The hardest decision I face today

by **Specop_007** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 22:31:32

Acting upon my beliefs. I suppose thats always the hardest part isnt it? Its easy to pretend and prech, but come go time is really when we get to test our convictions on the matter.

by **Jack** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 22:43:43

It depends on the risk:reward ratio.

Low risk, and it's easy to do whatever.

High risk, but with a high reward is more exciting.

High risk, but with a dubious reward is very hard to do - as it should be.

So, perhaps the real problem is that you question the risks involved in the proposed course of action.

by **smallpoxgirl** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 22:54:08

More and more I am deciding "screw principles." Being a dead marter is glorious for a few minutes, but ultimately not worth the trade off. Americans seem uterly incapable of doing anything but shop, sit on the couch absorbing Sally Jessie Rapheal, and reguritate what ever proposerous version of reality is fed to them by Dan Rather. More and more I think "screw em. Let em destroy themselves." I'm more interested in outliving them.

by **Specop_007** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 22:57:05

Well, essentially long story short is.
1) Live the hectic life int he city with a good career
2) Move to the country and take a signifigant paycut, less "career" advancement but potentially have a "better standard of living" as it were.

My dad owns a machine shop and is thinking of expanding. I could move back home and work for him, but doing so gives up my career in the city which pays pretty damned well and has alot of potential. So, I 'd take a signifigant paycut, lose the health, dental and life insurance, lose the 401k and gain a slower paced job that would still pay decently and have my own ladn, live out in the country and be able to do the things I enjoy doing more, such as fishing and shooting.

Which brings me to my point. If I think its going to go to hell in a handbasket, why stay in the city? best to move out in the country and set up to be more self sufficient. But doing so is pretty much nipping my career in the bud. I'd give up the chance for nice cars such as a BMW or a big house in the suburbs.

Tough choice man. This is gonna take some long, hard thought.

by **smallpoxgirl** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 23:08:08

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', 'W')hich brings me to my point. If I think its going to go to hell in a handbasket, why stay in the city?

by **Specop_007** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 23:29:21

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', 'W')hich brings me to my point. If I think its going to go to hell in a handbasket, why stay in the city?

by **PenultimateManStanding** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 23:33:42

I can hear the sincerity of your doubts and I know where you're coming from. Risk your career to act upon an intellectual notion that hasn't actually come to pass, or wait until its too late to act. I can only suggest that if you wait a little while longer things may start getting hotter and more perilous and thus you'll have more conviction to do something. Then again if you sell out and move back to the country before the real estate bubble pops you might be able to use your equity well. I live a frugal life without a lot of money but I have good credit. I'm waiting until the last possible moment to buy a lot of dried beans and 5 gallon buckets to fill with water and potatoes packed in sand. I still have a lot of the essentials which I got for y2k.

by **Jack** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 23:34:45

That is a tough one.

For me, I'm staying in the city, taking the money, and enjoying the material goodies a city has to offer. I'm also preparing for the time when the city life won't be viable.

So my readjustment will be more wrenching, and there is more risk involved. For me, the ratio comes out worthwhile.

Why not stick with the city, but divert some of the extra cash to preparing your place in the country? Take a couple (or more) trips a year to shore up contacts in the remote location. Then, when the balloon goes up...relocate.

by **Specop_007** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 23:39:25

PMS, even assuming PO/disease/God or whatever doesnt manifest itself and give us a bit kick in the ass, I have a good career which if I knuckled down could be VERY lucrative.
The Man has decided here recently to get us all CCNA classes and if we choose we can pursue it farther with a CCNP/CCND or even CCIE.
CCIE's write their own ticket. We're talking 100k+ easily, I think the average salary of a CCIE certified individual is like 140,000 a year. Very, very big money.

I'd give that (potentially) up to go sit in front of a mill or lathe all day. But, I'd be working for family and maybe we could really get the business going again, plus could go shooting every day if i wanted and have some land for a nice garden and orchard. And even if the end of the world doesnt happen, I like gardens anyways.

by **smallpoxgirl** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 23:49:15

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', 'I')n a sense is it about principles too.

by **Specop_007** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 23:50:09

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', 'I')n a sense is it about principles too.

by **PenultimateManStanding** » Sat 25 Jun 2005, 23:58:36

Decisions, decisions. Good luck, my friend. (I haven't a clue about the alphabet soup in your post, but it does sound impressive) Btw, I like smallpoxgirl's intuitive idea that your kids would be better off in the country.

by **smallpoxgirl** » Sun 26 Jun 2005, 00:05:13

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', 'B')asically, am I gonna be a well paid hooker or a guy who eats Raman noodles with a smile on his face. :-D

by **Jack** » Sun 26 Jun 2005, 00:14:41

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'J')ack, being a laissez faire capitalist, I suspect he would tell you that being the IT hooker was more consistent with his principles.

by **erl** » Sun 26 Jun 2005, 00:15:27

Specop:

What do all those initials stand for. That's for all us unenlightened out here.

Also, do you have kids? That is probably the biggest factor in your decision (if you have kids, that is).

I had a similar decision a few years ago. Actually twice.

First time, I worked for a large firm in downtown L.A. Lots of presteige. Big money. I was bored to tears, though. And I had just had my first kid. One of the senior partners said to me (an oft repeated quote): "At retirement, no one ever wishes they had spent more time in the office."

All those partners, some making into seven figures, and not one of them would qualify (in my dictionary) as being happy. I left shortly after to start my own business. It's been a financial struggle ever since, but I am much happier.

Cicero said, "You are your own best advisor."

Good luck with your decision.

by **Specop_007** » Sun 26 Jun 2005, 00:24:14

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('erl', 'S')pecop:

What do all those initials stand for. That's for all us unenlightened out here.

Also, do you have kids? That is probably the biggest factor in your decision (if you have kids, that is).

I had a similar decision a few years ago. Actually twice.

First time, I worked for a large firm in downtown L.A. Lots of presteige. Big money. I was bored to tears, though. And I had just had my first kid. One of the senior partners said to me (an oft repeated quote): "At retirement, no one ever wishes they had spent more time in the office."

All those partners, some making into seven figures, and not one of them would qualify (in my dictionary) as being happy. I left shortly after to start my own business. It's been a financial struggle ever since, but I am much happier.

Cicero said, "You are your own best advisor."

Good luck with your decision.

by **PenultimateManStanding** » Sun 26 Jun 2005, 00:25:21

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', '
')Gad, Smallpoxgirl, you know me far too well!

Yes, that's an accurate assessment.

by **Jack** » Sun 26 Jun 2005, 00:49:54

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', '
')Look Jack, we have all been posting here for a long time and our 'internet personas' have been seen through perfectly well by the other intelligent members of this forum. (btw, your description of how fucked over your naive coworker depressed me and lowered you in my estimation.)

by **MicroHydro** » Sun 26 Jun 2005, 02:19:13

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'M')ore and more I think "screw em. Let em destroy themselves." I'm more interested in outliving them.

by **I_Like_Plants** » Sun 26 Jun 2005, 02:42:26

Micro you make a HUGE mistake. Most of us chose Bush as the lesser of two evils. Kerry would have troops, drafted, in Syria and Iran and Lebenon and Saudi by now, and be getting troops killed in the thousands daily.

Notice it's the liberal supreme court justices who voted in the "eminent domain" law recently, the conservatives were against it.

Am I happy with Shrub? No!! I'd much rather see Pat Buchanan in the white house, but dammit he didn't get to run.

In Hell, Kerry will be elected. Have fun!

The hardest decision I face today

The hardest decision I face today

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