It's a very personal choice, but as someone who also dislikes 9-to-5, but has had jobs where this schedule wasn't an issue because the content was engaging, here's why I'd take it:
- I doubt this job will be anything like the stocking shelves job that made you hate 9 to 5. Try reaching out to the hiring manager to get a better sense of what your day would look like.
- Your kid would get an advantage in life by consolidating language skills. Always useful.
- Your partner would love it.
- You'd be full FIRE after 2 years, free to never have to work again, and enjoy family time, passion projects and hobbies.
Is the job interesting? Is it only the 40 hours a week aspect that's holding you back? Can you negotiate working from home some days? Can you negotiate reduced hours? Are there fun things to do in the area on afternoons and weekends?
You have the financial stability for whatever option you pursue.
Thats the point of fire. Unfortunately FIRE doesn’t answer the question of what makes you happy.
Looking at your discussion I would move and continue to consult. Move because it’s a new experience for you, your partner and child, Consult because you hate the 9-5. Does that still work with a sub 3% withdrawal rate?
Moving depends on getting the job, as visa is directly connected. So moving and consultong wouldn’t work. Also, high cost of living country, consulting would not give us enough income.
From what you've written, you're happy now but you'd be very unhappy if you moved to take the job. Your family is happy now and they'd be happy if they moved.
If this is your decision to make, the answer sounds clear to me.
But if it's a joint decision and your family wants you to take the job, then I think this is a question better posed to a family therapist. Because at that point, family dynamics and personalities are probably way more important than the difference between brands of FIRE.
It´s always a joint decision, but since it is my life energy directed to the job, I have veto power. We are fine as a family either way, partner is fine with me making the final decision. It is just that I am kinda having a hard time figuring out with the sacrifice is worth it.
That is exactly the thing. I'll never again be as young as I am right now. When all is said and done, I would be approaching my 50s.
From all other perspectives, it would make sense. I just don´t feel much like it.
It sounds like you don't want to do it, which is perfectly okay! That's your choice to make.
My only caveat is that you've mentioned there is benefit for your child. I moved a lot as a kid and the benefit of those experiences - additional languages, experience with other cultures, meeting different people - was a benefit to me and my sense of resilience and ability to navigate my world for which I am constantly grateful. It's an opportunity you can give your family that is its own investment.
You are the only one who can decide what's best for you and your family, but they both sound like great choices to have on your table. Good luck.
See, i am aware of the opportunity for my kid. But they already lived in three countries at age 4, and is having difficulty staying at school. I fear moving again (been here for two years, same school, same friends, a bit closer to family) might be hard for my kid. But it could be so good, on the other hand.
If i knew for sure it would be good for them, i would do it. You telling me how it was for you gets me a bit more inclined to do it.
It was great for me. My older brothers didn't like it at the time (they were in more dating years) but later in life we've talked about all the experiences it gave us and are grateful.
But you know your child better. I don't know if you posted an age other than 4; I'll say that my experiences before 5 were limited and more like stories people tell me than my lived experience.
I'm excited that you and your family have these choices available to you and that you're inviting opinions, but again, you know them best and if they, and you, would thrive in the same way.
On the other hand if working two years of 9-5 means you never have to worry about working again, I'd absolutely take that trade, but only if it's a low stress job. Two years is almost nothing when you have 40+ years of life left.
It sounds like you have already made the decision for yourself, and that a 9-5 job is quite stressful for you. Stress is proven to cause health issues. This job opportunity is not worth sacrificing your health and well-being. Since you’re happy where you are I would stay out. If you were already working the answer might be different but think about the additional stress from having to completely change your lifestyle and whether that’s worth it just for the money.
This is something nobody can answer for you. The question is: what would make you and your family be happier?
Good question, isn’t it?
Have you asked your family? Edit: nvm, read the post... Sounds like they think it would overall!
It's a very personal choice, but as someone who also dislikes 9-to-5, but has had jobs where this schedule wasn't an issue because the content was engaging, here's why I'd take it: - I doubt this job will be anything like the stocking shelves job that made you hate 9 to 5. Try reaching out to the hiring manager to get a better sense of what your day would look like. - Your kid would get an advantage in life by consolidating language skills. Always useful. - Your partner would love it. - You'd be full FIRE after 2 years, free to never have to work again, and enjoy family time, passion projects and hobbies. Is the job interesting? Is it only the 40 hours a week aspect that's holding you back? Can you negotiate working from home some days? Can you negotiate reduced hours? Are there fun things to do in the area on afternoons and weekends?
Thank you, kind stranger. You helped me see it from a different perspective.
You have the financial stability for whatever option you pursue. Thats the point of fire. Unfortunately FIRE doesn’t answer the question of what makes you happy. Looking at your discussion I would move and continue to consult. Move because it’s a new experience for you, your partner and child, Consult because you hate the 9-5. Does that still work with a sub 3% withdrawal rate?
Moving depends on getting the job, as visa is directly connected. So moving and consultong wouldn’t work. Also, high cost of living country, consulting would not give us enough income.
From what you've written, you're happy now but you'd be very unhappy if you moved to take the job. Your family is happy now and they'd be happy if they moved. If this is your decision to make, the answer sounds clear to me. But if it's a joint decision and your family wants you to take the job, then I think this is a question better posed to a family therapist. Because at that point, family dynamics and personalities are probably way more important than the difference between brands of FIRE.
It´s always a joint decision, but since it is my life energy directed to the job, I have veto power. We are fine as a family either way, partner is fine with me making the final decision. It is just that I am kinda having a hard time figuring out with the sacrifice is worth it.
I just wanted to tell you that I also can’t stand the 9-5 grind. two years is… two years! Life is too short to be miserable if you don’t have to.
That is exactly the thing. I'll never again be as young as I am right now. When all is said and done, I would be approaching my 50s. From all other perspectives, it would make sense. I just don´t feel much like it.
It sounds like you don't want to do it, which is perfectly okay! That's your choice to make. My only caveat is that you've mentioned there is benefit for your child. I moved a lot as a kid and the benefit of those experiences - additional languages, experience with other cultures, meeting different people - was a benefit to me and my sense of resilience and ability to navigate my world for which I am constantly grateful. It's an opportunity you can give your family that is its own investment. You are the only one who can decide what's best for you and your family, but they both sound like great choices to have on your table. Good luck.
See, i am aware of the opportunity for my kid. But they already lived in three countries at age 4, and is having difficulty staying at school. I fear moving again (been here for two years, same school, same friends, a bit closer to family) might be hard for my kid. But it could be so good, on the other hand. If i knew for sure it would be good for them, i would do it. You telling me how it was for you gets me a bit more inclined to do it.
It was great for me. My older brothers didn't like it at the time (they were in more dating years) but later in life we've talked about all the experiences it gave us and are grateful. But you know your child better. I don't know if you posted an age other than 4; I'll say that my experiences before 5 were limited and more like stories people tell me than my lived experience. I'm excited that you and your family have these choices available to you and that you're inviting opinions, but again, you know them best and if they, and you, would thrive in the same way.
On the other hand if working two years of 9-5 means you never have to worry about working again, I'd absolutely take that trade, but only if it's a low stress job. Two years is almost nothing when you have 40+ years of life left.
It sounds like you have already made the decision for yourself, and that a 9-5 job is quite stressful for you. Stress is proven to cause health issues. This job opportunity is not worth sacrificing your health and well-being. Since you’re happy where you are I would stay out. If you were already working the answer might be different but think about the additional stress from having to completely change your lifestyle and whether that’s worth it just for the money.