Considering quitting my job and not working...

[lonelydoc]

I just quit my job. Had a couple of "exit" interviews with my boss and his boss. I went in prepared for the ********. They managed to squeeze another 2 weeks out of me, but I negotiated a day off.

Do not be mistaken. They want you working 24/7 for free, and that is their goal. They will stop at no lengths to get it.

So, the question that you have to ask yourself is...how much time do I want to work and for how much money? If the answer isn't satisfactory where you are, then you have the options of negotiating as an individual, joining a union, or quitting. That's it.

Or you can win the lottery, marry into great wealth, or worm your way into welfare, of course.

 

[adonne]

Currently the state of our society leads individuals to stay at jobs that can be abusive and we feel like we have no choice due to needs we must meet.

 

[Shhhhh]

I've always had issues with my jobs. I'm very good at what I do (I'm an accountant), but being forced to spend every day in an office with other people takes it's toll.

When I was in my 20s, after spending a few years in the workforce, I decided that I needed to create a career that catered to my personality. So, I got my masters in accounting, worked at a CPA firm for a few years, then started working as a consultant for nonprofit organizations. Working at home for myself was the only way I could manage having a career.

About 10 years ago, I saved about $10,000 and took a year off of work. I found that we need very little money to survive on. I did just fine on my less than $1000 a month lifestyle.

Today, I'm on the verge of semi retiring. I'm giving away or selling everything I don't need and downsizing my lifestyle.

While it may sound cliche, we all have a choice in life. We can either join the cycle of materialism and work to support it, or simply want less.

 

[GreenTruck]

I've quit my job before. Twice actually. In both cases I took a full year off, and pursued other interests. In my case I guess I'm lucky that I earn a good income when I work (writing software), and I'm able to save a lot when I choose to be frugal, so I was able to live off of savings in both cases.

In my field, working for others is a choice when you want stability and health insurance, but it can get boring and you do have to put up with BS at times. Everything has trade offs.

In my case, when I quit, I was careful to not burn any bridges. Both employers said the door was open if I ever wanted to come back.

As to the wage slave debate that I read in the first couple of pages, I have moments where I feel like a slave, but we have to pay for our mortgage and car and vacations somehow. Not sure what the alternative is... even in some fantastical socialist utopia.. somebody would be at the top barking orders. At least in the free market, we seem to have choices. I could try to start my own startup if I wanted to... but haven't found the right idea yet that I'm willing to leave my current safe job for.

To the OP, I was surprised that you said some of your money goes to buying gifts for your boss. I've never heard of such a thing... what field are you in?