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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go part time

60 replies

Naomi198 · 10/02/2022 19:20

AIBU to just have a part time job, aim to earn about 800 per month and spend my time relaxing/hobbies?

Our household outgoings are minimal and add up to about 1500 a month basics (£350 mortgage) and 2000 if living a more treat based life. No DC so no outgoings there

I have approx 200k in private pensions and about 75k in fixed savings + 30k of investments (excepting pension). I’m likely to inherit another chunk of money in the next 10 years as I’m sole beneficiary of a will (with property in trust).

AIBU to go for a minimal work life?

OP posts:
Loopytiles · 10/02/2022 19:20

How old are you?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 10/02/2022 19:21

Do you live with anyone else? What do they work/earn?

AperolWhore · 10/02/2022 19:22

If you can afford it do it, life is too short! Just make sure you’ve done the maths and your partner is on board.

OooohBabyBaby · 10/02/2022 19:22

Why would yabu? What are you wanting from the replies?

stuntbubbles · 10/02/2022 19:22

Mmm, depends how much your property is worth, could you tell us more about your vast and very real wealth?

Original poster
Naomi198 · 10/02/2022 19:23

Yes, I live with DH, earns about 2k per month but I wouldn’t Intend to sponge. Would look to lower household outgoings to 1600 per month and split 50/50

OP posts:
Original poster
Naomi198 · 10/02/2022 19:23

We’re not rich by any means! Property worthy about 220k but Is fine for us

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 10/02/2022 19:25

A £200k pension pot isn’t a great deal to rely on, so unless you’re also planning to significantly up your contributions whilst working part time to carry on building it then you’ll need another plan for that.

Otherwise, sure, it sounds like you’re stable enough and have the freedom of choice, especially as you have a partner’s income to rely on.

AlDanvers · 10/02/2022 19:26

How does he feel about it?
Lowering household spend will impact him too.

MaizeAmaze · 10/02/2022 19:27

If your basic outgoings are 500, how will you survive on 800?

ComtesseDeSpair · 10/02/2022 19:28

But make sure you don’t cut off any avenues for yourself or miss out on any professional opportunities / development as a result of being part time and focusing on hobbies. A DH isn’t necessarily a DH forever and too many women end up high and dry after divorce because they assumed they’d always have a husband and his income to rely on and neglected their careers and earning potential.

NeesAndToes · 10/02/2022 19:29

How old are you
Don't rely on an inheritance
What if one of you has a horrific accident and can't work/dies?

WorriedGiraffe · 10/02/2022 19:30

How old are you?

Waddlegoose · 10/02/2022 19:31

I would but I’m not massively career focused. Life is too short to not be doing something you love. If you would feel jealous of other getting a promotion maybe look at condensing hours and working 4 days

Original poster
Naomi198 · 10/02/2022 19:32

I’m 37. DH is in theory fine with it. I’ve put in a huge amount of hours (50-60 hour weeks) and worked my arse off til this point

OP posts:
UrsulaBursula · 10/02/2022 19:32

If you can manage and afford it, then do it.

Nobody here can tell you what’s best for you and your family

Suzi888 · 10/02/2022 19:34

What if you split up….

Original poster
Naomi198 · 10/02/2022 19:35

Good advice so far. If we were to split I could go back to my professional role I assume, which is well paid.

OP posts:
Loopytiles · 10/02/2022 19:36

At age 37, no, as you’re too far away from drawing a pension and don’t have enough in the pot to be OK financially if you live to, say, 80.

Just get a job with sensible full time, or close to full time hours.

Loopytiles · 10/02/2022 19:36

Why would you assume you could go back after a break?

WorriedGiraffe · 10/02/2022 19:37

Would you still be able to afford part time if he also went part time or lost his job? I can’t see why you can’t just reduce to normal full time hours rather than doing 50-60 hours a week. 37 is young to step away from your career.

pinkgingham · 10/02/2022 19:38

In theory I say yes, do it. However I've been wanting to take a step back at work for years but never do because I always worry I'll need the income after all/rediscover my ambition/get divorced/ill etc. I think you have to be quite brave to actually go through with it!

worriedatthemoment · 10/02/2022 19:38

Im possibly planning too lately , I don't have much in the pension pot and I'm not that worried , with the way the pension age is going up and up

nordica · 10/02/2022 19:44

What has made you think about this? Are you unhappy with your job?

Depending on the work you do, are there other ways to make it work better for you - for example if it's the kind of a role you can do as a freelancer/contractor and have more say in how you structure your week if it's the 9-5 you don't want to continue. Or can you WFH to gain back the commute time?

I've been working part time for a couple of years now although I'm looking into further training and potentially going to increase my hours at my current job in the near future too. I'm around your age and actually feel like not having an ambitious work life is making me bored, I miss the intellectual stimulation and challenges!

Original poster
Naomi198 · 10/02/2022 19:44

Haha maybe I should go for something less drastic as suggested 😂 I just am bloody fed up with working and am not sure why I’m killing my self to work 60 hours a week just for money which I can’t take with me anyway

OP posts: