Simpler life? Any experiences out there?

theles · 08-12-2003, 08:41 AM

Anyone out there leave higher paying jobs/higher stress jobs for less money/less stress? Since money doesn't buy you happiness, I am considering a career change. The problem is the current lifestyle and of course my responsibility to my family...

Just thought I would see what some of you have been through in this regard.

Thumper · 08-12-2003, 08:52 AM

I reached that "Y" in the road 30 years ago. Took the road less travelled --- healthcare consulting. My own dinky little firm. Zero security. No big titles. Work in my house. My only big fan is my Jack Russell.

I love it.

Cool Texan · 08-12-2003, 09:21 AM

I plan on winning the Powerball and then starting up Redneck Incorporated. I will be hiring all of my friends to work for me. I plan on spreading the wealth around.

I'll let you know when I win so that you can submit your resume. :grin:

BrionLutz · 08-12-2003, 09:24 AM

fishingfever,

Only way I figured out how to do it was to save a bunch while in the demanding high pay so I could supplement my income in the lower demand, lower pay job later on.

Key to me is doing something you really like to do which defines a "good" job to me. I've been lucky in that the high demand was also something I liked to do.

Funny thing is that if you do what you really like to do, you tend to be really good at it and start making money at it.

On the family side, you mean a lot more to your kids than money especially when they are younger, pre-teen. They think a 15' Alaskan with a 25 hp with Dad in it on weekends and evenings is much cooler than the 25' Superboat that sites in the driveway because Dad works nights and weekends.

Brion

pdxkevin · 08-12-2003, 12:01 PM

We're getting our ducks in line so we can make the leap a little easier...

lost_sailor · 08-12-2003, 01:14 PM

I've pretty much stuck with the less money/less stress all along.

How many gravestones have you seen that say "I wish I had worked more" ?

Grantspastor · 08-12-2003, 01:51 PM

Good point Lost Sailor!

theles · 08-12-2003, 04:29 PM

It's definitely a tough choice when you and your family get into the materialistic mode of accumulation and get used to a certain lifestyle.

It's strange that I realize that the best things in life are free (family, friends, etc) but I don't/can't prioritize my life around it. One of these days...

Appreciate all the comments.

Silver Hilton · 08-12-2003, 04:56 PM

I did that two years ago. I had the big job, big salary, etc. We figured that we could go to semi-retired status, as long as we quit the big money habits - expensive vacations, new cars all the time, etc. Oh, and if I could figure out how to make a living trading stocks. That was the hard part.

We're living on less than half what I made before, but being around while the kids grow up is priceless. I won't go back unless I have to.

It was made easier by the fact that we have always paid cash for everything, had a ten year old house with a modest mortgage, and had saved a lot over the years. Just a nice reward for being frugal.

If you can do it and be happy with less, I highly recommend it.

RvW · 08-12-2003, 05:48 PM

An interesting question. One that I dont have an answer for, but to extend on lostsailors comment...What makes you happy? If I might offer some common answers to this question, Id have to start with: family...security...comfort...FISHING (not necesarily in that order) How much money does it take to KEEp you happy, and provide the things that make your family happy too? Dont fool yourself thinking your sacrificing money...think of the things the money allows you to do.

Ive made this decision in my life once (seems like a past life) and Ive also had this decision made for me (still hurts like it was yesterday sometimes)

The only thing I can say is, if you make sacrifices for someone else, make sure they are beneficial to the someone else in the long-term (kids...marriage) and dont be in a hurry to make a change that effects your entire family. A little foresight goes a long way...dont ever forget the possibility of resentment, whether its you resenting the change, or someone close to you who doesnt agree that the change was a positive one. (can be YEARS later this one sneaks up on you)

Im in a position now where I can no longer expect a salary range of anything over maybe $60K?
unless I somehow find a way to become self employed again...and it isnt completely due to decisions Ive made. The point is, while your looking down at greener pastures from your "higher ground" I imagine you were in that pasture once and left it......gotta ask yourself why.

***
On a side note...a former girlfriend and I had come up with an idea years ago after seeing her parents go from Malibu riches to a "simpler life" nightmare.
Our plan was to develop a consulting firm that would help people with oodles of money go from thier "Zuma beach" view home, to a nice spread in a rural community with trees and rivers and lots of land.
Most people living this lifestyle dream of fishing rivers we do, or hunting for Elk a few minutes from home..having land for a great garden or horses and chickens and dogs (who dont have to be followed with a shovel and a bag). The thing is (this is from fist hand experience) Most of the city dwellers who want to make the transition end up lost and miserable after attempting to do it on thier own simply clipping columns from Outdoor life and watching the Red-Green" show.

I know this is a little off-base with the original question here, but to the person who asked it...make sure you know what your getting into and seek the advice and opinions of your family first, and then as many people you can find that have done it and not only succeeded, but the ones who feel they failed too!.

