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Freedom VS Free

I’m back at work. This week it has been virtually full time so far with one of the admin ladies off for the week. My 20 hours officially starts next week. As I schlepped home yesterday afternoon, eyes hanging out of my head from adjusting to my new start time, I thought.
If I didn’t need {want!} the money…
But it’s not entirely true. There are pluses and minuses to both options. Full time work and full time from home/loitering/retirement. I’ve had them both. I’ve liked them both. And I have hated, with passion, them both.
I enjoy people and offices and challenges. The getting dressed and the brain stretch. I don’t enjoy the loss of freedom. The being able to do what I like, when I like. The unstructured abandon of that. At times I’ve relished in this wholy. At others, I’ve felt adrift and more than a little lost. I miss coffee with myself, play dates with Arleigh and being available for people, on request.   
But than, did I ever have it? It’s hard to do what you like when you are concerned about the money. Paying bills and making the mortgage repayments become a high priority. Suddenly you are concerned and worried. Declining requests. Trapped.
20 hours seems like the perfect compromise. Though my Hubby would love to see my big gun salary come back, he’s ok that it isn’t. He knows that he has a happy, more relaxed wife without the pressure and the strain. Younger looking and more vital too. Which can’t hurt. I’ve found my balance. For now.
So what would you prefer; Money and no time? Or time and no money?
  

Suger

10 responses to “Freedom VS Free”

  1. Chantelle {fat mum slim} Avatar
    Chantelle {fat mum slim}

    I dream of not working, but I couldn't handle having no money.I couldn't watch Hubby work while I didn't contribute – but I know he's said that he'd happily not work and let me! :PI'm not good at doing nothing. I'd always find something to do… to fill my time. I'm going to ponder this one! If I won lotto and Hubby and I could both stay home and be together – we'd do that in a heartbeat. x

    Reply
  2. Amy xxoo Avatar
    Amy xxoo

    I'm like you – quite happy in the middle, working 21 hrs a week. It means we have enough money between us to be comfortable ( although it is at a stretch some weeks ),but i still get to have 4 days out of 7 with my son, so i dont feel like i'm missing out on him growing up. Sure, i'd love to not have to go to work but i know i'd be bored with it after a few days and i'd have to find something to amuse myself – and no doubt, that would cost money we'd no longer have!

    Reply
  3. Surely Sarah Avatar
    Surely Sarah

    I'm the same of Chantelle – want to not have to work, but would definately miss the money. I think you've struck a good balance with part-time, it actually sounds pretty golden to my full-time ears right now!The solution to everything, is, of course, a large inheritance from a long-lost relative whom you never knew but would gratefully accept their estate :p

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  4. MummyK Avatar
    MummyK

    I am very glad I can work from home. It has its own challenges but I love where I am right now. A great balance.

    Reply
  5. River Avatar
    River

    Like you I split my time between work and staying home. I work only 16 hours a week, which brings in enough money to pay the rent, utilities and food, plus a little left over for mobile phone credit, internet hours and extras like dvds or just a few dollars to put away for emergencies. I'll never be rich, but I value my time at home so I won't work any extra hours. of course the back, neck, feet pain has a lot to do with that too.

    Reply
  6. stinkb0mb Avatar
    stinkb0mb

    i have both – time and money, so i guess i'm lucky?i work anywhere between 35 to 50 hours a FORTNIGHT, it can and does fluctuate. i work monday to thursday and am finished by lunchtime on a thursday so that's a bonus.we have enough money to enjoy our chosen lifestyle – would we like to have more? sure but we also like the fact that my hours allow me to do stuff round the house and any running around that needs to be done.our dream is to sell up and move somewhere cheaper [as in south or tasmania] and both only work part-time.we would both prefer to have less money and no stress, money for us, really isn't THAT important.~x~

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  7. Talia Avatar
    Talia

    I'm in the plenty of time, no money boat, and have been since the beginning of the year.It was certainly nice to be able and go and buy a big TV because we felt like, and go out to dinner 2 or 3 times a week, but that lifestyle was really starting to bug me. The consummerism, the excess.So in that way, even though the budget doesn't even work without even one coffee with friends a week, I can be content that I have time to eat healthier, raise my family, bless my friends, and be happier.As a side note, this is MY Perspective. I'm sure Luke's would be MUCH different. He's the one who works 14+ hour days to pay the rent, and keep us afloat, and who wakes up so tired it actually makes me sick with worry. We're working on finding a solution to that though!!

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  8. Melinda Avatar
    Melinda

    I want to be greedy and say I want time and money, but at the moment it's not really possible.Our kids are young are we do pretty good on one wage so at this stage, I'll say time and not as much money. While money is important, I like being home everyday to see my two kids (they are 2 and 8 weeks old) grow and to just be free to spend time with them.But in a few years, I want to venture out into the working world. With that will come less time but I can't see myself being happy with staying home forever.Guess its all just a balancing act really! And everyone just has to find the balance that works best for them

    Reply
  9. Hayley Avatar
    Hayley

    I am always thinking about this! We have gone from having heaps of money to living week-to-week and when I think about it they have been both as stressful as each other. You know because sure we had money but Jim was working 13 hour night shifts and I was working full time so we never saw each other and never had time to actually enjoy the money we were working so hard for. Also it's true what they say that it doesn't matter how much money you make you always seem to find a way to spend it :P

    Reply
  10. Rhi @ Hummingbird's Song Avatar
    Rhi @ Hummingbird’s Song

    At the moment I feel like I have the perfect balance. I love being home with Carter Monday and Tuesday, then working the next three days. It worries me though, I don't know how I'll ever go back full time!

    Reply

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