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Have you taken a massive pay cut just to be happy and working?
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I have been offered an interview for a local position that is more junior than my previous positions and about half the salary.
Now when I weigh up the fact that it's a job I can do for a nice small firm, and it's very local so there are no travel costs, I am kind of thinking that being happy in a job is far more important than money.
Have you ever been in a similar situation?...Taken one step back in order to take 2 forward?
Now when I weigh up the fact that it's a job I can do for a nice small firm, and it's very local so there are no travel costs, I am kind of thinking that being happy in a job is far more important than money.
Have you ever been in a similar situation?...Taken one step back in order to take 2 forward?
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If it's enough money for you to live off comfortably and have a happier life then why not!
It's not just money you spend travelling to work, think of the extra time you'll have too.
The school holidays completely stressed me out big style trying to organise child care & of course paying for it
When I had baby no. 2 I drastically reduced my hours, my salary halved - pretty much survived and did without the extras - its worked out tons better and I am so glad I did.
Work isnt everything and it is important to get the right work/life balance - if you are covering your outlays and are happy I'd say go for it
It worked for me in the end as I ended up getting a position of more responsibility and I just learnt how to budget better.
Being happy is definitely a factor too. I didn't enjoy the better paid job at all, now I'm very happy
My work/life balance is terrible at the moment with work having completely taken over my life. I can't even take proper annual leave because I'm constantly being hassled with "URGENT" things that need doing "IMMEDIATELY" even when I'm on holiday. I took a day off yesterday and spent the whole bloody day on the phone to the office and working remotely.
I feel terrible because I barely see my 3-year-old daughter and even when I do, I'm always stressed and/or on the phone telling her to be quiet. It's really frustrating and I wish I could cut my hours (in half preferably) but I can't afford to take a pay cut (plus I'll probably be asked to work anyway, even when I'm meant to be off).
That sounds awful. I feel lucky that I am able to leave my job at the office, and it never interferes with my home life.
Cheers, I could get by on the wage but would have to budget it very wisely. I agree, the free time I would have to do other stuff is invaluable.
It sounds like most responses on here are pretty much for it. I suppose that one has to take a chance and a gamble every so often in order to ultimately be happier in life. Plus, who knows what might come up in 6 months or a year.
Happiness at work IS a big deal - money is important, but I think being miserable in a job is far worse.
If I could manage the less money and get by I would and you never know in future you might get a promotion or a payrise especially if it's in a nice local company. Juniors usually end up getting promoted if they stick around!!
Is there anything extra you can do to earn extra "pocket money" if things do get tough? Legal and taxed of course!
Also, if you find in 6 months that you simply can't manage you can always look for another job.
It's terrible. I got promoted beginning of 2012 and since then haven't had a day of peace! :mad: Even my summer and Christmas breaks are taken up by continuous work!!
I've spent 4 years at University, my career plans haven't panned out. I can afford to hold out for a better paid job, but the longer I'm out of work, the worse it looks on my CV.
It was a tough old year and the savings took a bit of a battering but it was worth it.
I think happiness is important and so is the money - in what proportion is down to each individual and his/her circumstances - so I've decided to start going for a career change. I'm a little gutted at having to start from rock bottom, but I want to make the change now before it's too late.
As i have Fibromyaligia, I have to be very careful about stress levels and this new job is perfect for me. I know i would have been off long term sick i would have stayed where i was.
I saw a job advertised with a much lower salary, that looked interesting so I applied (after working out if I could afford the drop) and luckily got offered the job and have been much happier and settled since. For me the salary was secondary to happiness and stress levels. As it happened for me 5 years down the line I am now on a higher salary than I was then and my original position (that I left) has been downgraded to a lower salary!
As long as you can afford it, I would go for it!
I was made redundant from my old job as they were moving location. Luckily just before I left another role came up within the office I was working in but employed by a different company (I know it sounds weird but where I work several roles are outsourced to different companies - so I work on behalf of one company but am employed by another to provide that role).
The role that came up really appealed so I applied knowing that it would be less money but figured that a job with less money is better than no job and living off redundancy.
Obviously I also had the redundancy to fall back on if the reduced salary wasn't sufficient but as it happens the reduced salary is more than enough for me to live on - the only impact is that I save less each month.
The new job is great and I'm much happier as the old role was subject to a lot of office politics.
Ultimately if you can afford to live on a lower salary and you feel you'd be happier then that is better for you than being unhappy in a job with higher salary.
Don't hold out for the dream job. That is a massive mistake. It doesn't mean you will never get your dream job, but whilst you're looking get a job doing something... Anything.
Even a menial office job will give you extra funds and some experiance to shout about on your CV, whilst giving you enough stress free time to look for that dream job!
Inspiring post.
I know of my friends who have aimed high and are miserable in their jobs, and have little social time to relax in the evening. They also spend as much as they earn because they feel the need to reward themselves for working so hard.
I attended an interview for a well paid high position a while ago. It was horrible. The commute would have killed me. The company was soulless and sterile...I could tell they would have pushed me to the brink. The interview was very telling...it lasted over 3 hours, and I have never been so relieved to exit a building and get on a train home! Suffice it to say, I sent them an email and turned it down.
Off topic, but that's how I felt visiting an open day at a prep school I wanted my daughter to attend next year. It was torture and even I was scared of the teachers! :eek: