I’m writing this in a rare quiet moment as I rush between client meetings up in the North West this week.
With the Crete trip getting closer, I’m still making the rounds explaining the winding down of my consultancy practice. People ask if I enjoy all the endless driving and hotel stays.
The honest answer is no, not really.
It’s the one side of the business I certainly won’t miss.
Driving across the Cheshire countryside today, it struck me just how fast time is moving.
Autumn is well on its way. The evenings are getting shorter, there’s a definite chill in the air, and before long we’ll be reaching for the slow cooker again.
I also had a call from my grandson today. He’s been picked for his school football team in his favourite position. Apparently, his Sunday league coach insists on playing him in the wrong spot!
Mind you, he mentioned he needs new boots. I’m convinced he manages to wangle a new pair out of me every month.
Midweek Chat: Comfort Food & Mum’s Clever Ways
This was supposed to be one of our regular finance chats, following on from our pension discussion. Hopefully, a few of you managed to track down a forgotten pot or two.
Our next deep dive will be on investing in our sixties, but driving through the autumn drizzle today just made me think of my mum.
We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, but my word, she was clever.
From paying the Co-op insurance collector weekly at the door to saving up for everything, you simply never bought something if you hadn’t saved for it first.
I still catch myself telling my own kids that whenever they start talking about car leases or buying things on credit.
Mum was also a master at making the most of cheaper cuts of meat with her winter stews and casseroles.
There’s something deeply comforting about a good old-fashioned meal bubbling away in the kitchen while the weather outside does its worst.
Which brings me to my first question for today:
What’s your all-time favourite autumn stew or casserole?
A Few Quick Over-60 Discounts Worth Checking
Autumn also brought back another classic phrase my mum used to preach:
“Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.”
I’m not sure how much attention I paid to it when I was younger, but it makes a lot more sense as the years go on.
And if we can save a few pounds here and there, why not spend those savings on things we actually enjoy?
There are plenty of useful perks and discounts available once you reach 60 across the UK. The point isn’t to spend your life hunting down discounts. It’s simply that if someone is willing to knock money off the price, why pay full whack?
A few worth checking:
- Free NHS prescriptions: Available in England once you turn 60.
- Free NHS sight tests: Available in England for everyone aged 60 and over.
- Senior Railcard: Available from age 60 and can save a third on most rail fares.
- Concessionary bus travel: Rules vary across the UK, so check what’s available where you live.
- Retail discounts: Some retailers offer specific over-60 discounts or discount days, so it’s always worth asking.
It always pays to ask before you pay!
And Then There Were the Sayings…
Of course, our parents didn’t have Google or endless parenting books.
They had sayings.
I’m willing to bet quite a few of us have caught ourselves using the exact same ones with our own children and grandchildren.
Here are five that immediately came to mind:
“Were you born in a barn?”
Delivered the second a door was left open. Although, thinking about it, barns do actually have doors.
“Am I paying to heat the entire street?”
A true classic that probably hits even harder today.
“This isn’t a hotel, you know.”
Usually followed by a reminder that washing, cooking and cleaning don’t magically happen by themselves. Sharon still say’s this to me now. I have no idea why!
“I’m going to count to three…”
Nobody ever really knew what happened at three, nobody wanted to find out either.
“I don’t care who started it.”
The ultimate parental ruling.
Both kids were instantly in trouble.
Looking back, maybe our parents really did know a thing or two.
Over to You…
Let’s open up two conversations in the comments today:
1. What’s your go-to stew or casserole recipe as the weather turns?
2. What’s the funniest or most memorable saying your parents or grandparents used?
And be honest…
How many of them have you caught yourself using?
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