Anyone else heading towards 50 and still haven’t got their s*it together?

[Joyfulincolour]

I am very lucky in many ways in that I enjoy my job and I have lovely family and friends but there are certain elements of my life that I’m struggling with: I can’t save any money and I can’t lose weight!
Money: we have a reasonable amount coming in each month between the two of us but in the last 2 weeks of the month we are cutting it fine and only just manage to pay our bills. We don’t have any savings at all (but no debts either other than the mortgage so no loans/ credit cards). I try to budget but things crop up and it wipes us out for the month.
Weight: I’ve lost 4stone in the past but it was about 20 years ago with WW and pre children. I also think swimming 4 or 5 times a week at the time helped with the weight loss. I’ve been back to WW numerous times since but just can’t stick to it. I’ve now also got an under active thyroid which does not help.
Why can’t I get my s*it together after all these years? I know what I need to do, but just can’t do it! Anyone else in the same position and any advice? Anyone got any success stories?

Money - stop burying your head in the sand and check your bank account every day

Get an account like Monroe that tracks your spending habits and helps you save for everyday type stuff - breakdowns - school uniforms etc and saving for a rainy day.

Same for diet, you need to focus. Whatever works for you. Some people can eat less and exercise more, others need help and support.

My partner is a bit like that. He's 50 next year, doesn't have regular work, has no savings and some debt, no pension. He does have £100k+ tied up in our house, though.

I'll be honest and say it does worry me a lot, and I wish he would get it together a bit more. He could find more steady work, or just more work. He hasn't paid anything towards our joint expenses for over a year, so it's all down to me. There's an age gap between us, but I end up feeling like the older one even though I'm 36.

@Joyfulincolour, is your partner feeling the same? Can you start small with savings? £10 a month? Or saving all your loose change? You can use banking accounts which round up your purchases to the nearest pound, so buying something for £2.73 would be rounded to £3, and the 27p is put into savings.

I'm on a weight-loss journey myself, so can't help much there yet!

Me!
I'm married, 2 lovely dc, own home but thanks to my very worthwhile but poorly paid job, money is often tight for us!
I also can't drive or swim, thinks makes me feel a total failure as an almost 50 year old!!

You’re living your life.

Too many times people think the their life will be ‘perfect’ when they loose weight, get that job, loose weight whatever.

You’re getting on with living. If you want to save money you’ll have to start tracking where it’s going. There’s lots of tools that you can use.

In the meantime be happy, being 50 is a privilege. I bet you know people who didn’t get there.

Thanks everyone for the sound advice. I agree that these two things are not the be all and end all but I just feel I’ve had long enough to get them sorted - and I still haven’t!
Madam, you are right in that heading towards 50 certainly is a privilege denied to many.
I’m going to look at the money issue first then consider the weight problem!