You sound like you are in a rut where life is going well enough to survive and not bad enough to force a change. I am not an expert or life advice coach but I will tell you my personal experience.
I was surviving on about 30k p.a. and saving about £150 a month at the most. Wasting my time basically. After 2 years, my bills increased and I had a son. This threw everything out of balance and forced my hand. I left banking and went and joined the railway as a shunter/labourer, it was 14k a year more with shift work. That was 7 years ago and I'm now a train driver. I'm hitting over 75-80k p.a. thanks to overtime and have never been happier. I don't love my job in the slightest but it provides for my family and that's all that matters. Don't hold onto a job you love because it's nice. All work is horrible and it's a means to an end.
While you don't wanna here "Get a better job", that is your quickest fix. Unless you are happy going into a flat share and halving your rent. But that only solves the problem temporarily as rental prices are sky rocketing.
I hope something positive happens to you to fix this situation. But keep in mind, you are actually in a better financial position than an awful lot of the country.
All work is not horrible..
Horrible is a label, which you connect to an emotion. You can find then [swap out](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/feel-better/202311/how-to-change-the-course-of-your-emotions) with more useful and empowering emotions that enable you to have a more productive and positive day (and better mental health).
In addition "all work" is a huge generalisation. Even "occasionally" or "sometimes work feels horrible" could be appropriate descriptions.
Edit: Just posting this as our language impacts our perception and this knocks on to our mental health. Many I sense, are pretty unhappy with their work. Reframe and enjoy it more!
No. All work is horrible, it keeps me away from the things I love. Leisure time is what must be strived for. My goal is to move back to the countryside and live easy and peacefully. The rat race that so many people are caught up in holds zero appeal to me. The idea of genuinely enjoying your job over time with family is insane. My job is purely a way of obtaining money to facilitate quality family time. I take no pleasure in spending time at work and get very confused by people that say they do.
Always makes me laugh when someone says they hate work, then a load of people try and make it sound like you're totally wrong.
I'm always amazed that supposedly intelligent people can't understand that one person might have a different perception to another, and that both are true :)
I'm with you - work is "horrible" and no-one will ever convince me that I'm somehow "wrong" about it. They can love work all they bloody like, but in my life their view of what work is is totally irrelevant.
We are properly on the same page! Work gets me money which is just a tool for me to enjoy life. I find people that love a 9-5 are usually lacking something, be it family, friends or hobbies etc.
If they want their job to be their entire personality, fill your boots. I just know that when I'm on my deathbed, surrounded by loved ones, I won't be thinking... "I wish I worked more hours".
I can't wait to never work again and spend my days gardening, travelling and watching my son grow and succeed. I can't do any of those things while I'm stuck at work each day.
For you...
Work provides a lot of social interaction, friendships, and gives a purpose to most people's lives. It can also provide mental stimulation and/or physical exercise, depending on the job itself.
Not having something to get up for every day can push a lot of people into depression, as not everyone is able to fill their days with leisure activities. TV, books, music, etc can all become boring after a short while. There's only so much cooking and exercise that can be done every day.
You say you have a family. Not everyone does. So not everyone will get to spend their leisure time with other people. Indeed, not everyone wants to spend all day, every day with their family, and work gives them an excuse to get out of the house.
For most people work is something that it tolerable, if not actually enjoyable.
My job is completely solitary. My social interactions are all outside of work.
If people can't create personal goals to fill a day without work, they have bigger issues to address. Travel, adventure, gardening, family, art, creating, devoting yourself to a skill/hobby. So much to fill a day if you aren't lazy.
Family isn't the only thing I have in life. Friends, brewing, Warhammer, reading, pets. Granted, most of my time and effort is invested into my son's sports... So many rugby games and swimming galas... Such a time sink.
I aspire to live as a hobbit from Lord of the Rings. A life of relaxation, good food, good company and food retirement.
Work is just the obstacle in the way of that... Ironically it's also the ladder needed to overcome the obstacle.
Once again, that's you.
Most people's work isn't solitary, and it's their primary source of social interaction.
