Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

donny-gal

Well I don't imagine either of you two night owls will be here this morning. I am a lark by nature.

Jobs are dropping by the hour here, so I would not imagine the job front will be very promising.

Where I am in Spain we have Lidl and Aldi, and I use them here too, along with Netto now it has had it's face lift, and I tend to cook from scratch so don't need many proprietary items. though Lidl and Aldi do have some normal branded goods. I have started now not working full time+ using the local markets for fruit/veg/eggs. We are very lucky with local markets both here and in Spain. In Spain we have at least 7 major supermarkets within a 20 minute walk, Mercadona, Carrefour, Consum, Lidl, Aldi, Masymas, Plus.

Eating out is dearer here for sure, you do not get a Menu del dia with, pan and vino included. Then again who would want a slice of a white sliced loaf with their meal :rotfl: :rotfl:

While not impossible to get work where we are in Spain it is not easy, but folk can usually find changeover work if they try.

Rejoining old Spanish class for an Xmas lunch today, so will catch you later.
DG

droopsnout

Yes, I'm under no illusions, d-g. Doncaster has rarely been a place that people rush to for employment. (Many of my family were involved in the mining industry, when it existed).

We'll be over in February, as I said. I'll see how the land lies then. There is no doubt, though, that if I started any kind of paid employment (assuming I could), life would get quite complicated. It would change my relationship with the health authorities here, for a start. Taxation would be another issue. It probably isn't worth it, if truth be told. And, of course, it would knock on the head the voluntary work I do for our local tourist office, where I'm the assistant secretary.

No, even a temporary abandonment of our home would be a terrible wrench.

seven-day-weekend

We have Lidl and Aldi here too, and the local markets, which we always use for fruit and veg.

I can't get the bread we like from Lidl, nor salted butter, tea and cheddar cheese (I suppose that's my fault for wanting Cheddar Cheese and PG Tips!). Also Mercadona is only 3/4 hour drive instread of 1.5 hours to Lidl and Carrefour. So that is why we use Mercadona. Don't forget we live in the middle of nowhere!

There is soon going to be a Dia opening two villages away, so I'll check that out although last time we went in one we were not impressed.

seven-day-weekend

droopsnout wrote: »

Yes, I'd be touting my skills around. Without much hope, though.

And what are you doing around here at 2.30 in the morning?

Trying to get my legs calm enough to sleep! (I have Restless Legs Syndrome).

What were you doing around at that hour???

droopsnout

We have Lidl and Aldi, too, though I don't rate French Aldi. Rarely go. Regular shopping means a 26-mile round trip to Valence d'Agen for Intermarch! and Lidl, though there is also a Casino, but that's too dear! On Tuesdays, in the same town, there is a very big and excellent market - though prices are not necessarily cheaper than the shops.

Carrefour, G!ant, Leclerc and Aldi are in Agen, a round trip of 56 miles. There are plenty of food shops in a variety of local towns, though clothes shopping is hopeless.

droopsnout

Sorry about the exclamation marks.

I'm often up late at night. It seems to be a hangover from my working days when I'd spend half the night marking and preparing. Also, if I go to bed at a "normal" time, I lie awake worrying. So I stay up until I'm exhausted, then when I do go to bed, I fall asleep straightaway.

Edinburghlass_2

Jeremy Vine today is/was about Ex-pats living abroad, you can listen again here...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/vine/

donny-gal

Hi everyone, just back home, and no not drunk. I suppose I am lucky that I convert into Spanish cheeses when I am there, and DH only can eat Edam or other low fat cheese which is readily available. Now we travel with the car, we bring baked beans and instant coffee sauces with us, together with anything else we or our neighbours need. We can obviously get anything where we are but unfortunately I am "tight" and bring what is cheaper.

I am very fortunate, I can sleep on a clothes line, when I go to bed for at least 6 hours, but if I wake up after that I just get up as I won't go back to sleep again. DH says I don't sleep but die for at least 6 hours a night! He does not sleep as easily.

DG

droopsnout

donny-gal wrote: »

just back home, and no not drunk.

Are you sure, d-g?

donny-gal

Positive, just overflowing with diet coke! Unfortunately I am on a diet atm.

Btw - I think I may be in Spain in February.
DG