112. How I went about finding a Narrowboat to buy (Part One)
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2020
- In this first part, I talk about looking for a Narrowboat, when I started my research, my thoughts about buying a boat whilst still working full time (but with the prospect of early retirement), the main parameters I was looking for; and the boat buying process including putting down a deposit, having a survey and the Boat Safety Scheme.
In part two, I discuss things I like about my boat and give some ideas what to look out for when buying a boat. I also mention engine type, heating, lighting and much more.
To watch David’s video from ‘Cruising The Cut’ entitled “Multiple Choice” about the different types of narrowboat, please follow this link • 23. Explaining the dif...
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I may be returning to the UK post brexit from Spain and plan A is (and has been for the last 3 years or so) to buy a Narrowboat! I am a 72 year old retiree and have found this insight into buying a boat absolutely first class. Thankyou.
I'm glad you've found it useful, part two will be published at the weekend. Cheers
I don’t mind at all, of course! Excellent video as ever, full of useful info. Cheers
Many thanks for your kind remark David. Hope all well. Take care
Always get a buzz from seeing people content in life and living an alternative approach to society ...cant wait to join the canal in November
@@oldgrunger5 I hope that all goes well for you. Cheers Alan
Good decision on your early retirement, life is short and work is so stressful nowadays.
The boat seems to fit your needs and a good choice all around.
The weather looks nice so enjoy while it lasts. Can't wait to see part two.
Many thanks Jenn, I'm glad you liked it. Cheers
I enjoyed this part 1. looking forward to part 2.. I think you did a good job, very informative. Always enjoy your talks and explanitions of the subject.
Many thanks Jim, kind of you to say. Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent looking forward to part 2 livening the dream.
Many thanks Mechelle. Cheers
Part 1 part 2 keep going until u reach 100. As we say in the south, we don't know " doodley squat " about boats but learning a lot from you and other narrowboaters. I just retired from 40 years of nursing and knew the time had come. Husband still working as a piano tuner but sets own hours and pace. We so enjoy the UK canals through the eyes of all our vlogers. Thanks again from Raleigh NC. g
Hi Gloria, I'm glad my videos bring you some enjoyment. You must have seen a lot of changes in nursing over the years. I used to play the piano when I was young but not played now for many years. Take care Alan
Your efforts were precisely what I would have expected, very thorough. God Bless.
Thank you very much, that's very kind of you to say so. Take care
You are a brilliant storyteller Alan. I was hooked from the start. Part Two soon please 😊
Many thanks, I'm still finalising part two but it will be a bit longer. All the best
Thanks Alan,very interesting video,looking forward to the next instalment.take care.
Many thanks Rob, glad you liked it. All the best Alan
Hi Alan, very interesting and I’m looking forward to Part 2. I like the way you explain everything clearly. Thanks for the videos.🛶💨
That's very kind of you to say, thank you.
Looking forward to Part Two! Reminds me of selecting and purchasing my first sailboat. Best to you, Alan. Stay safe and healthy!
Many thanks Zach, All the best, take care Alan
Thanks very much Alan. It answers a lot of questions for me. I am looking forward to the second part!!. Regards from Holland
Hi and welcome aboard. Glad it was helpful! Part two will be a bit longer.
Thank you for sharing Alan. It’s nice to hear your story on buying your boat. More please. Stay safe Alan👊
Many thanks Anthony, glad you enjoyed listening. Take care.
Thanks Alan definately food for thought as I think I have mentioned to you before my wife and I are toying with the idea of owing and full time liing aboard a narrowboat and your information is very useful.
I'm glad you find it helpful, I'm not an experienced boater but just try to pass on my thoughts and experiences. Good luck in your search when you decide what to do. All the best Alan
Greetings Alan good to see you on our screens again.
I concur with you on the "Whilton "
boats on brokerage looking "scruffy"
they were on the occasions we visited ( boat owners fault)
Very nice staff though.
One time we went we had to tell them one was sinking !
They do buy boats for cash £10K+ cheaper than its market value.
Narrow boat construction design has remained the same since they were launched.
New interested purchasers of narrow boats have a vision which differs from the reality of owing one running one and maintaining one. Inherent flaw design of narrow boats continue and there is no sign this will change.
And this is why they are still popular.
