[Rick Lee]

One of my best friends, whom I first met when we were brand new loan officers in 1998, needs another assistant. He's always talked about wanting me to come work with him, but his boss wouldn't take me, as I got out of the business after two yrs. of starving. But my friend stuck it out, finally reached escape velocity and made about $600k last year. He's certainly no brighter than I am, but just had more tolerance for pain than I did back when he was job-hopping, living on credit cards and paying them off with regular home refis in the crazy DC market.

Anyway, now he's serious and he's the boss with hiring power. His only other asst. is a 26 yr. old greenie, who banked about $120k in his first year working for my buddy. Starting package would be a $4500 per month non-recoverable draw for three mos. Thereafter, it's a $1500 per month recoverable plus $500 for expenses. I can take the pay cut for the first three mos., but I'd really need to start making commissions by the time the $1500 kicks in. I am really torn by this. A few yrs. ago I would have jumped at it. Now I'm fat, happy and unchallenged in my current job and often think about getting out to do something where I have my own schedule, don't drive a desk, drive around to visit clients, etc. I'm 35 and single, so this is probably the last chance I'll get to make a jump like this while I have no real responsibilities. I know plenty of folks who've racked up six figures in credit card debt while starting their own business or starting a commission-only job until the money starts coming in. But they've all made it and the debts are long gone. What should I do?