To never work full time. Ever!

[Egghead81]

I work three days a week.
Two primary children, almost secondary.
Child maintenance plus salary plus rental income from a buy to let means very comfortable but not “rolling it in” ie high end holidays but I’ll shop around relentlessly for best deal rather than just book without thinking; nice car but second hand; cash savings that would be sufficient to cover six months but were not talking hundreds of thousands!

I like my job but don’t love it. I do however LOVE my two days off. They feel like a mini holiday every time. I don’t want to lose that! Not even when children are teens and grown up.

Anyone else have absolutely no intention of ever going full time?! Even though with more money would more of everything you already afford or better (rather than actually adding anything if you see what I mean)

[rarzy]

Although I would like to know what he's invested in to He has built up a fortune for each child.

Even on 80k that's tricky particularly when funding 2 households!

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

Take my children out of the equation and CM out of the equation.... I would have my salary and I come from buy to let.

With a fraction of the outgoings.

I’d be living the life of Riley!

Really? You really believe that? I mean, it's hard to know without knowing the exact sums you're talking about, but unless your BTL property brings you a huge profit every month and your PT salary is high on its own, I fail to see how a single person would be living the life of riley on a PT income. Reduced food bill. But other costs would go up. No doubt you'd want to see friends more, travel, go out as otherwise it would be a very lonely life.

You sound a fairly selfish person really.

[Sadik]

"Personally I think any adult without disabilities or caring responsibilities should get a job and work full time. "

Why??? I do work full time because I own a small business and I love what I do, but none of my employees works full time (one did but has just dropped to 4 days). Of those two are the main or only earner in their households, and for the third both in the couple work PT and split childcare. Their choice is to have a more frugal lifestyle and more time for dc or other projects (one works with refugees on their 'spare' day for example). I can't see what on earth is wrong with that!

[Boxtroll]

3 days a week sounds great!
I've done 4 days a week before (I don't have children, I just wanted extra time for myself!) and it was so lovely to have that day.

I now work 40 hours over 4 days! So it suits me nicely

[ChangeTheWayYouLookAtThings]

I'm totes with you 🙌

[JudgeRindersMinder]

YANBU, of only because if you’re not working full time, you’re freeing up the theoretical full time hours for someone who needs them. Although in your position where you’re dependent on an ex partner, I’m not sure I could be so relaxed about it. All it takes is for him to have a new partner and another baby and your child support is likely to plummet.

I haven’t worked full time for 24 years, since I had my eldest child. however it was a decision made before we bought our first house and we mortgaged accordingly. I work approx 2/3 full time hours on a very decent salary, with an excellent pension. I’m also married to the father of my kids, and don’t see that changing.
I’m 50 and as well as bringing up the kids, and have also spent the past 22 years doing very heavy duty caring for my parents.
After the time I’ve spent looking after my parents, which has had a hugely detrimental effect on my mental health, and the kids are pretty much grow up, my dh has been very supportive of this now being “my time”, and I’m not going to fight him about that! I also have inherited property which is let out for now, till I’m emotionally ready to sell it.

However unless you work 947 hours a week, and refuse any inheritance, in MN world you’re lower than a snakes belly.

I don’t see anything working with what you’re doing, as long as your eyes are wide open to the potential drop in income via child support

[pepsicolagirl]

I work full time (40hrs) and still have 3 days off a week. It is perfect!

[Frazzled2207]

I currently work 3 dpw ish and yes I like it.

however DH has recently been made redundant. That basically means that both of us are looking for a FT job.

Even if the current situation works itself out, for financial reasons I expect to have to be back working FT in the next couple of years.

[BelleBlueBell]

Hmmm, like most people I decided how much I work based on my own set of circumstances, why would I need to ask the internet if I'm unreasonable

Do you struggle with decision making? Are you going to rush off and get a full time job if everyone says you're unreasonable?

I can't see any purpose to this thread at all

If some reason you have an interest in strangers working choices why not start a chat discussion without all your rather smug sounding unnecessary details?

[cupsofcoffee]

I fail to see how a single person would be living the life of riley on a PT income. Reduced food bill. But other costs would go up. No doubt you'd want to see friends more, travel, go out as otherwise it would be a very lonely life.

What other costs would go up? Once her DC leave home, all her utilities and bills will reduce. She'll keep her single person CT discount, the mortgage won't change (and will stop forever one day).

Plenty of people can afford to live on a PT income, especially when OP also has the income from her rental property too.

[OverTheRubicon]

Hmmmm.....it seems you want the life of someone who is still married, and be able to be part time, but you're actually a single person. There are not many single people who don't work FT. It is CHILD maintenance. Money meant for them, not for you to work less hours. I find it unethical, especially at this age when they are in school all day, and as teens become more independent. I'm sure you quite enjoy your 2 days swanning around doing your own thing but it's off the back of your ex's FT job (which is probably very stressful considering the high salary).

