Would I be crazy to give up this job with these conditions because it's crap money?

[MushroomRisotto]

Sorry in advance as this will be long, but I am really struggling with this decision so looking for some impartial opinions!

I've been offered a new job which I really want to accept but I think the flexibility of my current job would make me crazy to give it up, despite the stresses of never having any money because it pays so low!

For context:
My current job is 20hrs per week (4hrs a day Mon-Fri - essentially a job share. This was the only option for me once DD started school as we have no family childcare support and and the low pay grade meant we couldn't afford to pay for full time wrap around care)

It pays just above min. wage so we have just enough to get by with bills paid, but have no savings, can’t afford to pay into pension or afford any enjoyable things in life. (Holidays/house improvements/bigger house/better car etc.) Plus we have a bit of credit card debt I am desperate to clear.

It's not challenging or exciting, I don't have any ownership of anything, don't feel very appreciated and there's no opportunity to progress in this role.

Colleagues are ok, but I don't gel very well with my management team and they make life and job difficult sometimes, but it's not an unbearable environment. It's all just OK but nothing more than that.

However:
The job itself is fine, basic admin work but no real stresses come with it and feel I have a good work/life balance.

It is completely remote, I can WFH with no obligation to be in the office unless I want to.
I can do all school runs, have quality time with DD after school, no childcare costs, be home with the dog all day, can prep dinner, keep on top of housework (not totally tied to computer/meetings)
School holidays are not such an issue as DD is old enough to occupy herself for a few hours at a time if needed while I WFH.

DH works full time, but on a low paying wage compared to most people his age. However his company cover his fuel costs to work which is a big saving (30-45 min drive each way)
He is out the house 7.30-5.30 Mon-Fri and absolutely no flexibility in his job. (Cannot WFH and no option of reduced hours, it's full time or nothing) All the money earned is one household pot but as my decision about this new job has no impact on his job/salary it's by the by.

I've been offered a real once in a lifetime new job that I would love and be good at which has the below conditions:

9-5 Monday-Friday
Office based 100% of the time, no opportunity for any flexibility at all.
(I have asked for part time hours, compressed hours, partly remote from home etc. It's just not possible due to the nature of the job, someone needs to be physically there within those office hours and would always need to be covered if I was off for example)

It is a very independent role, lots of scope for ownership, developing my own systems and ways of working, it's exciting, challenging, management level role but do not have to manage a team of people. (Which I don’t really want to do) and only report in to one person who I already know.
Not too sure yet how much opportunity there will be to progress/promotion/pay rise etc. but I don't imagine much scope for this.

Salary is another 1.5 times what I earn currently but obviously come out with less comparatively due to tax, pension etc.

To accept this job, DD would need to go to wrap around care/childminder every day after school, and I would also need to employ a dog walker, factor in cost of petrol to office etc.
Rough numbers for those takes off 1/4 of the bring home salary.

So best case scenario, I'd be working twice the hours for an extra 25% of what I currently earn in my pocket each month.

I just don't know whether to accept the job which will limit so much what I can do day to day and if the extra stress will be worth it. (Not the stress of the job because it will actually be a very care free role!)

But having to rush about all the time, collect DD and get home, sort dinner, housework (all of which would obviously be split 50/50 with DH if I take the role)
Not having as much time with DD (she doesn't do any after school clubs or have any interest in doing so despite our very keen encouragement) so that part isn't an issue at the moment.

WWYD in this scenario?

Don't underestimate the value of a pension of some description.

If you don't take this job what happens in 2 years? 5? 10?

What happens if you do?

I think I would take the job. It's normal full time hours and you said you would love it. It sounds like you are treading water and this is a great opportunity to develop your career. You don't have to stay in it forever if there are no opportunities, but after 1-2 years you might be able to move on.

you don't say how old your DD is - would she cope OK with wraparound every day, and can you definitely get her into it? What does your DH think - will he genuinely be stepping up to share chores?

