Preparedness for when

thriftwizard

At 56, I'm not yet a pensioner, and I'm not sure I'll ever receive a penny from the Grubbyment, the way things are shaping up. Having had kids, and having been unable to return to FT work myself thanks to one of them having (still in the process of diagnosis) special needs, we only ever received child benefit, & were never eligible for anything else, and we're now in a position of still paying out for orthodontic work, underwriting studies, and having a young couple living with us (in a 12' x 12' room, with their furniture!) because they can't afford to live anywhere else around here although they are both earning.

So I've never accrued any pension. Now I'm self-employed but my earnings just about pay for me to run my car (very much needed, thanks to an elderly parent 26 miles away & inaccessible by public transport) plus driving lessons etc. for various offspring; there's nothing left to put aside. We've been lucky enough to be able to pay off our mortgage (i.e. we've avoided any major disasters, and have worked hard at spending no more than we've earned) but are now responsible for a semi-derelict hulk full of energetic & frustrated young people!

The hard core of the traders at the emporium where I have my stall are mostly actors or writers, people for whom steady work & pensions are a complete pipe-dream. The oldest is 85, still trading (and taking the occasional bit-part on screen, but not in rep any longer) and always up for a party! Retirement isn't on anyone's radar, and not one of them ever whinges about entitlement; they took their choices & chances long ago and are happy to live with the results. They're another group of very resilient people, able to cope & adapt to whatever life throws at them, and not looking to any "authority" to keep them afloat in times of trouble. I rather admire them, although I'm always aware how much effort the "good face" costs to keep up.

They'd certainly be in favour of free jelly-babies, though...

GreyQueen

Well, you can ride a motorbike, can't you? I can see it now, a wee Scots granny in leather, leading her Mad Max-ine gang down to the sweetie factory....................:rotfl:

Someone option it for Hollyweird, I'd pay money to see that movie.

[Deleted User]

Oh WOW what a mental picture that gives me!!! Made my day MAD MAXINE and the GODMOTHERS storming the sweetie factory has a lot more potential reality in it than most films made lately, other than the Hobbit That's real!!!

jk0

This is an account of the scuttling of German ships that were interned in Scapa Flow in WW1, when it became clear the Germans had lost the war.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33152438

I'd never heard of this. How interesting, (and a little sad.)

GreyQueen

Tell ya, I wouldn't want to get between Mar and the sweetie stash, could get nasty really quickly.

Righty, am booted and suited and ready to SHOP. Gordon Bennett, I blinking hate SHOPPING. Wish me luck, troopers, I'm heading up the precinct.

Frugalsod

GreyQueen wrote: »

Well, you can ride a motorbike, can't you? I can see it now, a wee Scots granny in leather, leading her Mad Max-ine gang down to the sweetie factory....................:rotfl:

Someone option it for Hollyweird, I'd pay money to see that movie.

Already seen that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygy7UDADXDg

mardatha

Well i was getting bored and needed a new hobby anyway... Hmmmm..:D

fuddle

I'm really worried about our retirement age. We don't have property, we don't have savings, we won't inherit anything of any value (maybe my mam's terraced house in an ex mining village, split with my sister but that's being left to ruin as far as I'm aware) we both have pensions but put minimal amount in them. I don't expect anything when I retire because I think by the time that comes help will all but cease but I hope that I can access housing help, top up to my pension for bill payments and food - and I'm talking basic food and still have access to medical assistance.

I have tried to think of plans, tried running myself into the ground with a better job and still I see no way of working at security in my older age. If I could help myself I bliddy well would. I just don't know what else to do. It's in the hands of fate as far as I am concerned. I just hope I am safe, warm and able to eat in retirement because I know I won't be able to ensure that myself.

GreyQueen

Frugalsod wrote: »

Already seen that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygy7UDADXDg

3.47 is the best bit, I'm sure one of them was Mardatha...............

Have now ordered new glasses and am grounded awaiting the chief sparkie. I shall remove from easy view a few things like firelighting equipment but leave the knitting out. Cos middle-aged wimmin who knit are harmless, hey?

Never trust a woman with long thin bits of pointy metal. They could be me.

boultdj

Living in the shire where there are a lot of sweet factories as well as Th*rnt*ns chocolate factory I can tell you I'm getting scared of the idea of Mad Mard and the Godmothers invading! Can we trade instead? You bring heather honey in return we'll give you sweeties.....