Is this a stupid question...

TryingAgain2022

So I am considering changign jobs because the commute to a distant city (60 odd miles a day in rush hour) is too much.

But local jobs pay less. I mean a lot less.

My bills, including a contribution towards the mortgage (OH makes up the rest) are £1784 a month. This includes debt repayments (£696) and bills like phone, insurance etc which are basically fixed (£837) plus an amount for the annual things like car service - but doesn't include food. On this rate I have about £60 a week for family Tesco run.

In other words things are already pretty tight. Am I just mad to consider dropping my income to around £1700 a month or less (from around £2200)?? It would mean asking my OH to pay for food as well as everything else. Or reducing debt repayments to about a tenner more than the minimum in each case which would add YEARS to ay them off (currently the target is 2023).

BUT am so sick of the commute. And although I am well qualified and currently well paid, my local jobs are more admin/clerical/warehouse which as you no doubt know don't pay what I'm currently on.

I've not been in this job long. In my old job I worked nationwide/from local office which was exhausting and stressful with lots of time away. I thought the regular nature of this job would be great but the commute is a nightmare. Three hours out of my day AND I'm working an extra day a week t to take home the same money!

Before you ask yes, I have considering going on bended knee to my old firm :-)

Any thoughts on this? Am I just being stupid and should knuckle under or what?

YBR

How much does it cost you to commute, or rather How much less would it cost to commute to the new job? Compare that with the drop in wage to see which side it falls financially. Once fuel (and any other costs) are taken into account the difference may be halved.

At the end of the day you sound like you need an exit plan anyway.

WhenIam64

Am I being stupid?

Have you checked the benefits checkers like Turn2Us to see if there are any in-work benefits that you might be entitled to.

https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

Strange but true. You can earn a lot and still be entitled

MovingForwards

Things to weigh up are:

Time cost of commute which includes
-how long it it takes
-how you do the commute
-wear and tear on you
-cost of commute
-if you drive - wear and tear on vehicle, insurance, fuel

Then you have the other benefits to think of:
-how many hours a day you will have to yourself
-how much holiday you get
-how happier you would be less travel/more home

Just to give you a few things to think about.

TryingAgain2022

Fuel is about £120/month, (based on doing about 1000 miles a month) parking is about £40 and comes off my salary so I can't work out if removing that constitutes a drop in income or not. Train would be a lot more (about 220/month plus station parking) plus I'd still have to drive to the station which is nowhere near me...

A more local job would probably cost about £45 a month to get to, assuming I could park for free. Train would remain a less practical option.

TryingAgain2022

These are the things which I think about at 0545!!!

-how many hours a day you will have to yourself (I'd get up at seven like a regular person and drop the offspring at school)
-how much holiday you get (I get a lot of holiday at my current place. That said I've burned it all up trying to claw back some family time)
-how happier you would be less travel/more home (I think I'd be happier. My OH does a fifteen minute commute and can be on the spot for child emergencies etc. I am 1.5 hours away. My ideal job would work from home with monthly meetings in London or wherever. )

TryingAgain2022

Thanks for the benefits link WhenIam64, we are not owed anything (except child benefit which we already receive) but it's always good to check.

TryingAgain2022

Oh and another handy link for anyone else considering a job move - works out what you'd take home after tax, NI and pension. Much better than trying to guess!

https://www.thesalarycalculator.co.uk/salary.php

rach_k

What does your OH say? If he's happy to make up the shortfall, you don't really have an issue. If it would be difficult for him or he can't, it might not be worth it.

Sarahwithlove

If you can find a job that means you will significantly reduce your travel costs then it would be worth while. Its also worth considering the extra time you will get with your family. That is priceless. Maybe chat with your other half and see if he is happy to pick up the slack whilst you pay off the debts. Have you checked your on the lowest rates for them? Could you transfer any to a lower interest? Could you pay more off on ones with higher interest and less on lower ones so that you shift the higher interest rate ones first

Unicorn_cottage

rach_k wrote: »

What does your OH say? If he's happy to make up the shortfall, you don't really have an issue. If it would be difficult for him or he can't, it might not be worth it.

I was thinking along the same lines. Are you working together as a couple to get rid of this debt? I'm guessing the amount owed may be seen as your debt but ultimately you are a couple working towards goals whatever that might be - building works, new car, family holiday, another child etc etc. and this debt is hindering that future. I hope this makes sense and is not meant as a criticism of anything. I am with you all the way and want you to get rid of the debt so you can say 'up yours' to your job if you want