Going part time at work

I absolutely loved working part time, three days a week. Having Tuesday and Thursday off was enough to recharge my batteries, I could keep on top of the housework, cook, go out during the weekdays as it was quieter - or just potter about. I was probably more active seven days a week but I wasn't tired - I slept really well, too.

Had I been given the choice, I would have chosen either Friday or Monday for one day off, as that would have meant I had three days off in a row and could have gone away for long weekends more easily, but if I had the opportunity again, I'd take even a cut of one day a week like a shot.

Working shortened hours over five days was still better than fulltime, but not quite as relaxing.



You save a lot of money not having to fund as much in the way of work clothes (you can wash them on your day(s) off, rather than buy more), travel, as long as you aren't still having to buy a travelcard, lunches and from being too tired to cook or shop.

You have one life, so live it.

I too, dropped days. As a Civil Servant in 2012, I went from 37 hours to 32 over four days. I have m.e and fibromyalgia. At the same time, I was in the middle of a dmp. I was really concerned as to how we would manage financially but as my DH pointed out, I would be working one day less a week, one day less of packed lunch and sorting clothes out for work but furthermore would gain one day of my life back.

I finished the dmp in 2014 which was good but my health has been getting worse. The job I do, which I love - but don't like the office politics that go with it - was getting busier. It got to the stage where I had no energy so back in 2016, I dropped to 24 hrs over 3 days. I spent the first year filling my extra day off with shopping and jobs around the house - I think this was partly out of guilt to be honest.

My DH and I, have 'the talk' about twice a year, where I mention I'm worried about money but he very sensibly reassures me that I'm worrying unnecessarily. I think my worry is borne from having spent 11yrs on a DMP. I don't know why I beat myself up so much because I've not missed a bill, shop around for the best deal and my utilities are at the best rate they can be.

In terms of food shopping, I used to shop at Aldi a lot and when my DMP was paid off, eased off a bit but I can see this was a bad move as I don't get as much in my basket as I do in Aldi, so I'm back to concentrating on going back there. This has been eased by my purchase of The Savvy Shoppers Cookbook by Amy Shepherd. I'm not a lover of cook books because I usually only find one or two recipes I like, but with this one, I've found quite a few that I've gone back to. She bases her recipes on simple food that is healthy and wholesome, and a lot can be frozen which is good for the days I'm struggling. She also ensures that the ingredients can be bought from Aldi/ Lidl so that you aren't having to buy what can feel like 67million ingredients, to only use some of them once. This is one book that it is worth buying.

In terms of takeaway, we would have one takeaway a week but our local takeaway has been shut for 3 months now and its open day seems to be getting further away. During that time, I've learnt how to cook fried rice from the The Takeaway Secret cookbook. DH says that he prefers my fried rice to the takeaways so that's good and it means we save money. I just make things like fish curry (frozen whitefish from Iceland - 7pcs in a bag) and some Maykway curry powder or I use the Sainsburys 50p Sweet and Sour sachets, which are enough for two people so my takeaway is coming in well under the price of the shop.

I meal plan. Have always done monthly after cross checking what I have in the cupboard and basing the next months recipes around what is left. I try to ensure that the staples for 28-30 evening meals are in the cupboards/ freezer and then each week I will top up with milk, bread and fruit/veg. I have been rigidly sticking to my list and this month for instance have only spent £153 (this includes kitchen towel, loo roll, soap, shampoo) so I'm well pleased that I'm refusing to cave in to the special offers.

In terms of around the house, l've minimised some stuff (not that I had a lot dotted around anyway) but it's now much easier for me to clean and get around.

In terms of laundry, I get 2 days out of tops and trousers - it's not like I work in a dirty job as I am office based, so this eases up the load on ironing etc.

I've been on these boards for years, mainly as a lurker, but for your own peace of mind and health, I can honestly say that on days when I think 'ooh heck what have I done' (which I admit to last week when I was looking at other family members with new shiny purchases from the sales), my DH reminds me that they are having to get up 5 days a week to do be able to buy that and where does it get them? I know where he's coming from but I can't help but wish every now and again that I could just go out and make a few rash clothing purchases. Heavens knows why I think like this - I now hate clothes shopping !!!! When my sensible head is put on (a bit like Worzel Gummidge, changing heads), I know that I have nice life. I go to work three days a week and that's it. I get paid a decent wage and as we are sensible and careful with our money, it allows me to work 3 days per week. DH now works 4 days per week (he is on minimum wage btw) and has a 3-4 hr round commute each day but he never complains, even on days I feel guilty being at home whilst he is going out in the cold and coming home in the cold. As he reminds me, far better that I have time to rest up and recharge my batteries than have no batteries and energy at all.

Sorry for long post but hope this helps. x

I am in 4th year of 21 hours a week over Wednesday to Friday and loving it we was in position to pay majority off our mortgage off when we was both made redundant from previous jobs in 2010/11 and since then paid off fully we still save as enjoy holidays but as Suki said I have more time to look for a bargain. I shop at lidls/Aldi's with a list and menu plan. I wear dresses to work with woolly tights in winter find these don't need washing as much as separates . We grow veggies hit and miss still a learning curve for us, still help out with grandchildren with swimming lessons in preparation now for fully retiring in 3 years DH still works full time he would like to downsize hours but not an option in his present job so he has decided to carry on full time for next 3 years too squirrelling away as much as we can for retirement.