How are we dealing with workplace crushes nowadays?

I moved to chicago for a job in 2022. The cook county minimum wage has increased from $13.35 to $15.40 from 2022 to 2026. I started at $140k as a senior associate consultant. Just to cover the rate of inflation, which is how cook county calculates the minimum wage increases, I should be at $161.5k. I was at $158k before finally getting promoted to engagement manager, which was only an 8.3% pay raise. So I’ve been working my ass off to not even keep up with inflation. Thoughts?

Military seems to be the biggest scam in this country. Every other person I know in my area worked in the military for a couple of years and then either retired and collect pension or get a disability for a lifetime while having a full-time second job. How is that even legal and why did no one tell me that five years ago lol

Anyone else applying everywhere and hearing nothing?

How do you compartmentalize work away from personal life and reduce stress? Starting to impact my personal life but need the work money to pay for the mortgage. And does work ever get easier? Like in your 40s? Director level has been a shit show.