How has 2024 been for you?
Discussion
It's that time again. Annual reflection time.
I've now done this annually for 15 years, so in traditional style:
How has 2024 been for you?
Overall: A long year with some of the lowest lows I've ever experienced and some fantastic highs in between.
Family: 15 years with my wife and our daughter is 3. We are a happy little family but it was a tough year. We lost multiple pregnancies and almost lost my wife due to ectopic pregnancy complications. There were some very dark moments, but onwards hopefully.
Cars: Had the Berlingo 4 years, new turbo this year, but still chugging along at 100K miles. Wife's i10 died and we replaced it with... another (much newer) i10.
Job: Been there just over a year and been teaching just over a decade. Still enjoy it most days.
Health: Mental and physical health has been very mixed due to the above issues. Completed a 200-mile cycling challenge for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust in the summer though.
Holidays: We've had plenty of UK trips this year including 4 visits to Scotland and 4 visits to Northumberland with another trip there planned for New Year's Eve too.
Home: Been here 4.5 years now and it really feels like home every time I walk in the door.
Plans for 2025: Ready to gently think about some life changes in the new year. A couple of fun holidays in the pipeline too.
Template below if anyone wants to use it:
Overall:
Family:
Cars:
Job:
Health:
Holidays:
Home:
Plans for 2025:
Link to last year's thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I've now done this annually for 15 years, so in traditional style:
How has 2024 been for you?
Overall: A long year with some of the lowest lows I've ever experienced and some fantastic highs in between.
Family: 15 years with my wife and our daughter is 3. We are a happy little family but it was a tough year. We lost multiple pregnancies and almost lost my wife due to ectopic pregnancy complications. There were some very dark moments, but onwards hopefully.
Cars: Had the Berlingo 4 years, new turbo this year, but still chugging along at 100K miles. Wife's i10 died and we replaced it with... another (much newer) i10.
Job: Been there just over a year and been teaching just over a decade. Still enjoy it most days.
Health: Mental and physical health has been very mixed due to the above issues. Completed a 200-mile cycling challenge for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust in the summer though.
Holidays: We've had plenty of UK trips this year including 4 visits to Scotland and 4 visits to Northumberland with another trip there planned for New Year's Eve too.
Home: Been here 4.5 years now and it really feels like home every time I walk in the door.
Plans for 2025: Ready to gently think about some life changes in the new year. A couple of fun holidays in the pipeline too.
Template below if anyone wants to use it:
Overall:
Family:
Cars:
Job:
Health:
Holidays:
Home:
Plans for 2025:
Link to last year's thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by v15ben on Saturday 7th December 19:44
I like these threads - I like reflecting, so even though this won’t mean much to others putting pen to paper is a good exercise.
Overall: An ok year overall, punctuated by health issues I thought I’d be over by now which has taken the shine away more than I thought it would. Still pinch myself that actually that aside I’m extremely content.
Family: all good on that side. Never had issues and the relationships are brilliant. My wife is my best friend and when I’m with her all is right in the world. Celebrated our silver this year and just can’t see how we could be happier. She is my world. And for some reason she loves me!
Cars: no changes. No desire to change. Just need to invest a little more cash on their upkeep as there are a couple of niggles.
Job: after being at the same company for 25yrs, I left in July. Took a few months off doing…. Well, nothing! What a great few months. Was going to use the time to reflect on what I want to do next. Haven’t come to any conclusions but found myself earning again doing a similar job but with 1/10th of the responsibilities which I’m enjoying just now. Very excited for what’s next as there are plenty of opportunities and got to the point in life where I’m finally gaining the confidence in myself, and feel nothing is impossible right now.
Health: had some back issues which I can’t seem to resolve. They’ve become very niggly at emotionally up and down with it. I can’t cycle any more which was my life…. That and my tinnitus has come back like it did a few years ago and it really has a negative effect on my mood. I know it’ll go, but when is the question. I’m only 50 and always had great health, so struggling with being a bit broken.
Holidays: No holidays, just some time off. Didn’t know where/ when I’d be earning again so put off any big expenditure. Plan is to properly celebrate our 25th anniversary next year.
Home: we actually live in our dream house / location and it doesn’t need any immediate work. But it could be improved in some areas so we have plans to make changes and that may require an architect.
Plans for 2025: to get my health back. That’s the priority. pleased everything else is in place that I can still be very content.
Overall: An ok year overall, punctuated by health issues I thought I’d be over by now which has taken the shine away more than I thought it would. Still pinch myself that actually that aside I’m extremely content.
Family: all good on that side. Never had issues and the relationships are brilliant. My wife is my best friend and when I’m with her all is right in the world. Celebrated our silver this year and just can’t see how we could be happier. She is my world. And for some reason she loves me!
