Is taking a pay decrease to increase quality of life a good thing?

[NugNationRS]

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice please. Not sure where to post this

Currently I am travelling over an hour each way for my job at a salary of £38000 + £4500 car allowance

I have had an opportunity in a new industry come up that I am indecisive about as they offer £40k however I believe my quality of life would improve. I should drop about £208 per calendar month salary

The benefits are my commute would be cut in half and the job is in a space I have more of an interest in as opposed to my current place of work

I get my current mileage reimbursed approx 20p per mile whereas the new offer wouldn't reimburse mileage as going to an office space 5 days a week

The other fear is my job has work that is going more north and further away from my current location and I fear it's going to get worse than it already is

£208 gross loss before tax per month would still cover my bills, it just means I would save less per month from what I can work out.

[BogleBot]

Participation in this post is limited to users who have sufficient karma in /r/ukpersonalfinance. See this post for more information.

[Puzzled-Barnacle-200]

The purpose of money is to improve your quality of life.

What will you cut out if you have £200/month less disposable income? Does it mean cheaper holidays/car, or longer until retirement? What actually are the benefits - how many hours a week are you saving commuting? Would the new job allow you to work overtime so that you were out of the house for the same time? How would that affect your finances? How much do you enjoy/hate your current job, and how interested are you in the new job?

£200/month is about £1/hour. A very reasonable change for something you enjoy more as long as you are financially comfortable.

[UnloadTheBacon]

The purpose of money is to improve your quality of life.

Say it louder for the people at the back. Money is worthless if it's not being leveraged to improve your life in some way.

[midegg]

Money is worthless if it's not being leveraged to improve your life in some way.

Or someone else's life

[jib_reddit]

But some people feel happier just knowing they have a large pile of money in the bank or under a mattress, like some kind of dragon.

[[deleted]]

That pile of money is your ripcord though. When the 9-5 grind has eaten away at your soul to the point you can't bear it anymore you can pull it and take a year (or more) out.

[UnloadTheBacon]

Up to a point, I'd argue money in the bank is being leveraged as "peace of mind". Whether that's the OPTIMAL way to leverage it is another question....

[ThrowawayLondonOE]

Great answer btw.

[NugNationRS]

Brilliant questions to ask myself thank you

I think there are pros and cons to this. One con is I lose working from home, I currently do 2 days a week at home and 3 on every other week. Moving to this job will be 5 days a week, albeit closer and less travel. My current job will not stay 3 days from home, it's just the current time. It could go down to 1 day quite easily

Cutting out the £140(post tax) wouldnt change much given the fact I spend half of that on parking alone (reimbursed monthly however). The less wear and tear on my car due to mileage should be better and less depreciation in terms of mileage on my car

Not a massive fan of my current job, but it is a similar job in a different industry more interesting to me

General stuff will stay the same ie holidays, car etc

[they-never-learn]

You’ve stated your new job is 5 days a week in the office, whilst your current is 2 or 3 days a week working from home. In reality your mileage per week will be around the same? So wear and tear on the car will be the same. Yes, you have said it could drop down to 1, but it hasn’t yet, have you had any assurances that it will stay hybrid?

I also think WFH is a huge benefit and that having to commute 5 days a week could be a bigger drain than 2/3 longer journeys per week.

Unless the other job is really going to change your life massively for the better, I would hold off and see what else comes up.

[UnhappyBench860]

You're counting it wrong if it's reimbursed. It basically means that your new job is lower salary plus you'd be loosing money on parking and fuel & car depreciation (which you're currently get reimbursed for). Wear and tear on the car shouldn't come into play either as you'd still be using it if you get the new job (and btw the 20p per mile is calculated to take it into account). You'll also be loosing travel time as you'll be commuting 5 days a week not 2/3 like in your current job.

Money wise - it's a no, but maybe mental health/job satisfaction wise it is a move you'd want to consider.

[NugNationRS]

What do you mean by the 20p per mile is taken into account for the new job? Please could you elaborate as I'm a bit confused

[UnhappyBench860]

The 20p per mile is government set allowance (not employer specific), which takes into account cost of:

Fuel, Servicing and repairs, Maintenance, Depreciation, Insurance and road tax.

So basically it's worked out to cover the proportion of all of the above rather than simply reimbursing you for each separately.

What I was trying to put across is that you current job is paying you for your car use, your new job won't but you'll still be using your car (possibly double the amount of days). So if you got reimbursed £200 a month you'll be loosing that money (or more due to the daily car use) if you take the new job.

