Have you ever made a stupid money decision...

[notallwhowander]

Have you ever made a stupid money decision and KNEW it was stupid even before you made it?

I think I'm about to do just that, and it makes me nervous but still elated.

I think I'm about to put in notice at my job - a 3 week notice on Friday.

Do I have another job lined up? No.

Can we pay all our bills on DH's income alone? Not quite.

We *can* make it through to the end of the year without touching our EF for normal expenses.

Is this stupid in today's economy? Yes. I kept telling myself and kept telling myself I just had to stick it out.

But, I'm going insane. I've had to deal with crappy bosses before, and crazy workloads, and insane coworkers. I've had to babysit the boss's kids and run personal errands. I've been insulted by supervisors. But none of it even lives up to the mess I'm in now. And I've been sticking it out for 4 years. I'm done. And so is my husband, because he told me last night just to GET OUT.

Have any of you made a wild leap like this? Just threw caution to the wind and made a choice that, on the surface, seemed really stupid? Be it your job, a move across country, etc.

[Deleted]

Could you maybe change to part time instead of quitting?

I am sure I have a ton of stupid money decisions but nothing exciting, just the regular spending money I don't have (CC) type stuff. I have learned my lesson though. Oh there is also cashing out my 401k when I left my previous job. that is probably stupidest!

[Peace Of Mind]

I've made that wild leap before and really couldn't afford it when I did it. I never regretted it once and found another job. It was during a bad time (economy was awful) but it all worked out for the better. Good luck!

[Sum Dum Gai]

Have you ever made a stupid money decision...

No.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

Aug 21, 2012 14:20:13 GMT -5 notallwhowander said:

Have you ever made a stupid money decision and KNEW it was stupid even before you made it?

I think I'm about to do just that, and it makes me nervous but still elated.

I think I'm about to put in notice at my job - a 3 week notice on Friday.

Do I have another job lined up? No.

Can we pay all our bills on DH's income alone? Not quite.

We *can* make it through to the end of the year without touching our EF for normal expenses.

Is this stupid in today's economy? Yes. I kept telling myself and kept telling myself I just had to stick it out.

But, I'm going insane. I've had to deal with crappy bosses before, and crazy workloads, and insane coworkers. I've had to babysit the boss's kids and run personal errands. I've been insulted by supervisors. But none of it even lives up to the mess I'm in now. And I've been sticking it out for 4 years. I'm done. And so is my husband, because he told me last night just to GET OUT.

Have any of you made a wild leap like this? Just threw caution to the wind and made a choice that, on the surface, seemed really stupid? Be it your job, a move across country, etc.

...been there... done that... go with your gut...

[redwagon]

Good luck! Do what you gotta do!

[muttleynfelix]

We did something similar. My DH was laid off and we decided we liked having him home well enough that he would not go back to work (I also got pregnant during the time he was collecting unemployment). We could not quite meet all of our bills on my salary. That was 3 years ago. Before the baby came, I got a HUGE raise (10%) and it all worked out. We're now expecting baby #2. Things are going to be tight, but manageable. We have enough other stress in our life that balancing 2 parents working would be enough to put us over the edge. We may have less at retirement, fewer awesome vacations, and keep our cars 15 years instead of 10 years. But I'm really happy we made the decision we did. There are trade offs in life and sometimes you trade money for less stress.

[notallwhowander]

There are trade offs in life and sometimes you trade money for less stress.

That's what my husband finally said! He also said that if the job ever changes you, you've got to change the job. I think that might mean I'm becoming a cranky witch working here, but luckily he didn't voice it like that! ;D

Could you maybe change to part time instead of quitting?

No. They would expect me to complete the same amount of work in fewer hours. Saw it with my senior coworker who quit 9 weeks ago (she had gone to part-time 6 months ago).

We've actually had 3 employees quit in the past 9 weeks. I'm not looking forward to the actual "I'm leaving" conversation, but hopefully it'll be quick!

[notallwhowander]

Quote:Have you ever made a stupid money decision...


No.

Good for you! ;D

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

Aug 21, 2012 14:51:16 GMT -5 notallwhowander said:

There are trade offs in life and sometimes you trade money for less stress.

That's what my husband finally said! He also said that if the job ever changes you, you've got to change the job. I think that might mean I'm becoming a cranky witch working here, but luckily he didn't voice it like that! ;D

Could you maybe change to part time instead of quitting?

No. They would expect me to complete the same amount of work in fewer hours. Saw it with my senior coworker who quit 9 weeks ago (she had gone to part-time 6 months ago).

We've actually had 3 employees quit in the past 9 weeks. I'm not looking forward to the actual "I'm leaving" conversation, but hopefully it'll be quick!

...reminds me of a favorite resignation letter from iresign dot com:

Dear Sirs,
This letter serves to confirm my status as the latest rat to flee your sinking ship.
Sincerely,

[Peace77]

Do you have any vacation time that you can use before you go?

Do you have any sick leave?

Do spend time looking for a new job now rather than regretting your decision.

