Opportunity(s) of a lifetime. . .

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

need a little reflection from the community at large, thanks ahead of time.

after getting worked like a step-child doing the corporate-race for 30 years, it would seem at last that my time has come. i am faced with needing to make a choice between two options, admittedly both good options. what would you do?

option No. 1: work 3-4 days a month (in a row) and be off the rest of the month. salary enough to make my nut, about $60 large a year. commute by plane, need to stay within 24 hours travel time: brazil, central america, australia, viet nam, inside that radius. no real guarentee how long the job will last.

option No. 2: ER fastrack postition in St Thomas: 3 X 12 one week, 4 X 12 the next. full medical, dental, vision. 2 months paid time off a year. about 80k but high cost of living and not the best home spot to kite but some world class kite spots nearby pretty stable employment.

whatwouldyoudo?

thanks for listening.

jimmi[img][/img]

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

2

btw, you suck. Smile

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

number 1

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue May 13, 08 9:26 am

hmmm, I take it your some kind of medical professional?

I would say #1 for sure. Sounds like more variety and you get much more time off. You could always supplement your income with a few side gigs or part time work. Besides, do you really want to LIVE in St. Thomas?

The long term stability aspects of #1 would make me think about how large my emergency fund is, what your monthly expenses are and how long you could hang without no job at all.

however, if you like the thought of kicking it on a resort island and banging tourists , I'd do number 2. (not a hot Carl number 2..... option number 2).

Laughing

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

If you've been racing for 30 years, you definitely should choose #1! You'd have tons more freedom with your time--so much so that if you want to make another $20K on the side to even the comp and hours, it should be easy.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

30 years is long enough
tiny islands are
tiny
get a van and move to the river

"live simply so that others may simply live"

really depends on the amount of $
you need/want
stability is an illusion
the sooner you quit before your 50 the longer you live

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

If I could I'd totally go for #1 assuming you'd be OK if that job goes down the crap shoot. I've worked the 3x12 and 4x12 work week before and it's pretty sweet compared to a five day work week, but you still wanna live in a good spot 'cause that ain't enough time to travel all the time. If you think you could get side jobs if necessary then #1 is a no-brainer to me.

NateDogg · Tue May 13, 08 10:28 am

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Man you put your time in for sure and now it's time for sun and sand! Go to St. Thomas and work a little and play in paradise.

Oh yeah... You Suck Very Happy

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 764 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

hey shastadogs2,

i lived in St. Thomas for a year. it is a rock and i couldn't wait to get off of it after about 9 months. it is very expensive to live. 60K here would have to equal about 100K+ on the island.

that being said, it sure was a great place to start to travel from. the BVI's are wonderful and many other islands are only a two hour island hopper away.

take number 1. you will have much more time to do things and sounds like you will have travel enough to tack on some extra days for sight-seeing and kiting.

just my two cents.

kt

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

jimmi, I don't think we have ever met, but from the what I know of you through this forum, you seem to have a good head.
you just gotta go with your heart.
ask yourself what's important to you, unless there are others affected by your decisions (wife,kids). do what will ultimately bring you the most reward and fulfillment.
for some people its more time off, for others I guess it's more money. for many its a balance of both. not sure what's most important for you, but it sounds like you have some good options.
before getting too excited with having to travel, you should consider from others like Nak and Tony B how they enjoy flying so much.

while I like the "live simply" motto, it's sometimes extremely hard to do.

good luck with your decision.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

scottnorby · Tue May 13, 08 3:19 pm

I agree with blowhard about living while you can.
That's why I am quitting my 7 day a week gig in a few months.
Can't wait.
Simplicity is an obtainable dream with some sacrifice.
Good health is success.

But security is an illusion.

"What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night---- and in between does what he wants to do."
Bob Dylan

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

to me being happy is
success.

I was weaned off the work thing
I could have never quit cold turkey
I really enjoyed my work

money was secondary

alleycat · Since 29 Jun 2006 176 Posts Portland Stoked

I also work in the Emergency Department, so I suggest that you take option number 2 and PM me with details to option number 1. Not that I am interested in travelling to facinating destinations and reporting to work only 3-4 days a week or anything like that.
Personally, I have adjusted my schedule to working for three months (48hrs/week) than taking 3 months off. I have had to make a few adjustments in my life style, to bore you with a few...No more Starbucks, dinning out has been pretty much eliminated, I am riding my bike a lot, limited beers at the pub just to mention a few. It has been years since I felt this good.
Now kiting is pretty much my focus. I just returned from 5 weeks of kiting in Cuba I would have never been able to do that if I kept my regular schedule.

I don't know you but I have to say this...

TAKE THE 3-4 DAYS A MONTH OR I WILL KICK YOUR ASS..

You can make a few adjustments in life, you will be very happy you did.

Just my opinion

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Depending how employable your profession is, and your retirement situation, go for 1. You don't want to wind up w/ no job and no money by the river! Shocked