I appeal to the vast wealth of knowledge that is the ClutchBBS.... So I may have a job opportunity out in Katy (hway 6 and BW8). Problem is.... I live in Clear Lake and currently take ~10 minutes to drive to work. New job would be more enjoyable, and a lot more money. But I'm no fool. Commuting takes money - my time is worth a lot to me as well. My vehicle gets at most 25 mpg, assuming $3/gallon gas -- evens out to ~3k per year very non-conservatively for gas alone, probably more like 4k with "real" mileage and traffic. Assuming I am not pscychotic and avoid 45N and take BW8 all the way around, that's like 10 bucks a day in tolls or an additional $2500/year. And I still am talking a 2 hour commute every day, minimum. So the question is, what would it take to make you think this is worth it? I am in no hurry to change jobs - I just started looking "officially" about a week ago. Is there some monetary amount on top of what you desire in terms of "minimum" salary that would both negate the ~$6500/year commuting costs AND make the 2 hour drive worth it? Help me out.
That's what I was thinking. No job is worth a 2 hour commute. Consider taking such a job as a relocation. If the company wants you, would they give you relocation money to sell your current house and buy a new one and move all your crap? That is, if you're even willing to move.
Forgot to mention that. Wife is very pregnant at the moment. Not an option to move just yet. And even if it was, I don't think if I was going ot move right now that I'd move to freeking Katy. That's just trading suburbs. Upcoming child may also be another knock against the time commitment. Is there a "this is worth it" salary increase?
You have to make enough more to cover the commute expenses PLUS pay yourself for the extra time before you are getting a raise. Other wise you are just working more hours for less than your current hourly rate.
There is no magic number, you have to figure out what your financial goals are for the next so-many years. It depends on whether if you have debt you need to pay off, working towards paying for your kid's education, retirement or any other goals you may have. If you do, then figure out how much easier or faster it is to satisfy those goals with the salary increase. If it is significant in your opinion, then go for it.
I suppose you could take your current salary, subtract your commuting expenses, and divide that number by the number of hours you work plus the number of hours you commute to get some kind of total renumeration per hour away from home number (assuming benefits are similar). Then take the proposed salary, minus the new commute expense, divided by the number of work plus commute hours to get the proposed renumeration per hour away from home and then compare the two. You may want to tack on a small percentage for possible foregone raises or bonuses. Then compare the two numbers.
Let's just say that the raise alone is a good "magic number", but less the commuting costs makes it accordingly less attractive. I guess what is comes down to it what additional amount (on top of the gas/tolls cost) would make the 2 hour hell of commuting worth it? Am I forgetting anything?
There's nothing more magic than time with your children... especially a newborn. You will never be the same-- assuming this is your first!
Do whatever keeps you closest to your family for at least a few years. If you take a job very far away and your wife needs you quick, it might be more of a burden than is the modest pay increase. The other option is if the company offers to pay moving expenses and the family is close to the new job location. It doesn't appear that you want to move there, so I think it's pretty clear. If you want to save more on gas, buy a Harley and cut back on making beer.
Surely you jest. Maybe I already have made up my mind. I guess I was curious if anyone thinks there is a point at which such a commute is worth it.
seriously, it's absolutely NOT worth it 2 hour commute (one-way!) is just crazy talk. think of how much life you''d be wasting
I'm two days away from adding 20 minutes and $3.50 to my commute. But I don't have a newborn on the way.
Lazy *ss. That is totally not a waste of time . He could take a laptop with a screen-reader and read the entire D&D forum in that much time, and even have time to check out p00p threads and some Vince Young threads in the Hangout. c'mon, people... think... think!
Well I guess you're not taking it then. I wouldn't either. Besides, you said you just started actively looking for another job, right? There should be better options later.
