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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> Real job or continued freedom?
        
(Message started by: Kris_in_SJ on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:29pm)

Title: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:29pm

O.K.

So ... I've been an independent contractor for over 3 years now working from home and pretty much loving it. I have a "cash cow" client and several smaller ones that keep me busy and keep me paying the bills. The problems are that my husband is also self-employed. We pay over $12,000 a year for health insurance, have no 401K plans, plenty of debt, and so on ....

Plus, I love being able to work in my jammies, take time to bond with my pond fish, and indulge in a little gourmet cooking.

Now I've been offered a primo job with a local firm that's offering excellent salary, a great benefit plan and a pretty darned good working environment. The problem? I'd have to go back to wearing a suit and PANTYHOSE every day! the job itself is right up my alley.

What to do? What to do?

So ... what would YOU do?

Kris

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by jcmquix on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:32pm

[smiley=ohjez.gif]

What to do ???

Snatch it up like a $100.00 bill lying on the sidewalk..

I Dunno J/K... just think about the good and the bad.. weigh them out....

Good Luck
Charlie

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by AussieBrian on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:33pm

For starters, I wouldn't wear pantyhose.

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by pattik on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:35pm

I would take the job for as long as it takes to get a good retirement plan up and running and get rid of your debt. You can't start too soon to plan for retirement, and 401K's are really a great benefit. You can always go back to your present lifestyle when you get your finances on track. You will just have to make a little more time for your fishies after work.
Patti :)

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by BlueMeanie on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:44pm

Get out of those jammies, put some clothes on and get to work. With a 401K stockpile you can wear jammies later. Besides, medical insurance is a very smart thing to have nowadays. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:48pm

I realize you're all right. When I weigh it out, the answer will be clear, I'm sure.

However, Brian ... as a woman in the business world, I simply would HAVE to wear pantyhose! (or perhaps I could paint my legs?)

Kris

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Sean_C on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:49pm

on 09/07/05 at 19:29:37, Kris_in_SJ wrote:

We pay over $12,000 a year for health insurance

I pay almost 18K for my family health care, that would be approximately 27K from my gross salary.

I spend more on health insurance than some people make in a year. And I definately can't be without it. :(

Its a tough call Kris, its something you should decide for yourself IMHO.

Sean.......................................

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by vig on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:54pm

I like the advice from both Patti AND Brian AND CHarlie.
bbbbbut, I won't wear pantyhose either.

You can still wear the jammies at night, talk to the fish in the mornings and evenings and weekends and you still have to eat...

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by cootie on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:56pm

Get a tanning bed for those legs........or wear comfy army boots with slouch socks.........I hate pantyhoser Pam

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Redd715 on Sep 7^th, 2005, 8:01pm

on 09/07/05 at 19:49:10, Sean_C wrote:

I'm one of those people Sean.... :-/

I say train me to do your home Job...you take the great job....

I can't afford the small business insurance plan they ahve at work anyway, and I'd save my gas budget on the daily commute. ;;D

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by pattik on Sep 7^th, 2005, 8:03pm

on 09/07/05 at 19:48:33, Kris_in_SJ wrote:

However, Brian ... as a woman in the business world, I simply would HAVE to wear pantyhose! (or perhaps I could paint my legs?)

Kris

pantyhose suck! (and you can quote me on that) ;;D

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by E-Double on Sep 7^th, 2005, 8:03pm

I'd take it Kris.

I am self employed and make a hell of a lot more money than when I working in schools yet no benefits.
If something came along which had comperable money with benefits I'd jump on that.

