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

[Flowerofdestiny]

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 😅

I don't work. My children are teenagers. I love to learn new things; I speak 3 languages fluently. Am currently learning Italian. I read plenty of books; literature in 3 languages. News in 3 languages everyday to keep up with what's going on in the world. I also "study" with my sons; history, science, maths so that I can keep up and help them with their homework. I did my degree in another country and in another language and a longtime ago so I do feel intellectually challenged. I go to the gym 4 times per week to stay in shape. Don't care much for my appearance, almost never wear makeup but I want to feel healthy and proper.

Since I have been out of the work place for so long I know that I would only be able to get a lowskilled job and I wouldn't be intellectually challenged at all so that's not an argument for working. I would love to find a job where I could use my brain but unfortunately this is very unlikely to happen. I might have to take any job if DH loses his, I am very aware about that so I am using the time I have got to do things I really like: spending time with my children, reading, working out and learning new things.

Me, I’m late 50s, took early retirement at 54, financially secure. I spend the morning doing chores, walk the dog, housework, meal prep. The afternoons are for hobbies, shopping, yoga, exercise.

I also babysit DGC when needed. Occasionally meet up with friends and do long walks.

I worked hard, full time for 36 years, burnt out and exhausted. I’m grateful for what I have now and how relatively easy my life now is.

You are patronising and wrong. If you are an intelligent, intellectually curious person there are learning opportunities everywhere. When I was a SAHM I did lots of reading around child psychology/ development. I volunteered at the school. I was learning things every day. I had time to grow a vegetable patch. All these kinds of things are learning experiences. Most jobs are mind-numbingly dull and once you've done them for a while and do not stretch you intellectually at all. Even professional jobs can be boring after a few years once you plateau. There are lots of interesting people who take time out to raise their kids and these are the people you get to spend time with and talk to. Your post is ignorant and indicates a lack of intellect and creativity on your part.

What a truly ridiculous and quite spiteful post.
Your responses on here are quite telling, why are you so vitriolic about SAHM and women who choose to prioritise their family work over cooperate work?

Yours is such a outdated narrow 1980s notion harking back to the ideals of the superwoman who must prioritise a 50 hour high-flying work week with babies and marriage either frowned upon or left to late. I think we as a society have evolved from that particular faux femenist dogma.
Being a Mother is one of the most important and actually essential part of being in a functioning society.
We will get nowhere as a species without Mothers!

But what if your other half was making millions and paying loads tax ? And you then was able to have this lifestyle that’s why some woman in their 50s or whatever ages are able to do this ?

@LifeSurvior Whilst I don't agree with the posters tone, I do agree that being a mother does not, and should.not, prohibit you from working. I do both (successfully I would like to think).

@Londontown12 You still wouldn't personally be contributing to paying tax if not working a paid job though?

When your married your a partnership ! so your actually both contributing!!

I’m 52. Currently on sick due to a traumatic bereavement so I’ve not worked for 3 months. I could easily do this forever. My days are busy and full. Shame I have to return but finances dictate I must.

Not arguing with that, but income tax, which you are referring to, is not the only tax. VAT, road tax, NI, etc.

Stopped work at 54, hubby retired and I retired with him, he has ill health so I do care for him, my days are quiet but filled with things I enjoy, reading, cooking, gardening and spending time with my hubby as we don't know how long we have together. We do go away a lot but in the UK

😆 he's turned 60 now but still.. he's going to need to take to charitable works, both to rehabilitate himself in any way, and also for something to do!

My colleague seems to enjoy a life of working 2.5 days a week. Does nothing much at work on the days she does work. has some kind of family trust to keep her and lives with relatives.

• Income Tax
• Capital Gains Tax
• National Insurance
• VAT
• Corporation Tax
• Bank payroll Tax
• Petroleum Revenue Tax
• Fuel Duties
• Inheritance Tax
• Stamp Duty
• Tobacco Duties
• Spirits Duties
• Beer Duties
• Wines Duties
• Cider Duties
• Betting & Gaming Duties
• Air Passenger Duty
• Insurance Premium Tax
• Landfill Tax
• Climate Change Levy
• Aggregates Tax

I'm 50 and only work very part time, DH is a higher earner and pays plenty of tax. I absolutely love it. I was a fantastic SAHM to an autistic child who is now working as a software engineer thanks to the time i was able to put into him.

Now I travel a lot, I grow lots of veggies, I do loads of cooking, I'm not constantly stressed or tired, harried or hurried.

I have a Masters but hated every full time job I ever had. I have learned so much from not working though because I had the time to really research autism, really research all the places I've travelled to, learnt languages, learnt how to grow fruit and vegetables, learnt how cook different cuisines from scratch. I have learnt many more (interesting) things than I would have from working IMO.

But a lot of people feel their career is very central to who they are and that's fine too. Let's not pretend you do it because you're desperate to pay tax though - because if that's the only reason you do it then I do feel sorry for you.

Good! And I hope you enjoy every bloody minute of it! Will you do holidays and the like? That would be my dream. Lots of exploring.

Im 52 and don’t work, but not as well set up as you sadly cuz myDH got sick so had to quit to look after him :(

I do. No kids, work 3 days a week. Love it! Worked full time my whole working life until about 4 years ago (59 now). It's not boring, it's freedom! Those free days are filled with something though (if I want to). I have a dog who needs walking, a mum who needs visiting but neither of those are onerous.

I don't have kids and don't work, OP.
Lucrative marriage.
However, at fifty, I believe I'm still going to have to "do" stuff, since it's very unlikely I'll be by myself then and that age is quite close.
☕

🙄🙄

This sounds very pleasant. The only thing that would worry me is all this gently "@pottering' in fifties sounds a bit 'old before your time' and I would worry about dementia creeping in down the line. I think its very important to keep your mind active, doing puzzles or whatever, if not working, as I have seen how easily my mother and MIL slid into dementia. Both hadn't worked for decades, lost their husbands in their early sixties and did very little from then. Not a great way to go and I'm very concious of the value of keeping busy.

@DysonLover1 Wow! What did you do for a living?

Not me, but my close friend. She’s never worked and her kids are grown. She spends her days playing golf and meeting friends for lunch.

@Londontown12 I don't agree. It is your husband who is paying the taxes if you don't work.

I retired last year aged 58 and I love it. I had a high paid job so I did contribute a lot to the tax system (including the LTA charge which in retrospect I wouldn’t have needed to pay!) No regrets at all here, I absolutely love it.

I was worried about not having a purpose, but my purpose is to enjoy myself! And to get fitter. I go on plenty of holidays, I do a lot of walking cycling and badminton, and I meet up with friends a lot. I really am living my best life, sorry!

I do do a couple of worthwhile things - I travel 3 hours to see my elderly mum frequently and there’s always things to do for her, and I’m a trustee of a local charity, so there is some meaning to my empty shallow life!

I know loads of people like this! DM retired at 51 as DF was older
Many never went back to work after having DC
As a lone parent I’ve always worked full time and can’t afford to retire ever!
If I had the luxury of not working I would do more voluntary work, if I could afford it would holiday more