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Message

Tough career decision -BAW EDITION
Posted on 1/15/22 at 7:58 am
Posted on 1/15/22 at 7:58 am
WWTOTD?
Two options
I am married with 2 young kids.
1) contract work - a little over an hour drive away. No benefits because contract.no holidays, vacation, etc. Per diem for 1 year. Office setting
2) direct hire - 15 minute drive. Great benefits, holidays, 3 weeks vacation. 50/50 split between office and field work.
Option 1 is around $30,000 more than option 2 after the available OT. Option 2 is salary
I'd like to heard your thoughts.
Two options
I am married with 2 young kids.
1) contract work - a little over an hour drive away. No benefits because contract.no holidays, vacation, etc. Per diem for 1 year. Office setting
2) direct hire - 15 minute drive. Great benefits, holidays, 3 weeks vacation. 50/50 split between office and field work.
Option 1 is around $30,000 more than option 2 after the available OT. Option 2 is salary
I'd like to heard your thoughts.
This post was edited on 1/15/22 at 10:19 am
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:00 am to maisweh
If you like your family, 2.
If you hate your family, 1.
If you hate your family, 1.
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:01 am to maisweh
if one job pays 30k and the other pays 60k, you need the money... if one pays 220k and the other 250k, different situation..
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:01 am to maisweh
You need to factor the cost of the benefits you’d receive as salary vs paying them yourself on the contract job. Bet it soaks up that 30k difference quick and makes vacation and holidays look nice.
This post was edited on 1/15/22 at 8:04 am
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:02 am to maisweh
Access to full benefits through wife?
How's your life insurance? Individual policy?
What's your tolerance for the field work?
Do you value flexibility in a work week? Ability to take a day off on sudden notice? That's a little perk I enjoy when a baw gets in on a good fishing trip last minute
How's your life insurance? Individual policy?
What's your tolerance for the field work?
Do you value flexibility in a work week? Ability to take a day off on sudden notice? That's a little perk I enjoy when a baw gets in on a good fishing trip last minute
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:04 am to maisweh
Option 2 for me.
Money wise you are "working" an extra 7.5 hrs a week in option 1 in drive time. Plus the 120 hrs that you dont get in vacation. So thats an extra 590 hours of your time for $30k not considering how much OT you need to make that $30k.
Money wise you are "working" an extra 7.5 hrs a week in option 1 in drive time. Plus the 120 hrs that you dont get in vacation. So thats an extra 590 hours of your time for $30k not considering how much OT you need to make that $30k.
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:06 am to maisweh
If you can live on 30K less, then option 2 is the obvious answer.
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:13 am to maisweh
Any chance of the contract work becoming a direct hire position if you perform well?
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:14 am to maisweh
quote:Time with your young family is one of the greatest gifts there is.
2) direct hire - 15 minute drive. Great benefits, holidays, 3 weeks vacation. 50/50 split between office and field work
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:32 am to maisweh
How much is your time and benefits worth? If it’s $30K in this scenario, there is your answer.
You can’t get time back. You can always go make more money when the kids are raised. Take the time with them now.
You can’t get time back. You can always go make more money when the kids are raised. Take the time with them now.
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:35 am to maisweh
In addition to others' good points above...
Future is today in your decision:
Longer term growth opportunities between them?
Do either offer you a skill / experience that would be marketable for future opportunities (elsewhere)?
Most importantly (IMO), do the spring out of bed test. It is Sunday night and you are going to bed. Which gets you most excited Monday morning (or, do you least dread Sun night).
Life is short. Be selfish with your time.
Future is today in your decision:
Longer term growth opportunities between them?
Do either offer you a skill / experience that would be marketable for future opportunities (elsewhere)?
Most importantly (IMO), do the spring out of bed test. It is Sunday night and you are going to bed. Which gets you most excited Monday morning (or, do you least dread Sun night).
Life is short. Be selfish with your time.
Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:40 am to maisweh
quote:Trumps just about everything to me.
I am married with 2 young kids.
You’ll never get a do-over with being there for young-ins.
Others may prioritize differently.

Posted on 1/15/22 at 8:42 am to Saskwatch
quote:
Access to full benefits through wife?
Maybe on Valentines Day and his birthday but not likely year round.
Posted on 1/15/22 at 9:11 am to maisweh
Are you staying onsite for option 1? Will you be reimbursed mileage for weekly trips home? Does your old lady have health insurance for the family? What is the base salary? How old are your kids? Any experience you will gain from option 1 that will set you up for more money down the road?
Posted on 1/15/22 at 9:13 am to maisweh
Per diem is non taxed, right?
Posted on 1/15/22 at 9:22 am to maisweh
Depends if you have money saved up already.
Option 1 will help you get there. I did the whole contract OT thing early on, now that I’m comfortable, I hate OT and travel work
Option 1 will help you get there. I did the whole contract OT thing early on, now that I’m comfortable, I hate OT and travel work
Posted on 1/15/22 at 9:28 am to maisweh
If you choose option 1, your wife is going to cheat on you.
Posted on 1/15/22 at 10:00 am to maisweh
Option 2
I missed a lot of my kids growing up, because I worked all the time.
I missed a lot of my kids growing up, because I worked all the time.
Posted on 1/15/22 at 10:05 am to maisweh
25 year old me would've selected 1. 50 year old me looking back, 2 hands down. Everyone here will go through the same hindsight later in life. Best advice I can give you
isn't financial, it's personal. Try not to let money dictate time and relationships.
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