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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that you can be content working in a poorly paid job

136 replies

GandolfBold · 19/02/2018 20:57

Because BIL thinks you cant, and that I am kidding myself (work as a support worker on just above NMW which I love) if I think I am content.

He said that people may think they are happy, but they would be happier if they earned more money.

As a bit of a back story, all my family work minimum wage-ish jobs, and BIL is quite snobby about it.

I cant be the only one, can I?

OP posts:
morningconstitutional2017 · 20/02/2018 08:46

What sort of life does BIL lead? He may well earn more but money doesn't buy happiness. He could be made redundant and fear not getting another job which has the status and pay of the present job. He may buy the latest fashions, dine out at snazzy restaurants, drive a flash car and be seen in all the right places - but none of this satisfies the soul - except an empty soul.

If he's happy with this, then fair enough. Remind him that we're all different.

EveryoneLovesRaymond · 20/02/2018 08:55

Your BIL needs to stop being snobby and keep his opinions to himself.

I would never be so rude as to comment about this to someone who earns less than me and I hope my richer friends wouldn't do the same. Some people are more materialistic than others and like the flash cars and big houses and others couldn't give a monkeys.

InDubiousBattle · 20/02/2018 09:08

Whilst he does sound perhaps a little rude ultimately I think he's right. It's not about big cars, fancy holidays etc, I don't think you can live anything like a comfortable life on nmw without the circumstances I mentioned in my pp. I'm guessing as he's your BIL that you have a partner op, which undoubtedly makes living on a low salary much easier.

thecatsthecats · 20/02/2018 09:50

I used to work at the entry level in my job. I was really good at it, and took immense pride in knocking out the tasks better than anyone else. Work never came home with me, practically or in my mind, and I earned enough to get by with a bit of a budget.

I've been promoted to the top of the tree, pretty much. I have near enough trebled my income. But I don't sleep easy at night, and my mortgage is an obligation I didn't have when I was earning less. Paying it off is such a long-term issue that I am tied into earning for another couple of decades.

Bluntness100 · 20/02/2018 10:47

The thing is is there is a vast difference between surviving solely on your min wage job with no financial support and having fabulous holidays and an expensive lifestyle. There is a huge mid ground between poverty and wealth. It doesn't have to be one extreme or the other. I'm not sure why some folks are posting like it's one or the other. If you're not on min wage then you're having a fabulous lifestyle, that's bullshit.

So who loves their min wage jobs and survives solely on it with no other financial support and is content? The state, your partner or your parents are not paying your bills enabling you to do your low paid job and be content.

Anyone?

SussexMedley · 20/02/2018 10:59

Dh earns 3 times what I earn
He hates his job where I love mine
Money isn't everything

But it sort of is, if you're the sole earner.

Posts like this make Bluntness's point very well. Would you still say that money wasn't everything and make this sort of statement about lower paid jobs being more enjoyable if you had to sustain your lifestyle on your salary alone?

blueshoes · 20/02/2018 11:08

InDubois: YABU I don't think it's possible to be content in a very low paid job unless you have a partner who is also earning, financial security from a previous well paid career or financial help from some other source (inheritance, help from family ).

This

And everything Bluntness said.

Zaphodsotherhead · 20/02/2018 11:10

I earned around 9k last year. In two jobs. Single, kids grown up so no top ups for me...

but I love my life. OK so there's no heating in my house and I can't afford to go far in my car, but I have the luxury of time. I think you can either have money or time, and I chose time. Sometimes the lack of money is a stress but I try to live within my means, so it's all right. And I find pleasures in the small things; sunshine, walking my dogs, a good programme on TV. It is possible.

BarbaraofSevillle · 20/02/2018 11:17

Dh earns 3 times what I earn
He hates his job where I love mine
Money isn't everything

Would you still be saying 'money isn't everything' if your DH decided to join you in the low paid job that you loved at the expense of disposable income and possibly even not being able to afford the basics?

Zaphod Do you have any housing costs, or are you mortgage free?

£9k without any housing costs is probably doable, but if you still have a mortgage or rent to pay, probably not.

Zaphodsotherhead · 20/02/2018 11:22

I have rent to pay and all other household bills. I don't own my own home. It's precariious, and my rent is very low because I've lived here so long, one unexpected bill can empty out my overdraft, but my twice yearly earnings generally top it back up. The 9k is my HMRC income (so after my work expenses), total income was more like 10.5k

InDubiousBattle · 20/02/2018 11:22

Zaphod I'm assuming you have no/very little housing costs. You can't live on £9k a year. You definitely can't support dogs on it as well as yourself.

