Would you rather be...

[mincepiethighs]

Self employed, doing something creative you enjoy but for lowish pay of around £16k (could rise to £25k with a lot of hard work and no guarantee), no sick pay, no benefits and no pension?

Or...
Would you rather work in public sector doing a more serious and structured job (think admin) for higher pay of around £25k (with potential to increase/change role) with benefits, holiday pay, sick pay and pension?

Background...
Early 40s, career changer with non-existent pension fund. :o(

Depends how soul-destroying the public sector job is and whether the money/security is worth it. Only you can answer that, I'm afraid.
Personally, I recently handed my notice in at my job (day nursery) to start my own business, but the stakes were far lower (let's just say either way I'm a non-taxpayer).

Is it now or never?

Maybe one thing you could consider is to give it 10 years in your current job, which might give you the chance to build up some savings/pension, then switch once you have a more secure base.

Can you do the public sector job part time or flexible hours? The employment rights are great, especially the sick pay.

Personally, if I could at all afford to do it I would always rather be self-employed as I love being able to fit my hours around my family and not have to answer to anybody but myself.

are you me? I've just swapped from good pay to doing something creative I love (I loved old job too, but this is my lifelong dream.) Same pay range as you and I also have mince pie thighs.

I don't regret it for a minute, and am happier than ever. I do some work on the side to top up the pay but it never tops £25k pa. I don't care.

Do what you really want to do most, as long as it won't put you into financial jeopardy. It's hard to be happy if you are in debt or tense about the cost of living, but if it's a case of just being more careful, it's no contest.

If I could I would always choose self employed. It's bloody hard work for little pay off sometimes, but I would always prefer the freedom of being my own boss.

Now that I have DCs I have to say my priority would have to be stability. As long as doing the public sector job did not make me so unhappy that it affected how I interacted with my family I would go for it. But that is just me!

I am self employed earning not a lot ( don't pay tax) and lucky to have DH wages to cover bills. Would only go out and get an employed job if absolutely necessary,but that's because I am lazy and like not having to work set hours

i've done the life draining admin job. i'm just about to become self employed. terrified but cant wait tbh. i'm not good with bosses