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[Gaffers]

I am in a quandry at the moment.  As I have discussed with some of you if I dont convert my commission later this year I am out of a job in Aug '13.  This is looking highly likely.  My initial thoughts were to go in to IT Security Management in the US where salaries are high as well as the stress levels no doubt.  The plan was to build up a nice little fund to eventually find our way to my wife's home in Hawaii (the dream)

Now it's no secret on here I have IBD (crohn's, hence the name 'Guffer') which is fairly well under control with medication.  High stress, poor diet and environmental factors can trigger flare-ups and my worry is that I may find myself in DC or Chicago and be unable to complete my work to a satisfactory level due to my illness.

At the same time I love building, fixing and fitting out boats.  I love it, the challenge, the accomplishment, the therautic nature of the work.  There are no shortages of boats to work on in Hawaii.  But local business can be difficult to break in to.

So now I am wondering if I should miss out the middle phase and go straight to Hawaii and work on boats.  I would need to get US recognised qualifications and certification (about $2k) plus a van and some tools ($?)  My wife has familiy out there who could help with a spare room and the like while I get established and she can transfer to LA or something and work there for a few years commuting for trips.  I have a small amount of cash saved up which can be used to set the business up and there are immigrant business tax breaks for the first 7 years, but I need to check if I qualify.

I would not be earning as much but the quality of life will be much better and I dont want a fortune, enough to live comfortably on in 'da islands' will do.  There is risk in both options and there are so many factors.  I am very tempted to say lets just do it and make the best of it but I am worried about failure.

Like I said, decisions decisions......

[Elite Pete]

Not quite the same scenario as you Matt but I made the decision 6 months ago to change my life. I went for quality of life which also meant i've been on the bones of my arse but its the best decision i've ever made and once I get a proper job things will be fantastic. Good luck in whatever you choose to do

[pscocoa]

Can you convert your commission - what options here? Plenty of boat work in UK near to you - Cornwall maybe good and at least you have the medical back up.

Knew a guy who left City to work on boats in Helford Passage area which worked for a while but costs defeated him (restoring/building river boats) at finish I think

[tigers_gonads]

Your health, your happiness and state of mind mean more then pounds, shillings and pence Matt.

Believe me, I know 

[cem_devecioglu]

although working on boats doesnt sound easy to me, personally it would be my preference..
 
IT jobs , dont bring money as there are lots of students doing it part time for peanuts..

[D]

You may have mentioned it, but have you considered the costs of medical care across the pond? My last memory when I worked there was "exorbitant"!

[Kevin Wood]

Can you convert your commission - what options here? Plenty of boat work in UK near to you - Cornwall maybe good and at least you have the medical back up.

This was my first thought. Relocating to Hawaii and starting up in business in a new area are going to be tough challenges to face simultaneously. Perhaps better to tackle one at a time?

[Gaffers]

I'm in a beneficial situation with regards to health insurance, I can go on the wife's work policy for very little extra cost

I don't fancy starting a business here and then doing it again in another country, the idea is to make enough to live on the Hawaii if I can.  A lot more research is required first though.

[tunnie]

I would not be earning as much but the quality of life will be much better and I dont want a fortune, enough to live comfortably on in 'da islands' will do. 

Think that is the really key, I would personally say go for it.

Otherwise you will also look back and think what if?

[Dishevelled Den]

Wherever you decide to pitch your tent should you leave M the only thing I can say is do it sooner rather than later.

I can speak from the bitter experience of having worked myself into the ground, into ill-health (now resolved thankfully) and into a state of emotional turmoil as a result of my service.

Peace of mind and a life (of real meaning) with your wife should be the goal in my view.

Had I known then - when I was the 'man' - what I know now, I would have jacked it in within the space of a heartbeat.

Self-denial and a disregard for one's inner voice will always come back to bite one in the arse - mostly at a time one doesn't need it.

The very best of luck – working on the simple principle of warm seas = good and cold seas = bad, it would be aloha’s all the way for uncle Denny.

[STMO123]

This is a difficult one, Matt. Whenever you ask a cross-section of people for advice there will be those who tell you to follow your heart and others who advise caution. My simple advice would be to discuss it long and hard with your wife. Try to work out what would happen if things did not work out as expected. Formulate a 'plan B' so that you have an alternative if you should need it. It may not be as exciting as just 'going for it' but, at this stage, a bit of insurance may just give you the courage to proceed. Good luck.

[Dishevelled Den]

Steve 

[STMO123]

Steve 

'ello darlin 

[Sir Tigger KC]

No one ever lies in their death bed and thinks 'God, I wish I'd spent more time in the office...'    So follow your dreams Guffer!! 

You sound like a resourceful chap with different skillsets, so if it didn't work out in Hawaii, you can come back/go somewhere else and do something different!   

[OOMV6]

If you're heart says yes, go for it. If it doesn't, or you have any reservations at all it will not work as well as you've wanted. Remember not to confuse what your head says with what your heart, your  inner self, is saying. If you are not yet 100% comfortable with the idea, it ain't the right
time yet. It will probably come though. Good luck