To ask how you would spend your time if you had enough money not to need to work

[PuzzledObserver]

Let’s imagine you came into some money (doesn’t matter how, but legally), which put you in a position to pay off any debts and mortgage, buy a house outright if you don’t already own one, and provide you with a household income similar to what you currently have. Or more if you’re skint.

Basically, you have enough income to live comfortably, for the rest of your life, without needing to work.

Let’s assume you are healthy.

What would you spend your time doing?

Walking my dogs

I wouldn't work but I'd do volunteering. Travel a lot, DS is school age so it would be amazing to be able to spend the 6 weeks travelling together. Bake. Go rambling.

Oh, and in September I'm going to college to do a PT hairdressing course as I think it'll be a fun skill to have.
Would like to do this each year in various subjects.

@Knitwit99

Some time volunteering.
The rest crafting, reading and swimming in the sea.

My long lost twin !

Look after grandchildren. It would give me great pleasure.

I would probably still work but only one or 2 days a week, doing my University role which is teaching dental students.
The rest of the time I would do a Pilates class every day or swim, cook nice food and have a lot of naps! I would go on a lot of holidays too.

If I had/ got a bigger house, I would foster. With the right training and support I believe I can do it.
Does this new money come with a bigger house? As I'm currently looking for a bigger house with reasonable extra costs.

Oh I would love bees too! And chickens or ducks.
Gardening gardening gardening
Grow veg altho we have a slug problem
I’d volunteer in a charity shop purely for the joy of sifting through stuff!
I’d volunteer to do gardening for infirm people
Gym every other day

I work full time and already have a crafty hobby which is partly for myself and also partly for a charity, and I volunteer with a youth group.

If I didn’t have to work I would absolutely give it up! And spend more time volunteering, crafting and crafting for charity. There’s another craft I’d love to take up if I had the time, money and space to do so, so I’d start learning that as well. I’d spend more time with my family and friends. I’d learn to drive and take random trips. And go on lots of holidays.

Quilt! Have a huge space with a cutting table and loads of storage for my fabric stash and full size long arm quilting machine & frame.

And a couple more dogs, probably Papillions to train and compete in agility.

Daily yoga . Cycling and running a few times a week. Coffees with friends. I'd volunteer as a trustee of charities and maybe in a foodbank too. I'd apply to be a magistrate. long walks with the dogs.

I'd go on a few mini breaks and holidays - with and without children.

@Number3or4

Does this new money come with a bigger house?

If you want it to :-). I’m really inviting people to think about what they find fulfilling and how they would use their time if the didn’t have to earn a living. Early retirement on a decent pension, if you like.

I'd work on community projects and volunteer for loads of stuff like helping set up housing cooperatives and stuff.
Gardening/growing food.
Going for lovely, long walks by myself (I live somewhere beautiful but when not working I have to travel at toddler pace everywhere!)
Learning - I'd love to do another degree.
Cooking and baking lovely food.
Making stuff - sewing etc
Days out with dd

I'd probably live pretty simply really, just would spend money on amazing food and fabrics!

Do another PhD
Travel for fun
Do the work I spend my annual leave doing voluntarily full time voluntarily
Give the odd guest lecture if asked

Will never be able to give up work, but it's lovely to dream

I’d probably talk about writing but spend most of the day procrastinating until a dependant needed me. Cook nice food. Get bored/depressed.

Gym more than I currently do
Bake (hence need for increased gym!)
House renovation and sort out garden
Write my cookery book
Buy a apartment in Stockholm!
Spend time exploring in a vintage campervan
Read every day.

I'd spend 6 months catching up on books and TV series that I am behind on. I'd buy a lovely house, help family and travel. Then I'd work for a charity (probably a women or children's charity) for free if I could afford it. I spend a lot of time thinking about this.

I bake, currently avoiding the gym, potter, volunteer, do courses, plot new projects.

Bees appeal..

Mme, design and 'do' house (all of it finally). I'd probably work/study (I have a doctorate and currently doing a master's related to role) a bit and flexibly (because if I'm in charge I genuinely find my work fulfilling and interesting). Then travel lots and maybe return to horse riding...

I don’t have any debt , house is owned outright and we have property we rent out , also owned outright . I still work albeit pt atm .
I grew up without a lot of money and there’s no way I ever want to be in that situation again or for my children to ever experience it. Regardless of how much money I had coming in every month I would still work .
I’m comfortable now and I want to be able to provide my children with the same lifestyle .

This is me, I am widowed with two young children. I choose not to work, I look after the children and house, volunteer for Homestart, sort all the house paperwork, potter, bake and meet friends. I am not bored! X

Give up work immediately, sleep 9-10 hours every single night as I really need it, have a leisurely breakfast every morning, go running, do some creative writing, read the hundreds of books I want to read before I die, travel a few times a year. Enjoy not having to be anywhere, not going on the public transport during rush hours and just savour life instead . I would do some volunteering from time to time. One thing is certain - I wouldn't ever be bored.

Right now, I would work but more part time to be with the kids. Later in life, I would work but more part time to go travelling, write more. I like to be busy but need structure and company. I don't like working 5 days a week. 3 or 4 days is perfect. My job is a vocation. I enjoy it hugely but at the moment would spend more time with my kids if I could. I will aim for this to be my life I think. I don't ever actually need to work full time again I think. Though I will have to curb the temptations of ambition at work!

1. Buy a dog
2. Walk the dog by the sea
3. Write stuff
4. Volunteer
5. Decorate house/buy stuff
6. Go out lots during the working week having lazy lunches with DH or Coffee with friends when there are not too many people around
7. Do a Masters
8. Walk the dog again
9. Learn to SUP

10. Be around for Dd WHENEVER she needs me and give her lots of hugs

I am in this situation, I have a passive income (don't need to put in any hours if I don't feel like it) and could retire today if I wanted to. (I'm 29). There is enough coming in to pay bills and have little luxuries. I have 4 children and claim zero benefits. Think mid-range income, not enough for abroad holidays every year but definitely enough for day to day expenses & treats. Not enough for private school or brand new cars.

I still work, 6-7 nights a week after kids go to bed. Sounds greedy I guess, a lot of people would like to be in my boat but I want more. I want to be able to retire knowing I can send all my kids to uni loan-free and help them buy their own homes. I want enough in the pot to be able to spend my golden years travelling the world.