What have you achieved that is unusual for your peer group?

[DeNiroDeFaro]

Not a journo, just practising for some grad scheme tests and I've not done anything! Have you?

Actually, quite a lot of my friends have too. Half lasted about a year. I think alcohol j less is fine wine is very much less important on a night out.

I paid off my mortgage at the age of 40, but that’s because I was widowed and that was not an achievement, it’s unusual for my peer group though.

Successfully spent my entire working life so far building up my skill and achieved the longest use of a niche product I've helped to develop over the years of my working life.

Now finally reaping the very big benefits and still have to pinch myself that I achieved it all whilst a teen single parent living in awful
Poverty at times.

At a few points over the years eat or nappies were how I lived so that grounds me but I am the only one in my peer group in this position

The rest have sadly spent the same years robbing Peter to pay Paul and are still in the same boat now

Flown a barrel roll and a loop the loop.

Got 4 characters to level 60 in World Of Warcraft

I gave up work to care for DFIL most of my friends thought I was crazy as we didn't have the best relationship. I did it for my DH as there was no one else and dh was working away a lot so it took a stress away from him.

Founded a specialist further education college at the age of 24, still work there now (at 37) and it an amazing college that I'm extremely proud of!

Own four houses including one we bought for my DM as she was struggling financially.

Went to uni- none of my closest friends did and I'm the only one in my family to do so.

Organised probate, funerals and executing wills for 4 parents (mine and DH's) by the time I was 32.
Maybe not a very jolly achievement but I got really good at it and now am (sadly) starting to help friends do the same.

I'm sure it's too outing for you to say, but I'm intrigued by the niche product!

Hang on, it’s embarrassing having a FT job? Why???

I've been a housewife since I was 20 ish and retired then too.

Still happily married to my first husband is unusual in my peer group. The rest are all divorced and happily single or on second marriages.

Not really an achievement but the only thing that makes me majorly different to my knowledge.

Single mum to my daughter who has autism. My mum came to live with me, my daughter and dogs in my 2 bed flat, she has alzheimers. A lot of people think I have taken too much on but I still have years ahead to focus on me. For now I will focus on them and hope I made the right decision for all of us

This year on May 1st I will have paid off my second mortgage. Married to first h for many years and just got mortgage paid off when I found he was having affair. Divorced him and after about 18 months met someone else. After a couple of years we married and bought house together. Overpaid for about 8 years while interest rates were really low and on May 1st our final payment. It feels good to think I'll finally enjoy being mortgage free.

@Spendonsend, you have done well with a job and home. If you are happy in life you are a success in my book.

I've had a baby.

Nothing much, I've underachiever at everything 😂
I was only 1 of 2 from my small class to go to uni though, so that's my little achievement, never did anything with it though!

I imagine because she's doing it out of necessity when her peers have all retired comfortably. Nothing to be ashamed of tho, I agree

I managed to survive the most severe childhood trauma you could imagine and not commit suicide or go insane and lose my mind. I do feel deeply ashamed though as it's massively impacted my life.

In my peer group people expect that by my age (60) work is winding down. I can’t afford to do that and will have to work full time until 67. I get the sympathetic head tilt. See also in response to still having a mortgage at our age. BiL said “you should be ashamed of yourselves”.

My achievements (excellent exam results, passing a difficult professional qualification, earning six figures) were all when I was aged 30 or below. I'm 48 now and I can't think of anything unusual I've achieved since then. I think I peaked too early!

Traveled very extensively around a large part of the world, mostly going solo. Im quite proud of it and always have a story to tell.

That's probably my only achievement though! I did not marry or have kids, which is unusual in my peer group and was not my choice. Have a fairly average career, long way to go on my mortgage and health not great.

Had a baby very young.

When on to do higher education (degree/postgrad).

In a job I love earning very well.

Landed a small plane (with help 🤣)

When I did a cookery course with colleagues it made me realise how handy I am in the kitchen and that loads of people, er, aren't.

🎵 And what's more, baby, I can cook!🎵 😄