not working for first time in 30 years!

[sparkybint]

For the first time in my life (I'm 52) I'm not working. I finally resigned before Christmas from a lousy job I'd been in for over 3 years which was making me very unhappy. I've worked non-stop since graduating (apart from 6 months maternity leave) so that's over 30 years in full-time work. I was also the breadwinner when I was married. I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying being at home with DD (10)and she's loving it. I have plenty of interests (I write and paint) and like my own company too. I'm a single parent and have a great home with no mortgage or debt. Apart from that I have a few grand in savings and I'm getting the usual benefits which amount to around £500 per month. With my savings I could last for around a year not working. I feel like a weight has lifted from me and I've never felt more positive.

I have loads of administrative/customer service experience and the employers whose jobs I've applied for so far have all given me interviews. But I know I'm not ready to go back yet. I'm just concerned that if I'm out of work too long it won't look good although I could of course say I'm on sabbatical! I can live quite frugally and don't need the newest this that and the other - I actually enjoy scouring charity shops and not wasting things. I'd be interested to know if anyone has given up work and lived on a considerably reduced income and how it worked out for them.

i wish i was in your situation. Apart from the money bit we are very similar, age, child work length etc but i am unwillingly out of work and cannot manage on our income - as the higher earner we relied on my money. I havstrted a course and am still trying to get work. I am sure better times are round the corner but at the moment they are not in sight.
Hope to benefit from tips on managing on less tho!
Well done, you seem sorted ani wish you well.

Hi overthemill, I wish you well too! How long have you been looking for work, what course are you doing? It seems there's still one wage earner in the household, but that it's not enough. Is there no way you can cut back (I assume there isn't, sorry for asking). Even though I don't have a mortgage, I'm on my own, and that can be a bit scary sometimes....

I'm in your situation as well at the moment, but I'm hating it. I have not found any paid jobs so far, but am looking and have applied for some volunteer jobs to keep my skills up to scratch and get another reference.
I'd certainly reccomend volunteer work as lots of charities need admin volunteers to do typing, answer phones etc. This is an excellent website.

www.do-it.org.uk

As for living on reduced earnings well I can do it but it is a pain and its always nice to have extra money.

Hi Horsey, yes I've thought about the volunteering route as well. I agree, reduced money is tough and I'm OK at the moment but once my savings really start to dwindle, it's going to be hard. Especially when DD wants something new.

I discovered something nice yesterday though, if you're on JSA and have a school age child, you can get a £500 grant for a PC! What sort of work are you looking for? I do so wish I could come up with an idea and work for myself - don't think I've got it in me unfortunately.

SparkyBint - if you continue not to work, would you have enough for a pension? What about if your DD wants to go to university and needs fees paying? Those kinds of things would worry me actually. But if they don't worry you or you have them covered then YIPPEE! Enjoy yourself, you certainly deserve it after all yur hard work :-)

Hi Sparky - have you thought about signing on at a couple of agencies regarding temp work? There may not be much around at the moment anyway but at least it would help to bridge a gap on your CV. Then, if a few days work does come up, you can choose whether to take it and the extra income is always welcome provided, obviously, this doesn't impact on your benefits.

Another word of warning, you sy you are 52 and unfortunately, whether you like it or not, you may be moving into the period where you might be discriminated against because of your age. Even with current legislation, employers are still less attracted to older people and frequently cite all sorts of other reasons for not selecting them. You say you've had interviews but have you been offered anything? I was made redundant at 50 and it took almost a year and 70 applications later to get another job. At the same time I was a single parent with my son at Uni - times were hard; so I wholeheartedly agree with Orissiah re anticipating Uni costs which with living costs now top £10K a year.

Nevertheless, I can appreciate your sense of freedom...having slogged away for 30 years, enjoy the peace and relaxation while you can.

Wizzie

Thanks, yes am concerned about the future. Have a small pension and own a home in an expensive area so could always down-size. Will also get a bit of inheritance when my lovely parents die. So although I'm enjoying my time off, I'm now thinking along the lines of part-time or will sign up for temping as you suggest Orissiah.

Yes, have been offered a job Wizpunzel, age has never actually been mentioned because it's accepted that DOB doesn't have to go on CVs anymore and I'm very youthful-looking. They do know how old I am though because of qualification dates etc. If the goevernment wants us all to work until we're 70, those old attitudes will have to change! Can always get a job at B&Q I suppose....

sparky, i'm doing a p/t pgce for teaching adults as my normal work involves lots of training so it made sense. I hope to get p/t work soon tho!

Sparky, It sounds like you are in a wonderful place so enjoy your time with your DD and your time on your own - these chances come along so infrequently!!

Two years ago, I gave up my job which was over 50% of the family income and am now a sahm mum of three - not the same as you as have DH's income but the reduction in income was a bit of a shock. I have become better at looking at everything I spend and challenging it.

Changing to the latest tariff on gas / elec twice a year can save a few pounds a month - in our case, quite a few!! A cheap mobile phone contract (there are £5 sim only pay monthly ones available if you negogiate including free texts and minutes) can be cheaper than a land line. I sometimes so the weekly shop in more than one supermarket.

Negogiate on everything - if you don't already! I've been surprised, 15% on a bag I was buying for my Mum's Christmas present, significant reductions on work that needed doing on the house - in some cases I told them what i wanted to pay and manage to get the price down by 15%.

Don't worry about the gap in your CV, age discrimiantion may well work in your favour when you go back!! and I know what you mean about wanting to work for yourself but "not sure if you have it in you" - why not use this time off to think about what you would like to do and give it a go!!

Enjoy!! and good luck!!

Thank you Deirdre! Have already changed my tariff and have started keeping a spending diary. Feel so positive and more in control of my future, strangely enough. Waiting to hear about some volunteer positions and have an interview next week for part-time work behind reception at a local GP's. Always fancied that as I like dealing with the public.

Topped up with tax credits it's not much less than I was earning doing full-time.
And if I don't get it I won't panic - as you say a gap in my CV (for all the right reasons) shouldn't look too bad. Glad not working is suiting you, it's given me a whole new lease of life

I'm looking for basic clerical and admin positions where I can do data input, photocopying, etc. A lot of charities have an office and need someone to do typing, mailshots etc. www.do-it.org.uk features a lot of these opportunities and it also might be worth getting in touch with a local hospice or somewhere similar as they tend to need admin people.

I wish I could be self employed as well! If only I had the knowledge, contacts to do so.