Should I change jobs?

Question

I have the opportunity to make about 10K more per year at a new job, but I don't know if I should take it. I currently work from home, and the flexibility is nice. This new job would be an 8-5 office job and I'd have to put my son in daycare full-time. (He's in part-time right now.) On the other hand, though my hours are flexible, my current job does require many, many hours in front of the computer. I usually end up working all weekend. This new job would require me to work on Saturday mornings. I guess I can't get away from working on the weekend. Anyway, I don't know what to do. Yikes.

Answer 1

Honey

You have a child

Stay at home

It already works

Kids need hands on parents

Suddenly parenting takes a new dimension when day care is involved. Money, extra transportation, other kids, caretaker woes Starbucks. More fast food. New Tax Bracket.

You don't need that. You lose touch with your baby this way. It is not brought up under love.

Keep up with whatever it is you are doing so well, that makes you so employable and when your boy is old enough, there you go.

Answer 2

Do the math. What is your net disposable income after all the day care expenses? You might end up giving away the 10K extra to the day care leaving no additional income to you. Include you daily transport expenses to your 8 to 5 job, too plus your meals outside - that usually costs more than home-made meals. And the corporate power dressing expenses too. Then you also have more taxes perhaps?

Compute also your equivalent hourly rate for each type of job. Now be honest with your work from home tallies. You might find out that the work from home arrangement pays better. If not, then I think you may go ahead and take the second job.

But in the end, it's still your work preference, which type of job makes you happier or makes you feel more fulfilled? Only you can answer that and there are no maths involved.

Answer 3

If you have advancement opportunities at this new job, then perhaps it is worth considering. Even asking if the benefits at the job include some sort of childcare assistance (daycare referrals/discounts) may sweeten up the deal a bit as well.

I think that if you want to keep your current job, then doing a bit more time management so that you can allow yourself a break on the weekends (well, at on Sunday), may be something do. So that it will be less stressful for you in the long run.

Good luck to you.

Answer 4

You should consider the situation in two lights:

1. The quality of life perspective.

Would taking the new job allow you more ( or less ) time with family, friends, and personal pursuits? Will your quality & standard of living improve? Include your personal well-being - stress, temper, relaxation, etc, are these going to suffer?

2. The bottom line perspective.

Consider the added taxes you'd have to pay with a higher income, it may push you into a higher tax bracket. Then consider how much it would cost to send your child to DayCare, including gas, fees, food, etc. Then add in your increased commuting costs - tolls, gas, bus fare, parking, business clothes, etc. Finally, add in the loss of the home-office deduction ( you are probably taking this now, I trust ).

When you have done all the above, ask yourself if the resulting dollars in your pocket is worth it -- taking into account both of the above perspectives.

You should be able to make a reasoned decision that you will not regret.

Answer 5

I would stick with working from home.

You would incur the following expenses/costs if you take the job outside the house:

Daycare (including increased medical expenses as you child is more likely to get sick more often from the contact with more children).

Travel expenses of gas, travel time

You might tend to eat out more (lunch with coworkers would be nice but costly).

Clothing expenses

Being at home can save you money since you wouldn't have to take off work for doctor's appointments, home repairs, etc.

Since you are currently working at home, would you lose the home office deduction on your taxes?

It is fun to think of something new, but I think the newness would wear off really quickly.

Keep in mind I'm biased, I hate daycare for kids (I think a lot of our social problems happened when people stopped watching their own children) and I love working from home.

Answer 6

Does your current job have hope of better wages? Getting paid more for less hours?...

Things to consider besides wages.. Cost of travel back and forth to work (gas, vehicle upkeep for extra mileage, tires, etc), daycare, time spent traveling for which you will NOT get paid...

Will you also get benefits such as medical? dental? etc...

Time spent with your family is worth a LOT more than you think.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Stick with working from home...you won't have to pay day care, you don't have to force yourself to get up and do hair and make-up to be at the office on days you don't feel up to it, you don't have to drive in various types of weather, you have flexibility in days and hours you work, and you don't have to tolerate rude co-workers

Answer 9

get the new one.