"What lower living standards would you accept in order to never have to work again?"
3 months ago
5 Comments
If you love your work the this question will be hard to answer.
If you hate work generally then it should be easy.
Say what material "must haves" would remain and say what material goods or services you could do without.
How low would you go?
I am not being jokey here. There are plenty of people who would like to "jump ship" but they fear they would end up in penury and so they keep doing their jobs even when they don't like them.
Measure your own wants and needs against the security of paid work and say when you feel you could tell the boss "I quit forever".
Tags: freedom, life, people, philosophy, products, society, work
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This topic was started by Thoralby on July 1st, 2008. 5 grupies have voted on one or more of the 2 answers.
Tags: freedom, life, people, philosophy, products, society, work
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I think an example answer in this case would help quite a bit...
OK - I'll make one up that might happen to people.
Someone works for 20 years in a well paid job and has built up half a pension but another 20 years must pass before they can access it. That person has also saved money, bought and sold homes. and property values have increased. His/her house is worth a mint of money. They decide they can live on much less if they dump the big car, move to a small apartment, bank the profit from selling the last big house, forget eating out and drinking expensive wines with all those high flying colleagues and live a simpler life without working by living off the interest. They have done the figures and they know they will be OK until the pension kicks in at 60. The pension will be enough for their needs at that time until they die. They say goodbye to the boss and live happily ever after - economically free in terms of basic needs.
There are many well paid Americans who are successful (in capitalist terms) who could do this. The very poor never could do it since they are kept poor by nasty big business so that they are compliant and make no trouble (but that is a different topic).
Does this example help?
Yes, it does help, but how would I phrase that as an answer?
Phrase it however you like - an explanation in your own individual style - the way you feel it is best for you to answer - a list of "must haves" and a list of things you would gladly dump may be. You could do it in terms of how you might fund yourself. In the example, the fictional person was lucky enough to have savings and property to convert into cash. If you can think of any other ways, then I would dearly love to know. I suppose a half way measure where you live communally and pool resources and everyone takes turns at working for fixed periods might be an answer. So when you are not in a working phase, you get to be supported by the others and you get to paint still life. read books, walk the dog in the park or generally laze about and no-one questions you or your lack of work ethic. But in that community, certain basics are there - a roof over your head - warmth - food and company. There is may be a communal car too. But the question is would that set up do for you? If not what would do?
Maybe a better topic would be:
"What lower living standards would you accept in order to never have to work again?"
Then we could rate them based on the ones we would be most willing to accept or not.