How much of a pay cut would you take

[bloodstick]

It's definitely worth it.
I took a slight pay cut when i moved here to Houston. Still working for the same company, but i was hourly working in the shop and some in the field. Upon moving here I received a company truck with all maintenance and fuel paid, upgraded my 401K to higher percentage with company match, have weekends off with paid holidays and 15 days vacation per year. Granted, i took about a 20% cut in pay, but the truck and extra vacation days more than makes up for it. Plus i get to spend every weekend at home with my wife and 2 year old son. Hes only little once and i plan to be there for it.

[bowtechbandit]

I just got off call got a big raise weekend and holidays off and a take home car. Went from a stressful gig to a non stress gig.

tell me your secrets

[Trust]

So coming from your same place less than a year ago I can say there was some adjustments I had to make such as being more budget minded and learning to relax. I can say that working 730-430 every day and being DONE with work for the day when I leave is great. No wondering if I'm gonna get a call and have to jump on a plane and be gone for 1-2 weeks, missing kids activities or calls/emails at all hours of the day.

If you can afford I'd highly recommend it. I had the benefits at the other job but now after some adjusting I can say my stress level is much lower and it's nice not having to tell the family on short notice I'm headed out of town.

[sambo73]

I work m-f 8-5, sat 8:30-12. We get thanksgiving and christmas day off. Rest of holidays we usually work til noon, but have worked all day. I get salary plus commision. My last job id been there 7yrs, had 25 days pto, off on holidays, great benefits, started at $9/hr and in 7yrs was up to $11/hr. And watched younger guys come in and move up(im ONLY 43 now[emoji106][emoji23]). After i took off the saturday, i was told not to take off anymore unless it was an emergency. Up until this job, i always made every game or recital that my kids were in. Ive missed countless games in the yr and a half ive been here.


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[HC Sniper]

I took a 10% pay cut when I got out of coaching (stipend plus extra days). Did it to spend more time with my own kids and family. I do not miss it at all. It was worth it to me. You have to make that decision yourself, if it is worth it to you. 2 more years and I can retire. Like someone said, on my death bed I will not be saying I wish I would have worked longer hours and missed more time with my wife and kids.

[marshman]

That was my thought reading the post. I kept waiting for a "BUT you take home $100-$150k."

If you're fresh out of college and getting valuable experience, or have no real skill set and in a poor area, maybe you just have to deal with it. I wouldn't personally.

There are a lot of companies that are still hanging on to the "bad 2010 economy" deal where they will tell you you're lucky to have a job that pays more than minimum wage. Times aren't bad any more, find something better.

Not fresh out of college. 51 years old and retired military

[bphillips]

I took a $25k pay cut I'm much happier which has made a huge difference with the wife. Im gone a lot with this job and now it's fine but whenever we have kids no sure how being gone 3weeks a month will work out.

Money comes and goes, I'd rather be happy than rich. I haven't quite figured out how to put the 2 together yet!

It's not as bad as many here make it out to be being gone. I'm usually gone 3 weeks at a time with a 3yr and 1yr old. Make it home every chance I get but setting us up for much better things in the future is worth it to me and my wife.

[sambo73]

I know it comes with the job, but when i leave work, im not thinking about it. But boss calls and ask about a customer, and it may be 8-8:30 at night and wants me to call and try to make the sale. Not really keen on that...but for now it pays the bills. If i could find something else where i work m-f, with benefits and anywhere close to my income now, id be in.


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[JW]

It's not as bad as many here make it out to be being gone. I'm usually gone 3 weeks at a time with a 3yr and 1yr old. Make it home every chance I get but setting us up for much better things in the future is worth it to me and my wife.

Yep. Home time is awesome. Knowing I can support then financially as far as now and in the future is more important to me than my benefits.


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[hooligan]

It's not as bad as many here make it out to be being gone. I'm usually gone 3 weeks at a time with a 3yr and 1yr old. Make it home every chance I get but setting us up for much better things in the future is worth it to me and my wife.

That’s true, grew up with my dad in the Navy w/6-9mo deployments and I never minded... we just knew that was his job.

I think if I can keep the pace I’m at so my wife would be able to stay home whenever we are blessed enough to have a family then being gone wouldn’t be bad to me. From what friends tell me I’d need another raise to afford childcare!

[Guns_up]

If you were on your death bed and someone asked if you had a happy life working or spending time with kids and family how would you answer it?

[bphillips]

That’s true, grew up with my dad in the Navy w/6-9mo deployments and I never minded... we just knew that was his job.

I think if I can keep the pace I’m at so my wife would be able to stay home whenever we are blessed enough to have a family then being gone wouldn’t be bad to me. From what friends tell me I’d need another raise to afford childcare!

Yep mine stays home

[bphillips]

If you were on your death bed and someone asked if you had a happy life working or spending time with kids and family how would you answer it?

If I was on my death bed and someone wasn't just talking about enjoying good times we had I'd tell them to get the hell out of the room.

[JW]

If you were on your death bed and someone asked if you had a happy life working or spending time with kids and family how would you answer it?

As long as my kids futures were taken care of. [emoji1417]


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[Razrbk89]

I'd take less pay to be more comfortable. My wife and I live pretty simply and are happy with it. We don't want to have to commute 30 minutes to work and deal with stressful schedules for a little more money.

For us, money can't make up for time spent together and just being relaxed in general.