Question: Wage ($) / KM driven

[SilentJay]

Would you drive about 55-60km *each way* through the nightmarish mess that is the 401 + 404 during rush hour, for anything less than a $15k bump? $20k? This is of course discounting the industry in which you work in, assuming you currently had a job. Just speaking exclusively in terms of generic practicality.


The bump would also have to take into account dumping the 3 and getting an automatic econobox, the additional gas spent / periodic 407 usage, etc.


I know Mr. Pogi does something similar (Mississauga to Markham), so hopefully he can chime in :)

[Unoriginalusername]

I do Milton to Markham, 407

[Fuyuzora]

There are too many factors for me to say definitively, and I'm not from Toronto so my ability to comment is further limited but... I think it's important to remember the difference between:

"driving to work"

and

"working to drive"

:.02

[KenYork]

Also other factors, can you move closer to work? Do you have a mortgage? Do you have to deal with kids and school?

The new pay rate may set a new pay standard for your services.

If you're still living at home with parents and not taking care of them, I think you're nuts to seriously ask this question. Many of us have more responsibilities away from work. IMO.

[SilentJay]

Also other factors, can you move closer to work? Do you have a mortgage? Do you have to deal with kids and school? If you're still living at home with parents and not taking care of them, I think you're nuts to seriously ask this question. Many of us have more responsibilities away from work. IMO.

All theoretical, but in my situation, can't move closer to work, don't currently have a mortgage but it's in the works, and I don't have to deal with kids yet. Not sure what you're driving at with the last statement though...

[p-o-g-i]

Anything less than $15k-> no.
Anything over $20k-> yes.
Between $15k-$20k more-> factor in how it will affect your daily routine and life style. does the extra drive cause you stress? is the stress worth the extra money. will this extra drive open more doors for your career?

[hit26k]

would it really make a big difference to ditch the 3? A $15-$20k salary increase is worth it especially if you are in the process of obtaining a mortgage (to me at least).

if this is in fact for an advancement towards your career than i say its worth it. if its not, then definitely not.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

okay so a $15k bump... but easily 2 extra hrs a day in the car.. + stress + addedd wear/tear and maintenance on the car.

5 days X 2hrs X 52 weeks = 520 extra hrs in the car

5 days X 8hrs X 52 weeks = 2080 actual hrs worked. (not accounting for vac, lunch etc)

So the $15,000 spread over the total hrs taken out of your life to take the new job equates to around $5.77 an hr... but you lose an extra 520 hrs of your life a year.

I would say unless the new job has huge future potential.. don't take it..

[SilentJay]

okay so a $15k bump... but easily 2 extra hrs a day in the car.. + stress + addedd wear/tear and maintenance on the car.

5 days X 2hrs X 52 weeks = 520 extra hrs in the car
5 days X 8hrs X 52 weeks = 2080 actual hrs worked. (not accounting for vac, lunch etc)

So the $15,000 spread over the total hrs taken out of your life to take the new job equates to around $5.77 an hr... but you lose an extra 520 hrs of your life a year. I would say unless the new job has huge future potential.. don't take it..

Hmm... That's true...

[thekid]

Jeff's last sentence is the key here. It could be worthwhile for a lot less than $15k a year. Really it's about the future potential or opportunities that a position can open up. If you simply move around to different jobs just because there is more money on the table, it can likely lead to unhappiness.

There are so many factors that's hard for others to weight in, other than to list other factors for you to consider. Like kids, ownership of property, costs to operate car, etc.

I used to travel every week, and did that for several years when I was younger. That worked out perfectly for me, because while I was on the road, my expenses were 100% covered, I wasn't home to spend my salary (other than fixed costs), and I built up huge amounts of Aeroplan Miles and Hotel Loyalty points. When I reached a point in my life where this lifestyle didn't work for me (I got married and had my first kid), I stopped travelling. I haven't travelled for work now in 2 years, but I'm going to be flying to Hawaii First Class in May on Air Miles I still have from my past life, this is the second time I've done this, I still have 200,000 miles left, and I'm not paying for any of the Hotels while we're there either since I'm using points.