Good luck (how do I apply for your vacant position :grin: )

Thumper · 08-12-2003, 06:24 PM

[ 08-12-2003, 07:49 PM: Message edited by: Thumper ]

Silver Hilton · 08-12-2003, 07:23 PM

At the risk of going wierd and ****** on the group, my thinking on this topic changed significantly when I start reading buddhist philosophy. One of the things that buddhism treats as suspect and warranting at least a bit of personal examination is one's attachments to possessions and pastimes. For example, are we that much happier when fishing from a 20,000 dollar boat, or would we be as happy fishing from the bank? For that matter, should we fish, or should we sit by the river and watch?

Now, this comes from a guy with a big fancy jet sled, but it's worth thinking about. I try to spend a lot of days a year walking the bank with a rod in my hand, just to make sure I think I know what I think on the issue. And, after 20 plus years of doing so, I'm not sure I know the answer yet.

1pump · 08-12-2003, 09:54 PM

How ironic. It was 3 years ago, almost to the day, that I decided to quit climbing the corporate ladder. Hell, never mind quit, I jumped off.
I think about this decision almost every day. I miss the responsibility and the influence of an important position. I went from head honcho in an industry I knew everything about, to drone in an industry I knew virtually nothing of.
No regrets, though. 3 years ago I was sick constantly due to stress-related health problems. Every time I turned around somebody or their attorney was looking to take a chunk out of my arse. One day, in a rage, I smashed a $500 phone into about 200 pieces. I then left and took a walk around the block to try to calm down. That "block" turned in to about 3 miles, and by the time I got back my mind was made up. I called my boss and told him I'd give him a few weeks to find a replacement. Later, dude. I don't need this anymore.
My menial job pays almost as well. With zero stress. Haven't been sick in 3 years. Not even a cold. No more temper tantrums.
I've got one eye on the horizon, though. I'm approaching a crossroads. I figure I have about 20-25 years left to give to a job, but I don't know where yet. I have an interview with the city of PDX next week, so I guess I'll go from there. :smile:

[ 08-12-2003, 10:56 PM: Message edited by: 1pump ]

cannonball · 08-13-2003, 05:41 PM

I just spent the last 5 months in a sales job. selling equipment and supplies within the industry I left. I thought this would mean less money as well as less pressure.

WRONG

It turned out to be more pressure than my old job. Luckly today I landed a position similar to my previous positon.

Sometimes being good at something and earning good mone equates to less stress. I have also been lucky to stay out of large corpirations.

fishisabonus · 08-13-2003, 07:05 PM

The day the man that read my daughter's CT of her brain... he went to his knees and held my hand and looked me in the eyes and said "it's not good, we found a tumor"..... The room began to spin and in those few words I could feel the rug underneath me being pulled out from under me. Everything in my life that had mattered before, money, finding a man to spend my life with, a new car, remodel and other stuff to my house, buying my own boat... all that didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was her. Hannah and the people I love.

Since I pulled my head out of my ***, so to speak. My life has turned around. I am so much happier now that I ever was. Money does not matter. The people you love do, as well as doing things you love, things that really don't cost anything but time. I really do see daylight now!

We are conditioned to life with many lies that the status of money brings. And if you aren't blessed with a soul mate significant other, you are on a quest for him or her. We neglect many things that are important. The things that are right in front of us. The people we take for granted each and every day.. maybe for some it is a child or a spouse.

I am ashamed that it took her getting so sick for me to realize I had my priorities all messed up.

Since that day, I have learned to appreciated so many simple things and the things that mattered before are so stupid.

When I hear someone complaining that they cannot pay for a lifestyle they have mortgaged their soul for, I have no pitty. Many times they have a spouse and/or children that they have neglected on their quest for THAT status.

Never take for granted the precious moments you have with them. If you can have a less stressful job that gives you more time to spend with the people you love and the people that love you.. your life will be enriched tenfold. And.. you will be surprised how it comes back to you.

Now.. that was from my heart. [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

[ 08-13-2003, 08:10 PM: Message edited by: fishisabonus ]

pdxkevin · 08-14-2003, 07:17 AM

Fishisabonus: Very well written and expressed. Really makes you reflect on your priorities.

Silver Hilton: Gonna have to go with the boat option on that one (coming from a bank fisherman who has been in a boat).

Flatfish · 08-14-2003, 02:26 PM

I am buying Dad's biz from him. He will semi retire in 3-4 years( as much as he will ever retire). I could go either way.

We are in an odd position with the market we are in. It could make me rich....If I wanted to work that much.

Still not too sure what way I want to go. Dad says "no way" to 70-80 hour weeks for 10 years( after a while it runs itself. But getting it to that point is a rough go.).

Will let you know in 30 years what I decide.

Mark and the dog.