Seriously considering switch to Part Time

[disneysteve]

I'm curious... Have you ever not worked in your life? (or been out of work for an extended period of time(s)?

The two longest periods were for about 3 months starting in February 2000 when I quit my job at my first practice and then this year mid May to Mid July when I was on my leave of absence after my cousin's death. I loved every minute of both breaks.

Back in 2000, we did a spur of the moment, 10-day trip to Disney World and spent a week in Las Vegas for a previously planned convention. I spent the rest of the time selling "full time" on ebay. I spent the weekends going to yard sales and flea markets and the week days going to thrift shops and outlet stores and auctions buying items to resell. I made virtually no effort to find a new job. One ultimately found me and I decided it was time to go back to work.

During my recent leave, I was mostly cleaning out my cousin's house (I spent 6 weeks in Florida) but also sold a lot of items including tools, auto maintenance items, various household goods, and 2 cars.

Neither time did I miss work one bit.

Selling stuff is definitely a passion of mine, and one that I hope to indulge in a lot more as I cut back from working.

[amarowsky]

Well, I certainly don't want to work my whole life but I may keep at it on a limited basis for a while. One great thing about my job is I have options: full time, part time, and per diem. And part time can be 24 or 20 hours. With per diem, I think we're only required to do 8 hours per month.


I've sold collectibles for 35 years. It is totally my plan to use increased free time to ramp up my sales business again. I have a basement and garage full of stuff, now even more stuff with everything I brought back from my late cousin's house. I'm selling stuff slowly now, listing a few items per week, but I look forward to being able to do a lot more. Back in my heyday, I'd do as much as $2,000/month in sales and that was 20 years ago.

I'm curious... Have you ever not worked in your life? (or been out of work for an extended period of time(s)?

[disneysteve]

sounds like retirement is knocking on the door!

Oh retirement is pounding quite loudly. I'm just trying to ignore it a little longer. If I can let our portfolio grow for a couple more years, we'll be in even better shape than we are now.

[disneysteve]

I hope it maybe opens a door to working even longer, and hopefully always shaving off hours (on average) as you feel more comfortable. Nothing wrong with working for your whole life, as long as you're not making work your entire life!

Well, I certainly don't want to work my whole life but I may keep at it on a limited basis for a while. One great thing about my job is I have options: full time, part time, and per diem. And part time can be 24 or 20 hours. With per diem, I think we're only required to do 8 hours per month.

it would be fun to watch a new/current hobby of yours manifest into something between a hobby and a job

I've sold collectibles for 35 years. It is totally my plan to use increased free time to ramp up my sales business again. I have a basement and garage full of stuff, now even more stuff with everything I brought back from my late cousin's house. I'm selling stuff slowly now, listing a few items per week, but I look forward to being able to do a lot more. Back in my heyday, I'd do as much as $2,000/month in sales and that was 20 years ago.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

sounds like retirement is knocking on the door!

[amarowsky]

I officially gave my notice today. I had to do it in writing. I will switch from 36 to 24 hours. I don’t have the effective date yet. It could be anywhere up to 120 days from now. I spoke to my Lead and requested 3 8-hr shifts and no 12-hr shifts. I also requested not to be on both Monday and Tuesday. When I have a confirmed date I’ll post an update.

Very happy for you!

Above I was reading a bunch about you thinking this will be a slippery slope into full retirement....

But I hope it maybe opens a door to working even longer, and hopefully always shaving off hours (on average) as you feel more comfortable. Nothing wrong with working for your whole life, as long as you're not making work your entire life!

I've moved to a more part time role. I'm making just a sliver less than I used to (minus benefits, although leaning on wife's for mine now) with much less work than I used to. Probably around 30 hours less (after you whack out the drive n' prep time). And I've never been happier w/ my work/life balance. I know you also have a boatload of hobbies and curiosities (I remember being floored when you got into whiskey a several years ago. I didn't think that was up your alley) , it would be fun to watch a new/current hobby of yours manifest into something between a hobby and a job .

Having a little extra time is just utterly satisfying! Excited for you! (it would be nuts to see your post count INCREASE here too! lol)

[myrdale]

I think switching to part time vs flat out retiring is an excellent idea. I hope this works out well for you.

[bjl584]

Congrats!
Let us know how it goes

[disneysteve]

Nice. Congratulations!

Thanks. DW both feel like we ought to be more excited or should be celebrating somehow but we're not, or at least not yet. Of course, it could be 4 months before it actually happens, so it's not like anything will change next week. I guess it won't feel "real" until that first week of fewer hours and then the first reduced paycheck.

[srblanco7]

I officially gave my notice today. I had to do it in writing. I will switch from 36 to 24 hours. I don’t have the effective date yet. It could be anywhere up to 120 days from now. I spoke to my Lead and requested 3 8-hr shifts and no 12-hr shifts. I also requested not to be on both Monday and Tuesday. When I have a confirmed date I’ll post an update.

Nice. Congratulations!

[disneysteve]

So what happened at the meeting

I officially gave my notice today. I had to do it in writing. I will switch from 36 to 24 hours. I don’t have the effective date yet. It could be anywhere up to 120 days from now. I spoke to my Lead and requested 3 8-hr shifts and no 12-hr shifts. I also requested not to be on both Monday and Tuesday. When I have a confirmed date I’ll post an update.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

So what happened at the meeting

[kork13]

Sat down and talked with DW about this today. She is 100% onboard. She would love for me to work less no matter what that means financially. She is very willing to cut back if we need to and watch our spending better if that's what it takes for it to work. And she understands it might mean a bit of a delay in buying a place in Florida just to let everything settle and be sure where we stand before we take that on. I will email my lead physician and see if we can meet on Tuesday (that's usually our meeting day) and be able to talk to her in person.

WOOHOO!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!

[srblanco7]

Sat down and talked with DW about this today. She is 100% onboard. She would love for me to work less no matter what that means financially. She is very willing to cut back if we need to and watch our spending better if that's what it takes for it to work. And she understands it might mean a bit of a delay in buying a place in Florida just to let everything settle and be sure where we stand before we take that on. I will email my lead physician and see if we can meet on Tuesday (that's usually our meeting day) and be able to talk to her in person.

Great news. Congratulations DisneySteve!

[disneysteve]

Sat down and talked with DW about this today. She is 100% onboard. She would love for me to work less no matter what that means financially. She is very willing to cut back if we need to and watch our spending better if that's what it takes for it to work. And she understands it might mean a bit of a delay in buying a place in Florida just to let everything settle and be sure where we stand before we take that on. I will email my lead physician and see if we can meet on Tuesday (that's usually our meeting day) and be able to talk to her in person.