Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this isn't doable?

45 replies

stuckinthesticks · 24/10/2023 17:18

I'm a regular but have name changed as I need to give some context that might be outing!

I'm very fortunate to have a job where I have a contract (albeit part time) and can walk to work since I don't drive. Contracts are like gold dust in my town as it's a touristy place with extremely seasonal work so most things are minimum wage and/or zero hours.

My job is neither but it's in an industry I really don't like and have been actively trying to leave for many years (catering) but unfortunately since most of my work experience is in that it's hard to get anything else and especially in this town.

Realistically I've gone as far as I can in my current role. I can't move up in the company and I can't increase my hours as I'm at the whim of the sales figures which are really low for 4-6months of the year. I'm completely beholden to the company deciding to increase my hourly rate.

I've recently paid off all my debts and am completely debt free for the first time in my adult life. I'm so happy and proud of myself that I've finally got here but it's made me really take stock of things and want to increase my earnings as I'm now finally in a position to make savings for the first time ever.

A job opportunity has come up that would be a massive step up for me career wise, plus it's a management position which would come with a full time contract and a salary. I also am really familiar with the company and its products and I think I finally have the confidence and experience to go for it. My interview is tomorrow!

One major downside. When I applied I thought the job location I'd be going for was approx. a 30 minute bus ride away, with multiple bus options. Totally fine. However, I just found out that actually it's at another location which would be completely impossible for me to get to without driving due to the crappy public transport system where I am. So I'm screwed. I honestly feel like bursting into tears, I'm so so angry at myself for not making sure and so absolutely crushed and disappointed because even though I haven't had the interview yet I really felt confident that I could possibly get this.

I do have a CBT so I can ride a small motorbike but I don't currently have a bike as my last one broke down irreparably. I'm trying to save for a new one but I have nothing so far as I'm only going to be able to save from next month.

I have several options now:

A. Accept it's not going to happen, be honest with them about my mistake and let it go.

B. See if I get the job and then desperately try to buy a new bike on finance/use my credit card.

Is there another option? I really don't want to plunge myself back into debt when I've JUST got myself out of it and I'll be back to not being able to save anything but these opportunities just come up so rarely in this area, especially going into the winter season, I feel like I'll kick myself if I don't try. Realistically it could be years before I get another chance this good. WWYD?

OP posts:
Supersimkin2 · 24/10/2023 17:20

Wait till they offer you the job and talk to them about where you could do it. Roles can move.

TempName247 · 24/10/2023 17:33

How much would a taxi be for all or part of the journey, is it possible to cycle to a bus stop or train station?

Original poster
stuckinthesticks · 24/10/2023 17:33

Thank you for the suggestion but in this case I don't think that's possible. The vacancy is only available in a particular place, they wouldn't have the need for me (or the person who gets the job) in another location.

Annoyingly there is another location of theirs near where I currently work, walking distance from my house, but the only jobs available there are very part time and I can't live on 8hrs a week 😞

OP posts:
Original poster
stuckinthesticks · 24/10/2023 17:37

TempName247 · 24/10/2023 17:33

How much would a taxi be for all or part of the journey, is it possible to cycle to a bus stop or train station?

Taxi is £30-£40 each way, definitely not possible unfortunately.

I'd be happy to cycle to a bus/train but unfortunately that's part of the problem. There are no buses/trains that go there from where I live.

OP posts:
ZeroFucksGivenToday · 24/10/2023 17:40

I'd go for the interview. If you get it, you can look at what salary they can offer you and if you can then make it work. It's all good interview practice anyway.

FudgeSundae · 24/10/2023 17:41

If it’s a management role, any chance they have a car scheme?

Pippa12 · 24/10/2023 17:42

I’d absolutely buy a bike and have a strict plan to pay it off. Your options for employment will widen with transport and once it’s paid off you are in a great position. You’re going to be stuck forever if you don’t take some steps to improve your employability. Good luck.

Original poster
stuckinthesticks · 24/10/2023 17:43

FudgeSundae · 24/10/2023 17:41

If it’s a management role, any chance they have a car scheme?

It is a management role but I don't think it's the kind of place that would offer that perk! Even if they did, I can't drive a car unfortunately 😞

OP posts:
millsiem · 24/10/2023 17:44

Could you get an electric bike in the meantime? Maybe that would make your commute easier while you save up for the motorbike. Perhaps there are options to rent. Not the best options but you do seem like you're excited for this opportunity so it would be a shame to miss out.
I'd go for the interview and see what happens. Then think about finance/saving for the motorbike.

Original poster
stuckinthesticks · 24/10/2023 17:44

Pippa12 · 24/10/2023 17:42

I’d absolutely buy a bike and have a strict plan to pay it off. Your options for employment will widen with transport and once it’s paid off you are in a great position. You’re going to be stuck forever if you don’t take some steps to improve your employability. Good luck.

This is exactly what I'm thinking tbh, I have been so so limited without my own transport in this area, missed out on so many great opportunities before now purely because I couldn't drive. I'm still a bit limited with not being able to drive a car but it would at least help.

