What do I do🥲

Question

Okay moms, I need your opinion. I am the worst at making big decisions and always have trouble weighing my options. I want some opinions or what you would do! 
I am a full time single mom to an almost 4 year old. I get some child support from her dad (about $500 a month) that helps covers her school/childcare. Next year she’ll be going to school full time Monday - Friday.  I am 100% self-sufficient and pay for everything for myself and my daughter and it’s just us. I do dog sitting on the side so I make a bit of extra income doing that side hustle.
I currently work a full time salary job as a sales and marketing director for a senior living community. I make a decent salary + commission, have 18 days PTO and the ability to work remote if my daughter is sick or I need a day off from office. The downside is I really don’t like the corporate office part of it all. They expect certain things that just aren’t doable sometimes and it’s not really my dream job/career path. I’m just working this right now because it really does support me and pays well. I also can bring my
Daughter in when I want and they’ve gotten to know me now. 
I have been interviewing for other jobs to see what was out there and I ended up getting an offer letter from pretty much what my dream job is/could turn into. It’s about $7000 less a year in salary but there’s two bonus opportunities during the year as well. The team is really tight knit. It’s in the niche that I want to be in and I only have to work 30 hours a week in Office and I can work 10 hours remotely a week and in the summer I’ll have Fridays off. I’ll have 12 days PTO as well. I’m just scared/nervous to start a new job of course. But there’s a lot of opportunity to grow too. 
I really don’t know what to do if I should leave my current job for this job because of the difference in salary, but at the same time, there’s growth opportunity to move up in the company as time goes on. The salaries are $67,800 (+commission) vs $59,280 (+two bonuses of 2% to 5% of my salary per year). 
Do I chase my dreams and go back to the niche career path or do I stay where I am because it’s more money for me and my daughter and maybe the safer bet? What would you do?

Answer

Was that their initial offer or after you already negotiated? Most jobs initially offer a lowball offer because they know most candidates will negotiate for higher. In my last job, I got 7k more than their initial offer just by asking for more. It doesnt matter that the offer is already in writing, they do that as a pressure tactic. They can re-do the offer in 3 mins. There are videos on youtube and career advice websiites on how to word it. It needs to assertive but not threatening or chip-on-yout-shoulder. Highlight your experience and accomplishments and how it will be an asset to them. You can also negotiate commission. Go for both....dream job and money.

Answer

Well if you want to chase the dream, make a list of things you can live without to cut out on spending and then factor in how much extra the dream job would add to your salary with the bonuses and go from there.

Answer

I added up the bonuses and I believe their total is $5,334 which is most of that pay difference. I would go for it. I never got to see my parents working a job they were really into/passionate about and I wish I had. The real benefit is that growth potential.

Answer

I’ve been in corporate America for 17 years. 15 with my current company and I’ve held 9 different positions here. I also have 4 kids, 8, 4 and newborns any minute. If you asked me what was important after kid 1 I’d say the money. Go for higher paying, even if the job isn’t a dream. If you asked me now, it’s flexibility AND money. Your daughter is going to start becoming social (if she’s not already) very soon. Sports, clubs, activities, events, school. I’ve never missed a baseball/swim/soccer practice/recital/pta meeting/birthday party. Next week is the book fair. I’ll be there volunteering everyday 37 weeks pregnant with twins. I don’t miss doctors appointments, parent teacher conferences and I volunteer and coach soccer for both my kids teams, I’m on the board at baseball, I’m on the parent advisory committee for the school board and I run the concession stand for the swim team. You need money and flexibility to do these things. In a few very short years my kids won’t want me around as much. During the time they do, I’m throwing as much time and money into them as I can. I’ll chase my dream job when my kids don’t need me as much.

Answer

What’s your driving factor right now? If it’s money I wouldn’t be taking the second job.  A 2 and 5% bonus in addition to your salary is still about $4300 less than what you make now before taxes are taken out.  And that’s assuming you receive the full bonus each time.

Answer

Can you negotiate the pay?

Answer

I always say to go for your dream, but I am also aware I live in a country with better security in case you end up picking a shitty job. 
I would be hesitant to go down in pay, especially as a single mother. Simply because shit can happen and it usually always costs a lot. 
But being unhappy at work can also drain you so incredibly much. 
Im sure you'll find the best choice for you 🙏🏻

Answer

@GlowGPT please help me with this topic!

What do I do🥲

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