To be worried how I will manage to work until I am 67?

[brasty]

I am in my mid fifties. I already get more tired than I used to when younger. I wonder how I am going to manage to work full time until I am 67 years old. And continue to do my share of cooking, cleaning, family stuff and actually having some fun.

Susannah your caricatured persona is flimsily transparent....we can see that you're a 17 year old boy in his mum's back bedroom

Not sure how you can shrug off the bad luck of paedriatric heroin addiction, behappylalala but don’t let that stop you believing in fairytales.

lots of examples of celebrities who have had a shitty start in life. Who knows how these things work. I can think of a family I knew growing up, I lived in a very rough area, lots of immigrants, lots of unemployed, lots of prostitution. This family were very poor as the father was a lazy, feckless, selfish pig. That is being generous. Ten kids, underfed, poorly dressed with a mother who was totally ground down and a dad who never worked.

Everyone of them has done well, all have trades, all have their own homes, one is a millionaire. It amazes me but I think they were all desperate to not be like their parents, particularly the father, and they dragged themselves up and did well.

I lived in a very rough area, lots of immigrants, lots of unemployed, lots of prostitution.

Yes immigrants are terrible aren't they.

The thing is we are lucky enough to live in a country with fantastic opportunities there for the taking.

Yes some poor folk have a bad start in life, but surely it's best to be determined not to let that be their lot in life?

For those in genuine poverty there is a very generous welfare state here set up to help those in need. Of course, unfortunately the system is being milked by some who see it as a lifestyle choice.
Thankfully this government is aware of that and has taken steps already to try to ensure that only those in genuine need receive help.

Outsourcing our industrial jobs is a massive problem for the next generation.

You are Iain Duncan Smith and I claim my £5.

Many things come to play with people who are or aren't able to "pull themselves up by their boot laces". Some are equipped to do so, some aren't. Many different types of shade in between. I'm doing ok, but could have done better. At the same time, I'm not a heroine addict or homeless.

The "help" given in this country by the NHS for MH problems is seriously lacking and inadequate. A MH time bomb is ticking esp. due to children being left languishing on waiting lists for several months to a year and a half or so.

IDS (2010): "We expect Universal Credit to come in ontime and under budget. It will go smoothly."

But why the proliferation of so many MH issues? I’m 60, I never once saw self induced vomiting or self harm growing up? Lots of my age mates were beat silly, yet attribute their stern upbringing to good future choices, including leading alcohol free lives.

OldWitch00 Why indeed? That is an interesting question you have asked.

including leading alcohol free lives

Alcohol consumption among the older generation is growing at an alarming rate.

Trauma and stress itself does not cause long term mental health issues. Our child rearing has changed enormously in a fairly short space of time, some good, some not so good. But it is having an impact.

Dragging yourself up from a very poor background is difficult. A small number of people do manage to. But social mobility has declined in last few decades.

makeourfuture That's very interesting and although I haven't seen any 'figures' which supports your statement, I do have to say, looking around me that I agree with you. Why is this, do you think?

I've downsized early due to divorce but if a lot of older people do this to fund the gap and reduce outgoings until state retirement age then this will massively reduce the availability of smaller properties for first time buyers.

www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/23/baby-boomers-drink-and-drug-misuse-needs-urgent-action-warn-experts

Meanwhile:

"Young people in England born since the turn of the century are the most clean-living generation in recent times, with the rates of those choosing to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol the lowest on record."

www.theguardian.com/society/2016/dec/15/smoking-drinking-young-people-lowest-level-on-record-england

Alcohol is accessible,acceptable and in theory helps mask pain and depression issues that often affect seniors (as we’ve touched on in this thread).
Advice Garden...life, savings, work childcare balance is a lot easier with a partner. CHOOSE WISELY!!!
Of my colleagues those who’s retirements are more secure, they are all in long time stable relationships.

Garden choose wisely who you let get you pregnant if you are a woman. Check for any genetic problems in your family and future partner family. But the best thing is marry someone with money, better if they are waiting for inheritance.

Yes immigrants are terrible aren't they. Yes and I married one. If you look at it in context I was describing a run down inner city area, sorry if that spoils your indignation.

👍 well done user. You forgot checking their teeth.
“It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor man”

My granny was of a generation where young women had their teeth out and dentures as a wedding present so dental care wasn't a burden for their husbands. I think I would have stayed single.

If you look at it in context I was describing a run down inner city area

Inner city immigrants then? I'm still confused.