The Senior Wonder Years!

tiddles

Baron_Dale - you are so well-organised! I really enjoy reading your posts.

 Although my financial arrangements are mostly good, my organisational skills are lacking in other areas, but I am getting there, gradually!

[Deleted User]

Cold but wonderfully sunny here today. 
Yesterday I completed a 300 mile round trip to collect an aunt for a stay with us. Also took the opportunity to make a visit to some family friends and have a nice lunch out.
The motorways were not too bad even the M25 during part of the rush hour. Ferries were on time too.
Legs were a little painful after such a long drive, but 30 minutes of stretching and weight bearing plus a long forest walk sorted those out!

[Deleted User]

The last few days have been cold but pleasant. I have spent my time reading and having lunches out! 
Usual Household chores and top up shops have also been done. I have also assisted my sister for three evenings feed and put chickens and ducks to bed for a friend of hers  who is on a short trip away.
I certainly wouldn’t want to have either in my garden, however large it was,  as it would play havoc with my need for order and tidiness lol! Not to mention having to clean them out!

I have also visited the local monastery and bought some jams and other treats.

Today I am out to lunch again and visiting another gift/local craft shop.

Spending has been all in line with budget.

I am taking my aunt back to Essex next week which means another nearly 300 mile round trip, but fortunately she is covering the cost of ferry and petrol.

I haven’t taken any time out during her visit as I didn’t want to get caught up in any bad weather. She would have provided company for my older relative while I was away. I will be glad though to go back to normal house routines though when she departs.

I have been reflecting on some aspects of the MSE approach ( for the want of a more appropriate phrase) as I am finding myself at increasingly at odds with the philosophy of some boards and posters.
I can fully appreciate that those with debt to pay off need to cut back and budget carefully to become debt free. Likewise those on low incomes may also have to take care with expenditure and plan accordingly. In fact I respect their determination and resilience.

I think what irritates me is those who take being frugal to an extreme or see it as a crusade, especially if they have the means to be a little more relaxed about things. Their shock and 
almost contempt if somebody wants to do things differently. What they are trying to achieve is never really addressed. People are almost made to feel guilty or worry about doing something considered to be non-frugal. On some threads there seems almost to be a competition to have the house at the lowest temperature or have the heating off as much as possible. Another one is a no spend January 🤷‍♂️! Is that possible or even desirable? 

At the other end of the scale thee are some who have thousands and thousands who write threads about how difficult it is to spend and enjoy their money, which is really sad! I’m sure in some cases it is almost to show off.  A bit of ‘the mine is bigger than yours syndrome!’ 😱 The obsession with inheritance and care costs, and in some cases, tax avoidance as well as hiding assets.

On some threads people with enough money to retire are constantly told to delay retirement or do this or that to maximise financial gain. Yes you need a certain amount, but also need health and time too.

Some people also ask for advice on minor things that they could easily sort themselves. I think that there is a general trend for people to want approval for what they do and get annoyed if others get annoyed or disagree lol! I may ask people things, but I am my own person and take responsibility for my successes and failures. Increasingly people want to have someone else to blame or, in some cases, easy solutions.

Perhaps, at times people are too understanding and tolerant. Sometimes people do need to be told they just need to sort themselves out and get a grip or indeed that they are following the wrong path.

I know I am in a fortunate position in the terms of pension provision, but I worked hard for it. I am not wealthy, by any means, but have enough for my lifestyle. I certainly will not feel cold at home or eat cheap bulky food to prove a point. 

Anyway enough of my ramblings! My thoughts are entirely my own.

Best wishes.

mummytummy

Your reflections echo what I too have been thinking for some time Baron_Dale, to the point that I have reduced the amount of threads that I follow down to two, yours being one of those that I follow but don’t often comment. Some people are very arrogant and supercilious.

badmemory

The central heating thing always gets me.  If it is thermostatically controlled then why turn it off.  After all it can be colder in August than November so why shiver in August.  A service man once told me that he loves that they turn it off for months because it keeps him very busy when they try to turn them back on again.

Floss

I'm definitely not one of the "hemp shirt" brigade - and while I don't & won't have a generous income, I have enough to keep myself warm & fed!

Smudgeismydog

I don’t feel you are alone in this Baron_Dale, yes I appreciate this is a Money Saving forum, but it’s so important to consider other aspects of money too.

As you know, I’m going to start early retirement at the end of June. I could stay on in work, putting more into my pension, but after being widowed at 36, I am very aware of the fragility of life. Spending time with friends and family is very important to me, and I also want to have more time to do the things I want to do. I’m not going to say I’m ‘lucky’ that I have this choice, as it’s largely due to the safety net of my dependents pension, but I do feel fortunate in that I can make this choice.

Why earn or save money if you don’t then use it to create the life you want?

[Deleted User]

Thank you all for your responses. Nice to know I’m not a complete outlier with my thoughts!

Lovely day yesterday  with lunch out and a drive around. Spent the evening at my nephew’s house enjoying a fish and chip supper with other relatives. Lots of lively chat and banter which is good for the soul. Especially when it involves the plans and experiences of younger people.

Nothing planned for today. Very cold here today even in the far south lol. Will rouse myself shortly to do some exercises, maybe a few household chores and a walk in the forest. Perhaps some reading too!

I am doing well with my personal spends the month. The new budget allows £300 a month, and so far I have  spent £126 and it’s already 19th January. I have been treated to several lunches out so all good 🙂.

beanielou

Smudgeismydog said:

I don’t feel you are alone in this Baron_Dale, yes I appreciate this is a Money Saving forum, but it’s so important to consider other aspects of money too.

As you know, I’m going to start early retirement at the end of June. I could stay on in work, putting more into my pension, but after being widowed at 36, I am very aware of the fragility of life. Spending time with friends and family is very important to me, and I also want to have more time to do the things I want to do. I’m not going to say I’m ‘lucky’ that I have this choice, as it’s largely due to the safety net of my dependents pension, but I do feel fortunate in that I can make this choice.

Why earn or save money if you don’t then use it to create the life you want?

Go for it. 

You are so right on so many levels. 

Sunshine_girl2

I agree with your thoughts in the above post , i feel I have enough income and savings not to be so worried that my thermostat is at a constant 20c. I am never going to be very rich , well one day maybe if I inherit from my parents ! . I do enjoy your diary and your straightforward approach to life and retirement. I must confess I am a tidiness freak as well. 

Enjoy a good weekend , I will with a glass of wine.