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Original poster

Do I need a FT job?

36 replies

LayeredlikeanOnion · 13/09/2025 12:08

I've got a minimum hours job, around 10 hours a week. I don't like it that much as it involves a lot of physical stuff for other people and I am 62. However I get to do what I want the rest of the week but don't have much to spend on myself which is also fine. I have around 4k in savings and I can't add to the pot.
Should I get a full time job? Do I need one or should I wait till my pension kicks in in 4 years so I can save for my old age. I have no way of making my part time job give me more hours

OP posts:
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Swiftie1878 · 15/09/2025 09:45

LayeredlikeanOnion · 13/09/2025 12:26

I just have so much less stress

Everyone would have less stress if they only had to work 10 hours a week, but is it financially sustainable?
Your savings are not very substantial - if an emergency occurred you could easily end up without any savings. Are you OK with that?

TalulahJP · 15/09/2025 09:41

Doing physical work in menopause sucks. All my joints hurt. So I’d suggest if you think it’s too heavy for you that you continue to look for other part time jobs that have flexibility. Why do you need so much flexibility though? Is it to fit round your dc’s schedule to babysit your grandchild? Maybe your son or daughter could make some changes to allow you to take a more structured post ie regular days?

Kids nowadays expect grandparents to just be at their beck and call free of charge and plan round that staying the case. And then have more than one baby and think it’ll be fine for granny to manage two under two etc….So you might want to mention that in case shes thinking of another…

Bjorkdidit · 15/09/2025 09:32

There's quite a big gap between 10 and 35 hours, could you work around 20 hours a week?

Or can you do seasonal work, eg something just before Christmas or in the summer and mainly use the extra money to top up your savings?

GOODCAT · 15/09/2025 09:14

I would do more hours and if that means getting a different job, I would do that. These are the last few years you have to give yourself a savings cushion and that would be really worthwhile in older age.

It is fine before your health really declines to live on very little, but bad health costs money. My mum would have to buy a rollator and a wheelchair (and then replacement ones) and frequent travel to hospital and the GP which she could no longer walk to, to a much smaller kettle when she couldn't lift it any more, let alone the usual things like replacement boilers, new roof etc.

rookiemere · 13/09/2025 13:20

Can you go for a different part time job with more hours and stop doing your current one?
But honestly if you have enough to live on and the thought of living on the state pension with the addition from your private pension doesn’t fill you with dread, then just carry on as you are.

Original poster
LayeredlikeanOnion · 13/09/2025 13:10

I cannot find another job that fits in with my current job as my hours are all over the place. All the PT jobs I like want set hours like I'm a school, teachers assistant etc

OP posts:
NoTouch · 13/09/2025 13:10

I personally would feel exposed with just £4k of savings so if I could I would try to increase that by working more now, as we are all only going to get older!

Your £4k could easily be wiped out by one big bill - roof needs work, boiler goes, car (if you run one) issues etc.

15minutesaday · 13/09/2025 13:04

If the only reason you're mulling this over is because you have no scope for adding to savings and you've only got 4 years for retirement/pension (that's how I'm reading it), I'd be inclined to find a small part time job locally and use the income from that purely for topping up savings. It doesn't have to be a career job with prospects if it's main purpose is for savings

On the other hand, with only 4 years to go, I'd also be inclined to just stick it out, particularly if you've no debt.

DaisyChain505 · 13/09/2025 12:57

Could you get another 10 hour a week job at a supermarket?

Swissmeringue · 13/09/2025 12:57

Ahh I missed that. I'd probably pick up another really low impact part time job. I do 8 hours a week in our local library and it's lovely, crap pay, but nice environment.

RaininSummer · 13/09/2025 12:57

You have another five or six years to state pension and that's only about 900 a month so yes to working and earning more if you can as you may regret it later when you are not able.

stillhiding1990 · 13/09/2025 12:55

rewardh · 13/09/2025 12:54

I didn’t give that figure.

Show quote history

Yes that was me calculating 10 hours as I misread op

rewardh · 13/09/2025 12:54

LayeredlikeanOnion · 13/09/2025 12:49

I didn't say I earned £500. You're assuming I get minimum wage? I don't.

Show quote history

I didn’t give that figure.

stillhiding1990 · 13/09/2025 12:53

Swissmeringue · 13/09/2025 12:51

Do you need a full time job? Evidently not?

In your position I'd increase my hours to allow for some disposable income and more savings but I probably wouldn't go to work full time if I didn't want to.

There is no scope for more hours so it need to be another PT role - that’s how I understand it

Original poster
LayeredlikeanOnion · 13/09/2025 12:52

ClassicalQueen · 13/09/2025 12:50

Honestly, life’s too short. I’d perhaps look for something with slightly more hours but I wouldn’t want to give up my freedom if I was comfortable enough working PT. Since going back to work after the holidays (I’m a teacher with SLT responsibilities) I have really forgotten how much time you lose out on working FT. The money might be good but freedom really is priceless.

Thank you! Yes I'm so less stressed but time rich, which is great for helping with my 2year old GC
But, I can't save anything either!

OP posts:
Swissmeringue · 13/09/2025 12:51

Do you need a full time job? Evidently not?

In your position I'd increase my hours to allow for some disposable income and more savings but I probably wouldn't go to work full time if I didn't want to.

ClassicalQueen · 13/09/2025 12:50

Honestly, life’s too short. I’d perhaps look for something with slightly more hours but I wouldn’t want to give up my freedom if I was comfortable enough working PT. Since going back to work after the holidays (I’m a teacher with SLT responsibilities) I have really forgotten how much time you lose out on working FT. The money might be good but freedom really is priceless.

Original poster
LayeredlikeanOnion · 13/09/2025 12:50

stillhiding1990 · 13/09/2025 12:48

Deleted as cross post. Read ‘minimum hours’ in Op as minimum wage. Apologies

Edited

She is a friend who is on hard times at the moment. I am happy to take half the bills being paid. She buys her own food

OP posts:
stillhiding1990 · 13/09/2025 12:49

Sorry I did, I read minimum hours as minimum wage. Apologies

DiscoBob · 13/09/2025 12:49

If you only have £4k in total I don't see why you can't claim UC?

Have you actually been offered this FT job? Is it physical like the other one? As you said you struggled a bit with that side of it when it's for ten hours.

If you're physically and professionally capable of it and it sounds enjoyable then I don't see why not. I mean you can always quit if it goes wrong.

Original poster
LayeredlikeanOnion · 13/09/2025 12:49

rewardh · 13/09/2025 12:47

Deleted as cross posted

Edited
Show quote history

I didn't say I earned £500. You're assuming I get minimum wage? I don't.

OP posts:
stillhiding1990 · 13/09/2025 12:48

Deleted as cross post. Read ‘minimum hours’ in Op as minimum wage. Apologies

rewardh · 13/09/2025 12:47

stillhiding1990 · 13/09/2025 12:45

So you pay all your expenses from £500 wage a month

Deleted as cross posted

Original poster
LayeredlikeanOnion · 13/09/2025 12:46

The bonus is I have no housing costs as I paid the mortgage off 2 years ago, and my friend lives in the spare room and she pays half all bills

OP posts:
stillhiding1990 · 13/09/2025 12:45

So you pay all your expenses from £500 wage a month