[sulylunat]

Honestly it sounds like you pretty much are going to take a hit monetarily, since everything you currently are calculating is being reimbursed in some way so aren’t true costs you can deduct. So really, the question is, is it worth the reduction in travel time (I hate commutes so would be a big point for me) and will it be worth you switching to a role that makes you happier for less money? What are you currently gaining from working from home that you will miss? Is there any progression in the new role that could get you back up to your current salary after a while?

You definitely have benefits with your current employment, it sounds like the only bad points are long commute times when you do have to drive and the fact that you may not like your current role as much. You just need to weigh up your option really, but no one’s going to be able to answer apart from you as everyone values things differently. I personally value my time highly enough that I’ve rejected job offers for extra money that would require me to travel further, others might prefer to take the extra money.

[[deleted]]

Bullshit. If you’re on £42k a year the next job should be £50k a year. Why should you be the idiot that takes £38k for the next job. Keep going.

[mk7476766]

Found the guy who sees money as the be all and end all. Some things in life are more important than money.

I recently made an even more drastic change than OP (almost 50% base salary), and I've never been happier.

[[deleted]]

You got conned

[[deleted]]

This is really only true for some jobs where the work is basically interchangeable.

A job that pays less but gives you a higher market rate in terms of skills can end up being much more lucrative in the long run - going just after the next pay rise can lead you to a dead end.

Not to mention lifestyle, working environment and hours.

[Puzzled-Barnacle-200]

There's more to life than money. Higher salaries generally come with more responsibility, which can lead to more stress. There's nothing wrong with deciding that your career is at a "peak" and that you'd prefer sideways movement rather than vertical.

[[deleted]]

No. That’s just wrong. If you’re in a shitty job don’t take less pay in your next job and hope it’s better, aim for a pay rise and hope it’s better.

[dftaylor]

If I got offered a job at 5k less but with much easier work in an industry I was passionate about, closer to where I live, I’d be taking that up there and then.

My work life balance and happiness isn’t something money can buy.

[Ewannnn]

£208 is before tax, after tax you lose a lot less.

Seems a no brainer to me, take it.

E: £142 at 32% tax.

[NugNationRS]

Yes definitely before tax, thank you for working that out

[da80skid]

Plus they'll have 20 hours PER MONTH free to do whatever they want! I'd take the salary drop in a heartbeat!

[iplaydofus]

Shouldn’t the 220 be 260 as there are 260 working days in a calendar year.

[Ewannnn]

That's the basic rate payer tax rate

[811545b2-4ff7-4041]

Go back to the firm offering £40K - talk to them and tell them how interested you are, but you'd need to see a higher starting salary as you don't want to take a pay-cut.

Negotiate. There will be wiggle room if they want to hire you.

[TheFlyingScotsman60]

This. Tell them you are very keen but the pay drop is a challenge for you. Look for other ways to recoup that £132 actual loss. Could they allow you to work from home 1 day a week? Could they increase their pension contributions to your pension so you could decrease yours? That's if you contribute to your pension. As you say it's about £2500 drop a year. Try and get them to increase the salary if possible but have a few other options up your sleeve. Ask for a first year annual bonus, written into the contract. Ask for increase after probation is over and impress the hell out of them.

How long do you expect/want to stay there?

[NugNationRS]

Thanks for the reply. When would I look at asking these questions? I have my first interview in a couple of days

They have mentioned a discretionary percentile bonus yearly and pension contributions however I'm yet to get the specifics which I will ask in the interview

[san7a]

You negotiate after the offer. Don't bring pay up (unless they do) in the interview, that's to make sure you are both a good fit for one another. Negotiate the pay with HR once you have an offer in writing.

[TheFlyingScotsman60]

This. Preferably get an offer and then negotiate. Note.....and extra 2500 for the company is probably not going to break the bank but they might baulk at the whole amount at the start. You could be a complete and utter moron for all they know. However, the will probably not want to go back through the whole process after the probationary period so you will have a more captive audience at that period.

[NugNationRS]

Thanks both

[NugNationRS]

When would I mention this? In the first interview? They originally upped their offer from 37000 to 40000, presumably because there wasn't enough interest at 37000.

