THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

monnagran

Can I come too, please?

I have the elephant stored over on the ' fence' thread and the armour only needs a touch up with a smidgen of Brasso.

I may not be eligible though. I am far too old and retired at 60, (ducks.)

It wasn't all rosy though. My pension was with Equitable Life, one of the first to go to the wall when a certain Mr Brown did a bit of reorganising.
Never mind, I get £7.30 a week in pension credit and a free bus pass and TV licence, what more could a body ask for?

OK. I'll go and feed the elephant and sharpen up the hoe.

x

maryb

I'm nearly 63 and I had a very stressful job but I realised in my late 40s that I would die young if I didn't get out. It took me 10 years but thanks to a redundancy programme back in 2009 I was able to largely retire, though I did some consultancy work for my old employer for a further three years.

In many ways my health was enormously improved when I got out. But age is making itself felt despite my baffled outrage that this should be happening. Starting with multiple eyesight problems and most recently a fractured vertebra and a diagnosis of severe osteoporosis. Plus other things which by themselves I would dismiss as niggles.

I was a child of the welfare state with good nutrition, and excellent healthcare all my life. I was fortunate enough never to be really poor despite financial disaster being one redundancy round away most of my career. But there is no way I could still be working and my state pension is still two and a half years away.

I simply do not understand how they expect people to keep going until their late 60s I can't be unusual in having cumulative health problems

DigForVictory

Bit of a wait before I'm allowed a pension, but have both pitchfork and several burning brands (made on proper broomstick handles) to take the weight & keep the flames at a reasonable distance. Himself has an 8' spear which keeps most debate at a thoughtful distance...

When you want your mob, give me a whistle!
[Um, just if it's Thursday I may come with a pack of Scouts.]

ivyleaf

Well they'll be just the job DFV, after all, aren't they supposed to Be Prepared? or has the motto changed these days?

mardatha

My weapons are my tongue and my knitting needles. Bags me prime spot at the guillotine when they get round to Osborne!
I think the only way to prep for illness or age is by sharpening the edges of your mind. Develop attitude and a toughness.

westcoastscot

I agree Mar, i've had a tough year so far which continues to challenge, and my resilience has taken a huge knock - need to guard against it though as it can be a slippery slope.
Determined to boost it back up before the year end.

Beautiful day here again after a frosty start - enjoy your day guys

elona

According to my DDs my default position is "!!!!! face". Unless I am actually smiling my face settles in a grumpy look even when I am quite happy and just thinking about something.

I am happy to talk them to death!!!!

Have two rolling pins, cast iron saucepan and ready to travel

What are we rebelling against or is it a case of "Whatcha got?"

Karmacat

mardatha wrote: »

The technician didnt have my notes and said ooooooh that's odd, they should be here - and my heart sank. So he's sending the scan results to the doc who ordered it, who has taken me off her list and shunted me onto the endocrinolgy docs. So by the time it reaches her and she sends it off and it gets lost a couple times along the way then dumped on a secretary's desk ... am thinking maybe xmas?:D

Ack! And because of the health issues that they're supposed to be investigating, you don't have the energy to phone them and chivvy them along let us know what happens next, Mar.

westcoastscot wrote: »

Not complaining, just saying..... so whilst it isn't any easier for you, the goal posts haven't been moved, twice in your working life.

Me too, WSC, I've had the goalposts moved twice. The second one was very upsetting, even though the first move was fair enough because in one stroke it meant I retired at an equal age to men (at that stage).

elona wrote: »

According to my DDs my default position is "!!!!! face". Unless I am actually smiling my face settles in a grumpy look even when I am quite happy and just thinking about something.

Mine *was*. Now its a constant little smile five weeks retired and no state pension or even private pension ... I more or less have my health back, though.

I have a garden fork to contribute to the storming, plus a lovely handmade spurtle bought from the woodworker who made it

westcoastscot

Hi Karma, so lovely to hear that you're flourishing in retirement - I'm trying hard to be more optimistic - which I mostly am by nature - but it's been a horrendous year and I'm struggling to gain a sense of perspective. I'll get there though! I think talking about it with you all has made me realise quite how out of step I am with my life just now, so going to talk to my line manager tomorrow, see if I can iron out some work issues and then use my forthcoming annual leave (end Nov) to work on my attitude!!!!
Thanks guys, you are the voice of reason

greenbee

Karmacat wrote: »

mardatha wrote: »

The technician didnt have my notes and said ooooooh that's odd, they should be here - and my heart sank. So he's sending the scan results to the doc who ordered it, who has taken me off her list and shunted me onto the endocrinolgy docs. So by the time it reaches her and she sends it off and it gets lost a couple times along the way then dumped on a secretary's desk ... am thinking maybe xmas?:D

Ack! And because of the health issues that they're supposed to be investigating, you don't have the energy to phone them and chivvy them along let us know what happens next, Mar.

I missed this yesterday. Mar - you need to put one thing on your list every day, and that's to call and keep chasing up. Do you have the numbers for all the relevant secretaries? If so, get hold of them - if you get them on side you'll find that things start to move pretty quickly.

Oh - and bribery works. Take jelly babies with you whenever you go to the hospital. If you are dealing with a nurse/secretary give them a pack of jellybabies. They'll remember you as the sweet little old lady. Not the one with the pointy knitting needles

Karmacat wrote: »

Me too, WSC, I've had the goalposts moved twice. The second one was very upsetting, even though the first move was fair enough because in one stroke it meant I retired at an equal age to men (at that stage).

By the time I started work I realised that I was unlikely ever to be able to retire fully (unlike my dad who took early retirement at 60 without it really impacting on their lifestyle - in fact they have more time to spend the money ...). So I've been paying into various work/private pensions and saving, but also thinking about how I can sustain the energy/abilities.

Some of you will remember that I was very ill for a period of 5 years a few years ago, and that's what motivated me to move house. If I was going to have to slow down, go out less etc, I wanted to live somewhere that didn't make me feel claustrophobic and cooped up. Thankfully I'm better, but as I work from home it was the right thing to do.

The house needs a lot of work - so it's probably a good thing I'm better. It's slowed down my savings, and my mortgage overpayments (haven't made one of those since I moved!). However, once the major work is done I should be able to start overpaying and saving (as well as getting some help in the house and with the garden). Once the mortgage is paid off, and I have a better idea of the real running costs of this place I'll be able to think about what I do next from a work perspective.

I've never had a career plan, but I've realised I need to make the most of potential opportunities in order to give myself as much flexibility as possible in the future. So if I have to do a lot of travel and public speaking now, while I'm well, it'll stand me in good stead (in terms of visibility and contacts) if I need to cut the travel in the future and do more online/writing.

I really do need to get the house finished though... it would reduce my stress levels hugely!