Everyday Ordinary Man Approaching Full Retirement at 59.

sukysue · 17 November 2017 at 8:01PM

Ahhh thank you bugslet and fatbeetle , I think we are extremely lucky. I fear my DDs won't be able to retire early and enjoy their lives without working till they are much older than us poor things. I think we are maybe the last of the generations able to rely on a good occy pension and a lump sum and OAP too. I am very thankful and know how very lucky we are . Today we got the Christmas tree up and I did some packing , I went to hospital to visit 2 ppl I know , one for my elderly parents , one for my very elderly neighbour, his wife. I came back and entertained my Parents and we both walked up the town in the dark for a loaf of bread!I loved every minute of the day, I never want it to end , I know it will because we will become less able in years to come but for now I feel like I am born again AKA FREEDOM!!!

joansgirl · 18 November 2017 at 2:57PM

sukysue wrote: »

Ahhh thank you bugslet and fatbeetle , I think we are extremely lucky. I fear my DDs won't be able to retire early and enjoy their lives without working till they are much older than us poor things. I think we are maybe the last of the generations able to rely on a good occy pension and a lump sum and OAP too. I am very thankful and know how very lucky we are . Today we got the Christmas tree up and I did some packing , I went to hospital to visit 2 ppl I know , one for my elderly parents , one for my very elderly neighbour, his wife. I came back and entertained my Parents and we both walked up the town in the dark for a loaf of bread!I loved every minute of the day, I never want it to end , I know it will because we will become less able in years to come but for now I feel like I am born again AKA FREEDOM!!!

It's at times like this you realise that youth really is wasted on the young :rotfl:

bugslet · 18 November 2017 at 7:42PM

sukysue wrote: »

Ahhh thank you bugslet and fatbeetle , I think we are extremely lucky. I fear my DDs won't be able to retire early and enjoy their lives without working till they are much older than us poor things. I think we are maybe the last of the generations able to rely on a good occy pension and a lump sum and OAP too. I am very thankful and know how very lucky we are . Today we got the Christmas tree up and I did some packing , I went to hospital to visit 2 ppl I know , one for my elderly parents , one for my very elderly neighbour, his wife. I came back and entertained my Parents and we both walked up the town in the dark for a loaf of bread!I loved every minute of the day, I never want it to end , I know it will because we will become less able in years to come but for now I feel like I am born again AKA FREEDOM!!!

I've never had an occupational pension. Left school at 18 with 3 million on the dole queue. Worked as a fork lift driver, van driver, forwarder before setting up in business at 26. My pension comes from not paying myself much, forgoing holidays and whatever value is left in the company. Those are still options available now to anyone.

I think housing in the south east is a big problem, that's that's huge difference between then and now.

I

System · 19 November 2017 at 3:06PM

A small update from me! My grandmother died a couple of weeks ago aged 102!! I have spoken about her before. Funeral is tomorrow, so I have been very busy arranging everything as she lived with myself and my mother. Have 6 guests arriving later this afternoon for dinner and staying until tomorrow night! Internment of ashes on Friday. Lots of paperwork completed.
My mother has also had knee replacement surgery. It continues to be very painful and swollen but hopefully she is on path to recovery. Obviously the death of her mother part way through has taken its toll though.
Have just completed training as examination invigilator at my school. Have 7 sessions booked over next couple of weeks. Reasonable pay so a little supplement to pension due at the end of December.
Walked the dogs this morning in the November sunshine. They are off to the kennels tomorrow for 24 hours. With 21 people back for afternoon tea after the funeral I need a clear house!!
Hope all are well.

Katiehound · 19 November 2017 at 3:48PM

Sorry Paul to hear about your sad loss, but hey, 102 is a grand age!

Hope your mother improves with the knee- how long ago was the op?
(I've had 2 in the last 18 months so been there, done that, bought the Tee shirt! or perhaps it is a hair shirt!)
I find swimming is really helpful and pilates if you can find one that is chair rather than floor based.

I hope the funeral goes well- and that you enjoy meeting family afterwards even if it is a sad time. Probably the Irish do that best- with a wake. Anyway it is going to be a celebration of your grandmother's life.

Take care, start spending the money (cut price treats are allowed!) and enjoy life
Best wishes
Katiehound