Upwardly Mobile

[RobS]

As the others have said, it is a very personal decision. For me, I'd likely go for it but I'm still at that upward phase of my life (trying to do just that right now, in fact).

I did however, read a book recently called "Die Broke". The four key tenets of the book were 1) Quit your job (meaning stop being loyal to your employer as so many are no longer loyal to their employees), 2) Pay cash, 3) Never retire and 4) Die broke.

I don't necessarily agree with everything the guy said but the never retire thing did catch my eye. He talked about retirement being largely outdated as traditional retirement is based on people who do very physical work and at some point in their lives are no longer able to continue with that same work. These days so many people (myself included) have pretty sedentary jobs that take little physical toll. One can still retire from the primary job but take another job with less stress, more interest, different location, fewer hours or whatever to continue some income into those later years.

He argues that most of us are not ready to "sit and knit" for another 30 years of life after retirement and by planning some income in those later years the income needs in the prime years are reduced.

Again, I'm not completely sold on this guys writing but it has got me thinking. Hmmm, maybe a tractor related post-retirement hobby job /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[KubotaSteve]

Family is the most important thing. Keep the wife happy. Your last 5 years should be cruise control. You finally have help in your current position so why stress having to travel and what not for a few extra bucks. I had the opportunity to apply for a management position for an extra $10,000 a year but once you figure in stress and additional time away from my family, it just wasn't worth it.
The more money you make, the more money you spend. My wife has shown me that /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

<font color="blue"> "Bottom line is, I'm more inclined to pass on it "</font>

I agree. Sounds like too much "seat time" might be sacrificed. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[ronjhall]

I had a traveling job for 37 years. I paid well and my wife figured out how to enjoy my not being home every night. It is a decision not to be taken lightly. Make a list of all the pros and cons. Then sit down with your wife to go over the list. My brother and I worked for the same company at one time. He worked up to the same job position that I had. His wife did not like him traveling. In the end he quit. His wife could not handle him not being home every night.
The added income may be the incentive that will make you take this new job for the next 5 years. It sure would be an incentive for me. Another $75000 in my 401K would have been great. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Egon]

Choices??

Just making a wild guess I would think you will be working many more hours than first thought. You will get a whole lot of new experience which really does not weigh much and you take it with you on retirement.

It would also give some good side job retirement options.

Was your present helper hired to replace you when you start the new job?

I'd go for it but then I'm not a wise man! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[B8FISH]

Tough choice, but some things to consider:
-Is the "new" job fixed--meaning can you help to define it to better suit you and the travel needs?
-Is management willing to trade--for x number of days out out of town you would get an extra day of vacation (that you could then spend at home)?
-or, does the new job come with more vacation time that you could use to spend those extra days at home (and in the seat of your tractor)?
-the extra funds in a 401K or whatever would be nice.

These may seem like pretty minor details, but if you don't ask--you'll never get them--and remember, you said they were recruiting you /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[sneaky_pete]

Good or bad, five years will pass very quickly. I'd be tempted to take it for the extra money, but my wife's feelings would be the deciding factor.

Also, the companies I've worked for wouldn't have looked with favor on someone who turned down a promotion - yours may be different.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[MossRoad]

Tough choices...

I wanted a job with flexible hours and no travel so that I could, for example as I did last week, go see my kids in a spelling bee. So I took a job with a local, well established company. They have decent pay, good bennies and are a pleasure to work for. Sure, I could make more money somewhere else, but I would rather work for this company that values family over the $$$.

You have to do what is best for your family, first. If that means sacrificing for a couple years to ensure financial stability later on, then so be it. If you can get by without it, then do that.

Again, tough choices. Best of luck in your decision. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[MikePA]

What about addressing the 'out of town' issue by taking your wife with you? Turn a 3 or 4 day 'out of town' business trip into a 5 or 6 day vacation. You'd be working for 3 or 4 of those days, but it'd be a 6 day vacation for her. Your company would pick up most of your expenses (hotel, food, travel) and hotels don't usually charge too much extra for 2 people in a room versus 1. Sounds like a win/win to me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[HGM]

Lots of good posts here....

First off, my opinion would be that if the wife and you are not totally enthused about the idea, roughly $10,000 per year isnt that much..Dont get me wrong, I dont make enough money to snub my nose at $10k. My reasoning is more to the side of peace of mind. If I could be at home more often, I could create side work to produce more than that $10k per year. It really depends on your interests, I find it interesting that most folks I have talked to after retiring are looking for something to keep them bussy... Just a thought, do you realy intend on retiring in 5yrs...?? You could plan a future bussiness with side work now, be at home, and create the simpler life you want to have..

Maybe work isnt what you have in mind for retirement, how about investments like rental properties?

I'm young and dumb enough to have to take an offer like that.. In my bussiness(company) I think it would be a mistake to turn an offer down..

Good luck with your decision, you'll make the right one. Just decide how important that money is. Seems like its the deciding factor anyhow, maybe the only positive...