Have you ever voluntarily taken a large drop in salary?

HeadAboveWater

Triker wrote: »

Read this to get some perspective http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying

Wow! Definitely will make me step back and take a look at my own life... Thanks for the link

MissSarah1972

vicshippers wrote: »

Life isn't about money, it's about being happy. Go for it!

It is when you have none

Davina40

I was once working in Spain in a very well paid job with great prospects. The job was ok but the people I worked with were some of the most horrible people I have ever had the displeasure to come across. I hated where I was too - it was too hot and and I had no friends whatsoever and would spend weekends literally doing absolutely nothing.

I could stand it no longer and quit to go back to a temporary job in the US which I loved. The pay was basically expenses, this equated to over a 50k pay cut (and potentially a lot more in the future). I never regretted quitting. Not once.

My situation was a bit different though. Young-ish and single, I didn't have to consider anyone else.

hcb42

I once left a job, and the next job was a £40K cut, and I didnt regret it.

I have built up a brand new career in a new industry, and have closed that gap of £40K by about £20K over the last 8 years.

I don't regret it.

MT90

edinburgher wrote: »

Before tax, slightly longer commute (but the bus leaves from the end of my street), very slightly more expensive bus ticket.

I *think* the new job has a defined benefit pension (big plus), which was c. 90% funded the last time I can find a pension scheme report (which is a good sign).

Employer is well established (200 years or so, it's a university)

From what I have heard Universities are great employers. They are pretty secure jobs too, especially if it is a good university which 200 years would imply.

Money is pretty worthless, why slave away for the ability to have a few hours spending it when you spend the bulk of your time earning it in an environment you hate.

shortcrust

I gave up a very well paid career to retrain as a speech therapist and I doubt I will EVER earn what I earned before. I've had to make lots of sacrifices, such as moving back to my mum's whilst studying and have been very hard up for a few years. I occasionally get a pang of regret when I think about money, but then I remember how unhappy I was before. How I used to feel sick every Sunday night and how I had a constant stress knot in my stomach. These days I look forward to Mondays!! I worry that I won't achieve all my career goals before retirement and can see myself carrying on until I drop.:j

However, money has never been a great motivator for me. As long as I'm comfortable with a bit of play money I'm fairly satisfied.

Jinx

I recently took a drop to change jobs which does have an effect on the household budget but am sooooo much happier and therefore hubby is happier too. If you can pay the bills, money is definitely not everything

paddyrg

It's not all about the money. Really isn't. Yes you will be poorer, but you will also be richer. I will bet your wife will find you nicer to be around as you are less stressed, and wouldn't swap that for barely seeing you except on a fancier holiday when you are tired, grumpy and dreading going back.

thegirlintheattic

I would be taking the new job but looking to retrain. I know several librarians and most are now trying to get out because they see the sector shrinking.

Savvy_Sue

edinburgher wrote: »

Employer is well established (200 years or so, it's a university)

There will always be other vacancies within a University, so that's a plus ...

MT90 wrote: »

From what I have heard Universities are great employers. They are pretty secure jobs too, especially if it is a good university which 200 years would imply.

I'd say it varies: universities have made redundancies in the past, they are not as secure as they were - but then, what job IS secure these days?

BTW I know those two statements seem to contradict one another, but it's late ...

Yes, I took a big cut to move from working in Central London to working near my boyfriend (now DH). Never regretted it. As it happens, the job I moved to was in the local Uni, he then got a job there and was made redundant. But that's all a long time ago!