Work.. what to do.

Falcon_Phill · 14-11-2007, 11:16 AM

I currently work as a web designer, especially with flash. Lately I have been applying for some jobs to keep the trip from home to work a bit shorter, better pay etc. Now I have a job lined up that offers $5000 more, a laptop, and further training ( I have had no formal training, or have any qualifications whatsoever).

Upon telling my current work I have been looking elsewhere and want to give my 2 weeks notice, they have offered to let me work from home at $55 000, with a better (free) internet connection.

So I can either work from home everyday, or travel 5 hours a day and get a laptop, some qualifications and most likely a better portfolio.

I'm 22 so maybe further down the line qualifications will help, but Ive never needed them for any job once I've shown them some of the stuff I've done. I honestly do not know what to do. Maybe other people here have been in the same situation? Is it even worth doing all that when I can work from home anyway?

ing_sm

2002xr6 · 14-11-2007, 11:25 AM

stuff traveling 5 houres a day for a laptop

**Polyal** · 14-11-2007, 11:27 AM

5 hours a day....yeah stuff that.

RG · 14-11-2007, 11:30 AM

5 hours a day, that's more than what I do so I say stuff that. With all the extra $$$ that you will get from the pay rise and saving on travel costs you would be able to put yourself through the formal training and still have $$$ and time left over.

gtfpv · 14-11-2007, 11:34 AM

work from home if you can cope with it . your dwelling will become , tax deductable .
go and see an accountant about this now!!!!

**Polyal** · 14-11-2007, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

work from home if you can cope with it . your dwelling will become , tax deductable .
go and see an accountant about this now!!!!

Phoor now that would be good. Plasma for recreational relaxation!

Although my problem would actually doing work at home. Ive changed to off campus studies and its harder than people think. I had to go to the local library a few times just to get stuff done.

sprjenkins · 14-11-2007, 12:15 PM

Go back to your boss and say sure you'll accept the offer if he throws in the formal training for the quals as well

Deadman · 14-11-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

work from home if you can cope with it . your dwelling will become , tax deductable .
go and see an accountant about this now!!!!

and be very very careful. I work from home, claiming your dwelling as a tax deduction can have pitfalls if you own (I don't do it) when it comes time to sell. If you rent - then it's not really an issue. You can claim quite a few other things without dramas (i can even claim my foxtel as an example ;)) - but be very careful before claiming your dwelling if you own it and make sure you'd be prepared for any issues down the line when it's time to sell and you have capital gains and other things to worry about. at the end of the day, as gtfpv says, see your accountant. there will be many things you can claim, however I feel they will try to talk you away from claiming your dwelling unless you rent. then again, it's different for everyone's individual needs

but back to your original question - i'd take the work from home job hands down. i love it and it really does have some great perks. but, it all comes down to what you want, and what suits your lifestyle and personal needs.

**Raptor** · 14-11-2007, 12:31 PM

Ah, a classic lifestyle vs career progression question.

I think you have summed it up pretty well in saying that formal quals would be useful later on, as would the extra cash and other fringe benefits now. But how important compared to 5hrs travel and is it that important to be in the workplace. Have a got this right. The 5 hrs a day travelling job is closer than what you have now

:

Things I think you need to consider;

Renumeration package and qualifications, how important are they for where you want to be in +5 or +10yrs?

Are you the type of individual that could actually work from home and get anything done?

Is the social interaction and networking opportunities of a workplace important to you now or for your career later on?

Financial and tax implications from working at home. Do you own or rent? Tax deductibility now might lead to capital gains if you own and sell later.

Which choice would make you the happier person?

Maybe you could land the closer, better paying job with the perks and then ask if you can work from home 2 or 3 days a week ;)

GORDZ · 14-11-2007, 12:51 PM

$55k a year and work from home, thats what i aspire to. go for it mate! well done

vztrt · 14-11-2007, 01:04 PM

Stay at home, if you want the training you can pay for it yourself and use it as a tax deduction.

Best advice is to go see an accountant, he'll give you the best advice.

sgt_doofey · 14-11-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Phoor now that would be good. Plasma for recreational relaxation!

No no, you got it all wrong. You buy the plasma to plug in to your PC/Laptop so you can see then web pages on a bigger screen during working hours. That way, it's a tax deduction as well

_2:
Make sure you get one that has picture-in-picture so you can also watch the cricket/football/rugby/Oprah as well!

EA2BA · 14-11-2007, 02:27 PM

If the 5 hours travel is closer then what you have been doing and they do deliver on the training and qualifications, personally I say go for it.
Working from home might sound great, but it means an awful lot more responsibility on your behalf in getting things done, and the only person to ask questions to is yourself.

Falcon_Phill · 14-11-2007, 03:12 PM

Ive been on the phone most of the day. I will continue to work from home till January then move closer to the new place and start there. They said after a while of working there I can have a few days at home anyway which id be happy with. Some good ideas in here though. Like my Plasma tv 'monitor' and maybe have a Playstation 3 'data storage device'.

Rodp · 14-11-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

work from home if you can cope with it . your dwelling will become , tax deductable .
go and see an accountant about this now!!!!

Not by much that it'll be anything significant. I think I get about 55c a day as a tax deduction for having a home office.

To the OP. As you said, you're 22 and experience is going to count for a hell of a lot more than qualifications as time goes by.

If they're a decent company to work for and you're getting pretty good pay for your age, I'd go with it and see how it pans out. Future employers will also appreciate long service in previous roles.

If I was posed with the same situation, obviously you're more than capable of seeking alternative employment, and if the company I was with offered a role to work from home I would give it a crack. If, in a few months you liked working from home in your own hours, I'd schedule a meeting with the boss, research what it was you wanted to train in and show him how the company would benefit if they were to develop your skill. If it didn't work out, you'll have plenty of time to seek alternative employment.

Rodp · 14-11-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon_Phill

Ive been on the phone most of the day. I will continue to work from home till January then move closer to the new place and start there. They said after a while of working there I can have a few days at home anyway which id be happy with. Some good ideas in here though. Like my Plasma tv 'monitor' and maybe have a Playstation 3 'data storage device'.

Nah, LCD. I actually do have a 42" attached to my PC right now. Plasma looks too muddy. :P