Should we keep our day job to pay bills and be comfortable, etc. or work in dream job for a lot less pay?
348182
It depends on your responsibilities.  If you are single and not supporting anyone then you have a freedom to take the risks of a dream job with a lot less pay.  However with this freedom, you also have the added responsibility of living with in your means.  \nIf you are supporting a child, or your parents in old age, then the ablility to pay the bills is likely to be more important than the excitement of having your dream job.\nIf you are married, then the answer is somewhere in between.  You spouse should be supportive and want you to be happy, but you should also both be contributing financially to your partnership.  \nIt really is a question only you can answer for yourself given your values and your situation.  Also keep in mind that you can try one or the other and if it does work out, try the other.  Changing careers is very common these days.
754064
Go for it. Don't worry about what you have to expect. You'll like the work. Especially when you decide you're good enough to go out on your own. That's when the big bucks come rolling in. Jobs are jobs. You might like it for a while because it's new. Then you work because you need the money. You'll like it because you're good at it. \nI do something similar to plumbing and make house calls. The not being stuck in an office is nice. I for one can't do that. I like the freedom to pick and choose when and where I work. You can come and go as you please. If you need a break you can just drive off to get parts. I don't do that often but the option is there. It's a good profession. All I say is do a good job. You'd be surprised how many don't.\n.
958664
Any salary that gets you through the day without worrying about food or other nessesities is enough. You should learn to enjoy life without breaking it rich.
757824
Pay is only a part of it.  Both fields will offer a good living.  The real question is:  What do you like doing that will make you happy in the 40+ hours a week you will be working the rest of your life?\n\nSue
268833
Reality for me would be to work the steady job and save the money and pay the bills to show you are responsible. Chase your dream as you can and when you can, but DO NOT FORGET about them. Having that special someone in your life is very imporant to you, it seems. There are times when Reality have to get in the way of Dreams.
1047198
Your better off putting your mind into your future and work hard at it..When you get your dream job, save like crazy , get ya own place and live your own life..Just remember to eat..
1133882
I have worked for both - I like small companies best - the smaller companies I have worked for have offered the same pay or better with much better benefits and more flexibility.\n\nI would love to own my own company some day, but I worry that it might fail!
479484
ain't that what we're all lookin for - something for nothin. So u no I'm like working a 6 day week cos workin 5 days a week is only enough to cover the bills.  Try getting a 2nd job rather than hoodwinkin some old daddie to give ya somethin for nothin.
508533
I would work part-time.  If you can do without the money, try to work part-time instead of full time until the kids are at least in full-time school.  Most people work because they need the money.  If you have a choice then follow your heart.  You should realize that if you depend on someone else (your husband or wife) to support you, if they leave you your earning ability will be less than if you had kept working.  It's a price you pay.
475116
I've done the same and was glad I did. Your  work life is a huge chunk of your week. Better to be in something you love than in something you would not be as happy with. Money is only money. Happiness can't be bought.
519793
I am a medical transcriptionist...I work at home, as much or as little as I need to.  I make realistic money...not millions but way more than working in an office or other normal middle class job.  There really isn't a ceiling to what I can make...only my desire (or lack of) and ability to do the work.  It isn't a get rich quick thing in any way...but if you are looking to honestly work from home and make your own hours it is a good one.  I did an at-home course and am an Independant Contractor not an employee.  This is an area that I doubt will disappear anytime soon...sick people, old people, and doctors who eat while they dictate their notes are job security.
74920
I believe that "day job" is a euphimism for the job that you hold that brings home the majority of your money. So, in this case, if your night job was your main job, then you would still use the same expression.
987169
I freelance, these are the pros:\n\n1. You don't work 9-5 Mon-Fri\n\n2. You're not bound by a contract of employment\n\n3. The money is pretty good\n\n4. You can sometimes knock off early (well, I can in my job)\n\n5. You're not stuck in an environment with the same people all  the time\n\n6. You can meet new people (I do)\n\nCons:\n\n1. When the work dries up it's depressing\n\n2. If the work dries up, you're money dries up (combined with 1. above, this is doubly depressing)\n\n3. Sometimes it seems it would be easier to be in a permanent job that has more security and stability\n\n4. When the work and money dries up you're stuck at home on Yahoo Answers (can be considered to be a 'con' given the more constructive things one could do!)
1027419
The only way that I would consider switching jobs for the same pay would be if there were other perks involved? Are the benefits better?Are the hours better? Is it closer to home? If you're just leaving one gig for the same gig then you have to be leaving to better your situation somehow otherwise, it's point less. May as well just stay where you are. Plus, you have more experience than you did when you started so where ever you go next, you should demand more $ because of what you will be bringing to the company.
931951
Not for me.  Yes--money is important.  I definitely would NOT work a "normal" 8-5 job if I didn't need the money.  I would find something I love to do and work the hours that work for me.\n\nHowever, I have taken a cut in pay twice in my life because sometimes money isn't the most important thing. I am at work longer then I am at home sometimes and I see those people more then I see my own family.  If there is major conflict that can't be resolved..I'd rather be somewhere else.  Or in my case, I knew I wanted to get into a different field and I knew I'd have to start at the bottom so i took the demotion.  In my opinion, having a  good boss that i can get a long with, and doing a job I enjoy is more important then money sometimes.
346883
As long as your income can stay with you, it should be good.  Sounds like you work your a** off with 5 jobs.  In the end, the whole story sounds like bulls**t.
603267
Depends, are you going to work more than an hour of overtime a week? If so, you'll get more money if you go with the hourly, otherwise, working 40 hour weeks, 75K/yr will gross you about 2K more.\n\nA yearly salary is wonderful, especially for budgeting purposes. It isn't affected by sick leave or vacation time, and you aren't going to lose out on money just because you aren't there.\nHourly feels better when the job is involves long nights or extra weekends (something you may have to do anyway if you are on salary); but adds variance to your paycheck. \n\nPersonally, because I don't get sick often, I like my work, and I like the idea of putting in an extra hour when I need to so I can make an extra buck, I'd go with the hourly. But if the whole guaranteed check makes you happy, do it instead.