Is job worth it?????

mickeyodee

Hey all,in need of some helpful opinions here ASAP
The story is,ive recently started a new job in dublin city and I live in county Kilkenny about an hour and a half drive everyday(hour and 15 maybe)Im earning 420 per week before tax and 350 after tax and spend 100 a week on petrol leaving me on say 250 take home at weeks end.Is this pointless??I mean id be getting 188 on the dole so basically im driving to dublin every week for 60 quid,the work is pretty heavy going too which I dont mind at all its just the money situation really is the problem..The reason why im sticking iat it at the minute is me and my girlfriend are trying to get a mortgage and I need to be in full time work for 6 months to be considered for one.

michael999999

Is there much hope of progressing in the job, so your pay would rise eventually?

If not you should stick with it anyway, and apply for jobs closer to your home!

blindside88

I'm in a similar situation as regards travelling cost. As I'm sure your aware the bank will look at your ability to repay, based on your incomings and outgoings. Id speak to a mortgage advisor who may be able to give you an idea

Ray Palmer

If you quit the job you won't get paid the dole for 6 weeks. It is discretionary but they officers have been advised to follow what is allowable. They do check up with companies now to see why you left.

tatli_lokma

Not only all of the above, but actually being in employment makes you more employable. I know it sounds daft with so many people out of work it shouldn't be an issue, but it does still make a difference.

An extra €62 is still an extra €62. I know you are probably wrecked with all the travelling, but I would say stick it out for at least 6 months, get the experience on your CV, make the absolute most you can from the experience and make sure you sell it on your CV. Then start applying elsewhere. It is a very acceptable reason for leaving employment that it was taking you 3 hours to commute each day. And it shows a willingness to work to say that you were prepared to do that just to be working, but you are continuing to look for opportunities closer to home.

Also, psychologically which would you prefer - to be someone who is willing to give extra to be earning money, or someone who sits at home all day just because it's not worth €60? The longer you are out of work, the harder it is to return.


Finally, were you unemployed prior to taking up this job? if so you could be eligible for the Job Assist programme from Revenue:
http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/credits/long-term-unemployed-return-to-work.html

Even if you don't qualify for this, you might still qualify for other things like a medical card, rent relief etc based upon your earnings. It is worth looking into.

jr22

mickeyodee wrote: »

The story is,ive recently started a new job in dublin city and I live in county Kilkenny about an hour and a half drive everyday(hour and 15 maybe)Im earning 420 per week before tax and 350 after tax and spend 100 a week on petrol leaving me on say 250 take home at weeks end.Is this pointless??I mean id be getting 188 on the dole so basically im driving to dublin every week for 60 quid,the work is pretty heavy going too which I dont mind at all its just the money situation really is the problem..The reason why im sticking iat it at the minute is me and my girlfriend are trying to get a mortgage and I need to be in full time work for 6 months to be considered for one.

Do you think yourself and your girlfriend will get a mortgage if you decide to go on the dole?

Did it ever cross your mind to move to Dublin?

I hope that was helpful.

Mr.Fred

mickeyodee wrote: »

100 a week on petrol

How do you manage that :eek:. I spend that a week travelling from Carlow to Newlands cross.

is it worth it?? well it's safe to say you'll never get a promotion or pay increase on the dole. Not to mention the fact you're not sitting at home on your arse al day.

Stick it out for 6 months and then ask about a review of your wages.

anndub

Why don't you get the train? It'll work out much cheaper if you purchase the ticket from your employer.
http://www.taxsaver.ie/

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

mickeyodee wrote: »

Hey all,in need of some helpful opinions here ASAP
The story is,ive recently started a new job in dublin city and I live in county Kilkenny about an hour and a half drive everyday(hour and 15 maybe)Im earning 420 per week before tax and 350 after tax and spend 100 a week on petrol leaving me on say 250 take home at weeks end.Is this pointless??I mean id be getting 188 on the dole so basically im driving to dublin every week for 60 quid,the work is pretty heavy going too which I dont mind at all its just the money situation really is the problem..The reason why im sticking iat it at the minute is me and my girlfriend are trying to get a mortgage and I need to be in full time work for 6 months to be considered for one.

