To ask WHY you work

[BeatriceAlbert]

Got in a discussion about retirement/early retirement and why people actually go to work in the first place. I know it seems obvious to answer ‘for money’ but this was off the back of the parody about a fisherman.

A businessman on holiday spots a fisherman lounging by his small boat after catching a few fish for the day.

Businessman:
“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?”

Fisherman:
“Why would I?”

Businessman:
“Well, with more fish, you could buy a bigger boat!”

Fisherman:
“And then?”

Businessman:
“With a bigger boat, you could hire a crew, catch even more fish, and eventually own a whole fleet!”

Fisherman:
“And then?”

Businessman:
“Then you could build a company, go public, and become a millionaire!”

Fisherman:
“And then?”

Businessman:
“Then you could retire, relax by the sea, and spend your days fishing!”

Fisherman:
“…Which is what I was already doing before you interrupted.”

Yes for money. But also for purpose. I wouldn't do well without having the mental challenge and structure that work gives me.

Exactly this.

What @NoSoupForU said.

I have an active mind and a sense of purpose. What I do at work makes a difference.

Holidays / days off are lovely, because they are a contrast. Having no purpose day after day, month after month, year after year wouldn't suit me at all.

I work for money, and I retire in January when I get my state pension but I’m staying on as Bank Staff but then I can choose when to work

Team work, creativity, purpose, fun, social, critical contribution to the community, empathy, supporting people dealt a bad deal in life

Money, I like my job very much, and I want my daughter to see me working and being independent.

I would prefer not to live on the streets and work enables me to pay for a roof over my head and food to eat.

I dont have a small boat... and apparently, because I have kids, I should feed, house and provide for them and not expect others to do so by way of handouts from the state.

Was the fisherman facing a cost of living crisis like I am?

Money…. And that’s it really.
I would rather spend my days pottering around my garden but sadly it’s not a luxury I can afford 😂

I work for money. No other reason. I'd far rather not have to.

I work for money and my job is fulfilling because I get to help people. My answer might be different if my job was basically a hobby like the fishing example.

I can't go to the Maldives every year on jobseekers allowance or a state pension.

That's why i work.

Although the way things are going, I will retire, sell my house, give half the money to the kids and then spaff the rest on holidays because I'm buggered if I'm working and saving hard to pay inheritance tax.

Or I'll retire elsewhere with private healthcare and low entry requirements.

For money.
I used to think it was to socialise too. However, I’m now realising that I would find plenty to do if I didn’t need to work.

I work for money. In your fishing analogy the fisherman was working harder to be able to work harder and make more money to retire. In my case I go to work so that in the here and now we have a roof over our heads and food to eat. I know we could have those things with not working and living on benefits but I couldn't necessarily choose the roof and chose the food. Money gives you choices.

Yep

And I like the people I work with. We have a laugh together.
And I think for me that makes all the difference

I always say it's for money only, that I absolutely detest working and that I've got squillions of things to keep me busy outside of work, that working just gets in the way of (that's not an exaggeration, I have).

The truth is that the structure does me good, along with interacting with colleagues and I do get a mental boost from the work that I do including its challenges. Whenever I've got lots of time off I do get stuff done but end up feeling a bit lost by the lack of routine.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't jack it in in a heartbeat if I won the lottery though.

Only ever for the money.

I have no passion for it; I quite liked it, but the money wasn’t good enough. It didn’t give me purpose or a social life; I liked my colleagues well enough, but didn’t want to socialise with them. It wasn’t fun, it was incredibly stressful. So after an appointment with a particularly unpleasant patient I just threw in the towel. I’d rather be at home with my children. That’s something I can’t buy. I’m appreciated, they give my life meaning and I won’t be on this earth for long, so I want to spend my limited time with them.

I don't have to work. But I want more financial security because you have no idea what's around the corner

At the moment I'm in a position to treat my kids, friends and myself but I don't take it for granted. I'm also finally in a job that I love and work in a team of very supportive, friendly people. I would miss that if I didn't work. My OH is retired & I wouldn't want to get under his feet 🤣

Partly, I work for money - we'd be stuck without my salary.

I also need the mental stimulation, sense of purpose and routine. I enjoy my job most of the time, despite the fact that it can be very stressful and is constantly busy (secondary teacher and I lead a core subject).

One day, I obviously will retire and I will no doubt find other things to occupy my time and maybe by then, I will enjoy a slower pace. I'm only 38 though so I have a while to go yet!

Money.
It gives me a feeling of pride and satisfaction. It keeps me organised, on track and motivated.
I want my children to see that I (and dh) work hard for what we have.
It gives me something to look forward to and get excited about. We're currently looking at holidays for next year and saving for that gives me more excitement than booking the week before.
I have a love for horses which my dd has inherited. I have no choice, I absolutely have to work 😆

For money

I think I could get a sense of purpose and be busy without work.

It really is the money. I love the food, heat, shelter, water, clothes, transport and health care in particular.

I do actally find my work quite interesting and social, but I reckon I would play an instrument, do gardening, take up painting, go for walks, read books and stuff like that I had all the necessities covered without working.

Self respect (for not sponging off the state or a man), making a contribution to society, the challenge and using my brain.

I don’t work but if I had to it would be for money. Currently a sahm and surviving on husbands wage. We try to be frugal and put the kids needs first. We’re fine for now but if I had to go back to work it would definitely be for money.