Zaphodsotherhead · 20/02/2018 11:24

£450 a month rent. And we are all quite well fed (I work in a supermarket!)

gillybeanz · 20/02/2018 11:24

I work in a call centre, pt, for min wage.
The job isn't brilliant but my colleagues are great and we all get along really well.
I love that I work four hours a day and it takes me 10 mins to get there and back, walking.
All the money I earn is profit and there's absolutely no responsibility.
I log on, do my job, log off and go home.
tax credits £267 per month, so a huge grand total of £867 take home.

InDubiousBattle · 20/02/2018 11:24

Sorry x posted with you Zaphod

fearfultrill · 20/02/2018 11:25

I think there are many things that could change and 'make us happier', not just making more money. It's not the bee all and end all.

If your brother was right then everyone would be trying to be doctors/lawyers/engineers etc but they aren't, people train to do other jobs that don't have the same earning potential because they find it interesting. Eg social work, personal trainers, chefs etc.

gimmesomeapachepizza · 20/02/2018 11:27

He said that people may think they are happy, but they would be happier if they earned more money

Wouldn't you be happier if your job paid you more money?

SussexMedley · 20/02/2018 11:29

Wouldn't you be happier if your job paid you more money?

Depends on what I had to do in return for it.

gillybeanz · 20/02/2018 11:29

Some people can live on much less than others it depends on their situation.
Until recently, we have managed to raise 3 dc on one min wage, before I started work. We have a mortgage, quite low now but have paid most of it now.
It's not just your essential bills, it's what sort of lifestyle you choose.
We are very frugal and tend not to spend money unless we have to, we don't want a lot of luxuries although having an expensive holiday this year.

IrianOfW · 20/02/2018 11:48

It depends on whether your lower pay increases your stress levels. if you struggle to pay your mortgage and put food on the table. Some of the most unpleasant times of my life have been when money is tight.

However, all things being equal, enjoyment and job satisfaction are more important than pay.

LifeBeginsAtGin · 20/02/2018 11:48

I log on, do my job, log off and go home. tax credits £267 per month, so a huge grand total of £867 take home.

So the tax payer is supplementing your easy lifestyle?

Beetlejizz · 20/02/2018 11:50

There is research about not being happier beyond a certain amount, but I wonder how much of that takes into account our increasing regional disparities in the cost of living. It was a few years ago when I read this and the cost of living has increased generally but most especially in the south east.

I can well imagine that the number would be higher there and lower elsewhere, since it basically encompasses enough not to have to worry about bills, to have decent food and shelter and to be able to have some luxuries like a holiday, socialising every month and to have the income to celebrate special occasions and feast days. That figure would obviously vary hugely according to where in the country you live. And how old you are, since what we have to pay for housing varies massively by generation.

Beetlejizz · 20/02/2018 11:52

It's not just your essential bills, it's what sort of lifestyle you choose.

And the top ups you've been getting for a couple of decades as well, to be fair. I place the blame for that situation on employers not paying enough rather than on the low waged, but it's intellectually dishonest not to factor other sources of income in too. Be that from the state or elsewhere.

Johnnycomelately1 · 20/02/2018 11:56

Agree with bluntness that this question can only really be answered by people whose own earnings dictate their standard of living. There's nothing wrong with being the lower earner in a couple (someone has to be - I am) but it's just a skewed perspective. I really enjoy my job (most days) but if I had to live on my current salary I'd go back to finance/ banking for sure.

Zaphodsotherhead · 20/02/2018 11:57

I think also, in my case, all my children are adults, earning good money. So I am not financially or practically responsible for any other human. If I have to live on beans on toast and cereal for a week it doesn't impact on anyone else, so I can do it.

It probably wouldn't be the same if I had anyone else at home, I'd feel guilty about imposing my low spending on them. The dogs don't complain (and get better fed than me!)

FifiVoldemortsChavvyCousin · 20/02/2018 12:03

There's a story I read in Reader's Digest or somewhere which I will paraphrase.

This big exec went to a holiday island somewhere and got to chatting with a local fisherman. The exec said 'do you just have the one boat?' and the fisherman was like 'yes'.
Exec: If you worked overtime, you could save up to buy another boat and eventually with the extra earnings get a fleet.
Fisherman: and then what.
Exec: You would build up a portfolio and be able to have a comfortable life.
Fisherman: Doing what.
Exec: Well then you could finish early, play with your kids or grandkids, go out sailing once in a while and not have any stress.
Fisherman: That's what I'm doing already.

Decide what's important to you. Then if you can work without burdening friends/family/the state on a 'low wage' and are content go for it. Some people take very seriously the question 'what are you worth' and their self esteem is tied to financial success. If you are not caught in that trap then good for you.