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Real life problems

TreeLife

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I'l start off with some background about myself before I go into said "real life problems".

Graduated high school with a 3.5 gpa, went on to a well known technical school where I also graduated with a 3.8 gpa and perfect attendance. I was accepted to a graduate program in Chicago based on my gpa and went on to complete the program on time with a high gpa, accomplishing this by age 19. When I finished schooling in a field I thought would have a wealth of jobs, I was laid off by general motors as part of the recession layoffs and had trouble getting another job.

I entered the tree industry when I came home as I had no money to travel where a good automotive job would be and I figured my skills would be marketable to tree company's and logging outfits.

Fast forward 11 years. I am thirty, have been doing residential work, logging, land clearing and head technician for 3 different companies. I have just had my first child, and with the added expense of her I'm starting to feel a tightening around my neck financially.

I currently work for a Logging outfit where I have primarily been a faller and mechanic when needed. I make seventeen dollars an hour with an added bonus of ten dollars per thousand board feet harvested. I never speak well of myself, but I've become very good at falling which means the potential for good money is there...unfortunately there is not much consistency. I can send between 6 and 10k board to the landing in a day depending how the job must be done. But when the wet season arrives and we don't work or we do land clearing or residential work I make jack.

A previous employer has made me an offer to return to work for him, he only does land clearing and residential removals. He offered me twenty three dollars an hour and 40 plus hours a week from March to December.

Do I leave logging which has the possibility for more money? Go with the better paying hourly job?
 

Dub11

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I'l start off with some background about myself before I go into said "real life problems".

Graduated high school with a 3.5 gpa, went on to a well known technical school where I also graduated with a 3.8 gpa and perfect attendance. I was accepted to a graduate program in Chicago based on my gpa and went on to complete the program on time with a high gpa, accomplishing this by age 19. When I finished schooling in a field I thought would have a wealth of jobs, I was laid off by general motors as part of the recession layoffs and had trouble getting another job.

I entered the tree industry when I came home as I had no money to travel where a good automotive job would be and I figured my skills would be marketable to tree company's and logging outfits.

Fast forward 11 years. I am thirty, have been doing residential work, logging, land clearing and head technician for 3 different companies. I have just had my first child, and with the added expense of her I'm starting to feel a tightening around my neck financially.

I currently work for a Logging outfit where I have primarily been a faller and mechanic when needed. I make seventeen dollars an hour with an added bonus of ten dollars per thousand board feet harvested. I never speak well of myself, but I've become very good at falling which means the potential for good money is there...unfortunately there is not much consistency. I can send between 6 and 10k board to the landing in a day depending how the job must be done. But when the wet season arrives and we don't work or we do land clearing or residential work I make jack.

A previous employer has made me an offer to return to work for him, he only does land clearing and residential removals. He offered me twenty three dollars an hour and 40 plus hours a week from March to December.

Do I leave logging which has the possibility for more money? Go with the better paying hourly job?

Gotta go with the money my man. Kids will only cost more and more.
 

Matt Ellerbee

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Not to hijack.... but here it goes.
Was with a beer distribution company, 10 years. Driving truck making damn good money. ~$23/hr. But was miserable. Met wife moved 30+ miles away. Quit and started hauling equipment for United rentals... ugh. Whole ‘nother story there. $22/hr. But never knew when home. Had baby. Quit. Kept hauling equipment but for a much smaller company. Only took job to get out of United. Almost the day to a year there the county I live in called me back about an application. Finally! But it was a $10/hr cut right from go. Sucked. Talked it over with wife, she was supportive. I jumped. Couldn’t be happier. Been there less than 2 years and have moved up twice, am now a crew leader over 8 parks and 4 guys.

I don’t know how it relates to your situation, but just felt like I needed to share.
 

Dustin4185

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I'l start off with some background about myself before I go into said "real life problems".

Graduated high school with a 3.5 gpa, went on to a well known technical school where I also graduated with a 3.8 gpa and perfect attendance. I was accepted to a graduate program in Chicago based on my gpa and went on to complete the program on time with a high gpa, accomplishing this by age 19. When I finished schooling in a field I thought would have a wealth of jobs, I was laid off by general motors as part of the recession layoffs and had trouble getting another job.

I entered the tree industry when I came home as I had no money to travel where a good automotive job would be and I figured my skills would be marketable to tree company's and logging outfits.

