To feel like this IS actually a decent safety net?

It’s a big sum one that can clear up your debt, allow for a few treats and invest some. However unless it’s for health reasons I wouldn’t go down to 4 days at 37 if you have previously struggled with money, anything could happen (mortgage increase etc) so would keep the full time hours. BUT it’s your decision and your money ignore your brother he sounds vindictive x

Obviously it’s a huge amount of money, but I’m not sure it’s enough to make significant changes to your working hours at such a young age. Will £120k cover the loss of a fifth of your income for the next 30 years? Or would it just be a temporary reduction? You don’t say if you have young kids, or health problems etc.

How fantastic for you OP
If someone gave me a gift of £120k I'd be over the moon; it's a significant sum of money.

In your shoes I'd

1. Pay off all debts
2. Invest £50k - take advice pension or other investment vehicle. Think long term (10-15 years & medium risk 50k @4% =£74k in 10 years, @ 6% = £90k) women are statistically highly risk adverse, to their detriment.
3. Pay down your mortgage by £50k
4. Enjoy £10k

If you're happy with your mortgage at that level you could invest more and work towards an early, financially stable retirement.

Retirement is now in my sights and just really wish I'd planned better for it and put more funds towards it.

He sounds like a spoilt brat crowing over a Christmas present.

£120k would significantly improve the lives of the majority

It is a fair amount of money for almost anyone and your brother doesn't sound very nice

But I don't think it is so much money that your first instinct should be to spend it (and effectively that's what going part time at 37 is)

I don't know how the 10k debt happened but perhaps he thinks you aren't good with money because of that - which might or might not be fair, only you know that

One thing you could look at is putting some
or all of the lump sum against your mortgage but keep the term the same, just reduce the monthly repayments. This might allow you to reduce your working hours. We did this when we both had a decent redundancy payment around the same time. It allowed us to be able to afford for me to be a sahm for a few years.

What's lots of money for you, might not be a lot for him. However his comments sound very ungrateful. His opinion on whether this money is life changing or pocket money should have no bearing on how you deal with this unexpected gift, enjoy it!

So people are actually agreeing with the brother. Is the OP annoyed that he didn't agree with her it was reduce your hours kind of money?

I'm really surprised that anyone would need to ask if £120,000 is a decent amount of money for a safety net.

Most people would consider £120k to be a decent safety net! I think you’d have to be earning over £200k to earn that much after tax in a year!

Your brother must be mega wealthy if he actually regards that as “pocket money”.

Although I don’t think it’s the sort of sum that would mean dropping down a day at work.

Your DB is wrong about the money. To the vast majority of us this is a huge sum & I can only think he's either completely out of touch with normal society or he's actively choosing to be a bit of a prick to you.

It's also interesting that his obviously stupid words have had such an effect it’s totally demeaned the money and made me feel stressed again about finances.
His haughty opinion changes nothing - while it's not life changing in that you can quit work and move to an Omaze mansion, it's still a massive wedge that, carefully managed can bring you some extra security.

It's wise to pay off the debt (unless its 0% interest, but the remaining 100k could be invested to give you a small passive income that may be enough for you to drop hours.

Does he have form for pissing on your BBQ?

I agree. Invest the money wisely and keep on working and earning….. would be my advice.

Pay off debts, fund your pension, invest in a S&S ISA (Vanguard trackers are good).

And ignore your DB, obviously.

Your db is a cock

It's a good amount of money but at your age it wouldn't influence my working pattern. Do you have a decent pension?

It's 100% your decision whether to go part time. Your life, your money, your choice. There are no medals handed out to full timers. Why if you don't have to do it?

He sounds like an ungrateful prick. £120k is a very generous amount to be gifted and would make a substantial difference to most people.
I wouldn’t drop a day of work off the back of it though.

Thanks! It’s really rattled my decision to go part time.

Have you gone p/t because of the money?

Your DB doesn’t sound very nice.

However, in your situation I wouldn’t go down to four days.

It’s a lot of money. However… at 37 I don’t think it’s the sort of money that then means you should start to work part time.

He is trying to spoil things for you, of course it’s a fantastic amount of money to have. I don’t think it’s enough to go part time though.

Honestly he's an arrogant idiot, and with an attitude like that I wouldn't be spending a lot of time in his company. It says a lot about his values and character.

Your initial reaction has more in common with how most people would feel. Don't let him steal your joy.

I consider me and DP To be very comfortable, we earn well above the national average and have no debt (apart from mortgage) plus a chunk of savings which add up to not too far off your gift.

I would still consider that to be a very significant gift and be incredibly grateful for it. Your brother is rude and stupid if he can't see that it's decent amount of money for most people even if he's so fabulously wealthy that it's small change for him.

Imagine if someone won this on Millionaire or DOND, they'd rightfully be over the moon. Refuse to let him take the shine off, get excited!

I agree about seeing a financial advisor to come up with the best plan for the money.

It's loads, leave him to be miserable and allow yourself to enjoy the feeling!