Taking less pay to decrease stress.. (income, live, obtain, customer)

[brava4]

I will be changing my hours at work which means a decrease in pay, going from evening shift to day shift. I am doing this because of a temporary problem with parking where I live that has gotten incredibly stressful.

After making the decision to switch to day shifts I felt a huge relief that I wouldn't have to deal with the problem with parking but I realize in the meantime I am out the extra 15% of pay.

I am hoping the situaltion is temporary, like a few months.

Have you given up money for a lower stress level?

[PureHapa]

Yes, I've done it a couple of times in my life and never regretted it. I learned that things work out and that no job is worth great stress or putting up with a lot of BS. Also, you will be healthier - more and more studies are showing night shift work can negatively affect your health in many ways.

[Escort Rider]

Yes, I retired at age 61! But contrary to my expectations, my income didn't go down; a combination of retirement income plus being asked back to do a few special projects every year equaled or exceeded my pre-retirement income. I have now finally ditched the special projects, so my income will be slightly down, but I will be fine. The lower stress kicked in right away and I love it.

[brava4]

Yeah, I really think this will be a good thing for me and I have to agree with both of you. The new scheduling won't begin for a month but I will be happier looking forward to it.

thanks!!

[Flamingo13]

I gave up my only job because of stress - I'll eventually do some odd and end things but it's been months and no regrets (other than the fact that I don't get to see the folks I liked and enjoyed interacting with). Nothing is worth your health IMO.

[Boompa]

You are not alone. I know people who have passed up promotions to avoid moving or being put in stressful situations. I have often wished I had passed on some. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not

[Pitt Chick]

I have... and it is a decision I never regretted!

[Tekkie]

Yep, basically what everyone else has said here. I'm looking to leave a job right now because the stress is just not worth it. Fortunately, I don't make a boatload of money, so it should be relatively easy to find a less stressful job for the same or even more money. No job is worth stressing over. Notta one!

[SpeedyAZ]

Originally Posted by PureHapa

Yes, I've done it a couple of times in my life and never regretted it. I learned that things work out and that no job is worth great stress or putting up with a lot of BS. Also, you will be healthier - more and more studies are showing night shift work can negatively affect your health in many ways.

I guess I'm in the minority here but I don't think I could quit my job just to reduce my stress level. A job is just that, a job. My current position is fairly stressful with a lot of deadlines to meet, customers to please, and tight budgets to follow; when something goes wrong, I have to take the blame. I guess even though it can be hectic and stressful, I wouldn't want to take a $50k or $60k/ year pay cut just to have a job that doesn't require as much responsibility.

I generally feel stress can be a good thing because it forces many people to not become complacent in their jobs. If you have a job with little stress, you can easily become complacent and when complacency rises, productivity falls.

While I'd like a job with a little less stress and a little less pressure, I simply couldn't justify a $4k/ month decrease in pay...it'd be financially destructive.

[dnvrsoul]

Yes, I quit my job because of the stress. The worst part was since being in FL. I was making a lot less less and working 50% more. I returned to school to obtain a different skill set.
Yes there are times I regret it, but I saved enough money to be out of work for a year and people around me have noticed I'm more relaxed. No job is worth your health.

I received a call yesterday that one of my ex co-workers past away...my first thought was because of the stress of her job..