During the middle years of our marriage, Greg worked for a high tech company in the Silicon Valley. The first years were tough, but when he transferred to Milpitas, he enjoyed his work. After about 7 or 8 years, he stopped enjoying the job. He would come home and complain about the management and the only good part of the job was his co-workers. As the supportive wife, I told him to quit and find another job. I told him we would get by on my salary until he found another job. He always said the money was good and the job was easy, so he stayed. We went through this every few months, then every few weeks until we decided to leave the Silicon Valley. He finally left his job, but not until he was forced out. He never worked another day. He taught martial arts a few hours a week, but never had another job.
A relative of mine has worked for the same company for many years, maybe 20 years. For the past few years, the company has been in financial trouble. Sometimes his pay check bounces. I meet some of his colleagues in my business. Everyone says what a great guy he is and that he does such a good job. For a few years, I have told him that he should check out his competitors, let the word out that he is looking for another position. I told him he could write his own ticket. He is concerned that he would not have the flexibility that he has with his current job. I didn’t