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Work

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Original poster

Would you work if you didn't have to financially?

108 replies

Brighteststars · 18/03/2018 20:55

Be honest ... would you work if you didn't need to for the money? What else does work bring up your life, aside from money.. or would you stay at home with kids?

OP posts:

WeAreGerbil · 18/03/2018 21:16

No. Not if I was independently wealthy enough (I wouldn't rely on someone else to provide for me). I'd do useful stuff but not for money, and I'd exercise more, play more music, do creative things as I've had little time for those in the last 27 years between building my career and looking after DD. If I was a bit younger I might have still decided to work but there's nothing more I want to aches career-wise.

Buckingfrolicks · 18/03/2018 21:18

I'm lucky in that I don't have to work at all. Retired at 53. After a year of living it -not working I mean - I'm getting depressed and bored. Far far too much MN for a start! All those plans I had seen to just stay at the planning stage. I'm still trying to work out what I want to be when I grow up! But I adore Sunday nights without that if god tomorrow is Monday, feeling.

PoisonousSmurf · 18/03/2018 21:19

I work as a domestic cleaner and gardener. I don't have to. But it stops me from being bored stiff and I still get time to myself.

StickStickStickStick · 18/03/2018 21:19

No I'd find projects or volunteer though!

Thistlebelle · 18/03/2018 21:21

I do.

I took a number of years out when my D.C. were little but returned full time once they were at school.

DH would be quite happy for me to be a SAHM but my view is that you never know what’s around the corner, I like to know I support us all if I needed to.

Jon66 · 18/03/2018 21:24

Nope, retired at 51. Lots of the world still to see.

LyTinWheedle · 18/03/2018 21:24

I don't work full time but I do work. Trust me life would be dull as anything without something to keep you going. My main job has been my identity since I was 18 and I'd be lost without it. When that became hard to do other than full time I re-trained and now have 3 different jobs, one for a proper salary, one on a barter basis and one on a lower wage to reflect my newly trained status. I've got cousins too who don't 'need' to work but do for their own mental health and need to be a bit more than just a woman who happened to luck out and be born into a wealthy family or be seen just as someone's wife.

Anyway, I hope no one things this is a brag. You did ask and I found myself in a position where I never had to work again 15 years ago and after looking after my children for two years back then I've worked part time since. Went back part time when my youngest was 5 months old because there was family to help out with him and I love my job. It's good for my children to see me going out and working and being capable, I'm not taking away from anyone who needs the work because they are desperately short in the areas I work round here so, it's win win for everyone.

bigkidsdidit · 18/03/2018 21:24

I don't need to work in that dh earns more than enough. But I do in terms of my pension and independence, which are very important to me. And for sheer enjoyment - I love my work.

Oly5 · 18/03/2018 21:27

Yes I’d still work. I love my job and get a lot of fulfilment from it.
All my kids are thriving too and very happy!

Donotbequotingmeinbold · 18/03/2018 21:33

Work does not give me my sense of self or my purpose. I do not need work to stimulate me or to stop me sliding into boredom or depression. Work is for money and the fact that I enjoy it is a bonus but work does not define me. I can entertain myself easily, fill my days well and remain an interesting person without employment.

AaronPurrSir · 18/03/2018 21:34

If by not needing to work you mean I’d have a rich DP who paid for everything, yes I’d still work. I value my financial independence.

If I won the lottery, not a chance would I work for money. I’d travel, and invest time and money into hobbies, and training to get better at my hobbies.

letsdolunch321 · 18/03/2018 21:36

No, it would be lovely to have some me time.

grasspigeons · 18/03/2018 21:41

no way - id do the degree I'd always wanted to do, then follow it up with volunteering at a school by running a really good library with all sorts of fun activities around books for 3 short days a week.

RefuseTheLies · 18/03/2018 21:51

I am intensely lazy, and my DH is a high earner. I gave up work when our DD was born just over 2 years ago.

I have a small income from inherited rental properties so I thought I’d chuck work and be happy being at home.

Nope. Turns out being at home with a young child is not very enjoyable or relaxing. I went back to work last week.

If I didn’t have my DD, I’d be very happy staying at home though

AnneElliott · 18/03/2018 21:59

I wouldn't give up work, although I'd go back to an earlier job and probably part to me. But I'd hate having nothing to do.

Strax · 18/03/2018 22:06

My DH is a very high earner, I stayed at home for several years when the kids were little but have got a job now that they are all at school. It's a difficult question for me because I have health issues developed since having children which mean that I can't do a full time job, I struggle to do my part time job (physically) but I get a huge amount of enjoyment and satisfaction from doing it. I haven't quite decided if the balance is far enough in favour of that to keep going to be honest. But without health considerations, yes, I'd work. My contribution financially to our family is negligible compared with what my DH brings in but that's not really the point.

Tantpoke · 18/03/2018 22:57

I really enjoyed having some time off with my DC but I really love working and feel lost without it tbh.

I travelled a lot when I was younger on a shoe string budget and had a brilliant time. I worked when I needed to whilst travelling which just added to the whole experience.

Sometimes you become so exhausted you need some time not to work if you can, but then once recuperated it's nice to get back in the game.

Bellamuerte · 18/03/2018 23:03

If I could get a professional job that was intellectually stimulating and rewarding then yes, I'd go to work. But if I had to do the sort of crap low paid job I did before I became SAHM, then no. Doing a job where you're not valued, important or well paid destroys your self esteem and makes you feel worthless. Why would you do a crap job if you don't have to?

Avasarala · 18/03/2018 23:07

Absolutely. I love my work. It's my creative release.
If we're talking millions of money, i'd probably pay someone else to deal with advertising and accounting but wouldn't give up my business.

HaroldsSoCalledBluetits · 18/03/2018 23:09

If by not need to work you mean enough money already that contingencies and retirement were taken care of - ie lottery win territory - then, no, absolutely not. There are so many other things to do besides working.

penguinsandpandas · 18/03/2018 23:12

I love my job so would keep it. We can live just on DHs income so I have negotiated school hours and all summer off but it pays for nice holidays and I really enjoy the work.

KHFC2018 · 18/03/2018 23:27

If I have lottery level of money there is no way I will go to work in a job and spend all my time doing what someone else tells me to. I will probably start a business or spend more time on getting better at things I am interested in, like cooking better, taking better photos, redecorate the house, doing more fun activities with the children, plan amazing holidays etc etc......

SheSparkles · 18/03/2018 23:35

Working on the assumption of maintaining current lifestyle I absolutely wouldn’t work if I have to. I’ve never had a career orientated bone in my body and whilst I’m good at my job, I have no need of it to confirm my self worth.
I’d spend more time drinking more coffee with friends and more time in the gym. Life is too short

Steakandchips3 · 19/03/2018 08:22

No I wouldn't. I would do some part time voluntary work though.

SD1978 · 19/03/2018 08:27

Nope. I’d start with doing nothing, and if and when that became tedious, would have a look at what else I fancied doing, on my terms and no one else’s. I’m sure I could still manage to fill my day!

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