[Sum Dum Gai]

To answer your question in a non smartass way, I did something somewhat similar when I separated from the military. I'd actually turned down a few offers when I separated, after we moved to the Bay Area and were living with my in-laws with no job lined up. We included my wife and two daughters. It was extremely stressful, but it worked out in the end. There were several times that I seriously reconsidered my decision to separate, even though staying in the military would have pretty much guaranteed that at some point I was going to at the very least spend a year or two assigned to some remote base halfway around the world where I couldn't take the wife and kids. If I wasn't sent to Iraq or Afghanistan hoping I didn't come home in a body bag or strapped to a hospital bed.

[Jake 48]

It takes brass b**ls to do this but your health and sanity is more important, good luck!!!

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Aug 21, 2012 15:59:28 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Do you have any vacation time that you can use before you go?

Do you have any sick leave?

Do spend time looking for a new job now rather than regretting your decision.

These are all great ideas!

Also, not to be a negative nellie, but you know that 'making it through the end of the year' without reaching into the EF is only about 4 months, right (assuming August is paid-for)? I mean, it's not a huge amount of cushion, although it sounds like it.

Anyway, that being said, I made my questionable financial choice when I left a perfectly good, stable job in 2007 to relocate for no reason other than I wanted a change of scenery. But I had a big cushion and found new work at a better salary after only 2 months! So it worked out great for me in a lot of ways.

[notallwhowander]

Aug 21, 2012 15:59:28 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Do you have any vacation time that you can use before you go?

Do you have any sick leave?

Do spend time looking for a new job now rather than regretting your decision.

I do not have any vacation time or sick leave due to a medical thing earlier this year (which was isolated and semi-elective, so not something that will cause issues - ie bills - later).

Also, not to be a negative nellie, but you know that 'making it through the end of the year' without reaching into the EF is only about 4 months, right (assuming August is paid-for)? I mean, it's not a huge amount of cushion, although it sounds like it.

Totally true. Although that's just the slush fund. I have probably another 4 months after that if I drain our other specific accounts (vacation fund, kitchen fund, etc.), then the EF would last almost a year, assuming DH kept his job. Plus he's up for a raise sometime in September/October, so that'd be a plus and probably cover our basic bills in full (sure not counting on that, though it'd be nice!).

[Wisconsin Beth]

I've made plenty of stupid money decision (going to Europe on a cc, for one) but not job related.

I did encourage DH to leave his job. He liked about 2% of his job and loathed the remaining 98%. He ended up talking to his boss and being moved to a different dept.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

Aug 21, 2012 16:49:49 GMT -5 notallwhowander said:

Aug 21, 2012 15:59:28 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Do you have any vacation time that you can use before you go?

Do you have any sick leave?

Do spend time looking for a new job now rather than regretting your decision.

I do not have any vacation time or sick leave due to a medical thing earlier this year (which was isolated and semi-elective, so not something that will cause issues - ie bills - later).

Also, not to be a negative nellie, but you know that 'making it through the end of the year' without reaching into the EF is only about 4 months, right (assuming August is paid-for)? I mean, it's not a huge amount of cushion, although it sounds like it.

Totally true. Although that's just the slush fund. I have probably another 4 months after that if I drain our other specific accounts (vacation fund, kitchen fund, etc.), then the EF would last almost a year, assuming DH kept his job. Plus he's up for a raise sometime in September/October, so that'd be a plus and probably cover our basic bills in full (sure not counting on that, though it'd be nice!).

...so, how goes it? turn in your notice yet?

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

Aug 21, 2012 16:08:39 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

To answer your question in a non smartass way, I did something somewhat similar when I separated from the military. I'd actually turned down a few offers when I separated, after we moved to the Bay Area and were living with my in-laws with no job lined up. We included my wife and two daughters. It was extremely stressful, but it worked out in the end. There were several times that I seriously reconsidered my decision to separate, even though staying in the military would have pretty much guaranteed that at some point I was going to at the very least spend a year or two assigned to some remote base halfway around the world where I couldn't take the wife and kids. If I wasn't sent to Iraq or Afghanistan hoping I didn't come home in a body bag or strapped to a hospital bed.

...thank you for your service, Dark... I didn't realize you were a former servicemember...

[sarcasticgirl]

a little over 6 years ago, I quit my job, packed up and moved from Houston to Chicago. I moved may 6th, ran off to europe for a month, came back in June and started looking for a job. did temp work when I could and landed a job that started in Aug. so 2 months without a job and the economy was pretty good at that time. I was also single, with no responsibilities... so it was much easier to make that decision.

Would I do it now? No. the economy is rebounding... but it certainly isn't great. I have friends who are highly educated, ridiculously experienced and have been out of work for over a year. My DH looked for about 7 months for a job because of a rumor of a buyout at his old job. Every night he sat at the computer for hours looking for and applying for everything he could. His company was bought and he got word in January that he was being laid off in February (along with dozens of others)

Luckily, all his months of hard work on the job search paid off and he started an interview process during his last week of work... it took 6 freaking weeks... but early April he started a new job. A large portion of his coworkers haven't found work. His boss, just found a job this month... that's 6 months from the layoff.

Have you been looking around for other jobs in your field? Have you been applying? if not, it might be a good idea to start. and if you have been doing so for 6 months and haven't found anything... then it might be a good indication of what's to come should you quit.

