So Depressed . . . Don't Want to Work This Hard

[Rabid]

So . . . some of you know that I have a regular freelance editing project in addition to my job. I finished an shipment of it in mid-February. Didn't expect another for months but unexpectedly got another one only two and a half weeks later. I've been working hard to finish it up and get back to having some free time. Then, this a.m., I find that I'll be getting approx. another 80 pages to edit. This is a time-consuming project, and another 80 pages will take at least 12 hours to complete. It's getting to the point that I'm considering quitting. I like the paycheck but am having trouble keeping up with the schedule. (Full disclosure: I've already tried to quit twice, but I'm so wishy-washy that they always talk me into continuing.)

Oh, well, it's something to whine about, which is always enjoyable!

[Bear]

After many years of working overtime, I am happy to report I only work a 36 hour week now. I feel your pain.

[Rabid]

After many years of working overtime, I am happy to report I only work a 36 hour week now. I feel your pain.

Sounds great. It's hard to work overtime when you have kids at home. In fact, it's difficult at any time. Did you have to change jobs to avoid the overtime?

[pen4sygnets]

I used to work all the time. I would work my regular job doing real estate settlements and title insurance underwriting during the day and in the evenings and on weekends I sold real estate. The money was nice but I never spent any time with my family. In fact, I paid someone to watch my children, clean my house and cook most of our family meals. When we moved to Georgia, I decided to take back my life. Now I stay at home with my kids, am working on my graduate degree online and am enjoying my family. I guess you just need to decide what your priorities are. If you want the money, keep working doing freelance work. If you want your sanity, cut back on expenses and enjoy some much needed free time.
Good Luck!

[Bear]

Sounds great. It's hard to work overtime when you have kids at home. In fact, it's difficult at any time. Did you have to change jobs to avoid the overtime?

No, when DS was diagnosed with severe autism at the age of 2 one of us had to stay home full time. I made 3 times as much as DH so he quit his job as a teacher and became a SAHD. I am not sure I could have done it. Because our spending, mortgage, car payments, etc were based on two incomes, I picked up more hours when available. Well that is only partially true because I have always liked to work and make the additional income. It just became harder after kids. I even picked up several contingent jobs at other hospitals.

DS improves every year. Plus DS16B became old enough so that he could watch his brother for short periods of time. DH started back to work part time. Then the economy hit and all the OT and contingent jobs for me dried up. I am older now so our bills are less. I started couponing and cut our grocery bill in half. Gradually just stopped working extra. Now I can't even imagine going back. I barely want to work my 36 hours a week. I guess that is the downside.

Funny thing is after years of living off my income alone, when DH starting working again it was like bonus money. And we did not spend it. Actually started saving more. Feels nice to have a little buffer, although after remodeling our kitchen, need to buid the buffer back up.

[mamáahorrativa]

at one point or another you are going to have to make a decision. Pray and stay still. you will get your answer. good luck!!!

[Sharkie1995]

Do what you need to do for your sanity. Is money worth your mental and physical health?

[dp38587]

Being, as folks say around here, tight as Dicks hatband......my advice would be to save 100% of the freelance income for maybe 2 months. This will give you a nestegg plus the ability to see how things go without the extra money.