Does anybody work but not need to?

[coulditbeme2323]

Does anybody work that doesn't need to?

I haven't worked in 8 years, but had a very tentative conversation with an old colleague about there being a part time role.

Now the money I would earn would make no difference to our lives as it's a poorly paid role.

However, I did enjoy it.

Really torn.

Don’t understand the vote option but I work and don’t need to. I only work part time, but do it because I enjoy it and it’s worthwhile.

How many days per week?

If you'd enjoy it, that's a reason to do it. What are your reasons not to do it?

Define ‘need’
I may not need to work from a financial perspective but from a self respect and morals one I definitely do

It would only be two days per week - but they are long days and I have 3 children.

Financially is what I meant.

I do work full time - I don't have to, we could manage on one salary, we are both 50+, mortgage free, but - my salary allows us to have the extras we enjoy - it pays for 4 foreign holidays a year for us both and an extra weekend away with friends, it also covers weekends in this country etc.

It allows us to live and have an excellent standard of living rather than just existing

Depends what you mean by need. We could manage without my wage, but feel more secure spreading the eggs around the baskets. I think even when we define need as solely financial, there's a spectrum.

How long are the days and are there viable wraparound options?

The days in court could comfortably be 7 - 6 door to door.

You're implying that a person who doesn't undertake paid employment is immoral and lacks self-respect. Is paid employment a person's only marker of worth?

King Charles

Volunteer work is also highly commendable.

So the starting point, if you're interested in the role, is could the childcare be covered. Be that through your DP, paid childcare or family help. If there's no wraparound and partner works on an oil rig or similarly unavailable, might other roles exist that would be more practical? This would be broadly my thinking process.

Childcare shouldn't be an issue.

In which case I reckon I'd go for it!

I work full time in a very demanding role for less than half of what DH earns. We have no mortgage, no DC to support, we are 58/61 and can both afford to retire, but we are still working.

My OH does a couple of days a week when he doesn't need to work at all.

I retired at 57 and my OH (who is 3yrs younger) decided to stop FT work and take a PT min-wage job just so he was doing "something" but without the stress or headaches.
He will probably stop completely next year as sometimes, even just 2days/week gets in the way.

I used to and my salary just went straight into savings. I then took early retirement and now do voluntary work.

I don’t need to work.

We could keep a roof over our heads and our bills if either DH or I stopped working.

But if either of us did our standard and quality of life would be massively affected and that’s a choice we don’t want to make.

And I’d be really bored not working and would probably end up doing more volunteering in order to be fulfilled.

There’s only so many hours I can spend in the gym.

OP if you’re not doing it for the money then isn’t it just of a question of whether you want to do it and can do it (i.e. can get to the job and back, can make it work with your family’s schedule, etc). Only you can answer these questions. Whether other people “work but not need to” is irrelevant. Are you not sure whether it’s okay to work by choice?

Where the heck do ‘morals’ come into the equation of working if there is no economic need?

Sharing the skills you have
Setting an example
Good work ethic

(these can also be done via voluntary work if you really don’t want or need payment)

Obviously don’t count retired people - they have done their bit!

Do you have anything to lose by giving it a try? If not, go for it. You can always stop again if it doesn't work.

I work and don't need to financially, I just find the work interesting, it's a part time academic role. I say go for it

You could on the flip side argue it's moral to stay at home with young children if you don't need to work.