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

donny-gal

We were there two years ago on our way to Holland, and been to the Menin Gate service twice, got me both times, we had school children brought as part of their France/Belgium tour. DH has a Great Uncle buried there, who died on the first day! The people so very nice and friendly. Bruges in our our list, maybe this year after we have run the caravan rally in Verdun.
DG

DiggerUK

Newly retired,
Yes, completely overlooked mentioning the flea markets.
Any flea bugs out there better budget before you go near them, we overspent.
BADLY.

seven-day-weekend

Update on Home Exchanges:

Bilbao people can't make the dates I suggested so that one is out.

One lot of Shropshire people confirmed dates so that one is a definite. We sre still waiting to confirm dates on the others.

We have not heard any more from the Malaga people but they have just had a baby, I'm sure we will as it was them that approached us initially.

Arthurian

Sorry to barge in here - I've been wondering about this for ages. Is anyone here actually planning to spend their kids' inheritance - i.e., spend their savings, use the value of their house to fund holidays, etc? If so, perhaps you have a plan to spend your accumulated wealth at so much per year over a certain number of years. How do you know how many years that will be? And what happens if you last longer than the money?

seven-day-weekend

We will be prepared to use the savings but would like him to have the house.

No plan and if we find the savings running out so that WE don't have enough, we'll have to draw our horns in.

But really it's all about spending YOUR money on what YOU want to instead of hoarding it all for your kids and having a miserable time yourself, like many people do. If there is any left, the kids can have it.

seven-day-weekend

I'm not actually sure that home exchanging counts as SKI-ing - apart from travel expenses it need cost no more than staying at home!

pollypenny

Arthurian wrote: »

Sorry to barge in here - I've been wondering about this for ages. Is anyone here actually planning to spend their kids' inheritance - i.e., spend their savings, use the value of their house to fund holidays, etc? If so, perhaps you have a plan to spend your accumulated wealth at so much per year over a certain number of years. How do you know how many years that will be? And what happens if you last longer than the money?

Good question, arthurian!

We've brought them up, put both through uni ( no grants) and given them opportunities to earn good living. We've helped them with house buying and on other occasions when needed.

Maybe, by the time the saving have all run out and we've re-mortgaged the house, it'll be their turn to look after us!

Savvy_Sue

Arthurian wrote: »

Sorry to barge in here - I've been wondering about this for ages. Is anyone here actually planning to spend their kids' inheritance - i.e., spend their savings, use the value of their house to fund holidays, etc? If so, perhaps you have a plan to spend your accumulated wealth at so much per year over a certain number of years. How do you know how many years that will be? And what happens if you last longer than the money?

pollypenny wrote: »

Good question, arthurian!

We've brought them up, put both through uni ( no grants) and given them opportunities to earn good living. We've helped them with house buying and on other occasions when needed.

Maybe, by the time the saving have all run out and we've re-mortgaged the house, it'll be their turn to look after us!

We're in a transition stage, both in our 50s, with very low housing costs for the last 10 years, so we've not had to scrimp as our parents still did when they were our age. However we're likely to have to move house in the next couple of years, which will mean a mortgage, so that will make life 'interesting' again.

Whereas both sets of OUR parents are in a very sound financial position, but facing 'issues' with their health and care. And, frankly, I'm encouraging them to spend - to use taxis when it makes life easier, to pay to get help in etc. It's an uphill struggle, but we keep saying "you'll be alright, we'll all help if necessary". And it won't be necessary, at least not for my parents, because their health just isn't that good!

Because it's not 'my' inheritance they're spending. It's THEIR money. And they should use it for themselves!

And I would much prefer NOT to inherit a house anyway. I'd only have to sell it and share the proceeds. Selling houses is stressful enough at the best of times - when you're grieving and trying to execute a will, it must be a nightmare!

Obviously if it had been my home for ages - as it has for SDW's son - that would be a very different matter.

And a friend did ask me recently if DS1's excellent degree and foray into self-employment was allowing him to keep me in the manner to which I'd like to become accustomed - we both laughed at that!

balmaiden

Arthurian,

We are fortunate to have worked hard and saved to enable us to retire early, with some modest savings. We downsized from a large house to a lovely cottage however I would not be against downsizing again at a later date. Because we fully intend to SKI as long and as far as possible. I have told both of my daughters that if I live long enough there will probably be no money left in the pot and we will probably be living in a very modest property. So not a lot for them to inherit.

However we help our daughters and their young families now. For exampe younger daughter is this week being treated to a trip to the hairdressers to have, within reason, whatever she would like done to her hair. Elder daughter has just started a new job, beating several hundred applicants to the post. We will give her some money so that she and her OH can have a celibratory meal. We help with the funding of Grandchildrens' school trips and after school activities. We don't do it all the time just when we think they deserve a little thank you/well done/cheering up.

The way I see it is, I get the pleasure of giving and seeing the results. Also my girls need help now, while they are working hard both out and inside their homes to raise their children. If, as I hope, I live to a good age my "children" may well be in their sixties before I leave them. I would hope by which time they themselves would be financially better off and not in need of any inheritance.

DiggerUK

Arthurian wrote: »

Sorry to barge in here...........And what happens if you last longer than the money?

All I can say about this thread, is that you only ever get to hear about chocolate, knitting needles, conservatories, dongles and how to lay back and think of yourself.
If I last longer than the money, I don't think I'm going to wake up the morning after I kick my clogs off, moaning about what I should have done the day before.
Can't explain why the hell I keep returning here.
See you around.