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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:

Ragwort · 19/03/2018 08:35

I could afford to be a SAHM for 12 years - I really enjoyed it, we were 'comfortably off' so I could enjoy a nice lifestyle - own car, money to go out and about, visit friends etc - we weren't 'scraping by' to enable me to be a SHAM, IYKWIM. I used to do loads of volunteering in areas that interested me.

However, I now work part time in a role that I love (similar to the sort of volunteering I used to do) - not particularly well paid but really enjoyable work, loads of autonomy and freedom to chose the hours I work- I love it and genuinely look forward to going to work .

So would I give that up now? Not really sure. .

If I didn’t have my DD, I’d be very happy staying at home though - that's a good point, not going out to work and not being tied to young children/school pick ups etc are two entirely different things .

AnnabelleLecter · 19/03/2018 08:53

We're working on never going to work again as we're both looking to retire early when DH's 55 and I am 53, so only 4 years to go. I like my job and have a couple of close friends. I like the salary, bonus and benefits too.

scurryfunge · 19/03/2018 09:03

I stopped working full time at 50, sold up and moved to a much cheaper part of the country (DH is a high earner so that helps). I was bored after 6 months and have started volunteering and have also picked up a few hours a week in a low paid but non stress job. I was starting to become a hermit so I'll keep going for a bit longer.

joystir59 · 19/03/2018 09:04

I am not sure cos even though I love what I do (mosaic artist) I do love the wonga coming in

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 19/03/2018 09:04

I don’t need to work financially although extra money is always useful, but I’m looking at going back after a really long time as a sahm and into my 50’s now. It’s tough at my age and having been out for so long to actually get to interview stage, but I’m persevering. DH won’t be retiring any time soon, and whilst I love being at home, loads to do all the time, I feel it’s now or never with the next stage of my life which involves being back in the workplace. I have an interview coming up, for a job I really want.

DH happy for me to work or not, he’s supportive of my choice.

You can never win though. Sahms are lazy. Going back to work when I don’t need to is selfishly taking a job from someone who needs it more.

ALittleAubergine · 19/03/2018 09:09

Not in my current job. But I'd probably take the opportunity to find out if there was such a thing as my dream job. Take on extra training, build high level connections, trial and error. Things I can't afford at the moment.

Yvest · 19/03/2018 09:10

100% yes. My husband is an extremely high earner and my salary barely makes a dent into our income but it’s absolutely fundamental to my mental health. My husband is ill and probably don’t live for a very long time. Although we will be financially secure through his work benefits having my work and knowing that I will have an income and something totally away from being surrounded by my thoughts has brought home just how much more than money my work is.

Mayday01 · 19/03/2018 09:13

I love my job and feel strongly about the cause behind it, but it has a level of responsibility that makes my arse twitch everyday.
So I wouldn't work, but would volunteer.

Rumpledfaceskin · 19/03/2018 09:13

No way.

lulufoo · 19/03/2018 10:49

No, I stopped working 4 years ago when I had enough financial security (through my investments, not DH's salary). I don't need work for structure, status or social contact. I keep myself busy with studying, sport and hobbies that are fulfilling, with the freedom of knowing I can stop at any time. We've also done a major house renovation, and had illness in the family which was pretty time consuming and stressful. Love being able to be there for my dc and other family members, and being able to travel when I want.

Original poster

Brighteststars · 19/03/2018 11:50

Really interesting to hear all the different points of view. I'm currently a sahm- no financial need to work. But the children are getting older and I'm trying to plan ahead. I think I may need work for me! Not sure how I'll feel when they are off to university etc! So I guess I'm looking for my next "baby"... not literally!! And that may well be a job I can get stuck into. Hard though after years of "freedom"... a nice decision but a tough one!

OP posts:

NotUmbongoUnchained · 19/03/2018 11:55

My husband stayed home with our last baby because I’m a high earner. He’s also a high earner so I could stay home if I wanted to.

We both choose to work though. We love money and we both loving keeping our minds busy and worked very hard to get our jobs.

lougle · 19/03/2018 11:58

Yes, for sure. I had 8 years 'out of work' because DD1 has SEN, but in that time I chaired a preschool management committee, chaired a children's centre partnership board, sat on Admission Appeals panels for the local authority, served as a Governor for DD1's school and served as the special school governor on the Local Authority's Select Committee for Children and Young People. After 8 years at home, I decided to return to my former profession. We're actually slightly worse off with me working than we are if I claim Carers Allowance, but I am more stimulated by working. I did do 23 hours a week, but now only do 12 hours because I also care for my Mum.

feral · 19/03/2018 12:00

I would but not in my current role (social work).

Ginorchoc · 19/03/2018 12:03

I’d take a year out and then reevaluate what to do on my terms. What a luxury to have 🤞🏻

Scotlass · 19/03/2018 12:11

In my current role no way, far too much stress and responsibility for the wage so if money was available that covered outgoings and enough to run a car and have a holiday I'd quit tomorrow.
I'd rescue a much longer for dog, volunteer for a few hours a week, do some classes (I've always wanted to lean Spanish), spend time with family and friends and have a lovely tidy house.
The year maternity leave I had with DS 9yrs ago was my happiest time ever but sadly financially DH and I both need to work full-time to pay the bills and support older DC through uni..

MaidenMotherCrone · 19/03/2018 12:11

No never. Work is a means to an end. It doesn't define who I am. I'd go back to doing what I did before circumstances changed and I needed a job. I'd have a smallholding again and have lovely time.

SummerRoberts · 19/03/2018 12:21

No i wouldn't work. The only reason I do work is because we'd be broke if I didn't.
I'd fill my days with exercise, cooking and baking (I love baking especially but never have the time), I'd rescue a dog or two and spend time with them. I'd meet up with friends that work part time or not at all and my mum who works part time. I'd visit my sister who is a student in another city. I'd be able to keep the house a lot more reasonable than I do now. I'd spend more time with my grandma. I'd learn to drive.

Ok I know I can do a lot of these things now but I work very long hours and don't always get the chance to cram everything into weekends.

I hate working full time. I don't like anybody that I work with and I have no job satisfaction but we're TTC and I don't want to get another job and then fall pregnant and not be entitled to any maternity pay because I haven't been there long enough. Looks like I'm stuck with it for now.

MilkyCoffeeAndSkinnySyrup · 19/03/2018 12:21

Yes I could. I would find it really boring without some form of adult companionship!

Hoppinggreen · 19/03/2018 12:23

No
I work the odd day when I come across a project that interests me and I have 2 voluntary positions that take maybe 1 day a month but other than that I would rather not

JackietheBackie · 19/03/2018 12:29

I wouldn’t carry on working F/T in the NHS. I would love to do more study, research and campaigning type work. Financial freedom would give me way more balance to explore my creative side.

Momo27 · 19/03/2018 15:22

Perhaps not in my current role, but yes I would definitely continue working in some form. I get a lot out of work, it challenges me and I also have a bloody good laugh with my colleagues, as well as the salary and pension

Lazypuppy · 19/03/2018 16:27

100%, i'd be too bored staying at home all week

AttheC0alFace · 20/03/2018 11:08

I work to pay bills, holidays , hobbies, savings and to plan for retirement. Potentially, I could have 30 years in retirement ! I enjoy my work, but I enjoy my time out of work more with family and friends. I have also worked and volunteered at the same time

Dingdong1975 · 21/03/2018 19:34

DH earn enough for me to stay at home but I hated it. I don't always enjoy my current job but I am a lot happier now than then. If we won few millions, we will definitely quit our jobs and busy with something else.

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