Just got a kitchen installed. Husband suggested a picture of Ainsley Harriot. Doesn't seem terrifying enough.

Genuine question: what are we all saving for?

Every time I go on Reddit, people are talking about maxing out pensions, investing every spare penny, building wealth and retiring early.

I get it, being financially secure is important. But if all your bills are paid and you’re comfortable, why not spend more of your money enjoying life while you’re young?

I’d rather go on holidays, experience things and make memories in my 20s and 30s than sacrifice everything to have a massive investment portfolio at 60.

Realistically, unless you earn a fortune, build a successful business or get lucky, are you ever going to become truly financially free just by saving a few hundred quid a month?

I’m not saying blow all your money or ignore emergencies. But at what point does being financially responsible turn into obsessing over money?

Would you rather have £1 million at 60, or have enjoyed your life more along the way?

Am I naive, or does anyone else feel the same?

What are those kids from your secondary school who were extremely naughty just messed around and didn't care about school like would just piss the teacher off in every lesson, hated school and always come late and come to lessons late, never do their homework, always get detentions, always failed tests, were on report and likely failed their GCSEs too, if you ever saw them later, stayed contact with them or stumbled upon them what are they doing now did they get their life in order or are just doing nothing?

I’m going to Norwich on the 29th and would like to know what other freebies I can get.

I don’t have Starbucks on the list as it’s expensive and it’s not my top hot drink choice.

Thanks in advance!

I love seeing regional chains. Places where the locals genuinely don't realise that shop isn't ubiquitous across the UK, and when you visit it's like being in a parallel universe where things are familiar but just a little bit different to what you are used to.

What chains do you have, that you were shocked to find didn't exist in other places? Or that you wished existed where you live?

I'm unfortunately old enough to remember when Morrisons was something you only ever saw in the north of England.

More recently, I've been to the Lake District and experienced Booths (the supermarket that Waitrose aspires to be), and recently noticed a chain called QD all over East Anglia but seemingly nowhere else.

I had a McDonalds Happy Meal today and didn’t want the toy so I offered it to a family next to me who had kids. I asked the parents not the kids.

The two blokes sitting there raised their voices and shouted NO! at me like I was the devil!

I wasn’t trying to be a weirdo, I just didn’t want the toy.

What are your thoughts on this?

Mine was Now 42 on double-cassette back in 1999, when I was a young teenager.

What was your first NOW album, and did you have it on cassette, CD or vinyl?

I grew up in Dorset and we always had apple crumble with either ice cream or cream. Never custard.

My wife grew up in the Midlands and thinks I’m mad because she always had hers with custard!

It’s got me wondering whether this is actually a regional thing or just down to what your family did growing up.

So, where in the UK did you grow up, and what did you always have with your crumble?

Curious to see if there’s a north/south divide or whether it’s completely random!

Edit - oh god what have I started…

Was listening to old XFM with Ricky Gervais, Steve Merchant and Karl Pilkington. Karl uses the word 'grid' in a sentence and is corrected by Ricky, 'he means grate'.

I live in NW England and have always called it a grid (or drain), eg 'I dropped my keys down the grid' - I think most people would gather what was meant by that sentence even if they didn't call it a grid themselves.

Any other offerings? Is it region specific?

there’s many things that the current generation aged 13-17 are bringing back into style that older generations neglected or upgraded.

for example, i’ve already considered wired headphones, CDs/vinyls, and even gameboys are becoming somewhat popular again.

anything else? just generally wondering

i’ve had thai food in Teesside, York, Chester and Northumberland this year and it’s all been amazing. why is it all so nice? have i just been to 4 really good places?

eta also had some in Gateshead that i forgot to add. was also banging

People seemed to be obsessed with Costco and seem to think it's some sort of great cheap shop. A lot of the things they have are similarly priced to the standard supermarkets and they don't really have anything different or great. What's the big deal about it?

Hypothetically, what would people think about a government funded National Fitness Lottery?

The premise is simple. You sign up for free, link a fitness tracker such as Strava or Fitbit, and complete a reasonable amount of exercise each week. Say 3–4 sessions of 30 minutes, with appropriate targets for different physical abilities.

Maintain that activity throughout the month and you're entered into a prize draw.

Rather than offering one enormous jackpot, the lottery could award thousands of £1,000 cash prizes every month.

For example, 4,000 winners each month would cost £48 million annually in prize money. That's a relatively small amount in the context of national healthcare spending, and sponsorship or advertising could potentially contribute towards the cost.

But the real idea goes beyond simply encouraging people to exercise.

Imagine a few million people who currently exercise infrequently suddenly becoming consistently active.

More people walking, running and cycling. More demand for gyms, sports clubs and leisure facilities. More people taking an interest in their diets, sleep and general wellbeing.

There are obvious potential benefits for physical and mental health, but also for the wider economy. Healthier workers, fewer sick days, less pressure on the NHS, more active commuting and increased spending at local businesses.

And perhaps most importantly, there's the potential for a longer-term cultural shift.

The more people exercise, the more visible and socially normal it becomes. Businesses respond to demand, facilities become more accessible, and children grow up in communities where being physically active is increasingly ordinary.

That could encourage even more people to adopt healthier habits, creating a positive cycle over time.

Personally, I think the lottery aspect is particularly appealing. The possibility of winning £1,000 could be a meaningful incentive to establish and maintain healthier habits.