Are all these posts for real, or just jealous?

I am a single parent and work full time and absolutely don't think it's the best setup if you don't have to, or unless it's truly 50/50 - I spend my time working at work and working to keep the house going, and I would be a better parent with a day or 2 extra off. I could keep our house and life in line, pick kids up directly from school rather than have clubs, allow them to have friends over, listen better to how they're doing, or just keep myself in better physical and mental shape with exercise and proper meal planning and downtime. If child maintenance can fund that, why is it a bad thing?

[AwaAnBileYerHeid]

Why work full time if you don't need to - life is for enjoying! I'm a nurse and work 12 hour shifts, so 3 days a week for me (with a 4 day week once a month). This works perfectly for me - I get paid full time hours but have 4 days a week off!

[lulugee]

Because someone thinks the OPs post is distasteful it does not make them jealous.

It's not a bad thing to not work full time but I don't think unless I've missed the point here that the OP wants advice - she is making a statement,

So what's the point?

I also want to make it clear I'm in a position to do the same as OP and worm part time if I want to so my comments are most certainly not coming from a place of bitterness or jealousy.

[cupsofcoffee]

So what's the point?

What's the point in 90% of the threads on here?

[AllDoneIn]

OP don't expect any sense on here when it comes to landlording 😂 The fact that many people need to rent for all sorts of reasons (students/ marriages ending / overseas workers / people relocating) never enters the heads of anti landlords.

Work as little as you want and can afford but keep an eye on your pension.

[Bringminimoons]

@rarzy my children have big age gaps so have not needed childcare for more than one at any time.
We use an au pair now which really cut costs down for youngest.
I have a well paid job and additional income but have never been an a big spender for instance until now we have lived in a 3 bedroom terraced house, I have a crap car but it does the job 🤣 we are having our first ever major holiday abroad in 2022.

[Bluedeblue]

I don't think I could morally be a landlord and profit from my tenants

That is literally the whole point of being a Landlord!

[Confiscatedfidgetspinner]

How many tone deaf people are on Mumsnet these days?! “I’ve inherited property, my ex is only on 80k, I hardly work so I’ll start a thread to tell everyone.”

Before I’m accused of it- NO, this is not a place of jealousy, I’ve got a nice carry on myself. But why is it suddenly the thing to come on here and boast basically- especially with so many people suffering real hardship at the moment?

[Bringminimoons]

Why is everyone jumping on the child matinence thing.
1 she doesn’t state how much it is just includes in monthly incomings ?

1. They are his children and if she does the majority of the child care then it’s only fair.

[MadMadMadamMim]

Your lifestyle is funded by a high earning ex and an inheritance.

And that's fine. But most of us don't have that luxury.

Many of us would love to just work three days a week. I work very long hours. I have never been able to afford 'high end' holidays and have no savings. I drive a £500 car and hope it doesn't break down.

You're fortunate that someone else's labour has allowed you to coast in life.

[JinglingHellsBells]

How does your ex feel about you only working 3 days if he is working full time to provide for your children? @Egghead81 Regardless of anything else, that seems a little skewed if your children are Yr 6- 7, almost in secondary school, and are becoming more independent.

[GrumpyTerrier]

If you dont have to work full time and you don't want to, YANBU. Nothing wrong with having a rental property either. I've rented all my life and am happy that there are landlords otherwise I;d have been homeless!

[Confusedaboutlots]

OP some of the comments on this thread reek of bitterness and jealousy.

You have every right to ask this question as much as someone who is in a less fortunate position can ask an opinion about their lifestyle.

and no being a landlord is not unethical in the slightest as long as it’s done right - safely, and with morals in respect of pricing and rent reviews etc. Many European countries have long term renters and even in the UK there are many people who prefer to rent rather than buy.

Look at the concept of BTR if you don’t believe me.

OP if you are happy in working part time then you should continue - you are not doing anything unethical or immoral in doing so.

[JinglingHellsBells]

@Bringminimoons

Why is everyone jumping on the child matinence thing.
1 she doesn’t state how much it is just includes in monthly incomings ?

1. They are his children and if she does the majority of the child care then it’s only fair.

Maintenance is not a wage for doing childcare, surely @Bringminimoons? It's to pay for a home, clothes and food for the children.

She has said he earnts £80K last count, so what's his contribution on that? 20%

[Confusedaboutlots]

@Confiscatedfidgetspinner

How many tone deaf people are on Mumsnet these days?! “I’ve inherited property, my ex is only on 80k, I hardly work so I’ll start a thread to tell everyone.”

Before I’m accused of it- NO, this is not a place of jealousy, I’ve got a nice carry on myself. But why is it suddenly the thing to come on here and boast basically- especially with so many people suffering real hardship at the moment?

how is she boasting?

she has a fortunate life, and is asking a valid question about it - wanting to understand others’ opinions.

does every thread on mumsnet need to focus on doom and gloom?!