Teach me how to SKI

pollypenny

Sea_Shell wrote: »

I know what you mean. We're in the early stages of early retirement, so still balancing having enough to last and spending.

I'm sure as we settle into it, and we see how our investments are doing we'll start to loosen the purse strings...but it's just not in our nature to be spenders (hence early retirement!!)

We see so much of spending...just because you can...as wasteful, rather than mindful.

I was very nervous about finances in my first year of retirement using advice on MSE I signed up for umpteen survey sites. Most were a nuisance and not worthwhile. I like yougov,,though.

It's surprising how far retirement income goes.

pattypan4

I definitely agree with that polypenny and I am in a brand new house that costs very little to keep warm.



One hobby is now updated ie advancement lessons are now booked and paid for

badmemory

pollypenny wrote: »

It's surprising how far retirement income goes.

It is indeed. I have found I now resent the money I used to spend in the one supermarket shop I could face whilst working. I now use a minimum of 3 per week & my shopping bill is about half to 2 thirds what it once was. It is good exercise if you do it right too!

pattypan4

yay, I am spending, folding workbench and a very good electrical cutting tool, no messing here and I no longer feel guilty. I am going to be all set for winter

pattypan4

The floodgates are open, actually very much less than the cost of a holiday but a bit more workshop hobby stuff ordered, to replace parts I cannot find and some special small tools. I am getting prepped to work upstairs in winter when it is too cold in the garage, I`ll just roll up the rug and all will be fine on my quickstep floor. After posting the other day and someone mentione hobbies, well I am on a roll, back to a hobby that I haven`t done for 2 years. The first lesson was awesome and I have been cleaning my workshop all day and worked in there all afternoon and evening


It wasn`t just about money, more about the missing sense of satisfaction and what I have done today even surprises me. It will keep me so busy that I won`t be nibbling and putting weight on and I won`t be bothered shopping so any incomings will soon add up, again

Eenymeeny

What a great thread! Thanks for showing me that I'm not the only one who thinks like this! My OH and myself have been brought up to be 'careful' and reuse and recycle before it became a 'thing' I suppose that's why a lot of us gravitated towards good old MSE:A
My husband has settled into the ' treat yourself, you're worth it' mode which I still struggle with. I keep saying that I'm happy with what I've got and don't need anything. That's ok as well, but I think you've all just given me the push to think about what might make my life more comfortable and/or interesting throughout the coming winter. Thanks again :beer:
Maybe I'll start by putting the heating up a couple of degrees...;)
PS. I keep thinking that sometime in the future it might be a luxury to pay someone to 'keep the garden tidy' but at the moment I still love pottering while I can! It's all about what would be a luxury to you. Well done with making a start Pattypan!

pollypenny

To our surprise, we are finding ourselves better off than we've every been!

Neither set of parents could help us and we had to graft for everything, including mortgage at 17% at its peak. Buying a run down place so the kids could go to a better school, then them at university with no grant meant we juggling the money. Son's graduation in 1996 saw us in profit at the end of the month for the first time

However, paying those pension contributions was wise and we are reaping the benefits. Not expecting any enormous bills in house, having replaced hall and living carpets two years ago, new bathroom this year.

Time to enjoy life! And the judicious use of vouchers and offers helps, of course. Thank you, Alexandre and Sergei!

pattypan4

yes, all our lives being careful but happy, old age seemed a lifetime away but always aware of living on a pension. We saved and we had a private pension, husband retired and enjoyed his life, an active sporty hobby and a quiet one. I had to persuade him to buy the best equipment for him and I am glad I did, he died a few years later


His private pension did not die with him, the beauty of sipps, he died under 75 so I can take anything I like from that sipp tax free. The sipp is safe and still providing an income from super-safe gilts but I have not had to draw down for over a year. I have been spending savings because I moved house, a bit cheaper so the difference paid for moving costs. I have made a new will and LPA and updated my sipp beneficiaries, it can be passed on down the generations, pensions for children and grandchildren and beyond.



I don`t have extravagent ways but I want to loosen the psychological reins. I have given the children cash, did that in 2016 and did the same with grandchildren this year. That is it re giving money away. They were good sums and it is down to them to be wise and it was a one-off


Eenymeany, I have ramped the heating up to a very comfortable level, will be warm and cosy all the time. I buy best chocolate, eat organic and go to waitrose from time to time. I will look at holidays next year but I love pottering here in my garden and in my workshop. Going on holiday by myself is not exactly fun but it is fun being here and joining groups and classes, hence the holiday reluctance.

Eenymeeny

Yes, travelling doesn't appeal to me at all these days although we've recently discovered Air bnb where we enjoyed a couple of short breaks discovering areas of the UK which we weren't familiar with. OH had always wanted to attend the Duxford air show so we incorporated that into a couple of Premier inn stopovers and a lovely little cottage halfway home. So while still keeping things 'low key' (I'd hate a 'posh hotel') we really enjoy ourselves and do things that we've always fancied doing. I think that's what it's all about isn't it?

pattypan4

Eenym, get you and your OH out and about as much as you possibly can, no-one knows what is around the corner. Eat cream teas buy nice flowers and chocolates and enjoy your couple life