[chrysostom]

No harm in giving it a try. Worst case scenario is that you can't get by as comfortably and you need to find a better role - and you get to see everyone a lot more for a few months.

Also, I'm very happy that I can sacrifice 1.92% of my annual salary to get 5 days extra holiday, with last month's rollover it takes me to 30.5 days to take between now and April. Should come in handy as I'm going to be going to Madeira for a week and Canada for a week

[MK Chris]

Ooh, where in Canada?

[chrysostom]

Toronto at the beginning of June. Luckily my uncle has some friends out there that we can stay with - meaning we've now got an extra £3-400 spending money.

I've been there for a wedding before, but as it was only for 2 days I saw the CN tower and that was it!

[MK Chris]

I love Canada, not been to Toronto though, I have family in Alberta - I've been twice, driving through the Rockies in Alberta and BC is the most amazing thing, but that's the other side of the country to where you're going. Canadians that I've met tend to be the most laid back people... but if you ask for directions and they say it's just down the road, it could be a couple of hundred miles away - they are used to a large space!

[Nicola_Red]

Also, I'm very happy that I can sacrifice 1.92% of my annual salary to get 5 days extra holiday, with last month's rollover it takes me to 30.5 days to take between now and April. Should come in handy as I'm going to be going to Madeira for a week and Canada for a week

I'd totally take the opposite deal if it was available. I get 34 days here and rarely do anything with them, cos I can't really afford to.

[Chris]

Go to Niagara if you're going to Toronto. It's good. Toronto's okay.

http://goo.gl/maps/wPBoQ

[a-moron]

Mr Red LOVES Mr and Mrs Red Moomin. Twice last night he looked at it and did that sort of vaguely hysterical laughing where you lie on your back and hold your stomach. He also addressed me as "Mrs Moomin" more than once. New pet name! I think I preferred "doofus"

Happy he liked it and happy he now addresses you as Mrs Moomin.

Congratulations, but yeah that's a big drop. Is there a reduction in the commute to compensate for some of that?

Yes mate, s'in Leicester, which'd be great, halving my travel time and expense. In real terms, after subtracting travel from both wages, it'd mean I'm about 6-7k down per annum. But as I've said before, my long travel only inconvenienced me, but the £ benefits my whole family. Don't want my decisions to impact the kids lifestyle too much... tough decisions.

Half congratulations then

No harm in giving it a try. Worst case scenario is that you can't get by as comfortably and you need to find a better role - and you get to see everyone a lot more for a few months.

^
This. Definitely this.

[Boboff]

£500 a month gross is what £50 a week net to get a couple more hours a day with your family.

£5 an hour sacrificed to be with them a bit more, is cheap I reckon.

I gave up ten times that to be at home more, and it's definitely the best thing I ever did. I am fortunate I know being able to do that, but my quality of life is improved so much, and the planned "deficit" never has materialized.

It is however your decision, and I know the "dad" that I was is something allot worse than the one you are now, even with the travelling, no ones situation is the same, but I would say, even now when I see Dad's taking there little kids swimming etc, I do regret that I never did it with mine. Still it's never too late!

[MK Chris]

It's a big cliché, but it really is about having a balance isn't it - at the time, you did what you felt was right by providing as well as you could for your family. Glad you're happier now though Boboff.

[chrysostom]

My father wasn't around that much when I was younger, as he worked 9-5 at the prison and then often worked 8pm-6am doing house calls/out of hours GP work (with allocated sleeping times). While it was a pain at the time, looking back - I still had my mum whenever I needed her, and he sacrificed a lot, to work extremely hard so that I'd have a certain quality of life, and that my mum wouldn't need to work. I have a great respect for him, and love him now more than I ever have.

Conversely, my partner's parents both worked part time as she grew up - spending equal amounts of time with her and her siblings. They weren't always the best off, and it affected their respective career progressions - but they always had a very close sense of equality, and family.

We both ended up fine, with completely opposite ethoses - so basically I'd say that as long as you have your family's best interests at heart, there's no wrong answer.

[Yudster]

What he said.

[MK Chris]

Indeed, I agree completely... what I said may have come across more in favour of seeing your family more and it wasn't intentional, but it may be because that's what I personally prefer.

[dimtimjim]

Thank you for the kind words/pearls of advice. Taken on board. Hope y'all have a good weekend. My gal is off to London marathon with her Ma tomorrow. I know it's bit silly, but after Boston, I feel slightly odd about it...

[Bruvva]

Yes it's football but this in the Guardian has made me smile - Kidderminster Harriers mentioned in the national press..

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/apr/19/kidderminster-harriers-blue-square-premier

[chrysostom]

That is outstanding. Great find

[JayE]

Haha, the effort they put into playing that game.

[Bonanzoid]

Yes it's football but this in the Guardian has made me smile - Kidderminster Harriers mentioned in the national press..

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/apr/19/kidderminster-harriers-blue-square-premier

They might get another mention after there was a pitch invasion with punches thrown at players!

[Bruvva]

Yes it's football but this in the Guardian has made me smile - Kidderminster Harriers mentioned in the national press..

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/apr/19/kidderminster-harriers-blue-square-premier

They might get another mention after there was a pitch invasion with punches thrown at players!

Oh aye, reports in the Telegraph and all sorts. Silly Stockport fans.

[The Deadly]

About to do a sky dive which is about the scariest thing I could ever imagine doing. It combines my slight fear of heights and my irrational fear of flying. If I die its been fun arguing with you all.

[JayE]

Put it on YouTube so we can see your reaction.

[The Deadly]

Have fun Deadly. Is it for fun or you being sponsored?

I did it because my mother wanted to wind me up knowing that I'm petrified of flying.

It was an awesome experience and I'd recommend it to everyone. The guy who I was paired with was excellent and really calmed me down.

[JayE]

I'd love to do a sky dive, but I reckon when I finally get to do it I will chicken out. Is there an age limit?

[Misfit]

If you're allowed with age, I can get you on a charity jump JayE. you have to raise shit loads of money though which is why I never did.

[Boboff]

Jaye, when my wife did it, it was something like £180 cost, but the charity paid this if you raised £360.

This is what defines a "shit" of money in some parts.

I think you have to have parental consent 16-18, nothing over, but there is a weight limit of 15 or so stone (why I never did it, see pays to be a fat *)

[Misfit]

This is what defines a "shit" of money in some parts.

Oh I'm sorry, I guess where you live, people have the kind of money to donate to charity and have the time to go out fundraising.