Cars: no changes. No desire to change. Just need to invest a little more cash on their upkeep as there are a couple of niggles.
Job: after being at the same company for 25yrs, I left in July. Took a few months off doing…. Well, nothing! What a great few months. Was going to use the time to reflect on what I want to do next. Haven’t come to any conclusions but found myself earning again doing a similar job but with 1/10th of the responsibilities which I’m enjoying just now. Very excited for what’s next as there are plenty of opportunities and got to the point in life where I’m finally gaining the confidence in myself, and feel nothing is impossible right now.
Health: had some back issues which I can’t seem to resolve. They’ve become very niggly at emotionally up and down with it. I can’t cycle any more which was my life…. That and my tinnitus has come back like it did a few years ago and it really has a negative effect on my mood. I know it’ll go, but when is the question. I’m only 50 and always had great health, so struggling with being a bit broken.
Holidays: No holidays, just some time off. Didn’t know where/ when I’d be earning again so put off any big expenditure. Plan is to properly celebrate our 25th anniversary next year.
Home: we actually live in our dream house / location and it doesn’t need any immediate work. But it could be improved in some areas so we have plans to make changes and that may require an architect.
Plans for 2025: to get my health back. That’s the priority. pleased everything else is in place that I can still be very content.
Overall: Rollercoaster ride.
Family: Mum still going strong at 81. One of our beloved cats died at 13 years of age after developing a tumour. Saddest day of my life having to take her to the vet and make that final decision.
Cars: Hunting endlessly for a "unicorn" spec BMW 440i. Still looking! Might have to revise expecations!
Job: Great year. Started a completely new career in September '22 and progressing nicely. Loving every minute. Great company, great colleagues, interesting and stimulating work.
Health: Good. Not doing badly for 50. Everyone tells me I look much younger. Did the Three Peaks of Yorkshire in August. Last did it 20 years ago. Did it faster this time!
Holidays: Haven't been away. The abject misery that is air travel and the lousy UK weather means no motivation really.
Home: Renting privately from a worthless bag of biological waste who loves to feather his nest with our hard-earned cash but possesses a profound dislike of fulfilling his obligations as a landlord. Utter nigthmare!
Plans for 2025: Buy a house! Progress at work. Soften my BMW 440i expectations a little!
Family: Mum still going strong at 81. One of our beloved cats died at 13 years of age after developing a tumour. Saddest day of my life having to take her to the vet and make that final decision.
Cars: Hunting endlessly for a "unicorn" spec BMW 440i. Still looking! Might have to revise expecations!
Job: Great year. Started a completely new career in September '22 and progressing nicely. Loving every minute. Great company, great colleagues, interesting and stimulating work.
Health: Good. Not doing badly for 50. Everyone tells me I look much younger. Did the Three Peaks of Yorkshire in August. Last did it 20 years ago. Did it faster this time!
Holidays: Haven't been away. The abject misery that is air travel and the lousy UK weather means no motivation really.
Home: Renting privately from a worthless bag of biological waste who loves to feather his nest with our hard-earned cash but possesses a profound dislike of fulfilling his obligations as a landlord. Utter nigthmare!
Plans for 2025: Buy a house! Progress at work. Soften my BMW 440i expectations a little!
Overall: challenging like no other
Family: wife diagnosed with breast cancer. Operation and now chemotherapy. Should be a good outcome but grim at present
Cars: back in a Range Rover. Happy man!
Job: challenging. Big increase in complexity of workload and a new slant coming up next year that probably sees me in court more often.
Health: high blood pressure not helped by job and family, plus being overweight.
Holidays: started off good, with a rapid decline. See Family!
Home: all good
Plans for 2025: support wife through chemo is my only focus other than work.
Family: wife diagnosed with breast cancer. Operation and now chemotherapy. Should be a good outcome but grim at present
Cars: back in a Range Rover. Happy man!
Job: challenging. Big increase in complexity of workload and a new slant coming up next year that probably sees me in court more often.
Health: high blood pressure not helped by job and family, plus being overweight.
Holidays: started off good, with a rapid decline. See Family!
Home: all good
Plans for 2025: support wife through chemo is my only focus other than work.
Overall: A good year - massive changes this year as the wife and I both hit 55 and decided to retire early - we will never be rich but have enough to live a decent life. 9/10
Family: 3 girls doing well with 5 grandkids between them.
Cars: Nothing interesting at the moment - XC60 to help us run around the hills, newest toy is a Harley Street Glide that I got in August 2022.
Job: Gave it up last January after 20 years in Engineering and the last 30 years running food factories.
Health: Overweight but pretty fit though no where near what I was at 50 when I was cycling 5k a year - must do better!
Holidays: 35 night cruise to the Bahamas and USA in January, 3 weeks in Lanzarote in April, 2 weeks in France on the Harley with mates in June, nothing else booked after that.
