Struggling... should I leave my job?

Q

queenlex

Registered User
Messages
283
Age: 36
Spouse’s/Partner's age: N/A

Annual gross income from employment or profession: 21112

Annual gross income of spouse: N/A

Monthly take-home pay: 1320

Type of employment: State

In general are you:
(a) spending more than you earn, or
(b) saving?

About spending what I earn trying to save maybe €5 a day if possible

Rough estimate of value of home N/A
Amount outstanding on your mortgage: N/A
What interest rate are you paying? N/A

Rent €500 per month

Bills approxinately €81 a month I think probably over the winter (usually around €70)??


Other borrowings – car loans/personal loans etc N/A

Do you pay off your full credit card balance each month? Yes

If not, what is the balance on your credit card? N/A

Savings and investments: 300 approx maybe?

Do you have a pension scheme? Yes defined benefit.. not worth anything on my wages I dont think and who knows how it will be if and when I retire.

Do you own any investment or other property? No

Ages of children: N/A

Life insurance: None


What specific question do you have or what issues are of concern to you? Quite frankly why am I working because its not for any self-actualisation.. Any ideas on whether i should bother still working would be much appreciated because I hardly feel I can feed mysef healthily on my wages and cant socialise.. Just lucky I dont smoke or drink these days (never smoked anyway thank God)
 
But sure what is the alternative? You won't be able to do much on 188 p.w. either and you'll get bored to tears looking at the 4 walls and being unable to afford to do anything about it.
 
Agree with wbbs - last year I took a low paying (compared to my previous employment) position, after childcare, petrol expenses, lunch expense, business attire expenses, I was far worse off than I would have been if I just signed on but for me it still beat the alternative. Thankfully something better came up this year. I always think that it's easier to get a better job if you already have a job, it shows you have a bit of initiative.
 
Well lets see:

- You're debt free
- You've got a defined benefit pension, which is actually worth a lot, because it is not being impacted by the current economic situation.
- And you have no financial commitments

So you're in a better financial situation than most...

And what is the alternative? If you are unemployed, you'll be on less cash and no doubt will start to build up debts... So you're better off hanging in there.
 
There are other benefits to work too, the social aspect, engaging with people and chatting about the news of the day.
Also it's less expensive to work, whilst in work you aren't spending money. It's tough I imagine to have so much time on your hands with little money. Is there any way to up your income in the medium term. I know the moratorium makes it difficult now, but prepare yourself for it being lifted, by upskilling, taking on new tasks etc.
 
Jim2007 said:
Well lets see:

- You're debt free
- You've got a defined benefit pension, which is actually worth a lot, because it is not being impacted by the current economic situation.
- And you have no financial commitments

So you're in a better financial situation than most...

And what is the alternative? If you are unemployed, you'll be on less cash and no doubt will start to build up debts... So you're better off hanging in there.
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Your second point I'd have to say its not that big a deal dont forget as a state employee the state pension is subtracted from this... If I was on big money sure defined benefit is priceless alright.. I'm going to end up in debt soon anyway bc any medical bills I have are going to put me under a lot of financial pressure you know. I know what youre saying but would I not get rent allowance indefinitely if unemployed or am I incorrect about that? I just see friends on welfare and they seem a lot more comfortable than me... and more content overall.. I'm effectively working for nothing and to be honest I couldnt be any more bored or unfulfilled being at home all day.... Thanks for the responses though... Its just if I'm working for pure job satisfaction quite frankly I'm an idiot bc there is none worth talking about...
 
SarahMc said:
There are other benefits to work too, the social aspect, engaging with people and chatting about the news of the day.
Also it's less expensive to work, whilst in work you aren't spending money. It's tough I imagine to have so much time on your hands with little money. Is there any way to up your income in the medium term. I know the moratorium makes it difficult now, but prepare yourself for it being lifted, by upskilling, taking on new tasks etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks again for the thoughts.

Firstly social benefits not worth talking about morale is terrible where I work there are nice people but its not like theres actually a social aspect so events no christmas party nothing, etc.

I find I'd spend much more by going into work (in the city centre)... The moratorium.. I cant go there bc of things I signed when I started... Upping income no overtime was never an option where I work unless theres a once-off project...

My question is really financial though I appreciate people are trying to think of options the other things are not really relevant in my situation to be honest.... The only reason Ive been convincing myself of staying is the opportunity of getting a mortgage which I am in no rush to get due to all the uncertainty it would be a very risky time to buy so I could spend my life doing something without passion for the sake of access to credit, i.e. mortgage finance when I could apply for social housing in the future and not have any debt?
 
queenlex said:
Your second point I'd have to say its not that big a deal dont forget as a state employee the state pension is subtracted from this... If I was on big money sure defined benefit is priceless alright.. I'm going to end up in debt soon anyway bc any medical bills I have are going to put me under a lot of financial pressure you know. I know what youre saying but would I not get rent allowance indefinitely if unemployed or am I incorrect about that? I just see friends on welfare and they seem a lot more comfortable than me... and more content overall.. I'm effectively working for nothing and to be honest I couldnt be any more bored or unfulfilled being at home all day.... Thanks for the responses though... Its just if I'm working for pure job satisfaction quite frankly I'm an idiot bc there is none worth talking about...
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based on income and rent alone i think you would quailfy possible for medical card or GP card (only for gp visits). if you apply for medical card and they say no then they put you forward for gp card automatical.
if you get medical card your USC on payslip will be reduced to 4%


can link as not enought posts
 
You need to start looking for another job, I appreciate there is not much out there (tell me about it!) but this is your only route out.

