A young woman has shared what life is like as a ‘stay-at-home mum’ to her pet dog – having saved up to be unemployed at just 22.
Molly Quelch quit her job in December 2023 to visit Australia for four months, and hasn’t worked since – spending over a year out of work.
When she got back from her travels, she realised she wasn’t ready to return to the world of employment, and decided to use the rest of her savings – around £60,000 – to enjoy a life of quiet luxury with her six-month-old pooch, Sydney.
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“Life as a stay-at-home dog mum is fantastic,” Molly, from Berkshire, told What’s The Jam.
“I spend my days taking Sydney on walks, playing with her, and training her.
“I’ve got so much time to focus on her and really enjoy our time together.
“I’m currently planning to stay unemployed for as long as I can.
“I’ve been interviewing for jobs, but honestly, I’m loving the freedom.”
Molly, who previously worked in admin, lives with her partner Stanley, 21, who runs his own dog walking business.
While they lived with Molly’s mum when they first got back from Australia, they have since moved into their own place, with Molly having to put down a year’s rent due to not having an income.
The idea to remain unemployed was prompted after she enjoyed four months not working while living in Australia, and also received an inheritance that meant, upon her return home last April, that she didn’t need to rush back into work.
Molly said: “I’m very fortunate that my savings fund my lifestyle, and I don’t rely on anyone else for money.
“The inheritance I received has been a huge help, but I don’t receive benefits, nor do I rely on my partner or parents for financial support.
“There are downsides, of course.
“One of the biggest challenges is not seeing money come in.
“I’ve received some negative comments on my TikTok recently, with people suggesting I’m living off my boyfriend or parents, which isn’t the case at all.
“People often get upset when they see someone not working but still having financial security, and I think that fuels a lot of judgement.”
Molly says she still has a “significant amount” of savings, and isn’t looking to return to work anytime soon – with the perks being “incredible”.
The budding content creator, who is documenting life as a ‘stay-at-home dog mum’ on TikTok, added: “I get so much time to create content, which I absolutely love, and I’ve been able to settle into our new home quickly.
“I love having the freedom to do things at my own pace and being able to spend so much time with Sydney.
“I also have time for my passion for baking, and just having the space to enjoy my life at a slower pace is wonderful.
“If I can start earning money from content creation in the near future, I might consider staying at home longer and not returning to full-time work.”
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