I can't ever imagine returning to work. And I'm quite happy with that

[Anyfuckerisnotguilty]

Although I realise that makes me seem quite odd to others

But I actually really like not working and just being able to do whatever I want

Worried - in our circumstances life would be financially very much improved if one us died ; but that is because we have always made substantial life insurance payments. My DH's father died when he was very young and his mother was in a very difficult financial position.

I think if you enjoy not working and can afford it, by which I mean your interests are properly protected (not some vague notion of being 'okay' when in fact you have no pension provision, no protection in case of deasth, ill health, divorce)... then go for it.

A don't work and kids are in school so pretty much free to fart about. Don't particularly want to go back to work unless I can get a part time job I can fit round the kids that is very flexible and either a doing something I love or pays above min wage.

I am feeling a bit listless though, I know I need to be doing more and especially need something for me for when the kids get older and don't need me. There is also the worry if the relationship goes tits up and I'm left on my tod not being able to support myself.

So while I'm quite happy and having a nice easy life it does have it's downsides.

Bernice, I'm very surprised that people wouldnt bother to organise life assurance. Anyway, I thought it was a mortgage requirement? It certainly was with our mortgage although we do also have extra on top. We also have critical illness and all that stuff too which is only sensible as we couldn't pay our outgoings without dh's salary.

As for not affording it; well I guess if money is tight and you don't earn a lot then you need less cover to make sure you're ok afterwards in terms of having a lower mortgage and stuff. Personally I would certainly always prioritise life assurance over stuff like broadband, mobile phone and even tv. And certainly over going out. If I only had £50 to spare each month and it was a choice between a night out every month and paying it towards life assurance, I would always, without hesitation, do the latter.

Oh and in terms of insurers paying out, life assurance is the one cover that is almost always paid out in full as there really us very little arguing over the fact that youre dead. Some policies do exclude suicide, although not all esp if following a period of depression which has been diagnosed by a clinician and has been declared on the form.
A lot of policies used to exclude AIDS although that is far rarer these days as they have enough data to properly underwrite it and also because far fewer people in the developed world are actually dying from it these days due to drug advancement. You also find some exclusions for hereditary or genetic conditions but you can usually pay more to have these included.

I still don't get why this sort of thing is always framed in terms of women choosing between a paid job and a 24/7 housekeeper/childminder role in return for their keep. Lots of people don't earn a wage, but that doesn't mean they are idle. Lots of people are (eg) caring for a family member who cannot be left alone. And there are people who have no interest in a paid job but want to study (for the love of studying) or make art of some kind, or even experiment with a completely self-sufficient lifestyle. This sort of thing is work in that it's a meaningful activity, it just doesn't involve having an employer.
Life is just not binary and people seem to forget this.

Well, worried, when you don't have a pot to piss in, never mind a mortgage, life cover isn't really a priority.

And no, it isn't always a mortgage condition. It never has been for me.

I bet a quick poll on here would surprise you, most people don't make adequate provision, and that includes not having a valid or up to date will.

We've just taken out very adequate life cover and just made a will but we should have done it years ago.

I have more to say, but need to do some bloody work.

Quickly though, critical illness cover is far more likely to be used than life cover, but is generally far more expensive. And less likely to pay out.

Oh, we have just arranged that too - but as we should have done all of this years ago.

Exactly solidgoldbrass. And let's not forget 'work' as we see it now hasn't always existed and isn't necessarily the best way for people to live.

Fairylea

I hope what I said didn't come over as a lecture.

We all have to weigh up our priorities - of we have the choice. If my job was incredibly stressful as yours was - no I wouldn't have gone back to work.

Maybe a poll would surprise me. Maybe for us it's a combination of DH being a lawyer and me growing up in real poverty (not always food etc) I would rather have no tv, computer, car and wear the same clothes every day for a year than not had adequate life assurance and savings.

But then we're also a couple that put off ttc for almost 10yrs until I was absolutely confident about financial security. I could not even cope with 'getting by' I needed to literally save at the expense of holidays etc to feel financially secure enough to have a baby. But I guess that's not for everyone. I know I'm more nervous than most as I would chose to live without any new clothes and zero nights out for a year to pay everything off my student debt rather than live frugally or reasonably and comfortably pay it off in 3yrs.

chunderella, I'm not sure I agree that it's less important if you don't have a lot. It's obviously less important to have a large amount but even if you are both just earning 15k a year, that's still a drop of 15k from your household income should one of you die. So a moderate life assurance of say, 50k would help through the first few years.

I would love to finish work there are times when I absolutely dread going (am in one of those fugs at the mo)if you love staying home and can afford it then what the hell enioy it!

Chunderella, I know an awful lot of unmarried couples, most with kids, who don't have a will. Most people seem to assume that living together affords you some form of protection. And I know one woman whose partner won't make a will, but has assured her that his parents will see her right should the worst happen. My jaw dropped at that one.

OP.

You and me both Right from the first sign of pg with ds1 I knew I didn't want to work for an employer again.
I know its each to their own but I love the freedom it gives us all. I find it rewarding, challenging, exciting, and love my life.

yes, I would love that too. Oh for the financial freedom. I know my DH would too as he is having a bastard of a month at work.

Really? You think earning 15k, which is well below national average is indicative of someone who is used to a high standard of living? I am genuinely shocked that you suggest that? I am not in any way being aloof but earning slightly above minimum wage cannot be construed as affording you that at all, surely?

But, Bernice, why would you assume that? I'm not sure where that notion would come from. I don't mean you personally, I mean the people you know who think they're covered just by living together.