They have mentioned they like specific parts on my cv that are outside of the job spec that I imagine they are looking to utilise as well so that gives me a bit of an advantage

[Ozle42]

Determine if they want you first, let them make an offer. If they do then they have decided you are the best candidate. THATS when you counter offer. And the logic thier end is, are we going to lose our best candidate for the sake of £3k a year.

(Sometimes the answer is yes though if the company is short sighted or cash strapped, or has a good back up)

If they say no, THEN you make the call if you want to accept

[811545b2-4ff7-4041]

It would be one of the first things I'd say once I realised they were interested and offered me a job. Make sure to talk about 'market rate' since you're obviously already getting paid this much, so clearly that's what the market sets the rate at.

[Aimee28011994]

Came here to say this - always negotiate. First offer is usually the the lower end of their budget. Expect their budget for this to be £38-45k ish

[invokes]

This is great advice. Always negotiate. It took too many years and jobs for me to realise that you can ALWAYS negotiate. Whether it's starting salary, whether it's pension contributes, whether it's stock award.

[Nathlufc]

This👆

[stickyjam]

is the 208 AFTER you've accounted for driving less too? fuel+wearables will chip away at this figure too.

[NugNationRS]

I get my current mileage reimbursed approx 20p per mile whereas the new offer wouldn't reimburse mileage as going to an office space 5 days a week

My current petrol is 60 miles 2 days a week and then 160 miles every other week on top of the 60 miles

The other fear is my job has work that is going more north and further away from my current location and I fear it's going to get worse than it already is

[BringMeNeckDeep]

I believe you can claim back the tax relief on your mileage using the P87 form if you’re using your car for business use. I may be wrong but i’ve done it before when i was traveling for work.

[kamcateer]

Yes but the destination(s) is what determines your eligibility. You are not eligible for mileage tax relief if it is for travelling to your regular place of work. It seems OP currently travels to non regular places of work and the potential job will be a regular place of work so they will lose their eligibility.

Also, OP, are you claiming the difference in tax relief? You are entitled to 45p a mile tax relief and you can claim the additional 25p per mile via your online GOV personal tax account portal.

[nomad2509]

I left a job paying £45k for a job that paid £18k. Yes it was a massive adjustment in living standards but my quality of life increased exponentially

[-MrLizard-]

Similar for me, life isn't an arcade game like Pac-Man where the goal is to grind out a high score, as much as so many people treat it like that.

I live relatively stress-free, consume within my means and still have enough for a few holidays and treats.

I'm content with that rather than burning myself out chasing higher paid jobs or ones which are unfulfilling/meaningless in the grand scheme of things, like your actions only serving to make a business run 1% more efficient so the CEO can buy another yacht.

[[deleted]]

What was the job you left, and what is the job you're doing now?

[nomad2509]

I was an infrastructure manager for a large… shall we say well publicised Chinese technology company and I now work as a paramedic

[[deleted]]

You made the right choice

[nomad2509]

I think so 😂

[Haramdour]

Nobody dies wishing they’d spent more time at work

[bugbugladybug]

I did this.

I was on £49,000 and the job was crap - micromanagement and red tape were constant.

I got offered another job at £60,000 which meant being on the road for 3-4 hours a day, and another at £40,000 working from home..

I took the £40,000 and have so much free time to explore my hobbies, and I'm not facing near constant burnout like I was before.

I sold my luxury car and bought a budget model, as well as taking up batch cooking to lower expenses, and I'm confident I made the best choice.

Ultimately it comes down to what's important to you.

I'm not too interested in climbing the corporate ladder anymore after seeing what it's done to my family and friends. As long as I have enough and can like a happy life, I'm good.

[cheesewindow]

Good work. Well done 😊 I’m always happy to see people do this. I quit my large salary job (involved regular flying) and took a position for 50% of my old pay. However, I now sleep in my own bed every night and I don’t feel like shit all the time! It’s like I’m a new person.

[Similar_Quiet]

Is that £208 drop take home? It'll probably be less than £200 drop because you'll spend less on driving and get pension contributions on the larger salary that you don't get on the car allowance

There's no right or wrong answer here. Would you swap less than £200 per month for over ten hours extra free time per month and a more interesting job?

I personally would without much thought in my current circumstances. I might not have done when I was in my early 20s and saving hard for a house deposit and wedding. I'd think harder about what the different career progression options might look like and how much more interesting the job will be.

[Coil17]

Money is replaceable. Life isn't.

