Is it possible we are all just kidding ourselves?

[Steve]

All we can do is increase our chances, nothing is guaranteed. I know for sure that I have a better chance of enjoying life now than when I lived in suburbia, because my life is already better. Call it prepping, call it a change of lifestyle, whatever, it's better.

I'm another who doesn't see "armageddon", just a slow erosion of living standards as the UK struggles to pay the bills, so I'm removing myself from the rat-race as far as possible. There will be no state pension for me or my wife in 15 years, and none for my kids or grandkids, so it's my job to set up something that might help support us. Not easy, but perhaps possible.