Reduce hours... how much or not at all?

fringe9434

can't let that slide *than

saajan_12

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81901823#Comment_81901823

What do you currently do with your weekends and afternoon(s) off? Eg is there a hobby or social activity or education? Could those do with additional time, or even some down time if those hobbies etc take up 100% of the time off?

Or would it just be whiled away and become the new normal, whereby you stretch out the same chores / life admin into 3 days instead of 2 a week? That can often not actually add to your quality of life.

I'd focus on what you'd do with the time, and base any hours reduction on that. If it wouldn't help much then I'd instead look into moving jobs instead of reducing hours.

GunJack

You've got minimum 26 years before you can access pensions, you want to upgrade your housing (and is just a flat going to be suitable for the rest of your life...think carefully), and you need a lot more in your pension.

Personally I'd be looking to pile as much as you can into pension and savings, not reduce hours yet (is another job possible?) and do this for at least another 19 years. That should give you time to sort housing properly, have enough in pensions and savings to be properly in a position to pack it in and still be young enough to do fun stuff.

Grumpy_chap

What, actually, is the reason for the OP wanting to reduce their hours?

NormalNorman

Stayed in Edinburgh most of my life but now just outside so know it well.

If you have reached the point where your assets are working for then if it were me I'd be working on my own terms.

I'm working two jobs but the beauty is I couldn't care less about either so just do the bare minimum. If I get the boot I have more than enough to get by. Probably an age thing.

Also allergic to any form of debt/financial commitment which gives you an unmatched sense of freedom and control.

Keep a job on but get out there and travel and immerse yourself in passions.

Cheers!

leosayer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902052#Comment_81902052

This is the first and most important question.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902048#Comment_81902048

The OP mentioned 'family wealth' - they own a £200K + flat outright at 31.

So maybe they are not so worried about building up a large pension pot, if a big inheritance is on the cards.

zagubov

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81901826#Comment_81901826

Some people would suggest taking off Wednesday. I know people who've said that it makes Tuesday feel like an extra Friday but that gets nullified by the fact that Thursday starts to feel like an extra Monday.

When I downsized my working week I based on the French school week and took Thursday off, like what OP's considering. That way there's only one Monday, and Wednesday's like an extra Friday! Turned out to feel exactly like that so Result!

Need to say though that going down to four days doesn't make you feel you're working less. It does do wonders for your work-life balance as you do notice and appreciate the 50% increase in days off to get stuff done.

MarlowMallard

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902372#Comment_81902372

Yes inheritance is probably on the cards… but a long way in the future. I have several friends age 58-62 with both parents living, and one of my father's friends lived to 101 when his eldest child was 78.

LHW99

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81901968#Comment_81901968

To me that means you should be looking for a new company (not necessarily job as such) where you could move up the ladder doing what you enjoy, but without the hassle you forsee at your current co.

Perhaps looking at a larger (or smaller) size co in the same line. Maybe abroad for a year or two to see the world.