To think of working away Monday to Friday for a year?

[Albagal]

My Dh and I are mid forties, kids are 12 and 15. We both had well paid jobs in manufacturing and bought a house that needed renovation, we used all our savings half renovating it and then both got made redundant about 5 years ago. We both have decentish public sector jobs but with still needing to renovate house, much lower wages, kids of an age they need more stuff (getting quite advanced at activities that may become a career and would benefit from tuition etc) and a woefully underperforming endowment means we have a real daily slog that has taken its toll on us both. Every penny is accounted for and we are by no means on the bread line, can afford a newish car and a holiday every 2 years etc. I'm just worn down by lack of cash. My job is quite specialised and I can earn 500-700 a day if I contract at it but I'd only earn these wages in London. We live in Scotland. I've seen a 9 month contract at £750 a day that I could do in my sleep. Aibu to think that working down there for a 9 months mon- Friday and paying off the mortgage and then a few months off and maybe another 6 month stint and saving enough for kids uni is a good idea? Would I regret not spending quality time with kids? In my head we'd schedule quality weekend time, pay for a cleaner while I'm away etc. Is this a crazy idea? I haven't really discussed it with Dh but he stresses even more than me about money so I think he'd say yes! I'm
Worried how it wouldn't affect my relationship with the children AND with him, not the money side I've always earned more and he's happy with that, just the not being there and him being left to do all the family stuff might make him resentful even though I'd be working long hours.

I would absolutely do it. Do you have someone you can stay with? Or can you rent a Mon-Thurs room for not much?

You won't be working at the weekend - I only ever work the hours I'm paid.

Everyone is different. I travelled to Paris weekly for 6 months pre kids and hated it. I like being at home too much.
Our relationship was fine but I found it hard keeping on top of the house etc and just felt tired all the time.
Also think of your other half. Yes the kids are older but it's a lot of pressure on him.
My friends hubby commutes to London weekly and although she doesn't complain I get the impression it's hard on her.
There son is younger though.

Could your husband go down to 4 days a week at work?

Giving him a day for washing, ironing and food shopping etc so neither of you have to do it on the weekend?

Because it's outside IR 35 I can claim travel and accommodation as costs pre tax so I'm looking at around £2k a month living costs and travel, but again that comes off ltd company expenses. I'd be over the vat threshold so I'd need to consider that. I've got some friends down there I could stay with if I wanted to share but not sure I would. In my head I'd hit the gym every day and would become fit and healthy and make lots of money and have amazing quality weekend time, but I'm worried I'm being over optimistic (like piper gong into prison in oitnb) and in reality I'd comfort eat out of loneliness, costs and tax would be more than I'd imagine, my kids would grow distant (they'll only be at home for a few more years) and I might deeply regret it!!!

That's a great idea me myself and I! My husband enjoys housework and would probably love 4 days a week... dunno if his work would go for it though, is flexible
Working an essential consideration for if you have a child under 18 or is it still under 6?

I think you need to cost this properly and see how much extra you would be earning compared to where you are after accommodation, tax, vat, travel and everything else is taken into account.
Then decide if it is worth it.

My dh did this abroad for 3 years.

It was tough but our dc were 2 and 4 when he went.

It was very beneficial financially and he did get very fit at the gym!

Go for it.

Ah that's good news re ltd company and expenses, don't forget 20% corporation tax too :-/
I lived in Airbnb's when I first started out which is cheap but sometimes difficult to cook, so you might end up spending lots of eating out. But it's a lifestyle that you can make work I'm sure.

Oh yeah and accountancy fees too!

If your dh supports you then yes go for it.
Half terms your dc could go with you ??

DH and j have been talking about this, as I said he's a contractor and we've been chatting about the maths. He reckons it needs to be at LEAST £300 a day more than you are on now for it to be worth it financially. More like £350 a day more.

Obviously I don't know your field, but Edinburgh and Aberdeen have good contracting opportunities at > £500 a day, which might be better?

So worth while
Would be £1000 a day?? Wow

Sorry - i meant it would only add up to more money if the op is on less than £400 a day now

I wouldn't do it, my husband did it for a while and he was so lonely and got really depressed. Nobody to go home to at night and nobody to just cuddle or chat to if you have had a rough day. 12 year old DD will miss you, I'm sure she would rather have you home than a fully renovated home.

I did it for 6 months, commuting to London on Monday morning returning Friday afternoon. We didn't have kid at the time so I can't comment on practicalities there but it worked well for us. DH kept on top of housework etc so I literally just needed to do my own laundry, we planned time together and with family and friends, I kept in phone contact through the week.

One thing I would say is that while in London the work was full on - I was working 10/12 hour days which put paid to going to the gym. Mind you work levels and stress kept my weight down. I had some friends in London so made a point of seeing one of them once a week which gave me a reason to leave work "early" and have an evening off.

Adding kids into the mix there would be the opportunity to spend a weekend in London with them etc. I would totally get a cleaner though - the whole household will resent the challenges less if they aren't left to pick up too many pieces. I'd also be clear about socialising and recreation time e.g. not being pissed off if you're home for the weekend and DH wants to see friends, go for a drink etc. Plan on having time separately and time together beforehand so everyone is on the same page.

I know a family who did this, although for a smaller London salary. At the end of the year they had saved nothing! Commuting expenses, accommodation, food, gym and socialising in London, then doing fun stuff at weekends to compensate for being away all week, then after they moved back they had a few months of unemployment looking for a new job, which used up the last of the money.

You would be earning more than them, but do cost it carefully, London is a surprisingly expensive city.

They did find it impacted on their marriage, weekends were so busy catching up that they lost the art of chatting about nothing and spending time together effortlessly, they were less close at the end of the year. Although they did rebuild that afterwards.

Are there any options for working at home 1-2 days per week?

I've done it. It's knackering. I'd say make sure your week time base is somewhere you can relax. I've done everything from sofa to caravan to hotel. Last time I looked at buying a flat. Kids didn't like me being away. DH didn't like it. I didn't like it. But, you might all get on fine. You'll only know if you try. I've found clients have been very understanding when my Pa was ill. I spent many a day 'wfh' by his bedside.