So I'm curious what other think?

Would the possibility of winning £1,000 motivate you to exercise more consistently?

And do you think a scheme like this could genuinely influence people's habits, or would it make little difference to you?

Had one tonight in Glasgow and it was actually pretty yummy!

I moved back to where my best mate lives, I haven’t seen him in a while and he’s in a really bad mental state right now. From the looks of things he has been for a while, and I think it’s only going to get worse without intervention.

He’s still my best mate but he’s not the guy I know. I’m very tempted to pay for him to start therapy, which I am near certain that I won’t get the money back but I care more that he’s alright as money will come and go, but bad mental health can take you to an early grave and you can’t buy a resurrection.

I know the common sense advice is it’s his problem don’t worry that much about it but as with the title it’s a true friend and that means a hell of a lot more.

So going to the original question, what lengths have you gone to for a friend who isn’t blood, and why did you do it?

I just went to the GP for an emergency appointment after a 111 call yesterday and at the end she turned a screen around mentioned using AI and I saw the software summarise the consultation. She edited it for accuracy and that was that. I've heard this was coming but I can't believe I wasn't asked for consent to record. And didn't expect to be confronted with it like that.

Has anyone else had this happen? I don't like it one bit. No advanced notice or anything. My main thing here is consent. I wasn't asked and feel like I should have been. I think it's something I should be able to opt out of.

I hate how AI is seeping into every area of our lives and I appreciate that this tool makes it easier for their records and note taking. I know time and efficiency is important but I don't think it should trump my desire to not have my voice recorded. I know GPs do a lot for us, I really appreciate the NHS and don't take it for granted but this just makes me feel uncomfortable.

Is it asking to much to want to have the ability to opt out of, or am I being unreasonable?

I’ve gone down a little rabbit hole reminiscing about Mothercare World (with the Jenny tree lift), the Rainforest Cafe in Trafford Centre, the old McDonalds with the flying figures in Trafford, and stuff like the chickens in Asda that used to make a noise when you pressed a button (near the eggs). Then of course there’s the bygone days of Metroland and stuff like the Trocadero in London.

I know that 00s aesthetic is disappearing, but are there any last vestiges remaining in the UK (outside of theme parks?)

I just want to go into a shop and have the lift be inside a tree. Or eat surrounded by animatronics.

Also I know novelty architecture might not be the best wording but also stuff like the Headington Shark I’m also interested in.

My wifes grandfather still uses an iPod Nano while doing the gardening, even though he has an iPhone (no idea which gen).

He still plugs it into one of those clock/speaker/charger things at night. Don't think it's had a song added to it in over 15 years.

I have a record player, but it's modern tech (uses Sonos etc).

I’ve had a couple of funeral processions drive past me recently while I’ve been driving . How do you show respect? Is there a standard/ well-known way?

ETA: wow thanks everyone. I’m so sorry that some people are inconsiderate!! I’ve been nodding my head to funeral processions that went by, so its nice to see that others do the same

half my street has gone rogue painting their pumpkins pastel, but i am firmly in the old-school camp of newspaper down, tongue out, and hacking at a 99p aldi squash with a bent spoon. a wonky triangle-eyed masterpiece on the doorstep demands absolute respect

Hi, Im currently 23 and have been bouncing around jobs for the last year. Nowhere keeps me on as there's just not enough work in the industry Ive been in (car interiors, window tints and wrapping.)

For context I was 18 years old when I was arrested, I was addicted to drugs and alcohol and have since become sober and go to the gym to kill any cravings I have. My criminal conviction is still unspent (committed at 18 and wasn't charged till I was 20. suspended sentence has ended just fine to pay off.) as they set me up on a payment plan when I got out of court and every time I call the court with my reference they wont help me.

I have tried to look into apprenticeships but I never got my GCSE's as I was more into messing around as a kid convinced I wouldn't live long enough to face the consequences. I'm trying to find any role as a mechanic for something long term as I have some experience working on cars (Mostly basic servicing and brakes) but literally nowhere will hire me while I have an unspent criminal conviction.

I just need some advice on how to get past this and move on with my life, I want to be a better person and move past the person I was when I was 18. I have made so much progress already and I dont want this to keep holding my life down.

I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious (in the words of The Office's Michael Scott).

My fear of the number 13 is so ingrained I doubt I'll ever shake it off. If hotel reception gave me room 13, I'd probably ask for something else.

I don't walk under ladders and feel uneasy when my mother opens an umbrella in the house to dry it off.

As a kid if I stepped on a pavement crack with one foot I had to step on a crack with the other foot to undo the curse. Thankfully I grew out of that.

I frequently use the rule that my grandad always used which is - if something isn't broke, don't try to fix it.

Basically, I'm getting loads of ads about cars that I may be able to afford, but couldn't bring myself to spend the money on.

People I know with nice cars, have had cars to test drive for full weekends.

I've never driven an electric car, or a big Volvo or Audi.

But I'd like to for a weekend.

Can I just book test drives in for fun?

I imagine it'd be like messing with the Jehovahs or Scientologists, and I'd forever get spam.

But I'd set them up on my 2nd email and give them an old telephone number to avoid that.

Have you ever been in a physical fight like fist fight and if so what was the outcome did you win, did you lose, were there multiple people involved, were there weapons involved and what was the reason for the fight in the first place?