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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

looking for the rare people...

205 replies

noborisno · 08/05/2022 17:08

...who would continue to do the job they do now if they received a tax-free, obligation-free two million pounds.

If you had that money in your bank (in whatever circumstances make it believable for you) do you quit your job, just reduce your hours, or carry on doing exactly what you're doing now work-wise.

So, you have 2 million, do you:

  1. Reduce your hours - you like your job but wouldn't do it all the time/as much as you do now to maintain an income
  2. Walk right out - you're literally only there to make a living
  3. You continue as you are - you love the work you do each day and enjoy every day of your life
OP posts:
Onlyforcake · 08/05/2022 19:53

My husband would definitely carry on. Maybe even use a win to run his own business doing it (so his current workload plus doing bids and invoicing etc) he loves his work. Me? I'd do my work for free, maybe just two clients at a time (care) so I could really make a difference.

AmberGer · 08/05/2022 19:57

I would give up one of my jobs. I have two, one pays decent money, the other doesn't but I love it! I'd keep that one!

Howmuchwood · 08/05/2022 19:57

I'd carry on working but try to go freelance in the same profession. £2m would be enough to pay off the mortgage and cover childcare for the next 5 years so I could take a risk and go self employed.

Trafficjamlog · 08/05/2022 20:01

Carry on working. Only a fool would put 2m in the bank and live off £33k a year. It would need to be sensibly invested for long term growth

YetAnotherWalk · 08/05/2022 20:03

Continue till September to give everyone time to sort alternatives Grin

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 08/05/2022 20:06

I'd quit my day job but I also volunteer and I love my volunteer position. It fulfills me in many ways and I would absolutely continue to do it because the only thing I have to gain fulfillment and no amount of money could change how I feel about it.

2MinuteRice · 08/05/2022 20:08

Reduce my hours, I don't live my job but would like it more if it was less days a week!

110APiccadilly · 08/05/2022 20:09

I'd be out of my main job. I do have a very part time (and not very well paid!) second job which I view as more of a paid hobby - I'd keep doing that and possibly even do a bit more of it.

sleighbellsjiggling · 08/05/2022 20:14
  1. I'd still work as the current hours suit me perfectly although the job is pretty dull (PT). I'd use it to buy a lovely house outright and have holidays that I couldn't usually afford. Plus an amazing car, nice clothes etc, all the things I have to really think about now.

2 mil wouldn't be enough to keep me going for the rest of my life and also set my kids up for later life, uni etc.

Lincslady53 · 08/05/2022 20:25

I would continue as I am but have better hols, and do our house up. Mind you, I am retired.

AxolotlEars · 08/05/2022 20:28

Number 3 for me 😍

TheWayoftheLeaf · 08/05/2022 21:05

Two million? Yes I would. £2million would set me up in a nice fund with nice investments but it wouldn't sustain me for the next 50/60 years

orangeisthenewpuce · 08/05/2022 21:14

InChocolateWeTrust · 08/05/2022 17:36

2m is actually not a lot of money. I'm not 40 yet, I've a lot of years left to fund and kids to set up. I'd definitely keep on with my job just as I am.

Oh yes it is.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 08/05/2022 21:33

None of the above… or some of the above :)

I would enact my retirement plans early, which would mean leaving my job but recertifying for a career I’ve previously had that was way less stress but kept me engaged and was enjoyable and one that I can do on short term contract basis. I think DH would finish out his last 5 years of working to get the retirement benefits and full pension.

I also really like my job, but I’m definitely starting to see short timers syndrome creeping in. I think I’d essentially give notice for whenever they are ready to replace me.

FairyCakeWings · 08/05/2022 21:36

Carry on working but probably drop to 4 days to give me time to make plans for spending the money.

PonyPatter44 · 08/05/2022 21:39

I really enjoy my job, and property here is not quite London prices yet, so I would do some smart investing and stay very part time in my job. It would be nice to have enough money to make sure DD is secure in the future, for sure.

Egghead68 · 08/05/2022 21:43

It would give me a very good lifestyle for the rest of my life with money left over to pass on. I would reduce my hours for a year or two then retire early, maybe just doing odd bits of consultancy.

sjxoxo · 08/05/2022 21:44

I might stay or go part time.. I don’t think I’d leave. Might take a sabbatical! X

DrRuthGalloway · 08/05/2022 21:47

#3
DH got 750k before tax once (I know not quite the same!)and we paid off our mortgage and put the spare into shares. We have about 500k put away for a rainy day. (In addition to pensions) We both work the same as before and live an ordinary lifestyle - I drive an 8 year old ford- but it's good not to worry about money. We came from nothing much.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 08/05/2022 21:47

I do think 2M as life enhancing vs. life changing though. I would be quite worried about splurging on things that aren’t able to be sustained. See all those lottery winners that build a huge house only to find they can’t keep up with the taxes. See also professional sports players and actors.

YellaUmbrella · 08/05/2022 22:15

I would, but go part time, perhaps in another job. I don't like working so much as I like routine and having a place to be at a set time. I think I'd descend into chaos unchecked.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 08/05/2022 22:18

Fuck going to work a single nanosecond if I didn't have to. What is wrong with people?

InsolentAnnie · 08/05/2022 22:21

1 - because I love my job, but I’d like to drop all the freelance stuff so I’m not constantly flipping between additional freelance jobs which is mentally draining. Being able to pay off our mortgage would be life changing!

RewildingAmbridge · 08/05/2022 22:28

£2 million wouldn't be enough to walk away, it would clear the mortgage pay for the renovations we want and leave £1.5 in the bank, some would go towards DS school fees. I do actually like my job, when we're not horribly understaffed and if DH and I both quit £1.4 million ish would leave us with 46k a year between us until retirement, not enough to live a luxury lifestyle (so would pretty get quotes bored over the next thirty plus years) and we wouldn't be paying into our pensions anymore so it would actually have to last long past retirement. It would provide some lovely opportunities and experiences, and probably an earlier than planned retirement

InTheNightWeWillWish · 08/05/2022 23:04

I guess initially 2, followed by 1.

I’m early 30s, currently on maternity leave and bored of my skull but I also hate my job and I’m looking for a new one with reduced hours and more flexibility.

So £2mil isn’t going to see me through to retirement. I would quit my job but still look for something else because I’ll still need to work. I guess it would allow me the flexibility to find the perfect contract. It would also allow me the flexibility to pay for a full week of nursery but take DD out for afternoons and do something nice/keep her in if I want to. It would also give me the flexibility to pay for a cleaner, a gardener and so I can maximise the free time I do have.