1 post tagged “stuff”
The mob I wrote about yesterday sent me their contract today. The quoted dollar amount includes superannuation, which strips away just over $5k/annum, making the disposable income after tax untenable. I rang them, stated a case and was promised an answer later today. In the meantime, I had a call from another lead on the Sunshine Coast, answering an application I'd made yesterday. The man wants someone to fill a role which I'm well and truly suited for. In fact, it would most likely be a better job, per se, than the one I thought I already had. I've lived and worked on the Sunshine Coast and it's pure heaven. The business environment is lively and energetic as well. Albeit, that was some 16 years ago.
Thing is, such a move would mean the wife would be living here, in Brisbane, while I live & work on the coast. During the week anyway. Effectively, her DSP would increase markedly because we'd be 'separated' in terms of the current welfare regime. Naturally, I'd be paying rent and food while away, which would practically zero out the increased pension benefit based on the salary I'm assuming is on offer. Perhaps I'm wrong. I hope so. I'll find out more detail on Thursday.
A half hour ago I had a call from the first employer, the one I wrote about yesterday, to say that they're agreeable to the base PLUS super, which gives me the disposable income after tax I need to make all the sums work. Not luxuriously mind you, but minimally. The mortgage gets paid, which is the prime concern. Now here's the quandary, and we're not taking megabucks here either. Do I opt for a position on the Sunshine Coast, providing it pays a minimum $5k more than the one in Brisbane, or settle for the one in Brisbane, which is still less than what I was being paid in my last role. There's fuel involved, rent, food, all of which would easily decimate any benefit from an increased Disability Support Pension because we're 'separated'. Yes, I know there will be those who'll say we're ripping off the system, but I'd refute that. I'd be working to support two people, living away from home and hearth to do so and at the end of the day, certainly not profiting to any degree.
I'll know more on Thursday evening. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode from Casa Confusion.
