It is the first Monday of August.
I sit here thinking about going back to work tonight. Lately, I seem to have fallen out of love with the work I have been doing for the past decade. Blame it on the lack of sleep, on the dwindling salary I receive, on the changes that have put so much pressure at work. For the past few weeks, I have been seriously considering quitting.
My dad once told me, "Before you make a major decision in life, get a piece of paper. Fold the paper in half. On the left side, label the heading with the word 'Pros' and on the right side, label it with 'Cons.' Write down all the positive things about your proposed decision on the left side, and all the possible negative things on the right side. When you are done, read through it and weigh out each and every entry before you finally decide what you want to do."
It was good advice back then. It still is today. And so I put it to a test today. Here is what I have written down:
So, as you can see, there are more positive things that can happen if I quit my current employment and concentrate on work-at-home jobs. But I still have to think long and hard about this.
Regular Income Jobs vs. Contract Based Jobs:
Employees get paid a daily rate for completing 40 work hours per week, regardless if you do your job or not. If you don't, then you still get paid. If you excel in your work, then you get paid extra bonuses. In contract based/work at home jobs, you get paid a flat rate for the entire workload which you are required to complete in a few days or weeks. They usually pay very well, however, the drawback would be stability. You cannot depend on being awarded contacts every time. There will be lulls and it may be a long one.
HMO Plans vs. Government Health Insurance:
One of the perks of being a regular employee is you are provided with health insurance by an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) provider. The monthly dues are paid for by the company you work for. Some companies even provide HMO benefits for their employee plus three dependents. If I opt for being self-employed, I will have to pay out of pocket for my monthly fees and make do with the Government Health Insurance that can only be availed of if I will be confined in a hospital. I could buy up my own private health insurance, but that would be very expensive.
Social Security and Retirement Benefits
Regular employees have mandatory deductions in their paycheck which goes into their Social Security Fund. The company also contributes two to three times the amount the employee pays per month. So that's me and my employer saving for my retirement benefits. If I chose to be self employed, I will have to pay a lot per month to maintain my current rate for Social Security.
Family Time, Less Stress, Healthier Meals vs. Graveyard Shift and Fast Food
I have been wanting to stay home and be with my family more. It is so nice to be able to earn my keep while minding the needs of my family at the same time. I get to prepare healthier meals for myself and my family. I will get more rest, therefore less stress and less sick days. As an employee doing the graveyard shift for a decade and living on fast food has given me uncontrolled blood sugar levels, gastritis, and elevated blood cholesterol. I come home physically drained and irritable. This is not the mom I want my children to have.
Be my own Boss vs. Having a Boss
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to do everything at your own pace without somebody breathing fire down your neck everyday? That would feel so much like heaven on earth. However, I would miss out on creating "code names" for people higher up the corporate ladder who do nothing but make others' lives miserable. Me and my friends have become so creative at this. We have "the Tele-tubbies," "the Whale Shark," "Shrek," "Princess Fiona," "King Albino," to name a few. LOL. That I would surely miss if I opt to stay at home to work.
So, have I decided to quit or to stay put? I still have two sons in college and losing a regular income might mean disaster. My hubby told me to wait until one of my children can take me in as their dependent for health insurance coverage. Little old pessimistic me was worried that I might be too old to qualify when that time comes. Haha.
And so, I will be patient and wait for the opportune time when I can go for my dreams and work at home. When that moment comes, I will then sit down and do what I love to do best - to write.
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| Pizza Party after the Monthly Team Update Meeting |
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| Lighter moments with the team at the Videoke room at work |
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| Breakfast at 4am with my fellow Quality Analysts |
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| Early morning pig out at Pizza Hut |
Wishing everyone a more productive and fun-filled week ahead!
I think waiting is a good idea. Although the income is good when you work at home, the real issue is stability. Your salary may be dwindling, still, you get paid monthly. Wait a little more and see if you can get a more stable income for your home based job.
ReplyDeleteBB's going through just the reverse! Blessed to have been a FullTimeBlogger for almost 4 years, Sweetie's Diabetes diagnosis means we need good insurance and a steady flow of income, so back to looking for a 9 -5. Actually, kinda looking forward to it- guess Blogger Burnout got Babushka. Must say though, it was great while it lasted!! BB2U
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen, this is not an easy situation, but I am glad you started thinking about the pros and cons. I cannot really give a sound advice that can help you reach the decision, but this is what I can tell you when my husband decided to quit his job and started our own business: it will not be easy at the beginning, but it is worth it.
ReplyDeleteMy husband used to work in a big corporation with fixed salary, bonuses, health insurance, and all the perks. But he was not happy. After thinking long and hard, he quit. Now he is a Realtor, his own boss, and earns more than what he got when he still worked at a corporation. It is a HARD work, but he has more time for our daughter now. This is something that money can't buy.
Whatever you choose, you can always find something positive from it. Focus on the positive and keep moving forward.
I think a lot of people weight the pros and cons of going back to work! it is always difficult to make a change, especially one that is major! My dad also recommended the list, but when a decision does not seem like a decision, than that's the way to go! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a really big decision but one that you are obviously look at from all angles. I hope you get to pick something that will make you happy and content.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was pregnant with my third child, I had been working out of the home for a year. My husband and I went back and forth with the pros and cons. It can be a very scary decision. However, we made it work, and I'm glad I stay at home with my kids. It makes all of our lives easier.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you would want to make the leap from graveyard shift to work-at-home. It's funny, I need to do your little pros and cons piece of paper exercise. I am contemplating the opposite. I've been working at home for the past decade, and I am thinking about the security, stability and steadiness of having a 9-to-5 would be like. Self-employment tax is also the worst.
ReplyDeleteI love working at home and am so thankful that I've been able to the last 10 years. I have had my own insurance this entire time so that didn't factor in. Sounds like you know what to do.
ReplyDeleteI love the pro/cons exercise... sometimes just writing everything out is enough to help clear the air and make a decision. I am totally with Yona... there will come a time soon when I need to get out of my own comfort zone and do something that scares the crap out of me and go and work for our company. {which was scary to set up but we have been so happy with the results!}
ReplyDeleteU agree with Yona on the self employment tax but it's here in the states, I don't know about taxes in Pinas if you work at home. I'd say, just retore and become a stay at home Mom sis.
ReplyDeleteIn the end it's all about what makes you happy. If your job is a sign of stability but you're not happy about it, then maybe aside from thinking of working at home, you can also try looking for a different company.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you did the pros and cons, and think that's a great idea for any major decision. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI have to say your dad gave you great advice. It is so important to write down the pros and cons of every thing we do in life that can be a big change especially. It all comes down to what you feel in your heart and how you literally feel about each decision you make. Wishing you luck and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI took a break from my work for more than a year because I wasn't happy with the result. I made okay money but didn't get enough sleep. Wish I could stay with my kids, spend more time with them but someone needs to pay our bills right ..
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see the pros and cons of this but its really something you should think through. I do enjoy your detailed work of which to go for. Good luck to you! :)
ReplyDeleteSome decisions are harder to make than others. I hope writing it out helps with clarification.
DeleteIt's important to make the best decision for you. Wishing you luck.
ReplyDeleteWhenever faced with a major life changing decision it is always best to take some time to really think over the good and bad as you have stated here. Wish you all the best in your future successes!
ReplyDeleteI think the pros and cons list is a great idea. Quitting your job is a huge decision and something to think through. Catherine S
ReplyDeleteWell - I can certainly identify - and love those pros for you - when I started to look for jobs I was over qualified for and the pay was so low - I started my biz and have been really blessed. Big hugs on YOUR decision :)
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