THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

moneyistooshorttomention

dreaming wrote: »

I feel fortunate that I can manage to live fairly comfortably on my pensions, which are below the tax threshold of £10,600pa. I say "fortunate" although it does take some planning and effort but I have never been particularly extravagant, and I know there is still some leeway to make further savings if absolutely necessary. What worries me though is how life will be for those who have absolutely no leeway in their day to day life whatsoever. I don't know how many of you saw Slum Britain on Channel 5 last night but it was quite unsettling to say the least.

Out of interest - is that living "fairly comfortably" with being free of debt and mortgage? running a car? and being "financially straight" (ie you've completely finished work on your house, etc, etc).

I'm asking because I am clear of mortgage and don't run a car - but am still not "financially straight" yet. There's still a lot of money to go (ie finishing the house and getting the savings up to a more reasonable level). Rather depressing for a pensioner - but I'm not planning on even trying to go back to work....no chance:eek: I've "done my 40 years (ie full-time)" as my father would say....

So - I have leeway - but it's still going towards work on house etc.

dreaming

mardatha wrote: »

What was that about, what was in it dreaming?

It was a follow up to a series of photos taken some 50odd years ago of children in the slums of the early 60s and tracked down some of those kids. It also jumped forward to modern days and showed how the slums never seem to have gone away. One family of about 7 (3 generations) were living in 1 room emergency accommodation for several weeks. Some people obviously have/had drink/drug/emotional problems but some were just ordinary people who were "just about managing" (to quote Theresa May) and then the rug was pulled from under their feet. My DD (who lives with me after a mental breakdown) could so easily be one of those. It seems the "safety net" has rather large holes in it. I couldn't sleep for ages after watching it as I keep thinking that there must be a solution but I can't think of one.

dreaming

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Out of interest - is that living "fairly comfortably" with being free of debt and mortgage? running a car? and being "financially straight" (ie you've completely finished work on your house, etc, etc).

I'm asking because I am clear of mortgage and don't run a car - but am still not "financially straight" yet. There's still a lot of money to go (ie finishing the house and getting the savings up to a more reasonable level). Rather depressing for a pensioner - but I'm not planning on even trying to go back to work....no chance:eek: I've "done my 40 years (ie full-time)" as my father would say....

So - I have leeway - but it's still going towards work on house etc.

I have no mortgage or debt (other than using a Tesco credit card for shopping to increase Clubcard points and which gets paid off each month). 6 years ago I bought a bungalow which had been done up (very well although not entirely my taste). I did do some work whilst I still worked (increasing insulation and fitting solar pv panels). Then when I was 58 my company relocated and I was offered the choice of a relocation package or redundancy. I chose redundancy and paid off the mortgage, tucked some away for the future and started drawing my pension. When I was 60 (last year) 2 other pensions kicked in from previous jobs and increased my monthly income by £20. Yes I still run a car, and I certainly didn't bank on one of my adult children returning to live with me. As they are currently unable to work due to a variety of problems they get just the bare minimum in way of benefits, and have been told bluntly that there is no housing provision although they could claim "some" housing benefit if they rent privately. But we manage - I have just spent a fair bit on some winter clothes but had not bought anything since leaving work 3 years ago, but it was all budgeted for. I am off shortly for Christmas shopping - again I have a budget for this. I do try to foresee the future as regards keeping cash back to replace washing machine etc., or for house repairs, but I am also aware how close I could be to "not managing" as replenishing the savings is difficult. The programme last night really shocked me even though I sort of knew about it anyway.

mardatha

I just found it on my5, and watched half of it. I remember slums like that in the late 60s and had friends living in them. Watching stuff like that just makes me deeply angry, and hate Tories even more than I do already. And we have let things slip so much that we're heading right back down that road now. But how do you prep for every single eventuality? How can you avoid total disaster? The ordinary working person can only save so much money, and sooner or later that's going to run out.

dreaming

Me too Mardatha. We were considered poor when I was a kid in the late 50'/early 60's but at least had a decent council house, and my dad always worked in the local factory. Now of course there is hardly any council housing (oops "social housing" we're supposed to say now) and hardly any factories. As I said yesterday the town centre is hardly worth the 2 hour free parking, yet we are all being urged to boost the local economy.
To be honest I don't just blame Tories - I'm not sure any political party over the last couple of decades has had the foresight to see that good times had to end sooner or later. I get angry, and frustrated - as I said I don't know the answer. All I can do is to try and keep going as best I can. As I said, I consider myself fortunate - for now.

fuddle

Mar you used to post about a war time website that had recipes of the era. Can you remember it. Oatcakes! Of course. I shall be looking at learning those.

I have received my pension forecast if things continue as they are. In todays money I will receive £800 a year. I really need to do something about that.

For those of you who don't know my mam recently died. I have been able to put her pension towards a tiny little stone terraced atop a hill. Our mortgage is for £40k and will be paid off by the time I am 52. I have had the full mortgage offer through today. I spoke a lot about trying to gain security for retirement here so it's fitting I do that now.

For me, I see being comfortable in retirement being able to feel independent, safe, warm and secure in my home and able to eat. That is all I really wish for (oh ok, aside from a multifuel stove but indulge me!) in life so going with the contentment feelings.

I don't know where we'll be in the future but all I can try to do is make as best decisions as I can now and continue to fuel my knowledge base and make my home my castle and I cannot put into words how fortunate I feel, given my past financial history, to get the opportunity to do so.

What I will say is this. My mam paid into her local government pension scheme for over 30 years. She drew her pension for 1 year only. She died because of alcoholism and ignorance to her health. She lived a pretty miserable existence in her own mental and physical pain. Life has to be lived as best it can be in the here and now because otherwise what is the point? What I have dealt with these past few months has opened my eyes to the constant worry I had of 'what is going to happen when we retire?' I am now at the stage where I feel like I am working towards securing tomorrow and If I do that well day by day I can stand my family in some sort of good stead should life allow us to grow older.

elona

fuddle

I am so pleased you are now able to plan ahead and have a proper home to look forward to.

A dd works in the energy industry and has reminded me how little "wriggle room " there is in the grid etc so asked me did I have candles etc in case the lights went out. Her face when I showed her shoeboxes filled with tea lights, matches, lighters, candles, solar lights, wind up radio and torches as well as a kelly kettle was a picture especially as I said I had some for my daughters too. My gas hob will work without electric ignition and I have several hot water bottles and spare throws if needed.

As well as things like oatcakes don't forget things like potato scones, nice hot or cold and easy to make or home made scotch pancakes or drop scones.

VJsmum

Condolences, Fuddle

fuddle

Thank you VJs. It has been the end of a lot of pain. I can't grieve for the loss of that but I have grieved for the loss of my mam of old and my dad collectively. It has been a cathartic process and feel all the stronger for it.

Chin up and lead the best life I can and give thanks that when it came to it my mam and dad could provide me with security for me and my family.

mardatha

Fuddle I totally forgot what website that was! * demented*