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Original poster

Time or money?

37 replies

PoliteSquid · 08/05/2026 09:56

I work in state sector education for context. I was a teacher for 20ish years and I left the classroom just after Covid.

My current role is very flexible, but low pay for the level of responsibility (£41k). I get 26 days annual leave and permanent WFH. No one checks what I’m up to as long as I am doing all the things I’m meant to do,

I have been offered (yesterday) a leadership job in a school. 40 mile round trip, full time but obviously with school holidays although my kids are 14 & 18 so no childcare required. Pay is £54k. There is zero chance of WFH for obvious reasons!

So, time or money? I have to decide today!

OP posts:
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Original poster
PoliteSquid · 08/05/2026 13:57

latetothefisting · 08/05/2026 12:55

While I think you've made the right decision, you probably should have considered all that before applying, and not wasted everyone's time!

I thought perhaps you'd been head hunted or something but from your reference to the 'interview' sounds as if you would have been fully aware of the salary and distance from the start, and still decided to apply. Given your previous experience you know how much work, time and money goes into a full hiring process, from sifting to interview stage. They could have interviewed a candidate who actually wanted the job!

In schools the process is short. It’s all very exciting in the run up, and the day itself is busy with not much time to think. I was lucky they allowed me to think about it overnight! I’ve had loads of times when someone verbally accepts and then gets a counter offer from the original school and they decide to stay.

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notmarysmum · 08/05/2026 13:38

You won’t have much extra money and you’ll have much less time during term time because of the commute.

How much of the extra school holiday time would actually be your own if you would be in a leadership position? Most SLT I know need to work during holidays for various reasons.

Time to start looking for a better paid job closer to home.

MidnightMeltdown · 08/05/2026 13:26

Would need to be a much bigger pay jump for me to consider giving up wfh

latetothefisting · 08/05/2026 12:55

While I think you've made the right decision, you probably should have considered all that before applying, and not wasted everyone's time!

I thought perhaps you'd been head hunted or something but from your reference to the 'interview' sounds as if you would have been fully aware of the salary and distance from the start, and still decided to apply. Given your previous experience you know how much work, time and money goes into a full hiring process, from sifting to interview stage. They could have interviewed a candidate who actually wanted the job!

Original poster
PoliteSquid · 08/05/2026 12:43

I’ve done the sums and realised what looks like a decent pay rise actually isn’t! And I don’t want to give up my WFH!!

Decision made, some one else can have that new job!!

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HedgehogMugs · 08/05/2026 11:39

PoliteSquid · 08/05/2026 11:27

The new commute is long… easily an hour and that’s relying on the traffic behaving itself!

My current role involves lots of travel but I’m in charge of when and how often. Also all my costs are paid by work. I really like my freedom too…

Show quote history

you're not selling it ... LOL

Long commute, 40 mile round trip, stressful ....

middleagedandinarage · 08/05/2026 11:31

Time but it's not even just a time vs money here I don't think, the added stress of the job etc. I would definitley stay where you are. Also if you take off the costs of the commute and tax etc the pay gap is probably not as big as you think.

Original poster
PoliteSquid · 08/05/2026 11:31

G5000 · 08/05/2026 10:18

What do you think of the role? Do you want it, would it be an interesting challenge? Sounds quie different from your current one.
Money-wise, how about travel cost?

New role would certainly be a challenge! Even the interview day was exhausting… could I go back to 5 days a week in school, knowing exactly how long until the next holiday… I’m not sure I could actually! Maybe I’m getting a bit lazy in my middle age.

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ohyesohyesoh · 08/05/2026 11:30

Think you have answered your own question 😄

Original poster
PoliteSquid · 08/05/2026 11:27

redskyAtNigh · 08/05/2026 09:59

How long would the journey take at the time you would be travelling?

Do you feel (as I did when my children got to teens) that you would like to revitalise your career and take on something more challenging, or are you thinking that you want to start winding down (this might depend a bit on your age)?

