How long is too long to stay at a job?

[vasuderatorrent]

If that is all you want, then no

I have never heard it put this way.

 

[Grand Mal]

Here is my income for the last 11 years.
2003 $14,269.09
2004 $17,540.55
2005 $23,082.84
2006 $22,486.64
2007 $23,108.60
2008 $26,400.05
2009 $24,666.34
2010 $22,204.23
2011 $11,859.24
2012 $12,664.64
2013 $15,832.92

$15,832.92 is enough to pay my living expenses and meet my financial obligations but as you can see I have made more money in the past. Should my past income even factor into the equation or should I just be tickled pink that I have a job that provides my living? I'll have a good life either way but what kind of things should be considered?

This seems to be simple but I hear a lot of political ideas about who poor people are and what poor people should be. Those comments makes me kind of question what my responsibility to society should be. It is never my intention to cause anybody harm with my income but it sounds as if I do cause a great deal of suffering by having such a little income. I was taught to be responsible. It becomes very hard to reconcile these things emotionally. It hurts really bad to be considered a failure but should I really consider myself a failure? After all, what have I failed at in life? Every other area of my life is going fine. My family is happy and healthy. I enjoy my job and my co-workers. My car runs good. My dog is pretty nice. I have 3 of the coolest black cats. I graduated from college. I published a book. I ran for public office. I have plenty of money. It just seems that I cause a burden to Conservative Republicans which I consider to be on my side. A larger income might help me gain favor in their presence.

I suppose my mom just raised me old school. I don't fit into my mom's fantasy of what a man is supposed to be. Any other males from the south kind of understand where I am coming from? My life is good but I don't fit into the stereotypical image of a self reliant man that provides for his family. or do I? Does anybody get what I am saying?

Is there any such thing as being an underacheiver? and what does that look like?

Maybe you should check out the opportunities to dither on a consulting basis.

 

[vasuderatorrent]

Maybe you should check out the opportunities to dither on a consulting basis.

How does that work?

 

[Grand Mal]

How does that work?

Good start...

 

[rhinefire]

I make more than enough and the best job I ever had ended whe the economy tanked in the early 80's in Texas. Had that company succeeded through the tough times I imagine I would have stayed a very long time. It had a solid family tyle atmosphere as opposed to the toal opposite of where I am at now. I could retire now but I cannot cope with the idea of not working. If you do not like your job to the point it puts stress on you then start looking. Money is not everything but you need to make enough to build for retirement.

 

[SayMyName]

How long is too long to stay at a job?

Assuming that you love the job.
Assuming the pay is adequate to pay your bills but not a lot.
Assuming that you have no ambitions of entrepreneurship.

If you love your job, it pays the bills, and gives you leisure time to pursue your interests you really have no need to leave that position.

 

[vasuderatorrent]

you need to make enough to build for retirement.

That is pretty vague. Can you provide some specifics?

 

[Muhammed]

Personally, I don't think I'm going to work so much in the future. I love pouring concrete and fast-paced, think-on-your-feet physically demanding work. I like challenge. And it keeps me in great physical shape. But I also am very perceptive. I see what happens to guys who do this kind of work past their prime. Injuries, etc.

I'm thinking about retiring before that. We have a baby on the way, due in the last week of August or first week of September. I'm in a secure financial position where I could retire from the company I'm working for right now and still be financially secure. I could be a stay-at-home dad and take care of the baby.

And by "retire" I don't mean not pouring concrete anymore. That just gets in my blood and wouldn't think about going cold turkey on concrete. I could just do occasional side-jobs like sidewalks & driveways & repairs for homeowners & small businesses and that type of thing to get my concrete fix.

I feel no obligation to stay at this job. It's the off-season right now and I've got a lot of thinking to do. I need to decide before April. But if I'm going to retire I feel obligated to tell my employer ASAP with as much notice as possible. And help get a replacement.

 

[mak2]

I have had several life changing events occur to me in the last 54 years. Absolutely none of them come close to completely changing the way you think about things and see the world as having your first kid does. I personally would not change anything I could not unchange until after my first is born. Changes the way you look at everything.

Personally, I don't think I'm going to work so much in the future. I love pouring concrete and fast-paced, think-on-your-feet physically demanding work. I like challenge. And it keeps me in great physical shape. But I also am very perceptive. I see what happens to guys who do this kind of work past their prime. Injuries, etc.

I'm thinking about retiring before that. We have a baby on the way, due in the last week of August or first week of September. I'm in a secure financial position where I could retire from the company I'm working for right now and still be financially secure. I could be a stay-at-home dad and take care of the baby.

And by "retire" I don't mean not pouring concrete anymore. That just gets in my blood and wouldn't think about going cold turkey on concrete. I could just do occasional side-jobs like sidewalks & driveways & repairs for homeowners & small businesses and that type of thing to get my concrete fix.

I feel no obligation to stay at this job. It's the off-season right now and I've got a lot of thinking to do. I need to decide before April. But if I'm going to retire I feel obligated to tell my employer ASAP with as much notice as possible. And help get a replacement.

 

[Muhammed]

I have had several life changing events occur to me in the last 54 years. Absolutely none of them come close to completely changing the way you think about things and see the world as having your first kid does. I personally would not change anything I could not unchange until after my first is born. Changes the way you look at everything.

I know it changed me, big time. And this is round 2 for me. I already have 5 adult children ranging in age from 25 to 28. This seems like starting parenthood all over again.