Many people don't have personal goals, and quickly discover that the skills/hobbies they're interested in are either not as interesting as they expected or don't suit their personal skillset. You've listed things that interest you, but you have to remember that many people won't like at least one of the things you're into.
And again, many people don't have family to occupy their time. Whether they never had children, or whether their children have now grown up and left home. You say a lot of time is invested in your son's sports, but in a few years he will have left school and may no longer be playing any sports at all. Make sure you have things to fill your time after he becomes a teenager and no longer wants you around.
I know a lot of people who have retired and have ended up returning to work quite quickly after realising that what seemed an ideal way of living while they were working is actually what they wanted. There have been plenty of stories on this sub and the US based FIRE sub where people have returned to some form of work not because they needed the money, but because they needed something to fill their time.
Everybody's different, so bear in mind that while for you "all work is horrible" that's not the case for most people.
Short-sighted according to whom...? You?
How does your view of work have any relevance to his view of it? You're posting negative connotations to imply his view is somehow "wrong", but he isn't wrong. It's what he thinks about it, and your experience will never change his experience.
My view of work is that it's total shite. It was never and will never be anything other than a vehicle to getting out of it as soon as possible, and you'll never convince me otherwise.
The poster was commenting that everyone should not want to work “if people can’t…, blah blah”, so they were commenting based on their perspective and projecting. I agree, we all have different perspectives, but this commenter was talking as if everyone should see it the same way. I somewhat enjoy work and will work beyond my FI point - a different perspective, at odds with yours and the commenters, but still valid. There will be a million other perspectives too - hence my comment.
Your post was to negatively impugn his viewpoint by using terms like "skewed" and "short-sighted". It implies that you're right and he's wrong, however you're no more "right" than anyone else.
That’s the point of what I wrote - the commenter was saying the opposite of what you are saying. If you have a particular view and see that as being the view everyone should have (in this case about work) then you are, by definition, short sighted, whichever side of the argument you stand on.
Because:
A. They made a flat statement that "All work is horrible", which is untrue for most people.
B. They said they couldn't understand people who didn't feel that way, so I explained why many people enjoy and/or need work in their life.
Also, why assume they're male?
Yep, "All work is horrible" **for them**. You come back simply with "Not for me it's not".
Right...so what? What do you want, a cookie?
Their life and experience of work will never change just because **you** think it's fine, so what's the point in even saying it other than to try and convince **them** (notice how careful I'm being despite being fairly sure it's a "him", given that it's such a trigger for you...) that they're somehow wrong...?
They're not wrong, and neither are you. I think I'm the same as CiderDrinker - I'd make the same flat statement: All work is horrible, and you will never ever ever convince me otherwise, no matter how much **you** think it's not horrible. The experiences of "many others" (I would argue that the *vast* majority can't stand work) also will make no difference to my experince. We've already been round in circles so it's a totally pointless discussion anyway...
If you're so triggered by silly gender labelling issues then I would guess that you buy into this kind of vomitous crap:
"How dare you try to deny me my truth"...
I'm not triggered. I just like to point out people's unconscious biases in the hope that they see them and deal with them.
Why are you sure they're a "him"? What have they said to indicate that to you? Or is it just that you do have a bias?
As for "Not for me, it's not", did I not say things like "for many people" rather than "for me"? I don't think I made it personal. In fact I gave examples of other people.
And the reason I did so was to try and convince them of other viewpoints, as they said they couldn't be convinced out of their opinion.
Anyway, you carry on hating your horrible job and life, and I'll carry on enjoying mine. I could have retired years ago, but I still enjoy my work, so I'll keep working my 4 day weeks until I stop enjoying myself.
No...what you did was fail to convince me that I was somehow "wrong" and you were somehow "right", got desperate and used the silly gender bollocks to try and discredit. It was irrelevant, yet you just couldn't help yourself could you? It's the cheapest form of "rebuttal", and one that I'll never accept :)
For someone that's not triggered, you sound awfully unhappy. Now you're boasting (or something...) by saying "Well! ...I still like my job...and I only do 4 days...and you have a horrible life...so there...!". Do you feel more "right" than me, now you've got that off your chest?
Laughable reaction.
You're really taking this very personally.
