Should my husband take a lower paid job he would enjoy more?

[TCRC]

A bit of backstory about my husband. He's worked in IT since 2013 and has worked his way up from the help desk to Application Support Lead and then into Project Management. He landed his first Project Manager role in January 2025 and quickly achieved his APMP qualification.
The downside was the salary, which was only around £37k. Around this time last year, one of his former managers approached him about joining a London-based start-up consultancy. We live in South Wales, so he only has to travel into the office around three times a month. He accepted the role in October, and the salary is much better at around £70k.
The problem is that, because it's a consultancy, the job security doesn't feel as strong. They're due to finish their current project in October, and while there are potentially more projects in the pipeline, nothing seems certain. On top of that, he finds the work quite boring, and it's frustratingly slow trying to get decisions or make progress.
Recently, his previous employer has offered him the opportunity to return. The catch is that the salary would only be around £45k, which is a huge pay cut. He's also been applying for other Project Manager roles in the £55k+ range, but most of them seem to want five or more years of PM experience, so he hasn't had much luck.
To complicate things further, we found out a few weeks ago that we're expecting our third child. We're currently in a small three-bedroom house and had originally planned to move within the next three to five years, but with another baby on the way, that timeline has probably moved forward.
He's really torn. His heart says to go back because he genuinely enjoyed the work there, found the projects interesting, and thinks he'd be much happier day to day. His head, though, is telling him to stay where he is, keep earning the higher salary, and provide as much financial security as possible for our growing family.
Am I crazy for thinking he should even consider taking such a big pay cut for a job he'd enjoy more? Has anyone been in a similar situation?

Expecting your third child? Money now is the priority

Health and happiness over money !

I would take a secure £45k, with job satisfaction and no travel over £70k that might fizzle out in October. Presumably if they don’t get another project then he’ll be made redundant?

I think his main concern is that if there is no work in his current company/role, come October November time he will be made redundant. But neither being made redundant or having a job is a certainty where he works. He will have that job security back at his old work

Yeah. Well he will go on the “bench” for a few weeks to see if anything comes up and then let go. So no redundancy package as he’s only been there a year

I think the other thing to add is that moving to a 4 bed house, which we will need as his work is hybrid/remote means about £700-£900 extra a month on a mortgage for where we live and we cannot move out of area due to schools as my DD is in year 2 and just applied for DS to attend

I’d take the local permanent job. The job market is dreadful at the moment.

Does the more secure job have more perks ? Pension? Sick pay ? More holiday?
Job security is quite appealing in the current economy.
Do you work? If you do, do you get good mat pay ? Are just stat ?

He's also been applying for other Project Manager roles in the £55k+ range, but most of them seem to want five or more years of PM experience, so he hasn't had much luck.

I miss that. That is not a good sign. Take the £45k

If he’s not getting £55k jobs then it’s actually pretty decent his boss has offered £45k.
could he negotiate £50k?

Why did you choose to have a third child when his job situation is uncertain? Seems short-sighted. He should stick with the higher paying role. Do you work? Will you get paid mat leave?

You don't 'need' three bedrooms with 3 DC, especially when they're small, and taking the increased mortgage while his job situation is uncertain doesn't seem entirely sensible.

What would you expect him to advise if it were you?

can you really not see how relevant it is whether you work?

although maybe the radio silence on that is the answer in itself

We have 3 children and didn’t think that meant a 4-bedroom house. In due course when we could afford it, we had a loft conversion which was a heck of a lot cheaper than moving and has been a brilliant investment for us

yes I work. But it’s not the best salary, slightly more than minimum wage but it’s great for not needing child care and doing the drop offs etc I get 3 months mat pay

yes I work. But it’s not the best salary, slightly more than minimum wage but it’s great for not needing child care and doing the drop offs etc I get 3 months mat pay

That’s a bit unfair as you don’t know our situation, first two were IVF (we paid for these after numerous rounds)and we were told we couldn’t have children naturally. Well turns out we can.

Full time?apart time? If latter how part time?

take the 45k

he is having no luck with £55k jobs

So you must be in debt up to your eyeballs?

No, we had savings and borrowed money from parents which is already paid back. To confirm we don’t have any debt apart from our house.

Would you even be able to extend you mortgage if he’s on consultancy with an end date of October as stands are minute?

Id say regular income is a better bet right now even if lower. That extra £15k over a year won’t go far if he’s out of work for a few months (iyswim?)

Wow. Congratulations on the lovely surprise 3rd then!

It doesn't sound like you can afford 3 kids and a 4 bed house but I'd take the 45k job as it's probably more secure. Rather than risk being out of work

No, it's better for you and the kids if he's happier. And he should return the favour for you in the future.

It’s a permanent contract within a consultancy firm. But if there is no new work for him they let people go and then rehire when they win more work. That’s how he’s described it to me!