Taking a job for less money.

[Arc Lite]

I've been wanting to get out of my current job for quite a while now but never really could find just the right thing. (Do a lot of bullshit I hate and the Richmond area is a little too diverse). Well over the holidays I found something and have just accepted their offer.

The problem is that the pay is considerably less than I'm making now. But it's in a smaller Midwestern area so the cost of living is much less.

I know I will love this job and my piece of mind is worth a hell of a lot to me. We can't really afford it. Well it's going to be really tough and the wife who really doesn't have to work now is going to have to there. But it's a great opportunity and will likely pay off down the line so it's worth it to me.

Is happiness more important than money?

[Turtle]

yes

[d0uche_n0zzle]

yes

I concur.

[dodisman]

Job Satisfaction should be number 1....you should never leave a job if money is your motivator...but you should always leave your job for a new one if you are seeking more satisfaction...do what you love and you'll find a way to make the money.

[Big Dick Mcgee]

I don't make the greatest money at my job but I'm happy. I can take off if I need to and nothing is ever said to me. I also have the freedom to come in late so that I can put my son on the bus during the school year. Freedom at a job I think is a whole lot more important then money.

[wes mantooth]

Nothing worse than being chained to a job you hate because you can't afford to quit.

[ADD Theater]

I took a job about 15 months ago for a lot less money. It involved relo from PA to Charlotte so it was like getting a huge raise (the cost of living was that much cheaper).

THe company I went to is getting bought so I just found something that pays as much as the job I had before. It worked out great! :)

[thelord68]

From worst to first:

Crappy low paying job
Crappy high paying job
Good low paying job
Good high paying job

Quality of life is not just about have the newest TV set or the biggest house. Your wife having to work is not necessarily a bad thing if you're relocating. It's a way to meet people and feel connected to a new location.

My brother left one job for what appeared to be a lower paying, but more stable job. He has a shorter commute, actually gets additional time off or pay for overtime work, and they paid for him to get his CDL as well as other training if and when its necessary. In the end, he only really made less money the first year and now he's making more than if he had stayed at the other job. He also has potential to move up and could go work anywhere in the country with the experience he now has, as opposed to the old job which was very specialized with few options outside of that company.

[CM Mark]

Hapiness > Money

Now I just need to find a job that makes me happy

[Dopie Opie]

If you are doing something you enjoy, usually the money will come.
AND if it never comes at least you are happy. Live within your means and life will be fullfilling

[Philly loser]

Wes nailed my situation. I am chained to a very well paying job that I despise. Honestly, the only thing that gets me through the day is the time I can listen to O&A and the budddays.

I had been casually talking to a company about a possibility. I was supposed to have an actual interview this week. They called me on Wednesday to tell me it had been filled. I couldn't be too pissed because I never got in the door. If I had, I thought I had a decent shot because I know a few people there. Oh well. Gone before I could even discuss it.

The job would have been about a 20k pay cut. It would have been tough with a wife, 2 kids and sizable mortgage, but I am thoroughly miserable in my job.

Screw it. It's Friday night, I don't want to think about work.

If given the chance, choose happiness.

[THE FEZ MAN]

i work for much less than i could make, but i am quite happy doing what i do and were i do it (even though my boss is insane) i am now doing some side work that i truely love, in a totaly differnt enviroment doing something great, i hope to make it a little more perminant.

[SKANE]

Nothing worse than being chained to a job you hate because you can't afford to quit.

You said it bro...

[Ballbuster1]

Hapiness is more important. I made alot of bucks in the car dealership
biz but I am happier now running a private show and the money is
getting back to where it was.
Hopefully it'll get better as time goes on.

[generoso]

I took a pay cut 16 years ago for the job I still have today. It took me 3 years just to get back to the pay scale I was at. I am happy today as I was 16 years ago. The Job I had before went thru a management change where the son took over the company. I dreaded going every fucking day I got ulcers as well. That all stopped Dec 2 2000. I have even turned down promotions at my current place. I live within my means not above or below I am happy I do what I want most times (when my son graduates this year) I do as I please..Take the pay cut be happy.

[ImAlrightSpider]

I love my job most of the time. The money is "OK." Living in Mass. is expensive. I turned down a job that (considering the cost of living) would have paid more, but I would have had to move back to Texas. I would have been in a very prominent position (i.e. national recognition) in my field, but the stress is too high.

