Has wanting money discouraged you from public service?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd very much like to go into public service. Possibly indefinitely, possibly for a lengthy chunk of time (7-10 years). But I also quite like the lifestyle we have now with two private sector salaries. I make about $300k/year all-in and my partner makes about the same. We don't have extravagant expenses, but we very much like the ability to buy plane tickets to go see family/take nice vacations etc. without thinking about the money.

My move to public service would probably coincide with my partner moving to a less demanding job. I would end up making around 150/year and my partner would make maybe 175-200. We'd also maybe like to have a child around then. This is obviously still a somewhat comfortable combined income, but with the rise in expenses it's a drastic lifestyle change.

If people made the move in these circumstances, what did you do to deal with the income drop? (Besides saving more- we're saving as much as we can now-- about 175/year and maxing both 401ks) What things did you talk about with respect to whether or not the move is worth it?

Public service means becoming a missionary and going to Africa.

Becoming a bureaucrat with a fully funded pension 10+ years earlier than in the private sector, and with a much more flexible work schedule is a perfectly legitimate lifestyle choice, but it's not "public service".

You have a very narrow (and idiosyncratically religious) definition of public service.

Fine. Join the Red Cross and go help people living in poverty and conflict.

That's public service -- the rest is just the search for a public pension and for a taxpayer-subsidized easy work schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went from two private sector salaries/careers to two public sector. You can still live an extremely comfortable life as a family with a $300k HHI around here. Our HHI is around $275k and we max both TSPs, save $25k/year for kid college funds, and have plenty of money for a nice vacation 1-2 times/year, eating out, and really all that we want to do. Our tastes are normal upper middle class, not extravagant. We are both MUCH happier and have very flexible schedules and are almost always home for dinner with our kids.

Before I'd make the move, I suggest that you use your savings/private sector money to 1) pay off any debt other than your mortgage (student loans, car loans, etc) and 2) buy or set aside a large-ish pot of money for a home downpayment. If you set yourself up with a reasonable monthly housing cost (I'd aim for $3,500 or less), you will be fine.

It would also set up a lot for anticipated childcare for two kids. I've read about families doing that as a sinking fund in advance of switching to a lower paying job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've gotten very off track here, but of course I care about the mission. And yes a fed salary is "perfectly adequate" but when you've outperformed 99.9% of your peers in your education/career some of us would like to not be stuck at perfectly adequate forever, even though we believe in the public service mission.

Give us all a break. You don't care about the mission. You care about money and prestige and being recognized for being above average.

Here's a little story: I've been working in public service making less than $50k my entire career because that is what my job pays and I can't imagine being anywhere else. My clients are all homeless, most deal with severe mental health and addiction issues. I am out there busting my ass and losing my mind with stress for THEM. I've been called to this work and I would feel like a fool if I ever had to tell my coworkers "I'm going corporate so I can make a bunch more money". I do what I do because society is not doing enough to protect and help my clients. As long as I make enough to live comfortably in my small apartment, I'm happy. My work is fulfilling and I'm thanked daily for what I contribute. That's enough.

NP. That s wonderful for you. Your work is meaningful for you, your clients, and society. But I wouldn't heap scorn on OP just for not wanting the same things as you in life, or having the same LOG about one's mission.

I work in Correctional Healthcare in IT. I could make six figures in the private sector but choose to make five figures in the public sector. But I'm not a saint or an ascetic. I have bills to pay and retirement and college to save for, trips i want to take and house maintenance. I love the hours; it works for patenting. I have to balance good works with living in the world. If I don't get a raise after a certain point (for practical Bill paying reasons as well as pride), I might I to leave for a private job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd very much like to go into public service. Possibly indefinitely, possibly for a lengthy chunk of time (7-10 years). But I also quite like the lifestyle we have now with two private sector salaries. I make about $300k/year all-in and my partner makes about the same. We don't have extravagant expenses, but we very much like the ability to buy plane tickets to go see family/take nice vacations etc. without thinking about the money.

My move to public service would probably coincide with my partner moving to a less demanding job. I would end up making around 150/year and my partner would make maybe 175-200. We'd also maybe like to have a child around then. This is obviously still a somewhat comfortable combined income, but with the rise in expenses it's a drastic lifestyle change.

If people made the move in these circumstances, what did you do to deal with the income drop? (Besides saving more- we're saving as much as we can now-- about 175/year and maxing both 401ks) What things did you talk about with respect to whether or not the move is worth it?

Public service means becoming a missionary and going to Africa.

Becoming a bureaucrat with a fully funded pension 10+ years earlier than in the private sector, and with a much more flexible work schedule is a perfectly legitimate lifestyle choice, but it's not "public service".

You have a very narrow (and idiosyncratically religious) definition of public service.

Fine. Join the Red Cross and go help people living in poverty and conflict.

That's public service -- the rest is just the search for a public pension and for a taxpayer-subsidized easy work schedule.

Ok you clearly have an axe to grind and I have no illusions of persuading you. But, reasonable people reading along can just look up the definition of public service and see that you're just using your own personal dictionary to redefine terms. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20service

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd very much like to go into public service. Possibly indefinitely, possibly for a lengthy chunk of time (7-10 years). But I also quite like the lifestyle we have now with two private sector salaries. I make about $300k/year all-in and my partner makes about the same. We don't have extravagant expenses, but we very much like the ability to buy plane tickets to go see family/take nice vacations etc. without thinking about the money.

My move to public service would probably coincide with my partner moving to a less demanding job. I would end up making around 150/year and my partner would make maybe 175-200. We'd also maybe like to have a child around then. This is obviously still a somewhat comfortable combined income, but with the rise in expenses it's a drastic lifestyle change.

If people made the move in these circumstances, what did you do to deal with the income drop? (Besides saving more- we're saving as much as we can now-- about 175/year and maxing both 401ks) What things did you talk about with respect to whether or not the move is worth it?

Public service means becoming a missionary and going to Africa.

Becoming a bureaucrat with a fully funded pension 10+ years earlier than in the private sector, and with a much more flexible work schedule is a perfectly legitimate lifestyle choice, but it's not "public service".

You have a very narrow (and idiosyncratically religious) definition of public service.

Fine. Join the Red Cross and go help people living in poverty and conflict.

That's public service -- the rest is just the search for a public pension and for a taxpayer-subsidized easy work schedule.

Ok you clearly have an axe to grind and I have no illusions of persuading you. But, reasonable people reading along can just look up the definition of public service and see that you're just using your own personal dictionary to redefine terms. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20service

Very useful link, thanks.

Now I know that OP means she's considering working for "the business of supplying a commodity (such as electricity or gas) or service (such as transportation) to any or all members of a community."

That's very noble, and truly justifies a temporary pay cut.

[Anonymous]

PP is being purposefully obtuse online. That is an odd hobby but to each his own

[Anonymous]

yeah, been a fed since law school (with firm offers in the pocket) and want to say if money is stopping you from public service then you don't truly want public service. as for the definition of public service, i was in fema and now in a regulatory agency so i do consider my work important and impactful.