Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 45

Thread: should I quit my day job?

  1. #1
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    11,302
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 143 Times in 72 Posts

    Default should I quit my day job?

    I've been having this debate in my head over and over. I don't know what to do. I currently have a day job as a computer programmer. It's a great job in that it pays well (54,000/yr), I have insurance benefits (medical, dental, disability), legitimate income, free gym membership, 401(k) and it's a respectable job to put on my resume. Unfortunately, I am so uninspired every day. I wake up hating going to work and I'm bored out of my mind. It's just not that challenging and I'm basically an overpaid assistant for my boss. I just do all his grunt work that any 16 year old could do. I suppose even if it were more mentally challenging, I'm just not moved by the fact that I get paid the same whether I work hard or slack off.

    I've been working that job and dancing on weekend nights for a little over a year now. I originally started to get out of consumer debt and now I'm out except for some student loans, and they are going to be easy to deal with.

    Dancing has been much more lucrative than I originally had imagined. I make SO much more dancing than programming (per hour) and I enjoy it to boot!

    I have been debating quitting my day job and dancing full time. Right now I only dance about 15 hours a week. If I went to full time, I'd probably take on twice as many shifts.

    I really can't decide. I could buy the benefits that I get from my day job. I do have the computer science degree and a stong alumnae network to fall back on, if need be. I just don't know. I think about all the things I could do if I only danced. I could have my days free to do the things I want. I would make more money and in less time. I would elike my job and be motivated to work hard. I could go to grad school.

    I don't know...what do you ladies think?


  2. #2
    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Gettin the fuck outta Dodge!
    Posts
    14,241
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    Depends on what you want to do down the road. It's easy to think of how much more you make hourly dancing and that you could make so much more if you quit your straight job and danced full time, but you have to really weigh the choices.

    Do you want to continue in the computer field later? If so I think it would be wise to keep working - maybe look for a part time job that would allow you more free time, or another full time job that would be more inspiring. Everything in the computer industry changes so quickly that it would be really easy for you to devalue yourself as an employee if you're not working. What would you say you were doing on a resume? If you go to grad school that's one thing, but trust me it's very hard to dance full time and keep up with your studies. I worked only 2 nights per week at most while going to school full time. Not to say it can't be done, but it's difficult.

    At $54k per year with your regular job and all the extra benefits, it might be a little more difficult than you think to make the same money or more with dancing full time. Insurance will cost you alot more than what it does now. Gym memberships are not cheap. Retirement plans for dancers are entirely self-funded. Plus, I'm guessing right now you're working mainly weekends, and those are often the best money-making shifts so if you take on more weeknight shifts they may not earn you any more (or even as much) money than you're already making at your regular job. Dancing is very profitable, but not necessarily more than a good straight job with good benefits, which it sounds like you have.

    Think about how much you typically make dancing per week, then think about what you might make if you double your shifts. You can't necessarily count on doubling your earnings because of the fluctuation of the business. But say your earnings would double if you double your shifts at the club - would that be more total income than you're netting now with two jobs? Consider what all the other benefits you get with your straight job would cost if you have to buy them on your own. Consider which you'd be willing to do without (if any) in order to save more of your earnings for later. Add all that up and see if it'd be financially worth it to quit your job.

    Also, consider that you if you keep your job, you can totally live on what you're making there and save everything you make dancing. That puts you in a really advantageous position. If you enjoy good relative job security (I'm thinking you do if you've survived the recent IT falls and general economic downturns), you could forseeably keep at it and bank all your club earnings for a few years which could really set you up with a nice retirement fund on which you could potentially retire at a very early age and never have to work again! If you manage to pull 1k (or nearly) per week dancing part time, you could save all that and retire easily in about 10 years to live off your interest for the rest of your life.

    Of course you also have to consider how much your sense of fulfillment and happiness are worth to you. If quitting your dayjob and dancing full time would mean a little less net income, would that be worth the extra freedom and potential happiness with the lifestyle change? Can you discipline yourself enough to save the majority of your earnings if you dance full time? Do you have other goals that don't include the 9-5? If you can dance full time and save an amount of money equal to or greater than what you're saving now, as well as enjoy your lifestyle more, and don't care if you are in a less favorable position to get a good straight job later on, quitting may be the right choice. Even if things continue to get worse for dancers, it will be quite a while before we can't make a living at it! As long as the have the discipline to avoid the many pitfalls that can come from all the freedom full time dancing affords, you'll be fine without the straight job, and may very well be happier, even if it means downsizing your lifestyle a bit in order to maximize savings.

