DH considering an apprenticeship

[smiles]

As above, and I'm not sure how we'll cope with such a big drop in pay.

We are good budgeters. My belief is that if we have food in the fridge, a roof over our heads and clothes on our back, we'll be fine.

I'm worried though, as his wage will just cover our expenses. (Bills/food/fuel etc)

Has anyone else taken a big drop in pay? How did you cope?

[SassyMummy]

DP has always worked in the same restaurant (move of hte time I've known him)... but his position has changed.

He worked as a dishpig (kitchenhand...lol) for a while, and earnt a decent sum on not-too-many hours. He was on about $15 an hour... which wasn't lots, but it's lots more than now.

He then took up an apprenticeship and as a LEVEL 2 apprentice chef, he's on 8.77 an hour. He works RIDICULOUS hours sometimes, but still earns next to nothing.

It's really hard... but I always look to the future. When he finishes, he'll be worth so much more than if he was just a dishpig for the rest of his life.

He may only get $8.77 an hour at hte moment, but he's also learning AND getting experience. When he finishes his apprenticeship, it'll be easier to find a job as he's got plenty of experience AND the qualifications (he always works in a really great award-winning restaurant which will look good on his resume). They might even take him on. The head-chef at his restaurant gets $150000 a year plus bonuses... and while a regular chef won't get that much, they won't be sitting on $30000 a year or anything small like that.

In the grand scheme of things, if you can suffer for a few years, you can come out much better off in the end...

[smiles]

thanks for your reply Stacey - OMG to the wage your DP is on! Yeah I agree to the being better off in the end too. Just keep positive hey?
Thanks again!