Home: 8 weeks ago downsized and moved to a bungalow in Meltham near Holmfirth, lots to do but enjoying doing the work myself with the help of friends and mates.
Plans for 2025: Carry on with the house renovations, plenty of jollies, learning to get better on the ukulele and find a local club, more Harley time and getting fitter.
Family: 3 girls doing well with 5 grandkids between them.
Cars: Nothing interesting at the moment - XC60 to help us run around the hills, newest toy is a Harley Street Glide that I got in August 2022.
Job: Gave it up last January after 20 years in Engineering and the last 30 years running food factories.
Health: Overweight but pretty fit though no where near what I was at 50 when I was cycling 5k a year - must do better!
Holidays: 35 night cruise to the Bahamas and USA in January, 3 weeks in Lanzarote in April, 2 weeks in France on the Harley with mates in June, nothing else booked after that.
Home: 8 weeks ago downsized and moved to a bungalow in Meltham near Holmfirth, lots to do but enjoying doing the work myself with the help of friends and mates.
Plans for 2025: Carry on with the house renovations, plenty of jollies, learning to get better on the ukulele and find a local club, more Harley time and getting fitter.
Edited by jontymo on Saturday 7th December 21:12
Overall: A challenging year. Won’t be sad to see the back of it.
Family: Not great. Daughter became ill around spring. Visits to GP no help. Finally got them to agree to send her to a specialist but two days after starting university she was so ill I told her to go to A&E so instead of freshers week meeting friends she spent two weeks in hospital. Diagnosed with incurable chronic illness. With medication she should be able to live a reasonable life, we hope. Some dark times.
Cars: Having not had a car for two years whilst living in Copenhagen we had to buy another when we moved back to the UK. Went for a mild hybrid Golf. Can’t get excited about it but it is very competent and is perfect for our current situation. I was going to buy a new motorbike but the insurance quotes were insane as I didn’t have an NCB. Ended up with a K6 GSXR1000, which is old but still gold.
Job: Ended up carrying on for my Danish employer but as a contractor. Working 100% remote isn’t much fun so I’m currently interviewing for other positions.
Health: See above for daughter. Not good for my wife nor me. I did lose a decent amount of weight earlier in the year but recent stress eating has seen it come back on again. At least having moved back home I can now play lots of tennis.
Holidays: What with moving countries again and daughter’s health we only managed one week in Devon. I had booked a week in Portugal with my wife (and gone through the entire Portuguese course in Duo Lingo in preparation) but we had to cancel.
Home: After 5 years of renting we finally moved back into our own home. I didn’t appreciate it enough earlier but loving being back.
Plans for 2025: Top of the list is trying to get my daughter sorted. Currently massively depressed by the illness but also that she didn’t make friends at university as she missed the first half of term. Getting a new job. Losing the weight I put back on and getting fitter. Improving my Mandarin so I can take the family to Taiwan or China in the summer. Get out more on the motorbike.
Family: Not great. Daughter became ill around spring. Visits to GP no help. Finally got them to agree to send her to a specialist but two days after starting university she was so ill I told her to go to A&E so instead of freshers week meeting friends she spent two weeks in hospital. Diagnosed with incurable chronic illness. With medication she should be able to live a reasonable life, we hope. Some dark times.
Cars: Having not had a car for two years whilst living in Copenhagen we had to buy another when we moved back to the UK. Went for a mild hybrid Golf. Can’t get excited about it but it is very competent and is perfect for our current situation. I was going to buy a new motorbike but the insurance quotes were insane as I didn’t have an NCB. Ended up with a K6 GSXR1000, which is old but still gold.
Job: Ended up carrying on for my Danish employer but as a contractor. Working 100% remote isn’t much fun so I’m currently interviewing for other positions.
Health: See above for daughter. Not good for my wife nor me. I did lose a decent amount of weight earlier in the year but recent stress eating has seen it come back on again. At least having moved back home I can now play lots of tennis.
Holidays: What with moving countries again and daughter’s health we only managed one week in Devon. I had booked a week in Portugal with my wife (and gone through the entire Portuguese course in Duo Lingo in preparation) but we had to cancel.
Home: After 5 years of renting we finally moved back into our own home. I didn’t appreciate it enough earlier but loving being back.
Plans for 2025: Top of the list is trying to get my daughter sorted. Currently massively depressed by the illness but also that she didn’t make friends at university as she missed the first half of term. Getting a new job. Losing the weight I put back on and getting fitter. Improving my Mandarin so I can take the family to Taiwan or China in the summer. Get out more on the motorbike.
Overall: Middling. Separated from my wife end of last year. Year on my own. New job. New hobbies. Both of those have been pretty good. Mostly though just felt like a year in limbo.
