Credit crunch? Not in the slightest...
I earn the same as three years ago, I pay the same rent / mortgage (i.e. none thanks to some jaw droppingly generous inlaws) and I've been spending the same as ever...

What HAS affected me however has been the birth of my daughter a couple of weeks ago...

NOW, it's no longer enough to have a dead end career in mobile phone content (I make ringtones for a living) with no hope of escape - I need to plan a long term career out, so I'm doing teacher training in September which means:

Actually working. Hard. All week.

Not having a wage, but in fact using up years worth of savings to get by.

Having absolutely zero time to spend with new arrival.

Spending a fortune on clothes that don't make me look like a serial rapist / hobo so I'm allowed into school in the first place.

Buying loads of textbooks and resources I'd never have needed in the dead end job.

Never having the time to play gigs outside of the summer holidays.

Seeing my lovely wife for approximately 5 seconds a week in between writing essays, marking kids books and sleeping.

Being blamed for other people's inability to be a responsible parent.

Being blamed for my own inability to be a responsible parent.

Being blamed for everything written in the Daily Mail that isn't already caused by immigrants or the government.

Taking another five years to get back to the salary I'm on now.


I'm told it's worth it...

O_O

Disclaimer: I am actually looking forward to it, I just can't say this stuff at home or everyone will feel guilty for pushing me into it...
( Sonic James Doom forgetting the date since... umm..., Thu 22 Jan 2009, 22:40, 4 replies)

I can safely say
very few of the above.

My father is a Head Teacher before you argue with me.

Compared with most jobs, being a teacher is a great way to achieve a work life balance and seeing your family. Yes you have to do work in the evenings on endless lesson plans and marking, but it's not exactly taxing and at least you're at home for a good proportion of the day - not to mention the lovely holidays!

Better than being raped in the arse by an investment bank for instance.
(jackhiggs no longer a v!rgin as of..., Fri 23 Jan 2009, 1:29, closed)

There is that...
People keep telling me that as a man in Primary teaching I'll do well, just by virtue of having a beard...
( Sonic James Doom forgetting the date since... umm..., Fri 23 Jan 2009, 9:27, closed)

My mum was a teacher
And I can safely say that you've made a REALLY BIG mistake.
( MatJ LOOK, Fri 23 Jan 2009, 2:56, closed)

Both my parents, my sister and my inlaws are teachers...
Despite complaining about the job 24/7 they've all told me how great it is...

I'm going to trust the fellow above and try and enjoy it methinks!
( Sonic James Doom forgetting the date since... umm..., Fri 23 Jan 2009, 9:26, closed)