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Original poster

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

75 replies

MockBatter · 07/08/2025 22:36

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?

OP posts:
Setyoufree · 08/08/2025 06:22

Oh also, if doubling your money means you end up in the tax horror show around £100k, that's another strong reason not to bother. If it jumps you out of the other side of it, maybe more interesting

Yachties · 08/08/2025 06:24

No. I have a job that’s all consuming and it’s making me miserable. I won’t be able to stay much longer, I’m unfit and unhappy because I spend hours at a screen or in stressful meetings. It pays well but it’s just not worth it. I feel at this rate I might not even make it to retirement.

Original poster
MockBatter · 08/08/2025 06:30

i can give money figures but I worry as it often looks like boasting. Let’s say I’d be well the other side of any tax issues that hit at 100k. I’m the main earner which puts a feeling of responsibility on me as we still have a big mortgage and debt from loans we took out to aide my career to have opportunities like this.

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Sittingatthebottomofthegarden · 08/08/2025 06:32

MockBatter · 07/08/2025 22:47

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.

Do you have family or any health conditions - that is a consideration. I was on a fast track and absolutely flying but got pregnant and my life changed overnight. The pregnancy was viable and I stepped down. Don’t regret it.

Setyoufree · 08/08/2025 06:35

MockBatter · 08/08/2025 06:30

i can give money figures but I worry as it often looks like boasting. Let’s say I’d be well the other side of any tax issues that hit at 100k. I’m the main earner which puts a feeling of responsibility on me as we still have a big mortgage and debt from loans we took out to aide my career to have opportunities like this.

In that case I'd run the numbers of what life looks like with and without this job. How fast could the net salary pay off the debt. How long would you need to cling onto this job.

You said it's niche and you wouldn't be able to go back to the current job - would you be able to easily get another job elsewhere?

JustMyView13 · 08/08/2025 06:41

I’m very money motivated, but there is still a balance to be struck. If you work this job, is it going to age you faster? Will you still spend the next x years doing things you enjoy? If not, you’re trading healthy years for 5 unpromised years.
Double money is tempting, but is it up to double stress, or more than? Are there extra unpaid hours that don’t exist in your current job - or exist to a lesser extent? If so, recalculate your salary to work out an hourly rate - is it still double?
Also, picture yourself in 3yrs if you stay where you are. Would you regret that? Now do the same having taken this job, would you regret that?

Pushmepullyou · 08/08/2025 06:45

I am in a not wholly dissimilar situation to you. Late 40s doing something I love, main earner, already on track for a comfortable retirement, with the option for a life changing amount of money in return for what might be a much less enjoyable, more stressful work situation that would mean I would have no n need to work within 5 years.

I think I’m going to go for it- there is so much external instability out there at the moment that I might never get the same level of opportunity again. I would probably also go for it in your position. I completely understand the concerns but the pull to have no money worries and be able to secure an inheritance for my children is so big that I think I would always regret turning it down.

Vintednewb · 08/08/2025 06:59

How long would you be doing it for? 10 years? 20 years?

I've just accepted a job where I will take a pay cut for a better quality of life

PermanentTemporary · 08/08/2025 07:04

Have a quick session with a work coach?

Have you had a talk with either of the previous incumbents?

Tbh personally I probably wouldn’t as I am very stressed at times by my low level job. But I do know people at that sort of level and they do like the ability to make change happen.

zaazaazoom · 08/08/2025 07:08

If it's that much money I would think about doing it for 5 years. But pretend I wasn't getting a pay increase and absolutely invest, pay off mortgage etc as much as I could.
Be very clear with yourself that you when you are not working you are focusing on the kids and your dh and yourself.
Make sure you have time away from it every day and at least a full day off a week. Choose easy, fun holidays (no long haul, and spend time with your kids then).
Have a Plan B in case it's awful.

IDontHateRainbows · 08/08/2025 07:10

Yes , but I'm in a growth phase in my career having got stuck in the doldrums post kids so I'm happy to be stressed and consumed by work ( within reason and there's good stress v bad stress)

TheTwenties · 08/08/2025 07:23

What impact will you taking the job have on DC? Lots of them need a surprising amount of parental input into their early 20’s and you working yourself into oblivion won’t in any way help them at the time. The only real benefit to them of you retiring early could be childcare for grandchildren but they won’t understand the trade off whilst you’re in the thick of it.

