POLE: Would you rather make decent money and have very little free time or modest money and lots of free time?

[Arkitech]

The company I work for is outsourcing my department so in a few weeks I will be without a fulltime job. In a way its kind of a relief because it takes me an hour and a half to get to work so its taken a huge toll on my personal time and life. So at this point I'm thinking of maybe selling my house and purchasing something cheaper and then pursuing part time work.

I don't have any bills or children so it would be fairly easy to cover the bills on part time work, however I would have to drastically cut back on expenses (eating out, entertainment, frivilous purchases, etc..) however the upside is that I would have time to hang out, exercise, spend time with the wife, etc...

On the other hand I could just look around for another full time job and pretty much keep up the lifestyle that I'm currently use to. (extra spending money, vacations whenever time allows, lots of frivilous purchases, etc..)


So what would you do in a similar situation?

 

[Koing]

Since you have a wife I'd go with less money and more free time in your situation. You don't have loans and other stuff to pay off.

Money is about living and having fun. If you have enough $$$ to do what you want and it is 'fun' for you go for it

Happy personal life > Extra $$$ to spend

Your 3hr round trip must screw you over?!!

Koing

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: Koing
Since you have a wife I'd go with less money and more free time in your situation. You don't have loans and other stuff to pay off.

Money is about living and having fun. If you have enough $$$ to do what you want and it is 'fun' for you go for it

Happy personal life > Extra $$$ to spend

Your 3hr round trip must screw you over?!!

Koing

yeah that's the direction I'm leaning in. I'm a homebody anyway, as long as I have a high speed internet connection I'm pretty happy, plus I like to read and I can check out books for free from the library. The only thing is that earlier this year I invested quite a bit of money in vacant for the purpose of building new houses, so I'll need a way to qualify for a loan to develop my land and sell it so I won't have to pay the property taxes.

 

[Nebor]

Anytime I don't spend working is wasted, IMO. I feel useless and restless when I'm not working.

 

[gooseman]

I used to have a job that REQUIRED me to work 6 days a week (this often, very often, turned into 7 days a week) and anywhere from 8 to 16 hours a day. Made very good money but never had any free time. I finally got fed up with it after 7 years, quit the job, moved half way across country (back home) and now have a good job, 40 hours a week and love having free time.
I never looked back and the only thing I regret is not doing it sooner.

 

[z0mb13]

if that high stress job will lead to something better and less stress in the future, I would take that

work hard while u are still young... reap the benefits when u are older

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Nebor
Anytime I don't spend working is wasted, IMO. I feel useless and restless when I'm not working.

I feel sorry for you.

Seriously though, I like working and being productive, but there needs to be a balance. Right now I'm close to 70 hours/week and trust me, it ain't great.

ZV

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
if that high stress job will lead to something better and less stress in the future, I would take that

work hard while u are still young... reap the benefits when u are older

I have a little bit of a nest egg stored up, but I'm really thinking I need a litle rest.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Nebor
Anytime I don't spend working is wasted, IMO. I feel useless and restless when I'm not working.

I feel sorry for you.

Seriously though, I like working and being productive, but there needs to be a balance. Right now I'm close to 70 hours/week and trust me, it ain't great.

ZV

when i near 50 i start to get pissy. id much prefer free time over money

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
work hard while u are still young... reap the benefits when u are older

Or burn yourself out, or die young and never get that reward.

Have a plan for tomorrow, but live for today, it may be all you have left.

The OP needs to find the balance in life that works for him.

ZV

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: z0mb13
work hard while u are still young... reap the benefits when u are older

Or burn yourself out, or die young and never get that reward.

Have a plan for tomorrow, but live for today, it may be all you have left.

The OP needs to find the balance in life that works for him.

ZV

I'm definately with you.

If you feel the need for a break TAKE A BREAK. You have some investments and some savings so enjoy your life more now, and you REALLY don't need to do that 3hrs commute a day.

When you get bored or feel you want to work go out and work instead.

Koing

 

[GagHalfrunt]

It's not whoever dies with the most toys that wins, it's whoever dies after spending the most time playing with his toys that wins. Nobody ever lies on their deathbed and wishes they had spent more time at the office.

 

[spidey07]

Make more money.

Make enough and you don't have to work anymore.

 

[vi edit]

I'm noticing a pattern in my work habits...

I'll completly destroy myself work wise for a couple years...then take a couple years off from the hustle....then pick back up....then relax....

I'm in my couple year "down cycle" right now. In 2-3 years, if all goes as planned, I'll be on a 3-5 ball busting cycle with hopes that the fruits of my labors will pay off and allow me to relax again for a while.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
It's not whoever dies with the most toys that wins, it's whoever dies after spending the most time playing with his toys that wins. Nobody ever lies on their deathbed and wishes they had spent more time at the office.

quoted for truth.

 

[zendari]

Your wife can leave you. Your money doesn't.

 

[everman]

It depends on what you want, and what you plan for the future? If you're planning on having kids, you can't depend on having dual incomes the entire time for example.
I probably wouldn't work part time, but maybe full time somewhere closer to home.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: z0mb13
work hard while u are still young... reap the benefits when u are older

Or burn yourself out, or die young and never get that reward.

Have a plan for tomorrow, but live for today, it may be all you have left.

The OP needs to find the balance in life that works for him.

ZV

I'm definately with you.

If you feel the need for a break TAKE A BREAK. You have some investments and some savings so enjoy your life more now, and you REALLY don't need to do that 3hrs commute a day.

When you get bored or feel you want to work go out and work instead.

Koing

people have diff goals.. mine would be to invest for the future..

 

[lavagirl669]

I like my free time so I made myself my own boss

 

[Svnla]

OP, you have to make a choice. Which one is more important to you, $ or time.

I've done 70 to 80 hrs work weeks before and believe me, it wasn't fun. I will have to pick less money for more free time.

 

[OutHouse]

Life is too short to be locked in a office making lots of money, money isnt everything. Make a modest income and get out and enjoy life while you can. Go places, experience things.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: Nebor
Anytime I don't spend working is wasted, IMO. I feel useless and restless when I'm not working.

dude thats sad.