Hey, so last night we were sitting on the bench with our neighbour, June, and honestly, she was in tears. She was saying how awful shes been feeling, even talking about maybe moving into a care home. And its all because of something her daughter said.
June raised her daughter all on her own, didnt have a husband to help out. She was widowed young, so everything fell on her shoulders. Her only daughter, Emily, grew up quite spoiled and demanding.
From the time Emily was little, it was June who did absolutely everything for her. She’d go without so Emily could have what she wanted, buying her the latest clothes and dressing her up like a doll. To afford all of this and keep the household running, June used to work night and daysometimes double shifts at the local factory. At least back then, she didn’t have to worry about a place to live, as the factory provided her a flat. But those days are over. No one gives out homes anymore, not here. Now, you have to work and save up for your own place.
When Emily grew up, she went off to university and eventually got married. Her husbands parents have a big house out in the countryside, but Emily and her husband didnt fancy living there. June has a flat right in the heart of London, but things didnt work out between her and her son-in-law. Young people these days dont want to live with their parents. They want their own lives, their own rules, and lets be honestthe older generation has their own ways and habits. Why cause friction by living on top of each other?
Especially now, since you can take out a mortgage and buy your own place. The key is to save enough for a deposit, and then pay it off bit by bit. Its much better than hopping from one rental to another. Back in the day, our generation could end up with a flat from work, but thats not happening anymore. The message now is: you have to graft and buy your own place, no matter how tough it gets. Especially since both Emily and her husband have jobs, earning about as much as anyone else, really. Loads of their mates have managed to buy their own places just like that.
But not Emily. They just cant seem to save. First, there was one pregnancy, then another. Now, a lot of money is spent on nappies and formula. These days, no one wants to be bothered with washing cloth nappies or boiling bottles.
Its just easier to grab a nappy from the pack, put it on, take it off when its done, and straight in the bin. Fresh one on, sorted! No piles of laundry to deal with. Thats the modern dream, right?
But, honestly, why the rush to have kids? She could have got settled first, sorted out a place to live. Then there would have been plenty of time for having children. But no, Emily wanted more than one child, and her husband did tootheyre both only children themselves.
Maybe they are right, June says. At least the kids will have each other, can help out, and maybe help their parents too! And maybe they wont end up as spoiled as mine, she laughs, a bit sadly. Fair enough, children are a joy, but plenty of parents manage to save something up even with little ones. Not them, though.
And I just dont get itwhy wouldn’t they try? If you dont have somewhere of your own, you have to save up, right? Wear the same coat a few winters running, put away any spare pound towards a deposit. Thats how we all used to do it. But young people now want everything instantly. Theyre just not used to saving for what they want.
They eat out all the time. They buy their kids mountains of sweets. What good comes from that? Just money down the drain. And the toys! There are toys everywhere at their place. We managed with a few toy cars and a couple of dolls when my lot were young. But now its new collections, new lines all the time, and every kid wants them.
Emilys a bit high-maintenance herselfshe loves her fancy makeup and only wears branded clothes. They definitely dont live within their means. Why buy so many things when you havent even got time to wear them all? Fashion changes, she needs the next blouse or jacket, and the old ones are chucked or bagged up for charity. Think how much money that is, just thrown away.
And they go off on holiday every summerusually to Spain or Greece. Apparently, the kids need the sea air, and the adults need a break from work.
Sure, holidays are lovely, but why not go for a stay in a country cottage here at home? Save a bit, and that money could go towards a flat. How much have they blown on holidays abroad? That couldve been a down payment on a one-bedroom place. Even a small flat, but at least it would be theirs. Instead, its just rushing about from place to place, spending, and still not having a home of their own.
Now, Junes really upset. Her daughter came over earlier, and of course the flat came up again. Emily mumbled that theyre happy renting for now; they’re living their lives, eating out, dressing nice, enjoying themselves. Later on, she says, theyll just get a flatinherited, of course, since both she and her husband are only children.
June was gutted. She said it feels like theyre just waiting around for her and her husband to pop their clogs so they can move in. Emily did say sorry, tried to brush it off, but in the end, you can tell its on her mind. And anyway, she said, its going to happenso why bother?
I mean, maybe shes right, and theres nothing wrong in what she said, June told me, But it just feels a bitunpleasant.
And now, whenever her daughter rings to check in, June cant relax. She keeps thinking theyre just waiting for the day she packs her bags and moves to a care home or, well you know.
Its just a sad situation, mate.
