spending it while we can

moneyistooshorttomention

Personally....I have a policy decision in place that I simply don't trust the Government not to "do a Cyprus" on my savings (ie take an x% "haircut" on my savings and I might find that 10% (for instance) of my savings had been stolen by them doing so and hence am spending them fast (ie before they can do so).

Though I do know, on the other hand, that maybe just maybe the Government are quite deliberately trying to get us worried about that possibility precisely in order to get us oldsters spending our savings fast in order to bolster up the economy (ie rather than because there really IS a risk that we will suffer theft if we leave them there).

Ow....my head hurts...with trying to work out exactly what to do for the best to protect my hard-won savings....

flow2

I am in full agreement with all spending their money while you can, I turned 50 last year and DH is over 60, but will not retire any time soon hopefully as we are both SE, but over the last six months, I have lost four friends who have all died suddenly under the age of 60!
We have savings put away for our retirement, we don't owe a penny to anyone and what we earn now we are spending, I have just re furnished living room, as the pieces of furniture were second hand twenty years ago, I keep booking trips away in luxury hotels and we are enjoying them, as we spent the first twenty tears of marriage working every hour of the day working and raising children, so this time IS for us, make the most of each day!

Katiehound

I just want to say... spend it and enjoy it whilst you have the opportunity!
I have done a lot of travelling over the years to some exotic spots but have never liked long long flights... now an arthritic knee really doesn't like being crammed into cattle class! But I have discovered cruising... that's my luxury. (tho I try to get the best deal not the uppercrust suites) I managed 5 last year and have 3 booked for this year. I am still finding places that I haven't visited. Lots of friendly people, smaller ships, yummy food and you only unpack once but see lots of fascinating places!
Worth a try if you haven't been on one.

Katiehound

and I forgot to say there are lots of great cruise deals if you can be flexible- prices start dropping about 2 to 3 months before ship departs. As a single £100 per night is a reasonable deal, but sometimes doubles can be as low as £65 pp pn. (That is all costs except tips and alcholfrolic drinks)

harz99

Katiehound wrote: »

and I forgot to say there are lots of great cruise deals if you can be flexible- prices start dropping about 2 to 3 months before ship departs. As a single £100 per night is a reasonable deal, but sometimes doubles can be as low as £65 pp pn. (That is all costs except tips and alcholfrolic drinks)

Just like to add that for cruising the best deals are usually after what is known as "final payment date", in other words 12 weeks or less from sailing. That and booking as soon as itineraries are released is normally the most cost effective. The so called promotions like WOW and 123Go and so on, purport to include "free" drinks packages etc. but these are really paid for by inflating the advertised prices - you probably know all the old sayings about owt for nowt.


On the subject of costs; we had 21 nights (+1 hotel night either side) on NCL Jade in an inside twin round the Med last Nov/Dec for £2400 including tips, Easy Jet flights , 2 budget hotel nights, transfers and meals before/after the cruise for £2400, so 23 nights at approximately £53pppn. Expect to pay more for the likes of RCI, Celebrity and P&O. And significantly more if you "need" a balcony.

wildwestfan

Just booked 12 nights on P&O Arcadia (adult only ship) for £700 each in November. This includes £270 onboard spend, so the odd drink taken care of and it sails from Southampton.

zygurat789

wildwestfan wrote: »

Just booked 12 nights on P&O Arcadia (adult only ship) for £700 each in November. This includes £270 onboard spend, so the odd drink taken care of and it sails from Southampton.

Where's it going, Portsmouth & Southsea?:rotfl:

wildwestfan

zygurat789 wrote: »

Where's it going, Portsmouth & Southsea?:rotfl:

Going to the Canaries for some winter sun.

Katiehound

wildwestfan wrote: »

Just booked 12 nights on P&O Arcadia (adult only ship) for £700 each in November. This includes £270 onboard spend, so the odd drink taken care of and it sails from Southampton.

Hope you have a great time!! I'm sure you will.

zygurat789

wildwestfan wrote: »

Going to the Canaries for some winter sun.

It's the excursions and route that make a cruise for me, I don't think I could stand being couped up on board for the whole time.
Went on a USA cruise ship, it was really good because so many of the local nationals spent all day and all night in the casino the rest of the ship was not too crowded. And the excursions were just that little bit diferent.