To think this isn't doable?

[stuckinthesticks]

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?

Is there anyone's attention you can get, to remind them that you are waiting?

You have managed your low income very well and paid off your debts. The extra income from your new role would go towards your bike repayments if you put most of it towards the repayments. I've no idea how much bikes are but personally I'd go for it. Look to the future - yes you'll have a debt but you'll also have the advantage of a much better full time managerial position and this debt sounds manageable. Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

If you don’t get it I’d use some of the money you can now save for driving lessons. That will help massively to widen your search for a better paid job in an area where public transport is so poor

Did you get into the interview in the end?

So it turned out that my interviewer had a medical emergency and was rushed into hospital 😬

In the end I got tired of waiting and phoned the head office who found out what had happened for me. They've elevated it to the regional manager who is going to call me back and reschedule.

Although tbh I think I've decided that I'm not going to go for the job after all. It's just going to be too hard to make it work and buying a new bike will pretty much wipe out all my disposable income so all of the plans I've made with DP for the near future that involve money will not be possible anymore.

I do think saving for another bike will definitely be a long term goal that I will start to work towards but now just isn't the right time. There will be other jobs. In fact I've even seen a similar company in another town (much easier to get to) which looks even better so I'm going to hold out for that one and see what comes up.

Thanks for all the advice, I'm glad that it wasn't a completely crazy idea to try for it but ultimately I think at the moment I'd end up worse off if I took it.

I read lots of why I cant in your posts

You could move (with or without partner)
You could learn to drive
You could past your motorbike full licence or whatever it is called these days
You could start building up to riding on a busy road to get used to it
You could get a loan to buy a second hand bike

In terms of the financial aspect, it comes down to:

• How much more (after tax, and considering impact on any benefits you may receive) would this job pay per year than your current job?
• What'd be the additional ongoing costs of commuting (i.e. fuel/maintenance/insurance/VED/etc) compared to your current travel-to-work costs (if any)
• What's the one-off cost of buying a used 125cc bike? A quick look online suggests under £2k
• Combining the three figures above, what's the payback period.

The only other thing I'd question is whether a motorbike is a year-round option. But for a journey of only 11 miles I expect it probably is

I have addressed most of these already but just to refresh:

The location is a very rural place with not many transport connections so moving there would make everything else in my life more difficult other than getting to work. Also, I can't afford to move and mainly, I just don't want to!

I plan on doing this but it will take a lot of time and money by which point the job will be gone.

Ditto for your third point.

Not really sure what you mean by this but I'm assuming you're referring to a bicycle which I don't have and anyway it is too far to travel there and back by bike.

I have just finished paying off all my debt and am not able to have some disposable income and start making savings. A loan would put me back to square one.

Sorry that was in response to @almondseagull!

I've ridden a motorbike years round in all weather for the last 8yrs or so, it's something I'm completely used to and not a problem for me. It's just not having a bike that's the problem 😂

I don't actually know the salary as they didn't post it in the job description which throughly annoys me (and usually means it's pretty low) but I've estimated that I'd get about £2k extra a year. The cheapest half decent 125cc which won't need a lot of maintenance and/or fixing to begin with is at least £1.5k but can quite easily be more. My current commute costs are zero as I walk to work every day. Best case scenario using available transport options will set me back about £1.7k a year and would mean I'm out of the house at least 12/13 hrs a day assuming everything goes perfectly and my transport is never cancelled or delayed and I don't have to do overtime.

I could just about buy a bike and pay it off in about 8 months but that's 8 months of not being able to do anything else other than the very basics with my wages and I have plans in that time that I need money for.

but then after 8 months, you would be in a better position

Also - why not look at 100cc motorbikes? or even a moped?

Best case scenario using available transport options will set me back about £1.7k a year and would mean I'm out of the house at least 12/13 hrs a day assuming everything goes perfectly and my transport is never cancelled or delayed and I don't have to do overtime.