Family: Yeah not great. Kids are doing OK though, one progressing from GCSEs to A levels, both had a pretty hard time with school.
Cars: New job afforded me a car allowance which could be traded for a car. Got a very nice EV, know that not everyone's favourite but I love it. Very nice to drive, looks cool.
Job: New job, decent pay bump (+ car), going ok, boss is a good egg, demanding but not in a bad way. New sector though and finding the red tape etc a struggle and a senior role so the stress levels are high and I am bad at dealing with them.
Health: anxiety has been on the up but that always happens with a new job, find change hard. Physical health no issues but been poor with diet, exercise, weight management so need to improve there.
Holidays: None
Home: Crap. In rented while we sort the divorce etc. House is alright but the neighbours are chavs, it's cold etc.
Plans for 2025: lose weight, get fit. Started playing and coaching cricket again this year so looking forward to continuing that and doing more. Want to build a bit of a social life as let that wither over the years. Joined a swanky gym that has tennis clubs and social stuff, plus the cricket. Might even put my sorry old ass on Tinder and see if I cant get a date or 2.
Family: Yeah not great. Kids are doing OK though, one progressing from GCSEs to A levels, both had a pretty hard time with school.
Cars: New job afforded me a car allowance which could be traded for a car. Got a very nice EV, know that not everyone's favourite but I love it. Very nice to drive, looks cool.
Job: New job, decent pay bump (+ car), going ok, boss is a good egg, demanding but not in a bad way. New sector though and finding the red tape etc a struggle and a senior role so the stress levels are high and I am bad at dealing with them.
Health: anxiety has been on the up but that always happens with a new job, find change hard. Physical health no issues but been poor with diet, exercise, weight management so need to improve there.
Holidays: None
Home: Crap. In rented while we sort the divorce etc. House is alright but the neighbours are chavs, it's cold etc.
Plans for 2025: lose weight, get fit. Started playing and coaching cricket again this year so looking forward to continuing that and doing more. Want to build a bit of a social life as let that wither over the years. Joined a swanky gym that has tennis clubs and social stuff, plus the cricket. Might even put my sorry old ass on Tinder and see if I cant get a date or 2.
Overall: B
Family: Eldest started school, bit of a rocky start but seems to be settling in. Youngest potty trained himself to our surprise, he has a few ongoing medical issues but doesn't let that stop him.
Cars: SS EV an MG4 X-Power, whisper it but I really like it. One niggling software issue where you have to turn the lights off and on to get AA to go into dark mode and useless Bridgestone tyres aside it's very good, fast, almost free to run, warms up while I'm in bed and generally makes an excellent fist of being a daily driver. Cheap too obviously.
The Duster just plods along, I love it, will keep it for the foreseeable. Will be taking us to the Alps and back in a couple of weeks.
TVR hasn't moved, again
Job: Got a decent payrise, actually pay 40% tax now, it's nowhere near as big a deal as most seem to make out. 4 days a week too the way it should be.
Health: Pretty s
t. Despite doing the Fred Whitton in May I'm in the worst shape of my life, keep blaming being a busy parent but I can't keep using that excuse forever, I really need to pull my finger out. My knee is slowly deteriorating but not bad enough to need a replacement and I popped some soft tissue in my elbow lifting the roof box the other week. A sure sign I'm getting old.
Holidays: The best part of the year for us. 3 Foreign holidays, 2 weeks away in the UK and 2 camping trips with NY skiing to come. It's what we live for.
Home: No longer suitable, want a bigger garage, bigger garden and to not live in a 3 story house. Don't want a mortgage. The pull to move is slowly overtaking the urge to be debt free.
Plans for 2025: Move maybe, lots more holidays, get fitter. Leave the trickle charger on the TVR undisturbed for another year. I could probably have just bought a new battery with the amount of leccy I've used keeping the one in it charged.
Family: Eldest started school, bit of a rocky start but seems to be settling in. Youngest potty trained himself to our surprise, he has a few ongoing medical issues but doesn't let that stop him.
Cars: SS EV an MG4 X-Power, whisper it but I really like it. One niggling software issue where you have to turn the lights off and on to get AA to go into dark mode and useless Bridgestone tyres aside it's very good, fast, almost free to run, warms up while I'm in bed and generally makes an excellent fist of being a daily driver. Cheap too obviously.
The Duster just plods along, I love it, will keep it for the foreseeable. Will be taking us to the Alps and back in a couple of weeks.
TVR hasn't moved, again
Job: Got a decent payrise, actually pay 40% tax now, it's nowhere near as big a deal as most seem to make out. 4 days a week too the way it should be.
