It worked for us

Pink.

I'm so glad it worked for you too Rach.

It really is amazing how you think before you spend actual cash.

Pink

droopsnout

Pink-winged and Cathy, you are inspirations to us all.

Although Mrs DS and I retired to France, which makes it sound like we are rich, we just aren't! We exist on a quarter of what we used to earn when we were both working, but I wouldn't change anything -- except maybe the weather as it's been flippin' hot here, and we've had no rain for over three weeks.

Mrs DS gave up her career to come on this little stunt, so I owe her big-time, and since she's lost her financial independence, I'm going to try to work out a way of doing this cash for shopping biz, even though we always shop together.

Must get my head round it!

cathy_3

I admire your courage!! France would be nice,


its amazing how far you can make your money stretch when your using cash, You stop and think about everything before throwing it in the trolley,

mainly because you dont want to get to the checkout and be humiliated by not having the money.

Ive found each having a set amount of spends works well also

good luck

droopsnout

Thanks, Cathy. Courage or foolhardiness - I'm not sure!!

Actually, I realised we're part-way to doing all this, as credit cards as such don't exist in France. Banks issue (at a charge) a card which is like a cash/debit card, but the law forbids credit cards. There are charge cards, too, like Egg France's, where you put your purchases on the one card (mainly to get Egg's cashback) but it all has to be paid off at the end of the month.

Probably because we haven't been here very long, Egg France refused me their card, even though I pointed out that our UK Egg card has a £10000 credit limit on it! (From when we were both working).

It is also not quite legal to become overdrawn in France. If you do, it is likely that your bank will report the fact to the Bank of France, withdraw your chequebook and card, etc. You are a virtual financial pariah in such circumstances. Seems harsh, but there are fewer young couples in difficulty over here, it seems! (Personal loans are widely available, by the way).

Anyway, what that means is that we have to spend within our means every month. If we don't, then money has to be taken from our savings, which are still with UK institutions.

It's the bit about giving Mrs DS her little bit of financial freedom I am concerned about. ("Little bit", cos there isn't much dosh in the first place!)

cathy_3

well, If you "give her some finanacial freedom" its not financial freedom is it??

cant she make stuff to earn money

do a hairdressing course nails etc

are there other ex pats there you could sell stuff too like english bread and cakes
jams

THEN she'll have financial freedom lol


;D ;D ;D ;D

Quackers

OMG!!! How inspired am I Problem being - I was about to go to bed and now I know I'm going to be lying there thinking about this thread. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to be up at 6

Well Done to Pink-winged & Cathy - This is such a simple idea but one we never get around to doing. Your stories of success encourage others to give it a go ;D

droopsnout

well, If you "give her some finanacial freedom"  its not financial freedom is it??

cant she make stuff to earn money

do a hairdressing course  nails  etc

are there other ex pats there  you could sell stuff too like   english bread  and cakes
jams  

THEN  she'll have financial freedom   lol


;D ;D ;D ;D

Hmm. Or even, ouch!

To be honest, we don't mix much with the Brits here, as we came with the intention of leading a quiet life and not becoming part of a competitive dinner party circle.

I guess we're both loners in a way, but we really do enjoy meeting up with a couple who live quite near, who are German (lady) and British (gent), with two small children who speak French, German and English quite fluently (well, as well as any 5- or 6-year-old of any nationality speaks his/her language).

The point is, Mrs DS would no sooner do nails or be a saleswoman than she would accelerate my compost heap with her own urea!

She is a pretty talented crafter, and yes, she could sell things she makes. However, actually having the gift of the gab (in your own language, never mind anyone else's!) is another matter entirely.

Hopefully, our B&B here may bring her the financial flexibility she misses!

But thanks for the message, Cathy!

cathy_3

ah well if your doing B&B then that will help, I know what you mean about not mixing, were in the highlands and weve been here 11 years and dont know a soul. lol

hes from up here but not this village, and at new years we went for a drink with friends to the pub for the first time ever

they thought we were tourists and when we told them wed lived in the village for `11 years they couldnt beleive it

a buzz went round and they were all coming over to see the "ones who got away"

lol

after years of living in army quarters and having to be nice to neighbours cos hubby worked with them etc

I dont want to do that anymore

im sure your wife will find a way to make some cash
neccesity is the mother of invention and all that
what about christmas cards etc for the ex pats to send home

or calenders???

droopsnout

Good ideas, Cathy, and they are things she's good at. We did have a few goes at running a stall at craft fairs, but usually, the cost of the stall was more than the money we took! You have to sell a lot of cards to recoup £150!!

We were perhaps unfortunate in that the area we lived in was not as wealthy as, say, Surrey and Sussex, and so people were often on the look-out for something cheap and cheerful, rather than sophisticated and different!

And now, the TV shopping channels abound with craft programmes, and they are always encouraging people to buy by saying things about how much they could make from selling their cards. It's unfairto tempt people in that way, and you have to be a special kind of person, both in the craft sense and in the "salesman" sense, to make a few bob from that kind of thing.

Mrs DS does make most of our greetings cards, and I print out inserts, but it's a hobby rather than a business!

The B&B thing is just coming together, and we're working on our publicity: website ads, photo albums for local tourist offices, brochure, etc. We are looking at joining Gites de France, too.

We have had a number of guests who have seemed very satisfied, and we enjoy the company. Our most recent couple were from South Africa, so you get to meet people from all over!

I think I'm straying a bit off-topic here, so I'll close. But thanks for the empathy!!

Pink.

Droopsnout,

I'm fascinated by your move to France as its something Mr Pinkwinged and I would love to do.

We don't really see it as a possibility before retirement as he is the major earner and doesn't speak a word of French. If you would be willing to share a little of your experiences........what made you decide to go.....how you have found life there etc etc......I would love to know.

Please, if you have the time, pm me.

Thanks
Pink