[Riley]

I’m curious what the FI would think of this! I know that one of the things about FI is building the life you want, but it’s also about making calculated financial decisions to do that.

After being underemployed after getting laid off two years ago, I was offered my dream job at my dream company, a branch of the United Nations.

It’s a 1-year contract role, which means few-no benefits and the would move to VHCOL NYC with no relocation and the pay is very low, like hard to make it work in NYC low.

The contract will be renewed indefinitely and at the 4-5 year mark they can apply to have to role recalibrated into a full-time staff role.

I hope to move up before then, or transfer to a different branch if I can for more stability, though I don’t know how possible that is.

I should note the offer feels like a bad deal and that the only reason I’m still considering it is that it’s the UN and that I’m genuinely excited about the role.

I’m 39 and the thought of taking a low paying job with essentially no benefits without a clear idea of whether or not it’s a sure stepping stone is terrifying to me.

My husband doesn’t want to move, but is supportive and willing to do whatever I decide on this.

We’ve moved before for jobs, and I’m the breadwinner. We’d probably have to sell our house to live in a cramped apartment.

I’d have to sacrifice a few dreams to make this one a reality. But working for the UN has been a life dream and its very hard to get hired by the UN. However, FIRE might be pushed back or impossible if I took the role.

All that said I want the job. Or any job. I’ve made it to the final round of job interviews 8 times in 2 years, and this is the first offer. I’ve applied to over 2000 jobs.

I have 15 years experience in creative team leadership, creative direction, photography, video, etc and a masters degree and I’m having a hell of a time getting stable work.

While taking the first job I’m offered seems rash this is a job I want, for a company I want, that does real good in developing areas. I am stumped.

What would other FIRE minded people do? Its a hard choice to make.

Or anyone know of a company hiring someone like me? I’m happy to hop on exploratory networking calls too.

[Melanie]

Try it for a year, you can always go back. Living in NYC is amazing. You don’t have to be in manhattan. Queens is a short commute away via train & you can get more space.

You don’t need a car here at all.

[Jule]

Could you rent the house and try it for one year? If after a year you don’t see progress or don’t like it, then you can always go back to your house but then with new experience from the UN on your resume, which could open a new doors.

If you don’t try, you will regret for the rest of your life.

Make it easy to go back, if it doesn’t work out.

[Frank]

I would not make a big life decision like that without buy-in from my spouse unless the marriage was no longer a priority.

That seems like what’s really at issue here.

[Marlis]

I personally would take the job. See it as a 1 year trial. Getting a job while having a job is easier as well in case you decide it’s not for you.

And at least for me professional fulfillment is important.

[Shereen]

I get that you’re 39 and it’s *Your dream job… But that’s asking an awful lot of your husband.

Sell home, relocate, quality of life downgraded, (cramped apartment in NYC isn’t even close to the same as owning your own home), lack of benefits, him needing to basically prop you up financially in a VHCOL area with no definitive security in sight.

He has told you that he doesn’t want to move.

Are you willing to risk losing your husband and marriage for this?

[Caro]

Can you be a super commuter? And do the year for the experience? Or honestly live apart for a year. I’d do that before moving.

It could be fun him coming up for weekend trips!

[Suzanne]

It’s tantalising having a dream dangled in front of you, isn’t it?
I agree with the replies above. I don’t think it is a “dream” job when there are this many risks / downsides that genuinely jeopardise your longer term dream (FI).

To be honest, I think it’s a red herring and the short(ish) term gain from it will lead to much more long term pain for you…and your husband.

I appreciate the economy is tough (I’ve been made redundant twice in the past year). I wonder if with your skills and experience there are some other options?

A great book I read on decision making once said humans’ brains tend to turn decisions into two binary options, and instead suggested coming up with 6 options, and discussing them all.

Too complex tri go into more detail, but good luck!

[Danny]

Sounds terrible. While it’s a “dream” you have mostly downside. You have no idea if you’ll like the job or not. Having a dream place to work and actually doing it may be two very different things.

That risk coupled with no money sounds terrible.

What about your husband’s income?

[Go]

NYC is terribly expensive. Do you mind me asking about exact salary and working hours?

We live an hour away in train from the city and husband commutes bc he is in your field (very low pay and very little work), but he is in advertising and NYC is where you find the most work for what you do.

I can weight in more if I know salary range and also can provide some cheaper locations that would get you to the city in train.

