It's not a lot, but it's enough

jvr

Good luck with your interview!!

crazy_cat_lady

Fingers very firmly crossed for you Speky. Hope it went well.

louby40

Wow thats amaing about the 2nd interview! What a difference that would make to your budget and life!

keep us posted!

SpekySquarehead

Welll....

I'm through to the next stages. I've to go to an interview down in Manchester on Thursday!!! Woohoo!!

Now this is all good and well, and I assume I'm in with a shout if they're wanting to see me face-to-face after 2 phone interviews. But I have a hesitation that I'd like to share with you all.

My step-bro, his wife and their 9 month old are emigrating to South Korea later this week. So, the last couple of weeks has been spent with them seeing various members of the family and doing, well, family things. I can see how upset it's getting my mum and step-dad. So much more than I expected.

It's now got me thinking that I'm being selfish in moving to Manchester. I'm my mums only son and my dear grans only grandson. Am I deserting them?

I anticipate that I'll come back home perhaps every 2nd or 3rd weekend, so it's not like I'm completely gone, but still.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

jvr

That!!!8217;s a tricky one. I think the emotions of someone leaving can be very strong while the day to day reality is much easier. I guess you need to weigh up the being around all the time with what this job can offer. More than the pay increase, is this a big career opportunity, is it likely to come around again any time soon closer to home? I would also consider that sometimes being away means that when you do spend time with family it is more !!!8216;quality time!!!8217; as its limited?

joeyjimbles

Three hours train time from Glasgow to Manchester - and under four hours drive - not a daily commute, but near enough to be able to go up and down for weekends. I assume that you can't work from home in your line of business so you would be limited to Friday evening to Sunday evening which would concentrate your available time.
It's something to add into the mix when you have the interview along with holiday allowance, whether they'd pay towards your move etc and then when you have all the answers you can do a rational pro and con list as well as a quality of life response. Good luck.

SpekySquarehead

Thanks for your words of encouragement.

JVR - I think you're point is particularly important about how the time together will be even more special. I think it's easy when you see or speak to your family often to take time together for granted. I'm not really one to be glued to my phone or anything, but still, to be a bit more present in the moment wouldn't go a miss.

I'm giving myself 4.5 hours tomorrow, so lots of time to think things over and get my ducks in a row. Even if I tried, I wouldn't be able to think of anything else.

Anyway, in the meantime. From a financial front, did I mention that I had to buy a new tyre? Well it cost me £185! Also, my work shoes practically snapped in half, so I had to buy a new pair - £46. So quite a hit on the bank account which I wasn't expecting but thanks to YNAB, I had a little bit aside to cover emergencies like these.

So, I'm skint. Lowest bank balance in a long time. That being said, I get paid today and I've nothing planned for the remainder of Feb which should cost, other than fuel and groceries.

Anyway, must get on with things. Thanks again for your help and advice.

jvr

Eugh tyres... I was not happy when two of ours needed replaced! working on a little fund for that which I think has 55p in a the moment ha!
It's a lot to think about but it does sound an amazing opportunity and although the wrong side of the Pennines Manchester is pretty awesome ha, and as Joey pointed out its not a horrendous distance back so makes visiting easier. Fingers crossed you get some clarity and feel your decision is right.

louby40

I'm a real home bird and have never really thought about living anywhere else in the country. But then I do sometimes regret not having that experience.

Manchester is a great place and isn't that far from you to get back to. I oils say go for it. If you were my son I wouldn't want you to hesitate.

SpekySquarehead

JVR/Louby - Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it really means a lot.

Well the interview has now been and gone. It lasted 2 hours. During the 3.5 hour drive down, I rehearsed everything and going in, I felt full of confidence. As the interview went on, the questions became much more gruelling, trying to poke holes where there's nothing to poke. So I left feeling a little bit less confident than I'd like.

The natural pessamist that I am though, I don't mind feeling that way. If I don't get the job, it won't be as big a shock and I'll move on. If I do get the job, I'll be super happy and I'll pop a bottle to celebrate.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. The trip cost me a tank of fuel and 2 x coffee's. Yeah, costs I could be doing without but you've sometimes got to speculate to accumulate.

Yesterday was also the day my step-bro, his wife and their daughter left for South Korea for good. I was so happy and excited for them. Everything else in the family seemed to be depressed and in tears, but perhaps that difference is due to my current situation too. I'm sure it won't be long before we see her next.

So, I've been paid and allocated my money for next month. Everything should be fine and dandy providing there are no surprises. I say it often, but I need to watch the needless spending as it add's up.

I'm working all day tomorrow (Saturday) so I'll only need to sort myself dinner, which reminds me I need to take something from the freezer.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.