I'm going to be blunt here. You're looking to apply for a mortgage and contemplating quitting your job? From what you wrote, it looks like you are thinking of going on the dole... as if it's a choice. With this mentality, you're not responsible enough to hold a mortgage. Contrary to popular belief, you actually have to pay back your mortgage.

A job is a job, any job is better than social welfare for good reasons. It's easier to get a job for a start. It will give you a sense of worth. You also develop your skills and CV.

Some jobs are crap, a lot of them are, but keep working hard, perform well and in the end you will be rewarded.

Jobs always > Dole.

mickeyodee

anndub wrote: »

Why don't you get the train? It'll work out much cheaper if you purchase the ticket from your employer.
http://www.taxsaver.ie/

trains dont arrive early enough and more often than not are late or broke down

mickeyodee

Mr.Fred wrote: »

How do you manage that :eek:. I spend that a week travelling from Carlow to Newlands cross.

is it worth it?? well it's safe to say you'll never get a promotion or pay increase on the dole. Not to mention the fact you're not sitting at home on your arse al day.

Stick it out for 6 months and then ask about a review of your wages.

im comin from crettyard so im nearly in carlow town not much difference

mickeyodee

Bryant Deafening Sucker wrote: »

I'm going to be blunt here. You're looking to apply for a mortgage and contemplating quitting your job? From what you wrote, it looks like you are thinking of going on the dole... as if it's a choice. With this mentality, you're not responsible enough to hold a mortgage. Contrary to popular belief, you actually have to pay back your mortgage.

A job is a job, any job is better than social welfare for good reasons. It's easier to get a job for a start. It will give you a sense of worth. You also develop your skills and CV.

Some jobs are crap, a lot of them are, but keep working hard, perform well and in the end you will be rewarded.

Jobs always > Dole.

Cheers buddy,yea i do realise its better than the dole,BELIEVE me,but also there is no possible opportunity for my work being rewarded in this place,its run by a lot of twenty somethings who all have their friends working in the office,doing what you ask?,even they dont seem to know..just found out 3 of them started working on the factory floor,were there for 3 weeks and got promoted to the office ahead of guys who have been there for 5 10 and even 20 years..but anyway,ill drive on regardless:)

mickeyodee

jr22 wrote: »

Do you think yourself and your girlfriend will get a mortgage if you decide to go on the dole?

Did it ever cross your mind to move to Dublin?

I hope that was helpful.

not really:D
dublins too expensive for a start,i mean even if rent was only 400 a month,this is still nearly 100 more than what our mortgage would be a month.
She could apply on her own and would probably get it to be honest,but with me working,obviously this increases our borrowing potential.thanks anyway tho,appreciate it.

wmpdd3

What type of job is it that us only available in Dublin?

Does the company have any other branches?

Are you benchmarking your wages against your girlfriend's doors she work less hours for more money?

I've done a similar come and my only advice us to always have a can of red bull in the car.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

I understand 100% where you are coming from because I was there before. Hope I am never there again. I also commuted from Carlow to Dublin for a crappy job, that crappy job gave me the foundations and experience to get me where I am today. My previous job was also a very crappy job, no prospects of promotion, pay rise or any type of rewards. I got paid and I got experience.

I knew this when I joined, but I also knew that if I performed well and stuck it out it would help me in the long run. Low and behold, over two years in my position, performing very well in my roles and a position opened up in another company.

It will happen you sooner or later, but don't treat a crap job with a negative attitude. Get out there, do good and you can show this to your future employer in your next interview

tatli_lokma

:eek:

mickeyodee wrote: »

not really:D
dublins too expensive for a start,i mean even if rent was only 400 a month,this is still nearly 100 more than what our mortgage would be a month.
She could apply on her own and would probably get it to be honest,but with me working,obviously this increases our borrowing potential.thanks anyway tho,appreciate it.

a mortgage for €300 per month?? either that is a really cheap house or over a long period of time.

