Needles & Grooves

but the difference is hard to explain. Where I left for was basically the same thing, just higher pay and a lead role (I'm technically an "assistant teacher" now). This new place operates half days and is a teaching philosophy that I am interested in. Where I am, we don't really focus so much on the professionalism they do, and on allowing the children to more take the lead in what they want to learn.

You should be able to put a $ amount to the benefits (disregarding ones you absolutely don't use) and see how much ground is really left between the two. Also can you gameplan your future down both paths. Finally, the value you put on where you see the most satisfaction. Keeping in mindz you know the +/- of where you now are. You may be blind to some of the unknown cons of new place.

Negotiate for more money at the lead job

@Heaven or Las Diaper Baby i do feel like I’ve done the math right, looking into healthcare.gov but those are just estimates. Seems like it still would work to my benefit to leave and I wouldn’t be struggling.

@THEEDADROCK.BLOG would love to be able to, but it’s a locked amount because my boss can’t make those decisions because she answers the the much higher ups at the university. I’m in a university system though barely affiliated with it.

Get some quotes on health insurance. The exchange is good for lower income plans, but depending what you make the subsidies might not really matter enough on those. Particularly if you’re younger and healthy, a HDHP plan isn’t particularly expensive plus you get access to an HSA which is a good vehicle.

Just from reading your posts it sounds and feels to me like the new place is the way to go. Loss of benefits is tough but fulfillment is an unspoken and often unthought of benefit... [cont]

...If you're more interested in the philosophy and style of the new place versus feeling stuck where you are, I feel like the new place will be better for you in the long run. But then, I've spent most of my life working for less money and/or no benefits in places where I'll be happier.

@avecigrec yeah it does seem like I’m really leaning to leave. It’s hard to commit but I think ultimately that’s…probably the right move? I am bad at making big decisions, obviously

I suppose the other factor to consider is if you have any dependents. If you’re single with no children, you could certainly get your own insurance (and reinvest some of your extra income in something equivalent to a 401k, but you’d miss out on a match). However if you have dependents, then that might change things.

@Sonicpharmacist no dependents here right now, just a long term girlfriend who has a job where I currently work and makes more money than me anyway

Then yeah, I’ll echo what others have said that there isn’t a price on personal fulfillment, which would be the biggest benefit from the new position that your current job isn’t doing for you.

@Bennnnn I'm going to offer a perspective from my own life recently. From 2007 until Decmeber 2021, I worked at the same job. Over the years there I became frustrated because I couldn't move up anymore, but I kept taking on more responsibility. Each time I was determined to leave for another job, they would throw a bit more money at me and I would end up staying...

...But soon I would start feeling the same way - wishing I had left. Finally, in December last year, I made the grueling decision to leave. I gave up high seniority, lots of vacation time, and took a pay cut when I left. The gig I took was all new to me, but it had endless potential to move up and move around and to make good money in the near future...

...Now 9 months in, I have zero regrets in leaving the previous gig of 14 years. There will be pros and cons with either choice, but, ultimately, your own personal fulfillment should be your #1 focus. If you find the fulfillment you're looking for in the new position, then I'm sure you'll be able to find some benefits quotes elsewhere...

...My biggest regret is that I didn't jump ship from my old gig earlier on, but it's never too late Ultimately, determine what's best for you and do it

@musicjunkiegreg that definitely, and everyone else’s comments here, does put it more in perspective for me. I tried to leave before and it didn’t work out, but I think the potential here is much better. It’s like a bigger step up and it feels like the right we to advance instead of stay

Ok, I have officially let my current job know that that is my decision. I start in one week at the other place. The upside is for now I'll still be going to my current job for a few hours in the afternoon to supplement my income. I am leaving, but I'm also staying. So it works out alright.

Congrats, @Bennnnn! Good luck at the new job.

Nice job, sounds to me like you’ve made the right choice! Congrats!