Just took a 40% pay cut to go part-time and it was the best decision ever

Dec 11 min read

Wanted to share a win - I transitioned from full-time to a 3-day/week arrangement at my company back in January. Numbers: went from $145k to $87k, but I'm actually AHEAD financially when you factor in what we were paying for after-school care.

More importantly? I'm present. Like actually present. I pick up my kids (7 and 9) from school, we have snack time where they actually tell me about their day instead of me frantically prepping dinner. I'm not exhausted every night.

Yes, there's career risk. My manager made it clear I'm not on the promotion track anymore. But ngl, I don't care. This is the move for us right now.

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Comments(13)

MMike F.RegularFeb 22

This is the math nobody teaches you. People hear "40% pay cut" and freak out but ignore the $1000+ in daycare, commute costs, gas, not cooking dinner because you're exhausted, eating out more. You probably came out like $15k ahead? Maybe more?

WWill S.RegularFeb 20

How did you convince your company to let you go part-time? I've been thinking about this but my employer is old-school about it.

VVic H.RegularFeb 22

The after-school care numbers are wild. We're looking at like $1200/month and haven't even factored in the guilt of picking them up tired and rushed. Seriously considering asking my company about this arrangement.

MMarcus W.RegularFeb 20

This is goals honestly. The "present" part hits different. I'm still full-time but I'm jealous you get 3-day weekends with the kids.

PPete S.RegularFeb 19

How did your company react to the part-time request? Like did they push back at all or were they cool with it? I've been thinking about asking but my boss seems like the type who'd see it as commitment-level dropping.

MMarcus J.RegularFeb 20

This is actually the math that nobody talks about. After-school care, summer camps, random sick days when you have to take time off anyway... the $87k might actually be closer to $95-100k in net value. Plus you're not running on fumes. That matters.

DDanny R.RegularFeb 20

Nah I don't think you're bragging at all. You literally just changed your family's quality of life by trading income for presence. That's not a humble flex, that's just smart parenting and people need to hear it works.

LLeo R.RegularFeb 20

Real talk though - did you struggle with the identity shift? Like you were the provider for so long and suddenly you're more present than working. No judgment, genuinely curious if the mental side was weird.

FFred J.RegularFeb 20

Real question though - does your wife still work full-time? Or did you both negotiate different schedules? Trying to figure out if this is realistic for us or if it only works if one person has super flexible income.

CChris T.RegularFeb 20

This is the post I needed to see today. I'm at $140k and absolutely burnt out. Seeing the actual numbers on childcare costs makes the math suddenly make sense instead of feeling impossible.

LLarry K.RegularFeb 20

Wait so you actually run the numbers and came out ahead because of after-school care? That's the move nobody talks about. A lot of these "work vs stay home" conversations ignore that daycare + commute + taxes can legitimately cost more than staying home. And then you get to actually know your kids. That's huge.

ZZack M.RegularFeb 21

I'm genuinely curious if this is sustainable long-term or if you're planning to ramp back up eventually? Like at some point do you want to get back to full-time earning, or are you good staying at the 3-day schedule?

DDex J.New DadFeb 22

Congrats on this. Genuinely. That takes guts to walk back the hustle culture stuff and prioritize actual time.