Yes if you look at it that way renting is more expensive than a mortgage - however, there are other expenses to take into account when being a homeowner, which you won't have as a renter. General upkeep for a start. And yes you would be 'saving' on a mortgage, but you would be paying the savings in transport costs. You also get tax relief on rent AFAIK, but the relief on mortgages is no longer available.

I'm not saying do or don't get a mortgage - there are plenty of pros and cons on both sides and that is a discussion for another forum. But personally, on a low income such as yours I would be reluctant to take out such a large long term investment. IMO you would be better to invest in your career, trying to get from this job to a better one, and one closer to home and then buying.

Trust me, there is only a limited amount of time you will be able to continue with a 3 hour commute daily. You will burn out eventually, but possibly won't be able to leave because you have a mortgage and no other job to go to. That sense of desperation to get another job can seriously hamper a job search. I really do think it would be a more sensible option to rent closer to Dublin (not necessarily in Dublin, but at least a more manageable commute), see how you get on, continue to save, continue to look for an alternative job. And then when things are more certain make the move for a mortgage.

Thoie

It might be tough, but in the short term would you look at renting a room, Mon-Thur in Dublin? If you got somewhere for around 90 a week it would balance out with the petrol, and leave you not so exhausted. The downside is being away from your girlfriend 4 nights a week, but it would give you more headspace to look for an alternative job.

Boofle

I would definitely advise you to stay in the job OP. Keep applying for jobs closer to you and hopefully something will turn up. It really is true that it is more likely you will get a job if you are in a job.......Even if that job sucks and it takes you hours to get there and it's not worth your while money wise...believe me I have been there, done that! Try and stick it out :rolleyes:

Sleepy

Besides, if you're looking at a mortgage with the other half, you'd be co-habiting which would mean you'd lose your entitlement to welfare after your stamps ran out.

tatli_lokma

there is no entitlement to welfare when your contributions run out anyway - it is always means tested at that point. But you are right, if the OH is working then they would almost certainly get a reduced jobseekers allowance if any at all.

Mrs OBumble

Little Ted wrote: »

You also get tax relief on rent AFAIK,

But not for much longer, and only for rentals that started before ... umm, some date in the past. It's being phased out.

Little Ted wrote: »

But personally, on a low income such as yours I would be reluctant to take out such a large long term investment.

This.

Unless I had a very good deposit - and I'm talking 60% or more.

tatli_lokma

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

But not for much longer, and only for rentals that started before ... umm, some date in the past. It's being phased out.

As long as you were renting since Dec 2010 (doesn't have to be the same property). As you rightly say, this is being phased out but will still be in effect until 2017. This is a tax relief on rental payments.

In addition, you can claim a tax credit for renting. Between the two it is making renting a much more attractive proposition for many people.

_Kaiser_

I was out of work for most of 2010 after being laid off and when I did finally get a job, it was at a lower level, lower salary than I'd been on, and involved driving from Cavan to Dublin every day.

But I stuck with it, despite the commute and costs (about 1000km a week at €6/700 a month in diesel and tolls - not including additional wear and tear on the car) and a year later I was rewarded with a new job in the same company on a sister site, pay raise, back at the level I was previously and so on. I then moved back to Dublin at that point.

That said, I was making a fair bit more than the OP which helped, but I'd recommend sticking with it if you can. I'd shelve any thoughts of a mortgage for now though until you get better sorted out if I were you.
Despite the media telling us it's time to get back on the ladder (an expression I've always hated :rolleyes:), things are only going to get worse when reposessions and property taxes hit in earnest.

Michael_Dare

The early train from Carlow gets in to Heuston at 7:40. It's almost always on time and never breaks down. same with the evening trains -- delays and problems are incredibly rare these days. If you're living in Crettyyard, then you shouldn't have any difficulty catching that train. The cost of a monthly ticket is just under €300. When the taxsaver kicks in, on your salary, you'd end up paying about €210 for the ticket.

The journey time is one hour, Carlow to Heuston, and its an hour you can spend reading, sleeping, watching dvds, whatever - things you can't do in the car. The early train is always close to empty. If you can catch this train, it's far easier and cheaper than driving each day.