Fast forward 11 years. I am thirty, have been doing residential work, logging, land clearing and head technician for 3 different companies. I have just had my first child, and with the added expense of her I'm starting to feel a tightening around my neck financially.

I currently work for a Logging outfit where I have primarily been a faller and mechanic when needed. I make seventeen dollars an hour with an added bonus of ten dollars per thousand board feet harvested. I never speak well of myself, but I've become very good at falling which means the potential for good money is there...unfortunately there is not much consistency. I can send between 6 and 10k board to the landing in a day depending how the job must be done. But when the wet season arrives and we don't work or we do land clearing or residential work I make jack.

A previous employer has made me an offer to return to work for him, he only does land clearing and residential removals. He offered me twenty three dollars an hour and 40 plus hours a week from March to December.

Do I leave logging which has the possibility for more money? Go with the better paying hourly job?
You also need to think about the risk of each job. Running equipment isn’t as dangerous as falling trees in my opinion. Especially if you are wearing your seatbelt, etc. You also need to compare what you made last year vs. what the potential with the move will be.

Ultimately, what makes you and the family happy? I used to work 60 hours a week - 40 for the state and at least 20 moonlighting. I realized it wasn’t worth the extra money. I was always too tired to play with the kids, to stressed and aggravated to deal with much at all. My wife stayed at home with the kids and she needed me to pick up the slack in the evenings when she was over it.

Wish you the best in your decision.
 

Lightning Performance

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If I was not a climber for myself there is no way I would do it. After you have your own thing when your young it is easy to just move on, again. Other stuff dried up in 08.

Nelsons seems like a good company. They spent the day out front of my place clubbing the neighbors adams family hedge. They have nice equipment. No clue about pay. Inquire with them.
 

Big1066ih

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I'm your age and would go with the money not the possibility of. Been playing that game for too long (haven't learned though). Last year I made $10k less than the year before and decided that if I'm gonna lose that kind of money it'll be of my own doing not somebody else's being lazy. Trees or dirts all the same, feast or famine. Not sure going on my own was the right choice or not but time will tell... Sorry if this isn't helpful
 

TreeLife

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I vote the one that is more stable. Higher potential is great and all, but it might never pan out.
That's kind of where I'm at bud. Just want what's best for my family, and the stability of the other job is more and more tempting by the day. I like hearing others point of view though, good to get others thoughts.
 

Wolverine

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I spent 26 years in printing, over 22 as a pressman. Very good wage potential. After the industry tanked, I got shuffled to night shift. Really left me sour. Year later I went to a mom and pop shop for 6 more. I was totally burnt out after that. At which point my wife took over as bread winner with a nursing degree. So I got the opportunity to find something I enjoy. Really changes oneself to love what you do. Only problem is the money sucks. So... I’d much rather be broke and happy than rich and miserable. Really important to consider which path makes you happy.
 

TreeLife

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I spent 26 years in printing, over 22 as a pressman. Very good wage potential. After the industry tanked, I got shuffled to night shift. Really left me sour. Year later I went to a mom and pop shop for 6 more. I was totally burnt out after that. At which point my wife took over as bread winner with a nursing degree. So I got the opportunity to find something I enjoy. Really changes oneself to love what you do. Only problem is the money sucks. So... I’d much rather be broke and happy than rich and miserable. Really important to consider which path makes you happy.
If I didn't have my daughter, making less money wouldn't even be a thing. Her formula for a couple weeks costs as much as feeding my girlfriend and I. She just didn't produce enough milk or she would have breastfed.
 

mdavlee

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A bird in the hand is better than 5 in the bush. I work in an industry where 5-10 layoffs a year isn't uncommon. Got to pick what's available at the time and hope it's the best choice. A longer job with less pay is better than a short one with higher hourly that won't keep a steady check coming in. I average 300 days working.

Formula isn't cheap and the 2nd kid was drinking a quart a day plus breast milk so I feel your pain.
 

angelo c

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Every "job" decision I ever made based on money alone was a bad one. I hated everything I ever did for "hourly wages".
Took a shot at my own show and almost lost everything. Took a few more shots and eh...took another shot and did well. Never use your family situation as a limitation. Have no fear and follow your heart not your wallet.
Never do anything for money alone. Do what you love and figure out a way to make a living through it.

Move down here. $300 a day is starting pay for a half decent climber. Heck if ya want I'm always looking for good business ventures.
 
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