    Hope all this hasn't confused you more, just trying to poing out all the angles that you may not be seeing in your frustration! Good luck!

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

  3. #3
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    way south of the border
    Posts
    25,932
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked 10,563 Times in 4,646 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    I think the 'grad school' angle would allow you to work as a full time dancer without creating a mysterious void in your professional work record. As long as you have a 'plausible' professional resume for future use when you want to retire from full time dancing, you shouldn't have much problem. From the sound of your 'connections' via friends and alumnae, you probably won't have a problem anyhow.

    As I've said many times before, exotic dancers are like professional athletes - a short window of opportunity to cash in big time, with typical retirement by age 30 as the 'physical assets' start to decline. You sound like you have the discipline necessary to manage your earnings well, you can indeed buy the insurance coverage you're getting as a bennie from your 'straight' job, and you can also invest in various private IRA's. I say go for it!

    One note though, this business tends to be spottier during weeknights. If you are basing your income projections on the money you are presently earning only on friday and saturday nights to other nights of the week, it's a pretty sure bet that earnings potential on other nights will not be equal. However, this is extremely variable depending on particular clubs, particular cities etc. But I would wager that you would have to dance 6 nights a week to double your present income on friday and saturday nights.

  4. #4
    God/dess
    Joined
    Feb 2002
    Location
    OUTTATHISWORLD
    Posts
    7,219
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    Why don't you try taking a 30 day leave of absence first to see if it's what you really want to do?


  5. #5
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    11,302
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 143 Times in 72 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    the leave of absence sounds like a great idea...I think I'll bring that up instead.

    As for the issues about how the weekends probably are better than the weekdays, it's strange, but I don't think that seems to be the case! I work in a club that is in the middle of the city and attracts a lot of business men. I work Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and usually Thursdays are my best days and Saturdays are the worst (not bad, just the worst of the three).

    This is a toughie for me. I know programming is not the industry for me and if I did it until I retired, I'd go batty! Which is why the grad school idea really appeals to me. I could spend this summer studying for the LSATs (and going to the beach!) , apply to schools over the fall, and hopefully get in somewhere....and then fall 2004, go to law school!


  6. #6
    Guest

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    I'm in the same boat- I am a burned out, tired, BORED financial analyst making 40K a yr plus benefits, and just started dancing part time. I have been debating this and concluded that it's asecurity blanket, but it's not time to quit the day job yet. I have extra withholdings taken out of my "straight" check to cover dancing, but if I danced full time I doubt I would have the discipline. I also think the reason I enjoy dancing is precisely because my survival does not depend on it.
    I like Bridgette's idea about doing programming part time if you're really that unhappy- that's probably something you can do on a contract basis- but I say hang in there and do both as long as you can.

    Just my $0.02...I know how tempting it is!!

  7. #7
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    11,302
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 143 Times in 72 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    alexis> that's the thing...I get so bored and uninspired. I don't know how much longer I can deal. But, also, maybe the reason I like dancing so much is because I don't do it that much and I know it's all "gravy".

    AHHHHHH! This is so confusing. Sometime I hope they fire me so they can decide for me.

  8. #8
    God/dess
    Joined
    Feb 2002
    Location
    OUTTATHISWORLD
    Posts
    7,219
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    FYI, I was working in Human REsources when I started stripping and honestly I kinda regret "giving up the day job." The LOA option is totally justifiable you can basically tell your boss anything you want (other than telling them it's a medical LOA). 30 days is completely within reason, you won't lose your seniority and you're guaranteed your job if you decide you want to keep it. I would try the LOA option (or use the rest of your vacation and sick time) before quitting completely.


  9. #9
    Pamela
    Guest

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    No. That job is a career. Stripping is not. Keep it.

  10. #10
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    11,302
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 143 Times in 72 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    It's a "career' for some people, but I do't know. if you hate programming (and I do), then why do it for the rest of your working life? I know it's wrong, but it's "good enough". It's a toss up. I'm still there. I wanted so badly to talk to my boss today about a leave of absence but I just couldn't utter the words. So why am I up at 3:30am?! OOPS! time for bed.

