How much would you want in savings to feel like life would be ok if you had to get a new job?

I think 3 months off is doable on very little. You cut all non essential expenditure. If you want longer or to do more then you need more.

3 months is really easy to explain away on a CV but 6 months - you need something to show for that IMHO.

Hmmmm i dont know

you will still have a very decent income of £700 pm and low outgoings so I'd be tempted...

But.... What salary band would you be looking to get back into?

Anything over 50K in my sector is DIRE.
And now they ask things directly like are you still employed? If not, were you made redundant? etc etc

I fucking loathe my job i have proportionally similar savings ( my outgoings are higher) and cant bring myself to quit 🙈

If I was going to do it, I would do it in March to get 6 months off when it’s warmer and lighter.

£35k is plenty.

I know a couple of people who left professional jobs not through choice, one took 7 months to land thd next one one is still looking after 6 months.
Of all the times to consider this right now is probably the worst.

@Everyday99 I have only ever had one job I didn’t like and it wasn’t the job it was the alcoholic quite frankly mental head of dept. Two people had nervous breakdowns while I was there and they was renowned negatively across campus. In the private sector they would have been sacked in an instant. I waited it out and did get another job but it took many months after I decided to leave.

I wouldn’t say reckless, more a bit daft. The economy is terrible and predicted to get worse. There is also the march of AI to be mindful of. You can’t guarantee you’ll find a job after six months or even longer. Maybe a three month unpaid sabbatical would be better?

This is really for you to decide. I had jobs which I left. I had jobs which I hated but needed the income. I changed job. I had 0 savings and just now, recently started making some in the amount to call it a decade or two. I have been all over the place and what I discovered, life still goes on. Be brave.

Can you ask your current employer for a six month unpaid sabbatical?
Then you could go on an extended holiday knowing you’ve got a regular income to come back to.
While you’re off you can think about what you’ll want to do next. I always think it’s easier to get a job when you’ve got a job.

Harsh.

OP, if you sign on and get 4% interest you will use up £5000 of your savings in 6 months. You will also get some tax back.

An unpaid sabbatical is often called a career break, so you could ask your HR about that.

I am about to leave my main job (I combine part-time work as an employee with freelancing) because I hate it, this is the second time that I have burned out in 3 years and my body and mind are making it clear this has gone on for long enough.

I have a 3 month notice which gives me time to find a new part-time role or get additional freelance work.

I think my health is more important than anything and I can't keep pushing myself and getting sick all the time...

The job market isn’t great at the moment. Id say it’s risky to quit before getting something else sorted.

A bloke I volunteer with did this. He has not been able to get a job over the last 6 months since he decided to go back to work. No idea how long he can sustain living ok for without a salary. What’s your housing situation?

Depends on how easily you will find another job in 6 months.

I'd want enough to ensure I could pay basic bills for a year. OP, you need to assume it will be more than six months.

Ive had a goal of saving a year’s salary. I’ve don’t that now and it’s a nice feeling of security. If I was going to take 6 months off I’d need a plan, when I was younger I’d have travelled, possibly still would now…

Same, I know people in my sector who have been looking for work, even contract stuff, for well over a year. It really depends what it is Op.

I've twice taken 3 months off with less than half of that, (outgoings half also), so you should be fine. I was doing some occasional work for spends though - assessing AI and cleaning. I have my own business so all above board.

Depending on your income bracket, taking a break can also drop your tax (by keeping you below a threshold). so if you are PAYE, you may get a refund.

I definitely was glad to get back to 'regular' working after each 'rest'. I love spending time on my hobbies etc, but a time always comes when I'm itching for routine.

I was made redundant 3 months ago from a very stressful job and decided to take 3 months off as I felt I was constantly on a hamster wheel and never had time to think about anything other than work, I don’t feel guilty about it and will start looking for a new job next week,
I think more and more people are deciding to take time off between jobs ( if they can afford to) as it gives you time to re energise and clear your mind

I am an expat and my visa is tied to my job. I would LOVE to be able to quit and take 6 months out. Then have a complete career change haha. In fact, it’s a dream of mine.

Definitely go for it!

I did this a couple of years ago. Quit my job with no job to go to. I took 9 months off and ate through a lot (but not all) of my savings.

The job market doesn’t seem great at the moment so you need to factor that in to your decision.

It completely depends on

• how employable you'll be afterwards
• how long your cushion will last you
• what your outgoings are
• what your responsibilities are
• what your support system is like and how reliable it is.

So your question is nonsensical.
I nearly facitiously replied "a year's salary" but I earn a LOT less than you a year, so 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️
Any reply I give you is pointless, isn't it

It's not so much the money, but taking a break may mean it harder to get back in to a good job in a tough market. 6 months may be ok, but what if a job hunt at the 6 month mark takes 6 months itself. Then that's a year out and beginning to devalue you as a candidate.

Depending on your industry of course. Mine is ultra competitive so it definitely would.

It’s not bonkers at all, we only get one shot at this life. My friend had 6 months off with similar savings and said it was the best thing she ever did, full reset and now she’s in a job she loves and got the savings back up to where they were. You’re in a position where you can actually do it where many (me included) are not so I say go for it x

£100k, which is about three years salary for me. The job market is awful at the minute in some sectors, including mine. I'd be nervous about taking any time off voluntarily.

I’d go for it if I was you! See where life takes you and enjoy a break.