To put it bluntly, I think my job is killing me off by slow degrees. Which are rapidly adding up.
If I left, and took out my retirement, my deferred compensation, etc., I could pay off my debts and have a few months free to look for work. To unwind. To get a grip. Or two.
Before you say it, I've been looking. I know you should not leave one job before you have another . . . and yet, I just don't think I can hang. I keep trying to convince myself I can hold it together long enough to get through the statewide trainings and project closeout this spring and early summer, but it all seems to be crumbling aorund me. Maybe it's just internal fears and discontent, but the outward appearance is looking more pronounced.
And there's this niggling voice inside me that says until I take the leap of faith and leave the space open for another opportunity, it won't happen.
I dunno.
Maybe I'm just too tired and stressed.
I can't even seem to hang onto the little things anymore -- it's like early Alzeimer's is settling in.
*sigh*
/whine
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Quitting without another job is a bad idea. Quitting without another job when you have debt is an even worse one, and cashing out your retirement is the worst of all.
Are there things you can do to make the job more tolerable? Would an honest talk with your boss help or hinder? Can you take a vacation for a week and just do nothing, and hopefully unwind and get that grip?
Are there things you can change financially to get rid of that debt in a reasonable amount of time, without cashing in the retirement? I know that's hard, but then if work did make it to intolerable, you could quit without having the debt hanging over you, and you'd have a lot more options. Do you read Mary Hunt's Everyday Cheapskate column? She has a rapid debt repayment calculator on her website here that can help you find the most efficient way to pay off your debt. Unfortunately, it looks like you have to be a member to use it. Maybe there's a good free one out there, if someone's google-fu is strong.
Also, you know that if you're talking about a pre-tax retirement account that not only would you have to pay the taxes if you withdraw from it, but you'd also have to pay some harsh penalties, right? It's not worth it for a couple of months of freedom and then who knows what at the end. Because the other reason it's a bad idea to quit a job before you have a new one is that employers prefer to hire someone who's already employed, excepting people straight out of college. So it's actually harder to find a job if you don't have one already.
*hugs* It sounds like this totally sucks, Shan, and I'm sorry you're in a spot where you're even considering this. But hang on, and try to find ways to make it work until you can get out of it sensibly, okay?
Oh! Have you talked to a career coach? Or a head-hunter? Those are both probably good ideas, too, and you might be able to find a low-cost or free career coach through a women's center.
Good luck. Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
No, no, no!
Seriously, do not quit until you have another job and do NOT cash out retirement to live on. Both are BAD ideas.
Put your energy into finding something else, it will probably happen quicker than you think.
quote:And there's this niggling voice inside me that says until I take the leap of faith and leave the space open for another opportunity, it won't happen.
Tell that voice to shut up. Seriously. I have always found jobs when I still had one. You will find something, just be patient. If you absolutely, positively MUST leave, then don't cash out the retirement and start working for a temp company instead, while you look for something permanent.
Posted by stihl1 (Member # 1562) on :
Do it and move to a tropical island, live like a bum on the beach and enjoy life. I would do so if I could.
Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :
I don't think it's a good idea to quit based on frustration and cash your retirement to pay your debts.
At the same time, I've been where you are, and there ARE options. There are alternative lifestyles, especially if you're single or if your family has the ability to move.
My cousin just volunteered in Africa for 6 months, working in game preserves. She didn't make any money, but she got her room and board covered, and let her savings draw interest while she was away. Now she's back and doesn't have a job, but she's stress-free and has new energy.
Look into alternatives like temp work, freelance work, even changing your career field. If you like what you do, and just hate the situation, talk to your boss and see if you can switch projects, or move to another department within the company.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
*deep breathing techniques employed*
Don't mind me -- momentary fit of insanity -- they're happening a little more frequently, because the job really is not a happy thing right now . . . a clashing of two diametrically opposed agency cultures being dropped into a brand new agency sans any systems in place for daily business functioning with a killer legislative session in place demanding that the new agency fix all the woes of yesterday today -- or last year -- whichever makes more budgetary sense (go ahead, try and figure that one out . . . )
I have been looking for new work -- for a year. Off and on. I think part of it really is just a desire to be done with social work, whether at the direct service level or at the policy level. It just sucks anymore. In comparison, I drive by places I helped roof when I was in my early 20's and I get this glow of satisfaction: I helped put that roof on! It's still keeping out the rain! Wow! That's pretty nifty!
With the work I've done the last decade, I can't see those kinds of concrete results, and when you couple it with crazy agencies and overstressed staff/management not behaving very well, it's not a happy thing.
My debts (except college loans) are cleared up in $10,000, so that's not so bad, which is why I even consider the cashing in on it all . . . And I don't figure anyone'll get to retire in my age group unless they're millionaires, so whoop-ee on the retirement, but I know what you all are saying, and it's sound advice. Thank you for inserting voices of sanity. I have a couple of specific questions, if I may . . .
ElJay, how do you get hooked in with head-hunters? My alma mater has some career assistance available, but it's mostly geared to recent grads. I've never been able to figure out how the head-hunter thing works . . .
I'd forgotten temp agencies, Belle -- are there things to watch out for in regards to temp agencies?
MightyCow, I love the idea of doing something totally different for a few months -- so much so, that I am starting to research what it will take to get a leave of absence and go work at a nearby mountain ecumenical retreat center where I can take my son with me . . . even if I can't, it's a nice enough dream that it immediately brings the blood pressure down.
The tropical island sounds nice, too, stihl1. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
You know, I've never actually used one, although I know people who have to great success. Here's a list of Headhunters in Seattle, to start. You're in Seattle, right? I'd browse through their web sites and see if any seem a good fit, and then give them a call. There's two pages, don't miss the second. I think some places focus on executives, or tech people, or whatever, but some are more general. Make sure you let them know you're interested in switching fields, and I bet they can help you package yourself in the best way to do that.
Googling "seattle career coaches" came up with a lot of results, too, most of which look expensive. I know some people who had great success paying a coach to help them position themselves and go over their resume, but I've never done it. Still, wouldn't hurt to look over some of the results. This site looks good to me, although they don't list their rates.
I read a couple of the websites, and some of the stuff these places offer sound exactly like what you're looking for. With some digging, you can probably find one that's affordable, or one with a sliding scale.
I'm glad you're feeling a bit better about everything. Good luck!
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
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