Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: What would you rather have?

  1. #1
    God/dess Gynger's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    3,103
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts

    Default What would you rather have?

    I'm helping a friend out here.. a male friend... who is really struggling.. so, I told him that I had this source of wealthy information and would ask the questions he has asked me. He has been offered a very good position, he was in the airforce and then retired, got out and got a regular job, and now he's been offered a very lucrative opportunity so... here's his issue:

    If you were able to have flexibility- come and go as you want, and make 15, 000 less per year, would you stay where you currently are, or....

    would you take the new opportunity making 15k extra year, bumping you up to a salary that will be well more than needed and have more of a dedicated career and occasional longer hours?

    Flexibilty and leave your job at your job or money and some extra hours??


    I told him that money isn't everything. Speaking from my experiences, money does not rule my world.

    Thoughts?


    [/URL]
    [/URL]



  2. #2
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    13,598
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 28 Times in 23 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    Is he married with kids? Single?

    If he's single, I would say to take the job with more money and longer hours. Save the excess for early retirement. If it's almost $15,000 "more" than he needs...he could retire really early and do whatever he wants.

    If he's married (with or without kids) I would say take the job with more flexibility and be home more. Depending on how old his kids are...it'd be great to see their dad more. When it comes to family...no, money is not everything.

  3. #3
    Sitri
    Guest

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    It depends on what the base is. If it is 100k or 85k, gimme the 85. if it is 30 or 15....
    It also depends on what he is looking for. Sometimes come and go as you please can be "who cares if you are there?"

    It really depends on what he wants to be happy doing. Good luck to him.

  4. #4
    God/dess Gynger's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    3,103
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    its 40k vs 25k and yes he's married wife stays home with the kids.. kids are tweenies...please remember that the geographical location 25k is ok for a data entry position which is what he has now.. but he's smart.. and wants more of a challenge, but scared that he'll become married to his job...

    I told him to stay where he is.


    [/URL]
    [/URL]



  5. #5
    God/dess dlabtot's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2005
    Location
    in your dreams, in my nightmares
    Posts
    2,085
    Thanks
    59
    Thanked 139 Times in 85 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    My time's worth way more than money as far as I'm concerned... you can always make more money; you can never have the experiences you missed because you were busy making a few more bucks... of course, I'm a hippie, so you probably shouldn't ask me about career advice...

  6. #6
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    13,855
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    Go for the money, hands down.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

  7. #7
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    13,598
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 28 Times in 23 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    Do they live comfortably and do they have money saved up? Having tweenies means that he'll be footing some money for college soon.

    What are his financial goals? Can he attain them working the $25,000 job? Of course, if he's not feeling mentally challenged enough, then he should move on...otherwise, he's going to hate it down the line. If he leaves the one job on good terms, if he ends up not liking the other job, he may be able to go back.

    There's more to be said about not liking what you do for a living. It sucks to be in that box and if you have the chance to get out of it...take it!

  8. #8
    God/dess Mr Hyde's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Tampa
    Posts
    4,035
    Thanks
    278
    Thanked 586 Times in 346 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    Sitri basically has it. It depends on the salary. If we're talking about an amount above, oh....60k, take the less hours. Actually, I have done that myself. I work in an industry where I essentially have my summers and December off, and am my own boss. I could probably make a base salary of 10-15k more in a similiar job in a different industry, but I enjoy the time perqs my job allows me.

  9. #9
    God/dess Bunny's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Posts
    2,495
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 36 Times in 30 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    I think it really depends on the job. Will he hate the new job? If so, the money is not worth it. I don't mind working extra hours as long as it's not a job I hate but even 40 hours a week at a job you hate is like hell and not worth any amount of money in my book. Now if it's something that will advance his career and has some extra hours but he doesn't expect it to be a shitty work environment then I'd say take the new job. I think the difference between $25k and $40k is substantial enough, especially with kids, that he should try it.

  10. #10
    Featured Member DSUsb19's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    1,134
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    Personally, I'd go for the money. I'd rather have my kids miss me and be well fed and taken care of, then be home to hear them crying about the stuff I can't provide for them. Our ecenomy is taking a hit right now, I'd say go for the better paying job and pigeon hole the extra away for college, retirement, or a much needed vacation.
    *~If you play with reservation, you never play to your full potential.~*

    *~In wine there is wisdom.
    In beer there is freedom. In water there is bacteria. ~*

  11. #11
    God/dess Mastridonicus's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Paradigm City
    Posts
    6,784
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    If he's asking this question its not about the money.

    Its about the challenge.

    And he's enticed by this sense of adventure. He should take it! Beats asking what-if.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

  12. #12
    Senior Member AJM1987's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Pittsburgh Area
    Posts
    133
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    Stay where he is, don't be a slave to he job. 15K isnt worth missing ur family. Trust me.

  13. #13
    Featured Member MeganS's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    872
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    Take the $$. I don't see how you can live comfortably on 25k with a couple of kids! A dedicated career is a good thing that gives you more stability, as far as I'm concerned.
    "A dress makes no sense unless it inspires men to want to take it off you."
    Francoise Sagan

  14. #14
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    227
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    Show me the money! Alot of people get in a comfort zone or are afraid of change. Being an employee you have to think about you and whats best for you. If things don't work out with the new job there are always other opportunities. Also showing an increase in pay will more than likely follow into the new job depending on the market and position.

  15. #15
    God/dess A_Guy's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Location
    Cleveland
    Posts
    2,188
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    That's a tough one....

    Although, he will be making 60% more with the other job and possibly feel more challenged. He may need to work longer hours, but as his kids get older they will get more expensive!! I would recommend that he start making the extra cash now, rather than have the need to scramble later down the road when the kids need cars, computers, college educations, etc. etc.

  16. #16
    God/dess
    Joined
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    2,352
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    Take the money he sounds like he is fairly young he needs to take some chances early iearly on . If perhaps he doesnt like it well look for another job I realize he has kids but if he is persistant and smart he will make it out there .

  17. #17
    Veteran Member TJAndDani's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2005
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    333
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    you guys arent taking into account he is 20 years air force. now im going to assume he was enlisted, so he is used to being broke. even if he was an officer he would still be used to being broke.

    the guy probably thrives on challenge. take the money and run. i know he is under 55, so he has plenty of time left. kids are in the what 20's? this isnt tough, his wife probably wouldnt mind him being gone for a while.

    and his kids need to get jobs.

  18. #18
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Feb 2005
    Location
    SoCal (aka the Evil Vortex of Doom)
    Posts
    1,617
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: What would you rather have?

    Gynger,

    Based on the information you've given, I'd advise him to take the new position. Data entry is mind-numbing. If he's smart, he'll appreciate the challenge of the new job. I suspect that he may be worried not only about losing job flexibility, but also perhaps about his ability to rise to the challenge of the new position. He's comfortable where he is, and he may be hesitant to take a position where he'll have to prove himself all over again. Understandable, but if it's a job that's interesting to him, he should go for it.

    On the money: No, it's not everything, but it seems to me that the difference between 25k and 40k, especially as the sole supporter of a family, is the difference between barely making it and being comfortable.

    TJ and Dani, his kids are "tweenies" (meaning 10-12, right?), not "twenties". It'd be illegal for them to get jobs.

    His kids are old enough that they're probably more concerned with getting a new iPod than having Daddy around to play with them. And they're old enough that Dad's primary concern should probably be how to pay for whatever post-secondary education they plan on pursuing.
    "Doc still loved true things, but he knew it was not a general love and it could be a very dangerous mistress." - John Steinbeck, Cannery Row


    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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
  •