To ask if you're planning for a proper downward spiral of quality of life

[Fragmentedbrain]

I anticipate it and I'm saving up but that will be ofc no use if the financial system collapses

Should probably do something else

Plenty of ways to purify water at home. Learning some of this stuff could be a start.

I think the cost of housing is the biggest factor in the decline of everything.

Yep, this is what fucked the economy.

We spend a huge amount on public services but in a weirdly fucked up English way. We don’t invest in infrastructure that improves productivity - such as good public transport - because we’re not good at understanding “public good”, yet we spend billions on individualised support to give people the illusion of choice, via individual benefits. See EHCPs that cost a fortune vs well resourced special schools.

excellent point @DeafLeppard

The biggest issue is demographics. We already have more over 65s than under 15 yrs olds. Governments didn't expect birth rates to plummet so much, remember them saying covid would lead to a baby boom!

In the 60s we had 5 workers to 1 pensioner, now we are at 3:1 & 2:1 is forecast in the next 10-20 yrs. People just haven't paid enough tax which is compounding the issue.

But is it the boomers FAULT they got lucky with what was offered to them? Are they supposed to have known that in the future things would get shit and so refuse free prescriptions and pensions and just live a poverty lifestyle? Should my parents who were born in 1946 have known that their house price would rise hugely? Would my dad (who died before his state pension even kicked in) have known that his generous work place pension he got offered (he started in the company at 15 on an apprenticeship. But hardly saw any of it because he died young) that I wouldn’t be offered similar?

You say things “just changed” but things changed because people made them change. Whether good or bad.

The point is that apparently all young people now just throw their hands up and say oh well I can’t change it so I’m not going to try. But in 20+ years THEY could be the ones in government and high positions who could try and change things. The people they are blaming will be dead. Why don’t the young people try and get into positions of power and try and remove the triple lock or keep free prescriptions? Who will be in charge in 40 years? Those young people. So they can try and change it then. And make it better for the next generation. Boomers get blamed for not thinking of the younger generation. But this young generation it sounds like will be the same.

No, I'm not. I don't understand posts like this.

It's awful for the environment though, however usefully you use it.

We are planning an upward spiral, our state pensions will kick in in 2 years time, already been retired 7 years, time rich, cash poor at the moment.

We are panning long months in the sun, going to a lot more gigs, doing the house up.

I find upward spiral dreaming better than downward planning.

Buy gold and a crossbow

But is it the boomers FAULT they got lucky with what was offered to them?

Did I say it was their fault? I think many other generations get annoyed at them because they refuse to acknowledge some of their luck. And of course a lot of people vote for their own interests & policy has ignored the young for some time now.

You say things “just changed” but things changed because people made them change.

What did people change?

How come people can't change years of wage stagnation?

The point is that apparently all young people now just throw their hands up and say oh well I can’t change it so I’m not going to try. But in 20+ years THEY could be the ones in government and high positions who could try and change things

Why are you tarring all young people with the same brush? Im not young by the way.

Why don’t the young people try and get into positions of power and try and remove the triple lock or keep free prescriptions?

They would not get voted in, look at the uproar about means testing winter fuel!

So they can try and change it then. And make it better for the next generation

So your argument is rather than acknowledging difficulties that young people & young families are facing now they should ignore it & try and change things in 10-20 years time? 😆

Uk is still predicted to be the 6th largest economy in 15 years. No collapse on the horizon. Mainly just try to live your life, there have been far worse periods

The boomers tried to change things for the better
they have seen a huge uplift in their quality of life - we all have far much more than they started with in their 20s from health to tech to food to holidays to clothing ( I mean more than one pair of shoes - unthinkable !) but the main difference is attitude - they didn’t give up ( on average of course !)

stuff does need to change and the world is getting a harder place to live but you work to make things better or you don’t - it’s a choice

it’s a choice to fly and have a huge carbon footprint that raises the cost of food

its a choice to hang on to inheritance that propagates stupid housing costs

there will be many more but you get the drift

Tuscan villa is cheaper than a 1 bed flat in London!

Its a culture change for sure. I won't bother supporting mysemf/my family ... that's the state's job! Those of us who do support ourselves are getting sick of it.

The most obvious thing to do for young people with means is move abroad. Lots of western countries are facing similar demographic issues but some haven't underfunded their public services quite as shockingly as we have. There already are incentives to attract young talent.

Obviously it just exacerbates the issues here though.

This is what I don't understand. it's all very well to say people are struggling and everything is expensive but the amount on non-essential 'stuff' on sale and therefore presumably being bought is huge and has increased massively over the last few years. Look round the average garden centre at the amount of lifestyle things on sale The number of package holidays being sold has rocketed so someone must be buying them. Coffee Shops have multiplied so again must have trade. Fancy toiletry brands selling artisan soaps etc etc.

And it’s all very well the govt wanting us to work till 68 but employers need to want to employ people of that age - it’s difficult for people in their late 50s looking for work as it is ffs!

well coffee shops have replaced pubs, alcohol & smoking budgets have maybe moved to tat.

No, I'm not planning for a personal downward spiral. I'm 65, partially retiring and very much looking forward to the future.

My DC and their partners are late 20s/early 30s. They and their friends went to university, got professional qualifications, work very hard indeed and are living good lives.

The period from 1997 to Covid was the blip. Prior to that families had very little beyond the necessities. Early boomers didn't have foreign holidays, many cars or eat out regularly. Neither did their DC have swimming/tennis/ballet lessons, etc. Interest rates were kept artificially low post 2008 and Covid compounded things. The day of reckoning was always coming and I hope nobody on this thread revelled in furlough and bloated for society to remain closed.

People have lost contentment and need to fuel it now with materialism. The biggest issue vis a vis young people is the education system, the shoehorning all children into mega comprehensive institutions focused on qualifications rather than education. We need more specialist schools for all children, including the very able as well as those with additional needs.

Personally, I don't think AI will have a massive impact on jobs. Jobs will change but the same was said in the late 70s/early 80s when we faced the threat of being taken over by computers. We have. People work harder. I'd like to see some pointless "industries" disappear, however. Such as the proliferation of FOI requests.

And it’s all very well the govt wanting us to work till 68 but employers need to want to employ people of that age

It will be pushed further than 68, although hopefully not to 80!

I agree.

The damsons or the person with the damsons?! If it's the latter you're gonna need a bigger jar ..

Prior to that families had very little beyond the necessities. Early boomers didn't have foreign holidays, many cars or eat out regularly. Neither did their DC have swimming/tennis/ballet lessons, etc.

I was born in the 80s, we had more than the necessities on one salary.
We didn't eat out much as a family but that wasn't really catered too, my parents did.
I was taught to swim, did ballet & lots of dance.
I went on holiday with my family, we had one car as I have now.

Focus on staying healthy, have a good support system of friends and family and try to enjoy what you can, holidays, days out etc. Saving up is pointless as in the case of financial collapse or hyperinflation, your money will become worthless.

Which countries do you suggest? As a younger person with means and a young family. I am currently a teacher and DH is a financial advisor.