The age of austerity If you are 40 something like me, our parents lived through it. They don't talk about it much. They grew up after a world war, rationing was common. My Dad born during the Blitz in London, shoveled horse manure as a child to earn money. I reflect on this alot. My grandfather believed oranges were literally nectar of the gods! I digress My mum told me about the time when she was bringing up my brothers in the early 70s. The 'winter of discontent', meant she went out to work in the evening (whilst caring for her 2 small children during the day). These adult education classes were in art and ceramics and conducted in candlelit. She said it was challenging but there was an acceptance. An acceptance that perhaps their generation has grown up in. There was not enough money for lighting. We can keep the lights on. It's the first time in my generation that I have really worried about money. I mean, I cannot pay the bills. It's scary as we now have 4 ...