Health: Pretty s
t. Despite doing the Fred Whitton in May I'm in the worst shape of my life, keep blaming being a busy parent but I can't keep using that excuse forever, I really need to pull my finger out. My knee is slowly deteriorating but not bad enough to need a replacement and I popped some soft tissue in my elbow lifting the roof box the other week. A sure sign I'm getting old.Holidays: The best part of the year for us. 3 Foreign holidays, 2 weeks away in the UK and 2 camping trips with NY skiing to come. It's what we live for.
Home: No longer suitable, want a bigger garage, bigger garden and to not live in a 3 story house. Don't want a mortgage. The pull to move is slowly overtaking the urge to be debt free.
Plans for 2025: Move maybe, lots more holidays, get fitter. Leave the trickle charger on the TVR undisturbed for another year. I could probably have just bought a new battery with the amount of leccy I've used keeping the one in it charged.
Overall: A good year, solid 8/10
Family: First baby due later this month, 2025 is going to be a very different year!
Cars: Sold my 435d at the start of the year, now driving a Range Rover Sport which is a wonderful way to do a lot of miles in comfort
Job: Started my current job on January 2nd. First job I've ever had that I love
Health: Spent a lot on dental with more to follow in 2025. A painful failed root canal that led to an extraction and likely implant next year as I hate the gap
Holidays: Up to 42 countries, new ones this year were Croatia, Malaysia, Singapore. Also did Wales and Scotland again but no ski trip
Home: Same house for the last 8 years, due a change, did some renovations which have given it some new life
Plans for 2025: Will all be focused on the new arrival I think!
Family: First baby due later this month, 2025 is going to be a very different year!
Cars: Sold my 435d at the start of the year, now driving a Range Rover Sport which is a wonderful way to do a lot of miles in comfort
Job: Started my current job on January 2nd. First job I've ever had that I love
Health: Spent a lot on dental with more to follow in 2025. A painful failed root canal that led to an extraction and likely implant next year as I hate the gap
Holidays: Up to 42 countries, new ones this year were Croatia, Malaysia, Singapore. Also did Wales and Scotland again but no ski trip
Home: Same house for the last 8 years, due a change, did some renovations which have given it some new life
Plans for 2025: Will all be focused on the new arrival I think!
Overall, not bad if you had offered me this year as the start I would have taken it.
Family, all good, my mum just turned 90 and I'm certain will see a 100, no signs of ill health and still sea swims every day, my daughter gained a first class honours in psychology and my 18yr old son is living and working in Banff having the time of his life.
Cars, well still got my air cooled 911 which I really need to use more, the i30n continues to make me smile, the soocby wagon STI bug eye still gets the thumbs up from people, and we bought a VW T 6.1 camper for our road trips.
Jobs, both the wife and I run our own business that are doing really well.
Health, all good, lots of sea swimming biking and dog walking.
Holidays, plenty of road trips to France in the camper, did a month long trip to various ski resorts in January whilst hard or wild camping, then trips to the lavender fields in the summer where we did the same, the best holiday ever.
Home, still living next to the sea in the house we bought 22yrs ago, however we will be selling it next year.
Plans for 2025, well we are in the process go building our dream home set in 2 acres of meadow, even getting to this point has tested our resolve to the limit.
More trips planned to, going off for 5 weeks in February with the van to the Alps then the Med, and a trip to Canada to see our son and celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.
Family, all good, my mum just turned 90 and I'm certain will see a 100, no signs of ill health and still sea swims every day, my daughter gained a first class honours in psychology and my 18yr old son is living and working in Banff having the time of his life.
Cars, well still got my air cooled 911 which I really need to use more, the i30n continues to make me smile, the soocby wagon STI bug eye still gets the thumbs up from people, and we bought a VW T 6.1 camper for our road trips.
Jobs, both the wife and I run our own business that are doing really well.
Health, all good, lots of sea swimming biking and dog walking.
Holidays, plenty of road trips to France in the camper, did a month long trip to various ski resorts in January whilst hard or wild camping, then trips to the lavender fields in the summer where we did the same, the best holiday ever.
Home, still living next to the sea in the house we bought 22yrs ago, however we will be selling it next year.
Plans for 2025, well we are in the process go building our dream home set in 2 acres of meadow, even getting to this point has tested our resolve to the limit.
More trips planned to, going off for 5 weeks in February with the van to the Alps then the Med, and a trip to Canada to see our son and celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.
Edited by mcelliott on Saturday 7th December 21:24
Overall: No complaints really, more money would be nice, but we are keeping on top of things.
Family: Hoping my youngest son can find a job soon, he's nearly twenty two and a functioning autistic, so it is a delicate subject. Eldest son happy in his career progression. I wish the pair of them were a bit more sociable and would find themselves partners, as neither of them have shown any interest in moving out anytime soon. Still get on great with my wife of twenty four years, so no worries there.
