“I’m quitting my finance job, spending my bonus & the deposit I'd saved for a house”

I’ve spent a decade working in financial services and I need a break. I came into this intense industry as soon I left university. I’m in my early 30s, and it’s time for a rest and reset. 

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I work in investment management. I've spent the past 10 years working regular 60-hour weeks and sometimes 80-hour weeks, like an investment banker.  – When money is on the line, there’s no concept of saying you can’t work right now; the work just has to be done. 

It’s been a personal decision to leave. There’s only so much money that can satisfy you. I’ve done my time. I’ve got savings which I’d set aside for a house deposit. I also have a decent bonus from last year.

I’m keeping things open, but I’m fairly certain that I’ll want to come back at some point. I just need a break. I’m highly employable and confident that I’ll be able to get another job.  When you’re in the financial services ecosystem, it can be very difficult to have a perspective on what else is available as a career. I know there are great opportunities out there, both at start-ups and at rival firms. I’ve got big names on CV and I haven’t jumped around. I’ve already had positive conversations with recruiters and when I want to come back, I think it will be possible without too much of a challenge, even though the jobs market is tough.

I plan to go travelling. I’ve already spent some time visiting my family and grandmother who’s getting to the end of her life. In her circumstances, every moment is precious, and I wouldn’t have been able to spend time with her while I was working.  I really didn’t want another year of hard work and missed opportunities.

I'll spend my bonus to fund myself and I'll spend more of my savings if necessary. I’ve accumulated enough for a deposit for a house in London, but I'm not really sure whether that's a worthwhile investment. When you look at the cost of a house, plus stamp duty, plus a 30-year mortgage at 5%, it doesn't seem worth it any more. I'm not even sure that I want to live in London anyway.

I'd appreciate knowing whether anyone else is in this situation.

Carlos Bento is a pseudonym 

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