Do we work too much and play too little?

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:01 am

I go to bed at 2 am, get up at 9 am and get home, from work, around 9:30 pm. That leaves around 5 & 1/2 hours of the day that are mine.

Why? So I can live in a cheap apartment, living from paycheck to paycheck. I devote the majority of my life to work but yet I make no progress. I almost just want to say screw it and go live out in the woods.

MadDoctor · Post by **MadDoctor** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:13 am

jeremyboycool wrote: I almost just want to say screw it and go live out in the woods.

There is plenty of room for the both of us!

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:29 am

jeremyboycool wrote:I go to bed at 2 am, get up at 9 am and get home, from work, around 9:30 pm. That leaves around 5 & 1/2 hours of the day that are mine.

Why? So I can live in a cheap apartment, living from paycheck to paycheck. I devote the majority of my life to work but yet I make no progress. I almost just want to say screw it and go live out in the woods.

learn a trade, stop spending money on stupid shizit, save money, put it in a bank account, win.

i don't know what your means of income are, but i bet you can stop the loss of those funds by doing a budget and writing things down.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:48 am

Mark wrote:learn a trade, stop spending money on stupid shizit, save money, put it in a bank account, win.

i don't know what your means of income are, but i bet you can stop the loss of those funds by doing a budget and writing things down.

Mark, I do understand these things. It just seems, to me, things are going up in price but my pay stays the same. This year, I am spending about 100$ more, per month, on cost of living and making a dollar less per hour. As far as a trade; I want to devote my life to my interests, not to making money.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:56 am

The stupid thing is, I plan on taking classes but not for anything that will make me money.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:00 am

MadDoctor wrote:There is plenty of room for the both of us!

Montana; If I ever really did, I would disappear into the wilderness of Montana. Probably die in the winter but then dead men don't have to work.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:07 am

jeremyboycool wrote:The stupid thing is, I plan on taking classes but not for anything that will make me money.

then why take then ?

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:08 am

jeremyboycool wrote:Mark, I do understand these things. It just seems, to me, things are going up in price but my pay stays the same. This year, I am spending about 100$ more, per month, on cost of living and making a dollar less per hour. As far as a trade; I want to devote my life to my interests, not to making money.

okay then, get used to a life of poverty.

Gixxer · Post by **Gixxer** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:21 am

survey says yes

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:24 am

Mark wrote:then why take then ?

Because, I want to become better at it.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:25 am

Mark wrote:okay then, get used to a life of poverty.

I have no problem being poor. It's time I want not money. If I spend all my time making money then what is the point?

PsykoPenguin · Post by **PsykoPenguin** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:27 am

and unfortunately, time is money friend.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:33 am

jeremyboycool wrote:I have no problem being poor. It's time I want not money. If I spend all my time making money then what is the point?

great way to stretch on a thread without giving specifics, but if you only make a living wage, then how do you think you can expect to get more out of life, and don't say that Obama is gonna do it for ya LOL

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:50 am

Mark wrote:great way to stretch on a thread without giving specifics, but if you only make a living wage, then how do you think you can expect to get more out of life, and don't say that Obama is gonna do it for ya LOL

I am not giving you any specifics on my life, Mark. That is not something I am posting in a public forum.

"then how do you think you can expect to get more out of life"

I would say taking those classes is a good step. They may not get me money but they will give me more out of life.

I really was thinking in a broader sense, though, and only using myself as an example. Really, my life is not that uncommon; in terms of money and job. It seems like people work more then they live. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Meaning that life should be worth the effort put into it. So how does the life of the modern man/woman measure up? Is it worth effort?

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:52 am

penguincomrade wrote:and unfortunately, time is money friend.

That is my point. The question is: are we getting a fair deal for our time?

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:59 am

jeremyboycool wrote:That is my point. The question is: are we getting a fair deal for our time?

well i guess you may never know, seeing as how you you don't care about money

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:06 am

Mark wrote:well i guess you may never know, seeing as how you you don't care about money

It's not that I don't care, I really don't have much of a choice but to care. But regardless, that does not mean I don't understand it or recognize its value.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:40 am

I honestly think it should be some laws about required amount of work lower than what it is now which is 12hrs but even then I was known to work around 14.

I truly think it should be 9hours max that any employer can force you to work no matter what it is. What good is working hard when you can't enjoy the fruits of your labor and that's the family you support, the home and stuff you pay for.

MadDoctor · Post by **MadDoctor** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:42 am

Sava700 wrote:What good is working hard when you can't enjoy the fruits of your labor and that's the family you support, the home and stuff you pay for.

What he said

CableDude · Post by **CableDude** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 11:56 am

Sava700 wrote:I honestly think it should be some laws about required amount of work lower than what it is now which is 12hrs but even then I was known to work around 14.

I truly think it should be 9hours max that any employer can force you to work no matter what it is. What good is working hard when you can't enjoy the fruits of your labor and that's the family you support, the home and stuff you pay for.

Less. I can't stand to work 8 hours anymore.

Mutch · Post by **Mutch** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:06 pm

Work is part of life, the trick is you have to find something you absolutely love to do. When you have your five hours to yourself it wont seem like you are clinging onto them, dreading to go back to work..

