Golden Handcuffs: Time to Make a Change?

I agree Coach.  Camp's post inspired me today to do some thinking.  I really love my work, and that is something.  Sure I'd like to be closer to the mtns but that's not going to change soon.

Glade has an unorthodox way of trying to win people over.

Harvey wrote

I agree Coach.  Camp's post inspired me today to do some thinking.  I really love my work, and that is something.  Sure I'd like to be closer but that's not going to change soon.

If you find a career doing what you enjoy and actually get to do it 25% of the time you are at work you are lucky. Most jobs require periods of documentation, managing managers, working with customers and internal marketing to make sure there is work for next year - and then there is office politics. These usually take about 3/4 of the time at work.

You seem to be leaning towards UVM, beautiful campus - lots of choices of study, great town - except for the list price, what's not to like. As you suggest, the price can be negotiated. I may have said it before, but in todays market - if you plan on a technical education, plan on going to graduate school particularly in todays job market. Don't get stuck on the name brands, employers usually are not looking for name brands, just good programs.

Harvey wrote

I agree Coach.  Camp's post inspired me today to do some thinking.  I really love my work, and that is something.  Sure I'd like to be closer but that's not going to change soon.
 

I'm at that point in my life right now, Harv. I've been on the gas for 20+ years now, and I'm getting tired. I still love what I do, it's challenging and no two days are alike, but the hrs are what's killing me. 60+ hrs a week just doesn't fit where I want to be in my life now, so it's time to change that. It wont change overnight but that's where I'm heading.....this time next year??? Hopefully. Problem is I don't have a resume, never have had one. lol In fact, I've had the same job, in the same building since 1994. Man! That sounds crazy when you say it out loud like that  

campgottagopee wrote

I'm at that point in my life right now, Harv. I've been on the gas for 20+ years now, and I'm getting tired. I still love what I do, it's challenging and no two days are alike, but the hrs are what's killing me. 60+ hrs a week just doesn't fit where I want to be in my life now, so it's time to change that. It wont change overnight but that's where I'm heading.....this time next year??? Hopefully. Problem is I don't have a resume, never have had one. lol In fact, I've had the same job, in the same building since 1994. Man! That sounds crazy when you say it out loud like that

Wow the parallels.  We got to have a beer or three.

Fer sure ^^^^

Thread drift..
I have worked in the same building since 1999..Getting ready to move on. 6 day work weeks are beating the crap out of me..

1986!  Yikes.

I can walk to work (since 88) that is cool.

Harvey wrote

I can walk to work (since 88) that is cool.

That IS cool....

perfect title for this thread ---- today is payday, the only thing keeping me here. Just. Can't. Leave. The. Dough.....yet

You should change the title to "How not to be a ski bum."

I'm a lot younger than a lot of you and I've only been a desk jockey for 7-8 years and it gets to me.  It really gets to me!  It's not so much the sitting and being in front of a computer as much as my moral qualms with some of the directions the compan(y)ies (you know, that global thing) I work for do.  It's always for the bottom line, don't let anyone fool you.

But I also worked as a mechanic before I decided to go to school for engineering, and I'm glad I didn't stick with that.  I love fixing things and taking stuff apart, knowing what makes it tick, etc... but all the BS that comes with that job just weren't worth it.

I usually think I'm pretty lucky to be where I am.  I don't know that I have another 15+ years though.  At the end of the day it's still work, no matter how much you want to fool yourself that you 'love' it, it gets old, especially when you HAVE to do it.  Also your interests can change over the years.

I'd love to take a 5 year vacation.  Go do whatever.  Then come back if I wanted.  Life doesn't work that way though... I surely can do, but there's no guarantees about coming back.  

MikeK wrote

It really gets to me!  It's not so much the sitting and being in front of a computer as much as my moral qualms with some of the directions the compan(y)ies (you know, that global thing) I work for do.  It's always for the bottom line, don't let anyone fool you.

I'm in the same boat.  I've been a desk jockey for over 2 decades.  Initially, I loved the work.  After about 5 years, I started to realize that the corporate mentality is a complete sham.  It's not about doing the "right thing"... it's about making people look good.  My job is easy, I work out of my house with a pretty flexible schedule.  Sometimes, I feel like I get paid for doing nothing.  This sounds like a dream job to some, but for me, at times it's maddening.  Overall, I feel lucky... things could be a lot worse, but that doesn't mean I am necessarily satisfied by my work.  

At this point, I truly have the "Golden Handcuffs" on.  My mortgage will be paid off in February.  No student loans, no car payments.  My wife and I do not have children, and our expenses are pretty low.  The only reason I am continuing to work my job is for the severance package.  When they lay me off (and they will... everyone in IT eventually becomes obsolete), I am due 3 weeks pay for every year worked.  At my current salary, the severance package represents the proverbial "Pot-o-Gold" at the end of the rainbow.  Currently it feels like I am wearing Golden Handcuffs sitting in my home office which represents my prison cell.

