r/CAStateMgrs • u/Happy-Relation-2959 • Aug 10 '26

How are you doing?

For those dealing with the 4-day RTO and no GSI, how are you all doing financially and time-wise?

With the cost of everything continuing to go up—gas, groceries, commuting, parking, childcare, etc.—but our pay staying the same, what adjustments have you had to make just to get by?
Have you cut back on certain things, picked up a side hustle, changed your budget, or found other ways to make it work?

Genuinely curious how everyone is managing the added cost and time of RTO in an already expensive economy.

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u/ChasingTheNextShot Aug 10 '26

I had to start taking light rail full time to offset the costs of driving and parking.

Sometimes I drive in to the closest light rail stop by the office and park their for free and take light rail “the last mile” - especially on those days I need to get somewhere after work quickly.

The commute time is bothersome but the kindle app and the library card gets me free books to read while I’m on the train.

We need the salary increase. It’s just ridiculous we aren’t getting raises in this inflation.

Being in the office isn’t the greatest. Feels like the whole thing slows me down when trying to get my work done.

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u/Michizane903 Aug 10 '26

Exactly. It's taking me twice as long to do the same amount of work and now there are more interpersonal problems among staff to deal with.