Anyone else feeling forced to look for a new job due to cost of living?

[Ebonyhorse]

I went back to work earlier this year after maternity leave. I have great benefits and flexibility but there’s no chance to progress. My husband earns well but now with the cost of nursery I feel like I have no choice but to apply for jobs with a higher salary.

@SecondhandTable i want a second baby but cannot afford to have two lots of fees! Would cripple us, even with the so called government help. Good luck with the interviews.

Im a Social Worker, very experienced.
Just had to apply for Uber Delivery to make some extra cash to pay bills 😭😭

Yes.

went for a (life changing) job last week but didn’t get it. Not sure how to pick myself up and try again but I have no choice.

I handed my notice in a few weeks ago. I'm a teacher and can no longer afford to stay in London. I'm a single parent and my salary doesn't stretch far enough. I already share a bedroom with DS, shop in charity shops and am frugal when food shopping.
My NI contributions went up at the same time as my landlord increased the rent. Combine that with rising bills and I don't have enough coming in.
Haven't found another job yet, am moving in with some family members over the summer and if I can't find a teaching post will see what else I can get.
It's utterly depressing!

I'd been a sahp for years until I got this job. It's part time and fits in with schools hours. It's the only one I got a call back from my application and I actually enjoy it, but it goes down to approx 9 hours a week over the winter 😬.
I'll stick it out over the summer while hours are higher and then start applying again.

@ascotti can you move to a cheaper part of the country? They are crying out for teachers all over the place!

It’s not easy. I’m self employed, so I just work more rather than looking for a new job, but I do feel lucky to be able to do that. Work more, earn more, I mean, so I can be more flexible.

but things have gone up so much I’ve gone from around 38-40 hours a week to 52-54 which is nearly two working days extra and there’s only one of me. Thankfully I’m fairly used to working evenings, nights and weekends as I’ve done it for years but had gotten to the point where I could have a decent balance after working over the odds. I used to do 60-70 so it’s still better but it could head back there if I’m not careful.

Sandysmam - that's what I'm doing, moving out of London. Hopefully I'll get a teaching job (got some interviews coming up), but the sad reality is I'd have a better standard of living in a low paid job out of London than I do teaching in London. I'm sad to leave as London has been my home since I was 10.

Thank you. We could afford to live off DH's salary and me be a SAHM, we'd have a fair bit less disposable income for leisure but it would be doable. I really don't want to do that though, I want to stay in the workplace for a host of reasons, even if it's just to continue my low paid work. There is 3 and and a quarter years between my 2 kids and eldest has just turned 4, so they could go to school in September but we have decided it's not in her best interests. Hence the two lots of nursery fees when most people with this gap would have their eldest starting school by the time no.2 starts nursery. But yes childcare in this country is hideously expensive and the government 'support' as you say is woeful.

Aw @AgathaMystery did you get any constructive feedback from the interview?

Yes - taken a promotion which is a lot more work and responsibility, but it pays the bills and allows us a bit of breathing space. I was struggling with my workload before this, though, so it’s not much fun.

@StripyTShirt that is awful and just shows the cost of living crisis. People in professional roles with experience are struggling.

Ooo I’m starting to hear back from job applications!

I literally did this earlier this year, and don't regret my choice for a second. After tax it was just enough of a boost in pay to relieve the pressure of increasing costs, but basically keep us at the same level as we were before, but there's also potential for career growth and progression within the new organisation, so I will be staying here for a long time to come.

I'm having to take on a second job. I've been self employed for over ten years but my business is on its backside. Last year after Covid was horrendous, but I survived on savings. They've gone now and the current climate is giving me another year like the last, so I've had to apply for other work. Feeling like a complete failure right now 😔

I did. Doesn’t change the outcome sadly!!

Yes I have done. I've taken a work from home job within a larger company so I'll save child care costs and petrol and hopefully there will be progression and they will be pressured to keep up with inflation pay rises unlike the small company I currently work for.

Good luck everyone.

I have to stay in a job I'd really like to leave but I know the salary will be lower elsewhere

@StarCourt can’t you look for something better paid?

@Ebonyhorse I'm not really qualified for anything else and I'm 56 so prob best to stay where I am

Yes. My job brilliantly flexible but insecure and low paid.

Where do you live? Social workers are quite well paid.

I work in retail full time but I’ve got a part time job too.

North west but single parent with debts (taken on in a two wage home- then he left) and childcare to pay for.

To add, I have an interview next week for a job I don’t actually want to do, but it’s more pay, more secure and with a good salary linked pension. I’m upset to let go of doing a job I want, but really feel I am in ‘needs must’ territory.