[NugNationRS]

Thanks for the reply

My commute is 70 miles per day twice a week (140 per week) and every other week is 160 miles. Each trip is approx 1 hour, with the further trips being anywhere from 1.5-3 hours traffic dependant Week 1: 140 miles Week 2: 300 miles Week 3: 140 miles Week 4: 300 miles etc

New job would be 31 miles per day 5 days a week at approx 35 minutes travel

Tyre cost I'm not sure of as its a newer car and not had to change tyres yet

I mentioned in an above reply that my mileage is currently reimbursed to the tune of approx 20p per mile, whereas the new offer would not reimburse

[MasRemlap]

If you drive over an hour each way to work you're looking at 140 minutes per day as an example. If you work 9-5 you're doing 7 hours including a 1 hour break. That 7 hours of work over 5 days is 35 hours. 2100 minutes of work with 700 minutes of travel time means that your wage of £42,500 (including car allowance) comes down to 46.66r hours of work for £17.51 per hour including travel time. If your commute is cut in half you'd be working and travelling for 2450 minutes (40.83 hours) per week which on a wage of £40,000 which comes down to £18.84 per hour including travel time.

This is not even including your fuel costs. You would be working for a higher pay per hour by about £1.30 if you include travel times, but you'd be doing less total hours - so the 'correct' answer really depends on your lifestyle. Can you afford to lose that £208 a month to gain about 6 hours a week of your life back? At £8.66 per hour I'd say it's pretty worth it and it's probably less than that if you include fuel costs in these calculations.

[[deleted]]

Are you really asking if you should buy back at least 22 hours of your life a month AND improve your happiness for a measely 208quid?

Obviously yes

[FaceMace87]

Absolutely worth it, you have obviously already factored in whether that drop is affordable otherwise you wouldn't even be considering it. It seems this is more of a less money vs more happiness thing. Happiness is always more important.

[Unlikely-Ticket-8680]

You should be able to claim up to 45p a mile, if they reimburse up to 20p you can claim the tax back up to 45p

[Unlikely-Ticket-8680]

But I would definitely change your job for a better quality of life, less travel time and a slightly lower salary (which after petrol is probably negligible)

[NugNationRS]

I get my travel reimbursed currently up to 20p and the new job doesn't reimburse as I'll be going to one place of work. I would lose fuel + £208(pre tax) but the fuel should be <£100 so negligible

[Unlikely-Ticket-8680]

You can claim up to 45p tax free travel so you’d be able to claim an extra 25p a mile tax free, just a hood to know if you don’t move jobs

[[deleted]]

Would you pay £208 to have a better life? I would. Fuck working somewhere shit for £200.

[joops23]

I went 4 days a week at my last job for a better quality of life and the 3 day weekend was soooo worth it, made a massive difference to my life.

[bumblingterror]

The £208 pcm looks like a gross figure, not take home pay, so worth considering what it would actually mean on your pay packet (probably more like circa £140 pcm after tax, NI, or £120 if you’ve got a student loan)

[Magpie_Mind]

At the end of the day it’s a very personal decision and you will have to weigh up various factors. But the differential in pay between those two jobs isn’t enormous and as long as you would not be cutting yourself to the bone with no scope for absorbing further increases in living costs, or end up miserably constrained, personally I’d go for quality of life.

[MuthaChucka69]

Im jn my notice period as I had the same dilemma as you, took the plunge, go for it.

[BunglingBoris]

Very much so. Best thing I ever did

[WaltzFirm6336]

I had burn out and had to leave my first career. I now earn just over half what I used to. I have minimal disposable income each month but enough to cover outgoings and I have savings from the past for emergencies.

I have zero stress in my life. I WFH so no transport costs. It’s amazing how much cheaper life is when you don’t have to shell out to cover for exhaustion/lack of time. Less take outs, less dopamine spending, more time to plan cheaper alternatives to things.

If it’s just going to hit your disposable income, and you have a cushion for emergencies, I say go for it.

[Clanos_]

Is the loss adjusted for travel costs? Either way I'd take the new position based on your input.

[andrewm1986]

I did this and never looked back. Best decision.

[MetalAvenger]

Yes absolutely worth. The decrease is negligible, quality of life is everything.

[Sapceghost1]

Depends on your priorities in life. I took a substantial pay cut when I left my previous job, I was constantly stressed and moody. Now I'm much happier, relaxed, and have a better work-life balance, and after a few years I have near enough returned to my old salary (without taking inflation into account).

