To ask WHY you work

Well for a long time I worked because I didn't want to end up in the streets. I needed shelter, clothing, food, security and ideally some fun all of which cost money. I never enjoyed work much, I liked a lot of my colleagues and socialised with them when younger ( booze culture of 80s and 90s) but I disliked all of my jobs

Nowadays I still dislike my job ( my 7th job in 40 years) but have been good at my different roles, with several unsolicoted promotions, despite my lack of any ambition beyond doing the job in front of me.

I am not keen to retire though as I am now "institutionalised" and struggle with routine and productivity without external pressures.

I also live in a tiny house with a grown up DS with autism who has not worked or done anything outside the house since he failed his a levels 2 years ago. I don't want to be home 24/7 with him at home and no space. I doubt he will ever work so I am not sure I will give up work for quite a while , despite the stress of it

• to pay the bills
• to use my brain and skills
• to have mental stimulation
• to contribute something to society
• to set my children a good example
• to have a routine
• to help others

Money comes some way down the list of reasons that I work. Top is probably creative fulfilment. I'm able to develop my ideas into beautiful products that are in millions of people's homes. Second is probably working with a team of smart and interesting people. Third might be the professional doors that my role opens. Then the money.

Money. As soon as the mortgage is gone I would like to go part time just to earn for holidays/fun money til retirement.

Financial independence, which is another way of saying money I suppose. I like the sense of freedom, real or imagined, that gives me.

Mainly beause I enjoy being able to eat and pay my bills.

My job also makes a difference and is interesting.

Intresting how many people do it for purpose. Pre kids I was very career oriented. Post kids it’s literally just for the money. If I won the lottery I would not work.

For money, but I really love my job and even if I won the lottery I would carry on working.

Sense of purpose, mental stimulation, great conversation and laughter with like minded people.
So much more to work than money imo.

Money. I'd retire in a heartbeat if I could afford to.

I don’t work but if I had to it would be for money. Currently a sahm and surviving on husbands wage. We try to be frugal and put the kids needs first. We’re fine for now but if I had to go back to work it would definitely be for money.

Self respect (for not sponging off the state or a man), making a contribution to society, the challenge and using my brain.

It really is the money. I love the food, heat, shelter, water, clothes, transport and health care in particular.

I do actally find my work quite interesting and social, but I reckon I would play an instrument, do gardening, take up painting, go for walks, read books and stuff like that I had all the necessities covered without working.

For money

I think I could get a sense of purpose and be busy without work.

Money.
It gives me a feeling of pride and satisfaction. It keeps me organised, on track and motivated.
I want my children to see that I (and dh) work hard for what we have.
It gives me something to look forward to and get excited about. We're currently looking at holidays for next year and saving for that gives me more excitement than booking the week before.
I have a love for horses which my dd has inherited. I have no choice, I absolutely have to work 😆

Partly, I work for money - we'd be stuck without my salary.

I also need the mental stimulation, sense of purpose and routine. I enjoy my job most of the time, despite the fact that it can be very stressful and is constantly busy (secondary teacher and I lead a core subject).

One day, I obviously will retire and I will no doubt find other things to occupy my time and maybe by then, I will enjoy a slower pace. I'm only 38 though so I have a while to go yet!

Only ever for the money.

I have no passion for it; I quite liked it, but the money wasn’t good enough. It didn’t give me purpose or a social life; I liked my colleagues well enough, but didn’t want to socialise with them. It wasn’t fun, it was incredibly stressful. So after an appointment with a particularly unpleasant patient I just threw in the towel. I’d rather be at home with my children. That’s something I can’t buy. I’m appreciated, they give my life meaning and I won’t be on this earth for long, so I want to spend my limited time with them.

I don't have to work. But I want more financial security because you have no idea what's around the corner

At the moment I'm in a position to treat my kids, friends and myself but I don't take it for granted. I'm also finally in a job that I love and work in a team of very supportive, friendly people. I would miss that if I didn't work. My OH is retired & I wouldn't want to get under his feet 🤣

I always say it's for money only, that I absolutely detest working and that I've got squillions of things to keep me busy outside of work, that working just gets in the way of (that's not an exaggeration, I have).

The truth is that the structure does me good, along with interacting with colleagues and I do get a mental boost from the work that I do including its challenges. Whenever I've got lots of time off I do get stuff done but end up feeling a bit lost by the lack of routine.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't jack it in in a heartbeat if I won the lottery though.

Yep

And I like the people I work with. We have a laugh together.
And I think for me that makes all the difference

I work for money. In your fishing analogy the fisherman was working harder to be able to work harder and make more money to retire. In my case I go to work so that in the here and now we have a roof over our heads and food to eat. I know we could have those things with not working and living on benefits but I couldn't necessarily choose the roof and chose the food. Money gives you choices.

For money.
I used to think it was to socialise too. However, I’m now realising that I would find plenty to do if I didn’t need to work.

I can't go to the Maldives every year on jobseekers allowance or a state pension.

That's why i work.

Although the way things are going, I will retire, sell my house, give half the money to the kids and then spaff the rest on holidays because I'm buggered if I'm working and saving hard to pay inheritance tax.

Or I'll retire elsewhere with private healthcare and low entry requirements.

I work for money and my job is fulfilling because I get to help people. My answer might be different if my job was basically a hobby like the fishing example.

I work for money. No other reason. I'd far rather not have to.