How old is your DD? I currently work 2.5 days and yes in theory it’s great because I’m at home a lot with the kids, less tired and more time to do all the household stuff but it only just covers outgoings and the stress I feel at worrying about unexpected costs, frustration at not being able to do anything with the time I do have means that I’m going to be moving to a 4 day a week job which is similar to your description of conditions but I feel will be worth it for less stress about money

@Xmasbaby11

I think I would take the job. It's normal full time hours and you said you would love it. It sounds like you are treading water and this is a great opportunity to develop your career. You don't have to stay in it forever if there are no opportunities, but after 1-2 years you might be able to move on.

you don't say how old your DD is - would she cope OK with wraparound every day, and can you definitely get her into it? What does your DH think - will he genuinely be stepping up to share chores?

Oh yes sorry, DD has just turned 7, but she is young for her age, I always feel like she's about a year younger than she actually is, but she is one of the youngest in the school year.

At the moment she is overjoyed at the wraparound care option - I have a childminder holding me the space I need and there is an after school club with a couple of days available too. She has friends from school that go to both so she really wants to go and spend more time with them.
The reality of having to go 5 days a week may be very different though once it comes to it!

DH is luckily very capable of doing everything, so I think with a few reminders he will step up - we just seem to have fallen into a pattern of me doing the bulk of the household stuff because I've had more time and been at home.

@user648482729

How old is your DD? I currently work 2.5 days and yes in theory it’s great because I’m at home a lot with the kids, less tired and more time to do all the household stuff but it only just covers outgoings and the stress I feel at worrying about unexpected costs, frustration at not being able to do anything with the time I do have means that I’m going to be moving to a 4 day a week job which is similar to your description of conditions but I feel will be worth it for less stress about money

Yes this is just how I feel! It is such a hard toss up between the time vs. more security. Such a hard balance to reach. The unexpected costs thing I definitely relate to. I can't bear that feeling of anxiety knowing I've got to find money for thigs like car insurance, household repairs, new brakes/tyres etc. causes me so much stress!

I would take it. But consider what you will do in school holidays too.

At 7, I'd do it. If you truly don't like it, you'll be in a better place even in 12 months and maybe more appreciative if you do want to go back to a low hours/low progression job - and if you love it, 40 hours of interesting challenge will go faster than 20 hours of slog, and even if it's not twice the salary, you'll still be better off and as others said, pension is worth a lot too, often there are other working benefits to consider also like insurances etc.

I would take the job.
You don’t have to stay forever and with the extra uplift in your salary and responsibilities in a couple of years time you could move onwards and upwards and get a more flexible/better paying job.

No one knows what is going to happen to your current job. You could end up being made redundant and still end up working f/t but in a lesser salary.

Have you looked at holiday childcare?
That was the deal breaker for us. Very little was available outside 9-3 during the school holidays.

I'm surprised that so many are people are saying to take the job. I wouldn't, not with so little flexibility and not much more money. Seven is still young, what will you do when she's unwell, there inset days, school holidays, another lockdown? (please no!) Plus there's things like after school activities, assemblies,etc to think about.

Other jobs will come up. From what you've said, you're not desperate for money. I would look around until something comes along with more flexibility. So many companies are now moving to wfh, something is bound to come up that's more suitable.

Have you sat and crunched the numbers to see if you'll actually be better off? Paying for after school care (and I assume before school as well if you have to be in the office for 9am) and Holiday club care isn't cheap. Then add in the extra cost of petrol, daytime care for the dog etc.

You're losing a lot of flexibility, and you might not be as better off as you think.

Yes I meant to put in original post, school holidays will be a real issue should I accept the new job.
Pre Covid, it was a stressful struggle to juggle both our annual leave days, have grandparents travel from a far to help with odd days, and borrow favours from other friends and relatives.
That was hard but as i was only in the office 4hrs a day it didn't feel like too much of an ask on people who helped us vs. entertaining DD all day.
However it meant we never had any family time together as we needed to use our annual leave separately to cover the days.

Since Covid and now WFH it's not as much of a stress as she can be at home with me if needed, (employers are surprisingly supportive of children being at home when WFH) and we do still have the limited support mentioned above from family ad hoc, it just can't be a permanent childcare arrangement with them.

