Can’t Knock the 9–5 Benefits: Health, Wealth, and Happiness
9–5s get a bad rap but I absolutely enjoy reaping my benefits!
Today’s society, rightfully so, praises entrepreneurship, being your own boss, freelancing, and making your own hours. However, I am here to say that while I get nearly none of that in my 9–5 job, I completely and utterly appreciate my job and my total compensation package.
Total compensation includes salary and bonuses and all monetary benefits such as health and life insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. And in my opinion, these benefits then translate into health, wealth, and happiness.
With the list below, I will describe all the ways in which I love my 9–5 benefits. Many benefits offer gifts that keep on giving — this, to me, is the best part about them. The benefits allow me to invest in my family, retirement, education, and health. My list is long and I challenge readers to find a benefit that they would turn down.
9–5 Benefits
Steady Income: the same thousands of dollars directly deposited into my account every 2 weeks
Bonuses and Raises: annual bonuses and raises of 2–11% and surprise bonuses and stipends
7 Weeks of Vacation: paid vacation every year with hours that rollover and options to cash out
Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage for my Family: insurance covers all preventive care, annual check-ups, in-hospital procedures, glasses, contacts, even prescription sunglasses (there is a $5 copay for medications)
Extended Sick Leave: paid coverage for medical leave, family leave, maternity leave, baby bonding
401k Employer Contribution: company contributes a percentage every paycheck
Clock Out at the End of the Day: I can clock out and not think about work every evening and throughout the weekends
Overtime: my job has not required any overtime, but if I were to work OT, I’d be paid time and a half
Max my Roth 401K: without my job, I would have no options for 401(k) or Roth 401(k)
Hybrid Schedule: I enjoy some work from home days
Free Heat and Air Conditioning: when in the office, I enjoy free temperature control (as well as free water)
Reimbursement for Phone and Wi-Fi: reimbursed for cell phone and internet for work from home employees
Tuition Reimbursement: I do not have the exact amount but I received reimbursement for a portion of my tuition which led to a certificate and advanced degree
Onsite Gym: free amenities to support physical health
Wellness Therapy Sessions: free 1:1 and group sessions to support mental health
Group Events: on-site and off-site events for networking and socializing
Finance and Health lectures: for education
1:1 Retirement Consultations: with experts from top brokerage firms
Travel: I have traveled to various places across the country for conferences and brought my family along at minimal additional cost, food paid for
Employee Discounts: for amusement parks such as Disneyland, technology and cell phone plans, and more
Important Caveats
With all of that said, I must add that your job and leadership must support your health and well-being, financially and more importantly, mentally and emotionally. A toxic environment causing poor mental health is more than likely not worth most of these benefits.
I wrote an article, “I Took A $10,000 Pay Cut and Became Richer,” which addresses this very topic. I moved from a toxic work environment to one of peace. I took a pay cut but ended up richer, financially and emotionally.
9–5 Journey to Financial Freedom
So while society may not glamorize the 9–5 life, I’m here to glamorize its benefits, at least the ones I currently enjoy. I am grateful for my opportunity to bring in 9–5 income and am forever appreciative of the benefits that bring security, health, wealth, and happiness to my family and me.
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