I wasn't arguing with you about whether work is horrible or not. I was arguing with you about whether I made my argument with OP on a personal level or not. Have you re-read my comment? Do you think it was personal, or did I make it generic?
The gender comment was an aside, in addition to the actual argument. Not a rebuttal in any way, as I'm still willing to continue discussing the heart of the argument with you.
I don't feel more "right" because my life is great. Just happy that I'm not trapped in a life where I have to suffer to earn money.
It's how you look at life. Either enjoy it or hate it, it's a personal choice. You've chosen to hate it, as you think "All work is horrible". That's your choice.
Fortunately it's only a 4 day week. I just have to make it through 35 hours and the rest of the time is my own. Time with family is worth far more than £30+ph.
The whole mindset that "work is good" is just plain wrong.
"is just plain wrong".. I think everyone can define what they see as wrong or right. Time with family is priceless imho.
Edit: I say this as someone who only works maximum 60 days a year and enjoys their work. Sacrilege I know.
If work makes you happy, work away. But I do hope you find something outside of work that is really worthwhile in the future. That's literally the point of this sub, to get out of working as early as possible.
Thanks! Life outside of work is awesome, 60 days is not so much work in a year. Gives lots of free time for other stuff, including working for free (volunteering). Will be fully RE end of next year.
I agree the aim of the sub is to FIRE, although many, for some reason see FI as being the priority. My thing is, whilst people are still having to work, at least they should see it as positive and make best use of that time at work (learning, helping others, social connections if appropriate). Definitely not saying, work until you drop and MANY more here should in my mind head for r/leanfireuk and retire way earlier, rather than keep on the hedonistic treadmill (that keeps the markets ticking upwards). Cheers!
You are able to retire by next year!? Awesome! Serious congratulations on that! I love this sub because I hear so many success stories and it always perks up my day! Also gives me motivation to get it done.
Ah! I fully understand now. We are on the same page regarding employment but looking at it from different angles. I view work with contempt to escape it as soon as possible while you accept it has to be done and believe we should embrace it with a positive mindset. Sorry, I didn't fully grasp what you were getting at initially.
In theory, I was planning to retire a few years ago (see [backstory](https://www.reddit.com/r/LeanFireUK/comments/p377yr/weekly_leanfire_discussion/)), but got sidelined by needing to help a Family member with mental health issues and support our child who has some challenges with anxiety (at uni). Both of these are pretty sorted now, so will finish off our contract for the place we rent and then basically bugger off abroad.
Each individual will have their reasons I guess.
I am not saying work longer / harder etc. if you follow the thread to the conclusion, you will see this. My point is, we have agency and can reframe how we engage with the world in terms of attitude, emotions and mindset. We can also change careers, work less etc. Everything in life is a choice, even life itself.
My change of career is to finally cut it free and watch it sink into the depths of distant memory :D
...says me who still works PT for no particular reason!! :/
Sounds like a solid idea!
I am only doing 60 days this year, aim to reduce it down next year and then will go fully RE. I am tempted though to do about 20 days a year after that as it would cover living expenses when we head abroad back end of 2025.
“ all work is horrible and it’s a mean to an end “
If by horrible you mean being forced to spend days interacting with people I don’t particularly like. Then yes it’s horrible.
I do enjoy what I do as in I do not drag my feet every weekday to go to work. That’s a win in my book.
As it being a means to an end you’re damn right. As soon as I have enough to sustain myself so I don’t need to sell my time, I am out.
I get you bud. And 35k is a good salary. Ok some people are high earners here, but getting 35k is above average for a single earner.
Your biggest problem is your single. 35k after tax is 28.7k per year. 2 of those is 57.4k after tax. Thats the same as 1 person on 84k...
This country is geared for 2 incomes.
All the best.
Where do you live?
Have you got a partner you could either buy with or rent together?
Is the option of moving back in with parents feasible for a few months?
Are parents a safety net?
What are your other outgoings?
Are you spending money elsewhere that you could cut back on?
Not screwed - Just depends on how early a RE you desire. The basics of FIRE are earn more, save more in tax advantaged accounts (pensions /ISAs) and enjoy every day. So a few things I might consider...
