Spin-off of the moving for a job thread - when do you step off the upward track? Or do you?

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Anyone else work their ass off and feel great about where things are but are concerned that you won’t be around to enjoy the fruits of your labor?

When you’re young you are pushing, worried about that next step, the next raise, those stock options, partnership, etc etc etc

But do you hit a point where you could always have more but on the other hand you could also scale back and start to enjoy what you have.

Or is “enough” never truly enough?

 

[SolarHawk]

Anyone else work their ass off and feel great about where things are but are concerned that you won’t be around to enjoy the fruits of your labor?

When you’re young you are pushing, worried about that next step, the next raise, those stock options, partnership, etc etc etc

But do you hit a point where you could always have more but on the other hand you could also scale back and start to enjoy what you have.

Or is “enough” never truly enough?

I’ve been pondering this lately. I’ve been grinding for so long I’m starting to think about how to find more balance. I want to have more free time for family and friends, but I’m also not to a point that I can coast. I’ve been thinking about being less involved with my business and start focusing on real estate investing more heavily. Dealing with tenants is a pain, but it’s a lot less stressful than running a business. It’s a slog dealing with the day to day and having employees that rely on you. I just wanna have less on my plate I guess.

 

[Bonerfarts]

I just make the same and really half ass it. Stealthily gave myself a raise.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I just make the same and really half ass it. Stealthily gave myself a raise.

Ah, you’re in Congress?

 

[h-hawk]

 

[stillh8unlv]

There also comes a point where the system makes that decision for you, you get over about 55 or so, most places are looking for the younger lion to join the pride at less cost than paying the "old guy" what he's worth.

 

[BelemNole]

I was managing the west coast group of a large well known design firm. My dad had a stroke, my kids were entering HS and the job wanted me to be out of town a large part of the month.
Left for a very small firm that believed in a real work life balance. Don’t regret it.

 

[Scruddy]

When your income exceeds your needed lifestyle and sacrificing family time for more money makes no sense. I'd have potentially been a vp if I didn't leave my last employer, working 30 hours more a week for 30% more money. That math doesn't math with little ones.

 

[The Tradition]

I'm about there. I would actually prefer to step back into a regional role, but Dorothy can't go back to Kansas.

 

[BrianNole777]

I think it depends. If a person likes grinding, keep grinding.

If a person has a family, it's probably best to spend more time with the family.

Most people aren't on their death beds wishing they spent less time with their kids and more time at work.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I'm about there. I would actually prefer to step back into a regional role, but Dorothy can't go back to Kansas.

Plus, you now have status on Delta.

 

[IAFB2021Champs]

I once was on the upward track. Busting my butt, staying late and working weekends. Another person at the company was also looking to move upward but made no actual attempt to physically improve the company but instead used my ideas and kissed a$$ as much as possible.
I called him out on his shit and he went crying to HR. Of course they believed the kiss a$$. Haven’t cared much about working to move up a corporate ladder since that day.

 

[IowaHawkIT]

My wife receives IPERS and is hoping to change positions once she's around 55. By then, she'll have made the high years of salary and would rather work the last 5-7 years doing something where she's not in charge of people and works a normal 8-5. We'll see if that happens.

 

[Dauminator]

I've never been on the upward track. *shrug*

Even before agism takes place, there's a real crunch when you're an established professional but not a newcomer. There isn't demand for someone with 20 years experience, they want entry level or maybe 5. After that the only openings are, like, established CFOs.

 

[The Tradition]

Plus, you now have status on Delta.

I would travel a lot more if I could step back into a regional role. Much prefer that to sitting in meetings at the corporate office all day.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

I would travel a lot more if I could step back into a regional role. Much prefer that to sitting in meetings at the corporate office all day.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I would travel a lot more if I could step back into a regional role. Much prefer that to sitting in meetings at the corporate office all day.

Maybe Assistant to the Regional Manager?

 

[Tenacious E]

Anyone else work their ass off and feel great about where things are but are concerned that you won’t be around to enjoy the fruits of your labor?

When you’re young you are pushing, worried about that next step, the next raise, those stock options, partnership, etc etc etc

But do you hit a point where you could always have more but on the other hand you could also scale back and start to enjoy what you have.

Or is “enough” never truly enough?

I am thinking around 55 I will start the powering down process. Pretty much both kids will be through college, so that's done unless we foot the bill for some type of grad school. We have a relatively modest house which we have overimproved to the point of ridiculousness, with the idea we are never moving, so housing is taken care of. Unless something goes awry the latest I am pulling the ripcord completely is 59.5. Tomorrow is promised to no one and if it makes financial sense to hang up the cleats sooner I will have no qualms doing so.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I am thinking around 55 I will start the powering down process. Pretty much both kids will be through college, so that's done unless we foot the bill for some type of grad school. We have a relatively modest house which we have overimproved to the point of ridiculousness, with the idea we are never moving, so housing is taken care of. Unless something goes awry the latest I am pulling the ripcord completely is 59.5. Tomorrow is promised to no one and if it makes financial sense to hang up the cleats sooner I will have no qualms doing so.

Thinking similarly.

What are you planning on for insurance between 59 and Medicare?

 

[Tenacious E]

Thinking similarly.

What are you planning on for insurance between 59 and Medicare?

I haven't thought that far ahead. Googling it looks like ACA with 2 people, it could be 2,500 per month. That's a lot of money but should not be that big of a deal if we are at where I think we will be at financially in 10 years. If anyone in this thread has advice, I'm all ears and welcome input.

 

[poophawk]

I haven't thought that far ahead. Googling it looks like ACA with 2 people, it could be 2,500 per month. That's a lot of money but should not be that big of a deal if we are at where I think we will be at financially in 10 years. If anyone in this thread has advice, I'm all ears and welcome input.

as a self employed person i just hope the aca is an option in 10 yrs

 

[Tenacious E]

as a self employed person i just hope the aca is an option in 10 yrs

It would seem hard to unring that bell, but you never know.

 

[General Tso]

A VP at the company I work for said something a few years ago that resonated with me... Basically that she'd been at it so long that the company became a part of her and she couldn't imagine any other scenario. Her sentiment in saying that was positive. That was the moment I decided being at that level would never be worth it.

 

[JWolf74]

I busted my ass in my 20s/early 30s to get where I am and finally make decent money. Still work a ton but there's a decent work life balance. I'm constantly getting job offers from places far away from here touting that I would make 15-25% more than I currently am. But it's in locations with nothing to do that are far away from family and friends. No thanks. I'll never be super rich, but I'm comfortable and get to do the things I want. I'm content. Also have 0.0 interest in getting into an administrative role. When the kids are out of the house in 15-20 years I may switch to a locum who travels all over just for those experiences combined with the opportunity to earn decent money with working less.