Would you chase the money whilst you work out what you want?

[lamby12]

I'm due to return from my last (definitely) mat leave soon to a sector I've been unhappy in for the last few years. It's not terrible but not fulfilling and my employer don't pay well. (HR field). I want to retrain or change direction but I'm not sure what yet. I've thought about teaching, tech related, design related but ultimately I'm not sure yet so I don't want to jump in the wrong direction. I've got two under 4 so I'd rather focus on them whilst I work things out.

I have to go back to work financially. DH is the main earner but it's tight on mat leave. We are moving about when I return to work and will have a bigger mortgage. Were moving closer to family and it's the right decision but we're compromising on the house because it's a more expensive area.

Given I'm not going to take any sort of career change leap in the short term, would you just go for a better paid job in the same unfilling career? I'd probably lose one day of time with the kids per week, but as DH works weekends I still have PLENTY of time with them on my own!

WWYD?

Should have said; I can see lots of vacancies in said sector, better paid than mine and wondering if I just grin and bear things a few more years whilst we set up home in the new place.

Yes. Get your salary up during the difficult (pre school) years and jump into the 'right' track when you can give more of yourself to the job.

Absolutely go for the money! Although I don’t think you need to lose the 4 day week if that’s what you need - just get same hours for more money elsewhere?

Yes, agree with ElephantLover.

Thanks @ElephantLover useful advice. I'm sick of every month being close to the bone but I think on mat leave you sort of accept it the pros of being off mean you can manage.

Family keep telling me to do something I love, make my side hustle (crafty gifty stuff) into a job, but ultimately at the moment we can't take that financial risk. If I stayed in the current job I'd have more time to work on it, but I still can't say the opportunity to take the risk til both kids are at school in 4 yrs time! Which is fine if that's the plan, maybe I try and earn higher until then.

Thanks @Blueberrywitch I currently have a 3 day week, precious thing I can't find anywhere else probably but I could get a 4 day a week role with a new, better paid position. I'm wary of losing my 3 day week however it's at the cost of being very underpaid!

yup.....one of the things that will help you to get what you want is a financial cushion.

The more you earn now, the more choices you'll have when you do make the leap, just make sure you don't spend it all so taking a pay cut necessitates a big change in lifestyle.

Yes, 100%. If you can get a similar role for more money, then why wouldn't you?

Having better finances gives you so many more options. It will allow you to spend money on retraining, it also means you'll have some spare funds if you need to take a pay cut to move towards your dream career.

Besides all that, working elsewhere may also open doors as there may be opportunities to side-step at a new company, or move departments etc etc.