Cars: Have every intention of keeping our current fleet for the long term, our car is a well specced XC60 D5 that has been no bother at all, and I also have a Vito van with just over 100k on it at 12 years old. This was the sweet spot of galvanised body and before too much of the emmissions bks that makes owning a modern diesel so much fun.
Job: Changed jobs in April, my latest job is less money than I'm used to, but also less hours and stress, so I'm happy to make the monetary sacrifice.
Health: Run every day, and still cycle often enough. Still competitive in cross country and fell running in my age catagory. BMI of 23 at 53 years old.
Holidays: Can't be arsed with travelling, so if it is more than two hours away I'm not bothered. Weekends in the Dales and the odd week in the Lake District is enough for me. Despise the airport experience, so avoid flying. Travelled extensively in my twenties, so it's not like I haven't seen the world. I will more than likely be doing a bit of travelling next year anyway, more below.
Home: Extended last year, so happy with my lot.
Plans for 2025: Reforming a moderately successful punk band I was involved with thirty odd years ago, with a view to going back on tour hopefully, so 2025 will probably involve dragging myself round Europe at least, maybe with a little bit more dignity this time.
Family: Hoping my youngest son can find a job soon, he's nearly twenty two and a functioning autistic, so it is a delicate subject. Eldest son happy in his career progression. I wish the pair of them were a bit more sociable and would find themselves partners, as neither of them have shown any interest in moving out anytime soon. Still get on great with my wife of twenty four years, so no worries there.
Cars: Have every intention of keeping our current fleet for the long term, our car is a well specced XC60 D5 that has been no bother at all, and I also have a Vito van with just over 100k on it at 12 years old. This was the sweet spot of galvanised body and before too much of the emmissions b
ks that makes owning a modern diesel so much fun.Job: Changed jobs in April, my latest job is less money than I'm used to, but also less hours and stress, so I'm happy to make the monetary sacrifice.
Health: Run every day, and still cycle often enough. Still competitive in cross country and fell running in my age catagory. BMI of 23 at 53 years old.
Holidays: Can't be arsed with travelling, so if it is more than two hours away I'm not bothered. Weekends in the Dales and the odd week in the Lake District is enough for me. Despise the airport experience, so avoid flying. Travelled extensively in my twenties, so it's not like I haven't seen the world. I will more than likely be doing a bit of travelling next year anyway, more below.
Home: Extended last year, so happy with my lot.
Plans for 2025: Reforming a moderately successful punk band I was involved with thirty odd years ago, with a view to going back on tour hopefully, so 2025 will probably involve dragging myself round Europe at least, maybe with a little bit more dignity this time.
Overall: Not a great year, more lows than highs this year
Family: No change, all good. My son had his 18th birthday this year which was a nice landmark. My 80yr old mother diagnosed with fibrosis and she’s gradually declining.
Cars: I keep my cars for many years so nothing to report here. Though I retire in just over 2 yrs so I’m researching my first ever really nice car (used) to treat myself to, maybe a 2022 BMW 730d or slightly older Porsche Cayenne
Job: I retire in 2027, ill be age 55 so keeping my head down so I don’t appear on any radars, good or bad.
Health: Lost around 3 stone in weight since early summer which I’m pleased with but my enlarged prostate has lead to my bladder getting weaker!!! A few issues in my life have seen a year of fairly bad anxiety awaiting outcomes.
Holidays: 3 x weekend breaks in our touring caravan, that’s all
Home: No change other than I was able to enjoy my first summer on our new patio.
Plans for 2025: Don’t do anything that could jeopardise my upcoming retirement and ruin my chance of that nice car.
Family: No change, all good. My son had his 18th birthday this year which was a nice landmark. My 80yr old mother diagnosed with fibrosis and she’s gradually declining.
Cars: I keep my cars for many years so nothing to report here. Though I retire in just over 2 yrs so I’m researching my first ever really nice car (used) to treat myself to, maybe a 2022 BMW 730d or slightly older Porsche Cayenne
Job: I retire in 2027, ill be age 55 so keeping my head down so I don’t appear on any radars, good or bad.
Health: Lost around 3 stone in weight since early summer which I’m pleased with but my enlarged prostate has lead to my bladder getting weaker!!! A few issues in my life have seen a year of fairly bad anxiety awaiting outcomes.
Holidays: 3 x weekend breaks in our touring caravan, that’s all
Home: No change other than I was able to enjoy my first summer on our new patio.
Plans for 2025: Don’t do anything that could jeopardise my upcoming retirement and ruin my chance of that nice car.
Edited by The Gauge on Saturday 7th December 22:22
Edited by The Gauge on Sunday 8th December 08:57
Overall: Reasonably well, plodding towards retirement
Family: Welcomed our first great granddaughter
Cars: Old Civic finally packed in - replaced with a Jaguar XF - big difference I know!
