I want to give up work but cage afford to

[howaboutthistime]

Just feeling sad about going back to work.

I've worked for nearly 40 years (just 6 months off for maternity leave) and a bit too young for my state pension.

I used to like my job until we got a new boss now I'm really dreading going into work.

I hate having to get up early and I hate not being free to do what I want, when I want.

Can't really explain it. I wish I could stop working but I can't afford to. It wouldn't even help if I got another job because I just don't want to work anymore!

Anyone else feel like this, how do you snap out of it?

Can't not cage in the title!!

Same. Want to retire and spend my days surrounded by nature

Same

Same but I have another 20 ish yrs to go. I never used to think like this in my 20s-as in dread that I had another 40 years to work.

I dream about winning the Lottery.

People ask ‘wouldn’t you get bored’? Errr no

Absolutely know how you feel. I'm just not sure if it's my current job that is making me feel like this.
Have you looked closely at your finances & pension projections to see if there is a way to retire? Some organisations hold retirement planning seminars that cover this. I know I can't afford to retire yet as I'm 51 and my pension would be reduced too much to take it 9 years early. For the last year I've been racking my brain to think of how I can keep working for another 9-10 years. I've not found the answer yet!

Are you over 60 ?
Can you now take your private pension ? Could you at least find out how much it is i.e. the lump sum and the monthly amount.

What difference would it make if you had it now or had it in x years time ?

If you took the monthly amount could you then work less hours ? Your current employer may accept you dropping from 5 full days to 4 full days or whatever ?

Was just saying the same to dh. I've worked for 38 years, minimal time off for mat leave ( 3/ 4 months). Fed up of working but have another 11 years until state retirement age but hoping to finish earlier. Would rather live a really frugal life than have to face work every day. Did reduce to four days a while ago which has helped but every day I'm exhausted.

I feel your pain. I have another 10 years until state pension. I have had enough.

Unfortunately, money makes the world go around.

i think most of us would love to not work and spend our days as we please. But life is for living and we need money to survive.

10 ½ years till state pension for me and my piddly little private pension isn't worth much. I've also had enough of working. Shouldn't wish my life away but I wish I was 10 years OLDER

I'm the same. I'm 53 this year and will have the option to take early retirement any time after 55 but realistically from 57 it's more likely I would be allowed to by work. I'm aiming for this but DH doesn't have this in his job- looks like he will have to work til 67. He's not bitter though - I have pointed out to him he won't have to do 50% of the housework if I'm only working 3 days a week.

I will get a good lump sum and a good pension- I've paid in from being 18 yrs old and plan to take a part time job on min wages to boost it up to my full time earnings so it wouldn't really affect our finances. This is all subject to me being well enough though- who knows what's round the corner? I feel knackered most of the time! I would like 6 months 'off' though.

My Dad died in his v early 60's so I'm conscious about getting at least a bit of me time. DH's family are ridiculously long lived- both men and women on his side have been 95+ with good quality of life to the end.

It's bloody awful isn't it? I was happyish till I got a new boss 6 months ago and just want out now.

I can take early retirement at 60, in 6 years time, on a reduced pension but I can't wait, time is dragging, I have no enthusiasm or energy, can't be bothered to defend myself when arsey boss is throwing her weight around.

I'm trying to be more positive about the rest of my life. I'm taking up a new hobby and getting more active, and I'm trying to stick to working in work hours only, no more staying late or catching up on things at the weekend.

I've started to buy the odd lottery ticket too

Not many pensions can be drawn before age 55, literally there's about two that have the legal right to allow that.

Sorry, you'll have to stay, or save up, or win the lottery.....

I know how you feel. I have 43 years NI paid, and can't wait to retire. Not long to go 🙂

Me too. I do like my job but I want to do other things - have to pay the bills tho.

I used to like my job until we got a new boss now I'm really dreading going into work.

Actually it sounds like it would help to get a new job. Even if you remain in the same slump of not wanting to work in general, you could be back to liking the job more and not disliking your boss. Being more proactive about changing this situation may well re-energise you.

New job or not, it’s time to decide how much you want this.

What can you do to reduce your remaining years at work? Downsize or move to a cheaper area? Get a lodger? Or plan to do so in a few years? Take some of the private pension a year before your state one?

Makes me laugh when people say that

I could have horses so no, I would never be bored
Plus all the books I wanted, loads of time to exercise, sports massages, a personal trainer..
which I would need to balance out all the food I would eat out and if you did get bored there's always volunteering

Two part time jobs? I found that much easier and more interesting. And I was less invested in office politics etc.

Since lockdown I have had a complete 360 about work. I do enjoy my job but I do not want to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week anymore. Hybrid working has helped me to regain a much healthier work/life balance and I love it. My ideal would be to work 6 hours a day and increase my annual leave, so I could work 10 weeks on and then 2 off.
Now to dream of a time when I can make this happen, probably not until I am 60, at least. Sob!

I've completely lost interest in full time 9-5.30 plus travelling
You are not alone

first i love what i do, great cause and great company, its just that you have one life and personally i want to retire to do day trips and improve my travel photography and various archaeology intrigues, british museum etc, thing is i need the capital to fund the travels (i need a large lotto win or find a large bag of cash etc

It’s fine to sit and dream/moan if it helps you get through a hard day at work, or the first few days back from holidays.

However, if you want to move beyond the dreaming stage, then I would suggest working out:

1. your current expenses
2. what your pension income is and when you are eligible to take it
3. confirm your pension income covers your current expenses. If it doesn’t, make a plan to reduce your current expenses ASAP. Eg expenses exceeds pension income by £500 however paying off the mortgage/car loan etc will release £800, so I will come under then. So then you have a date you know you can retire and survive by.
4. Is there a gap between getting your pension and now? How much $ do you need to survive? Can you save that amount up and retire in half the time? Eg 5 years until retirement. However, I can save the equivalent of a years worth of expenses each each if I am frugal, meaning I could retire in 2.5 years, once I reach my savings goal.

I worked out I could not retire with a mortgage. And so, I am throwing everything I can at the mortgage as once it is done I can look at part time work or retiring well before pension age, if I save. But with the mortgage at the moment…….that’s the thing that keeps me going in each day!

I feel you. I am only 40! I used to love my job, was career driven. Now I resent any time spent away from DCs. I used to pity people who did the lottery, now I buy a ticket every week.