10K Pay Cut

JPbride Posted: Oct 20, 2006 11:38 AM

10K Pay Cut

Has anyone ever taken a 10K paycut to work closer to home? I was offered a job closer to my home but the pay is 10k less and I am torn because the closness and less traffic seems wonderful but the less pay is really weighing heavy on my mind. Currently I commute a 1 hour to work and this job is 5 minutes from my home.

cindyandkevin Posted: Oct 20, 2006 11:41 AM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

To me that's a really long commute, and working 5 mins from home is certainly nice. Would it really break your bank to lose the 10K? I mean, could you still live comfortably without it?

If so, then I'd say go for it.

sr081906 Posted: Oct 20, 2006 12:01 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

If you can afford it... take the job closer to you.

Do pros and cons:

Possible Cons:
- less money
- stress from money worry
- feeling of guilt

Possible Pros:
- less stress from commute
- will have more time for home cooking, etc
- time for sports, etc.. taking care of yourself
- Less gas (you might be surprise how much you could save)

I usually do a $$ calculation. wear and tear on my car, gas price, insurance (shipper is less than 10 miles from work), etc...

SuzBride Posted: Oct 20, 2006 12:23 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

If I could afford it, HELLS YEAH! I would love to have the option of being able to stop home at lunch when I need to, plus gas savings, plus the reduced stress.

mtdr1106 Posted: Oct 20, 2006 01:33 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

is there room for advancement and raises? think of the money you will save from not commuting? the quality of life will increase - you will probably be home in time to eat and maybe even cook dinner - do a load of laundy - who knows!

if it is a legit company - i would totally take it. jmho

Katherine121 Posted: Oct 20, 2006 02:33 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

$10K is a pretty big cut. I'd do it for $5K, but then again, that's what I could AFFORD.

However, if the $10K cut came with room for growth, advancement and increased pay in the future? As they say - IN A FRIGGIN HOT NEW YORK MINUTE would I do it!

JanuaryBride06 Posted: Oct 20, 2006 03:38 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

If there is room for advancement, if it would increase your quality of life and if you could afford it, then I'd take the pay cut.

If 10K less per year would change the way that you live, then you might want to continue the job search.

ssdbk Posted: Oct 20, 2006 04:37 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

I took a pay cut of a little over 10K a few years ago. I was going to a job that was going to give me the type of experience that my higher paying job lacked. It was the right thing for me. I eventually went into business for myself, but I really needed the experience from both of those prior jobs in order to do it.

So yeah, pay cuts are okay sometimes.

HearzBellz Posted: Oct 20, 2006 05:36 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

I might. Especially to not have an hour-long commute.

snydl40 Posted: Oct 21, 2006 12:57 AM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

I would take the job closer to home-I personally feel like sitting in traffic is a waste of time and to get that time back-I would give all of the $ in the world. It would just mean more time with FH, family, friends.
PS-I only work 10 minutes from home so I can't imagine a 1 hour commute everyday.

rojerono Posted: Oct 21, 2006 07:31 AM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

I took a complete pay cut... quit my job - because working so far from home just KILLED me after my son was born. I live in Suffolk and I was commuting over an hour each way to and from work. After my son was 4 months old, I went back to work and it was hell. Then 9/11 happened and I was done. I quit on 10/3/01. I was out of work and so was FH and it was HARD... but eventually I found employment for FAR less than I was making. But after a couple of bad jobs and some missteps, I am making MORE than I was before! With a far more progressive company!

Do what feels right... the money will take care of itself!

SweetCin704 Posted: Oct 21, 2006 02:09 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

I took a 16k paycut when I decided to start teaching, but the benefits of actually teaching were definitely worth it.

I'd say definitely weigh the pros/cons.

Blu-ize Posted: Oct 21, 2006 06:33 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

I took a $30K pay cut to work close to home. I hated the job but if it worked out I would still be there. I work in the city again now and making a lot more but it took working closer to home and having less money for me to realize what I wanted overall.

Good luck with your decision.

MayBride06 Posted: Oct 21, 2006 06:57 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

I would subtract from your salary what you pay in transpo expenses at your current job, then see if you would really be taking a $10000 pay cut!

BKtoLI Posted: Oct 22, 2006 04:21 PM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

I took a 7K pay cut for the job I am working at now. At the time I didn't care because
1. It was closer to home
2. It was a month before the wedding
3. DH and I were able to car pool

I'm glad I made the change because it's a much better environment than what I was dealing with. And after taxes, it's not all that much of a difference.

While you deal with a pay cut, when you start thinking about how much you'll save in gas, transportation & lunch costs, it might break even. (If you work that close to home, you can go home for lunch as opposed to going out for lunch and blowing $6-10 a day)

J.Lo24 Posted: Oct 23, 2006 09:32 AM

Re: 10K Pay Cut

DO IT....I did the exact same thing and for the exact pay cut! It was the best decision I ever made. I truly could not be happier. I love my job. Working closer to home changed my life. I am soooooooo less stressed out.