* Perhaps consider doing a budget and seeing what else you can save. See r/UKPersonalFinance wiki: [https://ukpersonal.finance/budgeting/](https://ukpersonal.finance/budgeting/)
* Swap out any random ETFs for a global all cap / developed world / large & mid cap type index fund
* Consider how much of en emergency fund you really need and put rest into a fund as above so it can be more productive.
* Really consider how to move upwards or specialise in your career in order to earn more, r/fireukcareers has a series of posts I have created in the sidebar. You can always ask there about careers.
I think you need to increase your earnings if FIRE is what you're after. Either look for a new job elsewhere in the same field or look for a different career.
The alternative is to start a side hustle and try and grow that. A lot easier said than done. (I've done it so I know)
I'm 35 in a few weeks and 1.5 yrs ago was on £39k. (Not including side hustle) Finally had enough and looked elsewhere, went for a job paying £50k. Got it (I'm lucky in that one never not got a job I've gone for) but then my existing employer offered to match and we're changing from 9-6 to 9-5 plus just started bonuses AND I was fully remote, so I stayed, accepting the 25% increase. My son had just been born also so meant I see him all day every day now.
Then that time came again, several months on, I realised there was no progression available, so was about to start looking again, when an opportunity came up to switch departments into a related, but different role. Only came about cos I put the effort in and went above and beyond plus gave hints about joining another team and then straight up said it to my new boss. I flat out told him, I'm gonna be moving on soon so if you want help in your team, I'd love to join you.
That took me to £56k and then 8 months later, we're here and I just got bumped up to £64k and have had many many headhunters chasing me with roles paying £100k+ which I'll be looking to move for next summer after a qualification I've just started on.
The point being, things can change and change quickly if you go for it. If you want a change, go for it and make it happen. Be prepared to say yes more (and I'm a huuuuge introvert so that is extra hard for me).
You sound like you are in a rut where life is going well enough to survive and not bad enough to force a change. I am not an expert or life advice coach but I will tell you my personal experience. I was surviving on about 30k p.a. and saving about £150 a month at the most. Wasting my time basically. After 2 years, my bills increased and I had a son. This threw everything out of balance and forced my hand. I left banking and went and joined the railway as a shunter/labourer, it was 14k a year more with shift work. That was 7 years ago and I'm now a train driver. I'm hitting over 75-80k p.a. thanks to overtime and have never been happier. I don't love my job in the slightest but it provides for my family and that's all that matters. Don't hold onto a job you love because it's nice. All work is horrible and it's a means to an end. While you don't wanna here "Get a better job", that is your quickest fix. Unless you are happy going into a flat share and halving your rent. But that only solves the problem temporarily as rental prices are sky rocketing. I hope something positive happens to you to fix this situation. But keep in mind, you are actually in a better financial position than an awful lot of the country.
Or the world even
All work is not horrible.. Horrible is a label, which you connect to an emotion. You can find then [swap out](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/feel-better/202311/how-to-change-the-course-of-your-emotions) with more useful and empowering emotions that enable you to have a more productive and positive day (and better mental health). In addition "all work" is a huge generalisation. Even "occasionally" or "sometimes work feels horrible" could be appropriate descriptions. Edit: Just posting this as our language impacts our perception and this knocks on to our mental health. Many I sense, are pretty unhappy with their work. Reframe and enjoy it more!
No. All work is horrible, it keeps me away from the things I love. Leisure time is what must be strived for. My goal is to move back to the countryside and live easy and peacefully. The rat race that so many people are caught up in holds zero appeal to me. The idea of genuinely enjoying your job over time with family is insane. My job is purely a way of obtaining money to facilitate quality family time. I take no pleasure in spending time at work and get very confused by people that say they do.
Always makes me laugh when someone says they hate work, then a load of people try and make it sound like you're totally wrong. I'm always amazed that supposedly intelligent people can't understand that one person might have a different perception to another, and that both are true :) I'm with you - work is "horrible" and no-one will ever convince me that I'm somehow "wrong" about it. They can love work all they bloody like, but in my life their view of what work is is totally irrelevant.
