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AIBU?

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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:
FungibleAssets · 08/05/2026 10:28

Jellycatspyjamas · 08/05/2026 10:24

How much of the increased salary will be eaten up by tax and commuting costs. I’d do my sums very carefully because I doubt it’ll result in a significant increase in disposable income when you consider increased costs, you could end up losing time without gaining the money.

This. It doesn’t sound as if you would end up with enough extra money to justify the lengthy commute, lack of flexibility and higher accountability.

gldd · 08/05/2026 10:24

Surely not enough of a difference in salary to justify the dramatic changes to working conditions and increased pressure. For £80k+, maybe...?

Jellycatspyjamas · 08/05/2026 10:24

How much of the increased salary will be eaten up by tax and commuting costs. I’d do my sums very carefully because I doubt it’ll result in a significant increase in disposable income when you consider increased costs, you could end up losing time without gaining the money.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 08/05/2026 10:23

I’d go for time, 41k might not be a lot for what you do but it’s still a decent wage. Although thinking about it, if it’s a term time only role then you’d have more time anyway? If so then that’s different

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?

youalright · 08/05/2026 10:17

My god no that sounds awful 41k is a decent wage. Enjoy the time

Agix · 08/05/2026 10:14

Do you need the money?

We all know, we all need the time. Life is short.

Is money short too?

Do you need the money more than you need the time?

budgiegirl · 08/05/2026 10:12

For me, it would depend how much you need the money - are things tight, or do you manage quite well on your current salary.

Also, I like go on holiday as much as possible (mostly cheap city breaks, with a couple of longer trips) , but never travel in the school holidays any more, now the kids are grown up and the costs are far higher during the holidays. So this would also sway my decision, but may not be so important to you.

Original poster
PoliteSquid · 08/05/2026 10:06

ohyesohyesoh · 08/05/2026 09:59

And is £41 k low pay ? you don’t say what you are responsible for

A specific curriculum area across 17 schools and am held to account for performance of them.

OP posts:
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)

ohyesohyesoh · 08/05/2026 09:59

And is £41 k low pay ? you don’t say what you are responsible for

ohyesohyesoh · 08/05/2026 09:58

No way would I be taking that on. As I get older time is more important

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