Money or Perks? Which would you choose?

Question

I love my job. My job is less than 5 minutes from my home, and my kids schools. My boss is great and never gives a hard time about sick kids or dr appts and stuff like that. If we're busy and have to work through lunch, he pays and I can eat whatever I want, one time I ordered a steak just to test him and he was like "great get me one too!" He pays for gas if there are errands for me to run. There's more but I won't bore you. The money's not great but I get by. On more than one occasion I have been offered positions that would pay more money but would also involve more stress. Our office is quiet as we are the only ones here during the day. I got a radio in the corner playing jazz and a bit cushy chair. A few of my friends think that I stay here because I'm too comfortable to persue other opportunities. I've had high paying jobs that put me into therapy. I don't mind coming to work every day and I go home happy most days. I also have full medical and dental insurance.

I appreciate your comments. I don't feel the need to accommodate other people as long as my kids are happy and cared for. I just wonder sometimes if what they're saying is right. It's like I'm some kind of weirdo for being satisfied with my life. I wish they could just be happy for me.

Answer 1

I would probably stick with that job, at least for as long as I needed the flexibility to take care of the kids -- after all, they're the whole point, right? Certainly you have to make enough money to provide for the children, but having a low-stress job with all those other perks (especially the insurance, but also the convenience & privileges) probably allows you to be a more good-natured, attentive parent. A different job might provide more money, but if you don't go home happy the way you do now, that extra money isn't going to override the importance of the good parenting you're able to provide now.

Your friends who think you're too comfortable to pursue other opportunities ... Do they realize there's more to life, more that defines us, than the social status achieved by being ambitiously upwardly mobile in our careers? I mean, if you're happy with your job, why shouldn't you be comfortable with that? They just want the best for you, and probably can't understand why anyone would settle for that job when they could make more money at another job. They don't realize that one of the benefits of this job is that it fits in with (rather than interfering with) your other responsibilities. Making less money is a fair trade for being able to say you like your job, it doesn't make you miserable, and it doesn't interfere with your primary responsibility: parenting.

You're one of the lucky few who has perspective and balance -- don't let someone else's greed rub off on you & destroy the balance. Once it's out of balance -- you have to make more money to make ends meet, or you start to feel unsatisfied with your job, or you need a new challenge -- cross that bridge when you come to it. For now, be grateful for that balance & stick with it.

Answer 2

No one else can choose for you. It sounds like some of your perks are things the boss should do anyway (paying for gas when you run errands -- although really you should be able to expense the milage.) But others are perks you might not get elsewhere.

But when you're offered a job, you can negotiate, you know. You can say, "You're offer sounds great, but I want 3 weeks of paid time off annually, not 2, so that when I have a sick child or other family duties, it'll be okay." Negotiate.

It also doesn't have to be all or nothing. Your don't have to choose between low-paid but relaxing work or high-paid and stressful. There are opportunities in between these extremes.

But if you're happy where you're at, why move? Maybe instead you could talk to your boss and see if there's an opportunity to take on different responsibilities for him that may be more valuable.

Answer 3

Since you've had high paying jobs before that put you in therapy, you've just answered your own question. I would much prefer to remain where I'm happy and treated well with perks that also cost someone money that you'd have to be paying for with a job that paid more but didn't offer such benefits.

You're boss is thoughtful, considerate of you and your family, and not many can say those things at the moment. You've also got full medical & dental & you're *happy* most days. That is something to strive for & you've already achieved it. Tell your friends that your ambitions have been met & relax.

You're on the right track & you don't need to go jogging on the tread-mill called keeping up with the Joneses.

Answer 4

after having a few jobs that demanded a lot of my time (like working overnight or more than a 10 hr shift) and didn't compensate me well... i wanted the money.

working at jobs that gives perks is an incentive in itself. at my wknd job, i can trade massage and use the workout facilities for free. during my wkly job, i sometimes get free lunches, no complaints for time off, flexible schedules and benefits, etc. my pay is decent... but know the opportunity to make more $$ is out there, it can be tempting sometime.

since life is already full of stress, i would choose the perks. as long as you have enough income to live comfortably (not stressing from paycheck to paycheck) and your boss is already understanding/flexible... you should stay there. talk to him/her about a raise and explain the fact that you love what you do. of course if you REALLY need more money for whatever reason... then make a change. just remember that more money (with a new job) comes with more stress, more responsibility, more BILLS and less time for yourself and family.

happiness is a priority in the work arena. you are there most of your day and associate with your co-workers more than you do your own family.. you have to love your job.... which you already do :-)

Answer 5

Quality of work life issues, IMO, outweigh pay if you are making enough to meet your monetary needs. What you have is hard to find...a pleasant environment, and easy commute and a good boss. These elements are difficult to find. If you are happy then it would be hard to move unless the money was significantly more. I have known many people who were willing to take drastic salary cuts in order to get some of the benefits you now enjoy. You have a good thing going and if I were in such a position I would likely choose to keep what is known and comfortable.

Answer 6

It's up to you. Usually when you have kids though, your best bet is to stay where you have freedom when they need you, where you can take off if needed. Also, you need a job where your mental stability won't put you in therapy. Happiness over money any day. Also, if you get a high stress job with small children, you may ocme home in bad moods and not treat them as nice as you would. Good Luck.

Answer 7

You should stay becuase like you say the well paying job give you stress and if your happy with your job stay ther, Have you ever asked for your boss for a raise.

Answer 8

Sanity and happiness are what matters most - stay where you are if you've been to other jobs that drive you insane! Going home happy is the best feeling as well as getting up and not saying "i have to go to work again ..." Good for you!! :)

Answer 9

stick with it because the first thing you need to think about is your kids. its convenient as for as getting them to and from school, and taking them to doctors appointments. it seems like there is even some time for you to spend with your kids when you definitely need it, something a lot of jobs don't allow parents to do. besides, i think that there is a balance. all the perks you get make up for the money that you don't get. although its not cash, there is some value there.

Answer 10

I would stay where you are happiest. If you get promoted to a more stressful job, you will be unhappy and wished you stayed. If things are good, you aren't haveing financal problems or anything, stay put.