Job: Still slogging up and down the motorway, coming up to 19 years.
Health: Arthritic knees are still holding out, the medication is keeping surgery at bay.
Holidays: Long weekend away in a hotel in South Lakes but nothing lengthy.
Home: Just hit 24 years in the same Lake District coast house.
Plans for 2025: shed a few stone and maybe get some more cats after losing our last one in September.
Family: Welcomed our first great granddaughter
Cars: Old Civic finally packed in - replaced with a Jaguar XF - big difference I know!
Job: Still slogging up and down the motorway, coming up to 19 years.
Health: Arthritic knees are still holding out, the medication is keeping surgery at bay.
Holidays: Long weekend away in a hotel in South Lakes but nothing lengthy.
Home: Just hit 24 years in the same Lake District coast house.
Plans for 2025: shed a few stone and maybe get some more cats after losing our last one in September.
Overall: First half of the year was very good. Second half of the year very bad
Family: Wife and Kids doing very well until my Father in Law died in July. He lived in Greece and for a while it was a nightmare as we sorted it all out. That said the inheritance has set us up for life. My own parents have aged so much this year that I fear one of them won't last to the end of 2025
Cars: Chnaged from a 718 Boxster S to a 992 Targa 4S. Was then able to pay it all off with some of the inheritance money.
Job: Nothing changed. Same job and just kept chugging along with it.
Health: Mental health has matched the year. Good to start and testing later. Physical health has stayed good all year and weight has stayed stable too.
Holidays: Overall spent 4 weeks in Greece but managed two days doing tourist things in Athens. We are spending Christmas and New Year in Madeira to get away from it all and see the back of 2024.
Home: Lived here nearly 12 years and paid off the mortgage in May. Which felt momentous but in reality the money we were spending is now going into pensions anyway, so we do not feel better off although in the long game we will be.
Plans for 2025: Currently planning a big European road trip to cover some MotoGP and F1 races. Continue to plan for possible retirement or at least slowing down in the next 5-7 years.
Overall:
Pretty good, lots have it worse and we don't live in a war torn place of conflict. Lots to be grateful for.
Family:
Wife had surgery on cist on an ovary and had a rough few weeks.
Daughter is flying at school and is growing up too quickly.
Should probably make an effort to see wider family more but it also works both ways.
Had to put the cat down recently which was gutting especially for the wife and daughter.
Cars:
Kuga sent back at end of lease and was expecting a £2k excess mileage bill. Advised at collection time that it was going to Cazoo who days later went bump and I've heard nothing since February.
Always wanted a 5 series and picked up a 2018 520d which is a great cruiser and lovely big barge.
Upgraded the campervan to a T32 T5.1
Job:
My boss left in January so I got promoted.
My next boss and head of office left in March so got promoted again.
Have a regional MD who was new to the role and not a clue on what she was doing so we failed to recruit, lost more staff, lost clients and caused ridiculous stress for those of us picking up the pieces.
Closed our office and merged to a larger team which is a positive and I sense my role will change again shortly with a new boss in who is great at getting sh!t done.
I have never been as stressed as I was in Q2 & Q3 but I have a lot of positives in people management, leadership and change management - useful for future roles.
Health:
Overall not bad
Went on a 12 week plan post holiday which worked and I dropped a stone, put some back on and know I need to be more active.
Got the wife a walking pad for Xmas so expect I'll use it too.
Holidays:
Cyprus
Crete
Wales
Devon
Various festivals in the T5
May go to Brugges between Xmas and new year
Had a great time on all of those.
Home:
New double glazing
Painted the lot - hassle
Just about stopped the kitchen ceiling collapsing following a bathroom leak, new upstairs carpets needed.
Plans for 2025:
Pretty good, lots have it worse and we don't live in a war torn place of conflict. Lots to be grateful for.
Family:
Wife had surgery on cist on an ovary and had a rough few weeks.
Daughter is flying at school and is growing up too quickly.
Should probably make an effort to see wider family more but it also works both ways.
Had to put the cat down recently which was gutting especially for the wife and daughter.
Cars:
Kuga sent back at end of lease and was expecting a £2k excess mileage bill. Advised at collection time that it was going to Cazoo who days later went bump and I've heard nothing since February.
Always wanted a 5 series and picked up a 2018 520d which is a great cruiser and lovely big barge.
Upgraded the campervan to a T32 T5.1
Job:
My boss left in January so I got promoted.
My next boss and head of office left in March so got promoted again.
Have a regional MD who was new to the role and not a clue on what she was doing so we failed to recruit, lost more staff, lost clients and caused ridiculous stress for those of us picking up the pieces.
Closed our office and merged to a larger team which is a positive and I sense my role will change again shortly with a new boss in who is great at getting sh!t done.
