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Crescent Connection
New Orleans Saints Fan
Lafayette/Nola
Member since Jun 2008
1945 posts

How far would you commute to double your salary?

Potentially have an offer to double my salary. Currently have 4 kids, 3 of them in sports. My wife and I don't have family in town, and the brunt of carpooling the kids around falls on her as it is now.

If I'm offered this job, I would make approximately $140k more a year, which would alleviate a lot of financial burden, but I would be looking at a 3 hour 40 minute roundtrip 5 days a week. Ideally be home by 7-7:30pm every night, so wouldn't be able to spend much time with my kids until the weekend. Just curious how others would respond to this scenario.


Diseasefreeforall
Miami (FL) Fan
St Clair Co
Member since Oct 2012
5161 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
I know it would mean uprooting the kids but I'd move close to the job.


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notsince98
Missouri Fan
KC, MO
Member since Oct 2012
17505 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
Odds are the financial burden just grows with your salary. Gotta find a way to be happy with what you have or you'll never be happy.


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LSUGUMBO
New Orleans Saints Fan
Shreveport, LA
Member since Sep 2005
8274 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
No family in town, so are the kids and their activities the only reason for not moving?

It's clearly a nice raise, but losing 4 hours a day in commute along with the increase in gas expense, car depreciation, etc., I don't think it would be worth it to me, unless you're just trying to ride out the school year before you move. I've driven 2 hours to work before, but I was billing for mileage, and I wasn't expected to be there 8:00-5:00, so that made a big difference.


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190
The Torch
LSU Fan
DFW The Dub
Member since Aug 2014
18534 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
double my salary

$140k more a year, which would alleviate a lot of financial burden,

You make 140k a year and are burdened financially, apparently you are not good at life decisions.

Renting an apartment would pay for itself in gas, car, stress. Come home Friday and Go Back Monday

My old Boss lived on the other side of Ft Worth but worked mid town Dallas, he rented a crash pad to avoid the drive daily


lynxcat
Rutgers Fan
Member since Jan 2008
23842 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
quote:

looking at a 3 hour 40 minute roundtrip 5 days a week.


Absolutely not….that’s nuts.


TIGERSby10
LSU Fan
Central Lafourche
Member since Nov 2005
6821 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
quote:

You make 140k a year and are burdened financially, apparently you are not good at life decisions.


Not true. I make a little less, but I'm struggling to pay basic bills and don't spend lavishly.

I used to drive 2.5 hours a day roundtrip to make about 30-40K more a year, but ultimately said I'd rather be broke with more free time to enjoy my family. Money will never come before family for me.


MrJimBeam
New Orleans Saints Fan
Member since Apr 2009
11955 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
Unless where you work is in a god awful city, move closer.


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horsesandbulls
LSU Fan
Destin, FL
Member since Jun 2008
4806 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
if they offer you the job, would they be willing to let you work hybrid with the caveat you'd be there for any major meetings? Or does the nature of the work require you to be in person?





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southside
SW of Monroe
Member since Aug 2018
564 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
quote:

How far would you commute to double your salary?


I did a 3.5 hour round trip commutes 5-6 days a week for 3.5 years. Absolutely mentally and physically exhausting, but the money changed my life. I was single with no kids, I can't imagine doing that with a family and it being succesful unless you have an extremely strong wife and family backing you up.


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USA
Member since 2001
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Delacroix
LSU Fan
Member since Oct 2008
3973 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
If moving closer isnt an option, I wouldnt take the job. Losing over 15 hours a week with your family isn't worth it. You'll regret it when the kids are grown.


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290
Motownsix
Colorado Fan
Boise
Member since Oct 2022
1425 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
That long of a trip would make me consider getting an apartment there and figuring out a way to work less days a week. Almost 20 hours a week in a car is a huge loss of productivity.


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Roy Curado
Member since Jul 2021
791 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
Driving that much will get you burnt out of the job QUICK. Which will affect your performance, potentially leading to a lower position or firing.