Keep safe and dry and virus free.
Hi David, I'm sure Whilton do very well on the boats they buy in, as with mine. They sold it three months before I bought it, then bought it back and I came along. It worried me at the time that a purchaser had only had it for a few months before selling it. It wasn't anything sinister though, just not suiting the buyer. Stay safe and well. Cheers Alan
I'm in the process of looking for a boat now so found this interesting, look forward to Part 2 , cheers Fella and stay safe
Many thanks Mick and happy boat hunting.
Great vlog Alan, and as you say David has done one on buying is boat, both of you are full of information and interesting. look forward to part two.
Many thanks for your kind comment Paul.
This Sir, has been a joy to watch 3 times and you have given me lots of ideas & info .
Having owned a charter boat being a 11 mt Cat , mainly used for diving ,,, this video was still worth while to me..Thank you Alan
Thanks Andy, that's very kind of you to say so. Cheers
Very informative thanks. Looking forward to part 2 . Phil
Many thanks Phil, I am presently finalising part two. Cheers
Alan you are a true gent ,Thanks so much for a very in depth look at purchasing a narrowboat we last spoke when i was enquiring about your narrowboat hat !! we are getting close to purchasing ours soon retirement is looming and we have a viking river cruiser to part company with towards our purchase keep up the great uploads they are so calming and i find them so relaxing to watch stay safe my friend take care and happy boating ,just putting the kettle on for part two yay kind regards
clive.
Many thanks Clive, I'm glad you found it informative and wish you well in your search for a boat. Second part will be a bit longer, so make sure you've got a large cup. All the best. Take care Alan
Hi Alan a very helpful and an informative vlog for those of us looking to get a boat. Many thanks. Hope your keeping well.
I'm fine thanks Annie and hope you are too. I'm pleased you found it useful. Take care.
Very interesting and informative, also very enjoyable to watch. now for part two.
Thanks John, I'm glad you found it useful. I would suggest you also look out for similar videos from others, as we all have a different slant on things. Cheers
Great video Alan, can't wait for part two.
Many thanks Carol, next part will be a bit longer. Cheers
Thanks for such an informative video Allan, we are currently considering a move onto the canal system, so your videos are perhaps of more interest to us than to some others. Your experiences and narratives are always viewed by us as very helpful!
Thank you very much, that's kind of you to say so. As I'm still new to boating myself, I can only give an insight as to my own thoughts but pease do remember, a survey is essential both in and out of the water.
Great Vlog, thanks for the time you spent putting it together
That's very kind of you to say Lee, as this type of video is quite time consuming. Many thanks
Great informative piece on your experience. I found it most enjoyable at 1.5 speed
Many thanks Brian, all the best.
Very interesting to learn about the boat buying process. So many things to consider as it’s definitely a life changing event. Looking forward to what happens next. Take care.
Many thanks, in the next part I discuss other aspects to look for and things I like about my boat. Keep safe.
Hi Alan. Just to say I enjoyed part one very informative,looking forward to part two. Keep safe and well.
Many thanks for your kind comment Shamus. All the best, take care.
Very interesting learning about how you chose your boat.
Thanks Robin. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the very informative video. Can't wait for part 2 . Regards Col.
Glad you enjoyed it Col, part 2 is still being finalised. Cheers Alan
So glad you chose your health and well-being. Taking time for extensive research seems to have led you to the best fit. Too, going slowly can give the satisfaction of having done one's best. Very much enjoyed following you in your train of thinking about all the different aspects of choosing a boat and agent. Thank you for sharing it. Looking forward to Part 2.
Many thanks yet again Grace, you really are busy going through my back catalogue, I'm so glad you're finding it of interest. Don't forget to look at 92, if you haven't already. All the best
Very informative video, lots to learn when buying boats or rv 's!
Glad you enjoyed it Robin, cheers.
Those thirty four minutes of detailed information just flew by. Thank you!
That's kind of you to say Gareth, cheers.
My narrow boat journey is a but a dream at the moment but one day... This has been a very informal and informative presentation!
I’m pleased you’ve found it helpful. Do look out for vlogs from others on the same subject, to get different perspectives.
Hello,
I've so enjoyed this video presentation, even at this late date.
Thank you.
