HawthorneVillager.com

I'm not complainning I don't have enough time but I think out of the 16 or so hrs that I am up everyday only about 1-2 hrs is spent on something I enjoy doing.

I spend approx 10 hrs a day commuting and at the workplace. Another 3-4 just on maintenance (chores, dinner, cleaning etc).

3-4 hours a day on maintenance is way too much. You should ask yourself if all of that work is really necessary, as 1-2 hours for daily enjoyment is quite low.

Dinner is usually an hour (kinda family time)
I spend 1-1.5 hrs walking/feeding the pets
Grabbing a shower, tiding up a little, paying bills, checking the thermostat etc probably eats 30-60mins.

I'd love to free up 2 more hours in the day via no commute.

You must have big dogs, as 1-1.5 hours walking and feeding them is quite a lot.

Dinner is usually an hour (kinda family time) Makes sense!
I spend 1-1.5 hrs walking/feeding the pets too long!
Grabbing a shower, tiding up a little, paying bills, checking the thermostat etc probably eats 30-60mins. Who lists "check the thermostat" as things they need to spend time doing?!!

I'd love to free up 2 more hours in the day via no commute.

When you're paycheck (I'll make over 400k easy this year) hits your account, the hours don't seem so bad.

Not really......most Bay streeters are the work hard/play hard type. I work on Bay Street and put in 10hour days, sometimes more. You get used to it. When you're paycheck (I'll make over 400k easy this year) hits your account, the hours don't seem so bad.

1) Where do you find time to play hard when you are working 10+ hours and commuting from Milton to Toronto? (I assume you live in Milton since you are posting on this forum)

2) If the above assumption is true, why are you living in Milton if you are making more than $400K annually?

I start early, I'm home by 6 most nights. Evenings and weekends is where I find the time. I get 5 weeks off a year. I don't watch much TV.
Have a cleaning lady. Having some dough means you can pay other people to take care of many tasks. Some days I wish there were more flexibility with my hours, but like I said earlier, the $$$$ makes up for it



We bought our place back in 2003 when I wasn't making what I am now. We like it here. House is paid for, have great neighbours. I'd rather stay here, and not get sucked into the high end lifestyle of Oakville or downtown and be financially independent at a young age than living in a million dollar house and trying to keep up with the rich crowd.

LOL thanks for those tips!!
but #3 wont work for most ladies....batteries + shower dont work!!

I dont understand how people think working at home means more free time? its one thing if your employer is going to allow you to work from home so the free time is coming from not commuting. but if people think they are going to find a whole new job working from home its more likely you will have LESS free time than with a structured job...

I left a corporate job 8 years ago as I was unhappy, to go freelance from home. I had no idea if I would make enough money or what was going to happen. I went from earning $72,000 a yr with amazing benefits to earning $20,000 the first year. but I loved being at home and not working for anyone and going on vacation when I wanted (but I didnt have the $ to go on vacation much!)

Fast forward 8 years and business has grown Im earning more than I was at my corporate job so it was a great risk to take. But with that growth in business comes more hours and more stress. People have this idea about working from home being amazing, and it is in some ways and not in others. I find now that I can never escape work, and dont have any structured hours. I find myself checking my email before I go to bed and on weekends. For the person who wants to open their own business to set their own hours and vacation time, that might never happen. You are a slave to your clients and business. Yes I can take vacation when I want, but the work I have to do before and after that vacation can be exhausting.

I sometimes think back to the time I had a corporate job and that when I left the office at 6pm I didnt have to think about it till 9am the next day. I sometimes miss that. then I remember my bosses and office politics and forget that thought! Ive recently cut down on work to give myself more of a life and am trying to set my hours more, but its hard. Funnily enough I have put on weight since I worked from home and thats because I 'commute' from my bedroom to my office and sit on my arse all day everyday working. Before I used to take the ttc to work, walk around the office, go out for lunch with colleages etc.

So to the original poster, Im not sure if you were going to completely find a new job or try to do your current job from home, but if more time is the reason you are doing this do think about it carefully.

sorry for waffling, its just I read a few posts about peoples thoughts on opening their own business and I find its not always the reality