Also - you describe this as "time or money", but having school holidays off in Job 2 is also giving you extra time (although you might prefer to have less holiday but out of busy school holiday periods)

Edited

The new commute is long… easily an hour and that’s relying on the traffic behaving itself!

My current role involves lots of travel but I’m in charge of when and how often. Also all my costs are paid by work. I really like my freedom too…

OP posts:
Original poster
PoliteSquid · 08/05/2026 11:23

We don’t ‘need’ the money although it’s always nice! I applied because of the higher salary and it’s a new school so starting from scratch which is exciting. However, I stepped away from the classroom for good reasons!!!!

Yesterday was exhausting, and it was a relief this morning when I realised I only have to go to my study. Time is winning over the salary…

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EllisIsEllis · 08/05/2026 11:22

You haven’t said how you feel about the new job, or whether you enjoy your current job. Do you miss working in a school? That level of daily interaction will be miles away from WFH every day.

My current role has similar pay and flexibility to yours, also primarily WFH, but I’m looking for something else because it’s so dull!

HoppityBun · 08/05/2026 11:19

All things and expenses being equal: Time!

Gloriousgardener11 · 08/05/2026 11:18

I’d be staying put, sounds like you have the perfect job!
The pay increase isn’t worth the extra amount of hassle and stress you’d be letting yourself in for.
Schools have changed a lot since COVID and not for the better!

Dweetfidilove · 08/05/2026 11:15

The extra you will earn here doesn't seem a great deal for the added responsibilities and expense.
If it can be a stepping stone to even better earning, then go for it.

Whyarepeople · 08/05/2026 11:03

It sounds a bit like you're bored by your current job and would like the challenge of the new job - is that the case?

KojaksLollipop · 08/05/2026 11:00

In real terms that’s around a £7k net increase in salary (off the top of my head), when you take off fuel costs that’s much less. Is it worth it?

I’ve just googled and it costs about £1-£1.5k to drive 8k miles in the UK, not taking into account rising fuel costs. Then clothing, food costs etc, That increase is dwindling fast.

WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma · 08/05/2026 10:55

Is the new job term time only or annualised hours? Is the pension scheme better? Work all that out before you make a decision.

I would sit down and do the sums tbh. And factor in petrol because god knows how expensive that is going to be.

I would also say that you've applied for this job for a reason. You feel like you're underpaid for the responsibility you have. Sometimes a change is good for the soul.

FinallyHere · 08/05/2026 10:39

Which role is more satisfying and enjoyable. Life is too short to be anything but happy in your role.

fig the money around that.

Thepeopleversuswork · 08/05/2026 10:39

It depends if you need the money enough, it depends if you want more challenge in your life or want to step back a bit. Impossible to say without answering these.

dizzydizzydizzy · 08/05/2026 10:37

I wouldn’t because it sounds like far too much stress.

HedgehogMugs · 08/05/2026 10:37

couldn't you try asking for a payrise at your current role instead?

HedgehogMugs · 08/05/2026 10:35

I'd stay put... the extra few hundred per month (after you take out cost fuel of driving 200 miles+ a week....) wouldn't be worth the stress, time given up etc for me

SixLeggedSugarBug · 08/05/2026 10:33

Do the sums, factor in only being able to travel in school holidays (if travel is important to you).

I don’t think it would be worth it when it’s all down on paper.

latetothefisting · 08/05/2026 10:32

Firstly I'd go on salary calculator and put in the 2 wages = by the time you take into account increased tax, NI, pension the difference between the two wages is more likely to be £10k than £13k. Then work out the cost of petrol for the commute for however many weeks of the year. At least then you're deciding between the exchange of time vs money you'll actually get. If your eldest is in/planning on going to uni next year I'd also double check if your household income increasing might impact the loans they get as well - if you're expected to make up the difference that might cancel out your pay increase.

Usually I would say time is always better - the difference here I suppose is that (even taking all the above into account), it is still quite a significant increase, and it sounds like your current job is quite stressful. If it was an 'easy' job I wouldn't change it for that much money.