That’s very good of you to say, thank you Philip 🤠
I have been waiting for a nose round ya boat Alan lol.i think your boat is one of the best I have seen on CZcams to live on I think practicality is the main thing and for a boat under 50f I think your has got it I look forward to part 2 Nice one Alan 🦢✌️
Many thanks Lee, it suits me well, though as I explain, I now wish I had some more space. Cheers
Well done Sir, congratulations on your barge.
That's very kind of you to say Erik, cheers.
Looking forward to Part 2, very interesting. Regards AJ
Many thanks Alan. I'm presently finalising part two.
A great conversational video, most enjoyable
Glad you enjoyed it David.
Great video Alan and happy retirement . Look forward for the next video of buying the boat thanks again.
Many thanks Victor, only just seen this, as it was in the spam folder. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Ok thanks.
Very informative, thanks for your biography it really gave the vlog a personal touch.
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it David.
Another interesting vlog, Alan. Thank you.
Many thanks Sally.
Very informative thanks looking forward to part two 😎
Glad you enjoyed it Patrick, cheers.
Really enjoyed that thank you. So well explained and helps to take away some of the worry & uncertainty around buying a boat. Look froward to the sequel. Subscribed! :)
Hi Charles and welcome aboard. Thanks for your kind comment. The second part is already out but I warn you, it is a bit longer, so need a large mug of tea. All the best Alan
Fantastic! Very informative and well presented! Thank you.
That's very kind of you to say Ken, thank you so much. All the best for 2021.
Very informative thankyou I look forward to part 2.
Glad you enjoyed it, all the best.
Another excellent vlog Alan - very insightful into the thought processes in buying! We also purchased from Whilton and had the same good service you did - they also did far more work than the survey required which was nice, and this seems to be how they operate judging by your experience also. One good point to Whilton marina owning the boat you purchased (as indeed ours) is the buyer has much more protection - generally its 'buyer beware', but as they own it, you have much more come back in law.
Many thanks Rob. I fully agree, I was a little bit wary of Whilton initially but it's a good place to look, as they don't follow you about and you can spend as much time as you like browsing.
Thanks very much Alan, I hope to make use of the information when I retire and have time to make use of my own boat. Just the small matter of convincing my wife ,wish me luck . Take care ,looking forward to part 2
Good luck in getting a boat, I hope your wife sees the sense in doing so, very relaxing and great fun. Part 2 out on Sunday. Cheers
Excellent video! I look forward to the next part!
Many thanks Justine, cheers.
lovely video , well worth watching , looking forward to part two
Many thanks, part two will be out tomorrow.
Hi Alan I think that was a very interesting video I will be looking forward to seeing part 2 I hope you are well and keeping safe happy and safe boating cheers Barry Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
I'm glad you liked it Barry, Part Two will be a little bit longer. I'm fine thanks and hope you are. All the very best. Keep safe and well. Cheers Alan
Loved the Video, as always.
Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers
Thanks - a very informative vlog - look forward to the next. I also used to be employed by a Government agency and - almost out of the blue - was offered voluntary redundancy and early retirement. This happened 8 months ago though I had had to wait 7 months for the steps and approvals to take place. Was building up a nice pattern of activities but current situation has rather blown a hole in that!!
Many thanks Philip. It's good to hear you got early retirement. Everyone's plans have gone to pot and it's still difficult to know when any form of normality will come back. Cheers
Very interesting as usual Alan when I listento you it reminds me when we bought our boat along time ago ftom the Venitian Marina we had her moored there as well I think my husband could really switch off on the boat no one could get him on the phone I am looking foreward to part 2 we both miss the canals and the english humor take care
Many thanks Anne, I'm glad to bring back fond memories for you. Take care, all the best Alan.
Well thought out and interesting, even though I am not trying to buy a boat.
Many thanks, glad you liked it.
Enjoyed the video, nicely done
Thanks Terry. Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks, Alan. We tuned in to Tim and Pru, then Norrowboat Girl, then Cruising the Cut, AND you! So.... are looking forward to flying over the puddle to England, renting a narrowboat. Craig, California
Hi Craig, welcome aboard. Thanks for following the channel. That seems a popular thing for folks to do, on your side of the pond. Hope that all comes together nicely for you. Cheers, take care.
