In-house change?

[Anonymous]

Current company is very stable. My boss will retire in 5-10 years and I likely would be promoted into his AGC role. Current salary about 200k, bonus 40k, stock 20k. Relatively low stress work a hybrid 3-2 and have a decent commute.

New company also very stable, bit more cutting edge and larger company growth potential. Same level job but salary is higher, including stock: salary 260k, bonus would still be about 40k, restricted stock bonus is about 60k and vests after 3 years, 401k match is significantly better and would be about an additional 10k in my 401 per year. Company is across the country. I would be 3 weeks fully remote and on site 1 week per month.

Would you make the change. I think the new company is likely better for career growth and is more prestigious. Obviously hard to leave a stable, good position and the travel aspect would be new. Have two elementary aged kids and a spouse who is used to being the point of contact parent and has a flexible schedule.

[Anonymous]

One week a month across country with two little kids for 60k more? No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One week a month across country with two little kids for 60k more? No thanks.

It’s 60k + about 40k more in stock so 100k. My thought is I’m looking for a place to park. I’m in my late 30s. It would be nice to park at a higher salary that will increase at 3-4% a year, which is standard in my industry plus be building a bigger nest egg in stock that I would not really touch.

[Anonymous]

Who pays for travel and lodging that one week a month?

[Anonymous]

Is your spouse remotely open to this? I’m definitely the default parent but there’s no way in h*ll I’d agree to this schedule, especially not for $100k more. That’s terrible for the kids.

[Anonymous]

One week away per month is a lot with kids that young. I guess if you have a clear need/use for the money and your spouse is on board it makes sense. But I’d personally be very hesitant to spend 25% of every month away from my kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who pays for travel and lodging that one week a month?

The company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is your spouse remotely open to this? I’m definitely the default parent but there’s no way in h*ll I’d agree to this schedule, especially not for $100k more. That’s terrible for the kids.

+100. My DH traveled a lot when the kids were younger (but nowhere close to 1 week/month) and it was hard. I would definitely not agree to this as the default parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One week a month across country with two little kids for 60k more? No thanks.

It’s 60k + about 40k more in stock so 100k. My thought is I’m looking for a place to park. I’m in my late 30s. It would be nice to park at a higher salary that will increase at 3-4% a year, which is standard in my industry plus be building a bigger nest egg in stock that I would not really touch.

Still a no.

[Anonymous]

Reliably traveling 1 week a month doesn’t sound like a hardship. In my career I’ve generally traveled this much and we make it work, even though at times I was the primary parent for handling kids. $100K could improve your family life a lot. Of course, I earn less then $200K so this sounds like a ton of money to pass up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reliably traveling 1 week a month doesn’t sound like a hardship. In my career I’ve generally traveled this much and we make it work, even though at times I was the primary parent for handling kids. $100K could improve your family life a lot. Of course, I earn less then $200K so this sounds like a ton of money to pass up.

Not OP but do you really think so? I wonder about that. OP is making about $260K now and I assume OP's spouse works and makes at least $80K so $340K total. Is there a material difference between $340K and $440K? For me the difference wouldn't be worth it to have to scramble for drop-off and pickup (bus or daycare) plus all of the kid's activities during the week not to mention that OP will be away from the kids for one week a month. Now if we were talking the difference of $140K to $240K I would probably feel differently.

[Anonymous]

Traveling is BS. Hard no

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reliably traveling 1 week a month doesn’t sound like a hardship. In my career I’ve generally traveled this much and we make it work, even though at times I was the primary parent for handling kids. $100K could improve your family life a lot. Of course, I earn less then $200K so this sounds like a ton of money to pass up.

Not OP but do you really think so? I wonder about that. OP is making about $260K now and I assume OP's spouse works and makes at least $80K so $340K total. Is there a material difference between $340K and $440K? For me the difference wouldn't be worth it to have to scramble for drop-off and pickup (bus or daycare) plus all of the kid's activities during the week not to mention that OP will be away from the kids for one week a month. Now if we were talking the difference of $140K to $240K I would probably feel differently.

OP. Spouse has a very flexible job and already handles all drop offs and pick ups. They make about 60k but make my life stressfree kid wise. The additional income would be very helpful for funding college and retirement - no trust funds here. I agree missing a week per month with my family is not ideal. I also recognize my kids are 8 and 10 now and are more independent. Both kids are in activities multiple days after school so really it’s just missing the 6-8 homework time for me and other events that occur during the week. I’m leaning to yes for this arrangement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your spouse remotely open to this? I’m definitely the default parent but there’s no way in h*ll I’d agree to this schedule, especially not for $100k more. That’s terrible for the kids.

+100. My DH traveled a lot when the kids were younger (but nowhere close to 1 week/month) and it was hard. I would definitely not agree to this as the default parent.

+1. Except that I would love to have been the one who traveled instead of the one at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reliably traveling 1 week a month doesn’t sound like a hardship. In my career I’ve generally traveled this much and we make it work, even though at times I was the primary parent for handling kids. $100K could improve your family life a lot. Of course, I earn less then $200K so this sounds like a ton of money to pass up.

Not OP but do you really think so? I wonder about that. OP is making about $260K now and I assume OP's spouse works and makes at least $80K so $340K total. Is there a material difference between $340K and $440K? For me the difference wouldn't be worth it to have to scramble for drop-off and pickup (bus or daycare) plus all of the kid's activities during the week not to mention that OP will be away from the kids for one week a month. Now if we were talking the difference of $140K to $240K I would probably feel differently.

OP. Spouse has a very flexible job and already handles all drop offs and pick ups. They make about 60k but make my life stressfree kid wise. The additional income would be very helpful for funding college and retirement - no trust funds here. I agree missing a week per month with my family is not ideal. I also recognize my kids are 8 and 10 now and are more independent. Both kids are in activities multiple days after school so really it’s just missing the 6-8 homework time for me and other events that occur during the week. I’m leaning to yes for this arrangement.

I'm the PP and we make $300K combined which is less than your current combined income and we have no issues funding college and retirement. I share my income to show that I'm in a similar situation to you and I'll you I wouldn't give up a single bedtime that I didn't have to. I might feel differently if the kids were older (mine are 6 and 8) and doing their own thing but you're still in the phase where they want to be around you. If I were in your situation I would try to arrange my schedule so I could do at least some of the pickups and dropoffs in part for balance but also because you should be there for that stuff!