I got another job offer today. Like everything, there are advantages and disadvantages. My current (and still relatively new) employer of Frito Lay can offer me the ability to earn over $70,000 a year. A few of the senior guys even flirt with six figures. But I have been worried about the ongoing possibility of injury, and the hours have been killing me. Working odd hours is one thing. But working odd hours that are inconsistent from one day to the next is absolutely brutal.
The job offer I received today will give me an annual salary in the high 40's. That is a pay-cut for me, even compared to my previous job driving long-haul over-the-road. But there are also several advantages. Primarily among them is the fact that the job is, for the most part, normal waking hours. And it is STRICTLY Monday through Friday. Weekends off. WEEKENDS OFF. That is amazing. I've never had a job with such normal hours. Hell, I could even have a social life. Actually go on dates again.
This new job offer is paid hourly. That means if I am sitting in traffic, driving, or unloading I'm getting paid the same. In the end, it doesn't work out to a bottom line that is as much money as I was making over-the-road... but I'm sure if you broke it down by actual hours it might be better.
Though... not compared to Frito. Without any doubt, Frito wins the money contest hands-down.
So on the one hand I have tremendous earning potential. But with extremely difficult hours and backbreaking manual labor. On the other hand I have an entirely ordinary salary with entirely ordinary hours that could afford me an entirely ordinary life. Something I have actually been desiring. It's also SLIGHTLY closer to where I live. From Providence to Mansfield is 20 miles, and it's all I-95. From Providence to Killingly is 30 miles, almost all secondary roads. Both jobs offer me immediate access to their respective 401k programs. The Mansfield, Mass. job does offer IMMEDIATE health-care coverage. That's irrelevant in the long-term, but it'd be nice since I'm currently in an uninsured gap between jobs. The Mansfield job offers uniform service. That's kinda nice. They use all Ryder and Xtra leased equipment... but at least it's late model stuff.
So I'm currently leaning towards dropping Frito. But I'm embarrassed, to some degree. It's a very macho, Teamster environment. I hate the idea of appearing like I can't handle it. It isn't so much that I can't... as simply a question of what type of lifestyle do I want to live? How much is a big salary REALLY worth to me? Am I willing to deal with my body never knowing if I should be awake or sleeping for an extra $20k a year? I've got thirty or so years before retirement. Is it more important to make as much money as I possibly can between now and then, or have a job that doesn't kill me in the process?
The job offer I received today will give me an annual salary in the high 40's. That is a pay-cut for me, even compared to my previous job driving long-haul over-the-road. But there are also several advantages. Primarily among them is the fact that the job is, for the most part, normal waking hours. And it is STRICTLY Monday through Friday. Weekends off. WEEKENDS OFF. That is amazing. I've never had a job with such normal hours. Hell, I could even have a social life. Actually go on dates again.
This new job offer is paid hourly. That means if I am sitting in traffic, driving, or unloading I'm getting paid the same. In the end, it doesn't work out to a bottom line that is as much money as I was making over-the-road... but I'm sure if you broke it down by actual hours it might be better.
Though... not compared to Frito. Without any doubt, Frito wins the money contest hands-down.
So on the one hand I have tremendous earning potential. But with extremely difficult hours and backbreaking manual labor. On the other hand I have an entirely ordinary salary with entirely ordinary hours that could afford me an entirely ordinary life. Something I have actually been desiring. It's also SLIGHTLY closer to where I live. From Providence to Mansfield is 20 miles, and it's all I-95. From Providence to Killingly is 30 miles, almost all secondary roads. Both jobs offer me immediate access to their respective 401k programs. The Mansfield, Mass. job does offer IMMEDIATE health-care coverage. That's irrelevant in the long-term, but it'd be nice since I'm currently in an uninsured gap between jobs. The Mansfield job offers uniform service. That's kinda nice. They use all Ryder and Xtra leased equipment... but at least it's late model stuff.
So I'm currently leaning towards dropping Frito. But I'm embarrassed, to some degree. It's a very macho, Teamster environment. I hate the idea of appearing like I can't handle it. It isn't so much that I can't... as simply a question of what type of lifestyle do I want to live? How much is a big salary REALLY worth to me? Am I willing to deal with my body never knowing if I should be awake or sleeping for an extra $20k a year? I've got thirty or so years before retirement. Is it more important to make as much money as I possibly can between now and then, or have a job that doesn't kill me in the process?
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
Is it to expensive to be independant?? Probably now it is but in the future?
I can see how it would be nice.
Good Luck. I hope you like this one better than the ole' Frito Lay.