What are we saving FOR?

margaretclare

Toto wrote: »

Talking of inheritance. My mum died aged 54, 6 years ago and she died penniless. But the wonderful thing about that was she had lived 3 lifetimes in her (little more than) half a life. There wasn't a continent she hadn't spent time in, she had been everywhere, done and seen everything she wanted to. For me that was the biggest comfort I had when losing her so young. I'm glad she was poor when she died, because her gift to us was the lesson that you only get one shot at life and it needs to be lived to the very fullest. Now that's an inheritance.

Well, I don't know who mentioned 'inheritance', a word I am coming to dislike more and more, but it really isn't on our radar. We've been talking for ages of replacing the car because we need a newer, more reliable model for our planned trip up the 'Romantic Rhine' next September. In order to get the high-spec, low-mileage, 4 year old model that we wanted, we needed savings.

For various reasons - eye surgery, fracture pelvis etc - we didn't go on our planned holiday to Niagara in July.

Good luck with the chemo, JackieO. I agree, saving is a habit that is best started early in life. I did have that habit long ago but lost it for some years, now regained it.

Margaret

Errata

Jackie, very best wishes for the chemo. I have some family members and friends who've had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for breast cancer and chemotherapy is pretty tough - but the one thing that seemed to help them through is lots and lots and lots of treats and lots of stuff to look forward to when it's finished. You've made a great start ! Keep up the good work ! Hope you manage to keep on posting - for a natter, a moan, a laugh, and anything else you fancy.
Yes, I certainly remember the 6d saving stamps (oh dear) and the 2/6d ones tucked inside birthday cards from distant great aunts.

Back on thread - What are we saving for? I came across a great phrase today which I think puts it in a nutshell: savings are for "frills and spills". Lots of the first, and not too many of the second with luck.

seven-day-weekend

Toto wrote: »

Talking of inheritance. My mum died aged 54, 6 years ago and she died penniless. But the wonderful thing about that was she had lived 3 lifetimes in her (little more than) half a life. There wasn't a continent she hadn't spent time in, she had been everywhere, done and seen everything she wanted to. For me that was the biggest comfort I had when losing her so young. I'm glad she was poor when she died, because her gift to us was the lesson that you only get one shot at life and it needs to be lived to the very fullest. Now that's an inheritance.

One of the things that decided us to take early retirement in our 50s and come to live in Spain for a while was when someone said to us (after they'd had to return to the Midlands from retirement on the Isle of Skye, for health reasons) 'well, we had five years of living our dream. Not many people can say that'.

She's right. Not many people can. I too think that was a good inheritance from your mum.

Margaret54

Hi Margaretclare, just reading your threads and would like to wish you and your husband many happy and healthy years together. My dear husband and i are in our 50's now(he is 55 and i am 53) and we have thought and talked about getting older and hoping to have enough money to take care of whatever is ahead of us, and we are saving all we can too now, and we never had much money over when the bills were paid, but recently have been able to save more than before. He works very hard and i had to take early retirement from my job due to ill health, and we know we must think of the future. Best wishes Margaret, and to everyone else who has taken part in this. It is good to be able to share our how we feel.

Margaret54

Glad you have a lovely new chair to relax in Jackie and i wish you well with all your treatment. Your family sound lovely. Best wishes Margaretxx

margaretclare

Margaret54 wrote: »

Hi Margaretclare, just reading your threads and would like to wish you and your husband many happy and healthy years together. My dear husband and i are in our 50's now(he is 55 and i am 53) and we have thought and talked about getting older and hoping to have enough money to take care of whatever is ahead of us, and we are saving all we can too now, and we never had much money over when the bills were paid, but recently have been able to save more than before. He works very hard and i had to take early retirement from my job due to ill health, and we know we must think of the future. Best wishes Margaret, and to everyone else who has taken part in this. It is good to be able to share our how we feel.

Thank you, Margaret.

My first husband didn't live to see his 60th birthday - died when he was 58 - and the years 1992 to 1997 were very hard for me because widowhood coincided with redundancy. I have been so fortunate, now in a happy second marriage, we share our resources and do things together, live life to the full.

With very best wishes