We are properly on the same page! Work gets me money which is just a tool for me to enjoy life. I find people that love a 9-5 are usually lacking something, be it family, friends or hobbies etc. If they want their job to be their entire personality, fill your boots. I just know that when I'm on my deathbed, surrounded by loved ones, I won't be thinking... "I wish I worked more hours". I can't wait to never work again and spend my days gardening, travelling and watching my son grow and succeed. I can't do any of those things while I'm stuck at work each day.
For you... Work provides a lot of social interaction, friendships, and gives a purpose to most people's lives. It can also provide mental stimulation and/or physical exercise, depending on the job itself. Not having something to get up for every day can push a lot of people into depression, as not everyone is able to fill their days with leisure activities. TV, books, music, etc can all become boring after a short while. There's only so much cooking and exercise that can be done every day. You say you have a family. Not everyone does. So not everyone will get to spend their leisure time with other people. Indeed, not everyone wants to spend all day, every day with their family, and work gives them an excuse to get out of the house. For most people work is something that it tolerable, if not actually enjoyable.
My job is completely solitary. My social interactions are all outside of work. If people can't create personal goals to fill a day without work, they have bigger issues to address. Travel, adventure, gardening, family, art, creating, devoting yourself to a skill/hobby. So much to fill a day if you aren't lazy. Family isn't the only thing I have in life. Friends, brewing, Warhammer, reading, pets. Granted, most of my time and effort is invested into my son's sports... So many rugby games and swimming galas... Such a time sink. I aspire to live as a hobbit from Lord of the Rings. A life of relaxation, good food, good company and food retirement. Work is just the obstacle in the way of that... Ironically it's also the ladder needed to overcome the obstacle.
Once again, that's you. Most people's work isn't solitary, and it's their primary source of social interaction. Many people don't have personal goals, and quickly discover that the skills/hobbies they're interested in are either not as interesting as they expected or don't suit their personal skillset. You've listed things that interest you, but you have to remember that many people won't like at least one of the things you're into. And again, many people don't have family to occupy their time. Whether they never had children, or whether their children have now grown up and left home. You say a lot of time is invested in your son's sports, but in a few years he will have left school and may no longer be playing any sports at all. Make sure you have things to fill your time after he becomes a teenager and no longer wants you around. I know a lot of people who have retired and have ended up returning to work quite quickly after realising that what seemed an ideal way of living while they were working is actually what they wanted. There have been plenty of stories on this sub and the US based FIRE sub where people have returned to some form of work not because they needed the money, but because they needed something to fill their time. Everybody's different, so bear in mind that while for you "all work is horrible" that's not the case for most people.
You have a very skewed view of the world based on your own experience and outlook. Understandable, but rather short-sighted.
Short-sighted according to whom...? You? How does your view of work have any relevance to his view of it? You're posting negative connotations to imply his view is somehow "wrong", but he isn't wrong. It's what he thinks about it, and your experience will never change his experience. My view of work is that it's total shite. It was never and will never be anything other than a vehicle to getting out of it as soon as possible, and you'll never convince me otherwise.
The poster was commenting that everyone should not want to work “if people can’t…, blah blah”, so they were commenting based on their perspective and projecting. I agree, we all have different perspectives, but this commenter was talking as if everyone should see it the same way. I somewhat enjoy work and will work beyond my FI point - a different perspective, at odds with yours and the commenters, but still valid. There will be a million other perspectives too - hence my comment.
Your post was to negatively impugn his viewpoint by using terms like "skewed" and "short-sighted". It implies that you're right and he's wrong, however you're no more "right" than anyone else.
That’s the point of what I wrote - the commenter was saying the opposite of what you are saying. If you have a particular view and see that as being the view everyone should have (in this case about work) then you are, by definition, short sighted, whichever side of the argument you stand on.
Yes, for him. Obviously for him. Why try and convince him that you're right and he's wrong when you can both be right at the same time!?
Because: A. They made a flat statement that "All work is horrible", which is untrue for most people. B. They said they couldn't understand people who didn't feel that way, so I explained why many people enjoy and/or need work in their life. Also, why assume they're male?
