OT: Possible job change - pay cut good?

[athletics_fan]

Everyone,

I don't really post around here very often, but I feel it's the most mature board I visit as far as responses go....so I'll ask a question which has been bothering me lately, as I can't find a definitive answer inside of me:

When is a nearly $4 per hour pay cut a good thing?

I'm currently at a job I've been at for 4 months - the pay is great for the area I live in, I get awesome benefits and up to 3 weeks paid vacation per year. It's a call center job at a credit union. The downside - I work nights and was basically told that I couldn't move my shift to mornings.

However, I interviewed for a position as a bank teller back in June and was offered the position, but declined due to pay. They were offering me nearly $4 less per hour than my current position pays me, but were offering me morning shifts and weekends off.

I want to move to mornings in order to spend more time with my girlfriend and family - however, I know that if I stay at my current job, I'll never get that oppurtunity.

The pay is nice...I'm just not sure what to do. I'm losing a lot of money if I switch positions, but I'm gaining valuable time spent with my girlfriend and family.

I need advice. Which is the best option - more money to pay the bills, or more time spent to live my life? Working nights is the pits...but the pay is good.

I'm confused. Which route should I take - stay with the current job and make more money, or change positions and make less, but be happier with my work schedule?

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

[Sport73]

While anyone (with a brain) will tell you that family/life is more important than work, the fact remains that paying the bills is crucial to having a family/life.

"Work exists to support living, but should never be confused for living".

So, the ultimate question is can you afford it? If you can get by making a few sacrifices you're willing to make on $4 less, then definitely take the new job. The other issue is future: does either job offer a path to something better later on?

Some people are fortunate enough to do something they love and never really enter the 'race' or worry about wealth; others get into the race and find it impossible to get themselves out. On a smaller scale, you're at that point right now: money vs. life, your decision will dictate future decisions as well. Choose wisely.

[Leebo33]

The other issue is future: does either job offer a path to something better later on?

Excellent advice from Sport here. I would advise you to think about where you want to be in 5-10 years and then develop a plan on how to get there. Is either field something you want to make into a career? Does one job allow you to develop the skills needed for the career you do choose? Does one job have training/education that is not available in the other? Would the extra money from one job help you to save for college or vocational training or allow you to take a class in the morning/evenings?

In summary, you have to begin with the end in mind. Unless you want to retire as a call center employee or a bank teller, you need to think about where you are going and how to get there. There will be sacrifices along the way and times when you will work long hours, nights, weekends and be underpaid but if it helps you get to where you want to be eventually then it is worth it and your family will understand. If you need to stay in a job that gives you less time with them just make sure you take advantage of every opportunity that you *do* have. My dad worked long hours and sometimes two jobs when I was a kid, but if he wasn't working he was spending time with us so it worked out great.

[Rodster]

I agree with both Sport and Leebo. What struck me was the comment you made that you enjoy working at a call center. That's a tough line of work whether it's inbound or outbound with lots of turnover. Your chances are probably better that you would be moved up to a supervisor position than being promoted from Bank Teller to a management position in a bank.

As others have said it's more of providing for your family unless you can do that easily with a $4/hr pay cut working at the bank. Wanting to be with your family is great but it would suck if you find it hard paying the bills as a B.T. and you have to take a second job or your wife has to work to make up for the bills that have to get paid.

[athletics_fan]

Thanks for the advice so far

I left out a few things in my original post...

One - The call center job is not my favorite. It's OK - but ultimately, it's not the job I thought it would be. The actual work gets tedious, but with the benefits being outstanding and the pay being really good for the area, it makes it a hard decision for me.

However, the teller job gives me more of an oppurtunity to attend graduate school and have flexible hours to spend with loved ones.

I'm not on my own yet because I've been saving up for a down payment for a home - with the teller job, this may be harder since I'd be making $4 per hour less.

Also, I'm not going into the financial world for my career. I plan on earning my M.A. in either Educational Leadership or History and entering the teaching route - hopefully working my way up to professor status at either a junior college or university.

I know common sense tells me to stay where I am even though I dislike the work environment, but while the teller job offers less pay, it offers me more time to spend with people and the oppurtunity to earn my graduate degree. The call center job can not offer this, as I was told recently that I'm strictly nights.

I'm just a very indecisive person and this decision is something I feel is big for me. Sure, both positions are temporary, but nights + weekends off is something that is VERY appealing to me, especially since I'm not on my own just yet.

I appreciate all the advice I'm getting! Thanks a bunch

[pk500]

If you're young and trying to save dosh for graduate school and a home, you need to stay at the job where you're making more dough.

Houses aren't free. Neither is grad school. I don't know what you're earning per hour, and it's none of my business, but a $4 per hour pay cut sounds like a pretty significant percentage.

You'll need the dough if you want to pursue your dreams of home ownership and grad school. You'll make time for your family and girlfriend, who both should understand and respect that the dough you earn at this job will help you achieve your dreams.

It's not like you're staying at the call center job to earn more money to buy trivial sh*t like big-screen TVs, cell phones, video games, consoles and other "toys." You're saving for two of the more pivotal decisions of your adult life, attending grad school for a career destination and buying a home.

The time to make sacrifices to achieve your life goals is now. I take it you're single and childless. Once you have a spouse and kids, their needs and considerations come before yours, especially the kids.

So pursue your dreams now. And your noble and worthy dreams require dough, so I would stay at the call center job unless there are mitigating circumstances, such as an ill or elderly family member.

Take care,
PK

[athletics_fan]

PK,

Thanks for the advice.

After talking a lot with my parents and girlfriend, I feel it is wise to just stay at the job I'm currently at now. The pay cut is just too drastic.

I entered the job knowing it would only be temporary until I landed a teaching position so I could start my graduate work. I just need to stick it out for a little while longer and save up the money for the down payment.

Everyone, thanks for the advice. It was much, much appreciated!

[pk500]

Good luck, dude!

Take care,
PK

[Jackdog]

PK,

Thanks for the advice.

After talking a lot with my parents and girlfriend, I feel it is wise to just stay at the job I'm currently at now. The pay cut is just too drastic.

I entered the job knowing it would only be temporary until I landed a teaching position so I could start my graduate work. I just need to stick it out for a little while longer and save up the money for the down payment.

Everyone, thanks for the advice. It was much, much appreciated!

Wise choice Teach! Good luck!!