Social Welfare income is not the route to go, yes you may get rent allowance, this will not pay your full rent anyway and you have to subsidise it, you will be seriously limited in where you can rent as the limits are low and only going one way as will the allowance, budget may have an impact on that. This will give you even less of your 188 (at the moment) to live on, sorry that should be exist on, you will be lucky not to end up in arrears with utilities. Don't underestimate the amount of heat needed if you are at home all day in the cold months, I know people who stay in bed for the day as it's cheaper stay warm with electric blanket on low than heat rooms, is that the life you want?

While you say your work day is not interesting at least you get to interact in some way with other humans, it doesn't take long sitting at home without purpose until you find yourself trying to make conversation with shop assistants just to be sure you can still talk!

A mortgage isn't a reason for staying in that particular job, you won't get one on that income any time soon.
 
€188 plus rent allowance, medical card and whatever else you would be entitled to seems ok to me. I can appreciate the social aspect to working and it's easier to get another job if an employer sees you're willing to give up a job. The fact you're even contemplating leaving work to go on the dole means something is seriously wrong somewhere.
Maybe somebody could do a list of what you'd be entitled to and what you're future expenses would be.
 
It looks like Queenlex is not actually interested in working, just figuring out how much s/he can get on benefits. S/he hasn't mentioned looking for alternative employment or working on employment prospects by studying.

If you are not "seeking" employment, you are not entitled to JB/JA.
 
Struggline... should I leave my job?

I cant transfer at the moment its not allowed.. Our area isnt as easy-going as some Departments from what I hear.. Its stress city basically... I'm wondering is the rent allowance indefinite so I dont end up on the street basically... I feel a bit trapped in a lot of ways... Thanks 'IRBX' re: the GP card USC... I never realised that... between that and the 'pension-related deduction those things hit me fairly hard they should have just said income tax increase which is what it was by another title...

I'm a bit shocked about people saying I wouldnt get a mortgage surely I'd get one just a small one I assumed I'd get 100K around on my wages seeing as I'm permanently employed?? I'm really beginning to wonder now... Would I be better off doing a FAS course or something maybe? LIke 'Nicky' above said what I would like to know is set out what my entitlements are etc. I wonder at my stage of life am I wasting my life quite frankly its lucky I dont drink or smoke... How do people afford this every week.. and I dont mean buying it cheap in the supermarket? Seriously... My budget I give myself is less than €20 a day a few quid less than that I'd hope...
 
Nutso said:
It looks like Queenlex is not actually interested in working, just figuring out how much s/he can get on benefits. S/he hasn't mentioned looking for alternative employment or working on employment prospects by studying.

If you are not "seeking" employment, you are not entitled to JB/JA.
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What I'm actually working am I doing a dead end job with no worth... I wouldnt rule out working for myself... Would you work for nothing yourself not being smart but its actually hard to feed yourself healthily on the amount I take home... I'm thinking of working on the side (legally) to supplement my income..
 
Hi Queen sorry to hear about your situation it sounds very tight... I have had similar problems to you.. I went to my local community welfare officer who basically told me he knew nothing about anything I was very disappointed by his attitude I told him I had serious harassment problems in my job which was affecting my health he said something vague about going to Dun Laoghaire (my local area office) and that everything was centralised there now.. So I would be curious about a response to this query myself thanks.
 
Would you work for nothing yourself not being smart but its actually hard to feed yourself healthily on the amount I take home
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But surely if you only earn 750 a month as oppose 1320 a month you would be a lot worse off trying to eat healthily ? I think you need to concentrate on the real issue here. You do not like the job you are in. While it's difficult you need to address this by looking elsewhere. Figure out what you want to do and a path on how you can achieve it. There are a few extra issues you need to think about if you give up your current employment such as you will not be paid benifit for 12 weeks if you leave your job voluntarily. You may not get the FAS course you want due to popularity. Just some food for thought
 
elcato said:
But surely if you only earn 750 a month as oppose 1320 a month you would be a lot worse off trying to eat healthily ? I think you need to concentrate on the real issue here. You do not like the job you are in. While it's difficult you need to address this by looking elsewhere. Figure out what you want to do and a path on how you can achieve it. There are a few extra issues you need to think about if you give up your current employment such as you will not be paid benifit for 12 weeks if you leave your job voluntarily. You may not get the FAS course you want due to popularity. Just some food for thought
Click to expand...

Thanks. The problem financially is more with the rent and bills I suppose, I asked citizens information this morning about the rent allowance apparently its only 300 a month in my part of Dublin so thats no use... looks like I'm trapped apparently I get nothing bc my rent is 500 a month sharing... 300 a month really limits your options anywhere in Dublin...
 
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