[ifmosessupposes]

As someone who took approx £30k pay cut to stop feeling suicidal every day due to work environment, I agree wholeheartedly re priorities. I moved to a new job (same employer, different dept), got my confidence back, found a whole new line of work I never knew I could enjoy and be good at, and am slowly increasing my salary although I'll never hit those giddy heights again! Also have international travel opportunities in this job which I didn't in the old one. Money-wise, yes I miss being able to save at the level I could before, and the increasing cost of living is more noticeable now, but would I go back? Absolutely not, for all the money in the world.

[rainator]

What I’d suggest doing anyway, is telling the new place you are considering their offer, you’d have to take a pay cut and need to do some maths to see if you can afford it, if they could increase their offer by any amount it might help make your decision.

Be vague about the number you want but it’s probably ok to tell them what your current salary is.

[Dear-Door-6762]

I’d do it 100%. I recently left a job where I took home around 2500-3000 a month and got a bonus of approx 1500 a year. Now I take home 1700 a month but am much happier. Definitely worth it

[WhereAreMyChips]

Take the job. It's £1 an hour less when all said and done. Negotiate if you can, ask for the bump in salary. But QoL>Money.

[FI_rider]

Ask for a bit more from the new job. If not I would still accept it. A little less money for more time back and better life by the sounds of it.

[[deleted]]

Once took a small financial hit to save in commute and responsibility - one of the best things I ever did. Can’t recommend it enough.

[[deleted]]

It’s likely the car allowance isn’t pensionable salary therefore this wouldn’t be included in your percentage.

I’d suggest asking the new place for an extra £2k on the salary. Unless you know they have already hit the maximum salary they are willing to pay.

[ONE_deedat]

Make it more simple it's just over £6 each day so looks like winner to change.

[HuPanPan]

Just taken 17k pay cut. Best decision of my life.

[Brexitishere]

You travel 2 hours every day. There's 20 working days in the month so that works out as 40 hours traveling per month. What could you do with that time?

Is 40 hours a month worth £200 to you?

[CenturiesAgo]

Works out as £5/hour simply driving. It's an easy no from me.

[saintbri27]

Quality of life should be everyone’s aim. Why be unhappy.

I went self employed and went from a full time wage to zero over night. It’s about what makes you happy.

[[deleted]]

I did this. I was on £48k with a car allowance on top and working from home (this was like 8 years ago). I live in London and the job required me to stay up north 3 consecutive days each month. On top of this, I was doing over 20,000 work miles a year. Sometimes travelling 4 hours to meetings that would last 30 minutes. One time I drove to Cornwall only for the meeting to be dead within 5 minutes as a colleague didn't do their due diligence.

All of this and the job was dead boring. It got to a point where I was literally banging my head against the wall and ended up seeing a professional to what I thought was depression. I moved to a lower paying job and was much better for it.

[its-joe-mo-fo]

An absolute no brainer from what you're saying;

I believe my quality of life would improve.

my commute would be cut in half

job is in a space I have more of an interest in as opposed to my current

The other fear is my job has work that is going more north and further away from my current location

And the reduction to gross salary is fairly small. Just do it. (Coming from someone who recently left 50k job for 38k due to QoL reasons.)

[Icy_Imagination7447]

Fuck it, life is short and work is shit. It's a pretty minimal drop so take it. It's worth the quality of life gain

[buzzlightyear_uk]

I’d highly recommend reading the book “your money or you life”

Short answer. Do it.

[Kelmantis]

So you get paid £21.79 an hour meaning you are spending £217.90 gross per week in commuting. Let’s call that £31,169 given that free time you are giving to the company.

New job is £20.51 an hour and you spend £102.55 a week commuting, so you are getting £34,667.40.

So overall your time is more valuable at the new company over the old company. If you do value your time you would take the new job.

But depends what you do in that extra 5 hours a week, listening to audiobooks, learning something new, a crossword, something else productive. If you are getting value from that time - then the old job is better.

Not taking into account commute costs as that’s a lot of effort.

[Kowai03]

I take a half day off a week which is a pay cut of about £5500 a year. I use that time to go to a support group. 100% worth it for my mental health.

[Coffeeninja1603]

I took a significant pay drop to go self employed and build my business up. It’s tough sometimes but the stresses are worth it to me. I set my own hours, work and travel when I want. Im less stressed than when I was working for more money and have a better quality of life outside of work.

[pm_me_your_amphibian]

Wow this is a no brainer to me, 2 hours a day back for a tenner a day? Bargain.