If you took the job and failed or for whatever other reason things didn’t work out would you get another half decent job easily? Don’t underestimate how difficult it is to get a meaningful job having done something at a much more senior level.

Honestly, I would forget about the whole first female in the role business and really consider what’s best for you and your family - just because there are many selfish men out there who will do anything to get to the top, with little to no regard for their families, doesn’t mean you need to join them.

Walkerzoo · 08/08/2025 07:25

I am in the no camp. Health and relationships with family more important.

hellotomrw · 08/08/2025 07:32

Hello39 · 07/08/2025 22:42

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.

This, enjoy life now

Hotfeetcoldfeet · 08/08/2025 07:37

Congratulations on being offered such a big job!!! Its such a hard one though. I think the biggest consideration is your personality and resilience and how well you cope with stress. If you know you cope well with a lot on your plate, can switch off when you get home and be really boundaried then I’d do it. I’ve noticed that the people in the higher up roles in my organisation just don’t seem to suffer from anxiety or self doubt at all. I do, and so I wouldn’t fare well in such roles, even though the work would be doable… Also, don’t worry about having to represent all women by taking on a big job iykwim, that’s not your responsibility. Good luck making your decision. In a way, either decision will be okay as you will make it okay!!

Isitreallysohard · 08/08/2025 07:40

15 years of stress for 10 less years? Not sure if it's worth it. 5 years maybe, but 15 is too much. Hiw about do it for 4 then slow down the pace if you want

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 08/08/2025 07:40

I think you should go for it!

Sounds like they are crying out for someone dynamic to get in there and shake them up.

it may not be as stressful as you think - might you hugely regret turning down this one off opportunity?

If you take it and it doesn’t work out there will always be another option.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Doingmybest12 · 08/08/2025 07:51

Have you got a partner who is very hands on and can take on the home responsibilities. I'm not sure about how many years you are talking about working for. So you are late 40s projected to retire at 65, you could do this and retire 10 years early so 6 or 7 years in the new job. For me it would depend what other demands you have outside of work and how you respond to pressure and responsibility. The issues about being the first woman might be a motivator for some but it's not something you should take on as a millstone around your neck. It's a personal decision.

Lilacspring · 08/08/2025 07:57

No, I wouldn't take it.

ducksfizz · 08/08/2025 08:00

I’d take it. You don’t know until you try. And they’ll be room to make the job your own to some degree. Buy in cleaners, gardeners, childcare etc. What an accolade to be the first woman in role!

juicelooseabootthishoose · 08/08/2025 08:09

What sort of support would you receive at home if you took on this huge commitment. Would DP be able to
flex or drop hour and pick up more of
household burden? Also what is the deal with parents? Could you have ageing and sick parents to
content with during this ten years?
there is no guarantee any of us make it to retirement,
personally i would choose happiness now

rookiemere · 08/08/2025 08:15

I am age 55 now. I don’t actually want to retire although I have the option as current contract finishes soon and could just about afford it due to big redundancy payment a year ago. I feel like I am in my prime, hampered only by my DPs refusal to get a sensible care package in place, but I am definitely getting another job albeit probably part time. Work is good for keeping your brain active and I don’t want to be retired for 30+ years.
So I would put that aspect to one side.
What does your gut tell you OP? Money is good, but taxed heavily once you earn a lot of it. Stress is bad, but boredom is also not great.

Original poster
MockBatter · 08/08/2025 08:16

Thanks again all.

I would plan to do it for about five years or a little more then retire around 55.

DC are used to me working full time and long hours and they all say I should go for it. DH very hands on and he is happy to step up even more if I go for this but he has anyway been the lead at home for about five years. Before that it was 50:50.

Elderly parents and menopause both risks that could materialise and need a lot of mental energy.

My problem is that in my gut I feel it’s a bad idea but my brain sees it’s a good idea and a hugely exciting and privileged opportunity. My family and friends and colleagues agree with my brain. My guy is a lone “voice”.

OP posts:
Nellodee · 08/08/2025 08:19

What happened to the men who did it previously? Are they still working for the same company now? How long did they end up doing it for?

Original poster
MockBatter · 08/08/2025 08:21

Nellodee · 08/08/2025 08:19

What happened to the men who did it previously? Are they still working for the same company now? How long did they end up doing it for?

They were both 10 years nearer retirement when they got the job and both had a hard time and retired earlier than expected.

OP posts: