Is anyone else ‘living life’ while they can?

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Just as the subject says, is anyone else ‘living life’ whilst they can? I have an awful feeling that I’ll look back in the future and think that 2022 was the best that it got before interest rates, inflation, etc, got the best of us. With almost every nice thing DH and I do we ask ‘Will this be the last time?’ It’s hard to know how much to stop spending to future proof ourselves and how much to enjoy life whist we can. Are we being hyperbolic? To add, none of this is done on credit.

No because we don’t do expensive things any way. Walks are our thing.

Yep, I know what you mean. It's a bit frightening, especially with the first off to uni this year.

@BlackbirdsSinging we love walking and running, and have some great trails around
us so it’s reassuring that nothing can ever take that part of our lives away.

It does feel a bit shit atm but so were the 70s, I gather there were shit times in the 80s and 90s too, then the 2008 crash. It comes in cycles and whilst it has been a stupidly shit time for a stupid amount of time, I'm assuming (hoping) this too is a phase that will pass.

Of course things will get better. They always do. People will have to tighten their belts as they have done in the past. The difference being that last time we went through recession, inflation going up People struggling, we didn't have the endless social media doom mongers, the news sites spewing out endless crap about people dying I the streets yada yada yada

Do you have debt?
Do you have savings?

@ButtonintheBox No debt and plenty of savings (for our age) but I don’t feel we can live the way we are doing and for this to always be the case. Both DH and I have had significant promotions in the past year but feel it’ll all be used on bills in the coming years.

No. I don’t think like that at all.

@user73783 I remember working part time when I was a Uni student in 2008 alongside full time workers and the ‘adults’ (as it appeared to me) being really anxious about the recession. Suppose it’s my time to experience that anguish now.

@Mamapep because…?

What a depressing outlook on life.

@Pyewhacket Maybe? But also realistic. We just got home from a pricey holiday and can’t be sure when we’ll next have the freedom to spend the same amount. Would you just spend, spend, spend away without considering the way bills are increasing? I hate that I have to pay more for the same.

Yes because I have absolutely no idea how I am going to get through the winter, income is down by two thirds and costs are spiralling.

Yes, and no. Just got back from going out to the pipub and having a drink without feeling guilty, but also made sure I brought ‘on offer’ stuff when shopping earlier.

I was born in the 70’s , it’s been much worse before.
Why on earth would you splash out on an expensive holiday if you’re worried about money? Food is going to get a lot more expensive than it is atm. It’s been too cheap for too long.

@ConsuelaHammock I didn’t say I was worried about money - just that we wouldn’t afford the same luxuries we do now.

@bloodywhitecat This makes me so angry. It shouldn’t have to be this way.

Yes tbh.

It probably sounds mad, but....

We've scrimped and saved for years. Been stingy with everything, buying low quality. Our house is shabby, clothes nothing exciting, car was old banger.

This was all with a view to financial security, providing for the future in case of illness or hardship.

However with inflation at 10%, I feel like all our hard earned savings have just been devalued by 10%, not to mention what happens next. Will our savings be worthless in 5 years?

So I've started spending it on goods while I can.

I've bought a decent car. I've bought a few more clothes, so I'm not on quite as quick a washing turnaround. I've bought some stuff that was desperately needed, like plates - to replace the old set which was chipped and falling apart. Also art/hobby supplies where I was holding back. My husband has been the same.

It's nothing extravagant tbh, but it's eaten into our savings quite a bit.

I know we're lucky to have savings. We clawed our way out of debt for 15 years, and then made a pledge never to get into debt again. So we've lived way below our earnings in terms of house, furnishings, car, clothes etc so we could get a cushion of money to shield.

But now with inflation going mad, it seems pointless watching all that go up in smoke.

Yes, in a way - as far as I can afford. We live had to mouth anyway but I'm quite clever so manage to save or source things here and there. My dc are pre teens so we have limited time for experiences before they are off doing their own thing in the long run. I'm making it as fun as I can for now

I'm terrified, we have about 7k of credit card debt, mostly costs of our dog being poorly but some being unnecessary spending and no idea how to clear it. It's going to be a tough few years, in addition to new and expensive nursery fees and 2 jobs in uncertain sectors (civil service and a hobby store).
At least my baby is too young to know any different of a life, unlike others kids and teenagers who are about to go from a new iPhone every year to nothing.

I have debt and no savings, although I'm fortunate enough to trust in my income to see us through the winter. I sort of get what you mean OP but the lack of savings means for me I've not really been able to do it myself.

If you have the funds & savings I'm not really sure what the issue is?

Nope. I made the conscious decision to live and enjoy today. I make the best decisions that I can and luckily at the moment in my life I am not rich but am I am comfortable and financially stable. I have no idea what is around the corner but I'm sure that I'll manage with whatever is thrown at me.

No, I just live my life as I always do. I've been around for several decades and don't stress about things. Having said that, my needs (and even wants) have always been simple.

@goshy the fact that we might not have savings and fundings in the near future with bills set to rise the way they are… Is that hard to see?