to give up, its impossible to have a decent wage and an OK stress level

[pigglewiggle]

I just can't get the balance right. I worked in the city, long hours very stressful but worked enough to pay off my mortgage. Then worked in a kitchen and found it so dull it was worse than the city job as each hour dragged so much. Now in a medium sized company with pay in between the two but still find it a bit too stressful, with work mounting up and people constantly asking for stuff.

Has anyone found the middle ground?

I suppose it's loving what you do. Or having the type of personality that doesn't get stressed easily.

No I haven't found it. I'm currently earning a rubbish amount in a job that doesn't use any of my qualifications. But I only do it part time and it's completely stress free. It suits me now.

I suppose for most people it's a fine balance between earning enough money and the stress involved.

Depends on what you class as an ok salary, surely? I gave up a professional career for a role that is probably considered kind of crappy by the general public but has a final salary pension, good perks and I get paid for every minute of overtime I do after the first hour per week. I have a 35 hour contract over 4 days but it is shift work and the hours can be antisocial, plus the general public can be a PITA but I don't take work home with me either literally or metaphorically, ever. I don't get that Sunday feeling. I earn around 34k but can earn considerably more with overtime if I choose. The job is in no way prestigious and I know I get judged by friends/acquaintances for doing it but the trade off is worth it for me. Friends earn as much as double but have the associated downsides.

I hope so.

I love my job (teaching) but I have handed in my notice, the stress of the 'other stuff' started to get to me.

I'll be looking for a 'sod that' job for a while. But I do wonder how long I will last, before the need for more gets me back on a stress treadmill!

To use a phrase "Fortunately I don't have to work"

Well, not at that level of earning, anyway!

I'm a teacher and I love my job. The outside of hours work is a lot, but it suits my lifestyle (able to spend a few hours of DS then work when he goes to bed). I think that I'm lucky in that I own my own home so I'm less worried about the pay v work situation. I do firmly believe that not having to pay for rent or mortgage takes a lot of pressure off.

That was what made it possible for me to hand in my notice, Midnite.

DH has been supportive but 3 - 4 years of wanting out took their toll, so I am hoping to find a better work/life balance!

I don't have an answer. I'm a teacher, part time. I can't hack it anymore. It's too stressful, but I can't jack it in because we need the money.

I'm sorry you feel like that pigglewiggle.

My dh is freelance (has been more or less constantly for 20 years) in a profession which he entered at age 30. He has miniscule amounts of stress from his job and earns a very good salary most of the time.

It can be done but I agree with a pp that you need to find something that you really love doing, and adjust your financial expectations if necessary.

My only note of caution about doing something you love is that you don't want to ruin a much loved hobby/interest. Lots of people try to get into my industry because they have hobbies related to it but the reality is completely different to their expectations and it ruins the whole thing for them. That won't apply in all cases of course.