At my current job I have to sit behind a desk all day which I really don't like. I got offered a job as a diesel technician and I will start at the same pay as I'm making now. This is a dream job for me and if my circumstances were different I would jump on it without even thinking about it.

At my current job I have great benefits and I only pay 400 a year for them, or just over $15 a paycheck. At this new job I will be paying almost $7,000 a year for them, or $266 a paycheck. With that said, the co-payments are also higher with the new insurance. My insurance also won't start for 90 days so I will have to carry my current coverage for 3 months paying out of my own pocket. The reason I have to do this is because I have a family and my wife is prego with our second child.

So, I can either stay put and be stuck behind this damn computer everyday or I can go be happy anddo my dream jobbut pay a lot more per year for benefits. My commute to the new place will also be cut to 1/3 of what I'm doing now so I will be saving $100 every 3 weeks just in gas. I am also at the top of my payscale at this job but I have a lot of room to go up at the diesel jobas far as pay is concerned.

What would you do?

 

With that huge of a difference of ins price is there more/better coverage?

 

No, coverage is about the same. The biggest difference is because I am a union empoloyee here so everything is negotiated like that. In the new job the company is a lot smaller and won't pay that much on them. So, the good news is that I won't have to pay union dues anymore. They take out a couple of hours of pay each paycheck which is around $50.

Also, keep in mind that at the new job I can work overtime up to 10 hours a week which will more than pay for the insurance difference. I can't work any overtime here.

 

I'd almost say go for it. If its something you like more then your current job....but dont forget, you also have to talk to the boss to see what she thinks.

 

I'd go for it, too. First, you'll be happier, which'll mean soooo much at the end of the day. Second, with the difference in insurance costs, the shorter drive, no union dues, and 10 overtime hours should even things out (in fact you might come out a bit ahead with the full amount of OT).

The only thing that sucks is the 3 months paying on your own....but, if you're gonna be happier, it's probably worth it.

 

I was ina smiliar position a few months back.

Scenario A. Great job, definate connection with hiring manager, decent benefits they paid 100% for me, but nothing for my family. And the cost to insure my wife and son would have been 400+ bi-weekly. Decent vacation package. 10 days plus 3 sick days.

Scenario B. Good job, nice people, excellent benefits, they pay 90% for me and 25 % for my wife and kid. 25 days vacation! Medical re-enbursement up to $1,735 a year for anything that's not covered under my health insurance plan and that can accumulate up to $10,000. I decline Dental insurance and they don't offer vision so that will be sued to cover those expenses. And they offered $8,000 more.

I knew I would be happier at Scenario A because I could just feel it and I would have gone with Scenario A had I been single, but with a family I had to go with Scenario B. I couldn't pass up the benfits adn the extra 8 g's.

I know what you're thinking, this doesn't seem like that tough a choice, but if you were me and you interviewed for these position you would have had a tough time deciding between the two.

In your case, not many people pass up their dream job but if it means jeopardizing your family's well being then I think you know what the correct answer is. If you are just going to struggle for a couple months while you get adjusted then go for it, but if you feel that you will always be struggling with the isnurance payments etc. then stay where you are Hope that makes sense.

 

What has your wife said? Is she supportive of the move? Bear in mind the first 3 months pay be tough since you are paying for insurance plus you will lose over 200 dollars a paycheck with the new benies.
If your family is on board, you can afford it,and it's what you want...go for it.
My husband did this last year. Although the change in jobs was tough at first...I was supportive of his choice.

 

That's what I was thinking. Also, to help cover the cost of paying 3 months of health insurance I get my vacation and personal days paid out to me when I leave here. It's going to be about $1700 after taxes so that should cover a bit. The extra OT I can work will cover the rest.

You don't even know how much happier I'd be at the other job. I'd be like a fat kid in a candy store!!

That's just it, the first few months would be tough but after that things would settle down andbe back to normal. I'm not too worried about the extra $266 a paycheck. It won't be fun to see that coming out everytime but it won't break me. Plus, the available jump in pay will more than cover the insurance when I start getting the raises.

Yes, she is supportive but she is also scared. She knows that everything will be fine but a huge life event like this will scare you know matter what part of your life your in. They actually offered me more $ than I had originally told herso that eased her mind a little more.

I think I am going to do it because I won't see an offer like this again in a long time. I've been pondering this idea of a career change for the past year and this is the oppertunity that I ahve been waiting for.The shop is also very nice and has a great reputation so the work is there.

 

If there won't be any problems after those 3 months and you'd be happier working there I can't see any reason not to do it.

 

just think. coming home stinking like deisel and a new born. if time can wait, wait until the baby is born. that way you save money. better to have insurance at birth time. that way any other unexpected items dont make you go broke. even if you pay the insurance out of pocket. they will still try and mess with you