If you could afford to live by working just 3 days a week…

You're public sector so will have a DB pension so work out what that will be and if that plus your state pension would be sufficient to live on. Think about if you'd rather work less for longer or would rather keep doing 5 days a week in your 40s but reduce your hours in your 50s and retire early.

Or if you hate your job why notmove job. Be aware that you'll need a payrise of about 20% if you leave the public sector to make up for the loss of the DB pension.

I work four days.. have done for about 5 years. slowly built up to four days I think.

working pt worked when the children where little.

they are mostly adults now.

it’s a difficult balance as my savings are not very large (over £1500 but not 3 months expenses)

however, I truly believe that if I worked five days and didn’t have a day off to do nothing, I would have succumbed to my sometimes shaky mental health, however as it stands I have only had one (unrelated) week off sick in five years.

the last two years we have managed ok financially, but I have noticed in the last two / three months we have started to struggle with things/ bills going up.

Absolutely yes. For most of us, working is a mugs game unless you truly love your job, or work for yourself.

If you would be much happier going 3 days a week and can make it work financially then go for it. I've just had a year off work at 40 after a life changing medical event and it has been a revelation after working since I was 16. Life is far too short.

With no kids? Possibly, as they’re the one big expense I have (will have two in Uni in a few years).

I’d probably focus on getting the mortgage paid off (or having enough savings to do so, which is our current plan) as that’s what would give me the financial peace of mind to take a step back financially.

Obviously 4 or 3.5 if you can manage in 3 but you’re unsure. My organisation offers half days. So 3.5 days and you can either do 3 then 4 or ask to work compressed hours.
I work 4.5 days compressed. Slightly longer days but the weekday off is priceless.
This will affect when you retire as your pension will accrue more slowly so do factor that in. Time off now or potentially working for another few years?

Don’t forget the effect it will have on your pension too, it’s not just how it affects now. I have 20yrs pension for 25yrs working so far, due to my part time years when DC were little and when I had health issues. Why not consider 4 days, or compressed hours do you do 4 days.

I’d do it with the view of starting a small business on the side in something you are really passionate about and enjoy. I work approx 21-25 hours a week in my day job and then about 10 hours a week in a business I started (which is essentially being paid for my hobby). One day I hope the business will mean I can leave my day job.

No, as i’ve been part time before and ended up having to squeeze 5 days into 3, it’s easier to work 5 in my role.

I diid that when I was single and it was great. I felt less tired and more relaxed which is worth more than money.

I would be thinking about my retirement. A little bit more now so I could have an earlier retirement.

If DC were small, definitely. I'd want more time with them.
If not, I might spend 1/2 a day getting chores done: bedlinen, online shop, basic cleaning and half a day entirely to myself, then a day running a sideline that was enjoyable but also generated income, and set that aside in savings or for holidays.
Or as PP said to pursue a serious passion or dream. But not to potter about. Not if doing so jeopardised a comfortable retirement. I promise you, retirement suddenly races towards you and you realise you could live another 30 years but on what?

I wouldn't drop to 3 days but I absolutely would reduce to 4 days.

We both work three days a week and have done for quite a while, for us its a really nice balance and something we aren’t looking to change.

I work 3 days a week but financially im in very good shape - but it depends on how much you need the good things in life.

I might be able to live on 3 days a week salary, but my pension would be badly hit and I think I'd be condemning myself to poverty in old age.

I work 3 nights a week, 37 1/2 hours.

Yes definitely, as I would be writing on the other two days. I will be doing this in five years' time when the mortgage is paid off. I worked 3/4 days until a few years ago and three is absolutely ideal.

I'm a free lancer and I've been pushed into doing this at work as there's not enough work to keep me busy. I have a lot going on at the moment, I'm struggling mentally and this is an extra financial worry that I could really do without. But if I could afford to do it, it would be absolutely my dream come true. In a couple of months I come into a bit of money so my finances will be better, if I can just manage until then.

Life is short. You only need to earn what you really need to live. If you can afford it, why not?

I might as life is for living and you can't take any of it with you. You don't know how long you have on this planet.

If in doubt, I'd probably compromise and work four days.

I do 4 days and love it. If I could afford to do three, I would.

I do, and it's the best thing I ever did.

Given you’re only 40, if I could comfortably afford to live on 60% of my current salary I might drop to 4 days, not 3 and but the extra straight into savings in one form or another - in particular increased retirement pot. Maybe paying off the mortgage. Or just long term investments.

Enjoy the extra day and seeing savings build.

But if you’re feeling a bit burnt out at work cutting days doesn’t sound like it would necessarily make your life better long term. A bit less of the same drudgery is more appealing than more of it, but it’s not exactly inspiring. It might be more prudent to think about how you can make a change so you start enjoying work again. (And drop a day if you can!).

I work 3 days a week just now and we live comfortably. I have 6 young children and this gives me the best work/life balance while maintaining my career- it’s let me continue to work on my masters degree and be around for the kids etc.

However- my husband and I have spoken about what things will look like when the kids are older and less reliant on us. It sort of makes sense to up my hours and save more but then, I might have more of a “life” then and appreciate my free time more. I suppose a happy medium for us might be me increasing my hours by one day to let my husband reduce his hours by a day and give us more time together.

OP- I think if you can afford it and pension will be ok then why not.

I’m dithering this too. I’m 48 but we could very comfortably live on 3 days a week or a much smaller job.
i am looking to go for it. I’d much rather enjoy life now than begrudge now for a future you have no idea about.