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Original poster

DH leaving me - what job can I look at to earn as much as possible?

162 replies

changename875467 · 08/08/2023 16:49

Husband has told me he wants to separate. We have children, one of whom is a small baby.
Pre maternity leave I currently work part time, earning circa 12k/year for childcare reasons and obviously will need to change that when he leaves as he is the main earner, much higher than me but I can't see him being able to support us both living in our own homes.

What jobs could I look at that pay well? I have a first class degree from a good uni if it's relevant, and currently work in education but would probably look to move sectors.

OP posts:
Starseeking · 08/08/2023 22:35

@BLT24, no I'm a Finance Director. My part qualifieds are on £68-£70k.

Afiasco · 08/08/2023 22:58

There was a poster saying that they don’t know anyone on 6 figures in education, even head teachers- er, that’s not the case for the Independent sector! The majority of heads in private make upwards of 200k a year, some much more - I was shocked when I found this out!

on that note, headmasters usually paid a lot more than headmistresses - really not okay 😡

Duchessofspace · 08/08/2023 23:22

A good solicitor. The home is yours - if you own it and CMS and maintenance for you / he doesn’t get to make babies and not pay for them and he must help you back onto the career ladder.

what is your degree in?

without that pointless speculation - it could be medicine to archaeology to zoology

BLT24 · 08/08/2023 23:28

Starseeking · 08/08/2023 22:35

@BLT24, no I'm a Finance Director. My part qualifieds are on £68-£70k.

Where are you based? Our part qualifieds are on 25-35k! We benchmark too.

Peajee · 08/08/2023 23:30

Gettingbysomehow · 08/08/2023 18:52

Private podiatry. I earned 5k a month when I did it. I'm back in the NHS now but don't bother with nhs it's not well paid but if you set up on your own the sky is the limit and you can earn round your kids.
You'll need to do a 2 year degree or masters first but long term it's the ideal career. There are never enough of us in the UK and we have to hire from abroad.
Also factor in equipment.

5k a month net or gross?

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 08/08/2023 23:34

I'm so sorry, I was also left with tiny baby, it's not nice!

You work in education- will you put baby in nursery? Can you train in leading a baby class? Or doing private tutoring? Appointment setting? If you're a teaching assistant doing this in a private school instead? Nanny? Childminder?

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 08/08/2023 23:35

h3ll0o · 08/08/2023 18:52

What do you class as good money and what hours can you work around the children?

I assess students support needs and am paid around £250 per assessment (3 hours work, of which only 90 minutes is face-to-face). Could you continue with your role but pick up highly paid work around it to boost your income?

Good idea

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 08/08/2023 23:35

Could you work for a local authority writing education health care plans? V in demand role

Starseeking · 08/08/2023 23:49

@BLT24 London.

I'm surprised at what you're paying as I started on £21k 20 years ago in 2003 on a graduate training contract with a top 10 City audit firm and qualified 3 years later (ACA), in 2006 on £42k. I got tax qualified (CTA) a few years later, though I only really use that on my CV!

OP could easily get in somewhere on a temp contract as earlier poster mentioned, perhaps in AP (we pay £30k) or Credit Control (we pay £40k) to start off with, and if she's good, she'd soon get moved into a permanent role paying more.

greyhairnomore · 08/08/2023 23:57

onlylovecanhurtlikethis · 08/08/2023 20:11

He doesn't have to support you financially but he does his children!

If he goes for 50/50 custody he isn't obliged to pay maintenance at all

Not true. A friend has 50:50 he still says maintenance as he is a high earner.

greyhairnomore · 09/08/2023 00:02

Based on 50/50 with 'father' earning £150k

DH leaving me - what job can I look at to earn as much as possible?
LeavesOnTrees · 09/08/2023 00:26

Whelm · 08/08/2023 19:25

What a bloody rocket surgeon. I might be wearing most of my lunch, but I'm very good at double entry!

Show quote history

??? What a strange reply.
Anyway, I've learned from this thread that estate agency is not a good idea. I always thought they earned well but I've probably been watching too much Selling Sunset.

BLT24 · 09/08/2023 07:42

Starseeking · 08/08/2023 23:49

@BLT24 London.

