Anonymous wrote:I have the opportunity to leave my WFH job and have a 25-minute commute (4 miles, but crazy traffic) and be in the office 4 days a week. I really detest the idea of commuting plus it involves an extra 20 minutes for hair/makeup/wardrobe. I also really enjoy being able to do laundry and minor housework in between meetings.

The new job would pay 75% more than my current job, almost doubling my salary.

I know it would be a HUGE raise, allowing me to retire several years earlier, but I am not in need of more money and I don't know if it's worth it to give up the luxury of WFH.

For the sake of discussion, assume both jobs are equal in terms of job satisfaction, what I do, etc.

Do you have obligations during the day outside work? Young or school-age children or pets? Would being in an office all day disrupt your quality of life, as in are you an introvert who really values flexibility and being able to take a walk in the afternoon (time that you would spend commuting)? If none of the above apply, then for a gut check make a list of the things that you would dislike about the situation (40 minute commute, X more on gas, x more on drycleaning and makeup expenses, less flexibility, x more on food if at the office, etc) and contrast that to what you would get (more money, ability to retire earlier, etc).

It depends on starting salary. If you’re making 100k and could jump to 175k that isn’t quite as enticing as going from 200k+ to 350k+.

Between commuting, needing to pay extended day care for 2 kids ($750), extras like dry cleaning and take out when I’m tired, adding in extra house cleaning since I’m already losing hours of my week, I would easily spend ~$1,200/month just to break even essentially. Granted much of that is childcare which may be moot for you, but you asked what it would take for us to give up WAH. So I’d need to net close to 15k as a net neutral.

An extra 75k after taxes is probably about 50k (maybe more if you’re in a lower tax bracket). 50k - 15k = 35k.

Would I give up the nice work/life balance I have now for an extra 35k/year? Possibly if we could really use the money. That would bolster 529s and allow for some nicer travel. But there are other factors like my kids having to drop extracurriculars they love that start at 4:30/5PM because I wouldn’t be home. And the added burden on my spouse since we’d now have to build in my commute time.

We already have a HHI over 300k so that extra 35k net isn’t as enticing as someone who has a HHI of 100k. But I would say I’d need to be making *at least* 75k more with growth opportunity to entertain giving up WAH.

Anonymous wrote:Zero. I worked at home during COVID and hated it. I actually thought that my employer should pay me for providing space, lights, heat, etc. for me to do their work, but I did not actually pursue this, as I was just happy to have a job during that time.

If you were to put a dollar value on it, you could include the one hour per day plus mileage that it would cost you to work at work, plus maybe the cost of lunch if you eat a mid-day meal. I would argue that you should also subtract the cost of the space in your home where you were working, but you obviously are not going to sell off part of your house if you take the job.

Are you a gen Xer or boomer?

I wouldn't do it. DH's income already puts us in the highest tax bracket, so the 75% raise would be taxed at our highest marginal rate. I can already max out my 401k and the kids' 529 plans at my current income, and that's what I want out of my job. The extra pay wouldn't be enough to move the needle because almost 50% of it would be lost in taxes. In a lower tax bracket, I'd consider it.

Zero. I worked at home during COVID and hated it. I actually thought that my employer should pay me for providing space, lights, heat, etc. for me to do their work, but I did not actually pursue this, as I was just happy to have a job during that time.

If you were to put a dollar value on it, you could include the one hour per day plus mileage that it would cost you to work at work, plus maybe the cost of lunch if you eat a mid-day meal. I would argue that you should also subtract the cost of the space in your home where you were working, but you obviously are not going to sell off part of your house if you take the job.

I'd take that in a heartbeat. I'm tired of being at home by myself and if you can retire sooner?

It sounds like you don't need the money and don't really want to take the job, but feel like you should. Only you can answer whether that's right - whether you should do it.

I feel like having a work setup that works for you and is sustainable counts for a lot. If you're dreading 20 minutes more of hair and dressing and a 4 mile commute (love the biking idea if that's possible) then I think that says a lot.

75% more. Duh. Yes.

I’m interviewing for a role where I’d make 40% more and would have to commute much more (3 days a week).

I'd do it for a commute that short and 75% more money. That's life changing.

Anonymous wrote:I’d do it for 4 miles and double the salary

4 mi is nothing!! Can you figure out how to run / jog to work? Double the salary and same job satisfaction?

Hmm this is a tough one. 50% more I would say no. 100% more and I would say yes.

If I didn’t really “need” the money, I would stay at my Wfh job but only if it’s guaranteed that your position would stay remote.

Take your offer to your current employer to get a nice raise.

I'd need 15-20% more to consider it, 75% more would have me leaping into my car in the mornings.

What's your age? Any kids at home? If so how old are they?

I love WFH, but I would give it up for a 75% raise. I'd outsource housework more.

I’d do it for 4 miles and double the salary

I have the opportunity to leave my WFH job and have a 25-minute commute (4 miles, but crazy traffic) and be in the office 4 days a week. I really detest the idea of commuting plus it involves an extra 20 minutes for hair/makeup/wardrobe. I also really enjoy being able to do laundry and minor housework in between meetings.

The new job would pay 75% more than my current job, almost doubling my salary.

I know it would be a HUGE raise, allowing me to retire several years earlier, but I am not in need of more money and I don't know if it's worth it to give up the luxury of WFH.

For the sake of discussion, assume both jobs are equal in terms of job satisfaction, what I do, etc.