opinions on my job situation please!

JenBrown0210
JenBrown0210 Posts: 985 Member
edited October 1 in Chit-Chat
A little back story. My husband and I have a lot of double bills. We are working on getting them paid off. I was married before and had my own place. We have finally gotten my van paid off and a few credit cards, but still have more to pay. At our current rate of payment we will be out of debt by August 2012. So below is my dilema.

I'm currently doing an online coarse to be a biller and coder. I hate my current job, I struggle everyday to go to work. I'm not meeting the sales requirements (this is new for us my position of 4 years changed from customer service to sales). I'm running a risk of getting fired for not meeting the 7.50 per hour requirement for sales (I take inbound customer care calls) the firing process for not meeting metrics is lengthy. It takes 3 to 5 months to go through all of it to get terminated. The job I interviewed for is 6.50 per hour less than I'm making now. If I go to this position I will be able to get the billing and coding job I want in about a year, which would include a pay raise. Our dillema is this, I take the job and money will be very tight to pay even the minum for our bills, I don't take the job and run the risk of being terminated in a few months for not meeting metrics. For me I feel the Lord is presenting me with an opportunity but I'm worried my family will suffer. An opinions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Replies

  • chuckyp
    chuckyp Posts: 693 Member
    That's a tough call. I'd say happiness is important though. If the new job will allow you to pay your bills (albeit with not much margin) and the new job will make you happy and be a stepping stone to an even better job, I think I would run like the wind and never look back. Especially if this is an opportunity that might not be there a few months down the road.
  • boomboom011
    boomboom011 Posts: 1,459
    wow thats a tough one. personally since i have been in financial struggles like yours before i say stay where you are for as long as you can and pay off as much as possible that way when you do make the move it wont be that much of a struggle cause if you take such a huge paycut you will go right back into debt.

    Im not saying stay where you are forever but do the best that you can and buy you some time. Just my opinion. Its your life and you have to live it.

    What does your spouse want you to do?
  • Izable2011
    Izable2011 Posts: 755 Member
    Work at taking the pay cut. I leanrned that now a days with the economy we should take what we can get. If you think you will get fired then I would suggest to start looking now. :flowerforyou:
  • hazelnut861
    hazelnut861 Posts: 390 Member
    If you can make with the pay cut and eventually reach your goal of a better position id go with the new job opportunity. It'd be a tighter budget and harder struggle if you were unemployed altogether.
  • CharlieBarleyMom
    CharlieBarleyMom Posts: 727 Member
    No one can make this decision for you except for you and your husband and family. Sit down with your current bills and figure out exactly how much money will be coming in. Are there bills that you are making higher payments on that you can cut back on? These are the things you need to look at to make your determination.

    Remember to budget correctly for gas changes due to driving further (or less), things that will just "come up" for your family, also, there is a huge balance when you do something that makes you happy versus something that you can't even get out of bed to do.

    But, don't let anyone else's opinions change your course. Do what you need to do and what you are comfortable doing based on your finances.
  • Dootzy1
    Dootzy1 Posts: 2,345 Member
    Yes, sit down with your spouse and list the pros and cons of each decision. Make sure you both are on board with your decision. Then, don't look back!
  • angelicdisgrace
    angelicdisgrace Posts: 2,071 Member
    I agree with the person above. If you think you are going to lose your job then begin to look now. Retail stores usually pay over minimum wage. Good Luck on your venture.
  • BondBomb
    BondBomb Posts: 1,781 Member
    Any way to negotiate a slight pay increase?
    I know how great it must feel to be able to see the light at the end of the debt tunnel...but perhaps you can give yourselves an extra 6 months and take the lower paying job. Your sanity could suffer if you stay. Then again most people I know hate their jobs. Another option would be to discuss an 'improvement plan' with your boss or hr. Many times they will keep an employee on if they feel you are attempting to improve performance.
  • JenBrown0210
    JenBrown0210 Posts: 985 Member
    wow thats a tough one. personally since i have been in financial struggles like yours before i say stay where you are for as long as you can and pay off as much as possible that way when you do make the move it wont be that much of a struggle cause if you take such a huge paycut you will go right back into debt.

    Im not saying stay where you are forever but do the best that you can and buy you some time. Just my opinion. Its your life and you have to live it.

    What does your spouse want you to do?

    My hubby wants me to take it.
  • WiiFitFan
    WiiFitFan Posts: 156 Member
    Trust in the Lord and he will make your paths straight. God will provide when you pray for guidance. He is amazing! You will be surprised at how things work out. You deserve to be happy and enjoy your work. It sounds like you are doing good so far at getting things paid off. Have you ever listened to Dave Ramsey regarding money matters and getting out of debt? He has some interesting ideas.
  • Jfacteau
    Jfacteau Posts: 1 Member
    Don't forget to pray about it. Seek God's guidance with an open mind and listen / watch for His counsel because it may come to you in unexpected ways.
  • JenBrown0210
    JenBrown0210 Posts: 985 Member
    I agree with the person above. If you think you are going to lose your job then begin to look now. Retail stores usually pay over minimum wage. Good Luck on your venture.