I'm surprised at what you're paying as I started on £21k 20 years ago in 2003 on a graduate training contract with a top 10 City audit firm and qualified 3 years later (ACA), in 2006 on £42k. I got tax qualified (CTA) a few years later, though I only really use that on my CV!

OP could easily get in somewhere on a temp contract as earlier poster mentioned, perhaps in AP (we pay £30k) or Credit Control (we pay £40k) to start off with, and if she's good, she'd soon get moved into a permanent role paying more.

I’m in the north west.

Fully qualified is 40-50k.

PL and Credit Control is 20-25k.

It’s crazy how different the salaries are in different areas.

alohasummer · 09/08/2023 09:29

1037370E · 08/08/2023 19:34

Civil Service is good for parents - flexible hours, parental leave, good annual leave entitlement, wide range of career options across the different civil service departments. I'm just about to return after a five year absence - Grade 7 in London starting on £57k.

I'd second this, they don't take gaps into consideration as much as the private sector, it's more about proving you can meet their criteria. They use behaviours - you can use answers from a previous role even if it is years ago. Jac Williams on YouTube is good for info on the selection process. Pay isn't great but you can progress, I started back at entry level and moved departments to a job more suited to my previous career within a year. Good luck.

Fuckingfuming1 · 09/08/2023 11:55

Afiasco · 08/08/2023 22:58

There was a poster saying that they don’t know anyone on 6 figures in education, even head teachers- er, that’s not the case for the Independent sector! The majority of heads in private make upwards of 200k a year, some much more - I was shocked when I found this out!

on that note, headmasters usually paid a lot more than headmistresses - really not okay 😡

Academy roles are advertised at six figures.

hardboiledeggs · 09/08/2023 12:13

working in sales is pretty good money, can usually get a job quickly and would do until you found something more permanent.

Fuckingfuming1 · 09/08/2023 13:20

hardboiledeggs · 09/08/2023 12:13

working in sales is pretty good money, can usually get a job quickly and would do until you found something more permanent.

Why would you leave a well paying job for something more what ? Less well paid.

hardboiledeggs · 09/08/2023 13:27

Fuckingfuming1 · 09/08/2023 13:20

Why would you leave a well paying job for something more what ? Less well paid.

Show quote history

OP is looking for more money than her part time role. I suggested sales (which is really good money or at least can be) if OP is looking for something quickly until she can find something more professional.

If you don't agree with my comment, feel free to scroll on past 🙂

Fuckingfuming1 · 09/08/2023 14:09

hardboiledeggs · 09/08/2023 13:27

OP is looking for more money than her part time role. I suggested sales (which is really good money or at least can be) if OP is looking for something quickly until she can find something more professional.

If you don't agree with my comment, feel free to scroll on past 🙂

Show quote history

More professional than Sales 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

DrSbaitso · 09/08/2023 14:29

Fuckingfuming1 · 09/08/2023 14:09

More professional than Sales 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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She may have meant more secure, as in always getting paid a fixed amount every month. Lots of places will take on anyone in a sales role because if you don't make any money, it makes no difference to them. Depends on whether they pay a base rate or demand certain targets are met.

hardboiledeggs · 09/08/2023 15:25

😂😂you must have lot of mate in real life. I made a suggestion, your just being an arse about it.

hardboiledeggs · 09/08/2023 15:27

@Fuckingfuming1 *mates. Before you pick up on my typing error 🙄

hardboiledeggs · 09/08/2023 15:32

@DrSbaitso absolutely. OP stated she may need something quickly as her STBXH may not be able to pay for two properties and she is currently part-time. My suggestion of sales was because as you have said, it's pretty easy to get into and most of the roles are full time which would (possibly) mean more money. Could possibly help her until she finds something more suited to her qualifications. Obviously just a suggestion, something OP may not have considered.

DrSbaitso · 09/08/2023 15:36

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Fuckingfuming1 · 09/08/2023 15:36

DrSbaitso · 09/08/2023 14:29

She may have meant more secure, as in always getting paid a fixed amount every month. Lots of places will take on anyone in a sales role because if you don't make any money, it makes no difference to them. Depends on whether they pay a base rate or demand certain targets are met.

Show quote history

It just tickles me how people look down on sales roles, solicitors are sales people, architects are sales people. Theres an element of sales in most roles and many sales people earn a lot more, consistently than the “professions”