Quit my job during a bad economy? Am I crazy? Well, I did just that. Just yesterday as a matter of fact (don't tell my mother!) And I'm beyond happy.

Why would I do that? Well, due to that same economy my company has been downsizing left and right. The work load has not diminished one iota, but our staff is decreasing like crazy. We have been told that we are to work as many hours as needed when they say they need it. Any time off is now frowned upon and you can only carry over so much of it to next year.

I already had it made. I worked remote at home and was loving it. But they interpreted that working remote meant that I was now on call 24/7 and did not hesitate to call at any time of the day or night to put me on another urgent project or firedrill. There was no quitting time in their eyes.

Enough is enough. I couldn't take it anymore. My children were hating the fact that though I was at home, I couldn't take time away to eat dinner with them. I was getting cranky and then my health went downhill. Throwing up everyday is not my idea of a fun day at the office. The conception of an ulcer is miserable.

Yesterday when I broke down into tears for the upteenth time, my husband said that I had to quit. It wasn't worth it. I began to fret about our money and the economy and started to get sick all over again. Once we began to talk, we realized that there were so many options out there for me that there was no need to worry.

I already had a part-time job working for a friend (very low stress). There was the possibility of increasing my hours with her. But there are so many jobs open around here. No, they don't pay as much as I'm making now, but who says that I have to make that much if it puts me in an early grave? Can't take it with me. If I have to work at McDonald's a few hours a week to pay the bills, will I be happier? That's when I realized that I was putting too much status on level of pay, standard of living, and status. Just because I'm a college grad does not mean that I have to have a big paying job. I once heard someone say that if God called you to be a garbage man, you would have to step down to become President. I need to be where I'm supposed to be.

There are so many ways to cut back our expenses at home, that I didn't have to replace that job. We cancelled cable, our house phone, and scaled back on the wireless plan. That cut over $200 a month right there. We are keeping lights out at home and using hurricane lamps. That has cut our electric bill down drastically. We shop at Aldi or other discount stores which have great food and unbelievable prices. You can also go in with other families to buy in bulk to take advantage of hugs savings.

We are going to make it. We don't have to have it all.

We are also looking at doing our own home-based businesses to help supplement income and cut costs at the same time. They are out there. It means making time to sit down to talk about it and explore all the possbilities. I've spent the last three years jealous of those who could follow their dreams. Who said that I couldn't? I just need to find the right wise way to do it.

A bad economy does not mean that we are stuck where we are until who knows where. We can make changes.

(I do have to add that the company did not want to see me go and have offered to hire me back as a contract employee to work as many hours as I want or need on a per project basis. God does answer prayers!)

If you are wanting to make a change during this time, sit down with anyone you live with (because it impacts them, too) and do the following on a pad of paper:

Write down the pros of staying where you are. Write down the cons of staying where you are. Write down the $ you NEED to survive and not have all the bill collectors at your door - make sure what you NEED. What options do you have to replace your current job (don't forget to include any self-employment possibilties) Pros and cons of each option Mark which ones you think are the most viable and then mark the ones that you feel are impossible (don't eliminate the impossible ones - they might not be as impossible as you think). Get a third party (they have a clearer mind about it) that you trust and talk it over with them. Narrow it down to the best one. Enact Operation Succeed!

I'm not saying it is not scary, but I love a roller coaster and scary can be a little fun!

I do want to note that having a good support is vital. That is why getting a third party can help. It is someone to help keep you straight and encourage you to follow a dream.