Breaking Through, Travelling On

Karmacat

ZTD wrote: »

There is also something you need to think about - benefits. I had a conversation with Elantan quite some time ago about pensions. The general consensus was either have a pension which were the dog's dangly bits, or have none at all so it would not impede any access to benefits. Even a penny over an arbitrary limit has implications, and although this has got better rather than worse (in terms of precipices), it obvious got worse rather than better in the first place.

In appreciation of this, it *may* be better to has funds as "spends" (which will run out and thereby re-qualify you for benefits) rather than annuities (which last forever). Difficult calculations ahead.

I think I joined in at the end of that convo, Z I accept your point completely, but unless I spend everything I've got on buying a house, I've got way too much to ever have any benefits. My income has collapsed, but my assets, as ed mentioned, are still there, though less than they were.

There is also the possibility of "equity release" on the flat you're renting out - but you'd need to check to see if the various firms would be willing to do that on a property you're not living in.

Oh :T:T:T I'd never even heard of that! That's potentially a really interesting solution at least it is if you mean the sort that rolls over the interest and takes the apartment as payment when I die since I don't have kids of my own, my nephews and niece will be thankful for anything they get

What kind of van?

Something like a Citroen Berlingo - I haven't done any research, only listened to peeps on here. As a returning driver, I doubt I'll drive a camper van, even, let alone an RV as a cousin did in this situation :eek: and as it says in this linkie, http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/citroen/berlingo-multispace/used-citroen-berlingo-multispace-redditch-fpa-201412129616472?logcode=p
people do convert them into vans, there's a guy I've found on the coast who does that:

The Victorians used to go to the Mediterranean to recover from illnesses, so it'll probably be better than England. Just be aware of medical insurance and Residence issues back here in England.

You're right, on all counts. I wouldn't move abroad permanently, its not for me, and my main travel would be in the EU and in North America - elsewhere would be side trips only.

Depending on the size of van, it may also be worth considering a moped as well as.

Oh god, I'd love that :j:j:j

It's all about confidence. Unfortunately, there do seem to be a lot of bullies on the road these days who try to intimidate. In fact I had a couple tonight - good luck with that, I've been driving since I was 17...

That sounds horrible hope you're okay after that. I'd be very sure not to get into a p*ssing contest with anyone, I only do that over board games when it doesn't matter. I'd have to think about how to cope if someone got aggressive, thats for sure.

Get an old vehicle that you're not bothered about to practice with. A damaged new car would probably upset you. An old car with a long scrape down the side can be explained away with "Bell-end with BMW" written on in magi-marker.

How did you manage to get that through the censor? :rotfl: I only learned about that recently with the Top Gear fuss you're dead right about the scrappy old car - I wouldn't dream of buying a new one!

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

:smileyhea You said it :j

On a literal level - thats partly why my first thought is to try to keep the house, because of all the work I've done on the garden though thats not much of a reason compared with capital for my pension of around £100k!

Goldiegirl

Karmacat wrote: »

On a literal level - thats partly why my first thought is to try to keep the house, because of all the work I've done on the garden though thats not much of a reason compared with capital for my pension of around £100k!

In my situation, the ideal time for me to downsize would be now. Firstly we are still 'young' enough and healthy enough to cope with a move, and a smaller house would mean smaller outgoings, which would be helpful on a smaller income.


But we've been here 25 years, and we are so comfortable and happy. We've got enough room to have our own personal space, which will be good when we're both home all the time.


I think a downsize will happen at some point, but not just yet. I'd like to give it a few years, to see how we manage.


I love reading everybody's thoughts and suggestions - lots of food for thought for you!

Karmacat

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I think a downsize will happen at some point, but not just yet. I'd like to give it a few years, to see how we manage.

You're healthy, active retireds, you can afford to stay where you are, I think its completely appropriate to go with what you *want* to go with, rather than downsizing now because of whats generally true.

I love reading everybody's thoughts and suggestions - lots of food for thought for you!

Isn't it fantastic? The day I found moneysavingexpert was a very lucky one for me, truly.

Goldiegirl

Karmacat wrote: »

The day I found moneysavingexpert was a very lucky one for me, truly.

