Plan B Forum

Move to a city you don't really like and do work that in no way feeds your soul, if it meant tripling your current salary and allowing you to become totally debt-free within 5 years?

If it financed your passion to travel and gave you the freedom by 45 to live anywhere you wanted and do anything you wanted to earn your living?

This is a no-brainer, right?

Yep.

Nope. There are no guarantees in life. No guarantee you would be debt free in 5 years. No guarantee you would even be working there for 5 years.

I wouldn't give up my happiness and peace for a short-term risk. I'd rather build my security doing what makes me happy, in a place I love, with people I respect, even if I takes me longer to get to my goals.

And yep, I've walked away from those job offers. Just told someone no last month. You cant buy happiness, respect or contentment.

Guinevere wrote:Nope.

I concur...

bigskygal wrote:Move to a city you don't really like and do work that in no way feeds your soul, if it meant tripling your current salary and allowing you to become totally debt-free within 5 years?

If it financed your passion to travel and gave you the freedom by 45 to live anywhere you wanted and do anything you wanted to earn your living?

This is a no-brainer, right?

Even 5 years in Fresno would be worth it IF you could indeed become "debt-free" and globe-trot once in a while....even Stockton might be bearable.

Go with what makes you happiest.

If that is the thought of being debt-free then do it. If it isn't, then that is your solution.

My student loan debt - my only debt - is huge, and requires me to stay in the practice of law. Being without choice in the matter frustrates me greatly; I might (quite likely) still choose it, but would like feeling free in that regard.

Absent death or disability, which would effect me the same anywhere, I would certainly be able to pay off my student loans in 5 years. I live pretty frugally - I'm a minimalist about 'stuff' - and don't see that changing much. I would spend more on travel, to be sure.

The job would be pretty secure. It's a growing field - energy law - with at least 20 years of guaranteed work in the resource area they are looking to exploit.

It would mean living in Houston, though. I've heard decent things about the city, but I'm not big on cities or hot summers. But then, I always find good people and things wherever I go, and I wouldn't have to stay forever. I know a few folks there, so would start off with a few friends - one of them in the workplace.

It's not a sure thing yet, but if it becomes that, I'll have to make up my mind quickly. Just thinking ahead.

Hard to sneeze at high six figures with almost no client time and no court time. Very low stress compared to my current gig.

It very much sounds like you are able to find happiness there too.

Being debt-free is a wonderful state to find yourself in, as long as you can be disciplined about your salary.

I might go a bit crazy with access to ethnic food, but $9k/mo. after taxes buys a lot of takeaway and still pays at least triple the loan payments due.

I guess Texas has no individual income tax (so I may have calculated low on the monthly salary), which is cool - for me. I won't like living in the death penalty capitol of the civilized world, but on the other hand, I could do pro bono DP appeals volunteer work. I know a gal there who could hook me up.

I wouldn't mind being back near the ocean. I love the prairie & mountains, but really miss ocean.

And, if I'm not happy I can always return to Montana.

I'm not concerned about respect; I'm well respected here, but have been in every job since I was 15. I work hard and long hours. As for contentment; I'm content here except for the debt - that's a big 'except for', though.

Commit to it for a year, see how it pans out.

Lone Star Gal...

Sounds okay to me.

I'd have to change my initials here!!

Hmmm . . . that's something to think about.

Thanks, keld. I did some of those calculations Friday when this opportunity fell in my lap - again, it's not a sure thing yet, but I have an inside track.

Anyway, where I am I have a super low cost of living and so it's perfect for being a relatively low salaried public interest attorney.

Houston is very affordable compared to many cities; I've scoped rents in the areas close to where I'd be working, and though my rent would possibly triple, with a tripled salary I'd be in the same place in terms of basic living costs but I'd be able to triple my student loan payments. And, it's lots cheaper to fly to other places from Houston than from Montana.

Texas does have sales tax, but I don't buy much more than groceries locally. Most of my purchases are online, including clothing.

I wouldn't mind being back near the ocean.

I, uh, believe you mean The Gulf Of Mexico....

Lone Star Gal...

How about "Lone Star Dame"?

Then you could be "LSD"

ETA:

And don't forget, you'd have the great pleasure of having Rick Perry as your governor!

The real struggle for me is in terms of considering walking away from public service work, but at 45 I'll still have at least 20 years of working life ahead of me and I'll be free to follow my heart wherever it leads.

So I guess if I get the offer, I'll probably take it. I'll agonize a bit more and keep y'all posted.

Lord Jim wrote:And don't forget, you'd have the great pleasure of having Rick Perry as your governor!

bigskygal wrote:
I wouldn't mind being back near the ocean. I love the prairie & mountains, but really miss ocean.

There would still be some travel time to reach the Galveston shore, 45 min. to 90 min. that's depending on traffic as Houston is the fourth largest city in the US. So most of the time, you'd be in a [hot] Major Metropolis.

With Interstate 10 at yer front door why not Drive?

At least East...

loCAtek wrote:There would still be some travel time to reach the Galveston shore, 45 min. to 90 min. that's depending on traffic as Houston is the fourth largest city in the US. So most of the time, you'd be in a [hot] Major Metropolis.

Yes, that is the major detraction, for sure. Although, the winters aren't hot - they're mild. My dog would sure love our ability to go walking every morning and night as we did in Yuma.

And, though Houston has a high crime rate, I can still carry concealed.