What are you all up to
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I've been there, done it and got the T shirt as far as renting and property ownership is concerned and on balance, I'm now finding that my present way of life is a much happier one. I'm not the only one, you have read the stories posted by the Meek family and you will know that they have found happiness too in this way of life!
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Thanks OP. I didn't want to upset/offend anyone but just felt the need to state my case. So sorry to hear about your BIL. What rotten luck. I hope the weather picks up for you soon.
PS I had cereal and a coffee for breakfast
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Yes but the problem with that, BB, is that when they are asked to use up their savings, eventually their savings run out and this makes them poorer and more reliant on state help. I can't see how this is helpful to anyone.
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,Got up to lovely sunny morning we were out with "madam" at 0645 in to the woods this time (her first)so many squirrels she made us dizzy watching her doing "war" dances round the trees trying to get to them ,then back across the parklands,which really slows the walks down, as so many other walkers always need a "chat" it took us an extra 40 mins above "normal" time,we had almost forgotten how social dog walking is, madam is now "resting?" until we go near her lead again,but its great to be a whole "family" again
Ps nearly forgot to mention the obligatry post we both had cerial +coffee OH and tea me for breakfast and madam had some james welbeloved and sardine
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Yes but what about someone who has say £25000 in savings?
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And while we're having heavy rain and strong winds my son and family are away - can you guess where from the photo?
Right click and "open image in new tab" for best result.
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Yes but it would be a different story if an employer said to you that he could see from your bank statements that you have £25,000 in savings, therefore, the company policy is that you don't need wages to live on until your savings run out. Therefore, you must work for the company for a year before you'll get paid anything at all. We need you to do this in order to help the profitability of the company! In the meantime, other staff who have no savings will get full pay until they have accumulated savings.
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Millie my comments on baby boomers was somewhat tongue in cheek and aimed at those who constantly criticise millennials or in fact anyone younger than them for not doing things the way they think they should do them
As I said later there's good and bad in every generation.
We have a baby boomer neighbour who inherited two streets from his mother who probably lived through more hardship than he can dream of and did all she could to provide a decent future for her son. He's sold them all, bought property in Spain (of course!), seen that become worthless and is now proudly 'skiing' the rest away. His daughter struggles on a low income but he doesn't believe in helping her out or leaving much for her because 'he did OK so she should'
As I say - good and bad everywhere. At least I recognise that fact unlike some
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As you say Jay there is good and bad in every generation. I just think the press have perpetuated this idea that all baby boomers have frittered away all the money and now the following generations are suffering and I just wanted to put the matter straight from my perspective. I actually really admire this younger generation. Most of them work hard and if they go to Uni have a job to keep their heads above water whilst there. Our eldest grand-daughter left Uni last summer and has had to do a year of voluntary work in schools before she can take her teaching qualification this autumn. She had had 2 jobs whilst doing the volunteering. I wish life was better for them and I think the 'powers that be' need to get their act together to sort it out instead of squabbling amongst themselves. As for your neighbour - there are some of those in every generation unfortunately.
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Your new family member sounds delightful JVB. How lovely that you now feel a complete family again. You will have so much fun with her. Mr H has decided that he needs to take our son and DIL's 6 month old cocker spaniel puppy in hand as they are really not training her. So he/us will be taking her out regularly. When we were out yesterday DIL kept telling her to 'sit down' so Mr H took over and firmly said 'sit' and then praised her when she did. Within 10 minutes every time she heard or saw him she sat down and gazed adoringly at him.
I am glad you all had a good breakfast
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Yes, it is silly, KjellNN but that is how the means tested benefit system works, unfortunately.
If, for example, I chose to rent a flat for £650 per month with bills on top, instead of living in the caravan on a CL near where I worked and found that, because of that, I was entitled to means tested benefit due to my overall income being too low to manage rent and council tax. So my income is then topped up by benefits. I will then be in a position of having to think whether it was worthwhile to continue working because if I stopped working I would get a proportionate increase in benefits. This would be a disincentive to work and disincentive to accumulate savings. In other words a poverty trap. I see that as a life of misery and no future.
If, on the other hand, I choose to live in the caravan on a CL for £12 a night. I only have to pay £360 per month that includes my water and electric, waste disposal etc. This more than £320 a month in saving enables me to live on earned income that gives me more than enough to survive and build a better future. That is happiness!
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Yes but it shows what a life of misery getting state help is, for those who have to do it. I prefer my present position where my living costs are so low because of no housing costs, that I can live within my income and not have to rely on state means tested benefits.
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Thanks Millie ,we have some friends with a Cocker Spanial and it completly is the Alpha, but when is with my OH is a different dog they all know when they can get away with "bad" habits and like children will push the limits if not "checked"
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It may be rubbish but that is effectively the position that living on means tested benefits would put you into. I think, if you can't afford to rent or buy property, then don't do it. Yes, I agree it may be less work, not having to empty the toilet, or fetch water everyday and if your income is enough to afford it without having to claim means tested benefits, then by all means go for it! However, it's not worth it, in my opinion, if it's going to put you into a poverty trap.
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Mr H always says that a dog needs to know who is the pack leader i.e. NOT the dog.
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"build a better future"??
What future would that be Malcolm? You state that you have no savings, you live in a caravan that is depreciating by the day and will need replacing at some time in the not too distant future, you have credit cards, car loan etc!
How / where are you and your wife going to live when you're too old / frail to work or continue moving from site to site or even driving? I presume that then you won't mind being "means tested"?
If the worst happens then I would question what better future you both have. I, for one, would not want to swap to your life style, too scary!!
Not that you are asking me to, of course!
Time to smell the coffee, me thinks
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