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You can fit your work into a fraction of a typical workweek and still maintain a 1950s-esque lifestyle. But the job market frowns on people working less than 4
by zeroer 10y ago
You can fit your work into a fraction of a typical workweek and still maintain a 1950s-esque lifestyle. But the job market frowns on people working less than 40 hours per week, so if you want to go this route, the thing to do is work full time, save, live frugally and retire early. It's not the easiest thing to do, but it is possible. I know because I did it, retiring at 34.
- flukus 10y agoHow many of us do you think could work 32 hours a week on a single income to support a family, a home loan, a car, etc?
- kw71 10y agoThis is why I made my money before having a family. The downside to this is I'm going to be in my 60's when my first kid graduates highschool. But in the meantime I have plenty of time to spend with the most important people in my life.
- TorKlingberg 10y agoThis strategy also doesn't work well for women.
- ajeet_dhaliwal 10y agoI am happy this approach has worked for you but it's probably not a good strategy for everyone. You can make money at any point in your life, even in your 50s, 60s, 70s and onwards. Whereas there is only a limited window of opportunity in which to have children so that you have the energy and time to see them grow up.
- tekklloneer 10y agoMy parents did this. They will be around less of my life but were around more of my life. I'm glad for it.
- dsajames 10y agoMy children will have parents and grandparents for a very long time. On top of that, we couldn't really have spent more time with them, what with a stay at home wife and all. I'm sure they're glad for that.
- zeroer 10y agoI believe it's the majority of Americans, and among Hacker News readers, the overwhelming majority. But it requires modest houses, modest cars, and overall frugal lifestyle choices. You will not "keep up with the Jones'". That's why I specified a 1950s-esque standard of living. I worked just about ten years and saved enough that I don't think I need to work ever again. But I can't afford a $30,000 car or a $500,000 house, and that's OK with me because that's the trade-off I chose to make. But my suggestion was not to work 32 hour weeks, because high paying jobs rarely let you do that. Instead play along with the system of 50-60 hour weeks, but with the right lifestyle choices, you only need to do it for 10-20 years.