Exactly they could be low margin businesses with alot of pressure to achieve output. Service industry jobs you usually have to work unsociable hours, even the stereotypical simple job of "stacking shelves" is usually done at unsociable hours and at night with pressure to get work done.
Stay the Course or Adjust?
- Thread starter Slippers
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matrixworld
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I came here to post after reading the sad state of affairs, not to be judgemental but to forgo having children at the expense of an average corporate career is so sad and sums up society today.
Do not fall for the propaganda and nonsense that your life is over when you have children, in-fact it is quite the opposite.
I believe it is the root cause for the mental illness and depression we see in people today, often women, sold a dud, believing maxing out corporate is the key to happiness. Women have been lied to, duped into believing they "slaved" for men in the home but now all they are doing is slaving for a nameless corporation with nothing to show for it.
I hope you recover from burn out, you are in a good financial position to have children.
Do not fall for the propaganda and nonsense that your life is over when you have children, in-fact it is quite the opposite.
I believe it is the root cause for the mental illness and depression we see in people today, often women, sold a dud, believing maxing out corporate is the key to happiness. Women have been lied to, duped into believing they "slaved" for men in the home but now all they are doing is slaving for a nameless corporation with nothing to show for it.
I hope you recover from burn out, you are in a good financial position to have children.
matrixworld
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Of course it isn't and I'm not having a go at the OP, i am merely pointing out that many people have been duped into focusing on finances and discard starting a family.
I am seeing this in women of my age group, some make it to the the mid 100k range and realize it is just not worth it, slave for a nameless corporation and give half of it to the taxman. Such a vapid existence.
It's a concerning trend which started in America but has infected Irish minds. For men, you can absolutely can excel in your career and have a good family life, it doesn't need to be either or.
I am seeing this in women of my age group, some make it to the the mid 100k range and realize it is just not worth it, slave for a nameless corporation and give half of it to the taxman. Such a vapid existence.
It's a concerning trend which started in America but has infected Irish minds. For men, you can absolutely can excel in your career and have a good family life, it doesn't need to be either or.
That's another gross and, in my opinion, slightly offensive, generalisation. As it happens I had to do both as a full time working single father. Again, my situation is far from unusual.
Lots of people, men and women, get a lot of satisfaction and fulfilment, from working. Not to mention the remuneration and other tangible benefits.
It doesn't have to be for any parent, whatever their gender or family unit circumstances.
matrixworld
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On what planet is that "offensive"? I was making a comment to motivate men to start families and not fall for the narrative that is at times put out there, that your career suffers when having children.
If people choose not to have children, more power to them but i'd bet most will regret that decision.
Ok Elon...
CharlieMac
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Until they look at their enormous pension funds that allows them to retire early and comfortably and think "Maybe it wasn't so bad after all".
Nothing like other people who think they know your own mind and values better than you do yourself
I too found the posts and progression of years a bit sad - op I'm glad you found somebody and I hope you are taking the opportunity to travel and enjoy life with them when you are both still young.
If you are not going to have children I think you need to seriously sit down with your partner and plan out how you both can maximise your happiness over the next few decades without over focusing on provision for old age.
If you are not going to have children I think you need to seriously sit down with your partner and plan out how you both can maximise your happiness over the next few decades without over focusing on provision for old age.
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Well the OP has plenty of renumeration and is burnt out and clearly unhappy. So maybe he should think about the reasons he's where he's at today. Worried about workload, constant pressure and grind specifically mentioned by him. Yet he's by any measure a very successful corporate man. One needs to focus just as much on one's mental well being as one's financial accumulation.
Appreciate the comments, certainly a few things to reflect on.
Some responses to the comments:
Accounting for inflation what annual growth percentage would you use? I would have used 5% (my AMCs are low) but I do wonder if I am being too optimistic? Assume my annual spend (ignoring state pension) is 36k net.
Some responses to the comments:
- Choosing to not have kids has zero to do with careers or finances.
- Outside of work I do have hobbies. Hobbies that have me out and about and mixing, so I don’t think that this is the missing piece here. I am certainly not living a life just for work.
- In my mind a simple job (or simpler) is a job that doesn’t have me spread thin, wrapped up in meetings all day while responding to emails and team messages, not having time to focus on my work, and having to take the lead on many problems.
- On my point of keeping the other halves’ home to downside to in time - I do view that that is boxing clever particularly when you consider that Ireland has a fast-growing aging population. There is already a large demand for downsizing to a well serviced urban areas that is not being met. There is nothing sad about valuing what you have and realising now the flexibility and comfort it could give you later in life.
