Please help me decide

never stop looking for something else.

I've heard manual labor can really hurt someone's body. Sounds like you should return and look for something else. Don't you have to let this current employer have two weeks notice?

Sounds like you need to cut back on the running. You have a family, put them first. If that means you need more money and better insurance, then go with whatever job gives you those benefits.

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I could give the current job a two week notice. I'll just call off from my other Job when I'm expected to return. Not exactly proper per say but they will understand.

I don't know, my family likes me much better with this current job. The flexible hours and awsome vacation time not only allow more running but more quality time at home as well. My other job pays but it seems like all I do is work. No running, no time with the family, no flexibility etc.. My wife is telling me to stay with the current job and not return. She says having me around is far more important than any job.

I'm still trying to weight my options. I'm supposed to return to my preavious employer by next Wednesday.

Any more thoughts?

Buy a gun.

What do you mean buy a gun?

Do I have to draw you a diagram?

Buy. A. Gun.

What would a gun do? Are you insinuating I shoot myself? I don't think either option is that bad.

I'm just curious of what some other serous runners out their do that maintain a family and a job. I'm mid twenties so I have some years of running ahead. Does anyone settle for a job that they hate and remain their for any lenght of time just for the money? When you start a family do you let your running take a back seat due to the demands of work or do you make running a priority and make it fit your lifestyle? I have the option of fitting running into my lifestyle at the expense of a few material posessions or have extra money for things like going out to eat expensive cloths etc... at the expense of my running. Just wondering what some of you have chosen or would choose if placed in my shoes.

Thanks

I think that even if you were not running, your new job offers you more time with your family and that is very important. It would be different if you were making great money and loving what you were doing, but it sounds like you are miserable doing it, and that will grate on you in the long run. Because it sounds like you are really unhappy with the labor, I would keep the new job, but perhaps keep searching for a similar job with better benefits or pay. I'm sure the extra time that you see your family now is worth more to them than the extra cash. As a bonus, your running will benefit which will likely improve your overall mood. Not only will your family benefit, but your health will too.

Keep the new job!! You can't work your life away. I quit the restaurant business a few years ago because I was always working when everything else was going on. I work just as much now, but can set my own hours. If I have to decide whether to do a workout of work some more, I always go with the workout.

Americans work way too much anyway. If we don't buy a bunch of junk we don't need, it frees us to live a more enjoyable life.

Thanks for the replies guys! Yeah I'm leaning on the side of the new job. I'm going to work on my letter of resignation tonight.

as a married man with a few kids, listen to your wife, but you make the decision.

if she says (speaking for the family) she wants you to stay in the more flexible, but lower paying job, then she's telling you what should be important to both of you; family. when you tell her what you've decided, tell her its best for the family.

there may come times in the future when "the money is tight" becomes a problem you both must face together. It's strategic to state (prior to any arguments) the sacrifice you've made was for the family, so if you're arguing about money you can instantly put it into perspective and collectively deal with it from there. Everything of value hinges on how it effects the family.

you're running, it's best for the family. can't buy a new car without saving? it's best for the family. new wardrobe for her? how's it fit the family priorities, etc.

I'm simplifying, but I think the point is there.

sounds like you are doing well in the manual job, so the chance of doing better probably isnt that high. (ie. you already have seniority etc).

with the new job you are the new guy and the chances for improvement are probably greater.

look 5 years out. what would you realistically be earning if you stay in teh old job vs taking the new job? i would expect that teh upside of the boring computer job is more than the machine operating job.

Again more great posts. Thank you both.

Hmmmm, you really opened my mind to a whole different view now. My new Job is with a health insurance company that just opened an office here 5 years ago. I personelly know people who started off 3 years ago at entry level just as myself and are banking double what they started at today. The building is only at 75% capacity at this point and they plan to be at 100% withih the next 2 years so the room for advancment is great.

The manual labor job is a union and their is no growth. Pay raises are whatever the union negociates which is usually 3-5% per year. I have been there 7 years and make as much as someone that has been there 35 years. We hold the same job as well so you can see where thats going.