Page 2 | Would you still work if...

WineAndFireside · 2023-09-26T08:31:30+00:00

Would you still work in the following circumstances? Late forties, single parent of two (teen and tween) at home, passive income of 2700 a month after tax, home owned outright, 500,000 in investments in addition to the home. Two chronic but not life-threatening health conditions.

Octavia64 · 26/09/2023 12:47

I am in a similar situation,

I used to work part time, but the combination of covid impact on my profession and worsening health meant I don't any more.

My health is a lot better for not having to constantly push myself into pain,

Cerealforever · 26/09/2023 12:50

No way (assuming I had money to keep me going in retirement).

Cerealforever · 26/09/2023 12:55

After your update I am even more of an absolutely no way would I be working. You are extremely comfortable without needing to work, more comfortable than many are who do work, and surely you have other things you would love to do with your time instead? Life is huge and work is one teeny tiny dot of what you can do with it (unless you have to work, which you don't, and in that case its a huge splurge blotting out most of the rest of life).

I'd have handed in my notice ages ago. Hand it in today. I genuinely can't understand why you have not.

KStockHERO · 26/09/2023 13:12

Thank you for your update, OP.

I'm very sorry to see that you were widowed young.

Given how stressful your job is and how its affecting your health, I'd be looking for an exit strategy for sure.
I wouldn't give up work entirely because I'm not sure I'd feel completely comfortable and safe with the amount you have - I'd want a little more in the pot.
But I'd be looking for a lower-stress job which I'd be using just to cover my living expenses which would leave the £500K, the £2300 monthly-income and the housing wealth in tact.

I agree with PPs that I wouldn't work if I didn't have to. But the threshold at which you don't need to work is very nebulous and different for each person.

user14699084658 · 26/09/2023 13:20

I’d keep working, but look for something less stressful that I’d enjoy.
Your circumstances are comfortable, but only a couple of mishaps and things could be very different…plus, I’d worry that in your 40’s what are you going to do in ‘retirement’ your friends will all still be working. I think doing nothing would get dull very fast. Happy people have a purpose, a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

Cerealforever · 26/09/2023 13:22

I think doing nothing would get dull very fast. Happy people have a purpose, a reason to get out of bed in the morning

I have never been able to understand people who would have nothing to do if they did not work. Even without work, there are far more things that I would want to do with my time, then I would have time to do. How can one's horizons be so limited that one simply cannot imagine how to use time without a job?! I genuinely don't get this!

unsync · 26/09/2023 13:22

If not working or working less would help with your chronic illnesses, and you can afford to do so, then yes, stop or reduce work. Give yourself a chance to recuperate and then look for something that enriches your life, rather than inhibits it.

Original poster

WineAndFireside · 26/09/2023 14:36

@Cerealforever I feel like you. I feel I'm missing out on so many other possibilities by working full time and in such a stressful workplace. I'm missing the years when my kids are still at home. There are so many other things I could do while they're at school, and then I'd have more energy for them when they're at home. I wouldn't be doing nothing.

OP posts:

StoatofDisarray · 26/09/2023 14:55

Yes but I'd go part-time. I don't want my brain to rot and I need human interaction and the occasional challenge.

wereonthemarket · 26/09/2023 15:02

I'd work in a job I enjoyed. Part time/casual contract so I could enjoy my life as much as possible but keep my brain busy and keep the social aspect of working.

LegendsBeyond · 26/09/2023 15:08

Why do people think not working means doing nothing? There are a million things to do in this world that don’t involve working, it’s such a narrow mindset.

I’d definitely give up work in your position. The problem with people saying they’d want a bit more in the pot is there’s a danger you’d always want more & never think you had enough. You’ve got enough, so enjoy your life!

Chewbecca · 26/09/2023 15:14

No, definitely not.
I gave up at a similar age with a pension of around £40kpa and a good chunk more savings / pensions that can be drawn to top it up. No mortgage and scope to downsize. My health isn't the best, nothing life limiting but it's painful and tiring.
No regrets at all! I am exercising regularly and taking time to do hobbies, see friends and family and just enjoying life.

MinnieMouse0 · 26/09/2023 15:16

I would do something low stress that paid enough to cover usual monthly bills and food. Life is too short to be slogging away at work and getting stressed out.

Squiblet · 26/09/2023 15:17

Cerealforever · 26/09/2023 13:22

I think doing nothing would get dull very fast. Happy people have a purpose, a reason to get out of bed in the morning

I have never been able to understand people who would have nothing to do if they did not work. Even without work, there are far more things that I would want to do with my time, then I would have time to do. How can one's horizons be so limited that one simply cannot imagine how to use time without a job?! I genuinely don't get this!

Such as what?

I'd be bored out of my mind if I didn't work.

hatewhereIlive · 26/09/2023 15:19

No, not unless I really enjoyed my job.

Tryanotheruser · 26/09/2023 15:21

Cerealforever · 26/09/2023 13:22

I think doing nothing would get dull very fast. Happy people have a purpose, a reason to get out of bed in the morning

I have never been able to understand people who would have nothing to do if they did not work. Even without work, there are far more things that I would want to do with my time, then I would have time to do. How can one's horizons be so limited that one simply cannot imagine how to use time without a job?! I genuinely don't get this!

