Looking for some courage/advice on leaving a job for a 40k pay cut per year?

[Miloiii123]

There comes a point in everyone's life when time becomes a more valuable asset than money. No mortal is exempt from this. Choose wisely.

Couldn’t agree more. No amount of money will give you back the time with your family. As long as you are comfortable with the new salary, I’d enjoy your life and your family.

 

[Z Barebow]

You only get one chance to raise your kids.

In 2006, I moved and took a cut of ~ $10K> (Previous job was less than $60K) But it was the best move I have made. Good job, make more via step raises and COLA than I would have ever made. Better community, etc. No ragerts! LOL!

 

[Blacktocomm]

I took a temporary relocation for work (2-4 years) about a year ago with a pay cut that was a bit bigger than this and the money still stings. On tough days I wonder why I took less money for more stress, even knowing that it is in line with my career goals.

Both my jobs were 9-5. In your shoes and for time with my family I would take the pay cut as long as it wasn't putting me in a terrible living situation or taking too much of my ability to invest for the future.

 

[TxxAgg]

You only get one chance to raise your kids.

I say that all the time. I'm not perfect, but reminding myself that you only get one shot helps me keep things in perspective.

 

[Luked]

I had a similar thing happen
Quite one Job that I was the manager on a weekend shift. Worked 3-12 hour days Friday-Sunday.
Sounded good at first with 4 days off through the week etc.
But I have 2 kids and they both live with their mother so I got to see them on 2 weekends a month and 2 evenings through the week.
It got to where I was never really able to do anything with my kids or my wife as I was working when she was off and the kids were there.
It drug me down bad.
Was making more money that I ever had before so that part was nice. But I was not a happy or pleasant person at all.
So I left and took a $30k a year pay cut and its been the best thing I have ever done.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Think of this way, can you live on $600-ish less take home per week? And will that have any impact whatsoever on anything in your life (other than saving a little less)? If the answer to those are yes and no, it's a no-brainer.

 

[jtg88]

I recently took a $60k/year pay cut due to my wife and I having our first child and wanting to be home more. In my previous job, I worked every other weekend, lots of evenings and nightshifts, and wouldn't have been home to see the kid but maybe 1 night a week, if that. New job has no weekends or holidays and flexible daytime hours during the week. Yes, there are days that I miss being able to go grab a $1500 scope or a new bow on a whim but I don't regret making the change.

 

[SloppyJ]

I worked in the private sector civil engineering field for years. Late nights, travel for ~5 days/month, and high stress were the norm.

My son was 2 and I knew i needed to make a change. I had an opprotunity at a local municipality and I took it. It will allow me to retire early and it was an up and coming team. However it was a ~15k pay cut. At the time that was a lot for me! But it would allow me to work close to home and get off at 4pm every day.

That's been quite a few years ago. I was hired onto a team of 2 people. I've built that into 10 people and manage the team. I make almost double what I did along with all of the perks of a stable job regardless of the economy. I've never worked harder in my life but I can get off in time to coach baseball, grab the boat and take the family out, or do whatever I want. It netted me at least 7hrs per week at home.

It was a great decision and I don't think I'll ever think it was the wrong choice.

 

[CHGray]

You can’t put a price on peace of mind.

Does a career change for family time or the additional financial security for your family do it for you?

It’s a tough decision. A lot of talk about a mother’s love but rarely about a father’s sacrifice.

 

[bdg848]

I took a $20K paycut going from a medium sized city cop to an airport fire response/police officer position but now I have ZERO stress compared to city policing, I only work 9 days a month, and I sleep for 8 hours of my shift lol. If you can pay your bills with only the money from the new job (don't drain savings), then do it. The only thing I'd say is try to make sure you have the possibility for career advancement at the new job even if it still doesn't reach what was possible at your current job. I went from a department of 200 guys to one of twelve....It's just us line guys and then the chief...no room for advancement (but in my 18 days off each month, I'm working on something outside of this place). Long story short, It's only money......life is more important.

 

[Miloiii123]

Think of this way, can you live on $600-ish less take home per week? And will that have any impact whatsoever on anything in your life (other than saving a little less)? If the answer to those are yes and no, it's a no-brainer.

Such a good way to break it down and look at it. Always makes it seem more understanding versus the large chunk of cash.