Well it's finally happened!

Welcome to the retirement club! I am sure you will make the most of every day!

I retired May 2017, but didn't receive the State Pension until March 2018, and of course my travel pass, which I can also use on trains in the West Midlands area. It is very useful on holiday in this country where we leave the car on the caravan site, and use the buses, no hassle to find a space and no car parking charges!

I have enjoyed every minute of the freedom. No clock watching and do (mostly) what I want, when I want.

Unfortunately I was unable to do shopping using a trolley on wheels when I became an OAP and still unable, I have to use a mobility scooter to enable me to go outside the flat. I still count my blessings.

We live near to but not in London and really enjoy going there when we can. I do envy those who have the freedom pass but of course we are lucky in other ways and after our train journey to London we make good use of our bus passes!

Belated Happy Birthday grannyrebel7 Congratulations on joining a great bunch of people - Pensioners! We are gutsy, mouthy, fun-loving, worth our salt, poorly paid people of the world!

I just loved getting my 60+ (London) travel card, then my Freedom Pass when I became, officially, a pensioner. Oh, the chance to go here, there ad everywhere - all for free!

I used to use a shopping trolley back in the 1980s when I was also in my twenties too. Sainsburys was 5 minutes walk from the house, would have taken longer to take the car and park so it was very convenient. I just wish they'd had them in the cool colours you can get now!

Happy Pension Day. You’ve earned it!???

Retirement is the very best time of your life if you embrace it
Enjoy!

I love my shopping trolley! It’s black with white polka dots , best thing ever!

I laughed at your railing against a shopping trolley on wheels. Many years ago, there was a works outing arranged - a "booze cruise" (are they even still a thing now? - they were very popular back in the 80s).

I took an "old lady's" shopping trolley with me, and was subject to much laughter and derision on the outward trip (I was about 25 years old at the time).

They weren't laughing on the return trip. Many comments of "you had the right idea" etc etc. I definitely had the last laugh as they were struggling to carry their heavy bags/boxes of booze back from the hypermarket onto the ship etc

I still use a shopping trolley on wheels now if I decide to walk to the supermarket rather than drive - makes life a lot easier

Wishing you a very happy birthday to you grannyrebel7 - and many more to come x

You need to remember the "red hat" that doesn't go, and doesn't suit you.

The poem is a warning that the women will become a rebel when she is "old". Seems to me you may have got there already grannyrebel7

Happy Birthday to you…..???

Happy birthday! ? ? ?
Don’t go crazy with the pension, all 2/6 of it!

Grannyrebel
Same, I’ve had my first months pension.
As you say, nothing has changed, still working, still got a houseful, husband still working.
I wear a lot of purple anyway, it’s my favourite colour, so I won’t even have to make that change!

Happy Birthday! ?

Great grannyrebel7 , don’t spend it all in the one shop , as my Mum used to say ?