If you quit your high-paying job for 5+ yrs AND then transitioned to

[Anonymous]

1) a part-time job or
2) a much (or relatively) lower paying job

Can you please share what you did before and salary and what was it after? Are you ‘happy’?

If you decided to just stay at home and volunteer etc can you also share some thoughts.

Looking for insipiration, words of wisdom from a smart community of women. At my age and in my field it’s not easy to just go back. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Went from a $100K job to a $50K job in the social impact sector. Miserable. The paycut was okay, but the lower pay attracted a less driven set of people and that drives me nuts every day.

[Anonymous]

Great question. Went from 175k to 0k. Was very tough and I was going through early menopause at age 45 with complications.
We were done with 2 kids at age 40 and then I stayed home a total of 6.5 yrs. I had worked for 15 yrs before though.

Was very depressed then but looking back so glad. Happy now. Spent every day from 3-8pm with my kids and plenty of time on weekends not cleaning or grocery shopping or cooking. Both my kids are doing very well and it vastly improved relationship with DH.

[Anonymous]

Was at $65k at a nonprofit when kid #1 was born. Stayed home for 13 years, 2 kids, went back to work PT as a substitute teacher, make less than $10k per year. BUT: I only work when and where I want (such a need for subs in MC), and can be home for teens who are not yet driving, and still take care of the household. For now, it works. I am definitely not fulfilled professionally, although occasionally I see the magic of teaching, when a kid grasps a new concept. However, being there for my family makes it worthwhile for me. When both kids are at college, not sure what In will do, but that is still several years away, so haven't given it to much thought.

[Anonymous]

I made about $170 in the events industry before kids. I left my high stress, but relatively high paying job to be a stay at home mom. We definitely miss the money but i have no regrets. I’ve been home for 5.5 years and have 2 kids. I do lots of volunteer work and some of that comes with a very small stipend. One day in theory I’d like to go back to work but my husband’s job is very demanding with lots of travel so that may not be in the cards for me. I’m ok with it either way.

[Anonymous]

*170K

[Anonymous]

I’m about to do it. I’m trading $125k for $50k and much more flexibility. I’m really hoping it works out but I am a bit scared.

[Anonymous]

I left the law as a a big law associate at $180K+ and was a stay at home mom for 7 years, then went back to the law, different firm, making $120 now. Not without its bumps, but good so far.

[Anonymous]

Went from a job in higher ed administration (and a PhD) making 110K. Stayed home for a few years (although I worked very part-time for my old mentor during those years). We bought a few rental properties (DH is in big law) and now I make about $140K a year in a combination of regular rental income and running a profitable Airbnb. Wouldn’t mind going back to the regular workforce because there is no respect for what I do, but I can’t justify working full time for less than I make as a part time property manager and I don’t want the stress of doing both at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Left private consulting salary of $140k to stay home with my kids for 4 years (and get a masters). Got a government job shortly after my kids started school. Now make about $105k but with a TON of flexibility. It's been great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went from a job in higher ed administration (and a PhD) making 110K. Stayed home for a few years (although I worked very part-time for my old mentor during those years). We bought a few rental properties (DH is in big law) and now I make about $140K a year in a combination of regular rental income and running a profitable Airbnb. Wouldn’t mind going back to the regular workforce because there is no respect for what I do, but I can’t justify working full time for less than I make as a part time property manager and I don’t want the stress of doing both at the same time.

I would compare what you could pay a part time property manager for to do your current job - which is more like 25-30k. Lots of realtors would pick up that steady paycheck. So you’d be ahead, you’d just have to work full time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went from a job in higher ed administration (and a PhD) making 110K. Stayed home for a few years (although I worked very part-time for my old mentor during those years). We bought a few rental properties (DH is in big law) and now I make about $140K a year in a combination of regular rental income and running a profitable Airbnb. Wouldn’t mind going back to the regular workforce because there is no respect for what I do, but I can’t justify working full time for less than I make as a part time property manager and I don’t want the stress of doing both at the same time.

This is an interesting post because it shows how we value respect for our jobs.

I was a SAHM for a few years, but then got back into the full-time workforce and now have a job as an in-house senior attorney at a well-regarded corporation. I valued my time as a SAHM when my kids were little, but it's interesting how people seem to show more respect for my corporate job, even though both jobs are demanding and require a lot of skill.