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)

not to mention she inherited some of her fortune - i’m sure OP would rather not have inherited if her loved one could still be here

@JinglingHellsBells it’s to contribute to clothing / necessities / roof / food etc
Which of course if he is paying does mean she doesn’t contribute to the children or uses it all on her self.
Very weird view.
I earn loads more than my kids dad and I still make him pay me monthly because he has a responsibility. If I go part time I would still be provided more for my kids than he is 100
Percent.

@MoiraNotRuby

I don't know if you mean to but you sound very smug. I don't think I could morally be a landlord and profit from my tenants. So I will carry on working full time - but enjoy your mini holiday....

Not half as smug as you sound.

Agree with that

and ignorant

I've only ever worked part time since having a family. I became a single parent with minimum childcare so FT was out. When CM came to an end I was able to downsize, buy a smaller house in a cheaper area...thereby paying off mortgage and was mortgage free from then on.

A part time job was then also enough for me to live on. I am not materialistic, not into 'things/stuff', not into fashion, holiday in UK. So my lifestyle has been one of recycling, DIY, doing up furniture, growing veg, cooking from scratch, second hand cars, bargains and living simply. My choice, I don't feel I go without at all, my hobbies of walking, reading and gardening do not cost much.

I've bought and sold houses, done them up, resold and stacked away profits [buy low, sell higher] so I have a nest egg [also boosted very much by an inheritance, I know I'm fortunate]. But the doing up takes a lot of time and hard work [which I couldn't have done if I'd worked FT]....so I've 'earned' any profit. I'm retired now and my lifestyle suits me, pension is adequate, my stress levels are low and I value freedom above money.

We are all different with different needs and values and luck. As long as we are happy with our choices and not hurting anyone else.

@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?

The only reason she has an inheritance is because she's lost a family member.

Yes, she's benefitted but many people would rather still have their family around and in their lives.

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

What is the valid question? AIBU to be fortunate? Should I make myself less fortunate?

I don't see it?

So long as you are not using the benefits system to subsidise you so you can work time, I couldn't give a stuff how many days a week you work and I doubt anyone else can either.

I'm hoping to jump on that part-time train with you in a few years. I've no kids, no plans for any, and own my first house. I don't earn loads as I'm a teacher, but once I'm a bit higher up the pay scale I'll be able to comfortably afford going to 4 days and then 3 days hopefully.

I can't effing wait. I hate working. I don't want to swap jobs because there are lots of good reasons to stay in this one. Like the holidays :) It's just the workload and stress I hate.

Just let the next few years pass quickly, pleeease.

@KingdomScrolls

I work full time (37 hours) over 4 days, it's the right balance for me, full salary, same career progression, extra day off a week. *@Herbie0987* I'm not sure 45 hours a week is part time!

An HGV driver can work 15 hour days.

It's great you get the time with your children and still comfortable. You don't those years back!

Also I'm only 26. Feel like I'll be judged for wanting to go part-time so young, but hopefully it'll be granted to me. I don't want to live to work anymore.

[quote PlanDeRaccordement]@Herbie0987
met my partner who also worked part time (45 hours over 3 days, HGV driver)

I thought that anything over 40hrs/week is full time no matter how many days you work? I thought your partners schedule of 45hrs/3 day’s was called compressed full time work?[/quote]
They don’t have compressed hours in truck driving, 3 days is part time, a lot of truck drivers work up to 60 hours per week as normal.

I work part time because I prefer to be time rich rather than have more money. I feel very lucky to be able to make this choice but I worked my * off from my early 20s until recently to get to a salary level where I can work part time. I would rather have the time than the fancy holidays and car.

The replies are bonkers.

You do you op. If it makes you happy and works for you keep doing it.

Has something made you question your choice?

Fwiw, I do 12 hour shifts 3/4 days a week and love my days off. I’m not sure that I could do a Monday to Friday 9-5.

@MoiraNotRuby

I don't know if you mean to but you sound very smug. I don't think I could morally be a landlord and profit from my tenants. So I will carry on working full time - but enjoy your mini holiday....

God climb down from your ivory tower. She’s providing for her family as securely as she can. Property is the only investment that will not decline, what do you suggest she do instead? Let it sit in a bank? You would do the exact same in her position - we all would.

People get oddly uncomfortable if you don’t conform to the stand 9-5, 5 days a week unless you have a ‘reason’. It works for your family OP crack on. You sound very lucky but you appreciate what you have. As long as you save for your future you’ll be just fine!

As someone else has said have you thought about your pension ? Have you been paying full NI contributions ? Have you got a private pension ? Your house won't be your pension as you will need it to live in . Check on your Future Pension online . Do you fancy being retired now on the maximum of 169 a week or way less if not enough contributions ? It's nt just the here and now.

If you can afford 5+ years of care home fees go for it

and you said you don't even know when your children's maintenance ends ? 😬 Have you got a life insurance policy in place against those payments in the event of his death ?

@ThatIsMyPotato

If you can afford 5+ years of care home fees go for it

What is she going to do between retiring and then ?

I am self emp and dont work ft, and dont have a private pension. Will live on the state one, maybe downsize, i dont know, just enjoy life know as know many who saved for retirement then passed away and did not get to enjoy their 'retirement years'

YANBU. If anything YWBU to work full-time when you don't want or need to because someone else would want that job.

Congratulations on your stealth boost OP.

It is up to you how you organise your life.