OP posts:
MigGirl · 24/10/2023 17:44

I'd definitely go for the interview, if you do get the job offer then look at buying a new bike (doesn't have to be brand new, just good enough to get you to work).

You never know what will happen, so it's always worth trying. Especially if you'll be better off financially with this job.

Oh and good luck for your interview 👍

Pippa12 · 24/10/2023 17:49

I would see it that you’ve got yourself in a great financial position that has now allowed you to buy a bike that will improve your financial situation even further rather than looking at it as ‘getting yourself in more debt’.

PeloMom · 24/10/2023 17:52

I’d go for the interview. Sounds like it will make a difference to your life if you get the job. Do you rent or own? Can you move closer to the location and let/ sub let your place to cover renting costs? Over time you can figure out what’s best

Original poster
stuckinthesticks · 24/10/2023 17:59

I was renting but now I live with dp so no option to move but having my own transport would help me out in a lot of ways. I would definitely be better off financially with the new job, more consistent too as I won't be doing 50hrs a week in the summer and then scraping by on my minimum contract in the winter. Makes budgeting a lot easier.

I definitely won't be getting a brand new bike, just new to me! It's just that unfortunately small learner legal bikes are pretty expensive for what they are but they do hold their value as they're always in demand.

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 24/10/2023 18:00

How long would it take you to save back the money it'd cost for a cheap bike? That's your actual debt free date, if you want this job. Don't let your attachment to your debt free status be the cause of an unwise financial and career decision. The irony! 'Debt free' is a flexible position, and can come and go. 'Making more than you spend' is a great, ongoing situation to be in, and you can rectify small debt issues like swatting flies, if you're wise.

FrizzledFrazzle · 24/10/2023 18:15

I'd go for the interview. If you get offered the role, make a plan to get a motorbike (or e-bike) asap. That could be using the cycle to work scheme to get an electric bike, or getting something second hand on finance?

Don't know how far the commute distances are, but something like 5-10 miles to get a train would be very doable with an electric bike I think.

FictionalCharacter · 24/10/2023 18:19

Watchkeys · 24/10/2023 18:00

How long would it take you to save back the money it'd cost for a cheap bike? That's your actual debt free date, if you want this job. Don't let your attachment to your debt free status be the cause of an unwise financial and career decision. The irony! 'Debt free' is a flexible position, and can come and go. 'Making more than you spend' is a great, ongoing situation to be in, and you can rectify small debt issues like swatting flies, if you're wise.

I agree. Go to the interview. If you get the job, look into getting a second hand bike. You’re obviously very financially responsible so you’ll clear the debt and be better off long term in every way.

Original poster
stuckinthesticks · 24/10/2023 18:22

I've just checked and the place I'd need to get to is 11miles away. There is no train there and although there are buses the nearest buses that would get me there are actually further away! It's on a major A road so I really don't think I'd be comfortable cycling on it, it's basically a motorway with very fast moving traffic and not well lit.

Electric bikes are so, so expensive 😱 It would probably be cheaper to buy a motorbike 😂

OP posts:
Dartmoorcheffy · 24/10/2023 18:23

There may be someone else who lives near you who would give you a lift .

FictionalCharacter · 24/10/2023 18:24

stuckinthesticks · 24/10/2023 18:22

I've just checked and the place I'd need to get to is 11miles away. There is no train there and although there are buses the nearest buses that would get me there are actually further away! It's on a major A road so I really don't think I'd be comfortable cycling on it, it's basically a motorway with very fast moving traffic and not well lit.

Electric bikes are so, so expensive 😱 It would probably be cheaper to buy a motorbike 😂

By bike, I meant motorbike because that’s what you mentioned in your OP.

Original poster
stuckinthesticks · 24/10/2023 18:35

Yes, sorry @FictionalCharacter it was someone else who mentioned an electric bike 😊

@Dartmoorcheffy true, but I hate relying on other people to cart me around, I wouldn't mind it on an occasional basis but I don't want to do that all the time, I don't think it's fair to the other person.

OP posts:
steppemum · 24/10/2023 18:46

definitely go to the interview.
If they have another location at some point you might be able to move over.

In the meantime, do some serious research into a motorbike, and see what is available near you.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 24/10/2023 19:21

Go to the interview.

If you get it, first of all check if it can be at either location. If not, get the bike on finance. This is what you need to get to work and totally worth it.

Kangaroobrain · 24/10/2023 19:23

I agree with PPs - go to the interview and then if you're offered it, buy the bike. Could you also think about taking your driving test? Even for an automatic? Cars are expensive to run, but give you way more options.

Once you start the job you might also discover that someone is going your way, so there would be that fallback option, too.

Original poster
stuckinthesticks · 25/10/2023 17:26

Well, not sure if this is a bad sign or not but I'm trying to go for the interview - it was supposed to be at 4:30 and it's now almost an hour late! How long do I sit around and wait?! 😡

OP posts: