I'm a lead SE in a shitty country, making almost exactly $25000/year after bonuses and taxes. Here are my 15 easy steps to make $25000: 1. be a lead software engineer 2. live in a shitty country 3. work your ass off all January 4. work your ass off all February 5. work your ass off all March 6. work your ass off all April 7. work your ass off all May 8. work your ass off all June 9. work your ass off all July 10. work your ass off all August 11. work your ass off all September 12. work your ass off all October 13. work your ass off all November 14. work your ass off all December 15. collect your $25000!