OT changing jobs, need advice

[eliza61]

Has anyone taken a job that would pay significantly less money and been happy with the choice, even if it meant a tighter budget?

I work for a major oil/gasoline company and have had a great salary plus great bonuses (yes, I know oil profits are ridiculous as is the price of gas-nothing I can't do anything about it.) but I hate the job. I've always wanted to be a teacher and the last year or so I've been seriously researching the job (what I would need to get certification, etc, etc) My biggest fear is that my salary would definitely drop at least 50%. Has any one left their jobs to say maybe change careers or start their own business and not regretted the choice. I keep saying "money can't buy happiness" but I'm scared to make the leap. :sad2: Any words of wisdom? Would you leave a good paying job in this day and time?

[kfeuer]

I haven't made a permanent career change, but I did cut my income in half when I went from full-time to part-time when my kids came along. This would be my suggestion--calculate what you would expect your new income to be, and try living on that for 6 months while putting the balance of what you earn into savings. 6 months will give you a good feel for how tight your new budget would be, and then you can make a more educated decision about whether this move is right for you. This will also boost your emergency savings, which is a good thing when you're moving to a tighter budget. Good luck!

[aclov]

I did it in 2004, I took about a 12k paycut to be closer to home and wanted to get further development in my field. Unfortunately, management including my boss changed, the company went through cost-cutting and I was downsized last year.

So just realize that unless you have a crystal ball you don't know what the future holds. I sometimes do wish I would have just stayed in my old job especially now since I'm unemployed.

But I was happy for a while at my new job so it can work out.

[Littlemotherhaywood]

While we didn't cut our income in half we did drop it by about 40% when my dh decided he wanted to be a teacher. All of the licensing requirements are a pita imo. He may not regret the decision but I do every time I pay the bills. Of course I prefer the dh I have now to the one that was in sales. This one is a lot happier and more fulfilled. It really isn't just about the bottom line. I agree that you should take the paycut for six months and see how well you do on it. I would love to be able to put away half of our pay every month. Also, for us we had to move for him to get a job. My dh isn't patient and he would have had to have met all of the requirements before securing a job where we lived...so part of my bitterness is having to move away from our home, friends, and family:( Good luck whatever you decide. I really believe people should find a way to follow their dreams:)

[fac]

I agreed with everyone, if the budget works for me and you are happy then go for it.

I took a 40% to 50% cut a few years ago to be closed to home. I didn't regret the money as I can spend more time with the girls. Two weeks ago, I wasn't happy with my manager and resigned without having something line-up. I got an offer this week which will pay as much as I had 3 years ago, but it is in the city. I am debating whether I should take that job.

[KelleyGirl]

A friend of mine recently asked to be "demoted" from management to go back into software development himself. He decided that the paycut he would receive over the years, not being in management, meant he would mean to work 1 more year before retiring. He thought about 20 unhappy years or 21 very happy years of work before retiring, and the decision became obvious.

I recently left a very safe/good paying job for an equally paying job, but much less safe. I did it to be happier in my personal life (working from home, more time with the family, more time for myself).

I guess my point is, is all the money worth it if you're not really happy? As long as you can get by and won't lose your home or won't go hungry, consider making the change for your own happiness.

[drakethib]

Well I had to do so once and it wasn't by choice (I was laid off and had to find a new job).

The paycut was probably 30% less with the new job but it was less stress and less hours.

I really enjoyed the people at the new job and learned to scale back on some of the luxury items so the household didn't feel a major pinch.

I eventually moved on to a new job that was more in line with my original salary.


I am friends with the "old" new job and look back at is one of my better career advancement steps.