Ya I agree I guess I didn't think of everything people mentioned and it's starting to seem like I don't have the funds to even attempt to try. I just can't do the police thing anymore, it isn't for me. And trying to think what career change I could do whether it's criminal justice or doing something I absoluetly love. I think about working for Asplundh but I want a job where I can raise a family and get married and all that. 40-50k a year to me is not sumthing I can fulfill my dreams with and raise a family and support a family. So isk my head is such a whirl wind past week or so thinking of such a life change from policing to something else...
Couple thoughts reading this thread - 1. Learn to climb. As in, climb trees, full rigging, harness, saws, everything. Take some classes in arboriculture. A skilled climber who knows what to do is always in high demand. Not everyone has a bucket truck, and even the guy in the bucket should still have the skills. 2. Alternately - try the security/locksmithing trade. The local locksmith is in crazy high demand, he's always looking for skilled help, and everyone's concerned about safety and security these days. Some of your law enforcement training might help in this case.
How much time do you have on the job? I don't know about PA but here in NY it's ten years to become vested in the retirement system. I started thinking about leaving 6 years in and finally did but I went to a different department where all my time and retirement date transferred. Things got better and we got a real nice contract so I stayed, 12 years on now. If it's not you it's not you though. If your close to being vested though I would at least stay that long, may as well walk away with something. My wife owns her own business, a small 30 room motel. She only has 3 employees. It is very nice for us as she can schedule herself as she pleases which is great for our family life but she is stressed a lot of the time. Any time something breaks she one of us has to go(guess who it usually is), someone needs to be evicted one of us goes(guess who), plus all the hours she spends there herself. I know it's apples to oranges in business type but just saying even with a tiny business there's stress and bad times but also good times and great rewards, it's all about your attitude and drive. A friend of mine has a tree service company and has been very successful in its 40 years of operation. He recently told me what he pays in insurances a month and I nearly fainted, 4K! He's at the point now finally after all that time where he is only working on the jobs he wants. He has employees who he trusts and have been with him almost the entire time, they are compensated well for that loyalty. Good luck in whatever you decide and just go 110%, be honest with yourself and your customers and you'll be fine.
Many pay for their own health insurance anyway. It's a lot more affordable than some think. The only way to know is to look and see for yourself, instead of going by what others say. All health insurance right now is kind of a joke, but it's moved that way for decades. I'd actually say that the health insurance will be one of the easiest things to deal with now, making this perhaps a gooder time to consider a career change?
Other insurances play into this decision also. I don't think it is possible for you to buy workers compensation on yourself for one..... You would also have to have a fair amount of liability insurance, no?
So, does ERISA not apply in NY? By federal law retirements fully vest at 3 years, one year if you are over 25 years old, but they may not pay much if you quit that early. Most retirements are based on pay scale throughout your career and length of employment. Some use a highest 5 years formula but whatever formula is used it kicks in when you are young. Most also will pay full benefits if you retire after age 62. When I retired at 63 years old my retirement income projected was growing at about $15 for every month that I delayed retiring because I was still earning retirement credits although I had gone past the minimum full retirement age, but I had been there longer than I wanted to be so I didn't care about that. I could have continued to rack up retirement service credit until age 70 but no way.
I've been doing tree work for 10 years this upcoming year. Worked 5 years at a tree company and this will be my 5th year doing my own side gig. Being in your position, I'd start a tree business part time. Learn as you go and see how the market is. It takes a while to build up a client base and consistent work. You don't wanna jump into it full time right off the bat. Like someone said, you need to be to the point where you can't keep up with your tree work and regular job. I haven't advertised in the last couple years and have as much work as I can handle from the spring to early winter. A few things to think about: You're gonna need a good ground guy/helper. I do a fair share of tree work alone, but you definitely need a good guy by your side most of the time. If you ever had enough work to go full time, you're gonna need good guys and figure on going through a lot of people to find them. Insurance isn't too bad, but workers comp is big money. I run the risk and don't have it since it's usually me and just a really good friend working. In this regard, I'm basically a tree hack. If I was full time, I'd definitely have it. Some guys just 1099 their employees to get around it. Figure out whether you wanna work 60+ hours a week. I'm non stop 60+ hours a week basically all year. Equipment is gonna cost some money, but you need it to compete. I have a mini skidsteer, 12" and 15" chippers, 50hp and 25hp stump grinders. I have a 83' spider lift and a 60' bucket truck I can rent when it's needed/makes sense. I like equipment in that it helps keep down my reliance on having employees and puts less strain on my body. Be prepared to work on it though, everything I own has been thrashed; tree guys are usually terrible at maintenance. You're gonna have to climb some trees or figure on being reliant on having a good tree climber, which can be really hard to find. Lots of dope heads and losers doing tree work, but I'm sure you've dealt with enough of them doing traffic stops/calls in your current job to know this. Ha I can go on and on, but it's been a good gig for me and I'm content on just staying part time. I could be leaving a lot of money on the table if I were to build a successful company or I could be looking back in 20 years with a completely worn out body and nothing to really show for it.
ERISA applys to private industry only. State/local/federal government does not apply. They have their own guidelines. I'm employed by the state and it's ten years to collect the minimum. Also final average salary for retirement is based off my top 3 consecutive years. Those years can be the last three where salary is highest. I'm pretty sure that may have changed with the last few revisions of the system.
Well, i grew up in the family Mom and Pop landscaping business. Many years ago when I was younger we were making money, then it went to making a living. I could not wait to get out and now I have been out for 17 1/2 years and I miss being my own boss. I have a great job in a school dist. 6.4 miles from home, all benefits etc. And I hate it. so much government B S that it's not even funny as Im sure you know how that goes. My dad would always say, "You don't make any money WORKING for a living" by that he meant is you make a living working but not getting rich . Tree work is hard work, I would say do it on the side for a while build things up and see if it's for you.
