I'm glad you are starting to take care of number one, which is a very difficult transition for many of us. But just think of how much spare time you will have (to take care of others ) when you aren't working full time any more . . .

I do have one concern though, friend. Do you have LTD coverage at your company? If you do, could you lose that benefit if you move to part-time work?

My LTD plan did not have the option to collect "partial benefits", which actually worked out best for me in the long run anyway. If I had down-graded to a p/t job along the way, and still had to leave the workforce, I would have either not received LTD (after working p/t for a while), or I would have only gotten p/t LTD benefits (by the time I finally retired).

As it was, I worked from home for the last two years, on a full-time basis, and when I couldn't do that any more, I moved to full-time LTD (first short-term, then long-term).

I would just hate for you to miss out on that benefit because you down-graded your career along the way . . . when you perhaps should have just left the workforce and collected full time benefits from the get-go. . .

Sounds like you still have a bit of time to do some inquiries and re-think your decision, if necessary.

Cherie

Cherie,
You make a very interesting point. There is SO MUCH TO THINK ABOUT... but I do have to think about my LTD. I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO CALL AND CHECK ON THAT... I 'think' that I could still take full time disability at anytime. But now, I'm not sure. Thank you for mentioning this. Sometimes, the facts can all get muttled when an important decision is at stake! Yes, I do have sometime to work with, which is a good thing. It's a tough decision, as you know. And I know, I will find a good use of my time. Probably spend almost as much time, just doing other things at a less stressful level.
Thanks!