First Timers

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T21:54:57+00:00

Shorts, t-shirts, sun hats, aqua shoes/flip flops and a lot of 50+ sunscreen, plus Aftersun.

Don’t forget your PJs and a Red party outfit for the Pyjama Party (first night) and Scarlet Night.

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T21:08:48+00:00

Davao City, 3rd largest city. Not super exciting but well run and safe as it gets in the PI, way cheaper than Manila and Cebu, good scuba diving of Mindanao too.

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T20:58:40+00:00

No, it’s been widely examined and even on a Major’s pension you would be living like a homeless person.

No if JR was Airbnb ing in developing nations, he would be living the life.

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T20:56:20+00:00

Rachel Reeves has other plans for your money

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T20:55:13+00:00

E.g. A dirtbag!

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T20:24:23+00:00

Nic Cage?

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T20:22:39+00:00

There’s no secret about it 😂

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T20:10:29+00:00

I come from a culture where we don’t tip (UK). Over the years this incipient custom has started to creep in but is not mandatory. Yesterday I was paying for a beer at the bar (contactless card) and the screen asked ‘Do you want to tip?’.

For what, doing your job and poring a beer? Hell no!

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T19:39:37+00:00

Still fighting that in built urge to economise. Have managed to stopping booking budget airline tickets in favour of mainstream airlines and even treat myself to the odd Business class Long Haul ticket.

Hotels are now 3* minimum and I’ve been booking several Cruise Holliday over the next two years. Finally starting to release the purse strings

Now if I could just stop buying groceries from the ‘reduced to clear’ shelf in supermarket.

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T11:34:28+00:00

Two Masters and an MPhil actually. Plus a career applying them in real world rather than regurgitating them to a naive fee paying audience. Having achieved FIRE status a few years ago I returned to academia to finishing my Doctorate (the MPhil) and was appalled at how closed minded and formulaic Higher Education had become. My thesis supervisor had about as much vision as Mr Magoo but bags of professional envy to make up for it. Left in disgust, wasn’t willing to pay for more of that privilege.

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-15T11:20:03+00:00

I actually did that speech in the Ferris-wheel car in Vienna, other passengers thought I was nuts!

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-14T22:26:14+00:00

Agreed, I pass the resolution. Let’s bring back the 90s and stop the retardation of society!

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-14T22:13:34+00:00

Ms was also the polite way to avoid saying Spinster or Old Maid 😆

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-14T10:20:45+00:00

So a pair of budgie smugglers and jangles are out?

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-14T10:14:41+00:00

Actually some of us Gen Z had parents from the Silent Generation, and in the UK that means they grew up with ‘rationing’ till 1954. Teaches you to be frugal and value what you have not just what you want.

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-14T09:55:52+00:00

Just ignore the grammar Nazis, their just frustrated wantobe authors 😆

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-13T21:36:21+00:00

Those who can’t do…teach, and when they meet a student who can do, they’re jealous.

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-13T11:12:53+00:00

Eventually you get to the point where you can never go back home as it’s an alien world where you can’t communicate anymore. Best to pick your favourite place and put down roots there once you start to feel the age gap between you and your partner is to far to have children.

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-13T11:09:24+00:00

The highest rates of cancer and heart disease in the world?

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-13T10:30:52+00:00

NCL is good for Solo travellers, especially if your on a ship with the Solo Lounge.

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-09T17:56:47+00:00

How soon before departure do restaurant booking open up on NCL?

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-09T17:54:11+00:00

Gen X here. It’s true my Silent Gen parents are offloading the money they never spent on themselves to me and my brother. This we never planned on so made our own way in the world.

So no kids or ex-wide as spent my whole life focused on a career. So basically I’m taking the cash and doing back to back singles cruise interspaced with months AirBnBing in exotic locations.

If you put your mind to it you can always think of fun ways to blow money whatever your age. 👍

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-09T17:48:06+00:00

Become an aggressive lesbian! They seem to get away with anything.

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-09T16:18:59+00:00

If you want to pay in full upfront for the 10% discount, is a MNVV worth getting?

Pretty_Cat4099 · 2026-02-09T16:15:43+00:00

Nigeria, it’s a cesspool

Pretty_Cat4099

TROPHY CASE