Why State Finances are in a 2s8d, why the ConDems won't fix it & why it's your fault

fc123

StevieJ wrote: »

Ahh a good old biblical expression, that Methusula would have cost us a few quid in pension :eek:

But I think it could have been right in some ways but I would say, nowadays, 85 is the perfect lifepspan.

I recall my very fit Grandpa (born 1902 I think and one of 12, 5 of whom died young) wanting to die. My grandmother had passed away 10 years prior and he was so dam fit, it upset him.
Unfortunately, his mind went before his body and he knew it.

I remember visiting him and he said to me ''I am tired, so tired now but I have had such a good life''...he then looked around his care home surroundings and said ''but I can't live like this''. He then tried to starve himself to death by staying in bed and faking 'death', refusing to eat or drink.
Unfortunately, he was so fit (he bragged that he never bought a vegetable or fruit as they grew their own all year) and wasn't a heavy drinker/smoker so his mind was outlived his body. He knew this and it upset him a lot. A real- life ad for organic veg/fruit.

He lay there for 6 days and and it was all 'this is the end' then one day, asked the care worker for a cup of tea. He sat up and lived a further 3 years.

Gorgeous_George

I'm 47.

To get 15 years of state pension, you'd retire at 55. The younger generation would be fully employed with no easy benefits option. Taxes would be lower. At 70, the state pension would stop but those who saved some money or had a private pension could continue to live comfortably beyond 70. Those who sqandered their work life income would struggle - their choice.

70 will be plenty for me.

GG

lostinrates

Gorgeous_George wrote: »

I'm 47.

To get 15 years of state pension, you'd retire at 55.

GG

It seems to me a lot of people have some thing more than smarts and brains after about 50. They have experience, and experience of experience IYSWIM. My dad started his second career at fifty..and got better and better and better. Regardless of the obvious boon to an individual, the loss to industry of experience and good mentors, people past the push-push stage of climbing and able to look back in a mentor role with real experience of getting past reaching the top IYWSIM..a huge loss ...

fc123

lostinrates wrote: »

It seems to me a lot of people have some thing more than smarts and brains after about 50. They have experience, and experience of experience IYSWIM. My dad started his second career at fifty..and got better and better and better. Regardless of the obvious boon to an individual, the loss to industry of experience and good mentors, people past the push-push stage of climbing and able to look back in a mentor role with real experience of getting past reaching the top IYWSIM..a huge loss ...

I am so going to miss you when you go off line. Post of the day for me.:D

Malcolm.

fc123 wrote: »

I am so going to miss you when you go off line. Post of the day for me.:D

I assume you haven't read any of my posts then? (joke!) :):)

edit: wife's asking what I've been upto tonight, I feel I had better take another sabbatical. The answer 'spending time on internet forums' is not normally greeted with a positive response.

lostinrates

fc123 wrote: »

I am so going to miss you when you go off line. Post of the day for me.:D

I stood up and took a bow No, seriously ...I did.

I'm on line for a couple of weeks yet. The rate we're going setting stuf up I'll be with out electricity for a while, let alone internet line.

fc123

lostinrates wrote: »

I stood up and took a bow No, seriously ...I did.

I'm on line for a couple of weeks yet. The rate we're going setting stuf up I'll be with out electricity for a while, let alone internet line.

...and will you have a toilet, shower, bath. sink?

So how come no elec?

lostinrates

fc123 wrote: »

...and will you have a toilet, shower, bath. sink?

So how come no elec?

electricity merely because we are being hapless with deciding on providers. Apparently my very simple uswitch comparison isn't good enough for dh. We can't sort out phone till we are in.

Toilet sink bath are there. no shower (its summer, the hose will do) so just a matter of sorting out water and praying the temp sewage solution works. Neighbours have warned me they doubt it will for long.

fc123

lostinrates wrote: »

electricity merely because we are being hapless with deciding on providers. Apparently my very simple uswitch comparison isn't good enough for dh. We can't sort out phone till we are in.

Toilet sink bath are there. no shower (its summer, the hose will do) so just a matter of sorting out water and praying the temp sewage solution works. Neighbours have warned me they doubt it will for long.

Oh I thought it was because there was no wiring or it wasn't connected to the grid.:rotfl:

Moving animals is going to be tough though....settling them in etc.

I am stressed out about just getting Mr Ginger into a box as he hangs out at Daphnes a lot...and seems to not be as regular for mealtimes since the warmer weather...eating a lot less (or getting some morsels at Daphnes).
I am going to be strict on putting food out as there is always some Iams down so have a week to get him back into a routine.

Wookster

LauraW10 wrote: »

Wouldn't it be nice to have a government who had the balls to stand up to the "non-existent" bond vigilantes?

I suppose you might want to tell that to the Greeks who simply cannot borrow on the bond market.

lemonjelly wrote: »

I would assert that Tatcher et al actually started off the withdrawal of self responsibility. I believe Thatcher sowed the seeds of "what is in it for me?", and "what can I get out of this" and even "how can I get away without paying for...".

And Labour continued it with their house price fixation - i.e. you don't have to do much, just invest in a house and watch it grow in value.