Same!

GrouchyKiwi · 26/09/2023 15:24

I wouldn't work in your situation.

I'd read, actually spend time in my garden like I keep meaning to, finish the knitting and sewing projects I've started but never have time for, finally have a tidy house, visit museums and learn about the area I live in, visit friends with the energy I would have, take up Spanish again. Loads of stuff to do instead.

Macaroni46 · 26/09/2023 15:31

WineAndFireside · 26/09/2023 12:37

Yes, my job takes up a huge amount of headspace and mental energy. A halfway measure - part-time, low stress, more fun - could be the way to go. I haven't a clue where to start with that, but it's a lovely thought that it could be possible.

This is what I've done though I've considerably less investments than you and no passive income. But also no dependent DC.
I survive on less than 2k a month take home some months but it's worth it for the lower level of stress (previous jobs were long hours and hugely stressful). Working part time keeps my mind active and gives me enough to live on with some luxuries. No mortgage and my DC are adults. Variety of Pensions that I can take part of from 55.
I too have a chronic condition and just having the time to manage that better, sleep better due to not being so stressed and not having to get up at the crack of dawn, has made a huge difference to both my physical and mental health.
I'd say give up the stressful job and get a lower level part time job. I work in a library and it's great!

wildwestpioneer · 26/09/2023 15:43

I wouldn't work in my job that I do at the moment. I'd look for something that I enjoyed and found worthwhile. Not having to worry about earning x amount gives you a whole host of things you could do.

ChimChimeny · 26/09/2023 15:49

WineAndFireside · 26/09/2023 14:36

@Cerealforever I feel like you. I feel I'm missing out on so many other possibilities by working full time and in such a stressful workplace. I'm missing the years when my kids are still at home. There are so many other things I could do while they're at school, and then I'd have more energy for them when they're at home. I wouldn't be doing nothing.

you're pretty much in my 'have enough money that I can quit my proper/stressful job but not enough to not work at all' scenario, and I'm that scenario my dream would be to work in a zoo 😁
I think the suggestions of part time/lower stress jobs are good, not sure what though! Prob nothing customer facing, working with the general public would be stressful in a different way!

ChimChimeny · 26/09/2023 15:53

Cerealforever · 26/09/2023 13:22

I think doing nothing would get dull very fast. Happy people have a purpose, a reason to get out of bed in the morning

I have never been able to understand people who would have nothing to do if they did not work. Even without work, there are far more things that I would want to do with my time, then I would have time to do. How can one's horizons be so limited that one simply cannot imagine how to use time without a job?! I genuinely don't get this!

It's like retirement isn't it, different people do it differently. My in-laws are always busy, gardening, walks, holidays, looking after GC, meeting people, decorating etc.
My mum does a bit of housework, lots of walking, holidays.
My dad & his wife - nothing really. live in the flattest part of the country and have electric bikes, go on holiday and eat/drink, not much else.

bopbey · 26/09/2023 15:54

health is precious so I would reduce hours or change roles but still work.

PoppyPansyCampion · 26/09/2023 15:57

What is a part time low stress job to you @WineAndFireside ?
It is interesting reading MN where you find so many families living hugely stressful lives, and yet the overarching theme tends to be to work at all costs. I appreciate that you get other points of view too, which is what makes it interesting.
I don't know what part time low stress jobs are available. I've worked many different jobs and all seem to have some degree of stress, and I find it hard to switch off at home. I mean if you were say a social worker or a teacher or a defensive lawyer (other stressful jobs are available) maybe you'd consider being a barrista or a gardener low stress? Perhaps working in a factory just putting things together? But i understand there is always someone at you wanting you to work harder/faster/hit more targets.

Honestly, like you OP, if the things that the job would pay for are already paid for, why would life without working be boring? It's so narrow minded to think that only work can be fulfilling. I think you need to look at your own values- what is important to you? If service/ helping others, well volunteering can cover that. Activity, exercise? A class, or a team sport. Making friends? You can do that anywhere. It's often posited on here that work friends are just that, they aren't real friends (not on my experience though, ive kept some work friends when one of us had moved on) Family time? Can be well achieved if stuff round house, admin is done when you would have been at work. There is so much to do when you're not working - me, I love to garden, to walk, to do crafts, to read, to study, to be actively* *there with family and friends. I'd never be bored!

KStockHERO · 26/09/2023 16:25

Squiblet · 26/09/2023 15:17

Such as what?

I'd be bored out of my mind if I didn't work.

Show quote history

Are you actually serious? You can't think of anything to fill your time with apart from work. You'd rather do your job than any other activity in the world?

JFC.

Squiblet · 26/09/2023 16:34

KStockHERO · 26/09/2023 16:25

Are you actually serious? You can't think of anything to fill your time with apart from work. You'd rather do your job than any other activity in the world?

JFC.

Show quote history

Sure, I can think of loads of ways to pass the time, but they would be just that ... pastimes.

My job is enjoyable, purposeful and useful to the world, and I wouldn't get the same satisfaction from a lot of the things PP have listed upthread (gardening, knitting etc)

So I'll ask again - what sort of non-work activities are you thinking of?