The need to work or not?

[Stumpy54321]

Hi
i recently gave up work with a view to having a bit of a break maybe 6 months or so. Had some health issues and just wanted to reset.
Financially I’m lucky that I am able to do this as I’ve only worked part time since having kids, (they are now grown up and working themselves) I havnt had to contribute to household bills just use my wages as I wanted. I’ve saved quite a bit over the last year knowing I was quitting work. My question is if you didn’t have to work financially would you? Would you miss the work life / home life and interaction with others

I don't have to work for financial reasons, however I do so as I really enjoy my job and I enjoy interacting with others. Also want to make sure I have a good pension when I retire!
I'm considering going part-time in the next few years

I think everyone has different variables on this!

Personally I 'need' to be busy - so although life is very hectic and I'm always on the go, I don't think I'd enjoy the ability to slow down and focus on non-work projects (I love them! But part of that is finding time for them and juggling priorities).

Lots of my family don't work and perpetuate the work-refusing, creating health issues to get signed off, life on benefits stereotype (not saying this is everyone, but some family members definitely!) ~ that scares me, the days sitting in front of the TV/gaming system, no social life, no purpose. But I'm sure there are ways to find a purpose outside of work - you just need to be careful not to get sucked into a life of monotony and boredom.

If I was mega rich (lottery win etc), no I wouldn’t work. I’d find something to do with my time that I enjoy.

Though I can’t imagine what it would be like to “never have to contribute to household bills”. Have never had anyone there to pay for my existence since I was a dependent child, nor would I expect anyone to fund me through life. I’d always want to pay my way so I would always need an income for that.

Thank you. Yeah I liked having the interaction with others, but I’m equally happy in my own company. Just sometimes feel that I should work because I can.

What an odd post. Presumably your savings won’t last indefinitely, and, if someone else has been paying your share of household bills since you had your now-adult children, you’ve in effect been being subsidised by a spouse for two decades or more — why would you want to be economically dependent on someone else for one second more than is strictly necessary? Stop thinking of your income as pin money.

I wouldn't want to feel dependant on anyone, so would always work for that reason. Not because I think DH might leave me in the shit - just because of my own self esteem.
I also like the social aspect of work, the mental exercise, and the feeling of being part of a team and being useful.
I don't have to work, I like working, and I'd probably do voluntary work at least some days per week if I won £££ or if I retire (whichever comes first).

So.... you've just been allowing another adult to fund your lifestyle, without a shred of guilt? I think you should absolutely be working and paying your fair share. That's a lot of pressure to put on a "partner"

DH could easily support the family and our lives would probably be a bit simpler if I stopped working. I work for 2 reasons. 1) I’m good and what I do and it took me a long time to get this job. 2) if something happens to DH or he becomes an asshole and I suddenly need a job, I want my current job, not whatever crappy, possibly low-paying job I can find because I’ve been out of the workforce.

I won’t stop working until I have enough saved to retire.

My OH is and has always been ok with this. He actually didn’t want me to go back to work after having the kids but I chose to and had always worked since. He’s a high earner and understands we don’t need my salary and supported me when I chose to stop working.

I would work part time. Maybe one or two days a week.

Another thing to think of is, you never know what's going to happen in a marriage.

And it's good to always have some independent finances. It's not good to depend on someone else for money. Also , if you get out of the world of work for a couple of years, it's harder to get back in to work.

My friend , who was happily married for 15 years. Her husband just had an affair , and they have now broken up

In deciding whether I ‘need’ to work I consider my personal pension and likely financial circumstances in the scenario of being single, I wouldn’t rely on DH’s earnings/pension. Applying that approach few of us don’t ‘need’ to work for financial reasons.

It’s easy for higher earning men to encourage their wife or partner to reduce or stop paid work - they are not the ones taking the huge risks.

What if worst case scenario, your marriage breaks up in the future?

A lot of marriages break up. It might not break up, but I would be realistic and prepare for worst case scenario.

Many men simply refuse to pay any maintenence after a break up too

If I had access to a few million o would definitely not work. I actually like my job, however I would leave straight away if won lottery etc.

I would not be bored at all and would fill my time with everything I enjoyed and travelling much more.

I would never live off a man, I’ve always paid my 50% share even on maternity leave. Infact I’ve probably contributed more. I’m just that way where I wouldn’t allow anyone to pay or keep me or pay for things for me, I’ve always moved that way. I couldn’t bare if my husband paid for everything. No hate if it’s worked for you guys that’s great, just be careful putting all your dependency on him because what happens if his heads turned will you be ok ?

I do understand that, but OH is happy with me giving up work. It was a physical job that I struggled with more and more. Someone once said to me ‘health over wealth’ and that’s true in many cases.

What if your OH leaves you in the future? It's a possibility. 50 percent of marriages end in divorce.

Of course he’s happy for you to stop work - there would be no risk for him, only for you. In the event of separation and you living to old age you would be the one with little money, poorer housing etc.

Do you have a good personal pension or alternative, eg assets?

Are you married?

Health now is obviously important, as is long term health. For the latter financial and housing stability are important. If you’re not married those are dependent on your DP’s ongoing goodwill. If you are married it depends on your likely settlement in the event of divorce.

Single, independent lady here, could live on passive income (frugally).

I've studied, built a career, I might as well keep earning for another few years and pay into my pension pot. Once my children are adults, I might move role to a job that requires travel and more excitement, or I might just retire to the Canaries.

I can't imagine what it's like to not pay a bill or a mortgage repayment. Very privileged indeed. Salary is pocket money, not the pot to fund the entirety of your lifestyle and 50% kids expenses. So many women live like this, it's very different to my life.

Yes I am married. Own house mortgage free now. I was never under any pressure to stop work my decision completely. Since we had the kids he’s happy to pay as he’s the much higher earner. I always paid for my car but that’s all paid now so have no outgoings.

I don’t have to work in the sense that we could afford for me to live off of DH but I’d never want that. Financial independence is so important to me, I’d never leave myself so vulnerable.

I have two different answers.
I don’t currently have to work, but I do because I don’t want to go cap in hand to DH for spending money and food shops. So I work so that I can contribute to our savings and also pay for things like the pets, anything our DS needs, food, presents etc.

If we won the lottery, then no, I wouldn’t do my current job anymore (well, I might cut it down to one day a week 🤣)
But I would open a cat rescue, keep ALL the cats and spend my days looking after them

I think I would possibly work only one or two days if I could get such a job. It's important for me to have structure in my life plus I enjoy the social aspect of work. Enjoy your break to reset OP.

I'd find a part time job that I absolutely love, or start a small business doing something that's enjoyable.

I certainly wouldn't go back to an office job if I didn't have to.