Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

Oh Elly May I do envy you. We're just back from our place in Almeria so I have the glums . Not that I'm wishing my life away but it will probably be 10 years before I can move out there. The way of life is wonderful, I love the brightness more so than the sun and heat I think (although I put my heating on today so the heat does figure ).

I hope it works out for you if you've been going there for a while I'm sure you'll revel in it . I do love hearing about people who love their lives in Spain and elsewhere, I get really upset when people say it has not worked out

droopsnout wrote: »

Gallygirl, I feel for you. But stay positive! You have your place there in Spain, and you will be going back there soon, no doubt. And no, you shouldn't wish your life away. In those next ten years, all sorts of wonderful things will be happening!

You never know, we might even see the pound get stronger against the euro!! lol

I do stay positive droopsnout (check out my signature :rotfl:). And anyway, it's hard to get any sympathy, I sound like a poor little rich girl when I moan . I am incredibly lucky - OH & I often talk about our backgrounds - we both came from council houses on not great estates and are very proud of what we have achieved. We have had some lucky breaks along the way but have been willing to take chances as well. Actually, our biggest stroke of luck was getting together - he has the money and I have the inclination to spend it . (Please nobody quote this - I may need to delete it as he stalks me on here sometimes . And it's only true in his version of events ).

Thank you all for you warm welcome to the forum.

Gallygal - just go for it as soon as you can!! We are a long way off pensionable age yet and we know that we will have to be on a very tight budget but having been made redundant 2 years ago I have learnt quickly how to do this and even surprise myself in how thrifty I can be!

I lost my mum at a young age and I think that gave me the attitude of life is so short, just do it otherwise you might not get the chance!

Droopsnout - yes, our last Christmas in the UK, certainly for the next couple of years - we might even manage to get the kids over for Christmas dinner before they disappear out with their friends!! I tell you something that I will definitely not miss is the shops preparing for it from the beginning of September! I cannot believe that I am faced with celebration boxes and Christmas cards already!! :shocked: I'm sure by the beginning of next month Christmas trees will be going up in the shops.

I am just hoping that the sales will start early in December and then we can get a few good deals before we drive over in January.

Totally agree Donny-gal, we always find it cheaper in Spain. The markets are brilliant, especially the one in Torrevieja on a Friday morning, so much cheap fruit & veg! We tend not to eat out a lot as I enjoy cooking and we both love sitting in our garden with a good bottle of wine that has only cost a couple of euros. When we do go we always try and go for the menu del dia or noche, which we find are always good value.

It is only expensive when you buy British goods in the shops, which we never do, anything we just can't do without we bring over which at the moment is marmite & yorkshire teabags! I am always amazed standing in the queue at local supermarkets and watching some of the Brits pile on the conveyor belt the same stuff that they would buy back in the UK but at twice (even triple in some cases) the cost!!

Am definitely feeling the cold today and the weather forecast is predicting an even colder weekend.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=117

Or try Sloan in this forum.