I have been working at the same childcare center for eight years and we just found out a couple weeks ago we would be closing down. Our last day was supposed to be today, but they ended up closing it Tuesday. I have had several interviews and things are looking good, but I was just wondering if I could get your opinions on something. OK. Here is the scenario. I have narrowed it down to two jobs. There were a couple other possibilities but I just couldn't work at those places for one reason or another. Where I was working I was making $10 per hour. It was about 5 minutes from my house. One of the job offers is at a center about 15 minutes from my home. It pays $9.30 per hour. The other one is about 45 minutes from my home but it poays $12 per hour. The higher paying job would be doing something I like more (both jobs are childcare but I like the age group I would be with better at the higher paying job), and also I like the people there better. The higher paying job offers better benefits (more paid holidays, 401k, etc.) than the other. The only reason I would pick the one closer is, well because its closer. LOL Do you think the longer drive is worth $2.70 more an hour with the way gas price or are? Also, would you figure in all the other things, like the better bosses, better age group, etc. The lower paying job said I need to let them know something by 6:00. It's 3:30. Ug. Any opinions would be very much appreciated!

It's not in the forseeable future that the price of gas will go down. Plus the wear and tear on your vehicle at an hour and a half driving a day round trip.

I would take the closer to home job and work on advancing there. But that's just me. you have to do what you see as best for you.

I would go for the higher paying one, but first, I would counter. See if you can get anymore money out of them--let them know you're very interested, but due to the commute, you would need to make $x. If they say no, you can still work there. The reason I would go for the higher one is because you seem to like it there better already. Go with your gut.

Would you be open to moving closer to the job that pays more with better benefits? That would be something that I would consider... b/c the benefits are pretty valuable to me...

I would take the higher paying, better benefits, but further to drive job. That's just me though. Benefits are huge and so is liking where you work. Good Luck, I'm happy for you that you have been offered two jobs so quickly :). Let us know how things work out.

despite the cost of living, which will always go up and down, the cost of a job you're not happy with is MUCH higher.

i think you should do what makes you happiest.
what fits you better and feels right in your heart and stomach.

besides, after a few weeks if you end up not liking it, you can always call on the other jobs you turned down and see if they can hire you.

you never really know.

i say trust your 'gut' so to speak.

good luck! :)

Thank you guys. :) I can't really move because we own our home and my husband's job would be too far then, and he is the one really making the money. LOL I think I know what I need to do. I just needed to be sure I was doing the right thing. Wish me luck and thanks again!

either way, keep us updated whatever you decide!

Around here, a 15 minute commute is considered very short. So I would vote for the job that pays more, has the class you want, the coworkers you enjoy, the better benefits, despite the slightly longer commute.

from what you wrote, you should consider the one that has the most benefits like 401K and paid time off....

what kind of insurance ( health) do they have ?
that would be another consideration... and how much of it they will pay for.

a jobs benefits can outweight a few extra dollars.
do you have good relaible transportation? thats another factor to consider because if you have all kinds of problems getting to work, its going to not work out well.

ps... what do they match with the 401K ????????
you shoudl find out because its free money... not now but someday and it will add up with time.

OOps! I posted too quickly and didn't read your OP very well. I thought the longer commute was 15 minutes. Please excuse my incomprehensible answer!

Let us know what you decide, either way.

from what you wrote, you should consider the one that has the most benefits like 401K and paid time off....

what kind of insurance ( health) do they have ?
that would be another consideration... and how much of it they will pay for.

a jobs benefits can outweight a few extra dollars.
do you have good relaible transportation? thats another factor to consider because if you have all kinds of problems getting to work, its going to not work out well.

I have decided to take the higher paying job. I cant remember the exact name of the insurance company but I know that they pay half. I also do have reliable transportation. I went to the orientation and they offer a lot of good stuff like wellness time every month if you aren't late, 1 week paid vacation after 6 months of employment (2 weeks after 2 years, 3 weeks after 5 years), paid holidays, you get paid if the center is closed due to inclement weather, etc. There is also a lot of opportunity for overtime which will be great for some extra money. They also have a lot of opportunities for outside work babysitting for the children that go there which would be extra money. Plus they do some Parent Nights Out where I can volunteer to work for extra money. I also feel that there will be many more opportunities for raises. They don't just do them in time increments, but give raises based on performance in between evaluation times. Anyway, I am taking this next week off to finish some things up and will start on March 10th. Thanks again for all the advice!

I'd go for the higher paying job because you seem to like it better.

I have decided to take the higher paying job.

Yay! Good choice! I bet you're gonna love this job! Congrats!

That sounds like a great job!

Congratulations on coming to a decision. It's just too bad it is not closer.

Good choice. It sounded like you heading in that direction. Let us know how it goes.

Congrats! I would have went for the high paying one with the better Benefits and do what I really wanted to do (better class) too even if it was a longer commuter. If you don't like what you are doing they could pay you a million dollars and it still wouldn't make a difference (well, that's how I would feel anyway - As they say "Do what you Love, the Money will Follow"). In this case they were paying more so you made out better in the end all around! Best of luck