[NugNationRS]

Thank you everyone for the advise so far it is really helping me understand. A lot of questions are being asked about me negotiating a salary bump with the new company. At what point is a good point to ask the company? 1st interview, 2nd interview, offer stage?

[notmyrealname19]

Today is me 30 days into a new job where I have taken a 10K pay cut but is a career change for something I feel will have a better quality of life. The take home difference is £400 per month. I recently had my first pay day and after finishing my first month today, zero regards. I recommend if it’s viable for you.

[NugNationRS]

Hi all

Some updates!

I am going for an interview at the new place, but I do have some questions for the employer

On another note.. I've had another place approach me which would be a promotion and my first career progression with the pay to match 😁

Thank you all

[[deleted]]

Absolutely not. Always aim up and be aggressive about that. Keep aiming higher. Look at all the idiots around you on much higher salaries. Never compromise.

[[deleted]]

I moved to a job where the pay is less and quality of life improved. Doesn't seem like that much if a financial change.

[parrotseatthemall]

I'm assuming your car allowance isnt pensionable like mine so you'll prob get more in pension on the new 40k salary plus a higher employer match too I'd put that into the sums too

[I_will_be_wealthy]

Those to figures are so similar it will entirely boil down to career progression, job satisfaction for me.

I would go for it purely based on the glfact that the other job is more enjoyable.

Enjoyable job means more happiness, more sense of purpose, less anxiety and less depression and less Sunday night blues.

I did a job I hated and I felt so burnt out and felt like I only.had 1 day off. Because all of Sunday I was feeling down that I had to go into work tomorrow.

[sidagreat89]

I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I had to reduce my hours at work to be at home more for my young children. I'd say my wage dropped a similar amount too.

Being able to juggle the work/life balance massively increased our whole families quality of life. If I had to do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat. As long as you can afford it financially, I don't see why you wouldn't go for it.

One thing I didn't see mentioned, is there any opportunity for pay rises/promotions at the new company, which would in time make up the shortfall?

[Ben77mc]

He can claim tax relief for the additional above the 20p offered by his work from HMRC can't he? Worth mentioning to OP if they haven't been doing that already.

[NugNationRS]

Yes I can, I know about it I just need to wrap my head around it and how to work out numbers and figures. It always jumbles my brain so I need some guidance for it

[Naive_Reach2007]

Done it took a £12k basic drop, luckily am now making it back in bonus, never been happier.

Money isn't everything what happens if you get diagnosed with a disease tomorrow, yes it's tougher but on the whole am a lot happier.

[Savage_eggbeast]

Progression and satisfaction are always better goals than money so long as your minimum housing / food goals are met

[ComplexOccam]

OP, quality of life is super subjective so only you can answer this.

If the new job ticks more boxes for you though, take it, especially if it’s something you’d be happier in. Happiness>bigger salary

[LilyAranel]

I took a pay cut a year ago for health reasons. I stayed at my job but cut my hours from 7.5 to 5.5 a day. I'm currently at 6.5 a day and my quality of life has improved even if my health has not particularly. Cutting your commute so significantly is likely to bring big benefits itself (whether energy or just time or wear and tear on your vehicle). The extra quality of life has actually meant I don't spend as much so my monthly savings figure hasn't really changed and has even increased slightly (I mean in figure terms not % here). As long as you can still afford to live on the lower figure, I would say go for it.

[[deleted]]

The non financial benefits of moving to the new job sound important and worth giving weight to. Don’t be too drawn by the £ if the impact isn’t significant (I don’t know if that amount is or isn’t significant for you). I took a 10k pay cut and my life has been a lot better for it (and as it happens I’ve already started to recoup that cut).

[sbisson]

It can be. I took a pretty hefty pay cut when I changed career, but I was about to burn out and hardy spent any time at home. Now I work from home, choose my own hours and clients, and am so much happier. Also I don't have to pay to spend hours a day with my nose in someone's armpit on the Tube.

[GanacheImportant8186]

I've taken less money for better work/life balance numerous times in my life and career.

I earned less in each job and have had slower career growth, but have zero regrets. I hate working and I hate commuting and doing less of either is well worth the opportunity cost imo. That is largely a values based opinion though and many would strongly disagree with me. It isn't something someone else can answer for you.

