Quitting job at 24. Advice appreciated.

[Mr Nice Guy]

So you are tired of the bar-hopping scene, but want to work in a bar?

[hokies2688]

They are two completely different things. One is participating in that lifestyle and the other is creating a business to profit off those who do.

[jIM_Ohio]

The purpose of moving was to not actually work a desk job for at least a year. I can live with a friend down there for a bit and have zero expenses except for food for a few months while getting a bartending job. The problem with doing this in Virginia is that you have to be licensed by taking a class. In South Carolina, that is not necessary. I agree with the idea of finding a job before I go down, but because my expenses are almost nothing and I have six months of money in an efund at my current expense level, I feel I should be fine. The whole point of moving down there for a bit is to escape the constant hustle and bustle of DC and escape corporate life. I just feel that so many kids my age get these jobs and just try to make the best of the 9-5 life. In my opinion, it makes sense to take advantage of the fact that I was lucky enough not to have debt and go do something I'd enjoy for a bit. Am I just not facing the reality of having to work? I just don't think I'd be happy working a normal 9-5 and trying to move up the corporate ladder.

Agreed.

No - I have never done anything like that, but you are young and you have a plan. I say go ahead and enjoy. For reference, I am of the extremely practical variety, and probably why I never did anything like this - nor have I ever *wanted* to - but I suppose I also look back on my youth as pretty carefree compared to older married/with children years. So I feel a huge element of "if you don't do it now - maybe you never will." Probably more to the point: I strongly believe that life is too short to be stuck in a job you don't enjoy.

Of course, I also have a few friends who make good money bartending, so it sounds like a pretty good plan to me. Make sure you line up a job before you quit, is the only thing I would say. (Especially in this economy).

I was stuck in a desk job and I was about 15 years older than you (with a wife, kids, bills to pay etc...).

You only live once. The key is to LIVE. Most people pick a major in college based on what they are good at, few high schools or colleges have true aptitude to evaluate what you enjoy.

If you like people, find a job which works with people
If you like quiet, find a job which is quiet

Then obtain the skills to do the job you enjoy.

I have seen life taken away from way too many people way too young. Be happy with the decisions you make.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Jim good to see you what do you do now?

[MonkeyMama]

Lack of health insurance is what would scare me. One accident or illness could bankrupt you.

Why can't OP buy health insurance?

I just never *get* this - I have personally never had employer health insurance. We just pay for it. As long as you have a job/money, you should be able to get health insurance.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

When you are young and healthy you can afford the health insurance. Now it's prohibitive with kids and maternity rider. Pre kids? My friends buy it for $100/month.

[jIM_Ohio]

Jim good to see you what do you do now?

Thank you for asking.

Just started job #2 as a fee only advisor after about a year at a large broker dealer. I start prep for CFP in September.

[YLTL_Dan]

Is working for a year as a bartender going to bring you any closer to realizing what you want to do with your life? Or just leave you in the same position but a year older and now with a year gap in your resume where the best thing you can claim is "bartender" rather than quality work experience.

I totally agree with this. As I mentioned previously, I was in a similar position at that age, and I was unfulfilled with work. However, I didn't have any clear ideas of which direction to go. Instead, I've shored myself up financially to where I can afford to start a business now. If I would have tried to do that at 24, I would've gone broke in 3 months.

No offense to the "go for it" camp, but notice how most of them didn't "go for it"? People love to cheer people on to follow their whims, but it's too much risk to take on for themselves. Work towards a long term goal and put yourself in a position to succeed.

Also, I'm not advocating staying at a job you hate... you should definitely continue to try to find something else in your company or another that you can do well financially and enjoy.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I cheered go for it and I did. I knew in the future responsibility and "adult" burdens would make it impossible. The opportunity to do what I did was then. It hasn't occurred since nor would I be able to take the opportunity if it presented itself now.

That is why I say go for it.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

No offense to the "go for it" camp, but notice how most of them didn't "go for it"? People love to cheer people on to follow their whims, but it's too much risk to take on for themselves.

How would you know whether we "went for it?" I speak from experience when I say go for it. I arrived in a totally new place with just a back pack and knowing no-one. It was the most remarkable seven years of my life.

[NetSkyBlue]

Why can't OP buy health insurance?

I just never *get* this - I have personally never had employer health insurance. We just pay for it. As long as you have a job/money, you should be able to get health insurance.

The OP said his only expenses would be food. That sounds like he wasn't planning on buying health insurance. Which is what I said would scare me.

Personally, I priced health insurance privately for similar coverage to what my employer provides when I was considering taking a different job, and it was something like 430 or 460 a month, more than I pay in rent. I'm a nonsmoking 28 year old female with zero history of health problems in my family. Over 20% of my take home pay (at 34k a year gross) that would have been. That would have included a maternity rider, though. I did not end up changing jobs, and negotiated a raise with my current employer instead. I still hate the job, though.

[MonkeyMama]

How would you know whether we "went for it?" I speak from experience when I say go for it. I arrived in a totally new place with just a back pack and knowing no-one. It was the most remarkable seven years of my life.

Agreed!

I said "go for it" because I have always "gone for it." {This is how I Was raised}. I have never spent one second in my life not doing what I wanted to do, or working towards what I wanted to do.

As far as the health insurance, same thing. I don't see the point of the employer benefit system. I opt out, because the system is really broken. Having private health insurance for a family of four, I am well aware how expensive the private option is. BUT over the years I have seen most people not even look at their options. Sure, I agree not everyone can make it work. But the standard belief is that one has to have an employer to have health insurance. I just don't agree with that mass mentality.

Anyway, we were talking about a 20-something single dude. I think we can all agree that the health insurance will not make or break this plan.

[LuckyRobin]

I also "went for it." I took two years off after community college and then went back to college after I'd taken some time to enjoy myself (with a safety net in place) and figure out what I wanted to study further. I don't know where that person was getting the idea that none of us who recommended going for it actually did. As far as I can see only one person said they didn't.

[DebbieL]

I am also in the "go for it" camp. You are only young and carefree once. Enjoy it. You won't look back from your death bed and wish you'd worked a more responsible job at age 24 - pfft.

I should add that I'm Canadian, so not being covered for healthcare isn't an issue for us up here since we have universal health care. I guess as an American you should make sure to get some health insurance. What does that cost for a healthy 24 year old? I would make sure I had that in my budget.

[jIM_Ohio]

Age should not factor into decision, whether 24, 44, 64 or whatever, if you are not happy with your life, make the the change sooner rather than later.

A 24 year old thinks they have 60+ years left to live, and I speak first hand that this is not always true... I know of three people, including my brother, which did not live to see their 41st birthday. Don't wait for life to create a perfect moment for you to "seize the day". Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg all seized their own opportunity. A couple of them even dropped out of college to do it.

Focus on what makes you happy and then let the other issues fall where they may.