PhotoLady wrote: ↑Wed Jun 14, 2017 10:53 am
My parents only ever replaced their TVs, house phone and they had 2 different cars during our time in Cyprus. They had the washing machine repaired several times and mum had another repair on it a couple of months back.
Their only major spend was a holiday away for 4 weeks twice a year - approximately 3 grand.
Mum is still using a combi oven which they purchased when they bought their bungalow over 30yrs ago. Basically, if it still works just as it did they never replaced just for spending sake. Many of the neighbours of a similar age here are the same. Younger retirees are a little more advanced with technology and have broadband and smartphones but those who are 70+ don't see the need for it...
My brother in law and his wife never used the internet when they were in Cyprus and didn't for a number of years after they came back to UK. Last year they moved into a park home where there is no landline so have got themselves a dongle. He uses a smartphone for email and texts, calls plus Facebook contact with us. His wife now has a tablet but still a basic and old mobile phone. He is 65yrs old and she is almost 62.
They only have modern technology because they needed it not having a phone line or even a postal address.
So yes, I would have to agree that the majority of pensioners from those I have had dealings with don't spend as much as they would have in their younger days.
Jules
I see nothing untoward about not replacing goods which are still serviceable - very commendable in my view - and in my experience is not limited to the elderly unless of course,like some people, it is imperative to have the latest model year in year out.
This decrepit 85 year old has the same "white goods" (except they are silver) in the kitchen of my villa here in Cyprus as when I first arrived over 10 years ago. They work so why in Gods name should I replace them? I also eat out at least 4 times per week (and I dont mean at fast food etc outlets), I employ a gardener/pool man, domestic helper and maintenance men (electrics, plumbing, decorating etc) both Cypriot and English as I live alone and believe in horses for courses. I leave the island three times per year and I travel "business class" a treat I promised myself when I retired. I still buy clothes, shoes etc (never from Primark or the like) groceries at Alpha Mega (have never shopped in Lidl (by the way that was the shop from whence the London Terrorists bought their knives). I take cruises on what some would describe as "upmarket cruise ships" and since my retirement I have taken four round the world trips of 4 month duration each time - Cunard is my company of choice. As for modern technology well, as it can be seen, I have a computer, my mobile is a pretty basic one (I personally dont see the need for anything else mine works , I do have a kindle it is solely for holiday use as I prefer real books and newspapers in my hands. Facebook is limited to sending Birthday and Christmas Cards to acquaintances rather than friends, the latter getting the real thing. I dont use Twitter or any other form of social media using anything other than my real name. That medium, it seems to me, is frequently used as an excuse to insult, denegrate and often libel others. Furthermore I cannot believe the world is really that interested in my every movement for every minute of the day. I send my messages by email or have a conversation via Skype.
I have a heart condition and late last year and the beginning of this I was subject to various procedures which I personally paid for (no insurance company would insure me so far as that condition was concerned). I also had cataracts removed from both my eyes, again paid for by myself (money well spent in my opinion) and some dental (not cosmetic) work carried out cost again met by me. The medication recommended for my heart condition is not available from the State hospital (only a substitute) so again I, from choice, meet that expense.
In addition, my brother, as you are aware, is now in a residential home suffering from Alzheimers and my family including myself are doing our best financially to see he has some of the creature comforts he was used to.
I think you will therefore see I for one of the oldies still spend but possibly in different ways than I once did but I still have, and use, purchasing power
The old versus the young is, in my view, a sad condemnation of how people are beginning to differentiate in order to make their point. I shall deal with that in the appropriate thread but save to say not all the young are so dismissive of the elderly as are those approaching it.
Rita
