Feel stuck between a rock and a hard place

redundantmortgage

I've been in my job for 2 years. I didn't really want the job in the first place, I was previously made redundant and had been doing a temporary job that was about to end when I was offered it. I accepted because the only alternative at that point in time was unemployment and getting a job was a real struggle.

It was one of the higher paid jobs I interviewed for but that's the only real positive about it. The problem is that I'm struggling to find jobs that pay enough. My rule has always been to only accept jobs paying at least 10% more than I'm currently getting.

The biggest issue with my job is the sort of company I'm working for. My job in the right type of company should be more tolerable. My long term ambition is to pay off the mortgage as quickly as possible and then find a job I enjoy. I haven't even started my next mortgage so that could take a while.

What should I do?

comeandgo

You seem to prioritise money over your health and happiness.  You say you only take jobs that give at least 10% more wages.  Do you really need the extra money?  What about looking for a job that you would enjoy, you work for a bloody long time, at least make it something you enjoy.

redundantmortgage

I never stop worrying about money so less money would make me worry even more.

MattMattMattUK

redundantmortgage said:

I never stop worrying about money so less money would make me worry even more.

Then you need to work put why you worry and deal with that, which may involve professional help. One should not go through live constantly worrying, it is not a good place to be.

TELLIT01

Prioritising the money is all very well if you are happy in the current job, but very short sighted if not.  Better to potentially accept even a small drop in pay if you are going to be happier in the job.

elsien

If the job you’re in now pays enough to get by then a job in a place that’s a better fit for the same money should be make you happier?

If the 10% increase isn’t realistic at the moment then go for the quality of life on the same wage. 

StevenB12

Its finding the right balance between money and home/happiness etc.

I chased the money down the rabbit hole for years. I was doing 80+ hour weeks, 7 days, days and nights, bank hols etc working in utilities, excellent money and I became ill, miserable, and it has effected my health long term. I caught a chest infection which turned into pneumonia and glandular fever and my chest has never been right for years now, all in the name of money! 

I then moved into working away, me and my partners first kid came a long, so the working away stopped, I came back home for less money.. and it was a struggle financially...stuck at it and landed a well paid job with a good home balance.

If you're constantly worrying about money then in my opinion I'd sit down and figure out what your bare minimum is needed to have all bills paid, food in the table, and a bit of spends, once you have that figure you'll probably realise there are a lot more jobs out there that would be better for you in terms of happiness etc. As I said before, in my experience, constantly worrying about money and chasing money rarely changes no matter what job you are doing, until you know why you are working as much.

TadleyBaggie

When I was made redundant in 2010 I was on a very good salary, ~£70K + bonuses that often took me close to £100K. When I started job hunting I quickly realised I was never going to get that sort of salary elsewhere and had to start looking at jobs in the £40K mark. Eventually took a job at £50K that was less than ideal but had to suck up the income drop.

BikingBud

StevenB12 said:

Its finding the right balance between money and home/happiness etc.

I chased the money down the rabbit hole for years. I was doing 80+ hour weeks, 7 days, days and nights, bank hols etc working in utilities, excellent money and I became ill, miserable, and it has effected my health long term. I caught a chest infection which turned into pneumonia and glandular fever and my chest has never been right for years now, all in the name of money! 

I then moved into working away, me and my partners first kid came a long, so the working away stopped, I came back home for less money.. and it was a struggle financially...stuck at it and landed a well paid job with a good home balance.

If you're constantly worrying about money then in my opinion I'd sit down and figure out what your bare minimum is needed to have all bills paid, food in the table, and a bit of spends, once you have that figure you'll probably realise there are a lot more jobs out there that would be better for you in terms of happiness etc. As I said before, in my experience, constantly worrying about money and chasing money rarely changes no matter what job you are doing, until you know why you are working as much.

Health and happiness all day every day👍

Unfortunately the world appears to work to different drivers 👎

StevenB12

BikingBud said:

StevenB12 said:

Its finding the right balance between money and home/happiness etc.

I chased the money down the rabbit hole for years. I was doing 80+ hour weeks, 7 days, days and nights, bank hols etc working in utilities, excellent money and I became ill, miserable, and it has effected my health long term. I caught a chest infection which turned into pneumonia and glandular fever and my chest has never been right for years now, all in the name of money! 

I then moved into working away, me and my partners first kid came a long, so the working away stopped, I came back home for less money.. and it was a struggle financially...stuck at it and landed a well paid job with a good home balance.

If you're constantly worrying about money then in my opinion I'd sit down and figure out what your bare minimum is needed to have all bills paid, food in the table, and a bit of spends, once you have that figure you'll probably realise there are a lot more jobs out there that would be better for you in terms of happiness etc. As I said before, in my experience, constantly worrying about money and chasing money rarely changes no matter what job you are doing, until you know why you are working as much.

Health and happiness all day every day👍

Unfortunately the world appears to work to different drivers 👎

I think a lot of people are being priced out of the healthy and happiness market at the moment sadly. 

Unreal the amount of people facing homelessness and food or heat situations at the minute..

Doesn't seem to be much of a good balance for many at the moment, hopefully it improves before it gets worse 

robatwork

redundantmortgage said:My long term ambition is to pay off the mortgage as quickly as possible and then find a job I enjoy. 

The problem with this approach is that you may not pay off your mortgage until you retire, so you'll have spent your entire career in a job you don't enjoy. 

Even the best laid plans get side-tracked. You may have a £200,000 house and a £50,000 job aiming to pay it off in 8 years. You may in future have

3 kids and need a £500,000 house
an illness
an expensive partner

Better to find some job satisfaction asap. Bearing in mind nobody is 100% happy with their job 100% of the time, you just need to balance it as best as we all try to do.