SKI-er or Sk-ater. We know how to enjoy ourselves

zygurat789

margaretclare wrote: »

Yes, but I didn't want it invested in the SIPP. Not any longer. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but things change.

You weren't invested in a SIPP but through a SIPP, probably in the same investments that the S & S ISA is using, but you had £100 of investment through the SIPP for every £80 of investment you have through the ISA, assuming you have paid base rate tax.

margaretclare

I am not going to argue the toss about this any longer, whether I have lost 20% or not. The S&S ISA has gained at more than 20% over time, in fact it has increased by £3.5K in the last 6 months. I took £6K out 3 years ago to pay for cosmetic surgery and it has gained all that back. I have just added the bit from the SIPP on to the bigger amount already in the ISA and that gives it potential to grow, hopefully to grow the 20% back over time. This was all money that I never expected to have. When I think that a couple of decades ago I was scratching around for every penny, always overdrawn, been in debt for years even before widowhood + redundancy, often asking to be paid in cash so that I could put petrol in the car to get home - yes, that happened more than once - and now, I've got savings that put me way above the means-tested level. It was pointless saving in another pension scheme. I should have done that half a century ago, if it had been possible then.

However, I don't expect you to understand, so just leave it. I'm shutting this down now because we leave early in the morning.

margaretclare

nearlyrich wrote: »

MC hope you have a lovely holiday in Germany and the surrounds I hope I can still be travelling when I am late 70's as there is a lot of world out there I want to see.


Pollypenny we did a China trip in 2007 it was amazing, the food is a little repetitive you seem to get an Emperor's banquet twice a day but the sights are amazing and the Pandas are cute have a great time too..


We are currently investigating a trip to South Africa for later in the year I always need a trip to look forward to ...

Thank you for this. We're looking forward to it. We do the things we like to do, and we hope to continue as long as we can. Any holiday that includes walking is always going to be difficult for us, so we organise things the way we can do them.

zygurat789

margaretclare wrote: »

I

However, I don't expect you to understand, so just leave it. I'm shutting this down now because we leave early in the morning.

It just goes to show you can lead a horse to water.........................

margaretclare

I'm ignoring the last few posts. I am not a horse and I don't get led to water. I make my own choices and decisions and I'm happy that way. Even DH doesn't tell me what to do and he knows me far better than anyone else.

We're back from our holiday, got back late yesterday evening after a stop at the local Tesco so that we'd have something to eat for breakfast! We still haven't added it all up, what it cost us and then divide it in half. Most of it has been on DH's credit card. Not a problem. We share!

We covered a lot of miles, saw a lot of breathtaking scenery, stayed in some lovely places, ate some very good food. We didn't go on any of the boat trips on the mighty Danube - too hot to be sitting on a boat on days when the temperature climbed to 35 C. We followed the roads beside the river and enjoyed it much more.

Seeing some of the iconic sites like the Dom at Passau proved to be problematical. They're all on the tourist trail, and we found we couldn't get near because of hundreds of people all playing 'follow my leader'. A small Baroque church at Birnau on the banks of Lake Constance (Bodensee) was much more of an atmospheric experience. We were pleased to see a large notice forbidding photography. Which is a problem I have with many similar places. We visited Reims cathedral on the way back and flash photography was everywhere from tour groups. I don't know why people do it. It's impossible to do justice to these ancient buildings with a tiny pocket camera on the phone. Some of the stained glass in Reims which survived 2 world wars is beautiful, but photography wouldn't cover it all. I protested to 2 women volunteers, asking them why flash photography is allowed in a house of God. I really made my feelings clear, but they said there's nothing they can do, it can't be prevented. That's the last time I ever go into any cathedral in any country. I'd rather say my prayers under a tree! It's a travesty, a disrespect. Would you get that in any other religion?

We actually did say our prayers under the trees yesterday, at the Sheffield Memorial Park near Serre on the Somme. It's a very atmospheric place. DH said 'the ghosts talk to you'. If he's right, there must be thousands of ghosts just in that spot where so many died in July 1916, all wanting their voices to be heard.

However, we found out our limitations and we'll not be doing something so extensive in the future. We plan to stay in one place and radiate out from there. Also, an overnight crossing from Harwich - Hook saves a lot of mileage.

Coming back from Calais on one of the bigger P&O ships the 'Spirit of France' we know why we don't like travelling with tour groups. There were several coach parties on board and the noise of voices all talking at once, was incredible. It was quiet when we got back to the car!

In France you need a bit of the language at least, even if only to order a meal. The French think you're in their country, you should speak their language! Can't quarrel with that. The Germans by contrast all want to practise their English at you. We managed some German/English and English/German. Every time we stopped people wanted to talk. They weren't used to seeing a UK car registration so far from home. We met some lovely people who were very friendly.

Back to summer German class next week! Today, just working my way through all the washing.

seven-day-weekend

Well. I have just received a large inheritance. Very unexpected. I have known about it since February but only just received the money.

The cheque has not cleared yet, but the first thing I will do is pay off the mortgage on the bungalow that we have just bought, but not yet moved into.

Then I will use some of the money to extend the lease on my son's flat. He only has 64 years left on it, problematical if it gets much shorter. I don't know how much that is going to be yet, but he has a statutory right to extend it by 90 years, plus the term of the unexpired lease, so that is what we will be looking to do. We only have the one son, he may as well have part of his inheritance now, when he needs it.

Then what? My husband would like a Skoda Yeti, but neither of us can justify spending the money on one, so that probably will not happen.

We would both like an orangery for the bungalow, so that will happen sooner than expected.

The rest in ISAs and Premium Bonds.

(There is actually about another £300 to come, from a tax rebate owed to the estate, we're having a weekend away with that. )

I am very, very blessed. Thanks Aunty V.

Errata

SDW spread your money around, otherwise it lays fallow and goes off! If your OH wants a Yeti, buy one if it will make him happy. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring and today is for living.
Enjoy your orangery, although I haven't a clue what the difference is between one of those and a conservatory - oranges?

seven-day-weekend

Errata wrote: »

SDW spread your money around, otherwise it lays fallow and goes off! If your OH wants a Yeti, buy one if it will make him happy. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring and today is for living.
Enjoy your orangery, although I haven't a clue what the difference is between one of those and a conservatory - oranges?

Was thinking that about the Yeti He may not be able to drive ion ten years' time. We just thought it looked a bit showy-offy.

The difference between an orangery and a conservatory - orangery has less glass although it does have a glass roof, therefore more like a proper room .

I have just found out the cheque has cleared :eek: I now have to decide what to do!

Errata

Masseratis look show offy, not Yetis, supermarkets are rammed with them. Let him have some fun whilst he can, in his shoes I'd be pushing for an e-type!
Thanks for the orangery info - my conny is now an orangery!

seven-day-weekend

Just found him one, at the same garage we got our Roomster from - hopefully they will give us a good part-ex!!

It can be an early wedding anniversary present