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shardian:
I would take pay cut for a 5 minute commute. Mine is 30 minutes on a good day, 45 on a heavy traffic day, with maybe a minor accident. Every other month or so, there is a big accident and it may take 1.5 hours to get home.
paigeoliver:
Right, people often mistakenly think that the extra time is worth it for the extra money, when in reality they are spending the extra money the commute itself and thus are just throwing part of their life away for nothing.
My drive to work is only 10 minutes, I would love to get that down further, but it isn't very likely.
--- Quote from: shmokes on March 27, 2008, 02:43:32 am ---Eff that. The real cost is time. And I'm not talking monetary costs (though, as they say, time is money). I'm talking about the mind-numbing, soul-crushing horror that is a daily commute. Five minutes to work and five minutes home is an incredible luxury. Ask anybody who has a 30+ minute commute, "How much would you pay me per year to shorten your commute to five minutes per day?" I guarantee that the figure they give you will be quite high, and it will not simply reflect the per diem costs of driving a car.
I'm not saying that there's no point at which the increased salary won't justify the 30 minute commute, but don't undervalue that five minute jaunt you take to work. That's a gold mine, and it is exactly what people mean when they say that money can't buy happiness.
--- End quote ---
ChadTower:
I took a 5 figure pay cut to shorten my commute from 60 hard highway minutes each way to 20 simple backroad minutes. Worth every freakin penny even if you completely discount the monetary cost reduction. Now I get to wait at the bus stop with my kids every morning - I'm home at 5:15 and don't have to spend a half hour settling down from the difficult evening commute. That's an hour and a half more at night with my family five times a week.
The town wants to build a new office park on the site of the abandoned concrete plant staging area by my house. Many acres of completely cleared land there for it, too, if my area can handle the traffic. Depending on what moves in, if I could get a job there, I'd be almost able to span my commute by throwing rocks.
saint:
--- Quote from: shmokes on March 27, 2008, 02:43:32 am ---Five minutes to work and five minutes home is an incredible luxury. Ask anybody who has a 30+ minute commute, "How much would you pay me per year to shorten your commute to five minutes per day?" I guarantee that the figure they give you will be quite high, and it will not simply reflect the per diem costs of driving a car.
--- End quote ---
I can exactly answer this. I traded a daily 3 hour commute (1.5 hours each way) for an 8 minute commute at a cost of $12,000 the first year and $7000 each year thereafter until I could get a raise. Probably cost me $20,000 to make the move at least. I did it with a smile on my face and so fast I'd have left skid marks if you got in my way.
myntik1:
update - I called the hiring manager this morning. She wasn't at her desk, but I left a voicemail. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. Anyway I thanked her for taking the time to meet with me, and said that I asked my friend about who he had shown my resume to. And I let her know that he attempted to help me by submitting my resume without my knowledge. I then said that the position I applied for is the only one I was interested in at their company.
As for my commute/pay. Eventually I'm going to wind up back at this company or in my former role as a Special Ed teacher. My company is famous for dangling the carrot. So many associates have to leave for a year or two and then make their way back. It's a revolving door. People leave and come back and make significantly more. The mid-level salary for this new position is 8500 more than I make now. So considering I bring QA, project management and teaching experience to the table my goal was to get a bump in the 9-12K range. At the lower end I weigh my options. If it's at the top end or higher I jump at it. And 8500 is more than my last few raises combined. My company likes to give the one and done bonuses. I've been fortunate and have received a good number of spot bonuses and my yearly bonuses are pretty good, but I need more cash every other Thursday. I may be the rare person but I actually like listening to music in my car and unwinding. I used to have a 45 minute commute and it didn't bother me. Gas is a separate issue. I drive a gas hog so I would take the significant others car (we're looking for a new car for her anyway) or buy a throw-away beater.
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