I'm doing it .... I am giving up work!!!

dizzy_lizzie

Hi Muppet81. Well done on your decision. You'll love it. I've given up my Fridays and now work four days a week and the three day weekend (kind of) is bliss.
Yes my wage is lower and I need to get the overdraft down but I am so much happier. I don't feel that my life revolves around work all the time.
You may have come across this website before but just in case you haven't it's got some great ideas, meals etc http://www.frugal.org.uk/recipes.html
Enjoy your new life
Luvz Dizzy x

sparklymessygirl

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

I've given up my Fridays and now work four days a week and the three day weekend (kind of) is bliss.
Yes my wage is lower and I need to get the overdraft down but I am so much happier. I don't feel that my life revolves around work all the time.
Luvz Dizzy x

Dizzy Lizzie - like you I have decided to downshift and yesterday :eek: I went from a full time job to working 3 days a week. The reality is yet to kick in but I already have more room in my head (if you know what I mean!). I am watching the pennies rather fanatically at the moment as taking a huge drop in salary and haven't got a second salary coming in.....but I'm hoping that I will get into the groove as time goes by.

Good luck to the Muppet! :j

Sparkly

dizzy_lizzie

Hi sparklymessygirl
Well done on your decision too. I'm hoping to get more organized with my Fridays so they have an impact during the week eg. menu planning/shopping etc. Have tried this before, it works but I'm not very consistent
If you google frugal living there are some great websites that you can go on to help with the pennies. They're interesting too.
Luvz Dizzy x

seven-day-weekend

Hi there,congratulations on your imminnet retirement!

We 'downsized' workwise in 2002 when we were 52 and 53. I did three days a week and my husband did 2.5 . His 2.5 days were different every term, (timetabling problems - he was a secondary school teacher), but we made sure he always had Fridays off so that we could do something together.

In 2004 we retired completely,(hence my user name); he took his Teachers' Pension and we came to live here in rural Spain. We can live a simple lifestyle on this as the cost of living is lower than the UK.

In January 2010 I will get my full State Pension and we will spend more time in the UK (we still have our house in the Midlands) and use it as a base for more travelling.

In 2014 he will get his State Pension and I will get my Local Government one, so should be OK.

My main tip is, to make sure you enjoy your free time, don't just use it working in one way or another . I know some people who just fill it with housework!

Best of luck and enjoy your retirement..

chesky369

"If anyone has any pointers it would a great help"

The one thing I would definitely recommend is to avoid any Retirement Fairs. They are simply too depressing for words - went to one a few months back and came out feeling suicidal - full of stands of people wanting to help you make your will, or arrange equity release. Nothing about art or music or photography or any of those great things we now have time for. Stay away from them.

Muppet81

I have really enjoyed reading all your replies.

In an age when it seems that the focus is on work,work,work, that so many of you have decided that a simpler life is a better one.

Sparklymessygirl - When I went from full time, well paid to 3 days on a much lower income I was amazed to find that I seemed to be better off. In my full time job I indulged in too much retail therapy. "I have had a bad morning and I work hard for this , so I am going to treat myself as I have earned it". I spent a fortune that way. Amazing how that need goes when the stress dissapears. Enjoy your life!

Dizzy Lizzie - I agree. Reducing from 5 days (otherwise known as 24/7) was the best decision I ever made in life. Apart that is from marrying wonderful OH who has been behind me in all this and 100% supportive.

Steveky. That is an interesting thought. I had had no intention of looking for a proper job so had not even thought of going for benefit. 18 months ago I was, for the first time in my life out of work and did sign on for contribution based JSA. Got to say that I hated the experience and said I would never repeat it. As I don't want work, it would feel a bit fraudulant to be going for JSA and "pretending to look for work. That said, a few months money would be handy and I have worked for only ever had 4 weeks out of work in my life and have not even had any maternity leave. Perhaps I ought to put on a mercenary head for once. I will give that some thought and see if my scruples could cope . As I have paid very little by way of contributions in the past 18 months due to my low income, would I actually get anything if it iss contribution based?

Seven-day-weekend. I love your user name and your life sound fabulous. Rural Spain. Wow! You do sound to have got it right.

I am feeling really excited now about the prospect of my days of baking, gardening and enjoying life.

Best wishes to all all who are in the same or similar boat:j