But using a bike - 6p a mile? 22 miles a day 1.32 5 days a week, £6.60, 48 weeks a year working, £316.

Do you want to move up and on?

EDIT
Sorry, Im not trying to be mean, but you are the only one stopping you from moving on an up

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!

Come on - put yourself forward, go get that job!!

Tbh they aren't much cheaper, anything learner legal is expensive for what it is. 100cc are pretty hard to find as it isn't a common engine size.

If I had a full bike license I could get a half decent 500cc for £600, but it will cost me at least £500 for the license.

Believe me, I am trying. I found out about a finance deal that includes the bike and a test payed out in instalments but it would have to be viable in terms of repayments. I've only just found out about it so I need to contact my local dealer and see what's available.

When I was learning (a good many years ago) 100cc were cheaper as all the boy racers wanted 125s

100cc was very common back then

what do you need to do to get your full licence, you have been riding for 8 years, surely you wont need a course?

How much is a motorcycle theory test?A motorcycle theory test costs £23. You’ll need to pass your theory test before you can take the practical motorcycle test.
What does a motorcycle theory test involve?Image source: Adobe StockThe theory test comprises two parts:

• Multiple-choice questions
• Hazard perception (a video test about spotting hazards on the road).

To pass the theory test, you’ll need to score at least 43/50 on the multiple-choice round and 44/75 on the hazard perception round. Usually, you’ll find out immediately after the test whether or not you’ve passed. You will need to have a valid provisional motorcycle licence before you are able to book your theory test. However, you can take the theory test before or after you’ve completed compulsory basic training (CBT). How much is a motorcycle practical test?The practical test is split into two modules. Module one costs £15.50 and module two costs £75 (£88.50 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays).

Just done a quick search and absolutely nothing suitable comes up for 100cc, it's either kids bikes, scooters, 50cc or 125cc or they're old barn finds that need a lot of work.

I could probably pass the theory test without too much trouble but I've had a break of 2yrs since I last rode a bike so might need a refresher before the Mods. You need to take the Mod1&2 on a bike over 595cc, I'd have to hire one/pay for the insurance etc. With the course it's all included. Either that or buy a bike first and pay for it to be transported to the test centre.

Wouldn’t it be helpful to have the interview just for the experience especially as you are talking about a similar role elsewhere? If you aren’t offered the job ask for feedback.

Yes I'm still happy to have the interview if they actually get back to me to reschedule.

There is no other role available yet - it's just that there is a similar company in a nearby town that seems to offer a better package so I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for opportunities there when they come up.

You’re overthinking a situation that hasn’t even happened yet.

wait to see if you get offered the job and if you do, then get a bike and live your best life!

You are talking yourself out of it before you even start.

Take it one stage at a time-

• you need interview experience to help you move on and up anyway, so do the interview and see how it goes

- if it doesnt go well, ask for good feedback to help you the next time

• if you are offered the job, thank them, ask for information on the salary and benefits package, and ask for a few days to give them your decision
• work out a cost that makes the move worthwhile to pay for the bike , only you can work out if its worth it - remember sometimes moving for no extra money but better opportunities later on or better benefits package can still be worth it
• if its close go back to them and negotiate- even asking for an extra £1200 a year isnt a lot but could make the commute worthwhile

I know you have said there is somewhere local similar - you will be far more likely to get that if you have experience, so it may be worthwhile taking this role if offered, for the short term to help you get to where you want to be later on.

This is good advice, thank you.

I think I do have a tendency to work through every possible scenario in my head before I even try to see if it's worth it, and more often than not there are so many negative potential outcomes vs the positive ones. Plus I've been quite unlucky thus far in life so experience has taught me not to be too optimistic lol 😂

Well, the ball's in their court now. I'll ring up again to try and find out if/when I can reschedule but they haven't been particularly proactive so far.

Don't just wait for an opportunity to come up at the other place - write to them and tell them why you are so keen to work for them and why you wold be a great asset. Ask them if there is an opportunity to meet for a chat to see how you might fit in their team