What would you do???

adavis

I have a decent job with okay pay. My husband has a good job with above decent pay. My job is pretty stressful at times and really boring at others. I've learned a lot since I started here 3 years ago. I had taken 17 years off of work to raise kids. My boys are now 20 and 14. My salary mainly goes to college for the 20 year old, private school for the 14 year old, and digging us out of debt from the 17 years of club sports and 2 years of private school before I rejoined the job market.

That being said, the school where my youngest goes has asked me to teach a C++ class and an internet programming class to Juniors and Senior (11th and 12th grade). At first it would be part time, but could work into a full time job after I get my teaching certificate. I can teach for 3 years without the certificate.

I think I would enjoy teaching a lot more than what I'm doing now, but when I went to full time, it would still be only about 1/2 what I make now. But, I'd be home for 8 weeks in the summer, a week off in the fall and spring, and 3 weeks off at Christmas instead of 3 weeks off a year. It would also give me a whole lot more time and incentive to work on the schools web site. The guy that makes a lot of the IT decisions for the school doesn't know what he's doing. He has advised the school to spend thousand on things that IMHO are garbage. They are clunky and hard to use.

So, would you take a 50% cut in pay to be happier and less stressed? and yes, I know that working with teenagers is far from stress free, but there are also great rewards that I don't get in my current job.

Thanks,
Alisa

Elizabeth

Originally posted by adavis
So, would you take a 50% cut in pay to be happier and less stressed?

Without hesitation, a big resounding YES. I made that decision almost 8 years ago and haven't regretted it once. There isn't enough money in the world to compensate for happiness, mental well being and true quality of life.

gordonrp

My job is pretty stressful at times and really boring at others.

become a teacher, and relax a little.

goldbug

Remember, if you need extra cash... you have summers off. Sounds like a perfect time for some freelancing gigs.

On the flip side of the coin... if taking a 50% cut in pay means that you can't meet your bills, then, no, it might not be a good idea.

adavis

Thanks Elizabeth and Gordon,

Though I know that teaching has it's own set of stresses, things are broken up more so the stress doesn't seem so bad.

The big thing will be the cry of sheer outrage from my 14 year old knowing that mom will be right there to know when he forgets to turn his homework in of when he's gotten cross ways with a teacher or fellow student. This is a Christian school and ever since seeing the Passion, I've been praying hard for God to use me in a more productive way.

Thanks,
Alisa

adavis

We were meeting our bills (barely) before I went back to work. For the 3 years before private school, I was homeschooling one or both of the boys. We've gotten into a lot of bad habits, like eating out way too much. In a 30 day month, we probably eat dinner out 25 of those days. That needs to be flipped. About 18 months after the youngest went back, I started working. The oldest was away at a JC and in an apartment for his first 1 1/2 years, but decided to come back home an major in Civil Engineering at the local school, which btw has a really good CE department. That has freed up a bunch of money. We went from about $1000/month to $250/month, which covers gas, food, and ebay.😉 The other thing is that tuition will go down because I'll be on staff. The biggest concern I have it that we won't be saving for retirement as fast. I'm hoping that the oldest will start co-oping soon and be able to pick up some of his expenses.

Thanks,
Alisa

piersk

If you can manage without your extra wage, then go for the pay cut. And as goldbug said, you will get the summers off so you might be able to do a little freelancing, or even maybe some private tuition.

adavis

We've been working on getting out of debt and are almost there. We just have the house and about $3,000 on a home equity line. If anyone gets a chance to go to a "Financial Peace" series or to go hear Dave Ramsey live. DO IT! It's a great feeling having your money under control.

The first year would be just two sections and I was thinking that if I can swing it with my new employer (our contract just changed and a new company won it) that I'd do both this first year. It would mean longer days. I would probaby teach an 1st or last period class and one around lunch. Luckily the school is only about 10 minutes from my office.

By May of next year, I think I'd have enough pad to feel comfortable about it. By then, I think I can work it into full time. It will just be a lot of work for the next 15 months. AND THEN, after that, I get to go back to school and do the 5th year program and get a masters in Education. Who'd a thunk? Me with a degree in education 🙂

Thanks for letting me bounce this off of you guys. I'm still at work at 6:20pm and I got her at 8am this morning. YUCK!