Should l change jobs?

[durdledoris]

Am really happy in my job as a Primary School Administrator - love everyone l work with and the kids make my day. Really happy there.

But got my P60 and was a bit gutted to see how little l earn after increasing my hours and having a small pay rise l thought it was going to be more.

Dd is going into Year 10 in September and happy and capable of getting herself to and from work without any input from me so l don't technically need to work school hours any more although l can't deny the holidays are nice and l do have a fantastic work/life balance .

We earn enough to live but not loads left over, am wondering should l try and get a full time job so get more money in the bank? Am late 40's so not sure how easy it will be to do this after the big 50 as from reading online, it seems harder to get a new job the older you are.

Could you keep this job as it works well but get a second job a few evenings a week to earn some extra cash

That's not a bad idea, dd does do a club several nights a week that l do have to take her to though so would have to be very specific which evenings l work - am just reluctant to give up a job l love for the unknown

Yeah evening or seasonal holiday work could work well. If your happy in your job it’s a shame to leave

Yeh I probably wouldn’t give up a job I love and am happy with and has good work life balance. I’d just try to supplement it with another job that fits.

Finding a job you love is so hard to come by. Do you know what type of job you want to do?

Yes . Now is the time to have some drive and carve out your future . Not plodding along with no ambition

10 years ago, I left a job I loved for a pay rise and it was the worst decision I ever made for myself. The commute turned out to be awful, the job was not what I’d hoped, the team were reluctant to welcome a newbie because someone within the team applied for the job so were bitter I’d got it.

I really mourned my old job, my friends, getting home in good time rather than tons of traffic.

I know that won’t happen in all jobs, but I was just so disappointed as I’d left something I loved for something I regretted.

Sounds like you really love your job and your worklife balance. I would be reluctant to change this unless the pay rise was significant.

Thanks everyone - toughie cos l have taken jobs before and been really miserable so l know if you have a job you like, you are lucky. If l was to get another job, it'd only be admin work again but would increase my hours. DH and l earn ok between us and we owe less than 20% of the value of our house - pension not great but can always downsize. Never been particularly ambitious but think it's now or never.