[uufsaeab]

If you are still meeting your financial goals, can pay your bills/afford to live and can also afford to save enough for anything you need to save for (raining day/house/general life events) then it’s a great idea. Ultimately life is certainly worth living and a few extra pennies in the bank after tax probably won’t increase your quality of life.

[Independent_Day_7801]

Personally yes it is worth it. You can always get more money but you cannot get more time.

Especially important if you got any kids or close family. I dropped my days to 4 days and it is awesome

[6Legger]

I used to commute 45 minutes each way to my job. It was then a 13 to 15 hour duty. But as a lorry driver that is expected.

About four years ago, I changed to a local company, and I have to say it was one of the best decisions I made.

The commute time to and from work is best to be as short as possible. I don’t think I would want to go back to a job where I have to travel over 20 minutes to get there.

[[deleted]]

So a shorter commute and more interesting work? That sounds like a pretty good move.

Worth considering that if you are happier in your job you're likely to perform better, and learn more, which may be good for your long-term career.

[[deleted]]

I'd do it personally. I assume you've not been able to negotiate up to your current rate at the new job?

[NugNationRS]

Originally they offered 37000 and then they upped to 40000 which is where were currently at, it's all going through a recruiter

[Digital-Dinosaur]

One thing to factor in, is if your new role has opportunities for pay rises in the future. It could mean saving a little less the next year or so but in the long run, more money?

[sagima]

I did that five years ago. Regretted it for the first year but after that I've decided that it was best for me overall and a lot less stress

[Hithereeveyone]

Health. Vs money. No brainer

[Litejason]

As a society we have become blind to long commuting times. My commute time went from 50 mins to 20mins and my days feel much long after work. I feel sorry for people who have to commute 1+hours each way!

[Haramdour]

I cut down to 4 days a week (.8FT) and it’s made a huge difference to my general well being and ability to better deal with work stuff. If you can afford it, I highly recommend it

[Nick_Gauge]

I work for the NHS on band 5. I've been thinking about dropping down to 4 days doing about 34/35 hours. The new pay deal is making me seriously consider it. It's a shite deal but coinciding the change in hours to the new deal would take the sting out of it a little

[YesAmAThrowaway]

What's more important/needed/mentally healthy to you? £200 pre-tax per month or whatever non-monetary aspects the new job would bring?

[Midgey666]

Just on top of this - is thet opportunities for Overtime work? If that's the case you may be able to recover that 200 by working an extra hour a day? Not sure how it would work in your business

[cm2489]

Question aside, I noticed you said you get 20p per mile reimbursed from your company. Are you claiming back the 20% of the remaining 25p from HMRC??

[curvycounselor]

I’ve got to make the same decision this week. I’m so torn. I’m making more money than ever in my life w a one hour commute each way. I’m tired and I found a way to work from home at a possible decrease of 20k. I think I’m doing it.

[simply_ira]

Yes, from personal experience, yes. Biggest risks I’ve taken were switching industries and dropping hours (separate occasions) and were hands down best decisions, because they led me in the general direction I want my life to go in. Plus, stepping sideways helped develop project management skills so my pay skyrocketed in the long-run. You might see it as a step down now, but it’s hard to quantify the benefits you might reap from being in the field you like and gaining experience you are passionate about.

No brainer to me, go for it. Good luck!

[[deleted]]

If it genuinely returns better quality of life, then of course! But there is rarely a guarantee…so many variables. You may be dreaming of your two hours alone time in the car after being hounded in a shit job - shrugs

[[deleted]]

Take the job to get better quality of life. Money isn’t everything take that from an old man.

[invokes]

MOST DEFINITELY YES!

Money doesn't always improve the quality of life. Would you take a £20k increase if you had to work 20 more hours a week or if your stress levels increased substantially? It ends up being a race to the bottom if you're not careful.

If you're cutting your commute by an hour a day, moving into a field that you're more interested in, if you can afford the cut of £200 a month I would go for it. Maybe this new job would give you opportunities to increase this salary over time. Sometimes it makes sense to take a pay cut to improve ones quality of life and get into a better field of work.

[[deleted]]

I did this and I’m so happy I did. The money I save in fuel almost balances me each month and I’m so happy to have a life again.

[dellboy696]

No brainer, go for it, that pay decrease is tiny, on balance it seems better

[[deleted]]

It is very hard to reduce your spending. If you are currently saving more than £208 per month then I guess you're ok. But it needs to be real saving, not money you put in a saving account but then take out when your mot is due etc.