[Exanimate]

I did it 4 years ago. I took a pay cut for a 40 hour a week job rather than a 65 hour a week job. It has paid off, as I now make almost twice as much as I would be at the old place.

Happiness is much more important than killing yourself for a little extra money.

[peopleselbow]

At my age, it is all about the cash. The activities outside of work are for fun.

[Arc Lite]

Feeling better already. Been stressing about it all week. Confident now that it's the right thing to do. Things will be a little tough at first, but sounds like it will be well worth it.

[Beeman99]

Happiness is first, nobody that is rich is truly happy. I'm lucky that I love my profession and I make decent money at it.

[Hudson]

I moved 3/4 across the US from Jersey and took a 1/3 pay cut. Much better atmosphere, Kids, and people, plus rent is 1/2 of Jersey, heat and electric, also less, no sales tax, no retarded vehicle inspection/emission laws, walk in walk out firearms, and 1.5 mile commute to work rather than a 60 mile one.
Much happier, hotter, more down to earth women (they seem to like Eastern accents), great views and wildlife, cheaper property values, and lots of opportunity to profit. The money will come, which I am ok with.

[pike]

Is happiness more important than money?Absolutely...BUT: you have to think of your future as well. Will this company be around in 10 or 15 years? Is it in an industry that's shrinking or being outsourced?

-Mike

[bethm1b]

I just took a job closer to home with a solid company, and I make half the money I used to. I'm happy and content. Much more bueno gooder.

[ChrisH]

Wes nailed my situation. I am chained to a very well paying job that I despise. Honestly, the only thing that gets me through the day is the time I can listen to O&A and the budddays.

I had been casually talking to a company about a possibility. I was supposed to have an actual interview this week. They called me on Wednesday to tell me it had been filled. I couldn't be too pissed because I never got in the door. If I had, I thought I had a decent shot because I know a few people there. Oh well. Gone before I could even discuss it.

The job would have been about a 20k pay cut. It would have been tough with a wife, 2 kids and sizable mortgage, but I am thoroughly miserable in my job.

Screw it. It's Friday night, I don't want to think about work.

If given the chance, choose happiness.

Are you a lawyer too? I'm at a very high paying job in NYC as a commercial litigator and HATE IT!!!! I have financial security, can afford to do pretty much what I want (eat at any restaurant, buy any gadget, etc.) even in this city and I am *miserable* at work. I really want to get out and do something I am genuinely interested in, even if it means a big pay cut...trouble is I haven't figured out what I would do yet, and in the interim, don't want to quit a well-paying gig...but I've had $, now I want happiness.

[Arc Lite]

Absolutely...BUT: you have to think of your future as well. Will this company be around in 10 or 15 years? Is it in an industry that's shrinking or being outsourced?

-Mike

Yeah it's all good in that regard. I'm working for the man. County Government. Unless there's some sort of apocalypse, the govt will probably be around for a while.

[abudabit]

Normally I would say yes, but if it is going to drop you down so much that you become poor I would advise against it.

[Myhairygrundle]

Moving from an area full of "urbanites" to a nice mid-west area is a great thing for you and your family. You wife and kids will thank you in the long run.

If you have a good county/city/state job, the pay is not that great, but the retirement and bennies are usually pretty good.

Good choice, it takes a real man to look out for the well being and security of his family.



.

[THE FEZ MAN]

just be prepaird for intollerance. the mid west is full of people that dont have anything better to do than stick there nose in your bussness there's a reason they call it the bible belt

[pike]

Yeah it's all good in that regard. I'm working for the man. County Government. Unless there's some sort of apocalypse, the govt will probably be around for a while.I work for the gumint too but I'm seeing more and more work in my grade being outsourced to contractors. And my worthless union doing nothing about it :rolleyes: Govt employee unions suck. Wait, all unions suck.

I'd say go for it though. Most govt jobs are safe and IMO nothing's more important than enjoying your job. Shit, you spend almost 1/3 of your life there, you bettter like it!

-Mike

[Hudson]

just be prepaird for intollerance. the mid west is full of people that dont have anything better to do than stick there nose in your bussness there's a reason they call it the bible belt
VERY FUCKING TRUE!!!!!!!!

[Dave _from_Kiev]

Not to get off the subject, but am I the only one who has taken a job and loved it only to realize I hated it after I quit? this has happened to me more than once.

[LiddyRules]

But if the pay is good enough, I definitely think go for happiness. There's only so much you can probably make without doing something amazing and unique and unless you want to live in the lap of luxury, I think the happinesss might be a lot more worth it. Besides COL in the midwest is probably considerably cheaper than the east cost.

