Please help with life altering decision

[VaporDaddy]

Hi, I am hoping some of you can help me make a huge life altering decision. First I will tell you a little about my situation. I am 30 yrs old, married with 2 kids ages 1 and 3. I have been working in a factory for about 10 years now doing a job that I hate but I have stayed there because of the great pay, benefits and time off. Before I took this job I was a Chef. I enjoyed the work but not the hours and the pay was terrible.
Well now the company I am working for is downsizing and offering very substantial buyouts(more than a years salary). I think this is my opportunity to get out of this job that I despise so much, however I don't want to go back into cooking for fear of never seeing my kids.
I think the solution is to start a whole new career, but I am stuck as to what to do. I am an artist at heart and I would love to learn a new skill/craft but what will pay the bills? If you have any suggestions or advice I would love to hear it.
Thank you

VaporDaddy Reviewed by VaporDaddy on 03-07-2007. Please help with life altering decision Hi, I am hoping some of you can help me make a huge life altering decision. First I will tell you a little about my situation. I am 30 yrs old, married with 2 kids ages 1 and 3. I have been working in a factory for about 10 years now doing a job that I hate but I have stayed there because of the great pay, benefits and time off. Before I took this job I was a Chef. I enjoyed the work but not the hours and the pay was terrible. Well now the company I am working for is downsizing and offering Rating: 5

[ncnavguy]

Of course it all depends on the job market where you live, but from personal experience when a company is downsizing, if you don't take the buy-out then a few monthes down the road they'll just fire you and give you nothing. I would take the money and run 1 yrs salary up front should give you the security to make sure your family is okay for a while, you can even invest a portion of it to bring back interest while you seek new employment. As far as finding what you want, can you go to school in your area?
Good Luck man,

[Zimzum]

I would say take it and look for a new job. You should be able to find something to suit you before your payment runs dry. If you get something in a week, then your buyout is just a nice fat bonus.

[stinkyattic]

Sup VaporDaddy...
I hae a suggestion... sort of depends upon the demographic of your home turf, if it is affluent enough to support this...
PERSONAL CHEF!
Not catering, for which you need a catering license and a location separate from your home kitchen.
Personal chefs go to peoples' homes and use ingredients that the client provides, in THEIR space, to get around pesky board of health regulations.
I have gone to a couple parties catered by personal chefs, and it was wonderful, like going to the filming of a TV cooking show!
With the buyout, you could get enough time to get set up and get together with an agent (hahaha seriously, they have agents who do the advertising!).
I know how shitty it is to be a restaurant chef and not get home until 2am, 6 or even 7 days a week.
Just something to think about. It would give you a fabulous outlet for your creativity.

[VaporDaddy]

Of course it all depends on the job market where you live, but from personal experience when a company is downsizing, if you don't take the buy-out then a few monthes down the road they'll just fire you and give you nothing. I would take the money and run 1 yrs salary up front should give you the security to make sure your family is okay for a while, you can even invest a portion of it to bring back interest while you seek new employment. As far as finding what you want, can you go to school in your area?
Good Luck man,

Thank you so much. Yes I am 99% sure I am going to take the money and yes I can get re-educated but I can't decide for what. I see this as a huge opportunity to have a rewarding and fullfilling career. I want to be excited about getting to work every day, and be financially secure but I am having trouble finding the right vocation.

[The Figment]

I can't suggest any one thing (art or craft) that would pay the bills as well as a good paying factory job with bennies,but take the buyout.as ncnavguy says the chances are that layoffs will follow down the road.
As far as future employment goes,my dad one time told me...

"You have to work,there is no way around it.You have two choices in life,1 go get a job that pays the bills and allows you to stash some,tho you will most likely hate it or 2 find out what it is that you LOVE doining ,learn that so well that you become better than anyone at it,this way its not work,its play! and if you get better than anyone else at whatever you do the money will follow"

Sage advice!

[VaporDaddy]

Sup VaporDaddy...
I hae a suggestion... sort of depends upon the demographic of your home turf, if it is affluent enough to support this...
PERSONAL CHEF!
Not catering, for which you need a catering license and a location separate from your home kitchen.
Personal chefs go to peoples' homes and use ingredients that the client provides, in THEIR space, to get around pesky board of health regulations.
I have gone to a couple parties catered by personal chefs, and it was wonderful, like going to the filming of a TV cooking show!
With the buyout, you could get enough time to get set up and get together with an agent (hahaha seriously, they have agents who do the advertising!).
I know how shitty it is to be a restaurant chef and not get home until 2am, 6 or even 7 days a week.
Just something to think about. It would give you a fabulous outlet for your creativity.

OMG stinky, I have researched this extensively, even ordered info from personal chef associations and designed logos and menus.What do you think of the name Affordable Feasts? It is definitely an option. I love the idea of having my own business too. Thank you so much!

[stinkyattic]

OMG stinky, I have researched this extensively, even ordered info from personal chef associations and designed logos and menus.What do you think of the name Affordable Feasts? It is definitely an option. I love the idea of having my own business too. Thank you so much!

WORD
Not a bad name!
And now you have the bonus as a cushion to get you off the ground.
My father is, at age 53, currently in a similar situation where his company is being sold, or, if the sale falls through, shut down... he's got a year cushion coming to him... he's an engineer... and I suspect that for part of that year he's going to go work with a dear old friend of his from his college days who is a kinetic artist... what could have been a shitty bit of luck is turning into an opportunity to express a long-dormant creative side.

[slipknotpsycho]

if starting your own buisness doen't work out... be a mechanic... there's always a need for mechanics and they make great fucking money...

[Villui]

maybe open up ur own resturant ?