Once the handcuffs come off, the plan is to start a streak, and earn turns all year.

Wow. Just wow.

nepa wrote

Once the handcuffs come off, the plan is to start a streak, and earn turns all year.

Man that sounds sweet.

I don't think I could be a real ski bum though.  I'm interested in way too many other things.  I have a lot fun skiing but going with change of seasons gives me a chance to do other things I enjoy.

I think I'd just be a part-time ski bum, part-time hermit, and part-time vagabond.

Harvey wrote

Wow. Just wow.

I've always been a long term planner.  My father was the CFO for a large insurance company, so from childhood, I always understood the "value" of saving, and having a long-term plan.

MikeK wrote

I don't think I could be a real ski bum though.  I'm interested in way too many other things.  I have a lot fun skiing but going with change of seasons gives me a chance to do other things I enjoy.

I think I'd just be a part-time ski bum, part-time hermit, and part-time vagabond.

I don't think I would consider myself a ski bum.  Ski bumming implies a struggle to make ends meet.

The way I see it, once I'm not tied to my desk, there will be enough time to pursue many other interests in addition to ski fanaticism.  Riding snow will play a big role in my next chapter, but it definitely won't be my only pursuit.

nepa wrote

I don't think I would consider myself a ski bum.  Ski bumming implies a struggle to make end meet.

The way I see it, once I'm not tied to my desk, there will be enough time to pursue many other interests in addition to ski fanaticism.  Riding snow will play a big role in my next chapter, but it definitely won't be my only pursuit.

That can be true, but I guess I was thinking of those who are absolutely obsessed with skiing and can do nothing else, especially work!

I was just commenting that in this point in my life, if I could get away from work, skiing all year wouldn't be my priority.  I'd certainly ski all winter, but trying to do it all year would be too much for me... I'd probably get bored.  It might start to  get like work.

MikeK wrote

nepa wrote

I don't think I would consider myself a ski bum.  Ski bumming implies a struggle to make end meet.

The way I see it, once I'm not tied to my desk, there will be enough time to pursue many other interests in addition to ski fanaticism.  Riding snow will play a big role in my next chapter, but it definitely won't be my only pursuit.

That can be true, but I guess I was thinking of those who are absolutely obsessed with skiing and can do nothing else, especially work!

I was just commenting that in this point in my life, if I could get away from work, skiing all year wouldn't be my priority.  I'd certainly ski all winter, but trying to do it all year would be too much for me... I'd probably get bored.  It might start to  get like work.

Yup.  I totally understand what you are saying.  I consider myself to be obsessed with skiing to a certain point, but I have never let it get in the way of achieving other goals in my life.

Seeking snow all year has been a fun challenge for me.  It's definitely not for everyone.  During the summer, the trips require more planning.  August and September often yields scenarios where there is little reward for a lot of work.  That said, when I have more time, I plan on spending some of the Summer months in the Southern Hemisphere.

MikeK wrote

You should change the title to "How not to be a ski bum."
 

Been there. Done that.

Has nothing to do with skiing for me

I don't want to be a ski bum...i won't complain tho...
I just want to stop having my balls broken on a the daily..Just tired of running the insane asylum..My fantasy job is to sit in a cubical and input data..not seeing a sole or speaking to anyone..
that felt good, back to the salt mines

JasonWx wrote

I don't want to be a ski bum...i won't complain tho...
I just want to stop having my balls broken on a the daily..Just tired of running the insane asylum..My fantasy job is to sit in a cubical and input data..not seeing a sole or speaking to anyone..
that felt good, back to the salt mines

LMFAO

Think we're rowing similar boats.....I DO NOT want to be the boss in my next job. The next time someone walks into my office and tells me we're out of toilet paper think I'll just shoot em.

Actually, there are salt mines near me, maybe I'll look there for employment.

nepa wrote

At this point, I truly have the "Golden Handcuffs" on.  My mortgage will be paid off in February.  No student loans, no car payments.  My wife and I do not have children, and our expenses are pretty low.  The only reason I am continuing to work my job is for the severance package.  When they lay me off (and they will... everyone in IT eventually becomes obsolete), I am due 3 weeks pay for every year worked.  At my current salary, the severance package represents the proverbial "Pot-o-Gold" at the end of the rainbow.  Currently it feels like I am wearing Golden Handcuffs sitting in my home office which represents my prison cell.

Once the handcuffs come off, the plan is to start a streak, and earn turns all year.

Good luck with that plan. Many large companies have done away with the week/service year severance packages and have now done away with vacation benefits calling it "unlimited" which just means that if there is no benefit they don't "owe" you anything when you are layed off. If you still have these now, they can disappear at any moment. Golden handcuffs are turning into lead weights as these changes occur.