The Senior Wonder Years!

Lily8

Have a lovely break in Shropshire Baron_Dale. It's not too far for us to travel to. I quite fancy visiting Shrewsbury Prison, which probably sounds a bit odd lol.

[Deleted User]

Lily8 said:

Have a lovely break in Shropshire Baron_Dale. It's not too far for us to travel to. I quite fancy visiting Shrewsbury Prison, which probably sounds a bit odd lol.

Whatever floats your boat lol!

Dizee123

On a passing whim we visited Shepton Mallet prison.
3 hours later we agreed that it was one of the most fascinating places we had visited in a while.  Lots of information on all the various aspects of prison life throughout the ages, an actual place where they carried out capital punishment, a spell as a military prison......not to mention the photo opportunities of peering through bars and being in cells!.

Have a lovely time in Shropshire Baron_Dale.  One of my favorite counties and still love the scenery, walking up the Wrekin and the views from the top and long weekends in Shrewsbury and surrounding areas.  So many historical buildings and lovely pubs .

[Deleted User]

I am considering whether or not to continue with this thread. I do enjoy posting my updates, which I view as a sort of diary that keeps me accountable and sane! I find it much easier writing for an audience rather than just myself. I am also able to reflect on my experiences and those of others.

I am very interested in how others budget and manage on various incomes, especially those who are also retired on more typical amounts. I especialIy like reading about and dealing with facts and figures!  I find the stories of some very motivating. They also have helped me to combat the feelings I have, that somehow I should have done better in a lot of things and made more of my opportunities. At the same time though I do realise that I am lucky to have a loving family, good health and a sufficient income in retirement.

I guess it is the conflict between the rational and irrational me! 

I have also found myself, as I have mentioned recently, a little at odds with the traditional MSE approach, if it can be called that. Of course, I know that budgeting and living within your means are both important. However, there are other important things in life apart from always getting the best deal and maximising wealth. 

I have asked for my other threads to be closed in the interest of tidiness. Those threads  asked specific questions or discussed particular topics, which have now been addressed.

I would also like to say that stepping down from the thread ‘How Much To Live On’ was not solely due to some disagreements. I am not that petty. I have been feeling for a while that the discussion there had drifted away from its original purpose. Its strength was that it gave a platform to those mainly over 50s who had more typical or limited incomes. People shared facts and figures. More recently the thread seems to concentrate more on lifestyles, holidays, etc…. Nothing wrong with those things, but I believe the thread was moving away from its original intentions. For me it was more interesting when people said, ’ this is what I have, this what I spend and save, what do you think ?’
Is it enough? Can I retire, work less or whatever?

That is my view anyway.

I will have a ponder. 

Sunshine_girl2

Baron Dale you have more or less stated the reasons why I closed my DF diary . I hope you stay as I do enjoy your writing . 

[Deleted User]

@Sunshine_girl2. Thank you for your response. I am grateful for your understanding of my viewpoint.

luvchocolate

[Deleted User] said:

I am considering whether or not to continue with this thread. I do enjoy posting my updates, which I view as a sort of diary that keeps me accountable and sane! I find it much easier writing for an audience rather than just myself. I am also able to reflect on my experiences and those of others.

I am very interested in how others budget and manage on various incomes, especially those who are also retired on more typical amounts. I especialIy like reading about and dealing with facts and figures!  I find the stories of some very motivating. They also have helped me to combat the feelings I have, that somehow I should have done better in a lot of things and made more of my opportunities. At the same time though I do realise that I am lucky to have a loving family, good health and a sufficient income in retirement.

I guess it is the conflict between the rational and irrational me! 

I have also found myself, as I have mentioned recently, a little at odds with the traditional MSE approach, if it can be called that. Of course, I know that budgeting and living within your means are both important. However, there are other important things in life apart from always getting the best deal and maximising wealth. 

I have asked for my other threads to be closed in the interest of tidiness. Those threads  asked specific questions or discussed particular topics, which have now been addressed.

I would also like to say that stepping down from the thread ‘How Much To Live On’ was not solely due to some disagreements. I am not that petty. I have been feeling for a while that the discussion there had drifted away from its original purpose. Its strength was that it gave a platform to those mainly over 50s who had more typical or limited incomes. People shared facts and figures. More recently the thread seems to concentrate more on lifestyles, holidays, etc…. Nothing wrong with those things, but I believe the thread was moving away from its original intentions. For me it was more interesting when people said, ’ this is what I have, this what I spend and save, what do you think ?’
Is it enough? Can I retire, work less or whatever?

That is my view anyway.

I will have a ponder. 

I think the problem in the how much to life on thread should be the financial discussion but financial stuff wonders onto this thread too....which should stay as more light reading. 
Just my opinion of course 

Rich1976

I think a lot of the threads have moved away from being about the average person in the street, who are really Martin Lewis’s target audience on his TV programme and now seem to be a platform for high earners or those that have acquired lots of wealth and are now flashing their lifestyles by retiring in their 50s or looking for the best platform to maximise their annual ISA allowance.

its the same users commenting over and over again on a daily basis, some it would seem have retired but still spend a lot of their time on here.

sometimes newcomers will ask , what is to them a genuine question based on a lack of knowledge and some of the responses are beyond patronising.

it seems to have moved away from people helping and supporting each other to a platform for the rich.

i am talking mainly about the pensions , savings boards etc.

you are absolutely right of course, there is more to life than money and constantly finding the best deals to be able to acquire more wealth. I saw some of the disagreements on the other thread and thought you were correct in what you what were saying.

[Deleted User]

@luvchocolate, this thread is different to the How Much To Live On Thread because it is a personal thread more than a general one. The aim is more about my financial journey with occasional life stuff too. I may aim to make it more financial in future. I also appreciate it when others share similar thoughts/ideas/situation about their finances with me on this thread. I do like financial stuff being present on my thread too lol. Thank you for your comments.

[Deleted User]

@Rich1976. Many thanks for your comments. I am in very close agreement with what you are saying.
Some boards have stayed close to their original purpose such as the DFW boards and How Much Have You Saved.
Some other boards are dominated by others who I would consider to be the 'much better off, ' for want of a better phrase.

In the main Pensions section for example, some of the DC pots discussed as well as some of the DB pensions are much greater than those of the average person. Some posters seem unaware of how lucky they are. I also think it puts others off who really what to find things out, but feel too intimidated to ask. Once again though, I have to say that some contributors are great and put forward excellent suggestions and advice.

It can be disheartening for some when they read about others who have savings and investments of tens or of hundreds of thousands, when they are trying to make the most of more limited resources. I must admit I have felt inadequate on occasion but most of the time do count my blessings.

There remains a wealth of useful information and support for many people, but I agree that in some areas discussion is skewed more towards wealthier groups. I am not saying their questions or postings are not welcome but on occasion need to be taken in context.