To take a pay cut for a job I might like more?

[Abs1992]

Been in my current job for a few months now and struggling with it. Not really what I’m passionate/interested in, working from home, boring, but pretty good pay. I’ve been looking at other jobs, didn’t get the one I really wanted which was actually slightly more pay. But have another interview this week, for something more up my street but it would leave me with £150 less each month. I’d still be able to cover all my outgoings and have £200 ‘spending’ that I give myself each month, but it would leave me only £150 leftover for emergencies/saving/holidays each month instead of £300 that my current job does. Would it be mad of me to take the cut? Just finding it hard to be motivated and productive when I find my current job so dull. Any advice appreciated

If you think you can afford it then go for it. Life is too short to be doing something you really don’t enjoy.

I did and dont regret it at all.

Does the other job have career progression which will enable you to earn more over time? If not, wait for a better one.

I took a paycut to change careers and I love my new job. I would say go for it if you can afford to.

I also took a pay cut to move jobs. I loved my new job so much; it improved my life in a way that money couldn't.
Money ≠ happiness or fulfilment.

Of course, you do need enough to live on and pay the bills!

I have done this very thing, and it was a very good move.

Being happy at work is such a blessing, so if you have a chance to do something you think will make you happy whilst still paying your bills that would be worth taking IMO.

Hopefully in time you can get an increased salary too, so it may not be a lower salary forever.

Yes agree life's too short to stay in a job you're unhappy in, but do you have to take a pay cut? Can you negotiate upwards?

Go for it. I did it and don't regret it 👍

I'm doing this very thing.
Start new, lower paid job on Monday.
There is career progression in my nee role so in time can probably get back to where I was if I want to buy with a less stressful role.
I'd say go for it. Life os short.

I dropped a grade at work shortly after returning from maternity leave, as I was P/T I didn't lose that much money. The drop in both grades & money was worth more than the stress, anxiety & dreading to go to work was.

How many hours of fun can you have each month with the extra £150? £1800 a year, so maybe you get a holiday out of it, averaging out at half a day per month.

You're in work for 20 half days per month, if you don't like the job you probably think about it outside that time too.

Where is the value? In the £150 or in a happy work life? I know lots of people who follow the money who just seem miserable, apart from those three holidays that they stick all over social media showing how wonderful their job makes their life....

I've just done the same, life is too short to be unhappy when it's possible to change things

I'd go for it but cut my fun money a bit. Life is too short for a job to make you unhappy.

I did this 21 years ago, and it was the best decision I ever made.

Depends how sure you are that the other job would make you happy. I.e. depending on the type of work, if you end up a with a horrible boss or colleague you have to work closely with it could be awful even if the work itself is good.

Can you negotiate up the salary on this other job?