Very interesting vlog Alan.
Glad you enjoyed it Sue, cheers.
Thanks. Some really good info here.
Glad it was helpful!
That was very interesting thanks Alan
Glad you enjoyed it Lewis. Hope you're keeping well.
Very interesting and informative Alan as my wife and I are boat hunting now.
I'm pleased it gave an insight for you, but please remember these are just my comments on how I went about it. Happy boat hunting, I hope you find something suitable. Cheers
fascinating video, I got loads of info that was very useful especially the toilets :) I am definitely looking at living in a boat and you have given me food for thought, many thanks
Glad it was helpful mark, cheers.
Hi Alan
This is a very interesting video on how you chose your boat
And reason you got to be living on it
I Wii be looking forward to the next video
You stay safe and well
Glad you enjoyed it Ron, thanks very much. Take care
Excellent video! Clear points well explained...subscribed! And yes Cruising the cut is a jolly nice chap/channel!😂👍😎🇦🇺
Hi Stephen and welcome aboard from down under. Thanks for your support. Part two is published tomorrow. Take care.
Very helpful Alan
Many thanks Helly.
Love listening to you.
That's very kind of you to say, thank you.
Very good summing up of all the things I am learning regarding the style of boat I want. There is only 1 for sale, at present, which fits all my wishes. La Finca, 58' cruiser stern, reverse layout, pullman dinette, good sized lounge, pump out, bed large enough for 2. I am currently doing exactly what you did, self educating/researching before jumping in at the deep end. Thanks
I'm glad you found it useful and hope all goes well with your purchase. Cheers
Thanks a lot Alan !
My pleasure, glad you found it useful.
I enjoy the videos, keep up the good work 👍
Thanks, will do!
Really interesting video roll on parts 2 and 3 best one by far 😎
Thanks Mike for your great comment. I'm keeping it to two parts, but the next one will be a bit longer.
I found this very informative,thank you
Glad it was helpful, cheers.
Really good video. Thank you so much. I just found your channel and I have subscribed. Looking forward to part 2!
Hi Charlene and welcome aboard, good to have you along. Part 2 will be published on Sunday. If you have time, you may wish to look through some of my other videos. Take care, cheers Alan
So wholesome! We're currently living in a van but looking into a narrowboat
New subscriber here!
Greetings and welcome aboard. I too have a camper van. I hope you will have the chance to look through my back catalogue. If you're new to boating you might find my first experiences of interest, at No.92 Narrowboat Novice. I hope you're able to find what you want, not easy at the moment I expect with such restricted movement but I wish you every success. All the best, take care.
Just subscribed, looking forward to part 2.
Hi Alan, welcome aboard, it's good to have you along. Thanks for your support. Part 2 was published yesterday. All the best.
thank you and i am waiting for part 2
Glad you liked it.
What a cracking video. Very informative. It's very interesting how both you and David Johns had just had enough. I'm in that position too or rather have been semi retired for the last 16 years since the age of 40.
Not one to avoid controversy, I would take issue over the toilet options. There are in reality 4 types of toilet. The 3 you have already mentioned and now the incinerating option. Even rarer than compostable.
I've found that boaters are generally concerned about 2 things.
Firstly, any new product that they've not come across. Change seems to worry them to death.
And secondly the cost of anything, even down to the most essential of items like an oil or air filter, or the cost of a 13kg gas bottle. Only yesterday on one of the forums a boater was questioning the cost of replacing a bow thruster impeller at £135.00 all inclusive. It's peanuts relative to the value of the asset.
Rather than a cup of coffee purchased. A gin & tonic or pint of bitter on our boat, when we eventually take delivery of her.
Thanks Alan, I'm glad you liked it and for the advice about the incinerating toilet. I was close to retirement age when I left work but the last 18 months or so would have been unbearable. I hope all goes well for you, when you get your boat. Safe and happy boating. Cheers Alan
That's kind of you to say.
She should've been on show at Crick last year. But I think the chaps realised not only was Hunky Dory more difficult than they initially thought but so was I. And I think that that light bulb moment stopped them dead in their tracks. I'm sure they thought, Linda and Alan are in no rush. The monies in the bank. They have a home to live in overlooking the sea. So no rush. And to be fair, they weren't wrong.