    That's the problem. I currently make 16.50 an hour (I've been there over 5 years, started out at 10.10 per hour) this new job would put me back at 10.00 per hour.


    What I'm going to do is sit down with my boss and figure out with my current metrics what will happen. If she says I'm in the path of termination then ill leave.
  • DawnOf1969
    DawnOf1969 Posts: 726 Member
    I would rather be happy and in debt than miserable every day. It's only money. You can't take it with you in the end so make your days on earth as happy as you can. If taking the pay cut makes you happier in life, then I would take it. We should never take lightly opportunities God presents to us. Best of luck!
  • DawnOf1969
    DawnOf1969 Posts: 726 Member
    Oops double post
  • jmikels67
    jmikels67 Posts: 116
    Be sure you are really listening to what God wants you to do. Seems to me that if you stick with your current job (for as long as it lasts) you will be better off financially. If you would be struggling to pay minimums you won't be able to work toward being debt free (which is very important - check out Mary Hunt's Debt Proof Living). Also IF you are let go from your job, there is probably a chance you could collect unemployment, if you quit, no way that could happen.

    My thought is keep the current job for as long as you can. Keep working on your schooling in the meantime If the process takes around 6 months, you will be halfway to your goal by the time they actually fire you, and the crunch time will be much shorter and more manageable. Work on saving a little for an emergency fund along the way to lessen the sting should you get fired.

    Good luck to you, and I'll be praying for you!
  • Edithrenee
    Edithrenee Posts: 546 Member
    Im not an expert, but i do know that people in the bible had to take risk. If you feel God is pressing you to do something even if it is risky he says for us to trust him. He will help you find a way. You have to believe and trust that he will do that. He takes evry bad and changes it for the good of those whom love him.

    With that being said, I think prayer and a lot of listening to him is the only way to go about making a decision that hard. You have to really pray he gives you the answer and make sure it isnt coming from your own heart or feelings. Sometimes if we go by our fieelings we can be lead wrong. The bible also says i cant quote exact, but the heart of a man is deceitful.

    So I cant tell you what is best for the family or you. Only God can, and i think if you pray about it and think he will give you the answer.
    If you decide to take the other job and you know it is Gods will for now, then do it and trust God will provide. It says Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly father feeds them, Are you not of more value then they are? Matthew 6 :26. I hope that helps some. I willl pray he gives you the answers you need and the peace beyond understanding.
  • Edithrenee
    Edithrenee Posts: 546 Member
    Be sure you are really listening to what God wants you to do. Seems to me that if you stick with your current job (for as long as it lasts) you will be better off financially. If you would be struggling to pay minimums you won't be able to work toward being debt free (which is very important - check out Mary Hunt's Debt Proof Living). Also IF you are let go from your job, there is probably a chance you could collect unemployment, if you quit, no way that could happen.

    My thought is keep the current job for as long as you can. Keep working on your schooling in the meantime If the process takes around 6 months, you will be halfway to your goal by the time they actually fire you, and the crunch time will be much shorter and more manageable. Work on saving a little for an emergency fund along the way to lessen the sting should you get fired.

    Good luck to you, and I'll be praying for you!

    This is a good point also, about the unemployment.
  • Packerfan23
    Packerfan23 Posts: 225 Member
    If you and your husband think it is a good path to go, then I would say go for it. Definitely work out the financial deals like others said...I would check with some of your creditors and see if there are any options for you so that you can stay on track with them. You never know! Good luck!
  • bonjour24
    bonjour24 Posts: 1,119 Member
    ok, forget god. he's not gonna help pay the bills.
    if you take this lower paid job, it would only be for a year right? then you'd be all qualified and then earn more than you do now. so is it worth being on a lower income for 12 months (but happier) in order to get the higher paid job that you actually want at the end?

    my opinion is that being unhappy sucks, and so does being skint. but you can have no money and keep your soul! you can do free things (walks in the park, picnics, bike rides, catch up with friends) for entertainment. that's easy.

    i had a soul destroying job where i'd literally cry before work because i was so miserable there. that misery carries over into everything else. you only live once- do what makes you happy and not what makes you rich. because if you are happy, you are rich. but you still need to make sure you have enough to cover those bills over that 12 month period. could you get a small part time job? maybe do something from home?

    good luck with your decision.
  • DawnOf1969
    DawnOf1969 Posts: 726 Member
    ok, forget god. he's not gonna help pay the bills.
    if you take this lower paid job, it would only be for a year right? then you'd be all qualified and then earn more than you do now. so is it worth being on a lower income for 12 months (but happier) in order to get the higher paid job that you actually want at the end?

    my opinion is that being unhappy sucks, and so does being skint. but you can have no money and keep your soul! you can do free things (walks in the park, picnics, bike rides, catch up with friends) for entertainment. that's easy.

    i had a soul destroying job where i'd literally cry before work because i was so miserable there. that misery carries over into everything else. you only live once- do what makes you happy and not what makes you rich. because if you are happy, you are rich. but you still need to make sure you have enough to cover those bills over that 12 month period. could you get a small part time job? maybe do something from home?

