I think that my wife and I have a lifestyle that's pretty fairly split. Sometimes we don't see each other that much but we both spend lots of time with our children, her job as a teacher has lots of holidays and my work fits well with part time work.
The Summer is when I have a large block of time dedicated to work as my wife has six weeks off, this allows me to build my funds so my own living costs (fuel, etc) are taken care of and it helps towards some of the extras and unforeseen costs.
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| Office conversion in the local town |
This summer all my work is local, a large portion is in our village, working for a friend and the rest (my weekend work) is in the next town about four miles away. Both are really flexible so I can work different days and fit it around work here on the house and smallholding, to be honest I'd rather work a weekend and have a weekday off anyway as it's much quieter if we want to do anything.
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| I've been putting up lots of stud work lately! |
I know I've said it before but I'm forever thankful of my trade. Not only does it save us money on work we do to the house but it also lends itself so well to part time work and it's flexibility has enabled us to live the way we want to.
I get a fair wage and enjoy my work - can't ask for a lot more really.
With the third child on the way I'm also keeping a look out for work next year, it'll be nice if I have some lined up ready for when the new baby comes, although it's a bit early to be looking really!
Who else is glad they have the job they do?
same Kev, my work is freelance, so the hours aren't quite as much as i would like, but it means I get to contribute a little to the house and as most of My work is early morning I generally get the afternoon off to work in the house/garden or painting.
ReplyDeletealso it means I get to spend more time with the hubby as by the time he gets home everything is mostly finished :)
Like I said, sometimes my wife and me don't see each other that much but it does mean we spend lots of time with the kids! The flexibility of my work is brilliant but it's only because my customers are flexible as well.
DeleteI havent got myself into a work mode yet, its great that you can both work together for the good of your children :-)
ReplyDeleteI think you're working pretty hard Dawn!
Deletei sure wish you lived by me! i could keep you busy indefinitely!
ReplyDeleteSounds good! I've only got a few customers but they seem to keep me going at the moment!
DeleteIt sounds the ideal way to do things, I have the option to work from home with my position but I've worked blinking hard to get that option! Congrats on your third child, you must all be very excited.
ReplyDeleteThird child is exciting but we haven't thought about it that much really as the other two take up our thoughts when they're about! Working from home is a great thing to do if you're diligent, I think there's many that shouldn't do it as they get distracted.
DeleteI hated being an accountant with the oil and gas company, but I stuck with it because the pay was good. I like being retired a lot better though sometimes I get bored.
ReplyDeleteI always imagine you being more of a man on the ground rather than working in an office!
Deletewhen you get started on your garden you won't get bored! we need to design a deer ~(and goat) proof fence for you!
You've really done yourself right by your carpentry, Kev. Over here tradesmen are always busy. Not enough to go around, yet it doesn't seem that today's youth are not much interested in going into trade. Too bad. No matter how rich or sophisticated a person gets, they still rely on plumbers, electricians, carpentry, etc. You da man! :-D
ReplyDeleteI'll never be rich being a carpenter but I should never be out of work, and I have no plans of being rich anyway! I think over here we push academic subjects far too much, so much so that it makes peopel think they're failing to pick a manual job, but I find mine so satisfying. I think many people are unhappy with what they do as they can't see what they've done at the end of the day, every time I work you can see what I've done and I can stand back and say "I made that" and it gives me a sense of pride.
DeleteI think your lifestyle plan works really well for all of you. It's finding the right balance that is hard for some couples, but you do seem to have got yours right, and the good thing is the children are really benefiting from it.
ReplyDeleteWe are in the unfortunate position of having LH out at work and me here on the smallholding, whereas in reality we would both prefer to doing the exact opposite. LH's earning capacity simply far outweighs mine and we have had to grit our teeth and just get on with things for the next couple of years.
Sometimes you need to do things that are for the best for the long term. I've not always done jobs I've enjoyed but there's always been a goal at the end. I like the fact that when my wifeis working hard she doesn't have t come back from work and worry about what to cook for tea, she can just play with the children and enjoy their company while I take care of food. At the moment it seems to be working well for us.
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