She was going to Crick this year for definite. And now Linda and I are meant to be at or very near Tewkesbury Marina in time for my sister's wedding just outside Cheltenham in a weeks time. But alas the Covid-19 pandemic put paid to all of that. And though she's ready or thereabouts, she isn't. Even if she was, we couldn't take delivery because I'm shielded until advised otherwise, and Andy our builder won't put me at risk, and more importantly won't put the boatyards small staff at risk. And that you can't argue with.
We've not been to JD Narrowboats for 12 weeks. And up until Crick, we probably had 5 visits booked including handover before we took her to Crick Marina on a shakedown cruise arriving there 5 days before the show opened.
Nice one Alan 👍
Thanks Dave 👍
Hi Alan ,I found this interesting and informative even though my buying a Narrow boat is absolutely out of the question living in Canada and already owning four boats of various types and sizes here in Canada.I really only became interested in Narrow boats and the UK canal system since the pandemic imposed its restrictions on us all.I find a lot of the topics discussed by narrow boaters and my boats and cottage very much aligned.I note all your postings are very well organised and I 'm guessing you were working in a job that required this organisation and detail which by the way I do appreciate as I like to be very organised.
Cheers for now ,Take care and stay well
Hi Ralph, thanks for your interesting comment. I have always been fairly well organised and I believe good discipline is essential. I'm glad you find interest in narrowboating, which I presume must come from your maritime background although I imagine vastly different from your own experiences. Your boats sound interesting. All the best, take care Alan
As always Alan great vlog...full of useful tips...thinking of getting a boat myself in future and visited whilton many times...cant understand the state people present their boats in....they are an asset after all and would potentially get more fore them if they started them up when they decided to sell them...but some ar in a bit of a state....always find the staff at whilton very friendly and eager to help but not at all pushy .
Look forward to part 2 😉
I suppose people lose interest in their boats or never really had it in the first place, so just don't bother to ready them for sale. I think Whilton is a great place to explore, as they give you the keys and let you mooch as long as you want. I found it off putting, with some brokers keeping a close watchful eye. Cheers
We are about to move onto our boat as liveaboards and your experiences were as ours. I too was surprised how some owners were not presenting their boat in its best light. We found exactly what we wanted except the boat is a little longer (12' oops) than we were originally looking for. Can't wait to be off on our travels.
I think you've done the right thing buying a longer boat than intended. Good luck with your travels, hope it works out well for you.
Thank you for that very interesting look into the kinds of questions that you should ask when selecting a boat. I am certainly looking forward to Part 2 of this interesting topic.
Stay Safe and well. See you then.
Oh, and I found some parallels between your early retirement and mine. I was in the Australian Railways, first from late '72 when it was the South Australian Railways, then the country services were sold off to the Feds for Australian National Railways. I stayed with them till September of '93. In all those years I had around 17 different roles, I kid you not. One thing we were was flexible LOL So although I had a lot of years in Operations, in '80 I went 'behind-a-desk' so to speak and took a role in the Rail Booking Office in Canberra. 5 years and 2 children later and with a Disability I returned to Adelaide and pottered from pillar to post, slowly rising up to my own level of incompetence ;) It was '93 and the Golden Handshake was being offered. In my clerical role, I processed many them until it came to the point where I said to myself, I think I might take one of these. So I put up my hand and they jumped at the chance to get rid of me. Mostly economic I think though I was getting sick of coming home with a blood-soaked shirt from all the proverbial knives in the back. Leaving was a mutually-agreed best outcome. Coming from SAR to AN part of the agreement for the transfer was that we got 4 weeks Service for every year if we were made redundant. That was a significant amount of dough and I was at the point where I couldn't afford to stay at work. They, on the other hand, didn't want that sword hanging over their head for ever and a day so getting rid of my cohort was a good thing in their eyes. So, like you, I jumped the ship and slipped into obscurity. Unlike you, I didn't have an option for a canal boat but I did whack off 50% of my mortgage so I guess that was a smart move.
I've only just seen this, as it was in a spam folder. Thanks for explaining your circumstances, some people do well from early retirement or redundancy, but I was too old for that, it was just half salary. Hope you're keeping well and safe. Cheers Alan
Very interesting....composting toilet are the way to go.....