David · Post by **David** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:53 pm

“If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.” John Cleese

Rainbow · Post by **Rainbow** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:24 pm

Consider yourself lucky if you have 5 hours a day to yourself. I work way too much and only have about 8 hours on Sat and all day Sunday to myself. Mon-Fri I have zero hours to myself.
I work 88 hours a week every week. Been doing this for about 6 years now with about 5 more to go.
Yes I love both of My jobs so I don't mind it. I never complain but sometimes My mind wonders and I wish I didn't work so much.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:05 pm

Rainbow wrote:Consider yourself lucky if you have 5 hours a day to yourself. I work way too much and only have about 8 hours on Sat and all day Sunday to myself. Mon-Fri I have zero hours to myself.
I work 88 hours a week every week. Been doing this for about 6 years now with about 5 more to go.
Yes I love both of My jobs so I don't mind it. I never complain but sometimes My mind wonders and I wish I didn't work so much.

"Consider yourself lucky"

I do consider myself lucky, in that respects. But I sacrifice wealth for that time, I could be working a 2nd job. But even so, if I am lucky with 5 hours, is that not a bit of a depressing thought?

stevebakh · Post by **stevebakh** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 11:28 am

Sava700 wrote:What good is working hard when you can't enjoy the fruits of your labor and that's the family you support, the home and stuff you pay for.

Yup... I think that's exactly what Jeremy is saying.

If you take a step back and analyze how your time is spent, it's bizarre. We only spend so much time working (usually making other people more wealthy), purely because we need to, because of the workings of society. I don't think there are many who would work the long hours they do, if they didn't need to, and that's the point.

Oh well, c'est la vie, as they say.

Jeremy, if you can get some pleasure and happiness from taking a course that doesn't financially benefit you, then go for it. Provided you won't land up homeless, do it. We all need to do something more than sleep, work, eat, piss and poo.

twwabw · Post by **twwabw** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 12:16 pm

I'm fortunate enough to work for myself, so my time is mine to dole out as I see fit. But often, it feels like too much, but then a lull will come to give some relief. One thing I've noticed, with friends etc., is they spend so much of their time commuting. I can't understand the need to live an hour or more from your office, and be willing to waste 10+ hrs/wk driving. Doesn't make you any money while driving; wear & tear on your cars; expense; and a lot of time away from home. I see people around us living an hour away in some obscure rural town, where they can buy some grand estate to live in that they couldn't afford closer to their work. That seems like a twisted priority to me- the house becomes more important to you than your time, and time with your family. Just don't get that one.

And I'm not talking about some of the urban areas (LA; NYC; Boston) that are just ridiculously expensive- I mean in our area where a suburban home is affordable, although not as large as the palace you can afford is East Bumf**k. And then, drive your 4WD 12mpg P/U the 60 miles to work, and complain about the cost of gas!

John · Post by **John** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 1:11 pm

I've spent more than my fair share of time ruminating about work/jobs as a 'trapping' of society. After dozens of books about philosophy/theology in my quest to point myself in a direction to attain self actualization I haven't found an answer. The best you can do is go with the flow and use everything you have, G-d given or otherwise, to make the best of your situation.

It is an unfortunate reality that the systems of control will not change to make each of us happy. It's as though we all throw in our color (desires) and are left with a huge ****** brown mess. You just need to become aware of how things truly work, so you can avoid the trappings.

If you need some grounding, think of your situation relative to one of the millions of starving, depressed, war inundated, overworked, poor souls that are on the other end of this tango of equilibrium. This is a good starting point: http://www.amnesty.org/en/human-rights

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 1:56 pm

John wrote:I've spent more than my fair share of time ruminating about work/jobs as a 'trapping' of society. After dozens of books about philosophy/theology in my quest to point myself in a direction to attain self actualization I haven't found an answer. The best you can do is go with the flow and use everything you have, G-d given or otherwise, to make the best of your situation.

It is an unfortunate reality that the systems of control will not change to make each of us happy. It's as though we all throw in our color (desires) and are left with a huge ****** brown mess. You just need to become aware of how things truly work, so you can avoid the trappings.

If you need some grounding, think of your situation relative to one of the millions of starving, depressed, war inundated, overworked, poor souls that are on the other end of this tango of equilibrium. This is a good starting point: http://www.amnesty.org/en/human-rights

What are you good at John/Jeremy?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:30 pm

twwabw wrote:I'm fortunate enough to work for myself, so my time is mine to dole out as I see fit. But often, it feels like too much, but then a lull will come to give some relief. One thing I've noticed, with friends etc., is they spend so much of their time commuting. I can't understand the need to live an hour or more from your office, and be willing to waste 10+ hrs/wk driving. Doesn't make you any money while driving; wear & tear on your cars; expense; and a lot of time away from home. I see people around us living an hour away in some obscure rural town, where they can buy some grand estate to live in that they couldn't afford closer to their work. That seems like a twisted priority to me- the house becomes more important to you than your time, and time with your family. Just don't get that one.

And I'm not talking about some of the urban areas (LA; NYC; Boston) that are just ridiculously expensive- I mean in our area where a suburban home is affordable, although not as large as the palace you can afford is East Bumf**k. And then, drive your 4WD 12mpg P/U the 60 miles to work, and complain about the cost of gas!

Amen. I could never get into the long commute. I mean yes you and I have the occasional longer trip to a clients or something..but that's not every day or every week or even every month. Most of my clients around within 30 minutes.

But a daily haul to the 9-5 cubicle governed by the timeclock...yuck!