Warning: this post may cause a little envy… but only a tiny bit 😏

ShesTheAlbatross · 23/10/2025 23:06

My mother. She’s 59.
She retired last year because my dad hit retirement age so they retired together. They sold their very expensive house in the SE, bought somewhere far cheaper in the countryside, and now live a life of leisure. They are mainly on holiday.

HoskinsChoice · 23/10/2025 23:09

I can't think of anything worse than having no purpose and making no contribution to society or the tax system. This would really screw me over mentally. I can understand winding down hours a little but no work at all would kill me.

BankfieldForever · 23/10/2025 23:11

I’m 55 and live in the country. I haven’t worked for 25 years and spend my days doing housework, pottering, playing and cuddling with my cats, knitting, sewing, watching TV, going for walks and doing odd jobs around the property, and then I do stuff with DH after cooking our dinner. Which I’m not obligated to do.

I don’t think much about whether I’m lucky or whether its actually regressive and anti feminist. Its just the way my life has turned out.

Would I have chosen a different life if I could? yes but that didn’t work out - do I regret it? no, absolutely not.

MNLurker1345 · 23/10/2025 23:12

I am 58. I keep busy, pottering around the house all day. My husband and I do what we do because we want to or because it needs to be done. I am never bored, there is always something to do. I do appreciate the total freedom.

Bonjovispyjamas · 23/10/2025 23:15

I'm 59 and work 3 days a week. I love being at home the other 4 days and never get bored. I've worked really long days/weeks for years, now I'm loving winding down towards retirement, I've earned it.

Gnarab24 · 23/10/2025 23:16

My cousins wife.
He's a multimillionaire.
On the surface it looks like a designer clad heaven.
Its not.

Original poster

Flowerofdestiny · 23/10/2025 23:17

Following all of this with interest.
It must be lovely to have that free life—though if I ever did, I’d probably feel guilty more than I’d enjoy it. Feeling a bit daft for thinking that!

OP posts:

ResusciAnnie · 23/10/2025 23:18

My mum was like that in her 50s (mid 60s now). Sat around a lot, was on Facebook a lot, structured her days around walking the dog and going to the charity shops, and buying things on eBay. Not sure she was very happy!

mumofoneAloneandwell · 23/10/2025 23:19

HoskinsChoice · 23/10/2025 23:09

I can't think of anything worse than having no purpose and making no contribution to society or the tax system. This would really screw me over mentally. I can understand winding down hours a little but no work at all would kill me.

Girl

You cant think of anything worse than not contributing to the tax system? 😭😭

mumofoneAloneandwell · 23/10/2025 23:20

If I had that life at 33 I would be so very happy omg

Huckleberries · 23/10/2025 23:23

Yes kind of similar at the moment

i'm glad you started this thread

I might go back to work, but calculation suggest I don't need to and I don't want to

I would be interested to know how much people would have to have in the bank to feel safe to do it

I was out of work for a long time due to illness and I don't want to go back and I think it would be awful to get sick again and die before retirement

I feel as if there were more early retirees in my Parents generation but now it would be so frowned upon I don't know how I'd explain it to anybody

glad you started this thread and interested to see the responses

I went to a professional event and people were talking about what they wanted to do at 70. I couldn't get my head around that at all.

HoskinsChoice · 23/10/2025 23:23

mumofoneAloneandwell · 23/10/2025 23:19

Girl

You cant think of anything worse than not contributing to the tax system? 😭😭

Show quote history

No. We all use roads, schools, hospitals, emergency services, parks, culture etc. I just can't imagine being the sort of person that feels entitled to use all these tax payer funded services but never contributing any tax. I'd be so ashamed.

dEdiCatEdFeliNeEntHusiAst · 23/10/2025 23:23

BankfieldForever · 23/10/2025 23:11

I’m 55 and live in the country. I haven’t worked for 25 years and spend my days doing housework, pottering, playing and cuddling with my cats, knitting, sewing, watching TV, going for walks and doing odd jobs around the property, and then I do stuff with DH after cooking our dinner. Which I’m not obligated to do.

I don’t think much about whether I’m lucky or whether its actually regressive and anti feminist. Its just the way my life has turned out.

Would I have chosen a different life if I could? yes but that didn’t work out - do I regret it? no, absolutely not.