    P.S. I made more tonight (4 hours) than I will make over the next four days (32 hours) once deductions are taken out.

  11. #11
    God/dess
    Joined
    Feb 2002
    Location
    OUTTATHISWORLD
    Posts
    7,219
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    Emily, maybe instead of bringing this up with your boss you should contact your Employee Assistance Program. There should be some HR professional you can talk to. You don't need to say "I want to quit so I can be a stripper full time" but something to the effect of you are suffering from job burnout, you're depressed, can't sleep, don't want your job to suffer as a result. If you can break down and cry in the meeting even better. They will probably want you to use your vacation time but depending how much time you have available you can request some additional time as a LOA. Good luck!


  12. #12
    Senior Member Mikimoto's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Lusty Lady San Francisco
    Posts
    84
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    Try the 30 day LOA first and see how you feel. I can totally relate to you.

    In college I had the most boring job working at the school library. During the school year it was ok, but once summer rolled around, it was truly brain numbing. I remember the other workers would have to constantly sing or talk to themselves so that they wouldn't fall asleep on the job. Anyway, I felt so alive the day I quit.

    Fast forward to today. After working for at the Lusty Lady, I realize I'm having more fun than I have at all of my previous jobs combined. Not only that, but I'm making more money too, probably because I love what I'm doing (was help desk/desktop support before, haha).

    I know 54k is good money and plenty of security, but you have to live life and do what you enjoy. I know it sounds crazy to quit, but one of my friends who is in her low 30's recently got cancer. She's going to make it, but she's no longer going to live her life scared. Life is short.

    Kaiya (at the Lusty Lady S.F.)

  13. #13
    God/dess Pryce's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2001
    Location
    So. California
    Posts
    489
    Thanks
    34
    Thanked 408 Times in 70 Posts
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    Emily,

    If you go to grad school and get your phd, you could teach. I don't know if that appeals to you, but if I could find a job to carry me through obtaining my phd, I would go that route and forget the programming.

    Teaching college can be nice...
    We all imagine ourselves the agents of our destiny, capable of determining our own fate. But have we truly any choice in when we rise, or when we fall, or does a force larger than ourselves bid us our direction. Is it evolution that takes us by the hand, does Science point our way, or is it God who intervenes keeping us safe.

    So much struggle for meaning, for purpose. And in the end, we find it only in each other. Our shared experience of the fantastic. And the mundane. The simple human need to find a kindred, to connect. And to know in our hearts... that we are not alone.
    Heroes

  14. #14
    Curious Guest
    Joined
    May 2003
    Posts
    2
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    Not sure if you want a guys opinion or not, but what the heck. The real question is why are you bored with your job and why is stripping so exciting. I was a network engineer, and started tending bar on the weekends just to pay off student loans, and build up my nest egg.
    I almost quit since I was more fun at the Bar, than I ever did at work, I could even stand my coworkers, (actually having to listen to them argue about Novell Vs TCP was killing me)

    I called up my old professor and who told me that it was just the "meeting the new people" that the bartending Job was fulfilling, and I should consider using my technical knowledge and move to a customer interfacing career, like sales and marketing.

    I was(telecom)/am (starting over) very successful at this and very happy when I go to work every day.

    I'm sure dancing like bartending is fun/lucritive, but what happens when things go bad

    my advice is build up your nest egg while Dancing do a career change, Sales Support, Sales Engineering, or just Sales. If can take dance topless in front of a room of my drunk friends, you also have the ability to be able to give a presentation in front of a CIO/CEO about why your product is the best, and with you background, no "techie" will be able to trip you up on the "detail" questions.

  15. #15
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    11,302
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 143 Times in 72 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    I actually did quit my job...gave my two week's notice on Monday. I was really unhappy with my day job. I'm not sure why. I'm not sure how my life is going to pan out now, but I really feel so liberated and I think doing what makes you happy is important too. I figure as long as I save a lot of money, I will be okay. I can invest, start a business....or re-enter the work force (it's not uncommon for women to have gaps in their employment history.)

