Why Quitting a Job Can Make Financial Sense

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I still love the fact that we (Americans) are so caught up with going to school getting a good education only to find out at he end of road, a job that doesn't pay you half of what your paid for school. You're over-qualified and everybody wants you to work for $9 bucks an hour. Yes that would be cool if I were a kid with no family to help support. Where's the trade-off in that? Last year alone, there were more people graduating from college that were collecting unemployment. We're still in the same position we were when our guidance counselors told all of us to either go to the armed services, find a trade or go to college. Mr. Davis, I love you like an Uncle, but why in the heck didn't you ever tell me about residual income? I've been out highschool for more than 20 years. College was great, but does it really prepare you for life as we know it? (Present Day) I've been working from home for almost 3 years now. Being approached by a friend with an opportunity amde life more difficult because I had a job, I thought was secure. The same boss that promised my position was safe ended up cutting back on several employees. This was the job I praised and the boss I had over to my house to meet my family. It's all Gone now. But if I had taken the position that most people take and decided that I was going to collect un-employment and scream at the government for not having more positions for someone like me. I would be in a long line of reasons our country is in the shape it's in today. So I decided that with the right opportunity, and the right product, I was going to be my own boss. My wife can't seem to grasp the not having a salary or having to work not knowing where your next paycheck will come from. but she has been supportive and believes what I'm doing is setting our family and friends involved for something greater than what we all were taught to endure.
Education optional: You must be PhD material......(Poor Hungry & Driven)!
If you've worked in sales...forget everything you know if you're motivated!
Must be coachable!
If you like change, you're gonna love this!
http://lawrenceharden.info

Lawrence Harden of IN 10:23AM September 26, 2011

I find it interesting that I never read many stories of people doing this is higher cost of living markets such as LA, Boston, NY or DC. Must be nice to live in the south or midwest where this idea is an option.

James of NJ 10:20AM September 26, 2011

I was let go from a 49,000 a year job. After one year, my wife and I are doing better than when I was working. I had a sixty mile one way commute. With that gone, we spend much less on gas, or eating out. We have made many cuts, but we are quite comfortable. The secret is to cut, cut, CUT !!! Now if Congress can just get the idea !!!

David of GA 9:57AM September 26, 2011

I chose to retire at 62 even though it meant over a 50% cut moneywise. the last week that I worked ,I spent $150.00 in gas. After adjusting our budget , I now babysit 3 days a week.This along with my Social Security I clear almost what I would had if I had chosen to work the few days a week that I still could have while drawing Social Security.I have gone back to some of the ways of doing things that I was taught as a child.I grow a garden and I make a lot of things from scratch.(Most of which is healthier anyway)I can't say that I 'm missing any of the things I chose to fore go by making this decision.I have more quality time with my family and am experiencing the satisfaction of knowing that money isn't everything.

Merinda Hackworth of KY 9:27AM September 26, 2011

I have been in the same profession for over 20 years. My salary has fluctuated between $40k - $84k for the last 6 years. I have held salary + commission positions and what I've found is that "commissions" are never guaranteed even w/ projects that come in at or under budget. Unscrupulous bosses, commpetitive co-workers, and limitations on the types of jobs I can bid have soured me to this job. I HATE IT!!!! I am so sick of sales in the construction industry. Where's my gun......I need a little lead in my diet. Every Sunday night I get in a bad mood cuz I know I have another week in a job I hate.

Dave of GA 9:11AM September 26, 2011

I do agree that sometimes, even in a down economy, it makes more sense to leave a job than to stay. I'm one of those people who has left! In my situation it just made sense for me to leave.
My husband was making a 140 mile round trip daily to work while my daily drive was 42 miles. He made 3X what I did and when we decided to relocate to get him closer to his job, it drastically increased my drive. We also wanted to find a place that would allow us to become somewhat self-sufficient by having a large garden and maybe even some chickens. We found a forclosed property that fit all our requirements, but it extended my drive to 160 miles a day. We considered this for several days before making an offer on the house and determined that with my skills I could take a work at home job or even work just part time in the new area to help supplement and we could make it easily. When it came down to it, we could survive on only his income with the large garden and the savings in gas and vehicle maintenance better than we could if we had left things as they were. I'm now a much happier "farm" wife who works from home part time and we're doing just fine.

PR of MI 8:58AM September 26, 2011

They should have interviewed ME!! I commute 80 miles round trip to work and use my own car..only get mileage money once I get there...no money for tires, oil changes, etc. I have great benefits....that much is true...but the commute got really bad a few weeks ago when they closed 1 of 3 bridges over the Ohio river that takes people in to Louisville, KY where I work. Commute sucks now. And the price of gas now is killing me! I have thought about quitting...but won't....but if gas gets up to $5 a gallon....I might have to reevaluate the situation.

Cindy of IN 8:04AM September 26, 2011