Would you take a job you know you would find stressful and all consuming if it would mean you could retire 10 years early?

[MockBatter]

I am late 40s. I work in a very niche sector. I have a good and well paid job now and if I stay in it I could retire at 65 comfortably and live a nice life before and after retirement.

I have been offered the only job in my industry that pays double what I earn now. If I take it I could save a huge amount each year and still be living a good quality of life and then retire much earlier. The only problem is the job will be hugely stressful and difficult and I know I won’t like it as much as my current job.

another factor is I’m the first woman to be offered this job ever. If I turn it down it will go to a man and I will feel I was somehow weak and somehow let women in my industry down.

would you take the job?

Yes. The money , the chance to retire early. The fact you’d be the first woman. I’m intrigued.

Go for it. 100%. The idea of it may be more stressful than the reality; that’s often the case!

No. I'd prefer a decent quality of life including worklife for the next 20 years over 10/15 years of a job I wouldn't like and then retire early. To do what.

I don’t think it helps to look at it as you turning it down because you’re a woman. Men often take jobs like that and have heart attacks, acrimonious divorces and a lack of connection with their kids. Have a look at the predecessors in the role and ask yourself if that’s the lifestyle you want. It may well be and could be perfect for you. Little point retiring at 55yo with poor health and poor relationships with loved ones - whether that’s friends, cousins or others, not just kids and partner.

I think it depends on a lot of factors. What would be your quality of life in this jobs vs your current job? How long would you want to do this job for? What happens when you no longer want this job, can you go back to a job like your current one or would you be in a good position to earn more?

I think the short answer is yes take it, but think about Plan B if you find the trade off of stress vs money isn’t worth it.

also, make sure that the extra money doesn’t disappear into lifestyle inflation and you find yourself working until 65 anyway but in a higher stress role with lower life satisfaction.

Not a chance. I like an easy life.

The last two men in the job have had a miserable time. I honestly think the chances are that I would too, at least in parts, although I obviously like to think I could change the job for the better.

No I wouldn’t take it. Your life should always be happy and comfortable, even if you have slightly less money and retire later. Do what makes you happy.

I could maybe do five years of a job I didn’t like if it would significantly boost my finances or retirement plans. But not ten.

I actually am on the early retirement track and am coming around more and more to the idea that it would make more sense to work longer but be happier in work. And should there be any changes to tax relief on pensions that make it harder to save, such a move would be a no-brainer for me.

If I felt I would lose relationships, no. Like if I was going to miss my kids growing up or ruin my marriage, no.

If no catastrophic implications for my relationships, id probably want to take it because of ambition rather than the money or wanting to retire early. Would be annoyed to see someone else in the job etc, especially if they were then making decisions I had to follow.

I wouldn't personally, but I am late 40s, married with 2 dc and elderly parents. I am already knackered working 0.8 in a normal job. I have a lot of people who need me and I couldn't have an all-consuming job at this point in my life. In 10 years my parents will be dead and my kids will be grown up so I will have less responsibility in that way, but it isn't my goal to retire early. I do know others who feel differently and it could be worth it if you thrive in that climate.

Congrats on the job offer, OP, you must be an exceptional worker and you should be proud of yourself, whatever you decide!

I wouldn't in my circumstances (mid 40s with 2 primary aged dcs). It's more important for me to have flexibility and time with them while they're young. I would consider it if I didn't have dcs or if the youngest was over 16.

I'm on track to retire early anyway and it's a nice feeling, but I built up my retirement savings by aggressive investing and was still able to do it whilst working pt.

possibly / if you would earn enough to outsource a lot of day to day stuff and still be able to save loads ( reduce home stress to compensate )

No. The continual stress will probably knock 10 years of your life expectancy anyway.

You’re not selling it to me OP.

Money Vs Health

Health is more important to me

@MockBatter can you give it a try and if it goes wrong, get your old job back? If so, nothing to lose

If you think it will ruin your life while you are doing it then no, don’t do it.

I wouldn't do it. It sounds miserable. The tax man will take a big chunk of the extra money and it sound like you will have a poor quality of life. Your current set up sounds great. A well paid job that you enjoy. Why give that up?
I wouldn't worry about being the first woman to do the job. Often when a crap job gets particularly bad it gets handed to a woman (see Theresa May and co). Just do what is right for you.

Thanks all.

i could not go back to my old job I don’t think. Not unless i was replaced by someone who wanted to leave at the same time I did.

I do still have DC under 16 and will for a couple of years.

i would definitely have money to outsource lots of stuff at home, but I mainly already do that so I couldn’t buy much more time.

i know it sounds a no brainer, why go for a job that won’t be enjoyable? But I feel such a weight of expectation that I will do it. Everyone just assumed I will jump at the chance and actually be thrilled and honoured and also somehow turn things around as everyone acknowledges it’s bad at the moment.

I’m on holiday now and can’t relax and enjoy it was I just worry all the time about whether to go for the job. It’s driving me insane before I’ve even accepted it.

Listen to your gut. Never ignore it.

Unless you have analysed the job and have supportive senior managers, the power, leadership skills, nerve, and creativity to make radical changes to the role - no, I would not take the job. It sounds like a poisoned chalice.

How is the menopause going for you?

I would have no senior managers above me. Just a governance body which would hold me to account for delivery. There is obviously freedom and power in that but ultimately the buck would stop with me and that’s scary in an organisation where things aren’t going well. I doubt any of my male colleagues would describe it as scary though.

i haven’t hit menopause yet but am scared that when i do I will suffer and feel trapped in this job.

This. Especially given what you know about the last two incumbents.

Really tricky one. Partly I guess it depends on what you'd be doubling your money from. Minimum wage or exec salary?

How long would you need to keep working at it for to be able to see early retirement? It sounds like maybe 10 years +?

I think the fact that you're describing it as scary rather than exciting and being energised by the scale of it possibly gives you your answer?