Be glad that you found a job that might bring you happiness. I don't know what type of job that is for me. (Scarily "writing" pops into my mind every once in awhile which kind of sucks since I'm not a good writer nor have any connections.) I don't like what I'm doing now (even though I know 95% likely it will help me in the long run) and get nauseous of the idea of doing nothing but spreadsheets for the rest of my life, living in constant fear that my bosses will discover how to divide in Excel rendering me obsolete. And how I don't have much of a personal life, nor have I ever, and I can't imagine being happy without a job that makes me as such. So on that side, I can understand how happiness is a crucial factor.

But I fear not having money, fear loans (esp. student loans), fear debt. And throwing away a good-paying job for happiness might not be worth it. It depends on exactly how much the pay cut, what expenses you have, and how much happiness you'll gain from this new job. If it's just something that seems enjoyable but won't fill you with ecstasy everytime you go into work or is a calling you have and force you into the poorhouse, then stick with the high paying job, at least until you have some sort of solid backing. But if the pay is acceptable and despite cut backs, it won't completely hinder your way of life, go for happiness. Also, don't have kids.

I know what I'm saying probably sounds like it should be on an XM commercial, but I'm only 23 so what do I know.

[GonzoRadio]

I've been wanting to get out of my current job for quite a while now but never really could find just the right thing. (Do a lot of bullshit I hate and the Richmond area is a little too diverse). Well over the holidays I found something and have just accepted their offer.

The problem is that the pay is considerably less than I'm making now. But it's in a smaller Midwestern area so the cost of living is much less.

I know I will love this job and my piece of mind is worth a hell of a lot to me. We can't really afford it. Well it's going to be really tough and the wife who really doesn't have to work now is going to have to there. But it's a great opportunity and will likely pay off down the line so it's worth it to me.

Is happiness more important than money?
Will you be doing the same type of work, at a different place, or is it completely different?

Is it the work you do that you hate, or the company you're at?

Finally, what kind of raises does the new place give? How long will it take to get to a pay level you're more comfortable with?

[Arc Lite]

Will you be doing the same type of work, at a different place, or is it completely different?

Is it the work you do that you hate, or the company you're at?

Finally, what kind of raises does the new place give? How long will it take to get to a pay level you're more comfortable with?

It's the the place, the bullshit, the "not really hired for" duties and the people that work there I hate. I work for a City gommt right now. The "urban" idiots who allegedly have master degrees that have to "axe" me something, are experts at passing the buck and dodging responsibility.

Based on something I used similar to this:
http://www.bestplaces.net/col/ I'll be making just a little be less than what would be equivalent. I will probably never be at the pay level I am now at this job, but the cost of living is so much less. (We've seen houses that here in Richmond would cost between $200K to $400K going for between $90K and $150K) So that's pretty encouraging. We've been renting a house for $995 / month and have seen equivalent rentals for $500 / month.

As for the bible belt thing, I grew up in Louisiana, went to school in Missouri, worked in very small town Kansas for 5 years. It can be annoying at times, but I would actually prefer it to the more "urban" environment.

[Hudson]

Go For It!!!!

[Boba Dousch]

Nothing worse than being chained to a job you hate because you can't afford to quit.
Quoted For Truth

[Jolie]

I recently took a job making about 16% less than I was making at my last job. I was fortunately in a position where I could do that and still live comfortably. I quit because my manager was a pompous, chauvenistic, sexist ass who actually told me, when I resigned, "I never understood why a woman who has kids would choose to work anyway. I mean, I understand if you HAVE to work, but I dont see why a woman would choose to." By the way, he knew I was taking another job when he said this to me.

There was a study done in the 50's, again in the 80's and again in the 90's that asked managers to rank 10 qualities in a job that they thought their employees wanted. Managers chose Good wages (5th for employees), Job security (4th for employees) and promotion/growth opportunities (7th for employees) as their top 3. Employees, when given the same 10 items to choose from, chose Full appreciation for work done (8th on the mgrs list), feeling "in" on things (#10 on the mgrs list) and sympathetic help on personal problems (9 on mgr list) as their top 3.

The way I see it, a job is a necessary evil that allows a person to afford to live. If the new job would give you a better quality of life, its worth it.

[LiddyRules]

and sympathetic help on personal problems (9 on mgr list) as their top 3. Whom did they interview? Chicks?