I have never been as stressed as I was in Q2 & Q3 but I have a lot of positives in people management, leadership and change management - useful for future roles.
Health:
Overall not bad
Went on a 12 week plan post holiday which worked and I dropped a stone, put some back on and know I need to be more active.
Got the wife a walking pad for Xmas so expect I'll use it too.
Holidays:
Cyprus
Crete
Wales
Devon
Various festivals in the T5
May go to Brugges between Xmas and new year
Had a great time on all of those.
Home:
New double glazing
Painted the lot - hassle
Just about stopped the kitchen ceiling collapsing following a bathroom leak, new upstairs carpets needed.
Plans for 2025:
- New kitchen or new house
- 2-3 foreign holidays
- More campervan adventures
- Maybe a new pet. I'd love a dog.
- Sell the 5 series and either run the T5 as a daily or buy something less sensible and more fun.
- Maintain good fitness and health.
Edited by MOMACC on Saturday 7th December 23:01
Overall: Largely OK
Family:We're now into 18 years married, and she's still not just my wife but my best mate. There are times when we'll say, 'I'll think it, and you say it'. BiL #1 recently died but had been suffering from poor health for a number of years. BiL #2 has always been an adrenaline junkie, be it fast bikes, tuned cars and such like. For the last four or five years, it's been mountain biking and some the videos he's posted of him with his helmet Go-Pro were scary. Anyway, it caught up with him a few weeks ago. Fractured skull, fractured vertebrae, might lose an eye.
Cars:Bought the SAAB in 2020, and had two UK holidays planned for this year (more below). Back in Feb, there was no way it was going to complete these drives so I had a decision to make : do I flog the SAAB and but a new (second hand) car with maybe unknown issues, or do I get my trusted mechanic (Darren at DMC Automotive) to fettle to SAAB to where I want it to be. I decided the latter, and £2.5k later it was sorted mechanically and bodily.
Job:Cut a long story short; since 2017 I've secured nearly £14 million of work for my company.
Health:All good
Holidays:Kennel costs for our pooch have become costly, so we went to St. Agnes in June and Skye in September. Cornwall was ste; the weather was awful and the SAAB suffered a suspension collapse in Mousehole. Skye, however, was an utter joy.
Home:Had the drive re-tarmaced, and it looks the billy-bks
Plans for 2025:Back to Goa for Christmas
Family:We're now into 18 years married, and she's still not just my wife but my best mate. There are times when we'll say, 'I'll think it, and you say it'. BiL #1 recently died but had been suffering from poor health for a number of years. BiL #2 has always been an adrenaline junkie, be it fast bikes, tuned cars and such like. For the last four or five years, it's been mountain biking and some the videos he's posted of him with his helmet Go-Pro were scary. Anyway, it caught up with him a few weeks ago. Fractured skull, fractured vertebrae, might lose an eye.
Cars:Bought the SAAB in 2020, and had two UK holidays planned for this year (more below). Back in Feb, there was no way it was going to complete these drives so I had a decision to make : do I flog the SAAB and but a new (second hand) car with maybe unknown issues, or do I get my trusted mechanic (Darren at DMC Automotive) to fettle to SAAB to where I want it to be. I decided the latter, and £2.5k later it was sorted mechanically and bodily.
Job:Cut a long story short; since 2017 I've secured nearly £14 million of work for my company.
Health:All good
Holidays:Kennel costs for our pooch have become costly, so we went to St. Agnes in June and Skye in September. Cornwall was s
te; the weather was awful and the SAAB suffered a suspension collapse in Mousehole. Skye, however, was an utter joy.Home:Had the drive re-tarmaced, and it looks the billy-b
ksPlans for 2025:Back to Goa for Christmas
Overall:
Rollercoaster, ended very, very different to the start.
Family:
Reduced by one, early in the year, legal crap meant no time to grieve for months.
Cars:
Jeep's a year older at 23, just plods along nicely, which suits me fine.
Job:
Comfortably retired.
Health:
10 days in hospital with serious infection, after effects still ongoing.
Holidays:
Cancelled due to bereavement.
Home:
Refurbishment continues, 10 years neglect due to being a full time care-giver.
Plans for 2025:
Bucket list beckons, it's a big bucket.
Rollercoaster, ended very, very different to the start.
Family:
Reduced by one, early in the year, legal crap meant no time to grieve for months.
Cars:
Jeep's a year older at 23, just plods along nicely, which suits me fine.
Job:
Comfortably retired.
Health:
10 days in hospital with serious infection, after effects still ongoing.
Holidays:
Cancelled due to bereavement.
Home:
Refurbishment continues, 10 years neglect due to being a full time care-giver.
Plans for 2025:
Bucket list beckons, it's a big bucket.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff