to ask what would you do with your life if you didn't have to work for money?

[letsleepingbabieslie]

Just that.
I don't mean 'what would you do if you were a millionaire'. I mean, if your current income (or possibly a tiiiiny bit more) was guaranteed every month, just automatically appeared in your bank account, what would you do with your life? Would you carry on working because you enjoy it? study? pick up a new career? spend all your time gardening and cooking interesting things?
My salary is pretty much entirely gone after childcare, commuting costs, etc. I like what I do but started to wonder whether I'm just working because 'it's what people do'. Maybe I should be brave and do something totally different with my life.
Thoughts?

Volunteer, read more, go out to lovely places etc

There was exactly this thread a few days ago here and countless before that 😄

My short answer is id do whatever I want 😃

Personally for me if my wages were gone on childcare etc I’d rather stay home with my kids (which is what I do and I love it)

Travel, travel and travel some more!

I only work 15 hours a week and I feel like I could easily work less and fill my time! Currently I also volunteer for 4 hours a week, spend about 8 hours cleaning (I'm a bit obsessive!), spend about 4-5 hours on my allotment and the rest food shopping/other general chores. I could easily spend the 15 hours I currently work doing work on my garden, lots of DIY, sewing (which I rarely have time to do), bit of reading maybe and some more volunteering.

I'd make things and give them away.

I currently volunteer with women’s aid 2 days a month but would devote a little more time. I also volunteer at the Camden food bank one day a month but would be able to do far more if I had the time.

I’d also like to become a Magistrate and would do 2 days a month but I’d specialise in the family courts rather than criminal mags.

I cycle most days but only relatively short distances so would do a lot more long distance journeys and would up my fitness as my schedule would permit.

I’d cook and bake more, I love both but find it difficult sometimes because of time constraints.

I’d go to art galleries and sit and watch the world go by, it really is one of my favourite places. I’d go and see all of the lovely V&A fashion exhibitions and would visit Somerset house more.

I’ve been on maternity leave for the last 9 months on full pay and can honestly say it’s been the best time of my life. I’ve done so much and feel so lucky to have had this time.

I am in that category, and don't plan anything anymore, had to do that for a loooong time!

No plans, just take every day as it comes, and enjoy life as best I can. Am never bored. Don't go with the edicts of filling my life with things to do, volunteering, places to go or anything, did all that when penniless. But I was young then!

Problems don't go away just because you are early retired/redundant whatever. But a few bob in the bank for doing nothing helps. Remember though I paid my debt to society, was working one way or another since the age of 13, back in the day.

Am enjoying it now though. Thankfully.

I quit when my job got like that. I was so miserable spending all my time commuting and being away from DS for about £5 a day after all costs were taken off.

Best decision for me personally at that point.

However, I didn't really 'do' anything with my extra time. I just liked being at home with DS and doing all groups, clubs and stuff.

However, now he's been a school a little bit I'm going stir crazy and feeling very guilty I should be using my time more productivity or just 'enjoying' life more. So after 3 years 'off' I'm going back to work in September. I managed to find one of those gold dust school time term time only jobs related to my previous career! It's not a 'career' job and much lower level than before kids but i think the reduced responsibility is probably a good thing as I fear my brain has gone a bit mushy as I struggle to remember reading books in bags on Monday morning and all that sort of thing - let alone anything important! Pay certainly isn't fantastic, but at least at end of the day now I'll have money left unlike back when I had childcare fees to pay! Maybe in another couple years I'll go back full time and want to progress again, but we'll see.

I will never regret having those couple of years 'off' or putting my career on hold but it's just now the balance has swung I feel its time to ease myself back into work again. You just have to do what feels best for you x

I think the problem is that, with your current level of income, you can't just take up loads of expensive hobbies.

I'd do a bit more volunteering, spend plenty of time actually getting my garden in a decent state, do more exercise/sleep more (currently wake up early a few times a week to go to the gym so it would be nice to go mid-day), read more books, watch some classic films with my feet up and crochet, have people round for coffee or join some sort of walking group. Maybe do a class in something too- learn another language perhaps.

I don't understand people who say they would be bored not working!

I do like my job though, so if I won the lottery I think I'd keep my job but have a housekeeper and gardener!

Depending on tax efficiency either change field entirely or take a punt on a side one that could be rather lucrative if I could make it take off. That said in the current tax system the marginal rates are so punitive I might just spend more time with my horse.

I would stay at home with my son if we could afford it as a family.

Spend time with DD. Cleaning, cooking/ baking from scratch, lots of gardening. Get into fitness - gym/ running. Walks, trips to the beach, national trust visits, watching movies. Seeing friends.

I think that would be my perfect life. I don’t have a passion for work. I just love being at home, good food, spending time with my family, friends and occasional holiday. Simple stuff really. I want to be a SAHM, not realistic right now but maybe when DD goes to school!

I'd try to convert my garden into a small holding like Felicity Kendal. I'd love to have a goat.

I was a SAHM for 12 years so kind of did that. I had a year when all four were in school, I volunteered 2 days a week, walked the dog for miles, painted the house.

I went back to uni for a year, then worked full time then 3 days a week now I’m going for 4. It pays for our luxuries and we have a good standard of living and have holidays abroad etc. If I had enough money not to work I’d move somewhere local and open an animal sanctuary.

Travel, sketch (& improve my skills - maybe do a fine art degree), get a personal trainer & get really fit, have nice hair, meet up with friends & have long boozy lunches, have long weekends away, buy a house - make it a lovely place to be...

Tbh my current income being guaranteed would obviously change my spare time, but not cash. I suppose commute costs could go for more books!

I’m not sure I’d volunteer but maybe get an allotment!

What I do now, sew, read, lunch, breakfast with friends, do courses, go off in my motorhome, basically my favourites things.
I am fortunate that I don't have to work and haven't worked for years. I still educate myself
With classes and the OU.
I love not working!

Travel!

Had one of those days today. DP had very rare day off, DCs at school. Cleaned the house together, then he drove me to my dentist appointment, we had lunch afterwards- it was a perfect no-rush, enjoyable day. Wouldn't mind more of those.

I wouldn’t worry quite so much about getting ill or how the fuck I’m going to pay the nursery bill.

I would buy barn conversions and convert them back to barns.