Shifting to a 32 hour week

[k290]

I'm currently about 33% of the way to FIRE and saving around 40% of my income.
I randomly posted on a message board asking if anyone wants to hire me for 32 hours a week instead of 40.
Someone is willing to chat. This would require me to quit my current job (which Im not currently enjoying).

I feel like I don't need to work 5 day weeks. I know the price is a later FIRE date. But I kind of want to work on personal things on my Fridays or just relax. I suppose at some point I could go back to 40 hours again.

I am second guessing myself though....

I guess I'm here looking for encouragement.

[roomtempmayo]

Given the little that you've written, I'd do it.  I think it's better to enjoy your life than spend it slogging away for some future payoff.  You never get these years back, so enjoy them while you can.

[Chris @ Saturday Financial]

CoastFI / LeanFI / SlowFI is an excellent trade off for a lot of people. Only you can determine whether the time is right for you to make that shift now.

Also - if you're switching jobs there's an outside chance that you could increase your "hourly wage" and earn the same annual amount while only working 4 days a week. Go into these conversations with that possibility in mind.

[Paper Chaser]

3 day weekends are FANTASTIC, but I put in 40-45 hours in the 4 days that I do work too, so they come with a price for me. Limiting it to 32 hours worked would be interesting and I can see how it would lead to more happiness if money isn't a major concern. I will warn that after having a 4 day work week for a few years, it would be really difficult for me to switch back to a 5 day work week without some major incentives. If your needs/wants change in the future, it might really suck to go back to a 5 day week, but we're all different.

[seanshiii]

I made the switch from 40 hours down to 32 hours a couple years ago, and am really glad I did it! To me, it makes sense to enjoy life while getting to FI, it's a marathon, not a sprint.

One of the best things about going down to 32 hours is you have an entire extra day, which you can use for furthering education, or any side-hustle you like.

As a previous commenter said, the only problem is going back to 40 hours would be really difficult, I'm not sure how I did it before!

[RyanAtTanagra]

I switched to 32 hours a few months ago and it's the best thing I've done in a long time.  If you can make the numbers work, go for it.  3-day weekends are so significantly more relaxing than only having 2 days.  Fridays are now my favorite day of the week because everyone else is at work, so I have no obligations.  I can tackle my to-do list, or I can take a lazy day without feeling like I should be out utilizing one of my two days off (usually I do both, lazy morning enjoying my coffee, then get some shit done in the afternoon).  I originally thought I'd be pushing for a 3-day work week shortly after going to 4, but I'm enjoying this so much I'm good for a while.

[EricEng]

Switched to 32 recently too.  It is amazing.  So much less stress.  Lots more time to help with kids.

[Chris Pascale]

You can always work more. go for it.

[ca-rn]

i went from
3/12 hr day shift- the best except for waking up so early.
to 5/8 hr day/mid shifts- the worst!  mid/night shift- got lazy/tired to do stuff before or after work, depressing.
to 3/12 hr mid shift- back to the best! wake up naturally with the sunlight!
to 4/10 hr mid shift - ugh, making it work, less exhausting than 12 hr shifts  wake up early am to exercise/get my head right for work

i think the best would be a 2/10 hr shifts with healthcare insurance provided and option to pickup an extra shift- thats what i'm trying to get now.  could work 2 days/wk indefinitely.
 
if you can switch to 3-4 days, definitely go for it!!!  it feels like being semi retired- i love wandering around/doing errands on the weekday, so much more relaxing and less traffic!  3 days off is a mini-vacation, or 1 day off midweek is a good decompress