Edited

I am so envious 🙂You are living my dream life that unfortunately will always remain a dream.

Blogswife · 23/10/2025 23:25

I am early 60s, retired and therefore my days are mine to choose what I do with them but it’s not “ nothing”.
I provide childcare, volunteer, have many hobbies, go to the gym , travel a lot & meet up with friends frequently. It’s a lovely life & I’m very grateful for it

To the PP who said they’d feel guilty not contributing to society or paying taxes - absolutely no guilt here, I worked full time since the age of 16 and I more than contribute to society .
I have always volunteered even when working full time and
I still pay taxes on my pension (on top of the contributions that I made during my 40+ years of employment). I think I’ve earned my time off

Huckleberries · 23/10/2025 23:25

HoskinsChoice · 23/10/2025 23:23

No. We all use roads, schools, hospitals, emergency services, parks, culture etc. I just can't imagine being the sort of person that feels entitled to use all these tax payer funded services but never contributing any tax. I'd be so ashamed.

Show quote history

Even after contributing full-time for 35 years?

mumofoneAloneandwell · 23/10/2025 23:26

HoskinsChoice · 23/10/2025 23:23

No. We all use roads, schools, hospitals, emergency services, parks, culture etc. I just can't imagine being the sort of person that feels entitled to use all these tax payer funded services but never contributing any tax. I'd be so ashamed.

Show quote history

😭😭 retiring early or having been a housewife doesn't mean you haven't contributed

😄😄 its okay to relax and enjoy life, the wealthy do 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

DysonLover1 · 23/10/2025 23:27

Finish work EOY age 54. No kids no mortgage no debts. £1.2m in pension and ISA’s. Can’t wait to do whatever I want and contribute zero to the tax system for a good few years!

DancingNotDrowning · 23/10/2025 23:27

I did it for a bit in my 30s but with school age DC (and FT help), year 1 & 2 were great but ultimately it wasn’t good for me.

Monty27 · 23/10/2025 23:27

Flowerofdestiny · 23/10/2025 23:04

Does anyone in their 50s actually exist who does nothing all day?

I feel a bit silly asking this, but I’ve been wondering…

Does anyone in their 50s exist whose kids are grown, who doesn’t work full-time, and literally has days completely free of obligations?

I’m genuinely curious: is it as boring as it sounds, or actually a little paradise?

I feel a bit nosy for asking, but I’d love honest answers 😅

It's bliss having the time doing things you wished you could have done when spinning plates was the normal to pay the bills whilst doing your best for young dcs.
I retired at 58 and don't have a moment of regret.

BreakingBroken · 23/10/2025 23:28

Retired at 57. Kids 30, 31,32 at the time. All with their own homes.

DancingNotDrowning · 23/10/2025 23:28

DysonLover1 · 23/10/2025 23:27

Finish work EOY age 54. No kids no mortgage no debts. £1.2m in pension and ISA’s. Can’t wait to do whatever I want and contribute zero to the tax system for a good few years!

You’ll be living a painfully frugal life if you’re planning to opt out of paying tax.

OldBoilerOhYes · 23/10/2025 23:29

No, I still have DC at home and I like my job. It has quieter periods and I enjoy those, but I'm not sure they'd be as enjoyable without the contrast. Could be wrong though!

I'd like to be able to wind back work efforts as I progress though my 60s🤞 towards proper retirement.

@BankfieldForever I'm guessing you don't have kids, or elderly family members, around to attend to?

Ashersmom · 23/10/2025 23:30

Me. I also have a life limiting condition though.

whimsicallyprickly · 23/10/2025 23:32

I could, but I choose to work because my job is fun and isn't FT. I wouldn't want to do nothing , ever. But obviously that's just me !

StillCreatingAName · 23/10/2025 23:32

HoskinsChoice · 23/10/2025 23:23

No. We all use roads, schools, hospitals, emergency services, parks, culture etc. I just can't imagine being the sort of person that feels entitled to use all these tax payer funded services but never contributing any tax. I'd be so ashamed.

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If you’ve worked since you had a weekend job or left school, so from around age 16 paying NI and tax, by the time you’re in your 50s (now) you’ve made a hefty contribution to all of that. Nothing to feel guilty about if you’re able to not work f/t or at all these days. I’m p/t myself, in an industry which is mostly full time younger ones. No guilt or entitlement here.