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Original poster

Would you work if you didn't have to?

55 replies

TooHotToTangoToo · 04/10/2022 12:57

Just say waiting to pick my dd up and I'm musing.

I've worked since I was 16 (I'm now 50). I've made some good choices re work and a bit of luck means I'm in a job that's flexible, I enjoy and it pays well. But I do get the usual Sunday evening stress feeling.

I'm hoping to retire in 8 years time so putting a fair bit into a pension each month. Due to the cost of living rises I may have to reduce the amount I pay into my pension, which fills me with dread as this means I'll have to work longer.

I hear people say they'd still work if they won the lottery, or they love their job and it doesn't feel like work, I think I've got a good deal with my job but there's no way in this Earth I'd work longer than I had to. The thought makes me anxious.

OP posts:

ShitlandIslands · 04/10/2022 13:58

Mammed · 04/10/2022 13:34

I actually thought this about the summer job that Lady Louise Windsor had at a garden centre... on one hand I thought it was great that she was learning the concept of working for a living etc but on the other hand I know a lot of teenagers struggle like hell to find a summer job.

Show quote history

Yep.
However, I don't agree that it was great that she was learning the concept of working for a living because, well, why? She'll never have to put that concept into practice so what's the point? As soon as working for a living gets tough she can just bugger off. So, why bother? It feels like a kind of 'commoner safari' (oh look, here's what all the poor people have to do each day, lets have a try so we can revel in how easy we have it). A bit crass TBH.

BMW6 · 04/10/2022 14:02

I took early retirement at 50. Now 64 and haven't worked an hour in all those years. Never bored, have as much income from pension as I need, spend loads of time on allotment or reading.

I did 33 years full time. No children so no ML. I figured I'd done my bit.

fucap · 04/10/2022 14:26

Not a chance in hell. No.
I'm currently considering whether I can afford to take a sabbatical in a couple of years' time and do something I have wanted to do for several years - an extremely long hike....
If I won the lottery tomorrow I'd be off like a shot.

HappyAxolotl · 04/10/2022 14:28

I would give up working for a wage but I'd do voluntary work for projects I found worthwhile and interesting. My time and effort would be far better spent on helping others and improving things and I'd feel I was having a positive effect on the world.

I'm not working at the moment due to illness and I really miss the structure and routine of a working schedule as well as the mental stimulation of work.

cooolio · 04/10/2022 14:33

I don't need to work but I do. I think I must be a bit mad but I've decided to do just one more year. I'll retire (again) next October half term. The kids are wanting to go to the USA for Halloween so I think I'll start my permanent retirement with that trip.

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