Cloud Cuckoo Land

kimwp

[Deleted User] said:

I am now a 65 year old male. Semi-retired in 2018 and fully retired June 2023. Until July this year will have income pension/ annuity income of about £22000 before tax. From July have state pension to look forward too. So pre-tax income will be about £34000 gross and about £2500 plus after tax. I actually feel very comfortable with that amount.

Just to comment on those talking about clothes and grooming. I have no attention of becoming a dowdy old man. I budget at least a £1000 a year for clothes. I wouldn’t dream of keeping socks and underwear for years! There is a constant rolling replacement programme lol! I also tend to buy something new for special occasions. Money is also set aside for regular haircuts, chiropodist, opticians and dentist! Towels and bed linen also replaced. Far goodness sake boasting that you have kept linen and towels for years! Sad!

I am not extravagant but have not retired to be overly frugal. Unlike some, I am not obsessed with leaving inheritance either.

However, I agree that the figures seem over the top. Most people will never attain the moderate or comfortable levels, yet will have fulfilling and enjoyable retirements.

I don't think it's sad to keep things a long time. It's much better for the environment.

[Deleted User]

Actually if you recycle these items properly the impact on the environment is less than expected.

Eldi_Dos

ex-pat_scot said:

Sea_Shell said:

michaels said:

Minimum lifestyle is £630pa on clothes - no wonder the environment is screwed.

Plus meals out and takeaways, can people really not conceive of a life without such discretionary expenditure?

The key 'finding' seems to be not that things are much more expensive than last year, but that so much more consumption is now deemed necessary for essential, comfortable etc

Two sides of the same coin?!? 😉

If you don't eat out, you don't need going out clothes.   Simples. 😁

Who actually needs (or wants) wardrobes full of new clobber, in retirement?

Any retired fashionistas on here that would like to share their wardrobe habits?

I read an article a couple of years ago (I think - "Covid time" is very elastic), which noted that a person at 50 has sufficient clothing to last them for the rest of their days. Having recently hit that milestone at the time, it caused me some reflection.


When was the last time anyone mended clothing?

Thanks to a very nice eastern european tailor who has set up shop on our High St many people in our town do.
Eight pounds to have a collar turned as opposed to north of forty pounds to buy a replacement,feels good on many levels.
Helping the High St economy,save's perfectly good garments going into waste and most of all good for my pocket.

kimwp

[Deleted User] said:

Actually if you recycle these items properly the impact on the environment is less than expected.

It's still an impact though. Multiplied by several billion people each time.

cloud_dog

ex-pat_scot said:

Sea_Shell said:

michaels said:

Minimum lifestyle is £630pa on clothes - no wonder the environment is screwed.

Plus meals out and takeaways, can people really not conceive of a life without such discretionary expenditure?

The key 'finding' seems to be not that things are much more expensive than last year, but that so much more consumption is now deemed necessary for essential, comfortable etc

Two sides of the same coin?!? 😉

If you don't eat out, you don't need going out clothes.   Simples. 😁

Who actually needs (or wants) wardrobes full of new clobber, in retirement?

Any retired fashionistas on here that would like to share their wardrobe habits?

I read an article a couple of years ago (I think - "Covid time" is very elastic), which noted that a person at 50 has sufficient clothing to last them for the rest of their days. Having recently hit that milestone at the time, it caused me some reflection.

Clearly there will be immediate cries of "yes but"...
The principle is sound.
If you kept your clothes until they wore out, how long would they last?
When was the last time anyone mended clothing?

There are clearly changing requirements, for example where your size alters over time, and you no longer fit your clothes. Also when your working patterns change, you might no longer require a "work wardrobe" or need something suitable for later life care-receiving.
But most clothes buying in adult life seems driven by wants - fashion, boredom and envy, rather than need.

Much is also true for non-clothing items. Plenty is replaced whilst still being perfectly usable. Not just the obvious tech (TVs, phones, iPads etc) but also furnishings, cars, etc.

I'm not against spending - certainly my family don't have a minimalist view and spending pattern (and I have a rather embarrassing problem with n+1 bicycles), but I really don't understand the relentless march of fashion/ boredom-driven consumption.

Just a comment, hopefully not too off topic...

The OH discovered Vinted a few years ago, and the quality (brands) of clothes and footwear they buy at the prices (with the ability to negotiate/haggle) is pretty unbelievable.  Prior to Vinting they would never spend money on prestige brands.  Even simple things like jigsaws (we like to do nice Christmas scene ones in the lead up to Christmas) can bought at silly second hand prices (especially bundles).

They are hoping Vinted doesn't go the way of ebay.

westv

[Deleted User] said:

Actually if you recycle these items properly the impact on the environment is less than expected.

Recycle as in passing on to someone else or recycling as in using parts to make a new product?

Sea_Shell

Nearly everything we buy has to be manufactured and shipped from somewhere to somewhere else.   So replacing stuff just because you fancy a change is wasteful IMO.   Even if it can be donated.


But then one comes back to the circle that can't be squared of Economy Vs Planet, and off we go down that rabbit hole 😉

[Deleted User]

westv said:

[Deleted User] said:

Actually if you recycle these items properly the impact on the environment is less than expected.

Recycle as in passing on to someone else or recycling as in using parts to make a new product?

A bit of both. For example old duvet covers and sheets to the RSPCA. We also have some collection points in my area specifically for old clothes and materials to be recycled.

[Deleted User]

Sea_Shell said:

Nearly everything we buy has to be manufactured and shipped from somewhere to somewhere else.   So replacing stuff just because you fancy a change is wasteful IMO.   Even if it can be donated.


But then one comes back to the circle that can't be squared of Economy Vs Planet, and off we go down that rabbit hole 😉

Things will eventually need replacing. Disposing of it as carefully as possible should be the aim. I am a great believer that humans eventually come up with solutions to difficult issues. Sometimes it can take longer than necessary and of course human nature gets in the way. 

Nebulous2

Phossy said:

Nebulous2 said:

I like gadgetry and have often fancied one of those contraptions where you strap your ankles in, then hang upside down. 

You mean a rope?

Inversion therapy - Wikipedia

The thing I saw previously was a bit like a hamster wheel. You strapped your ankles in and the rotated it upside down. Things seem to have moved on - and to take less space than before. I'm not at a point I'd be willing to pay for it!