Obviously, this opportunity isn't available for every career/profession or personal situation, but I guess what I'm trying to get at, make a decision based on opportunities today and how it suits your lifestyle today. It has to be financially viable, but that's only one factor. Believe me your energy levels aren't likely to increase as you get older, so if you want to try something that's going to be a bit more taxing on you from a commute perspective, probably better to try that out now then a few years down the road when you're older and maybe also have kids in the picture.

I've also switched up my jobs because of the travel before because I was spending 3.5hrs a day round trip commuting, and even though I liked the job in principal, it made me very jaded towards the job, so I started looking found something that was only 45mins each way and for some that's alot, but to me that's completely reasonable.

That's my $0.02.

[Pokey]

It also depends on what you're making now. If you're in the 30-40k range, a 15k jump is huge. If on the other hand you're making 80-90 it's a much smaller percentage and may not be worth you while....

[SilentJay]

factor in how it will affect your daily routine and life style. does the extra drive cause you stress? is the stress worth the extra money. will this extra drive open more doors for your career?

Hmm... The move would be up in the grander scheme of things, but not a huge jump. The potential to move up in the org-chart is a thousand times better than what is currently in hand though.


would it really make a big difference to ditch the 3? A $15-$20k salary increase is worth it especially if you are in the process of obtaining a mortgage (to me at least). if this is in fact for an advancement towards your career than i say its worth it. if its not, then definitely not.

The reason for ditching the 3 wouldn't be to save money, but rather, save sanity and maybe some gas dollars. If I were to do that daily commute, theres no way in hell i'd be driving stick :P

[SilentJay]

It also depends on what you're making now. If you're in the 30-40k range, a 15k jump is huge. If on the other hand you're making 80-90 it's a much smaller percentage and may not be worth you while....

Tis true. If I were in the 80-90 range, i'd be a lot happier in my current camp :chuckle

[p-o-g-i]

I agree with Jeff... to a certain extent.
The reason why I say that is because there is various ways to view this. Do you plan to sit in that traffic everyday? I ask as I never sit in traffic. So Jason, as you know, I took that job out in Richmond Hill. From my front door in Mississauga to the office, it takes me 45 mins. (give or take 5 minutes). The route I take (generally) is Hurontario/ Eglington-> north to the 407-> east on the 407 to Leslie-> north on Leslie to Major Mac. Now I say generally as sometimes i won't go straight home. If I think there would be traffic, I'll go run any errands first to wait out the traffic. Sometimes I'll leave the office early (not sure if your work would permit that) to beat any traffic. Sometimes I'll go to the gym first before going home. I may go meet up with some friends for drinks/ dinner first. etc. etc. etc.

All I know is that after a week of doing the drive, it's not a big deal to me anymore. Plus, it gives me time to complete a bunch of books on CD :)

Do you need to do this trek every day Monday through Friday? That's also key as I only go into the office 3-4 days per week.




(sorry if my writing is all over the place but I'm sick at home so I'm a little fatigued)

[hit26k]

The reason for ditching the 3 wouldn't be to save money, but rather, save sanity and maybe some gas dollars. If I were to do that daily commute, theres no way in hell i'd be driving stick :P

automatic ftw! lol

[p-o-g-i]

It also depends on what you're making now. If you're in the 30-40k range, a 15k jump is huge. If on the other hand you're making 80-90 it's a much smaller percentage and may not be worth you while....

+1
a $15k increase from $30k-$40k is huge... once you get to the $100k range, $15k would still help... but it's not lifestyle changing.

[SilentJay]

The trek is 5-days a week, but that's a good point/idea with the gym while waiting out traffic at night. Don't get me wrong, the distance isn't foreign to me, as I drive to and from Markham all the time - just not usually in rush hour traffic.

Hmm... Audiobooks eh? I wonder if they have a Citrix/VMware cert on CD? :chuckle

[p-o-g-i]

The trek is 5-days a week, but that's a good point/idea with the gym while waiting out traffic at night. Don't get me wrong, the distance isn't foreign to me, as I drive to and from Markham all the time - just not usually in rush hour traffic.

Hmm... Audiobooks eh? I wonder if they have a Citrix/VMware cert on CD? :chuckle

hahaha.... I wish!!!!!!!!!!! I have to update my Citrix Cert... just started my VMware cert last week... been putting off the Microsoft cert... don't even want to think about others... :chuckle

[DumpInfo]

Considering all the factors mentioned above I'm still for it. With barely any financial responsibilities you can easily do this without having to worry much about the commute. Work hard while your young...

