Success Happy

How many hours do you work per week? How do you balance your work with your personal life?

I work 80 plus hrs per week and have no life outside of my work. I have done this for over 8yrs. I think its time for a career change. I haven't made any financial progress and find myself digging a bigger hole year after year. What should I do?

Public Comments

1. I work 105 hours a week. I only say that because I am sleeping for 63 of those hours a week.
2. I work 40 hours per week at one job and 8-16 at my part time job. So, in between 40-56 per week. Also, to the stay-at-home-mom, that's NOT work and any working mother will tell you that. My Mother worked 40 hours per week, raised 5 well mannered, well-behaved, and well-educated children, has been married for almost 30 years, and has been in her career for over 30 years, and cooked, cleaned, and kept up with all the household things in addition to caring for the children.
3. I don't see how you can be digging a bigger financial hole for yourself not having time to do anything outside of work. Find a way to budget better. As for your job, if you're not happy and there's nothing left for you to learn, move on.
4. Ya know I have never really "calculated" the hours I work. My general hours are 9-5ish but I am often up sending e-mails prior to heading into my office and often do the same things at night. I am in sales so I often feel like I am constantly working. Work live balance is VERY important. I like to vacation and take several extended weekends annually for my balance. I believe that I must work hard in order to play hard. My kids are older and my BF workds just as hard/much as I do so it works for us.
5. 1. Unless your job STINKS, your income is not your financial problem. Your SPENDING is too high. I work about half your hours at a not so great pay rate and have been paying off debt for the last 2 years. 2. If you have no life outside work, it is time for a change, regardless of ANY other factors. Southern Belle: being a mom IS work as any MOTHER will tell you. Just ask whoever your 'working mom' is paying to take care of the kids while she is at work.
6. I work 38 hours at one job, and 7+ hours at another. I balance my work with my personal life by not having a personal life! I'm just too busy. I think your problem is you are not managing your money as efficiently as you could. I think if you managed your money better -- spent less, perhaps cut your luxuries -- you might find you didn't need to work all those hours. Possibly you are trying to have a lifestyle you honestly can't afford. Downsize to some cheaper options, like an older, cheaper car, and a house closer to your work, get rid of debt, and pay yourself first by having your 'savings' (10% of your income) placed in another bank account on payday. Over time, you will make some progress on the savings front. And to the above respondents, I don't think being a stay at home mother was what was meant by how many hours do you work per week. While being a stay at home mother is a worthwhile thing, it isn't 'work' in the sense that you earn a wage. It's just unpaid work. And since you don't have to commute daily, or follow someone else's timetable for your life (like you would if you worked on a building site or in an office or factory) the level of autonomy you have probably makes it a lot less like conventional work. I would kill to be able to do what I want when I want, but because I have to spend at least 8 hours at work a day, that kind of cuts into my flexibility. When you're a stay at home mum, you can fit a social life in because you're in charge of the routine. You don't get that luxury when you're on someone's payroll. Best wishes