I second that - I was already heading towards a simpler outlook on life, and being more sensible about money, but MSE has honed the process.


Wish I'd found MSE years ago

ZTD

Karmacat wrote: »

I think I joined in at the end of that convo, Z I accept your point completely, but unless I spend everything I've got on buying a house, I've got way too much to ever have any benefits.

:rotfl:

How's this for a scenario. You spend the first 10 years of your retirement, living the life of a millionaire playgirl. You then retire again to a carehome penniless with loads of memories and with the George Best-eque attitude of:

"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."

Karmacat wrote: »

Something like a Citroen Berlingo - I haven't done any research, only listened to peeps on here. As a returning driver, I doubt I'll drive a camper van, even, let alone an RV as a cousin did in this situation :eek: and as it says in this linkie, http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/citroen/berlingo-multispace/used-citroen-berlingo-multispace-redditch-fpa-201412129616472?logcode=p
people do convert them into vans, there's a guy I've found on the coast who does that:

Here's a guy who did his own: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOSCU_f1PK4&list=PL22DA9A8C7023483F

I'm not suggesting you do your own, but it'll give you an idea of what's possible.

Karmacat wrote: »

Oh god, I'd love that :j:j:j

It may be a small noisy thing buzzing between your legs, but it doesn't warrant that much excitement...

Karmacat wrote: »

That sounds horrible

It happens most weeks TBH.

Karmacat wrote: »

hope you're okay after that.

I'm fine, he didn't hit me which would have been irritating. But the guy coming the other way when the nobster behind me overtook probably ruined a good pair of trousers.

Karmacat wrote: »

I'd be very sure not to get into a p*ssing contest with anyone, I only do that over board games when it doesn't matter. I'd have to think about how to cope if someone got aggressive, thats for sure.

I always have the attitude of: "I'm in front, you're behind, you can go no faster than what I am, and there is no limit as to how slow I can go."

Karmacat wrote: »

How did you manage to get that through the censor? :rotfl:

I can get allsorts past the censor - yes, even Bertie Bassett...

muddywhitechicken

ZTD wrote: »

I can get allsorts past the censor - yes, even Bertie Bassett...

You do indeed :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Karmacat

ZTD wrote: »

How's this for a scenario. You spend the first 10 years of your retirement, living the life of a millionaire playgirl. You then retire again to a carehome penniless with loads of memories and with the George Best-eque attitude of:

"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."

:T:T:T

Here's a guy who did his own: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOSCU_f1PK4&list=PL22DA9A8C7023483F

I'm not suggesting you do your own, but it'll give you an idea of what's possible.

Thats definitely a man with a plan :money::)

It may be a small noisy thing buzzing between your legs, but it doesn't warrant that much excitement...

:eek:

Mopeds. Mopeds. He's talking about mopeds.

I'm fine, he didn't hit me which would have been irritating. But the guy coming the other way when the nobster behind me overtook probably ruined a good pair of trousers.

Genuinely, even when there's no actual damage, the shock is a bit surprising in itself, which is what happened to me when I took a tumble last week.

Karmacat

Yawning still here ... people are swinging by in an hour or so to give me a lift to the restaurant (have to phrase that carefully, I said "picking me up" first, Z would have a field day with that :rotfl:

I've just got 3 presents left to wrap, most of the cards still to do, and I feel things might actually get done Yesterday was lovely, as my sister popped over to swap the pressies we *should* have swapped during the meal last week, and she'd made the most amazing gluten free cake, 4 ingredients - oranges, sugar, almonds and eggs. Gorgeous.

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday, see you later.

rtandon27

Karmacat wrote: »

...she'd made the most amazing gluten free cake, 4 ingredients - oranges, sugar, almonds and eggs...

MMMMMMMMMMM - sounds delicious - what a lovely thoughtful sister you have!

ZTD

Karmacat wrote: »

Yawning still here ... people are swinging by in an hour or so to give me a lift to the restaurant (have to phrase that carefully, I said "picking me up" first, Z would have a field day with that :rotfl:

Having a bunch of your friends swinging - is no safer...

Karmacat wrote: »

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday, see you later.

:wave: