How much would you want in savings to feel like life would be ok if you had to get a new job?

[Gdjjj]

I’ve saved around 35k. My basic outgoings including food are around 2k a month and I have a trust fund of 700 a month. I can’t stand my job and want six months off. Is this reckless? I have nobody close to me to feel comfortable asking this!

Depends on how easily you will find another job in 6 months.

A bloke I volunteer with did this. He has not been able to get a job over the last 6 months since he decided to go back to work. No idea how long he can sustain living ok for without a salary. What’s your housing situation?

The job market isn’t great at the moment. Id say it’s risky to quit before getting something else sorted.

I am about to leave my main job (I combine part-time work as an employee with freelancing) because I hate it, this is the second time that I have burned out in 3 years and my body and mind are making it clear this has gone on for long enough.

I have a 3 month notice which gives me time to find a new part-time role or get additional freelance work.

I think my health is more important than anything and I can't keep pushing myself and getting sick all the time...

Harsh.

OP, if you sign on and get 4% interest you will use up £5000 of your savings in 6 months. You will also get some tax back.

An unpaid sabbatical is often called a career break, so you could ask your HR about that.

Can you ask your current employer for a six month unpaid sabbatical?
Then you could go on an extended holiday knowing you’ve got a regular income to come back to.
While you’re off you can think about what you’ll want to do next. I always think it’s easier to get a job when you’ve got a job.

This is really for you to decide. I had jobs which I left. I had jobs which I hated but needed the income. I changed job. I had 0 savings and just now, recently started making some in the amount to call it a decade or two. I have been all over the place and what I discovered, life still goes on. Be brave.

I wouldn’t say reckless, more a bit daft. The economy is terrible and predicted to get worse. There is also the march of AI to be mindful of. You can’t guarantee you’ll find a job after six months or even longer. Maybe a three month unpaid sabbatical would be better?

@Everyday99 I have only ever had one job I didn’t like and it wasn’t the job it was the alcoholic quite frankly mental head of dept. Two people had nervous breakdowns while I was there and they was renowned negatively across campus. In the private sector they would have been sacked in an instant. I waited it out and did get another job but it took many months after I decided to leave.

I know a couple of people who left professional jobs not through choice, one took 7 months to land thd next one one is still looking after 6 months.
Of all the times to consider this right now is probably the worst.

If I was going to do it, I would do it in March to get 6 months off when it’s warmer and lighter.

£35k is plenty.

Hmmmm i dont know

you will still have a very decent income of £700 pm and low outgoings so I'd be tempted...

But.... What salary band would you be looking to get back into?

Anything over 50K in my sector is DIRE.
And now they ask things directly like are you still employed? If not, were you made redundant? etc etc

I fucking loathe my job i have proportionally similar savings ( my outgoings are higher) and cant bring myself to quit 🙈

I think 3 months off is doable on very little. You cut all non essential expenditure. If you want longer or to do more then you need more.

3 months is really easy to explain away on a CV but 6 months - you need something to show for that IMHO.