Weekend reading: When I’m telling myself I’m not really 64

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• 

  Mogul

  1 The Accumulator October 24, 2026, 11:22 am

  Have been thinking about this too. The risk is that something unexpected takes away the opportunity before you ever get around to it. Unfortunate injury, illness, worse… I’ve noticed the attrition rate accelerate over the last 5 years. Not me yet, but people I know. I think the clock ticks faster from age 50.

  But I think it’s important not to waste time on other people’s dreams. If you don’t fancy making short-form video from the top of a giant ziggurat then don’t. Maybe everyone has to turn the interrogator’s lamp on themselves for a bit. Then the question becomes: what do I want to do and what’s stopping me?
• 

  Maven

  2 RobertRabbit October 24, 2026, 11:32 am

  Having retired at 52 (and never regretting that decision for a minute) it all comes down to “Find out what makes you truly happy and do more of it”. For me it’s been singing in a choir and walking (in all corners of the uk) which sound nondescript when describing to others but genuinely life affirming. My feeling is not enough people ask “is this actually making me happy”. Work rarely does, so get out as soon as you can, at the point that enables you to carry on your happiness-generating activities. Re the article it might not be helpful putting arbitrary ages on it, but the earlier you can get to the atelic happier part of your life the better. Keep active, do things you enjoy, help others where possible.
• 

  Mogul

  3 PC October 24, 2026, 11:41 am

  This has got me thinking ..

  Both my grandparents had no money but managed it extremely well. That is still a big influence on how I think.

  My parents had more money and were pretty good at spending it when my dad retired at 62. It was illness that slowed them down from 70 to 80. Even then my dad enjoyed spending money on his family.

  I have somehow accumulated much more money than my parents, partly because I was still working until a couple of months ago – by choice because I kind of enjoyed it. I’m 68 and still pretty careful with money. It just seems rational to me.

  What’s most on my mind is that my parents both needed replacement hips and knees at a younger age than I am now. It feels like I’m on borrowed time.
• 

  Maven

  4 Vanguardfan October 24, 2026, 11:47 am

  Sam is a bit mad imo. Or at least he doesn’t know anyone over 50.
  Obviously everything is crucially dependent on health. In terms of that, an active, comfortably off and lucky person can likely count on staying pretty go-go until past 70. The significant slowdown I think comes in the 80s.

  I think it’s also a mistake to think that spending level depends on activity and energy level. If anything the opposite is the case. You want to buy in more help (eg travel agents, help with house maintenance and improvement), you want more comfortable travel and accommodation, you might be more inclined to do expensive tours and restaurants rather than walking, cycling and picnic/self catering. You might also want to spend on eg personal trainer and fitness classes to keep as active as possible.
  And don’t get me started on the cost of good varifocal lenses, hearing aids, dental care and other self care no longer nhs provided (podiatry, ear syringing etc etc).

  So yes, energy might reduce but spending opportunities do not!