Last Summer I faced a tough choice when deciding upon a departure date. I could plan to leave at the end of 2007, thereby missing the busiest period of the year for my department and company, or I could leave in early 2008, after qualifying to receive a 10% annual bonus.
Ultimately, I realized if I could meet my savings goal by the earlier time frame, it’d be best to hit the road. If I continued to stick around, I felt as though there was an increased risk of something occurring to derail my travel plans. So far, I’ve been very happy with my decision.
My employer’s new CEO believes in the importance of providing quarterly updates on our company’s performance as it relates to the annual bonus. Updates are based on actual results and projections for the remainder of the year. I received the 2nd quarter update last week, and was reminded of how much money I’m passing up by leaving the company before 12/31/07!
I’ve found it somewhat easy to be cavalier about leaving my job, however it’s a lot harder to feel that way when I think about the salary and benefits I’m leaving behind. After all, I’ve been working my way up the food chain for the past 5 years. C’est la vie! (aka “That’s life!”)
When money is taken freedom is forsaken. – Proverb
Money makes a good servant, but a bad master. — Francis Bacon
Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants. — Benjamin Franklin
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Dave is the author of 1526 posts on Go Backpacking.
Dave (Editor-in-Chief) blogged his way around the world from 2007-2009, and then started Travel Blog Success to teach others how to do the same. When not writing, he can be found salsa dancing in Medellin. Follow him on Twitter @rtwdave or look for him on Google+
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Categories: Pre-trip
4 Comments
If staying one extra month brings you a bonus and some extra money to travel longer, I would do this extra month of work! Depends of course of how much extra you will get, and how much you would lose (like changing your plane ticket)…
The thing is I’ve set the wheels in motion to leave by late November already. I did it as a way to fully commit. I’m prepared to pass on the money, as I truly can’t focus too well at work these days anyways. It’ll be best for both sides if I hit the road sooner rather than later! Who am I kidding, it’ll be best for me! :)
If staying one extra month brings you a bonus and some extra money to travel longer, I would do this extra month of work! Depends of course of how much extra you will get, and how much you would lose (like changing your plane ticket)…
The thing is I’ve set the wheels in motion to leave by late November already. I did it as a way to fully commit. I’m prepared to pass on the money, as I truly can’t focus too well at work these days anyways. It’ll be best for both sides if I hit the road sooner rather than later! Who am I kidding, it’ll be best for me! :)