What would you do? (job related)

Nicole Williams · September 2009

Would you take a pay cut to do a job that gives you less stress?

My job is making me seriously pull my hair out lately. I go home all the time in a bad mood all stressed out and grumpy. There is a nutrition shop next to the gym DH works at, and they are looking to hire a female employee. It would be a fun, laid back job with very little stress. Also, DH and I would be able to carpool to work everyday and he could come visit me on his lunch and when he has breaks.

They bad thing is that I will be taking a pay cut. It would probably be around $5 less an hour than I make now. Right now I make more money than DH because he is going to school still, so he is only working like 30 hours a week. If I took this job we would still be able to make it by, but we would really have to budget and cut out some of the extras we like to do like eating out and stuff.

What would you do?

NDwife07 · September 2009

I'd take the pay cut.

Easier said than done, though! There are a million factors that would play into it - overall job satisfaction, health benefits, your career ceiling (both title and earnings-wise)...

madonnadouwanna · September 2009

Would being able to carpool offset some of the wage difference? If it will be better for you and your family mentally, it is worth considering. Good luck!

Nicole Williams · September 2009

I forgot to add that once DH graduates this December and gets a good job our plans are for me to be a SAHM. So I'm not like looking for a carrer or anything.

HDxNxJ · September 2009

if you can live without the extra's for a little while then do it. I had a job that I came home crying almost every night from and it is NOT worth it.

You shouldn't ever be that unhappy !

SheriBT · September 2009

Personally, my sanity is worth more than a few extra dollars. I'd take the paycut and be happy over making more money and being miserable.

NDwife07 · September 2009

nwilliams8:
I forgot to add that once DH graduates this December and gets a good job our plans are for me to be a SAHM. So I'm not like looking for a carrer or anything.

Oh, then yes - take the paycut! It's only for 3 months!

jolis_petits_bijoux · September 2009

Unless it's going to put an extreme hardship on you family, take the paycut. Money isn't everything, especially if it's only a difference of $5/hour.

I made the decision to SAH with DS. Best decision of my life. No more traveling or concerts or mall shopping sprees for awhile, but it's 100% worth it!

Tadpole711 · September 2009

I'd probably take the pay cut. I'd rather not have the stress and have extra moments with DH. Carpooling will save a little cash anyway.

wifeypooh · September 2009

Hmm, that equates to, less taxes, a cut of appr $300 a paycheck. If you don't plan on making a career out of your job, I say go for it, esp if it will improve your quality of life.

amys715 · September 2009

If my job was affecting my home life I would find something else, even if it meant taking a pay cut.

Kflie83 · September 2009

Personally I have taken a pay cut for this very reason. I had a pretty high paying job that I'd been doing for about 8 years but it got to the point where I was just exhausted and stressed to the point where I was really unhappy. I took a good look at my life and decided that my quality of life would be better with a new job. DH agreed that I should quit because my unhappiness was affecting our lives even when I was off work. Sometimes money is just not worth your happiness! The crazy part is that in about 3 months at the new job I got promoted and made almost the same!