Great information thank you.
I'm pleased you found it useful, cheers.
Great video thanks very much very informative
Glad you enjoyed it.
Great informative video, looking forward to part II 👍🏼
Glad you enjoyed it, part two will be a bit longer!
Very interesting, thankyou. The squinting didn't bother me, but the filming indoors, I do wish you would look at the camera, it always looks like you are looking over my shoulder ha ha....
Many thanks, I know what you mean about looking at the camera. I tend to have the camera set slightly to one side, so I can look directly at the screen. This is important as there can be quite a glare off my glasses and a slight movement of my head can get rid of it. I've checked the indoor filming but I can't actually see anything wrong with it on this occasion, both ears are visible, which does tend to suggest I am looking straight into the camera. Anyway, beware anyone looking over your shoulder! Cheers
Sir, great video. I have started preparing my move from Switzerland to GB which will ultimately end with my starting to cruise continuously.
That said, the timeframe is 5 to 7 years - as I need to both make enough money to buy a boat and have my own income sources stable and big enough as I am 42 now and early retirement is out of the question.
The fun part is that I already know the layout and probable length of the boat, in full knowledge that when I enter a boat at the Crick boat show 2022 all my plans may well be adapted to reality and changed totally. I am excited by this, because it will bring me a step closer to my goal.
Until then I'll watch you boat-tubers's adventures and start making a list of places I wish to visit myself, such as the harecastle tunnel, the tidal river thames or the ribble link just to name a few.
Hi Christian, thank you very much for your kind comment and for supporting my channel. You have an ambitious plan, which I hope works out well for you. Meanwhile, I'm sure you'll keep following the boat tubers and narrowboat vicariously. Keep safe and well, all the very best Alan
Very helpful video.
Many thanks Allan.
great vid.well done
Glad you enjoyed it.
great video and helpful
Glad it was helpful Sean, many thanks.
Very interesting vlog. Thank you.
Thank you William. Cheers
Great video, many thanks.
Thank you Bunter.
"I started some years in advance of when I thought I might want to buy the boat." Reminds me of myself, studying the Highway Code and the Ministry of Transport's optional advanced book on driving when I was 12. ;) (The visibility diagrams were particularly good.) Preparing that far in advance has advantages; it gets the subject into your mind quite thoroughly and it's not even very hard.
Glad your blood pressure has gone down since retirement. :) I need to watch mine & it's not fun.
Thank you for watching and commenting, glad you enjoyed, look after yourself and watch that BP, cheers.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture You're welcome. Cheers!
We enjoyed that so much, that you🙏✝️🕊🙏
That’s very good of you to say, thank you.
Hi alan, l enjoyed listening to you talking about your personal experiences of buying your awesome narrowboat,l just love the colour of your beautiful 🚣,it's my favourite colour of blue,stay safe,
Thank you Anthony, the boat is Oxford Blue in colour. Cheers
I would watch a mini series. There are a lot great presenter's in the Narrowboat community.
That's very kind of you to say, thank you very much.
Thanks Alan for all that good information , it's very hard to buy a narrowboat 2nd hand , you may get a lemon needing a lot of work . You look like you chose well :-)
Many thanks, I've been pleased with my boat, the expense of putting in a new calorifier was unexpected but it was an improvement as well, so I didn't feel hard done by. Cheers
Always listen to the end
That's real dedication, thank you.
Very informative
Thanks Morris
Always interesting to hear other peoples experience of buying a boat. My plans were scuppered by the change in womens' state pension age ( enough said on that ) . I know so much more now and I am glad I didn't go ahead with buying . Living in Scotland I would have been very limited on my boat use. I had a share in a narrowboat for a few years . It was self managed by the group and I found that great fun. Thanks again.
Many thanks Christine, you and so many others have had their lifelong plans changed. At least you've had some fun narrowboating. Cheers
Never give up
Christine Hammell Count yourself lucky you likely only had a couple of years tacked on. My generation will be working until we drop, with little in the way of pensions as we can't afford the contributions as well as a mortgage to fund houses that are vastly more expensive than when you were looking for your first home. There will be no early retirement or final salary scheme for us. Before complaining please consider that it is those of us working now who will be funding your hopefully long and comfortable retirement!