Would you work if you don't have to?

[Anonymous]

If you'd asked me a decade ago, I'd have said yes. Now I'm in my late 50s, and I am looking forward to wrapping things up -- creating a handbook for whoever takes my job over, providing a timeline that will allow for a smooth transition, and saying "See ya!"

I would still like to work or volunteer part time, but I am looking forward to doing things I enjoy in the amounts I enjoy them and not worrying about how much I'm getting paid.

[Anonymous]

I would start a business like a lot of the moms do in our neighborhood to give me some legitimacy but hire someone to do all the work,
and not have to stress much about profitability.

[Anonymous]

Work yea. Work at my job and 40+ hrs a week? No.

[Anonymous]

I could play piano do my art and read all day. I would travel when I wanted so definitely I would not want a job. The only think I would consider is freelancing career coaching on referrals per my own schedule as I'm interested. But yes - not having that commitment and honestly for the next few years I would still be "working" because my kids are in MS now. Post HS I would def reeeelax lol!

[Anonymous]

Probably. But then there are days (like today) that I very much wish I didn't have to.

[Anonymous]

I'm only 43 so yes I'd work. But I can see feelings changing around 55+. But I must have something to do and to get me out of the house. Not interested in consulting. Not sure what it would be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No--I would volunteer instead.

What kind of volunteer work? How many hours a week do you envision?

I'm currently a bus driver (and former nanny--neither of which I envisioned when working my way through school!) I see a lot of unfulfilled needs in the community. I'd probably do oral histories--collect people's life stories, and transcribe them (or pay someone else to) which I think can be a real gift to families. I'd also volunteer in something related to literacy and early childhood education.

If money were no object, I'd figure out a way to open a senior center that meets more needs of seniors (especially indigent seniors) with medical care (vaccines, meds, nail trims for diabetics or people who can't do their own), food bank, meals on wheels type thing, social things like games, exercise classes, movies, book clubs, legal help, housing help etc. So many poor people, especially older people, just ride around on the bus all day because they have nothing else to do and nowhere to go. It's very, very sad. Many are clearly lacking proper medical care. I think this would be a great use of a dead/dying mall. Also, maybe mix in a preschool/head start program. We need to do better for our aging and poor.

[Anonymous]

I quit working at 52 when my youngest was almost out of college and never looked back. My spouse was a SAHM and hadn’t been “working” either.

It was one of the smartest decisions of my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would never want to SAH while DH worked. If we could both f off and travel together, then I'd quit in a second. But I'd never leave him to bring in all the bacon.

This is us. I currently work, so does DH. Both in high pay jobs. Neither of us has to work at this point, and we could comfortably retire on what we've saved. But if we keep working we'll be mooooreee comfortable. And there are days when i'm not busy, or work wraps up by 4:30 and i'm bored and restless. And i remind myself that i would go insane doing that for two weeks by myself.

I also don't know how some people sleep at night, letting their spouse go off and work all day while they, well, don't work. Every day I have worked is one less day my spouse has to work.

But i do look forward to retiring by 52 or so, with DH, and getting to do the second half of life that way.

I'm glad you relate! We aren't well off/make a ton (downright poor on dcum standards LOL) but we have a very healthy savings and house is almost paid off. I'd rather us both retire early and enjoy our time together, rather than send him to slaughterhouse while I sit on my ass haha.

[Anonymous]

I don’t need to work, but I continue to work full time. I enjoy my job and get a lot of fulfillment and intellectual stimulation from it. I did, however, choose a job that has lower pay and more work/life balance than I would have otherwise.

[Anonymous]

No. I would foster dogs and grow flowers full time.

[Anonymous]

I would go PRN (nurse).

[Anonymous]

I don't have to work but until I figure out what I want to do with my days, I'm going to keep working as my job is interesting (to me), ever changing, not that hard and pays well. I'm able to do what I want and don't have anything I want to do that I can't do right now. Until that happens, why not keep working?

[Anonymous]

At a minimum, I'd work part time. I like many aspects of my work, and I really enjoy my colleagues, who provide lots of intellectual stimulation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading the work-life balance thread got me thinking: would you stay at your job if you have enough money in the bank/a large enough trust fund/a DH who makes $$$?

I wouldn't hold a job. I would still work on my health, my family, my home, my hobbies, my neighbors and anyone who can use my help. I would travel, read, garden and cook.

Our existence, worth and fulfillment doesn't and shouldn't depend on a job. Job is a way to make living, not what I live for.