- I will acknowledge that my posts are downbeat. I am wondering what is enough? Do I need to keep working for a few more years in an environment that provides little satisfaction and where my performance needs to be better? This is bothering me and causing a low level of upset.
Accounting for inflation what annual growth percentage would you use? I would have used 5% (my AMCs are low) but I do wonder if I am being too optimistic? Assume my annual spend (ignoring state pension) is 36k net.
@Slippers
I have to admit that I am still scratching my head about your housing plans.
If your partner’s home is suitable for retirement and you have no plans to start a family then I assume the dwelling is suitable for your current needs. So why the intermediate trading up step? It just seems completely unnecessary.
Why not sell your house, pay off your partner’s mortgage and retire from corporate life to live happily ever after? You have ample funds to do so with an annual spend of €36k.
BTW most pensions can be accessed from 50.
I have to admit that I am still scratching my head about your housing plans.
If your partner’s home is suitable for retirement and you have no plans to start a family then I assume the dwelling is suitable for your current needs. So why the intermediate trading up step? It just seems completely unnecessary.
Why not sell your house, pay off your partner’s mortgage and retire from corporate life to live happily ever after? You have ample funds to do so with an annual spend of €36k.
BTW most pensions can be accessed from 50.
Not one of us know what is enough for you. But from your posts it sounds like you hate your job. And that there is immense pressure in it. Corporates eat you up, suck the best out of you, and then spit you out. In return you get a good salary and great pension.
You seem to think moving to a job stacking shelves will make you happier. It won’t. It’s mind numbing boring.
How about reeducating and changing career. I have an in in-law in BofI for 20 years who then became a teacher. EasyJet are hiring flight attendants in their 60’s. You could take leave of an absence and do something else.
Makes zero sense to me as well.
I think the word for you is unfulfilled. And you’re in denial about it. Because you’re so focused on the salary to get you to pension nirvana.
Why don’t you move to a different job in the company or move to another company in a different location. Clearly your current job has run its course for you. Why have you so much responsibility ? Why do you feel everything is on you? Are you a workaholic?
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matrixworld
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Hardly building "enormous" funds earning 6 figures after the tax man gets it come on.
Many people end up well off after starting families, in-fact, i have seen men go from zero to hero once they have a child.
Well, many are less well off to. After paying 1k crèche fees for more than 2 years, I ended up resigning and it took us between 10 and 12 years to go back to the same level of income. I am not denying the joy of having children, but I can't say that they make financial sense.
For the rest of the discussion, well, each to their own. Many people don't have children for a lot of reasons. I don't think that it is the answer to a potential burn-out
Change your job or at least change teams.
You are in demand and likely have a solid skillset that another team or company will pay as much or more for.
If a new place takes you on, take some time off in between the move and decompress and reflect.
Edit - you can also consider a LoA for 4-12 weeks and rethink your plans and goals. One other thing maybe spoken of elsewhere here is your physical health have you let yourself go or doing fine?
You are in demand and likely have a solid skillset that another team or company will pay as much or more for.
If a new place takes you on, take some time off in between the move and decompress and reflect.
Edit - you can also consider a LoA for 4-12 weeks and rethink your plans and goals. One other thing maybe spoken of elsewhere here is your physical health have you let yourself go or doing fine?
First of all if you are seriously unhappy in work change it. Financially you are incredibly sound so you have got loads of wiggle room to try something else. You seem to be leveraging your current happiness for your retirement nest egg in all your decisions.
What do you actually spend your money on? There is no info on your monthly or annual expenses. You save a very significant amount. Don't forgot to enjoy the now. I get the feeling you'll be sitting at 60 with your couple of million in investments and pension and be thinking "what now?" and what was it all for.
Don't forget to live when you are young which also means using money now!
Is there a once in a lifetime trips, helping out family or donating time/money, hiring in help at home to make life easier that you could be doing?
Your posts some across as ultra long term in all your thinking.
You are in great financial shape and congratulations on the hard work to save and invest. Start using it. Spend some of it!
What do you actually spend your money on? There is no info on your monthly or annual expenses. You save a very significant amount. Don't forgot to enjoy the now. I get the feeling you'll be sitting at 60 with your couple of million in investments and pension and be thinking "what now?" and what was it all for.
Don't forget to live when you are young which also means using money now!
Is there a once in a lifetime trips, helping out family or donating time/money, hiring in help at home to make life easier that you could be doing?
Your posts some across as ultra long term in all your thinking.
You are in great financial shape and congratulations on the hard work to save and invest. Start using it. Spend some of it!
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