Certainly couldn't hurt, but DON'T expect anything more than a salary....and expect about $18,000 and be very happy if you get more.:cheers:

[SureFireWeather]

I borrow at least one or two tips from Dave Ramsey

Great advice, Waco -- and I agree -- Ramsey is always on-point.

[+SN]

That advice is gold for anyone just starting out in weather or any other career path. Living below your means and saving is the 'best habit' anyone should want to form. The younger you do this the better off you'll be long term.

+SN

[JJ]

I agree with you, NewsandWx.

*My only word of caution* -- FOR THAT FIRST JOB, don't play too much "hardball."




Excellent ! Excellent ! Thank you for that point !

Watch these catch phrases of ‘Everything’s negotiable’ or ‘you don’t get if you don’t ask.’ That’s all true to a point. But, be prepared to back off and/or drop it if you meet resistance. My current station, small market but plays big, is a classic example of that. They do not look kindly to altering wording in the contract. We have a few ‘perks’ which are very modest in true worth and understand what strings they may come with.

Relo - Some stations pay for that just by design. They never hire local, and understand they’ll have to pay to move everyone, but it’s usually modest. I got a few bucks in every move I’ve had, but in only one case did I have the ‘corporate packaged move,’ where I signed mover papers and it was all ‘handled.’ Most of the time, they cut a check for a grand or two and that was it. Whatever they don’t cover, you can put that on your taxes as, ‘adjustment to income.’ That’s a deduction EVERYONE gets, you don’t have to meet limits for itemization. Give the papers to your accountant, they’ll take care of it for you.

Clothing allowance - It often sounds better than it is. Question, is this barter or cash ? Do you know the difference ? Barter is something the accountants (both the station and the clothing store) can make you feel like you’re getting something for nothing. Cash is real stuff. With barter, you are given a limit to shop at THEIR handpicked store. So, that one thousand dollar suit is the same one I can get at the outlet mall (anywhere USA) for a fourth as much. With that clothing allowance (barter) you’ll be lucky to buy two suits, which you’ll be looking almost the same day to day, very little variety. The station now has leverage on your because they are ‘giving’ you something, so you now have to give somewhere else.

Cell Phone ? Couldn’t pay me to accept one. That’s not a perk, that’s a ball and chain. Of course, I’m not on my first, second, forth or fifth job anymore either. With that company cell phone, now, remember, they will always expect answers 24/7, vacations, holidays, whatever. I’d rather have my own, where I pay the bill and I control when it’s hot or off.

Professional memberships - This is probably the best perk to ask for. Will they send you to any conferences ? Pay for some ? Give you at least company time for it ? This is gold, get to networking, good to see ‘what is going on elsewhere,’ and will give you a good perspective.

Station/contract clauses - Now we come to conditions companies put in the contract for THEIR protection and your liability. There are cases where they can be removed, there are far more STORIES of such than reality.

- ‘...and duties assigned by the producer.’ This is a common phrase which basically means, they can add duties to your job with no extra compensation. This is particularly critical with weather as the bosses have discovered new ways to ‘sell’ it. Guess what ? You’re doing radio weather reports, no money...part of your job. Hey, we’re doing weather reports for a cable channel...part of your job. Phone/recorded weather reports for another organization (which we’ll sell and bring in revenue)...part of your job. Stay tuned...more to come.

- Position defined - You come in, say, as a morning meteorologist, but you may be moved to weekends or front line at the whims of whoever is running the newsroom at the time. Most stations have vague enough wording for this, and in VERY few cases will they budge in favor of you. Don’t hold your breath, though.

- Management cuts/outs - Guess which direction these are going ? You sign a three year deal, it effectively means, that’s how long you promise to THEM. But, they can cut you loose, at their discretion, at various periods in the contract, usually annually and by certain anniversary dates. But, I’ve seen some with much smaller windows, willy/nilly every thirty days, anytime they want. Further, watch out if you are particularly a local candidate or if you paid for your move. There can be clauses of cutting you loose after a ‘probation period’ of 45 days from hire, no severance, no warning...nothing.

Outs ? If you get them, consider yourself lucky ! I’ve worked for more than half a dozen companies and not one of them (podunk to top thirty) granted employee these outs. I have a couple of friends who do have them, sure. But, they are VERY rare.


