How much to live on

Murphybear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947321#Comment_81947321

”Just a week in the Peak District”? That would be one of my ideas of heaven😺. I travelled a lot abroad when I was younger so in my twilight years am finding the bits of our country I’ve never visited. I love the Peak District, it’s much quieter and less chaotic than the Lakes. I can remember some years ago I’d been on a holiday to Scotland with a friend and driving south on the return we passed the motorway turn off for the Lake district. The queues were horrendous

The only bit of the British Isles I’ve not visited is Northern Ireland. My husband is not keen, he seems to think it’s just as dangerous as it was in the troubles

Albermarle

The only bit of the British Isles I’ve not visited is Northern Ireland. My husband is not keen, he seems to think it’s just as dangerous as it was in the troubles

I used to visit companies there as part of my job. Initially during the Troubles and in the border area- the only time I have had guns trained on me !

Now though the only thing I would say would be to avoid certain inner city/more deprived areas, where the religious divide is still very present. Otherwise it is fine and some nice coastlines/countryside and some of the most welcoming, friendly people you could ever meet.

Organgrinder

I've been to NI a few times, including one time driving from Belfast ferry terminal down Newtownards Road the night of the Twelfth celebrations, complete with bonfires etc.

This was back in the early 1990s and I can honestly say it was quite intimidating especially the armed soldiers at the ferry and when near the border checkpoints etc.

I imagine these days it is very different

Savvy_Sue

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968202#Comment_81968202

I find I need to pick the time of year: first time we went was a very very cold and very very grey January. I have been back and sometimes it's lovely, but I really wouldn't want to live there!

Alnat1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967872#Comment_81967872

Do visit Budapest, it's a fabulous city. Get the BudapestGo app for travel within the city and activate it when you arrive for the number of days you're there. We went for 4 days last year and paid around £11 each. Covers all buses, trams and metro, even the airport bus to the city and it made travel so easy. We booked onto a free walking tour, fun and informative, the guide took donations at the end. An afternoon/evening in a ruin bar is a must and of course a visit to one of the famous baths. So much to see and do but February might limit the outdoor stuff and not be as pleasant walking around.

Clowance

The only bit of the British Isles I’ve not visited is Northern Ireland. My husband is not keen, he seems to think it’s just as dangerous as it was in the troubles

This was my view until about 3 years ago, we had an airbnb in Belfast in the protestant area and drove to giants causeway on the day of the orange parades to avoid the city, accidentally drove through the middle of a parade in a small town on the way but no issues. Also had a taxi tour of the main area of the troubles in Belfast, the driver tried to give a balanced view but it was chilling. Not dangerous for tourists. Titanic museum well worth a visit.

In summary there is no longer any risk for tourists to visit. HTH

helensbiggestfan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968576#Comment_81968576

Well, I'm a Derbyshire Lass, with the Peak District on my doorstep. Yes it can be cold sometimes but then again each season has its beauty. And you know what they say. "There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes".🤪.

That's probably why I have so many coats……lol

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968476#Comment_81968476

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968806#Comment_81968806

During the previous decade. I went to NI about 20 times for work. Hire car at the airport, driving through Belfast, stopping places for lunch, staying in hotels, crossing the border to the Republic ( and back) . Never any issues, unlike when I used to go during the Troubles. Then I had a local guy to drive me around, as you had to be careful where to go, park etc. The border was covered by machine gun posts, petrol stations and hotels bombed etc.

Best_Auntie

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. Its reassuring to know I'm not alone in my thinking.

@QrizB I am definitely having that "oh look, I could give up work soon" moment. For me, the move to part-time was forced by redundancy; fortunately, we were already mortgage-free, and the small payout saw us through to starting my current job. Initially, it was intended as a stopgap until I got a full-time role, but we quickly realised that we could live on a lot less and I was enjoying the job. They have been kind to me - I was allowed to take a sabbatical when my Mum was terminally ill and cut down to two days to enable me to care for Dad. Sadly, due to management changes, what was a happy, hard-working team has changed. The only thing I would say about working for 2 days is that it sometimes feels disjointed. It's a bit like coming back from leave and trying to catch up every week.

@BrilliantButScary Thank you for your suggestion re carers' allowance. It is a possibility in the short term and would help me give up work and care for Dad. At present I earn too much to be eligible. If I stop work, I would be, as pension income is not regarded as earnings. Sadly, although I will keep Dad in his own home for as long as I can, his health is such that in the not-too-distant future, he will need nursing care beyond that which I can provide in his own home. At that stage, carer's allowance would not apply. I've made sure he gets AA, council tax disregard, blue badge etc.

@Humboldt Thank you for your wise and thoughtful reply. I didn't mean to be disrespectful to those on the pensions thread. There are some very helpful experts over there and I have followed their advice. However, I chose to post here as, rather than "technical" financial advice I was after the thoughts of those who have done or are considering what I am. And I have received that in buckets - thank you all! I agree that everyone's situation is different and what one feels comfortable with, another might not. As you say it took decades of planning and determination to get to this stage. My influence was my grandmother, who was a proud, single mother and successful business woman back in the 1940s. I think I know what she would say! It's going to take courage to step into this new chapter of life. Thank you for your encouragement.

I feel a little more confident making this decision now. The first step next week will be to formally reject the offer of the additional half day at work.

Happy Sunday everyone.

Organgrinder

EV update. 102 miles driven. 4.8 miles per kWh on average.

Cost on LPG (my old fuel)...£11.25 roughly.

Cost on electric ( standard non specialised tariff) £4.90

Not even a full week's use and £6.35 up.

Bodes rather well.