Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Would you work if you didn't have to?

181 replies

EshSchools · 29/09/2020 13:11

Sitting here with a virtual pile of very uninspiring admin to do and daydreaming...

Would you work if you didn't have to? For instance if you and the family had a paid off mortgage, good pensions and a windfall. (I'm imagining 1-2 million in the bank). I think I'd give up work and study for a postgrad degree just for fun, but I wonder if I'd feel differently if I like my (quite well paid but dull) office job.

OP posts:
Lozz22 · 29/09/2020 16:46

Maybe once a week just so I didn't get bored

Lolaloveslemonade · 29/09/2020 16:47

No.

Susannahmoody · 29/09/2020 16:48

Hhaha haha 😂

Not a chance in hell

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 29/09/2020 16:48

I dont really have to work and I do, only part time but have increased my hours this year. I do it for my mental health- work gives me a reason to get up, a reason to be social, a rhythm to my days. I was lucky enough to be a SAHM for 9 years but I did some self employed work throughout. I was given the chance of a job and jumped at it, i couldn't go back to not working. Working keeps me sane.

VaggieMight · 29/09/2020 16:51

No way. I think there's something a bit wrong with people who would get bored not working.

As long as I was financially secure I'd have lots of animals, craft days, eat out lots, have day trips out, there's an endless list of things to do other than work.

I used to catch the train to work which was always full of retired people off on hiking trips. I used to be so envious of them,

MondeoFan · 29/09/2020 16:52

I always though no but whilst in lockdown I really missed adult interaction, as it's just me and 2 children.
I've only been back to work 3 weeks and although the hours are long and tedious it's made all the better by chat with colleagues.

PeskyRooks · 29/09/2020 16:53

I used to work with rescue dogs and cats and I'd happily do that for free (the pay was rubbish anyway!) So I would do that given the chance, or spend all day brushing donkeys.
Otherwise no I would rather do my own thing for sure.

viccat · 29/09/2020 16:58

Yes but I would work in a way that suits me and definitely from home and part time. I'm already a freelancer and dream of building a business that works for me. I'm not a fan of the 40 hour work week and corporate culture that seems to come with so many jobs...

I've had periods of not working before due to health issues and I can definitely see how much I get out of working. Especially the responsibility and purpose it gives me. I'm just not motivated enough to keep up with hobbies or interests without the structure of deadlines and working with other people. Obviously if I was a millionaire I might just volunteer my skills to help a charity or help small businesses/individuals...

Tana433 · 29/09/2020 17:01

No, i dont need to so i dont! Not enough hours in the day by the time ive seen friends, watched boxsets, read books etc. Both kids have left home so only responsibility is the cat! I love it and can honestly say im never bored. DH on the other hand could easily afford not to work as well but after a few weeks at home (He does short-term contracting work) gets restless and wants to be back out there.

RobertaTheGreat · 29/09/2020 17:02

I'm fortunate that I don't have to bring a wage into the home. I worked from age 18 to 54, and when our youngest left for uni I said to DH I needed a break. We had just paid off the mortgage and no longer had school fees to pay so we were much better off. DH was very happy for me to stop work, and although I intended to start up again after a sabbatical I haven't. It's been 3 years now. I love my life. I volunteer for a local preservation trust, I walk 5-6 miles with the dogs every day, I go on litter picks with the Pick-up Artists and I run a social group. I had some interesting paid jobs over the years but I never really enjoyed them.

KenAdams · 29/09/2020 17:04

Definitely. I love my job.

SquirrelFan · 29/09/2020 17:17

I might, but only if I could hire another person to do my job with me! This person would know how to do all the things I don't (and teach me!) and neither of us would be overstretched and overstressed (I work for a school). As a matter of fact, if I really had loads of money, I'd hire everyone a coworker!

KenDodd · 29/09/2020 17:18

No

FannyIsNotMyAunt · 29/09/2020 17:19

I don't. But I am always busy. I help support elderly relatives, I craft, I exercise, I am a taxi for my boys, I see friends, I do the chores. Never a dull moment really.

pippistrelle · 29/09/2020 17:20

No, I would not.

One income would be enough for us to live on but it wouldn't feel right putting the burden of being sole earner on another person. So, we both pootle along being slightly miserable about work. I did have a break of four years though after I got a very healthy redundancy pay-out, and it was lovely.

Bickles · 29/09/2020 17:21

We can afford for me not to work now. I work 2 days a week (Tues/Thurs). I think I would be bored with one school age child and no job, but 2 days is enough.

Blulorry · 29/09/2020 17:22

Yes I would work still. You would soon be board.

Chickenwing · 29/09/2020 17:24

Hell no!

I work for money and thats it.

Ginfordinner · 29/09/2020 17:25

I don't need to work, but I love my job. I only get paid for work 15 hours a week. I have a great boss and workmates, I can easily do my job from home and get a lot of job satisfaction. It adds structure to my week.

Thos who don't understand why people get bored if they don't work probably have family to care for or family close by. DD is a student away at university, we don't have family within 150 miles, DH is semi retired, and due to covid there isn't much we can do right now except go for lots of walks, and quite frankly, the novetly is wearing off a little.

blueberrypie0112 · 29/09/2020 17:26

I am working when I don’t have to. I don’t even put in enough hours nor I am pay well. It’s a fast food (like McDonald’s) I don’t know why I keep working there.

unmarkedbythat · 29/09/2020 17:30

I think so, but not in a paid job that someone else might actually need to live on.

I'd do more degrees and I'd like to volunteer.

LadyCatStark · 29/09/2020 17:32

Yes. Working from home is boring enough. I love my job and I make a difference to families who are right at the start of their SEND journey.

LongPauseNoAnswer · 29/09/2020 17:37

I’m in the exact position in the OP and I still work because I love my business. I work max 15 hours a week and I couldn’t really call it work because it’s so enjoyable. So yes, I will continue to work despite not needing to.

Legoandloldolls · 29/09/2020 17:39

Nope.

After giving up my children's early years to continue my carer, I was made redundant on maternity leave. No leaving present, no card, no goodbye. I learnt so much from that and how disposable I was.

I live off the thing I invested my redundancy in. I don't work.as I wouldnt be financially better off right now. I will go back to work one day but I cant ever feeling like it's worth any sacrifice for again.

It's something that you can do for love or money but rarely for both. If I loved my job maybe, but I didnt. Never have tbh.

GreyishDays · 29/09/2020 17:39

It depends whether there’s enough money for a cleaner.

Swipe left for the next trending thread