Comments on: Ways Not Having a Job Impacts Our Personal Finances

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:02:04 +0000

Making a bit less but having more time is a great trade off if you ask me. I’m in a considerably more flexible environment than I have been for years and although I make less money I’m far happier than I have been in years. Often you don’t loose nearly as much as people say you do and the potential benefits far outweigh any negative impacts.

By: Sara at On Simplicity

Sara at On Simplicity — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:22:27 +0000

I’ve never had amazing benefits either. The one thing I really miss (I used to work at home, now I commute) is the flexibility.

Like you mentioned, getting household stuff taken care of during the week is a real treat on the weekends. Now I work five days a week and spend a good portion of the other two catching up.

I never thought that the ability to take the dog to the vet in the middle of the day was a real luxury, but man, I miss that.

By: Llama Money

Llama Money — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:09:24 +0000

Writer’s Coin: Read that part again. Lazy handles those chores while his wife is at work, leaving the weekends free for married couple fun. That’s one of the reasons I’d love to have my wife stay at home. She could take care of the house stuff, and then when I’m at home it’s fun time instead of chore time.

By: Writer's Coin

Writer's Coin — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:48:38 +0000

Umm, you put household chores under “Fun”? Yikes!

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:27:56 +0000

Solomon, most US companies don’t offer most of those benefits. Health insurance is not even guaranteed.

Jim

By: Another Personal Finance Blog

Another Personal Finance Blog — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:48:35 +0000

Health insurance is a big one for my family. My wife’s employer contributes about $700 each month for our health insurance, while we add about $250. In addition, they provide next to free dental and eye care. We may eventually be able to afford living without my wife’s salary, but loosing her benefits would be a huge blow.

By: Lazy Man

Lazy Man — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:35:39 +0000

I do occassional contracting, but I didn't include that here. I don't count that as alternative income which is what I was going for here.

By: pfstartupblog

pfstartupblog — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:19:40 +0000

Lazy, is your income based solely on your blogging advertisements? Or do you do some contracting?

By: Solomon@ThingsI'mGratefulFor

Solomon@ThingsI'mGratefulFor — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:29:50 +0000

Companies in the US seem to offer way more benefits than in the UK.

By: Lazy Man

Lazy Man — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:27:32 +0000

Great question!

When I had my last job, I’d say I was at a solid 3 (some jobs had me as high as 7 or 8).

I’d say I’m a solid 7 now… the only not making it a 10 is the income issue.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:47:19 +0000

Alright Lazy so scale of 1-10, 1 being miserable, 10 being the best thing ever, how would you rate your decision so far?

By: jim

jim — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:42:16 +0000

Man your companies didn’t offer you much in the way of fringe benefits!