Do I quit my job or keep grinding? | DadHQ

Do I quit my job or keep grinding?

Jan 191 min read

I make decent money ($85k) but my kids are 5 and 8 and I feel like I'm missing everything. They're in school now so at least mornings are easier, but I'm working 50+ hour weeks and travel 2 weeks a month. Wife wants me to stay because of the income but she also gets frustrated that I'm never home. I'm looking at staying in my industry but finding a job with less travel (probably $65k range). Is that financial hit worth it? Anyone made this jump? What did you learn?

6 comments176 views

Comments(6)

BBen D.RegularJan 19

This is the trap though right? The money keeps us there and the guilt keeps us working. I stay because someone has to pay for school and activities but I get what you mean about missing everything.

BBen H.RegularJan 19

Your kids being 5 and 8 is peak years, I won't sugarcoat it. They grow so fast. But quitting might not be the answer if you don't have another income source or savings. Maybe look into remote work or contract stuff where you have more flexibility?

JJustinRegularJan 19

Five and eight is when they still think you're a superhero. Don't sleep on those years man. That said, walking away from stable income is scary. Have you looked into cutting hours instead of full quit?

CConnorRegularJan 20

Before you quit, can you talk to your boss about going to like 32-35 hours instead of full time? Some places are actually flexible about this and you keep benefits. Might be the middle ground you need.

RRick M.RegularJan 21

I did the math on this and honestly $85k doesn't go as far as people think once you factor in taxes and cost of living depending where you are. But the real question is what would you do instead? That matters way more than the salary.

LLance K.RegularJan 21

The grass is always greener. I quit my job thinking I'd be home more but turns out freelancing meant I was working even harder to make ends meet and still missing stuff. Sometimes it's the job itself not the hours.