Would you stop working if you could afford it?

[Ibitebats]

I'm 48 and suddenly realise we're in a position that I do not need to work for the money. I could give up and there'd be no need to change our lifestyle, holidays etc. Pensions are good.

I do not enjoy my job. I'm an auditor - I get paid a reasonable amount for not much - frankly. And we now have to be in the office 4 days a week (I work 4 days so that means every day for me - it's not pro rata). The children are 10 and 8 so approaching secondary school. Dd2 likely to need more help than DD1 with homework etc.

I am really wrestling with whether to stop working. I sway between thinking it's good for the DDs to see me working and thinking how much easier our lives would be if I am around more to do everything. Plus being around in the school holidays.

Would you stay at home if you could?

Yes, it's odd @Ibitebats and I have other friends who did the opposite - some of whom are very happy working - so it's horses for courses.

As for you, you could quit this job and see how you feel - being financially secure is great gives you that option. It doesn't have to be forever, if you decide that actually you would be happier working, but if you're bored and fed up in the role you're in there is no harm in exploring alternatives, including not working.

Definitely. I'm looking at doing 4 days a week or part time from when I can afford to do this.

Absolutely not. I am 50, my kids are getting older and I’m ramping up my career as I have the time to commit to it for the first time in 20 years. I say this as someone mortgage free and with a private income and investments. Plan to retire at 65

I gave up in my mid 40s , my MH is just fine, i don't feel a lesser person as my job never defined me and i am not bored ( there is so much to see and do so how anyone could be bored i do not know.) If i was mid 40s again i would do the same again. Go for it.

If money was definitely not an issue, I'd give up work tomorrow. I'd go mad without mental stimulation but would do a degree (maybe more than one) and I have lots of hobbies I never have enough time for.

Sadly I'll probably be working till 65 as I made bad financial choices until my mid 30s and am now having to make up the pension shortfall.

I would need to be very financially comfortable to sustain the lifestyle I would want to lead without work, probably lottery win level comfortable! Work gives structure, I appreciate my weekends and downtime more when it feels earned and when it's not a given. I'd absolutely consider part time (if the role was satisfying enough, I'm quite career driven so would still need a career and not just a job) but I'm quite high maintenance so would still need to be able to afford it very easily otherwise I'd end up watching Netflix all day getting fat (evidence: maternity leave).

I would go part time as I like the friends I'm with at work ,we have a giggle in the staff room and we have each other's backs.
Couple days a week..Tuesdays and Wednesday maybe !?!?

Absolutely!! I was a bit older than you, went part time first then gave up altogether.
If I could have done so earlier, when our kids were younger, I would have!

I was in your position a decade ago, but I retrained in a new profession instead. I think it was probably the right thing to do for me, and I have more letters after my name and another ten years of pension contributions. Going back to university was the boost I needed as I felt so jaded in my old career, so I think it would have been a good use of my time even if it hadn't led to anything. It was a huge luxury having the choice.

No. I was widowed when DC were in primary school and considered whether the life insurance would be enough for me not to go back to work. It probably wasn’t, but I also think I need work so that I get a break from just being mum and a widow and get to speak to other adults. My friends are at work and I don’t see them outside of work, I had to give up my volunteer role where I also had friends because I didn’t have childcare, so don’t really speak to anyone except at work. I did reduce my hours to the minimum though.

Yes absolutely I would.

It's often put as a choice between either working or staying at home, but there's so much else you can do with your time!
Sahp implies you stay in the house all day when in reality many sahp / non economically active adults are very busy with all sorts of interesting and worthwhile but non paid stuff.

It really depends. I have friends in their 50's whose husbands have retired and spend most of their time either travelling, being around for elderly parents or grandchildren.

Oh I absolutely would yes. I'd home educate my kids same age as yours though if I could afford not to work.

Not at the moment. In my last job yes I would have done but I love what I do now. The people I work with are great and I enjoy their company, and I love my role. So no. I would however love a lack of pressure financially- buying myself a treat (mostly books) without feeling guilty.

If I was independently wealthy. Yes.

No if it meant having to rely on someone else's income no matter how much.

Yes I'd be off like a shot! My boss said the same recently. I do enjoy my job, it is for social good and the pay isn't too bad (or too good) for the sector, level of responsibility and cushtiness. But if I could afford to leave I would as I have lots of other things I am interested in that I would do more of if I had the time, and would perhaps develop my main passion into a free lance situation that I'd then do a few times a year but not full time and I wouldn't have to worry if it was a bit slow. I don't think paid work is the only way to define ones self and find importance in life/set an good example to others. I'd also have all the time I needed to learn how to be more self sufficient, and I don't just mean growing veg, but learning all sorts of skills that I just don't have the time for right now as I work FT.

Not fully. I think I'd get bored at home all day without a focus. But I would only do a couple of days a week and do something with no/less pressure as my job at the moment is all about having to do this by then and be here and I can't really wfh and I'm constantly juggling home and work.

I'd really like to be an author, so would love the time and energy to focus on that as my primary "job".

Whilst you say you can afford it as a family I assume you would be deferring the point at which your DH can retire if you go down to a single income now. You'll definitely impact how much you can save into a pension. I wouldn't commit my DH to working longer just so I could be at home now, every year gets more demanding and it'd be far more equitable to both be able to stop early

DH could also afford to retire but he chooses not to. We are very comfortable financially. I hesitate to say lucky as it has been as a result of deaths including very much loved ones.

I'm liking the narrative that it doesn't have to be forever.

Yes , at least temporarily.

I'd weigh up the pros and cons of what working adds to my life, other than the financial gain.

It sounds like you don't really like your job - so if I was in your position, I'd think about quitting that job to do something that I would enjoy more and would enrich my life.

There are different facets to work. I would always want to be giving something back to society and the place I live/ people in my community. So I would seek out something that enables me to fulfil that need.

Really, all you have done is remove the need for money to be the main focus. But I would still be looking for fulfilment.

No I wouldn't . But I am a teacher in Ireland with amazing hours ( 8.40am to 2.20pm) and holidays and little after hours work.

Absolutely! I hated my job and went part time as soon as I could afford it (in my early 30s) and quit as soon as I had a baby.

I probably will go back to some kind of work at some point but hopefully nothing to do with my previous career. I don't need the money at the moment, I'm never bored or short of of things to do. If I get another job it would need to be something really meaningful.

I'm nearly 62, working part time. I'm in a financial position where I could stop but not sure what I'd do all day. I do quite like my job but there are days when I think enough!

I wouldn't but probably would if I was an auditor . I'm an accountant.