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Would you work if you didn’t need the money?

137 replies

Wendalicious · 27/02/2024 20:49

I know times are crap right now and we all dream about the big lottery win- but in reality would you really give up work if you didn’t need the money?

Factoring in habit, socialising, “it’s what we do!” Would you honestly resign the next day?

Just thinking after a rubbish day- lighthearted ☺️

OP posts:
yourlobster · 27/02/2024 21:07

I would run for the hills and not look back. Absolutely no way would I keep working if I didn't need to. I can fill my time just fine.

Pedallleur · 27/02/2024 21:08

Gone. In a heartbeat. Would spend my time looking for cheap holidays. Obv depends how much money we have. So looking around for great deals on flights, cruises, hotels and being away for as much as possible. I w.ouldnt miss work....at all

BarelyLiterate · 27/02/2024 21:08

I couldn’t work if I didn’t need the money. It just wouldn’t happen. Even if I tried to continue working, the day would quickly come when my alarm would go off on a cod, wet, grey morning and I would think ‘fuck that’, turn it off, roll over & go back to sleep.

Stringagal · 27/02/2024 21:11

Would I bugger carrying on working! After doing plenty of shopping / travelling / socialising / deciding where to put my millions, I’d probably buy a business and turn up there occasionally. But no, I’d be earning more from the interest than I would sitting at my desk, no chance I’m dealing with work when I could be browsing holidays and houses!

Wendalicious · 27/02/2024 21:11

Great answers thank you!

OP posts:
dennine · 27/02/2024 21:12

I've not worked for 25 years. For about 14 years I had a modest but adequate passive income - probably most people would have preferred to work but I valued my time more. For the last 11 years I had a significant increase in assets and life has been very comfortable and I've really enjoyed my leisure time (but also had less of it due to having more dc). I don't regret it, although socially there's a big assumption that you'd be working, some people can't even seem to process the idea that you wouldn't be. And people assume that you might be some little housewife if you let them know you're not working, because I'm not going to discuss my various investments with relative strangers. I've got a small limited company on the go, for times when I need to mention employment - it makes very little genuine money (because I've got better things to be doing with my time), but it keeps me just busy enough, and helps with tax efficiency.

Babyroobs · 27/02/2024 21:12

Sometimes I think I would as mostly I like my job but today has just been full of the most tedious people so if you ask me today I would quit in a heartbeat !

Wendalicious · 27/02/2024 21:13

I always love being off work but it’s being off from something that is the treat! Or is it?

OP posts:
AnotherDayAnotherDoller · 27/02/2024 21:13

No - I would fill my time with hobbies and family.

Lemonademoney · 27/02/2024 21:14

As above. If I didn’t need to I wouldn’t take a paid job but I would volunteer in something that was meaningful to me a couple of times a week.

NiceUnusualDifferent · 27/02/2024 21:14

Of course not! There is enough things to do with my time that I don't have to resort to work to stave off boredom! If with a shit tonne of money the only thing you can think to do to keep busy/stimulated is work then you must have a terrible lack of imagination.

scaredofthefuture2024 · 27/02/2024 21:14

Yes. But I'd fill my time volunteering for some charities that are close to my heart.

BreakfastAtMimis · 27/02/2024 21:14

Would I hell! I'd want to keep myself busy but I could try and write a book or something. Maybe do a degree for fun. I dream of the day I can give up work!

Meadowfinch · 27/02/2024 21:15

No, I'm 60 and I'd love to retire now.

I have two years to go though.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 27/02/2024 21:15

aSpanielintheworks · 27/02/2024 20:54

The money I earn is like loose change compared to DH (not a brag, I just earn peanuts!) but would I give it up? No way. I love my job, I love my colleagues, it gives me a structure to my day, it gives me a purpose, and I make a huge difference to lots of very little people.

I felt like that a couple of years ago, we must have similar jobs (I work in a primary school). But as I've got older, my circumstances have changed and I think a bit differently. School holidays off have become more restrictive for me trying to fit in with leave of other people in my immediate family. DH got a promotion and also has switched to mostly work from home (after years of hardly being at home, so it's nice to have him here finally!), my dad died last year and my mum is getting older and I can see her fitness and health getting ever so slowly worse. My job has changed beyond recognition compared to when I took it 3 years ago, like circumstances have completely changed, for the worse. So it has got really stressful. Am going through the menopause and find myself getting tireder and stressed more easily. etc etc.

When I weight it all up.....basically everything has changed in my life compared to 5 years back. I may be able to retire early in a few years. And now, I am seriously thinking about doing it. I DO get satisfaction from work, regular structure, colleagues etc. But I don't see why I can't get that from doing regular voluntary work.

Roryhon · 27/02/2024 21:16

No, no no, despite enjoying what I do.

I don’t understand why people say they’d be bored. I’d go for walks with my dogs, do some classes, travel, see plays/concerts etc. I’d easily fill my time.

StarDolphins · 27/02/2024 21:16

I wouldn’t. I’ve got far more interesting things to do. I would love to volunteer too.

ALunchbox · 27/02/2024 21:17

I would carry on working because I enjoy my job but also because I feel I would end up not appreciating my time off as much if I had so much of it.

daffodilandtulip · 27/02/2024 21:17

I had a similar thought when I was choosing my new house on right move on Saturday for after my lottery win...

Initially I was a bit sad thinking that I'd give my business up that I've worked so hard to build. Then I was like oh well I could do it a couple of days a week (on the nice days). Then I was like ohhhhh I could finally apply to be a foster carer, and that made me really happy.

Teq · 27/02/2024 21:17

I’m in this position and choose to work.

I like the routine, purpose, and social interaction that working gives me.

Glenthebattleostrich · 27/02/2024 21:18

I'd definitely give up work if i could.

I'd get more dogs, read, paint, crochet, bake and spend lots of time outdoors.

MugshotMoggy · 27/02/2024 21:18

I don’t have to work as have a small but comfortable income from assets and DH earns very well but I’ve just returned to work after a 10 year break and after a month I am ready to leave! I miss having freedom so much. But I’m only 40 and my DC are growing so I felt I should work. Wish I hadn’t bothered tho!!

doodlepants · 27/02/2024 21:18

No.

Fallenangelofthenorth · 27/02/2024 21:19

I would, but not at this level, and not as many hours. I'm not as sharp as I used to be as going through the menopause, and I do keep thinking once my youngest is at Uni it might be nice to downsize and do something a bit easier. In the same field, but less hours and with someone else making the decisions and just issuing me instructions. I can't afford it yet unfortunately.

Midnightrunners · 27/02/2024 21:19

I'd probably work part time but in something totally different.