  16. #16
    Pamela
    Guest

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    Glad you feel better Emily, i myself am 'toying' around with changing depts. at the hospital because there is too much drama between some co-workers at that desk.
    Lotsa luck to you....Enjoy!
    Pamela

  17. #17
    God/dess
    Joined
    Feb 2002
    Location
    OUTTATHISWORLD
    Posts
    7,219
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    Thanks for the update (I was wondering what you had decided). If you feel liberated then you made the right decision for you.
    (it's not uncommon for women to have gaps in their employment history.)
    You are so right. There really is nothing unusual about that we can pretty much make up anything to fill in the gap.



  18. #18
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    way south of the border
    Posts
    25,932
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked 10,563 Times in 4,646 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    Emily, please keep us posted as to how your "full time dancing" efforts work out.

  19. #19
    Newbie
    Joined
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Tampa/St Petersburg
    Posts
    9
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    Pam- you work at a hospital too?
    My husband and I are separating so I am ready to move back to the city and am debating the career change too- I'm thinking about switching to sales from the guaranteed $37K salary. Couldn't do it before, but now I think if I do BOTH I could swing it. Still, it's nerve-wracking...especially since dancing has been SLOW lately! I had the worst week ever - a $60 night and a $40 night- compared to $200-300 a night before.
    I may just hold out a bit longer and see if the dancing $ picks up again before I take the big plunge.

    Let me know how this works out...

  20. #20
    Featured Member LEIGH_LANDON's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2002
    Location
    tee dot
    Posts
    1,476
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    LOL, here you are thinking of quitting and I am considering the return to the corporate world! LOL!!
    LIVE LONG & PROSPER!
    Leigh Landon

    Never explain yourself to anyone, because the person who likes you doesn't need it and the person that dislikes you won't believe it.

  21. #21
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    11,302
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 143 Times in 72 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    I'm not saying I'll never return, just don't want to do it right now. I'm a firm believer in doing what makes you happy. It's different for everyone.

  22. #22
    Veteran Member Sara's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    225
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    I quit my day job a little over a month ago. Last year I made $75k there and this year I was on schedule to make $90k. Great money! I knew when I quit that it would be difficult to make that much dancing. To break even I need to make almost $350 a day.

    Even so, I know it was the right choice. Work had gotten to be really miserable, I no longer had pride in my job, and the money wasn't worth the mental strain it was causing. I spent 3 months weighing the pros and cons of quitting. Thankfully I look good enough to dance full-time until I'm ready to look for a new job. All of my friends (and ex-coworkers) think I am crazy for quitting but it truly was the right decision for me.

  23. #23
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    11,302
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 143 Times in 72 Posts

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    so you told them you were quitting to be a dancer? I haven't said, but I suspect they know. I wouldn't doubt it since I'm always on this site at work. Big ol' "stripper web" all over the monitor and people always walking by. Plus me always looking tired and the fact that I am flexible about my quit date and won't say where I'm going. I think they know. I don't care, except I don't want to have to deal with people's negative feedback. On the other hand, I bet some of my male co-workers want dances....

  24. #24
    Veteran Member Sara's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    225
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    They knew I was a dancer before working there. Although I didn't tell my co-workers, I did tell my (ex)boss that I was going to be dancing again. I don't really care what anyone there thinks. Imagine how bad work must have been for me (one of the top paid people) to walk away....

  25. #25
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Las Vegas, NV
    Posts
    219
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post
    My Mood
    Cheeky

    Default Re: should I quit my day job?

    I am so jealous! I hate my day job, too...I am bored silly and the office politics have gotten out of hand, it just makes me sick. I dread sitting in traffic every morning and spending the day in a cubicle! But, I have a daughter to support, and I need the benefits, etc., so I tough it out, but the quality of life certainly isn't there.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. I just quit my job
    By lokikola in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 08-28-2011, 12:26 PM
  2. I quit my job!!!
    By Arialandre in forum Other Work
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-20-2010, 07:51 PM
  3. I quit my day job... Should i dance again?
    By spartaca in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 12-07-2008, 05:56 PM
  4. So, I quit my job
    By AudreyLeigh in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 03-07-2008, 02:56 PM
  5. quit day job to dance?
    By kmm79 in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 07-25-2007, 04:50 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •