Would you rather have no money and freedom or money and a job?

happyandcontented

I could give up work tomorrow, but I enjoy the mental stimulus and the interaction with (most!) colleagues. I only work part-time though so I do have the best of both worlds!

[Deleted User]

If I went with my gut instinct I’d opt for the no job and freedom option. Time is the most precious resource we have and for many people, myself included, work is just a means to an end rather than a fulfilling, meaningful part of life. Believe me a week in front of the office computer is just as boring as a week in front of the telly.
Only I wouldn’t sit in front of the telly all day if I didn’t have a job, but did have a small income, as there are loads of free or nearly free and money saving things I could do; cooking/baking, crafts, gardening, walking, library, local theatre etc.
However, I don’t have any income other than from work, so I’m going down the part-time employment route, just dropped to four days and hoping to drop to three in a year or so, and then carry on that way until I retire. But if I had the choice it would be another story…

MEM62

minimalist_baker wrote: »

Would you rather have no money and freedom OR money and a job that you are unhappy in?

Why does is have to be either or?

Firstly, look for job that you like rather than one you hate and then see whether you can find one that is flexible enough that you can retain some freedom.

Either or is rarely the wisest choice. As with most things in life a good balance is often the best option.

ReadingTim

You're not really free if you can't afford to do anything - you're imprisoned by a lack of money.

I have a job, and so am not (by your definition) free. But my job pays me money, and that money allows me to do anything I want. And my job only imprisons me 5 days out of every 7, whereas your lack of money imprisons you 7 days out of every 7.

So who's actually free?!? Me, rather than you, I feel...

lincroft1710

If you have no money how can you do want you want to do, unless you want to join the ranks of the homeless beggars

Marvel1

I'm trying to figure out what freedom I would have with no money.

minimalist_baker

Thanks all, some good and interesting opinions for me to chew over.

HardCoreProgrammer

It is not always a simple question of freedom vs money.
1. What if the job gives you so much stress that eventually renders you ill and incapable of further work and/or enjoyment?
2. What if the job takes over your life (e.g. google 996.icu) and leaves you with no spare time or energy to do what you want?

From my experience, we can strive to find one which:
1. is bearable and does not take over our lives, and pays enough to have freedom outside working hours
2. is unbearable and/or takes over our lives, but pays enough to quit and enjoy life before you have a breakdown

I am on option #2. Hopefully I can keep going for a few more years yet.

DigForVictory

I have a job & money & very little free time but what I have I enjoy.

Son on UC, has loads of time to apply for work (just the word epileptic spooks potential employers) so no job, some time & sock all money. You can be disabled enough to not get work but not disabled enough to get anything else.

Both of us agree we like my way better.

Miss_Moneysaver

Hi,

If I was in your position I would look for part time work - like someone has said, you'd have the best of both worlds!
I am 6 months away from mortgage freedom and would love to give up work especially as nightshifts in the NHS are killing me! I've just landed a new job (full time) and a promotion but it is 200 miles away and will involve a 3 night a week stay away from home. I have struggled big time to make a decision but I am seriously unhappy where I am now and I can use the experience, from this job, to move into the area where I want to work once I hit 50 (work from home and cushy hours).

But, I am very frugal so money isn't everything as long as bills are covered and the odd ice cream!