Or work for the federal government (and be content with not doing much with your life).

US friend of mine said he's just going to live life to the full and then shoot himself at 55.

I bet your friend isn't in his 50s. He/she will change their mind by then. However, if more people did actually do that, then my pension will be great!

What a meaningless life!

He should try living here on a UK pension

I remember the days, sort of, when 55 seemed very very old!

It's not how many years you get out of your life, but how much life you get out of your years... or something like that?

Call be greedy - but I'd like to do both- thank goodness so many fabulous things can be done which do not cost money

I think it comes more down to this pathetic 'entitlement' people experience. Whine, whine, whine, some people have it better than me, life is unfair. If you have internet access and a computer to use at free will, you're doing much better and richer that a huge majority of the humans on the planet. HTFU

Entitelment thinking? Or just redefinition (and perhaps to a fairly decadent extent?) of under what circumstances life is still worth living?

Nope. It's a flippant comment from someone young who will probably not appreciate it if someone did decide to execute them at 55.

I'm happy if I have food to eat, something to drink and a warm dry place to stay. Anything more is just camp if you've ever had to struggle for that.

Have you ever had to struggle for (more than) that?

Really depends on how you define struggle? I guess it's all relative. I never consider life much of a stuggle, but objectively, I guess one can say I've had stuggles that very few have had to deal with, let alone come out above.

OK, just checking that you're not a Maybach driving, trust fund benefactor, 10m CHF a year (interest only), Lear jet flying person saying "food to eat, something to drink and a warm dry place to stay" is all I really need to be happy

The best retirement investment you can make is having kids and raising them right. Thats the ultimate safety net. When your decrepit and out of cash, your kids wont normally let you fail.

Statistically men over the age of 65, with no kids, are the most likely to commit suicide. Thats a well known statistic but am guessing thats also linked to failing financially. They have no safety net (If youre a doctor or nurse with no kids your suicide rate rises by 400% under the same conditions according to the NHS)

now to be honest in your check, money isn't an issue for me, but I always attributes that to working hard and making smart decisions.

Many times I also have found that 'feeling' that I've acomplished everything I need to, and what's the motivation? As lame as it might sound, helping others becomes quite fulfilling. This is not necessarily charity. But I'd like to think my reseach (if successful) will have a huge global benefit at some point. and when I go out partying --there is a new enjoyment in being the 'wingman' and getting my buddies some action.

Aside from the qualitative benefits of sense of fulfillment coming from succesfully raising children, is that not a bit of an old fashioned (or soon to be) statement nowadays?

I read that one of the problems China will for instance face is demographics (one child policy impacting economy) not supporting an aging population in 10-20 years and even more so with social changes where children are less compelled to take care of their older family members. Here in "the west" we've left that second concept behind us decades (?) ago already I thought.

Zuger - I'm afraid I totally disagree. The idea of having kids so they look after you in your old age is just so old fashioned and selfish imho. I hope my kids will always love me- but their life is theirs and they owe me NOTHING- they have their own life to lead. With retirement age getting higher and higher, they'll have enough to worry about and get their kids through their education, etc.

Sadly desperate, in the UK many of the young people I knew did just that - spend, spend, spend - and then go belly up (bankrupt) and thought it was just a 'good laugh' almost a badge of honour.

well not to throw another fun forum arguement into the mix, but whether it's Carbon Dioxide, Methane or other Greenhouse gases which are apparently causing the environmental demise, not having kids is probably the best thing one can conciously do for the world.

The carbon footprint of one average human is so large in comparison, if I specifically choose not to have a child, I can happy drive my inefficient car, run my ac with the windows open and leave my lights on all day-


warning, not to be taken too seriously!

All parents think that, mine included, but when my grandfathers died it was infact my folks who had to tend to both my grandmothers who couldnt afford much. Now that my parents have fallen on old age (along with its medical bills and lack of employment opportunities, atleast in Detroit) I have found that my parents dont want help from me. But I have to help them. They are no longer self sufficient, even on Social Security (which probably wont be there in 7 or 8 years).

So in theory, yes I agree... I would never expect my kids to do shiit for me. But in practice? Who knows? When my parents had me they never would have guessed that the entire economy of Detroit would be in depression from 1980 until today.

They bought their home in 1980 for $40,000.... Sold it in 1999 for $28,000.... And 2 years back it was on the market again for $13,000.

Some people get caught in situations they cant control. The entire world is about to find out just how under funded their pensions are. Why do you think UK property continues to drop in value? Retirees have to sell to cover their bills.

And I would be dead and not making any more cake for you.