Hi there, I have been following MMM for about 1.5 years but never posted here. My wife and I have about $40,000 of student loan debt, which we are paying off aggressively. We both make just over $40,000 a year. We will pay off our debt in two years.
I have a 40 minute commute to work and I carpool most days. My wife bikes to work. I work about 60-70 hours a week as a high school Latin teacher.
Our governor has cut taxes so drastically that it is likely that I will face a 20% pay cut next year with no reduction in my amount of work. I love my job but it is very stressful and I don't really have a social life during the school year.
If I were to leave my job, I could likely find some work as a welder in my town and bike to work but I would likely make $12-$14 an hour. I would not be able to get another job in education without moving. The long commute, long hours and high stress make me lean toward leaving my job if I get a pay cut. Nothing is for sure but I always like to plan ahead.
Any ideas on my situation? I love my job and I am unsure if I would be happy working as a welder. Any advice from someone who has moved from a thinking job to a manual job?
ex animo (from the heart)
Lee Dixon