[mox]

I agreed to let hubby buy a sports car during his mid-life crisis...either that or an affair...I think the affair may have been cheaper... Hindsight...

[Clever Username]

Aug 21, 2012 14:20:13 GMT -5 notallwhowander said:

Have you ever made a stupid money decision and KNEW it was stupid even before you made it?

Yes, I was in your exact situation.
My mistake was not getting out sooner.

[oreo]

How long do you anticipate it taking you to find a new job given your career? Have you already started job hunting? Is your resume ready? Do you have any industry contacts who might know of some openings somewhere? You have health insurance through someone else, right?

Life is too short to be miserable so if you really can't take it any more, I'm sure it will all work out. I'm not so sure about the timing. I probably would wait until the beginning of the year but that is just me. Then again, maybe the economy will be worse then so maybe now is the perfect time! Good luck!

[kittensaver]

I once quit a "good" career-type job because of the stress all the cr*p was causing me. No I did not have another job lined up. And yes, I found another job after a few weeks and it all worked out even though there was a downcycle in the economy at that time. Best thing I ever did for myself. I too regretted not "getting out sooner." Good luck to you and trust your gut feelings!

[kent]

I did it once many years ago right after I was discharged. After about two months I decided hated the job and told the boss I was out of there effective IMMEDIATELY (middle of the morning).

I had two little kids, a wife and no job lined up. Dumb move and I knew it but I wasn't about to stick it out until another job came up. Things worked out well inasmuch as I had a new, and better, job within a week.

One of the problems you face is that you're in Kalifornia and the economy (unemployment rate) stinks!

Based on that and your current financial resources, you may be cutting it awfully close.

Given your husband told you to "GET OUT," I suspect this job could be negatively impacting, or about to negatively impact, your relationship and that's worse than a crappy job situation.

Bottom line is that if you're really that unhappy, roll the dice and get the heck out. I would, however, only give two weeks notice. If they are ticked off at you for giving notice, they may just terminate you on the spot.

Life is too short to be miserable.

[seriousthistime]

Not a stupid job-related decision but a stupid house-related decision. I'd lived in the family house for 16 years, the youngest child had gone off to college and the only reason I was living there was that my XH was living in blissful la la land with his mistress in a different house and I was stuck in the family house. I decided that 8 months of that was enough. I put in a contract on another house and figured that even if the family house was vacant for a year it would not be financial suicide for me and would be balanced by a sense of empowerment. Three weeks later the family house sold and I was literally closing on both houses, and moving out of one and into another on the same day. It was a stressful day, but it worked.

A sense of empowerment is fantastic, at least in the short term, but if that's all you need, go for it.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

Aug 23, 2012 20:36:54 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Not a stupid job-related decision but a stupid house-related decision. I'd lived in the family house for 16 years, the youngest child had gone off to college and the only reason I was living there was that my XH was living in blissful la la land with his mistress in a different house and I was stuck in the family house. I decided that 8 months of that was enough. I put in a contract on another house and figured that even if the family house was vacant for a year it would not be financial suicide for me and would be balanced by a sense of empowerment. Three weeks later the family house sold and I was literally closing on both houses, and moving out of one and into another on the same day. It was a stressful day, but it worked.

A sense of empowerment is fantastic, at least in the short term, but if that's all you need, go for it.

[notallwhowander]

Well, I have now joined the ranks of the unemployed! This is actually the first time I've been without a job lined up since I graduated from university 10 years ago, so it feels very weird already.

I feel SO much better, though! I thought maybe I was going to feel either stressed or elated last night after I pulled the plug, but I actually just felt calm. It was like this whole bundle of worries just went *poof*. No longer will I wake up in the middle of the night worried that I messed up a document that went out because they refused to review it, or have to hold my breath that my paycheck won't bounce (of course, I won't have a paycheck, but that's another story! ).

DH and I are sitting down later today to hash out the nitty gritty of the money situation even further, to make sure I didn't miss anything.

We just did our grocery shopping for the week to the tune of $21 (of course we're using some stockpile items too) and I've already cancelled our monthly donations (which kind of hurt, but I know we have to). This week we'll be cutting back on our cell phone plan, reducing my mileage on the insurance plan until I get a new job, etc. And of course, getting out there and finding that new job! I have a few contacts and possible leads, panned out on a couple already.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...thanks for the update... enjoy the fresh air as you pound the proverbial pavement...

[Ombud]

Ditto to the above. I once lasted 3 hrs on a job. After 3 hrs decided it wasn't worth it. Found another [better] w/i 2 weeks. This time around it's definitely harder

[mizbear]

Sometimes getting out is more important than waiting to have the next position lined up.
AND if you're willing, work the coupons, the sales, the pantry, shop your closets for clothes, yard sale what you are not using- it's a great time for end of season yard sales.
Swap clothes with friends.
Next- don't be afraid to take work you wouldn't ordinarily to fill in the gaps- retailers will be looking for temp help for the holidays and there is always fast food and waitressing.

And look at taking this chance to do something new- Direct Selling is still thriving IF you go with an established company. There is also going back to school for either contining ed or for a new career.