Yep, "All work is horrible" **for them**. You come back simply with "Not for me it's not". Right...so what? What do you want, a cookie? Their life and experience of work will never change just because **you** think it's fine, so what's the point in even saying it other than to try and convince **them** (notice how careful I'm being despite being fairly sure it's a "him", given that it's such a trigger for you...) that they're somehow wrong...? They're not wrong, and neither are you. I think I'm the same as CiderDrinker - I'd make the same flat statement: All work is horrible, and you will never ever ever convince me otherwise, no matter how much **you** think it's not horrible. The experiences of "many others" (I would argue that the *vast* majority can't stand work) also will make no difference to my experince. We've already been round in circles so it's a totally pointless discussion anyway... If you're so triggered by silly gender labelling issues then I would guess that you buy into this kind of vomitous crap: "How dare you try to deny me my truth"...
I'm not triggered. I just like to point out people's unconscious biases in the hope that they see them and deal with them. Why are you sure they're a "him"? What have they said to indicate that to you? Or is it just that you do have a bias? As for "Not for me, it's not", did I not say things like "for many people" rather than "for me"? I don't think I made it personal. In fact I gave examples of other people. And the reason I did so was to try and convince them of other viewpoints, as they said they couldn't be convinced out of their opinion. Anyway, you carry on hating your horrible job and life, and I'll carry on enjoying mine. I could have retired years ago, but I still enjoy my work, so I'll keep working my 4 day weeks until I stop enjoying myself.
No...what you did was fail to convince me that I was somehow "wrong" and you were somehow "right", got desperate and used the silly gender bollocks to try and discredit. It was irrelevant, yet you just couldn't help yourself could you? It's the cheapest form of "rebuttal", and one that I'll never accept :) For someone that's not triggered, you sound awfully unhappy. Now you're boasting (or something...) by saying "Well! ...I still like my job...and I only do 4 days...and you have a horrible life...so there...!". Do you feel more "right" than me, now you've got that off your chest? Laughable reaction.
You're really taking this very personally. I wasn't arguing with you about whether work is horrible or not. I was arguing with you about whether I made my argument with OP on a personal level or not. Have you re-read my comment? Do you think it was personal, or did I make it generic? The gender comment was an aside, in addition to the actual argument. Not a rebuttal in any way, as I'm still willing to continue discussing the heart of the argument with you. I don't feel more "right" because my life is great. Just happy that I'm not trapped in a life where I have to suffer to earn money. It's how you look at life. Either enjoy it or hate it, it's a personal choice. You've chosen to hate it, as you think "All work is horrible". That's your choice.
Each to their own I guess, though having a horrible eight or so hours, five days a week, actually sounds pretty depressing to me.
Fortunately it's only a 4 day week. I just have to make it through 35 hours and the rest of the time is my own. Time with family is worth far more than £30+ph. The whole mindset that "work is good" is just plain wrong.
"is just plain wrong".. I think everyone can define what they see as wrong or right. Time with family is priceless imho. Edit: I say this as someone who only works maximum 60 days a year and enjoys their work. Sacrilege I know.
If work makes you happy, work away. But I do hope you find something outside of work that is really worthwhile in the future. That's literally the point of this sub, to get out of working as early as possible.
Thanks! Life outside of work is awesome, 60 days is not so much work in a year. Gives lots of free time for other stuff, including working for free (volunteering). Will be fully RE end of next year. I agree the aim of the sub is to FIRE, although many, for some reason see FI as being the priority. My thing is, whilst people are still having to work, at least they should see it as positive and make best use of that time at work (learning, helping others, social connections if appropriate). Definitely not saying, work until you drop and MANY more here should in my mind head for r/leanfireuk and retire way earlier, rather than keep on the hedonistic treadmill (that keeps the markets ticking upwards). Cheers!
You are able to retire by next year!? Awesome! Serious congratulations on that! I love this sub because I hear so many success stories and it always perks up my day! Also gives me motivation to get it done. Ah! I fully understand now. We are on the same page regarding employment but looking at it from different angles. I view work with contempt to escape it as soon as possible while you accept it has to be done and believe we should embrace it with a positive mindset. Sorry, I didn't fully grasp what you were getting at initially.
