Comparing benefits and deductions from each paycheck:
Job #2 was cagey when I asked them what percentage of healthcare is covered by the company and by the employee. I do have the employee monthly contribution amounts for the five health plans they offer. Also, for Job #2, Vision and Dental (important for us) comes 100% from the employee's pocket.
Job #1 pays 50% of Health, Vision, and Dental, and the my monthly contribution is about 30% less out of pocket than it would be with Job #2. The details of these benefits between the two companies are comparable (same health insurance company, in fact).
...
I've been putting pen to paper a lot since yesterday afternoon. There is debt we're carrying that's going to roll off of our "books" in a six months. There's some more debt that we can readily refinance to a lower monthly payment. Meanwhile, my wife has recently picked up some extra hours at her job (unrelated to me looking for work). I can work it out with Job #1 to where by the end of this year, the take-home pay is only a slightly less than it was at my previous position (like, a tank of gas a week less).
Job #1 also says that after a time, I can expect to take on more responsibilities and have my pay adjusted upwards. I don't have a lot of faith in that, though -- the firm must be small enough that the Powers That Be really feel it when someone gets a raise. I have asked for more specifics -- frequency of performance reviews, frequency of compensation adjustments for staff, etc.
Not an ideal situation, but much better than it could be (i.e. no offers). Since this was an unforeseen layoff and I'm trying to latch on to some floating object or another ... maybe treading water financially for a spell isn't so bad of an outcome. I just can't seem to get a good feeling about the contracting route. 15-20 years ago, with less on the line and no mortgage -- sure, would've been game for anything. Not so much these days.