Go for yours anniversary mate ;)

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by nani on Sep 7^th, 2005, 8:04pm

Oh...that's a tough one, Kris. While the thought of pantyhose sends shivers up my spine... getting back out there sounds kind of exciting, too.
I would probably go for it. At least give it a trial run. Say 6 months. If I hated it, I could always resign. Most of what I do, I can do at home, save for the substitute teaching. I have to admit, I love my cozy, homey, workplace. But on the days I teach...I love getting out there, too.
Sorry, I'm no help, am I? :-/

Let us know... hugs, nani

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Sean_C on Sep 7^th, 2005, 8:07pm

on 09/07/05 at 20:01:23, Redd715 wrote:

I'm one of those people Sean.... :-/

Your not alone Peg, I worked all Labor Day weekend and now you know why :(

I've looked for affordable healthcare and in my opinion it doesn't exist. Once you tell them you have pre-existing conditions they raise thier rates. :-/

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Redd715 on Sep 7^th, 2005, 8:12pm

on 09/07/05 at 20:07:01, Sean_C wrote:

I was refering to the statement health ins costs is more than I make a year...in addition to no insurance..

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by BobG on Sep 7^th, 2005, 8:16pm

You don't say what the salary is (it's none of my business anyway) or if a 401K is offered but......

If maximum 401K contributions are started at about age 30 and continued to age 60 you should have $750,000 to a $million to retire on.

But, there is that pantyhose problem to think about.

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by alienspacebabe on Sep 7^th, 2005, 8:36pm

Figure out what the priority is for you, then decide. Perhaps you can keep your current business, albiet part-time, while working full-time at this new job.

And yes, I *have* turned down a job because they required pantyhose, navy skirt suits and heels.... it had nothing to do with the 2 1/2 hour commute or the 100 hour work weeks.

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Lizzie2 on Sep 7^th, 2005, 9:03pm

Well if it were me - I'd probably wear long skirts or pants....and find some way to avoid panty-hose at all costs.

Sounds like a great job - but good luck with whatever you choose!!

Carrie :)

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by AussieBrian on Sep 7^th, 2005, 9:13pm

So proud of myself that I could make her toes curl like that, then realised I'd been in too much of a rush and hadn't removed her pantyhose.

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by giffy76 on Sep 8^th, 2005, 6:03am

on 09/07/05 at 21:13:42, AussieBrian wrote:

So proud of myself that I could make her toes curl like that, then realised I'd been in too much of a rush and hadn't removed her pantyhose.

LMAO.
I say go for it.

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Woobie on Sep 8^th, 2005, 6:15am

The "Perfect" job is hard to come by.....

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Melissa on Sep 8^th, 2005, 8:25am

Kris, can't you wear pantsuits? I mean, is a skirt mandatory? At least with a pantsuit, you only gotta wear kneehighs. ;;D

Seriously, sounds like a super offer. If it were me, I'd grab it and hang on tight.

:)mel

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Charlie on Sep 8^th, 2005, 4:21pm

http://fool.exler.ru/sm/goss.gif?SSImageQuality=Full

Well I ~~wear~~ used to wear garter belts.

Charlies

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 8^th, 2005, 6:53pm

You guys are so great (even you Brian)!

I'm going to do the pro/con thing down a piece of paper. I have a feeling I know what I'll end up choosing. But, boy oh boy, I hate letting down the clients that have depended on me for the past few years.

And, yes, I'm pretty sure pants and jackets are OK. This place doesn't require uniforms - just professional attire. I don't think my jammies would pass that test.

Hugs all,

Kris

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by Jonny on Sep 8^th, 2005, 7:16pm

Have you considered retirement?

Not much of that in jammies if you are not investing.

I could be wrong.

Title: Re: Real job or continued freedom?
Post by BarbaraD on Sep 8^th, 2005, 10:38pm

There are some retirement plans that equal 401K plans out there for self-employed, but the health care is still a problem.

You got a delima kid.. I'd hate (at this late date) to have to work for a company with RULES that I don't make (but I'm OLD and set in my ways - and used to being BOSS - and if I go to the office in my jammies everyone just thinks I'm ecentric or just plain OLD!).

Seriously -- good luck on your choice.

Hugs BD