[Nancy]

I would not sell the house
Move and try it, the opportunity in NY to get exposure and maybe get a better job or side jobs it might bigger than where you are.

Sorry to say but your husband might have to hustle and who knows may be NY will be a better market for his music too.

I think it was Paula from afford anything she said that that moving to NY now she is expose to more opportunities

[Raissa]

Can’t you rent your house and try the new role for a year?
Push FIRE is totally OK when you’re happy doing what you do for living, but I’d be slightly concerned with husbands agreement (or he could ever blame you in the future if things goes south).

[Melissa]

I think you should go for it! I’m sorry, but I feel like if this was a man writing there would be different advice.

Your husband refuses to get a job in addition to his gigs and it seems to me his feelings and aspirations are completely outweighing yours.

If you had children and he was the stay at home parent it would be different. This could be a great stepping stone for you and jump start your career again.

Obviously, since this is a FI group you are (rightly) concerned about how this will impact you financially.

Consider all options, but I think you should definitely think about this opportunity.

[Amna]

I may be an outlier here but IMO working for the UN could be invaluable to the whole rest of your life and career.

It seems like your husband has a lot of requirements that will make it harder to find a place here that would suit both of you.

But what if you just come here for a year alone, and possibly fly back and forth to visit?

You would only need a studio this way, and you could definitely find something in easy commuting range. 100k is plenty enough money for this.

When you say it’s your “dream job,” and it’s also a job that could open a lot of doors in the future, it seems worth some short-term sacrifice to gain that experience.

[Deepak]

I had a similar offer from a UN division as my first job right out of Uni. The condition was that I move to China and work on very little pay.

They give some basic accommodation and one air ticket once in 2 years.

I didn’t take it up, but compared to where I started my career, the UN was a better deal for the work experience.

Consider the alternatives you have. If you are already experienced and have better paying alternatives, then I don’t think the gamble is worth it.

[Lisa]

Just commenting to say it sounds like so many pros and cons, and I hope the right answer comes to you!

Sorry they’re not including moving expenses and health insurance in the deal:(

[Mar]

Having a ‘dream’ job with lower pay will work only if you are already FI with an ample money to keep the dream alive.
Otherwise it’s just a regular job that needs to make enough money to justify the move.

[Ann]

I know all about the UN, it’s agencies and was in this situation at 33. UN was /is my dream now and I lept and I’ve been working in different agencies for the last 15 years, even abroad.

I was not married and the world is much more tipsy turvy now in all ways.

I know a number of colleagues who make under 99K living in the NYC area now – but you must find magical NY/NJ/CT living situations.

You just have to be very creative financially. Is your husband able and willing to step up now to earn more than $1K a month?

It’s all about making it happen and going for it! // As for FI, at this stage in your life, if this is your only opportunity go for it.

BUT the UN puts you on its constant consultancy wheel and it is terrible for FI (as all its HQs are in VHCOL cities).

You must shoot for a FT job with benefits as early as possible and with a 401K/403b. And I assume you know to hold funds to pay your taxes.

[David]

I don’t see any mention of your assets or how close to FIRE you are.
But generally my answer would be don’t take this type of job. But that answer could change if you had a healthy portfolio and are close to FI/FIRE.

But the reality is “dream job” rarely ever exists. In fact “dream” anything is often a false narrative we tell ourselves based on our projections of what something would be like.

This typically never ends well in my experience.

I have seen it with “dream job, dream house, dream vehicle, dream school” and the list goes on.

I say stay put and have your spouse step up!! San Diego has not the greatest economy for high-paying jobs but he can do better.

I left San Diego in 2023 when I hit FIRE. I’m surprised I don’t miss it as much as I thought I would.

[Lynne]

I would not sell my home, just in case this does not work out. Rent it out.
There are a lot of lower cost housing options in the city.

I just saw a listing for a duplex apartment on CPW (probably not the fancy side) for 1500.

And since you’ll be working at the UN, living in Brooklyn is a great idea.

[Yamilec]

“My husband doesn’t want to move”
I’d stay put.

That’s going to cause tension as soon as things get rough in NYC even if he says he’ll be supportive.

[Elaine]

I wouldn’t take a low paying job in a HCOL area. A component of a position being my dream job would be good if not great pay.

[Michelle]

I might do what the one poster recommended who said rent your house out and try it for a year. Also, where are you based and do you do social media too?

Asking since I’d be open to an exploratory convo since there is a role on my team that’s open with a creative bent to it.

[Author]

Posts