I spent all my working career in public service. Teaching, Whitehall, Local government. Well paid final salary pension etc. Bought two houses for women I didn’t like so had f all 10 years ago.
Made redundant a year ago with no savings and £200k mortgage. Lived on redundancy and odd jobs/consultancy/joke seekers. Nightmare as am 55. Felt forced to take pension early. That meant I lost 20% of its value but days after I did it I got a contact to provide services to a consortium of schools (cause they can’t get it of councils anymore). That combined with the pension means I’m on far more than I was before and have a nice lump sum to cushion the unexpected.
I feel much more secure than I have done for years.
Sod all to do with money. My Mrs hasn’t once complained about not being able to buy handbags or other shite. For the 8 years we’ve been together the mutual support has been the defining factor in feeling secure.