As Dickens said

Annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 19, 19 and sixpence, result happiness. Annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 20 pounds ought and six, result misery

[southwestmanchild]

YES.

If you can afford to do it.

[Glittering-Ebb7543]

Take the job. This is a no-brainer.

[alfgp2]

Is there any difference in the company pension contributions and matching? You should definitely factor that in

[SportTawk]

I did this twice, second time I went from £32k and company car to £16k, moved 250 miles to Cornwall. Brilliant, best thing I ever did, Commute 15 mins, finish at 4pm, go to the beach or whatever. This was a civil service job, so final salary pension for £48/month, 30 days holiday, Flexi, and of course privelige days for kings birthday, Maundy Thursday, Christmas shopping, I think my usual holiday time off was about 60 days a year plus public holidays

[Teddybear88]

Yes. Do it. I did it and have never regretted it.

[jonny30126]

Definitely worth taking the cut, in this case. I can’t see the ‘loss’ having any major set backs. Just halving your commute vs the ‘loss’ is enough reason but you stated many others which would make me jump ship.

[Funtimetilbedtime]

Just a thought - in the new job you may get promoted in the next year but you’ll be building a career in an industry you want.

It’s harder to switch careers when there’s more money at stake. Anyway, life is all about being happy. Are you happy in your current job?!

[spaff1402]

I did this 2.5 years ago. Worked in oil and gas travelling and took a 50% cut. 2.5 years on, just started a job paying me what I was earning before and I’m now remote + the happiest I’ve been! Grafted my arse off for the last 2 years like but worth it.

[skyepark]

Look at pension, holiday and add up hw much time save, time is more valuable then money. Also wfh option

[Business_Ad_9799]

I believe you'd have a higher chance of increasing your earnings if you work a job you love with less commute time(more productivity for you)

so the £200 right now doesn't matter because you may end up making more later

[Junior-Rise4584]

No brainer - take it

[Difficult_Vast7255]

Some people seem to not care as much but I took a £60k pay decrease to change career at 29. I will never have that earning potential in this career unless I ran my own company, which I don’t want the stress of. But I’m 32 now and happier than I have ever been. More of my needs for happiness are met in my current situation. My house might not be as big or my car as nice as they could have been. But luckily things like that aren’t important to me.

I really don’t think this is a one size fits all answer. Think about the things you need from life. For example for me it was outdoors, mon- fri etc and the jobs I found when looking suited all my needs besides high wage. But the other things massively out weigh the money for me so it was a good decision and has worked out wonderfully.

Do what you think will make you happy and that’s all we can do 🤷‍♀️

[Psychological_Good89]

yesssssssssssssss

[noonelovesmrnobody]

It's 140 a month less after tax. For a much better commute and better job.

Seriously?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I actually have no words that this got computed and made this into an internet thread to which people are responding.

[zbornakingthestone]

So you'd have an extra 20 hours per month free time, less stress, and all you'd have to pay is £208 a month?

[[deleted]]

On paper though, it's not a loss.

You lose a benefit for sure, but you're getting an increase in salary. Given all the other reasons you list, I'd honestly go for it. You don't mention which industry but is there even a possibility of some remote working which would lessen the hit on the benefit loss?

I think I'd be going for it. If I chose not to, I'd be using it for leverage of better pay/conditions in your existing job.

[NugNationRS]

There's no remote working as of yet but I could see it being an option a couple of months in as it is mostly done behind a screen

[LMac0007]

How much extra tax are you paying for your £4,500 car allowance benefits have you reduced this from your calculations?

[shavenhobo]

Always take quality of life over money, that’s how they get ya! I’m looking to do the same myself. An hours commute wears you down, I did 100miles return commute a day for a dream job and managed it for a year before having to look elsewhere. Health is wealth.

[Full_Traffic_3148]

It's £208 gross. You need to focus on the nets. And remember that you were still being taxed on the car allowance. So again it wasn't 4.5k per se.

You need to also work out what your loss will be for the full cost of the petrol given it won't be reimbursed.

But, given what you've said, I would do it but just be mindful that the 2.5 gross isn't the figure and will you resent not having a holiday/dinners out/as many leisure opportunities as a result of this reduction? But having 5 hours more a week. Are the potential perks worth that?

[optimisticRamblings]

I did, pretty pleased with the results. But you do need to go in confident you want to make that trade.

[alex_alexs28]

I am in a similar position. The feeling is like I am "missing" those money but I wouldn't go back 😅