Personal Finance (Not Investing) • Is three days per week the ideal work life balance?

Three days a week is a good work life balance for me. I have been working only 3 days a week (8 hour shifts) since age 24. Now I'm 43 and would like to work less. In fact, I'll probably cut back in the next couple years though I do worry about boredom especially during the winter months when the weather isn't as nice.

I am single, no kids, and no husband (maybe this helps me live cheaper ) to share household duties so I appreciate having days off to see to those on my own. I also am able to baby-sit my nieces/nephews one morning a week and help my parents now that they are getting older. And exercise takes up a lot of time.

I always felt like working 3 days a week helped prevent burnout as I work as an RN. Also, I was bringing home a part-time paycheck so thought I might need to work into my 70s to afford life. Well that was before I learned more about FIRE, how much is actually needed for retirement, etc.

I actually have enough in my "house fund" to pay off my mortgage now, but because of the low interest rate, I'll keep to the payments.
I don't have endless wants and don't live lavishly, but can still take vacations. My vacations aren't lavish either...I can go to Europe for 3 weeks for less than $3500 (well at least I did in 2019, maybe things cost more now).

It's not about about how much ones makes, but how much one saves. Many others around us, don't seem to get this. I have married co-workers who both work pretty much full time, and still have a tough time making ends meet.

I buy my used vehicle with cash, don't carry a balance on my credit cards, etc. And thankfully I started investing at 21 so compounding interest is beginning to work in my favor.

I feel confident that at the end of our lives, none of us will wish we would have worked more. I am an example of someone who has worked part-time nearly her whole career, and will probably still be able to retire early. It can be done!

Statistics: Posted by iln1980 — Fri Apr 05, 2024 12:54 am — Replies 100 — Views 7324

---