Middle-class life is a hole into which we shovel money, Stilly. We could give up car travel, functional knees, television, air-conditioning and smartphones, but we’d gain nothing but misery and isolation to no good purpose.

Fingers crossed for your Dad, Jon. It’s great you have the carers who can assess what’s going on with him and recognize a potentially dangerous change; you’re so close that I’m sure it’s hard for you to see that.

Speaking of big spending, the first installment of my great-niece’s university tuition will be due soon. Gotta contact my broker!