Up until 2 months ago I was working part time 25 hours over 3 days. Then I got another job on top of this, and I’m now working FT hours. However it’s too much and something’s got to give.
Job 1 - massive commute (up to 3 hours round trip). It’s a steady job, pays into a private pension etc. The company has changed a lot and don’t treat us nicely. Pay is rubbish. Work alternate weekends. Very high stress. What’s keeping me there? It’s a steady job, and I love my work colleagues. Good benefits, hours suit me.
Job 2 - something I’ve always wanted to do. Vocational. People lovely. Working with kids. Loads of learning opportunities and stimulation. Loads of training. Pay keeps going up and up the more qualified you become. In a year I’ll make double job 1. It’s a 5 minute commute. Downside: zero hours contract. Few benefits. At present working 8 hours a week, can get loads more moving forward.
I can’t carry on doing both. It’s not working FT. It’s the commute in job 1, the school run, the household chores, walking the dog etc.
Also, I just had an accident in job 1 which is their fault. Things not going well!
The dilemma is I need to pay NI and get my state pension credits. I need to work, but I’m not short of cash. Job 2 is not getting the time and attention it needs for me to qualify and be really good at it.
Something needs to give but reducing job 1 to feed job 2 feels like a gamble.