The Retirement Thread

[PaulSB]

I generally get along well with my little group of drinking pals, but, there are a couple of them who annoy me, when "certain subjects" are raised.

There are six of us "in the group", being true Brits, no-one discusses their income, but based on jobs, before retirement, it is not difficult to guess at the "pecking order" of affluence. Two of the group, who must be in the "upper group" are just so obsessed with not spending anything. Personally, I don't believe I am a spendthrift, but, recently, due to changed circumstances, connected to my wife's health, I mentioned that I was researching a change of car, which involved not only looking at car reviews (online) and financing options (including cash). They both became obsessed with questioning my logic for "spending all that money on a new car, at my age". I just don't understand them, they are "comfortably off", I am sure enough "spare" to leave their children a bit, why not just enjoy the. time you have left, and stop obsessing about their bank balance. Enjoy what you can, when you can is my motto, you never know when it may all come to a shuddering stop!

With you all the way on this. I have always been more cautious than Mrs P and entering retirement did concern me initially. As the years have gone by I realised my FA has got it spot on, we aren't running out of money and won't. I've become much more relaxed about spending. Since my wife's cancer diagnosis this has become even more true. None of us know what is around the corner and, yes, life really is too short. Buy the car if you wish.

When it comes to a new car I would like one. I know what I would probably choose but it's highly unlikely I will. Why? Quite simply it would be purely because I want to do it, there's no valid reason. You clearly have a valid reason, do as you wish.

 

[Gunk]

my FA has got it spot on, we aren't running out of money and won't.

Exactly the same with us, but I’m still over cautious. It’s in my DNA

 

[numbnuts]

Ive said before, I'm not convinced that you and I live in the same country. Rain has been none stop here for the last 5+ hours.

WoW not a drop here, I've had all the windows open and most of the day has been around 30c
it's gone cooler here now at 22c, but it's very muggy.

 

[PaulSB]

Started raining around lunchtime. All the outside jobs are on hold including washing my bike. GRRRRR!

Light bulbs. Why does it take a trip to B&Q, 20 minutes of head scratching and a degree in electrical engineering to change a light bulb. Whenever we need a new one I never have the right type. I take the old one to B&Q and scour the display....................what I need never seems to exist. Back to candles soon in this house

 

[Gunk]

When it comes to a new car I would like one. I know what I would probably choose but it's highly unlikely I will. Why? Quite simply it would be purely because I want to do it, there's no valid reason

Some people are into cars and some are not. Just do you what you are comfortable doing, it’s a huge mistake feeling pressured by a friendship/peer group to keep up. I’ve always tried to plough my own furrow despite having some very wealthy friends. They honestly don’t care what car I turn up in, they just want to see me.

 

[Binky]

Got a ride in, 30 miles in the humid warmth but dry and bright. Nice to get out.

 

[Tenkaykev]

@Drago Just read an article about underpants decomposition rates in various localities. I dread to think how skewed the results would have been if Drago's legendary undercrackers were included it the experiment🤔
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/08/why-did-1000-swiss-citizens-bury-their-underpants/

 

[Dave7]

Still on cars.
For many years I had company cars. Every 2 years max and one year I had 3 different brand new cars.
When I retired I had to 'come down to earth so PXd my Rover 75 diesel auto for a smaller car and now have an Astra 1400 petrol auto hatchback which does everything I need.