Seeking Advise

[Art Vandeley]

All, I have this friend who is looking at a possible career change. Right now he works for a construction company that does work all over the country, often times in places he despices such as California and Texas. He makes good money, over 100k per year but is only at his home in Montana for 3-4 days per month. He has an offer to work full time in Montana making 50-65k/year depending on bonuses with a company rig. The Montana job would be 8-5, 40-50 hours a week. His current job is 60-80 hours a week, often working 7 days a week. Retirement and health insurance benefits are very similar. This person is 25 years old and single with no kids. So what do you guys think? He is thinking he would be foolish to walk away from the high paying job at this point in his life. But one side of him also says life is too short to not spend as much time hunting and fishing as possible. I'm trying to give him advise but am having a hard time as well.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance

 

[8andcounting]

50-65 k is still good $ especially for a young guy . Plus then he would get his life back . If he wants more $ just help out a farmer on the weekend during harvest or calving season for some extra coin

 

[Don K]

He is the one that is going to have to do some soul searching and decide for himself. That is good money to walk away from BUT money isn't everything. With him being single right now it doesn't hurt his family life unless hes looking to settle down.

Tough one but working 60 to 80 hours a week and being not home doesn't get him much free time for "life" but he is getting paid well.

 

[npaden]

Is he saving a ton of money working all those hours out of town? Or spending it?

If is is saving toward a goal or something that's a different story.

 

[sweetnectar]

If it is all about money then he should keep his current job....that kind of life is not for me.
If it is about living then time to make a change. I figure it is hard for a 25 yr old on the road that much to ever have a girlfriend, friends, hobbies, or anything for that matter outside of work. It is like work becomes and is his life or bondage. Of course it has to be his decision, but to him I'd say start living because money goes away in the end.

 

[jryoung]

If he is saving his extra money and investing it properly I'd ride that job a few more years. Making sound investments now will allow him to leverage his hard work in the future when he has a family and doesn't want to be on the road all the time.

 

[Elkoholic]

$ doesn't buy happiness ...... We're talking Montana! Duh! Let me know who to forward my resume to.....I'll take that pay cut to live in Montana. :hump:

 

[Colberjs]

$ doesn't buy happiness ...... We're talking Montana! Duh! Let me know who to forward my resume to.....I'll take that pay cut to live in Montana. :hump:

I'd take that pay raise to live in Montana!!!!

 

[ccc23454]

this is a decision only he can make, to influence him would probably cause issues and second guessing. we all find what's right for us at our own time and he will find his. just wish him best of luck

 

[buckykm1]

To me, money isn't everything, and it can't buy happiness,
personally I would take less money to be happy with what I am doing, and living on the road like he is can't be a very cheap way to live I wouldn't think.
and the money in MT, is still pretty good.

Kevin

 

[Pagosa]

Its easy to get stuck following the money and end up in a career that isn't enjoyable. I've spent 14 years of my total 18 years following construction projects in the energy field. If he can manage his money; not buy 50k diesel trucks, get his girlfriend a boob job, toys, etc. He will be able to take a job in MT when is 30, has a couple 100k in the bank, pay for a house, or he can live in MT 8 months out of year and take short-term projects making 50-60k on the road in 4-5 months. If he is blowing his money he might as well move back home and take the lesser job in Montana. As said above, he is the only one that make this decision.

 

[Redwood]

I spent a lot of time chasing the career and it's money, regret not living my life when I had the chance. He's young and clearly employable, have fun for the next 5-10. Not to mention the job he would be "settling for" dwarfs what most people have in the best of circumstances.

 

[Nameless Range]

Life is unpredictable, and everyone is an individual, but if it were me...

If he dies in five years he 'll have wished he'd of had more Montana.

If he dies in ten years he 'll have wished he'd of had more Montana.

If he dies in fifty years he 'll have wished he'd of had more of Montana.

He'd make fine money in MT anyway.

Listen! Screw the advanced life planning tactics! The iron is hot and when it burns out the game is over. Oblivion comes abruptly. One and done.

Plus the guy is single, and Montana's women are as powerful and intoxicating as her landscapes and microbrews.

100+ k and a life that is intermittently detached from your soul? Or plenty of Money and life in line with your heart?

Montana. Now . Yesterday . You won't regret it.

 

[MtnWest]

Well said nameless range.

My own experience was taking a pay cut to be self employed, to live where I wanted to live and raise my kid(s) in a better place. Was stuck in a high paying (and high hour) job in So Ca and couldn't wait to get out. I get to spend so much quality time with my boys it's not even funny. Kids don't care if their dad (and/or mom) makes 40k or 400k, they just want to be played with and loved. Your bud doesn't have kids or a wife yet so at least he's not gone all the time from some.

If it were me, I would save a good lump of cash, pay off a house or put a large chunk down in MT (maybe pick up two, one for a rental), meet a nice gal to settle down with and enjoy the $hit out of life. Life is too short to be unhappy... If we want change we need to make it happen.

 

[genesis273]

I'd rather make less money and be happy! Life is way too short.
Besides, unless he has his finances set for making 100k a year, he oughta make it pretty good on 50-65k pet year.

 

[LuckyMike]

All, I have this friend who is looking at a possible career change. ....... .......What do you guys think? Thanks in advance

For me this is a no brainer - Make the change now, before he establishes a lifestyle dependent on the higher salary. Once that happens he'll never be able to make the switch. The Montana based job pays enough for a single guy to get along on just fine. As time goes on, work towards taking advantage of any opportunities to climb the ladder here in Montana.

Fundamental: Do you live to work? Or, do you work to live?

I took a 40% salary cut many years ago in order to enhance my lifestyle by moving to Montana. Never, ever regretted my decision! I definitely only work to live the way I really want to live which for many years meant a salaried day job and my own business (taxidermy) after hours. Hunted, fished, backpacked, skied and took my kids along with me whenever I really wanted to.

 

[Wapiti Warrior]

I have never seen anyone's tomb stone read "they wished they had worked more". Life is short and as I get older I realize how fast time flies. The old saying "you will run out of health before you run out of money" is so true.
But there are always forks in the road and only that person can decide which one is right for them.

John

 

[Flatrock]

Like others have said, it mostly comes down to what he wants. It also depends on how big of a hunter and fisherman he is. I would ask him if he's happy right now. Chances are good he'll hesitate to answer and you can go from there. I wouldn't try and push him in either direction though. It needs to be his decision.

 

[HighDesertSage]

All, I have this friend who is looking at a possible career change. Right now he works for a construction company that does work all over the country, often times in places he despices such as California and Texas. He makes good money, over 100k per year but is only at his home in Montana for 3-4 days per month. He has an offer to work full time in Montana making 50-65k/year depending on bonuses with a company rig. The Montana job would be 8-5, 40-50 hours a week. His current job is 60-80 hours a week, often working 7 days a week. Retirement and health insurance benefits are very similar. This person is 25 years old and single with no kids. So what do you guys think? He is thinking he would be foolish to walk away from the high paying job at this point in his life. But one side of him also says life is too short to not spend as much time hunting and fishing as possible. I'm trying to give him advise but am having a hard time as well.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance

If he doesn't take the job let me know so I can apply.....

 

[noharleyyet]

Right now he works for a construction company that does work all over the country, often times in places he despices such as California and Texas

What kind of spice?