[SilentJay]

hahaha.... I wish!!!!!!!!!!! I have to update my Citrix Cert... just started my VMware cert last week... been putting off the Microsoft cert... don't even want to think about others... :chuckle

Any study mats you wanna slide my way? I totally need to do all of the above!

[SilentJay]

Considering all the factors mentioned above I'm still for it. With barely any financial responsibilities you can easily do this without having to worry much about the commute. Work hard while your young...

Despite appearances, I do have significant financial responsibilities too :P

[mazdilla]

86k per annum for:

200 days a year (8:30 to 4:30, actual work time is 9:00 to 3:20)

2 weeks off at Xmas
1 week off in March
5 statutory holidays
2 months off in summer

150km round trip at 100 min/day total (5 stop signs/5 traffic lights/very light traffic/occassional deer one way)

I teach in a small city/live in the country. I'm seven years from retirement and my house will be paid off too.

You could not pay me enough to move to and teach anywhere in/near/around the GTA. ($250K might move me)

... and I'd keep my 3. It is not the gas guzzler some of you guys make it out to be. I would, however, use public transit as I completely despise the traffic in the GTA. I do not know how you guys do it.

[Soyabean]

factor in job security. How sure are you that they will continually need you? Are there any chances of downsizing?

[Iceman_F1]

Chiming in as I currently do a drive that could be similar to this and the wage range in question.

Drive each day 40-55km (depending on route) each way for work. Morning route is QEW (Burloak entrance) -> 403 (Eastgate exit) with final destination around 401 & Dixie. In the morning, it's 30 min. Not a lot but this is around 6am so the roads aren't too bad yet. I get to work earlier than I should which lets me leave a bit earlier too. Leave a bit before 4 and usually take the 407 but sometimes do the same route home. 407 = less traffic but costs $$, 403/QEW home is VERY annoying and busy most days. This route wasn't so bad at first but now it's getting to be too much unless there was a massive pay increase (like the $15K you are talking about). With that extra, it wouldn't be as bad to me. It would allow for better savings and getting out of debt. Without it, with the gas prices hovering where they are as well as all the other factors, it's slowly not worth it anymore and might need to change things up. Then again, for the fact that it could help your career with the new one, I'd say go for it.

[She_Prime]

This is my current life. In 2010 I made 70k, but because of a 77 km commute (one way door to door) I have a two year old car that has the kilometres on it comparable to a 4-5 year old car.

But yay for a full time job in the profession that's constantly downsizing its Registered staff to cut corners and costs! :P

[SilentJay]

Fairly certain they can't axe this job, then again, i'm guaranteed a job here :P

[ovie8]

Hmm... The move would be up in the grander scheme of things, but not a huge jump. The potential to move up in the org-chart is a thousand times better than what is currently in hand though.

For this reason alone you should take it. You have minimal responsbilities right now. So now is the time to climb the ranks. If you are contemplating factors like this now...when you have kids it's gonna be out of the question.

Sure the drive is longer and is taking alot from your free time. But you gotta do the work to reek the rewards, nothing comes easy.

[DumpInfo]

For this reason alone you should take it. You have minimal responsbilities right now. So now is the time to climb the ranks. If you are contemplating factors like this now...when you have kids it's gonna be out of the question.

Sure the drive is longer and is taking alot from your free time. But you gotta do the work to reek the rewards, nothing comes easy.

SilentJ, ovie8 knows what's going on :P

[hit26k]

Sure the drive is longer and is taking alot from your free time. But you gotta do the work to reek the rewards, nothing comes easy.

+1.

[bman13]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU9TouRnO84&ob=av2el

Put this on repeat in the car with that kind of commute...you gotta do what you gotta do :)

[DumpInfo]

Put this on repeat in the car with that kind of commute...you gotta do what you gotta do :)

:chuckle

[laksman91]

Why not make this as an excuse to move to Markham

[SilentJay]

Why not make this as an excuse to move to Markham
Naah... Too much good food, readily accessible. I'm already portly, that ain't gonna help me :chuckle