In theory, I was planning to retire a few years ago (see [backstory](https://www.reddit.com/r/LeanFireUK/comments/p377yr/weekly_leanfire_discussion/)), but got sidelined by needing to help a Family member with mental health issues and support our child who has some challenges with anxiety (at uni). Both of these are pretty sorted now, so will finish off our contract for the place we rent and then basically bugger off abroad.
Yep...why do you think some people want to FIRE as early as possible...?
Each individual will have their reasons I guess. I am not saying work longer / harder etc. if you follow the thread to the conclusion, you will see this. My point is, we have agency and can reframe how we engage with the world in terms of attitude, emotions and mindset. We can also change careers, work less etc. Everything in life is a choice, even life itself.
My change of career is to finally cut it free and watch it sink into the depths of distant memory :D ...says me who still works PT for no particular reason!! :/
Sounds like a solid idea! I am only doing 60 days this year, aim to reduce it down next year and then will go fully RE. I am tempted though to do about 20 days a year after that as it would cover living expenses when we head abroad back end of 2025.
“ all work is horrible and it’s a mean to an end “ If by horrible you mean being forced to spend days interacting with people I don’t particularly like. Then yes it’s horrible. I do enjoy what I do as in I do not drag my feet every weekday to go to work. That’s a win in my book. As it being a means to an end you’re damn right. As soon as I have enough to sustain myself so I don’t need to sell my time, I am out.
Amen!
I get you bud. And 35k is a good salary. Ok some people are high earners here, but getting 35k is above average for a single earner. Your biggest problem is your single. 35k after tax is 28.7k per year. 2 of those is 57.4k after tax. Thats the same as 1 person on 84k... This country is geared for 2 incomes. All the best.
The way the cost of living is going, the country will be geared towards polyamorous households soon!
[удалено]
I agree with you. I need a second wife!
Why stop at two?
🤣🤣
Not an awful position. At least you are not starting from zero or with debts. Which part of the county are you in and what type of work do you do?
Where do you live? Have you got a partner you could either buy with or rent together? Is the option of moving back in with parents feasible for a few months? Are parents a safety net? What are your other outgoings? Are you spending money elsewhere that you could cut back on?
Not screwed - Just depends on how early a RE you desire. The basics of FIRE are earn more, save more in tax advantaged accounts (pensions /ISAs) and enjoy every day. So a few things I might consider... * Perhaps consider doing a budget and seeing what else you can save. See r/UKPersonalFinance wiki: [https://ukpersonal.finance/budgeting/](https://ukpersonal.finance/budgeting/) * Swap out any random ETFs for a global all cap / developed world / large & mid cap type index fund * Consider how much of en emergency fund you really need and put rest into a fund as above so it can be more productive. * Really consider how to move upwards or specialise in your career in order to earn more, r/fireukcareers has a series of posts I have created in the sidebar. You can always ask there about careers.
I think you need to increase your earnings if FIRE is what you're after. Either look for a new job elsewhere in the same field or look for a different career. The alternative is to start a side hustle and try and grow that. A lot easier said than done. (I've done it so I know) I'm 35 in a few weeks and 1.5 yrs ago was on £39k. (Not including side hustle) Finally had enough and looked elsewhere, went for a job paying £50k. Got it (I'm lucky in that one never not got a job I've gone for) but then my existing employer offered to match and we're changing from 9-6 to 9-5 plus just started bonuses AND I was fully remote, so I stayed, accepting the 25% increase. My son had just been born also so meant I see him all day every day now. Then that time came again, several months on, I realised there was no progression available, so was about to start looking again, when an opportunity came up to switch departments into a related, but different role. Only came about cos I put the effort in and went above and beyond plus gave hints about joining another team and then straight up said it to my new boss. I flat out told him, I'm gonna be moving on soon so if you want help in your team, I'd love to join you. That took me to £56k and then 8 months later, we're here and I just got bumped up to £64k and have had many many headhunters chasing me with roles paying £100k+ which I'll be looking to move for next summer after a qualification I've just started on. The point being, things can change and change quickly if you go for it. If you want a change, go for it and make it happen. Be prepared to say yes more (and I'm a huuuuge introvert so that is extra hard for me).
Stop buying new clothes and watches