You are in a big cost/benefit analysis situation that you can only decide for yourself.

Some questions I would ask myself in this situation.

Can I uproot the kids and move closer to this position? Are my kids old enough that after 2-3 years of being in this position, they are older and can understand the situation?
What more will I provide with the extra money but less time with my family?
Is the job stable/reliable? Is there a risk of it not being there in 3-5 years?

140k is a lot of money to turnaway for family reasons. At the end of the day, do what is best for your family. Whether that be providing more financial support but spending less time or spending less time and more financial support.

As one who lost their dad at a young age, I wish I had more time with him.


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notbilly
LSU Fan
alter
Member since Sep 2015
3406 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
quote:

I would be looking at a 3 hour 40 minute roundtrip 5 days a week. Ideally be home by 7-7:30pm every night, so wouldn't be able to spend much time with my kids until the weekend. Just curious how others would respond to this scenario.


If someone is willing to pay you ~$280k 2 hours away, why can't you find something closer making more than you do now? I understand this may be a unique opportunity (i.e. working for family, odd location of industry, etc). Personally, I don't think I could spend that much time on the road unless I wasn't able to provide with my current job. And then, I'd consider moving closer to the job.


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Crescent Connection
New Orleans Saints Fan
Lafayette/Nola
Member since Jun 2008
1945 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
quote:

You make 140k a year and are burdened financially, apparently you are not good at life decisions.


4 kids in private school which is a non negotiable. 1 car note. I drive a 2012 Sonata that has been paid off for 8 years. I’m not going to argue that some of my decisions could have been more financially sound, but $140k gross doesn’t go as far as it did 20 years ago. We go on maybe 3 trips a year, nothing extravagant though. Wife and I have date night once a month. Life expenses is out of control with inflation, and I’m just trying to stay afloat.

ETA: I currently live in Broussard. Job is in Houma.
This post was edited on 9/20 at 12:53 pm


metallica81788
LSU Fan
NO
Member since Sep 2008
8061 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
I just moved for less of a salary jump than you're discussing with a one hour drive each way. That wasn't bad.
But for two months before the move, had a two hour drive each way. Four hours in the car daily for a 8-4 job M-F. If I had to do that long term, not worth it.

That kind of money can change things unless you're careless.

How old are your kids? Since in sports, I'm guessing a prime age to spend time with. Can't get those years back.

Since no family where you're at now, I'd consider a move closer to the job with potentially life changing money. Even if kids are in high school should be worth it. You're not too far away if they want to go hang out with friends occasionally.


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Sterling Archer
LSU Fan
Austin
Member since Aug 2012
6889 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
I'd find a way to move and make that work. That's a lot of extra freedom you'd be able to provide. Save and invest more = earlier retirement, family vacations, hire help around the house.


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JiminyCricket
USA Fan
Member since Jun 2017
3105 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
Could you move maybe 40 minutes closer to the job? 40-45 minutes isn't terrible so the kids could stay where they're at with sports and school. Hell, some days if traffic is thick, it'll take me 45 minutes just to get across town. That would also chop 90 minutes off of your driving.


3 hours and 40 minutes comes out to 220 minutes. Slash 90 minutes off of that from moving and you have a touch over two hours of round trip travel which doesn't seem god awful. It's just long enough actually to let you decompress from the work day so you're actually engaged when you get home and not burned out.
This post was edited on 9/20 at 1:08 pm


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deathvalleytiger10
Member since Sep 2009
7420 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
How old are the kids? High school age makes it tough to move them. Younger and pick somewhere closer to the job is what I would do.

I have done long commutes in the past and it wears on you and affects the family dynamic as well.


JohnnyKilroy
New Orleans Pelicans Fan
Cajun Navy Vice Admiral
Member since Oct 2012
34405 posts

re: How far would you commute to double your salary?
That salary bump will take a hit when you factor in that you will probably need a new car every 3 years and your car insurance is probably going to be fricking insane driving 1000 miles per week.

If you take that job and don’t just move closer you’re an idiot.


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