Legal/Beagle - Above everything, and the best investment you’ll make is consult an attorney about what your contract states. Questions ? ASK ! It may cost you a grand or maybe more, if things get involved. Money more than well spent. There may be clauses in the contract which are illegal, if you don’t know that, it’s as good as golden. There are quirky or odd ball things in there you might get them to take out, but you have to know what they mean and have a legal opinion as to the consequences. For example, I had a clause in one early draft, which said the employer may cut off my benefits WITHOUT doing it to others.

Non-competes...some companies have it where you are bound to them even after you are off the payroll. However, this is one case where both in the courts and through lawmakers, have been tilting back to the employee. But, it varies from state to state. I’m guessing most people reading this haven’t been to law school and are hardly experts with court actions of this nature. Does your dentist make your forecast up for you ? Does your accountant make your graphics ? May be wise to have an attorney, learned in the law, handle this legal document.

Lastly, unemployment insurance. Some companies, for whatever reason your parting, will fight your unemployment. Often, they may drop out after the first round. But, others may be stinkers and continue to fight your case, and you may have to call that lawyer back. One piece of advise I’d give here and it appears common in various states, is work the very last day they tell you, if you plan on collecting. Ask HR if they want you to leave. If you leave one day early, they can use that as a ploy to say you left when ‘...work was made available to you.’

Good luck...and welcome aboard.

[tvwxguy]

One word of advice, if you do live in the cheap apartment, and someone tells you their car has broken down and they need ride as you get out of your car after parking it at your apartment when coming home at the conclusion of the late newscast, don't be a good Samaritan and offer a ride. I made that mistake, once. I was young and naive and the person with the "broken down" car turned out to be a prostitute. Turns out "needing a ride" is code for "wanting a date." I did not know this at the time and it made for a very awkward encounter. And no, the lady did not look like a professional. She was more of the type who looked like was poor with car had broken down (i.e. even Tony wouldn't tap that.)

:eek:

um... wow! You don't hear stories like that every day!

[Cumulo-nimbus]

I was lucky enough to have a weekend weather position with 2 years experience when I graduated college.

Even if you don't have experience yet, you'll land a job somewhere. It will probably pay just enough to get by, but hey, we work in TV. We should expect that.

Even though I have been doing this for about 5 years now, I did, and still do, have to be frugal.

Some advice for you as you are just starting out:

One really good web site I've found is http://www.thesimpledollar.com. Lots of good suggestions on there for saving money. One thing I will suggest is this...no matter how much it hurts find some way to fund your 401k (assuming your company has one, most do). Try and fund it up to the maximum your company will match if you can (mine matches up to 5% of my salary). It might seem hard to do at first but it is a sacrifice well worth making. You can usually borrow from this stash if you need to at a later date, paying yourself back interest rather than paying interest to the bank. Best of all, if you start young making small investments you'll have more money over the long haul than someone who starts later making bigger investments.

Find ways to slash your bills. Avoid being a "consumer" and spending money on unneccesary items. Avoid credit card debt like it was the plague! I can't stress that one enough. Otherwise, you'll still be paying interest on that gadget you bought for $12.95 years from now. And when you got it home you didn't like it that much anyway! :) That may mean you'll have to make some uncomfortable sacrifices, but in the long run you'll be much better off if you start small and then build your way up.

As far as moving expenses... my present station reimbursed me for the U-Haul only. No gas.

And even though I'm in a mid-market station, they DO NOT give us a DIME for clothing allowances. Nor haircuts. We do get reimbursed for makeup. I have suits from JCPenney, McRae's, several department stores...but lately my penny-pinching has directed me to buy several suits from Target. I really can't tell that big of a difference from the ones I paid $80 for and the ones that cost me $300. And I'm sure no one can tell the difference on TV. Again, saving money is the key here. I'm not a snobby person so it doesn't matter to me where the suits came from as long as I'm appropriately dressed for work.

In short, if this is something you really want to do, be patient, and for many people a decent living does eventually find them. The first few years can be quite trying though.

[sciawx]

I just started my first job in a DMA around 150. I recieved 500 relocation, 500 hair/makeup, and 1k clothing. So there are still a few stations out there that do pay for those things. Good luck to you in finding a job!