    good luck with your decision.
    ::applause::
  • DawnOf1969
    DawnOf1969 Posts: 726 Member
    ok, forget god. he's not gonna help pay the bills.
    if you take this lower paid job, it would only be for a year right? then you'd be all qualified and then earn more than you do now. so is it worth being on a lower income for 12 months (but happier) in order to get the higher paid job that you actually want at the end?

    my opinion is that being unhappy sucks, and so does being skint. but you can have no money and keep your soul! you can do free things (walks in the park, picnics, bike rides, catch up with friends) for entertainment. that's easy.

    i had a soul destroying job where i'd literally cry before work because i was so miserable there. that misery carries over into everything else. you only live once- do what makes you happy and not what makes you rich. because if you are happy, you are rich. but you still need to make sure you have enough to cover those bills over that 12 month period. could you get a small part time job? maybe do something from home?

    good luck with your decision.
    ::applause::
  • tegla
    tegla Posts: 132
    Most of all is your happiness, you have to spend 1/3 of your day there plus how your job makes you feel the rest of your day. And your feelings (good and bad) do rub off on your family. A year flies by, you'll have a fresh start and surely be looking at raises in your pay and happiness in no time. Meanwhile, speaking with your current employer about your dilemma will clue them in you are also unhappy and seeking other employment options, even if you don't tell them about your other options, they will have a good idea. If they are also unhappy with your performance, then add in that you are not happy. It seems both parties want basically the same thing. And they will look for more ways to make it hard on you until you leave, so they don't have to wait the 6 months, then you'll wish you'd taken this opportunity. However there are always more opportunities, even in this jobless economy there are jobs out there.

    I wish you the best, no matter what you will be fine, take a deep breath, chin up.
    P.s. I just had a thought, obviously you are working be more fit in body, you deserve to be just as fit in mind. Go for it. Go for the happiness, the money will follow.
  • boomboom011
    boomboom011 Posts: 1,459
    wow thats a tough one. personally since i have been in financial struggles like yours before i say stay where you are for as long as you can and pay off as much as possible that way when you do make the move it wont be that much of a struggle cause if you take such a huge paycut you will go right back into debt.

    Im not saying stay where you are forever but do the best that you can and buy you some time. Just my opinion. Its your life and you have to live it.

    What does your spouse want you to do?

    My hubby wants me to take it.

    then do it!
  • alienblonde1
    alienblonde1 Posts: 749 Member
    A little back story. My husband and I have a lot of double bills. We are working on getting them paid off. I was married before and had my own place. We have finally gotten my van paid off and a few credit cards, but still have more to pay. At our current rate of payment we will be out of debt by August 2012. So below is my dilema.

    I'm currently doing an online coarse to be a biller and coder. I hate my current job, I struggle everyday to go to work. I'm not meeting the sales requirements (this is new for us my position of 4 years changed from customer service to sales). I'm running a risk of getting fired for not meeting the 7.50 per hour requirement for sales (I take inbound customer care calls) the firing process for not meeting metrics is lengthy. It takes 3 to 5 months to go through all of it to get terminated. The job I interviewed for is 6.50 per hour less than I'm making now. If I go to this position I will be able to get the billing and coding job I want in about a year, which would include a pay raise. Our dillema is this, I take the job and money will be very tight to pay even the minum for our bills, I don't take the job and run the risk of being terminated in a few months for not meeting metrics. For me I feel the Lord is presenting me with an opportunity but I'm worried my family will suffer. An opinions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

    Well remember Prov. 3: 5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, acknowledge HIM in all your ways and HE will direct your path.

    Let me share something GOD did for me. When my now ex left me he left me with everything including debt. I was working part-time at the time and fighting to get hours. I was told by a friend to apply for a job and they called me and I passed the test they gave and was offered the position. Thing was this job paid 1.50 an hour less then I was getting at the part-time job, BUT was a steady 40 hours a week. I prayed if it was GOD's will I take the job that I would be offered the hours I wanted to work.

    They actually gave me 4 shifts to pick from. Well after a month of working there I was doubting what I did was the right move. I prayed and gave it to GOD and the next day I went in I was called in the office and they gave me a $1.50 an hour raise.

    So trust HIM acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path. :smile:
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member

    I hate my current job
    This would be the clincher if you ask me.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    Wait this is a religious thread?

    So if god inspires the OP then why need the advice as it wouldn't matter?
  • BondBomb
    BondBomb Posts: 1,781 Member
    Truth. it's ok to pray for guidance and rely on faith for strength but there are plenty of gods children in debt, starving, and out of work. If god has anything to do with this its because you were given a brain to think through life.
  • brandimacleod
    brandimacleod Posts: 368 Member
    Pray. From your post you are clearly a woman of faith. So pray, and really listen. God will steer you the way he wants you to go, you just have to listen to him. And then you have your answer!
  • Ocarina
    Ocarina Posts: 1,550 Member
    I personally think you should do what will make you happy and sane. Call centers suck more than anything in the world, I know that personally. I would take the pay cut if it isn't devastating and just suffer for awhile until better things happen. Make sure you budget everything out so you don't end up needing help from those around you. Good luck with what you decide.
This discussion has been closed.