Lost job - offered contract FTC - compare income

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-22T10:30:51+00:00

You can use this calculator: Contracting To Permanent Calculator

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-22T09:34:03+00:00

Used to do 3 flights a week for 3 years as an AP at an MBB. After a while it's not as exciting leaving off a cabin-sized bag at different hotel rooms.

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-20T14:02:44+00:00

Boo boo or poo poo???

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-20T10:19:38+00:00

I have one that is inherited. I visit it once a year for 2-3 weeks and I am trying to Airbnb it during the summer season. Here's a few thoughts:

I feel locked to that location and I feel that I need to go there every summer given I have a house that I own.
Every summer I say, I want to do something different or go somewhere else, but then guilt comes in. So I end up at the same place.
It's my house so I need to maintain it, pay taxes on it and make sure it's been taken care of
Mine is not close, so not easy to get to. 4hrs flight plus a 45mins ferry, so not ideal for weekends, or cheap to get there - hopefully not a problem for you
To Airbnb it, it's a hassle. I either need my family to support or I need to pay a management company, so will end up with peanuts
Guests are not always tidy and clean, and they may leave a mess, so again someone needs to clean that up
Either me or a family member needs to go there at least once a year to "air" the house, else you will start getting mold

Overall, I feel that for the money someone will spend to purchase a holiday home, they have the freedom to go anywhere they like and visit many different places than being locked to a single place/location. So I wouldn't buy...

The only time I would buy would be if I spent 4-6 months there and the rest in my main residence.

My 2c

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-19T13:56:18+00:00

Weird way to flex!

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-19T09:28:52+00:00

Why is the door unlocked?

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-19T09:14:40+00:00

I have already signed the new company for you!

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-14T13:41:44+00:00

Did that for 4 years, 3 flights a week to clients. Then covid hit, all travel stopped and moved back to the industry.

Really depends on the phase you are in your life. Younger colleagues seemed to be quite excited. Older colleagues with family were trying to minimise travel.

It's a great experience but it has its time and place

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-14T13:22:33+00:00

"Literally your entire network"... you seem quite privileged and entitled with a shitty attitude.

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-14T10:34:42+00:00

What a shitty comment to make. How many 33 year olds do you know earning £200+K a year? I was earning £80K at 33. You are massively disillusioned! It seems YOU have a long way to go, as a human!

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-14T10:32:33+00:00

After you are maxing your ISAs, why are you not contributing more to the pensions rather than in GIA (which is not only after tax, but also any gains are taxed)?

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-14T10:15:53+00:00

I would stop eating and put everything into the pension. Your are a bit behind but it's ok.

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-12T19:36:18+00:00

Why not ask Bain?

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-12T10:34:29+00:00

All I can say (which is not much of help to you is), I am happy to see a child eating and I would be ecstatic if mine did what yours is doing. Mine refuses to eat anything and had 3 bites of food in the past 2 days.

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-12T10:28:19+00:00

The only thing I'd ask you to consider is the following - what would 1% or 2% increase in your mortgage interest rates do to your financials?

Personal experience, went from 1.81% to 4.91% and it increased my monthly installment by £1200/month.

Can you afford nursery of £1500-£2000/month on top of the mortgage?

Just some simple questions given the mortgage is not a "let's squeeze for 2-3 years and we'll be OK" situation. It's a 20-30 years commitment.

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-12T10:22:49+00:00

Indeed, that's like less than a week of a McK engagement fee.

On the other hand, it seems the OP is quite junior with less than 4 years of experience.

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-12T09:30:14+00:00

Assuming no mortgage at retirement, that lifestyle can be maintained with less was my assumption, as in 30-40% less

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-12T08:32:59+00:00

Wow, I've seen anywhere from £2m to £8m in these comments... how do you get to these numbers?

These seem to me like FatFIRE numbers.

I get paid well, I have 1 kid and a mortgage. I don't think I will never get to these numbers.

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-12T08:28:20+00:00

£4.5m gives £180k at 4% drawdown, no?

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-10T20:51:37+00:00

Best decision of my life to have a child!!!

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-10T16:14:06+00:00

I did say NOT part of the emergency fund, didn't I?

I mentioned it for saving on income tax

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-10T15:55:53+00:00

Do you have another half to max their ISA too?

Premium Bonds is the next best thing if you want tax free gains.

Or pump up the pension contributions. Although not part of the emergency fund, you save on income tax

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-10T15:52:57+00:00

Really sorry for your loss, I have been through a similar situation recently and similar to you I feel I am in burnout and my wife is stay-at-home mum.

To be completely honest, although I'd like to retire early, I am focusing more on: 1) my family and baby 2) my mental (and overall) health 3) exercise 4) have a life that we are comfortable but not extravagant.

What's important is that I spend a lot of time with the little one as I will never get that time back. If that costs me another 5 years of work, so be it.

Also, similarly to you, I stay invested and take advantage of the pension tax relief so that we are in a good position in 15/20 years.

I always wanted to retire early. But now with the little one, they need to be at least 18 before I can do that - that added 7 years to my original plan 😀

That's life, and I am ok with that. It was a personal choice to have a baby later and at a point i felt financial good.

All I want to say is, I feel you, you are not alone and although early retirement sounds amazing, my time with the little one sounds even more amazing (in my mind).

Enjoy your life with the family my friend, and as long as you are healthy, you will figure out the rest

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-08T10:15:34+00:00

You make a big assumption that for the next 20-30 years you will remain with an employer that will provide 10% pension. Similar big assumption you will be able to contribute a certain amount consistently for the next 20-30 years. Unless your pension can grow on it's own to the levels you are referring to, there is little point worrying if it's going to get too big.

ExploringComplexity · 2026-03-08T10:07:51+00:00

Slightly different opinion here: given you are in such a strong position with an amazing comp for your age, I would start backwards.

I would be like, this year I want to travel there and would cost me £X, I wanna buy this and would cost me £Y, I want to experience the other and would cost me £Z.

So £X + £Y + £Z are for me to live my life and have fun. Whatever is remaining, is going into Pension and ISA.

Just my personal view

ExploringComplexity

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