Would you rather have more money or more free time?

[chompin]

Heard something recently about two groups of women who lived in poverty. One group were given more money, the other more free time. Whilst both experienced increased levels of happiness, the group given more free time had higher levels of happiness. After some thought I think I would probably prefer more free time when initially I would've thought it would be more money

Time (although I’ve recently made the switch for myself by changing jobs). I think important factors are:

1. do you currently have the money to pay basic bills? I do but not much in the way of luxuries


2. whether you like where you live and what your hobbies are. I love my small town and enjoy gardening, meeting friends for cuppas in our homes and swimming in the river. And a few drinks out with friends but all the other activities are free. And I hate flying and have family near the beach so don’t have big holiday aspirations.


3. age of kids- mine are primary age so don’t need much. When they are teenagers I might wish I had more money for them…

Ha this! I've got a 5 week old and my DP was moaning about the monotony and how little free time he's had and I pointed out hed been to pub 4 times, the gym 3 times and out for cycle rides I on the other hand relished my trip to physio and the opticians!

IMO money and time are mutually exclusive.

If you have one you probably don't have the other.

When I was divorced and dating I met quite a few guys with high paying jobs who were divorced. Their complaint was that they'd worked their backsides off at work to give their family a good standard of living, then their wives left because 'they were never there'

Hmmmm

More money. It buys you more time. Cleaner, kids clubs, ironing person, delivered food etc.

I've always "bought" more holiday time if it was on offer. Used to be for childcare but no that's no longer an issue, I will still do it next year.
Having enough money and wishing for more time is far preferable to having not enough money and time on your hands in my personal experience.

How, precisely, is happiness measured?

Load of tosh

More money pls. Money buys time

I’ve made the choice for me and it’s time/quality of life I value more, but I’m not starting from a position of poverty and I can’t say that the decision would be the same if I were.
I would work much longer hours if it was needed to save my children from the childhood I had, but that’s not the situation we’re in as a family.

It’s always going to depend on circumstances isn’t it? When I was working 70 hours a week on minimum wage I’d have taken the free time. When I was working 40 hours a week, but earning roughly the same per month as I had been from 70 hours, I would have taken the money.

Now I earn a reasonable salary (although by no means high) I’d probably take the extra free time. I don’t earn loads but it’s just about enough to be relatively comfortable.

I’ve made the choice for me and it’s time/quality of life I value more

I've done that too, which is precisely why I'm in a position to want money rather than time. I have time. Money would make a bigger difference.

Three years ago, I would have gone for time.