So this is another reason I'm doubting taking the new job.

VioletCharlotte

If the job MushroomRisotto is doing is so flexible and able to be done from home there is always the point that it could end up going. Either outsourced to a cheaper country or just new systems brought in which make the job redundant.
Nothing lasts forever.

At least if she takes the job even for 18 months and then starts looking again for a role that is more flexible or shorter hours she will be looking at a higher earning potential. Instead of finding herself with little choice and still end up having to do f/t on minimum wage.

Why is it a “once in a lifetime” job?

At the start of your post, I was thinking "Wow, what a fab job for someone also wanting to be a SAHP - they don't come along very often", but as I read on, I think, like most others, I'd take the new job.

I presume you mean the hourly rate is 1.5x the old job, not the total, as, you are working 37.5 hrs a week rather than 20 ?

You even have the wrap around childcare lined up. Would the CMer not look after her in school holidays ? It means those weeks cost a lot, BUT, as others have said, you have to think of things like pension contributions and look at the whole picture.

As you say it is a rare opportunity, even if you weren't that much better off now, it is an investment in the next 30 / 35 (?) years of your working life. In about 4 years your dd will be at secondary and not needing childcare and you will already be in a better job.

Your DD will be going to secondary school in four years and won't then need after school care or picking up, so those costs would be temporary. Plus your DD is keen to go to after school provision which she will probably really enjoy.

This job gives you pension contributions which you have no prospect of ever making if you stay put, plus you take home more straight away and once your DD gets to secondary you will have even more in your pocket. Plus the new job is something that you will really enjoy. You are in a very tight position now financially which will cause you increasing stress and probably serious problems in retirement.

I would definitely take the job. You will enjoy it much more, you will be immediately better off and the childcare issues are manageable and will fall away in four years while the benefits will be permanent.

I do think you're in a good position to take the job. Two childcare options will be nice to give her a balance , and you can use the childminder in the holidays.

My dd is 7 and she'd find 5 long days tiring, I must admit, but I think she's just got used to being home so much more since covid.

Take the job, it will give you much better future prospects

I'd stay where u are. It's not worth it for an extra 25% Mayhe when ur youngest is a bit older and doesn't need wrap around care etc then it would be worth it.

I wouldn't take the job, the one you have is perfect at the moment for your life balance, sickness. Another lockdown, school holidays would be difficult in your new job,

I would definitely take the job, you already have a plan of how to manage on a day to day basis, and it sounds like you need the money and the career boost.

I think if you didn't give it a go you may regret it.

I wouldn't take it I'd be looking for a more challenging job than your current one but still with some of the flexibility.

Is it likely a job like this will come up again? If so I would stick with the current wfh. Breakfast and afterschool club is £20 a day here so that's a good £400 a month plus any holiday clubs expenses! Is new salary enough to absorb this?

Personally, I think that you would be mad to have double the hours, need to juggle childcare as well as pay for it and a dog walker. The flexibility you have now is invaluable.

I think that in your situation, the new job itself sounds appealing, but I don't think the gain is sufficient for the loss. You've not added in, for example, the additional costs of increasing car insurance for using the vehicle more, more breakdowns, more sefvies, road recovery etc, increased wear and tear things that are hard to cmsuckate but will soon reduce that poor new salary down even further.

I think, as someone who works part time around school hours, I'd look either for another wfh job, as they offer flexibility, or a job with a substantial element of or I would look at how you could increase your income in other ways. For example, evening work.
Or look at gaining some qualifications that would mean you could step up with the type of salary roles you're looking at.

Take it - it’s not crazy hours, it’s not stressful or exhausting - and doesn’t sound like you’d have to work outside your working hours?

At this point you need to earn more to start building financial security. Presumably you could also use this job as a step to another better paid one?

As long as you are organised w cooking and housework - and as you say splitting it 50/50 with DH - then you will still get plenty of time for your daughter, and for yourself. (Batch cooking at the weekends is really helpful)