Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

seven-day-weekend

Welcome tiddles!

droopsnout

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

My husband's language turned the air blue - some word that rhymed with 'tankers' .:rotfl:

Ooh .... I'm not allowed to say words like that!

"Bankers"!!! Ouch!!!

tiddles

Thank you for your welcome - there's not much to say really - we'd love to retire early and go to live in France (like a lot of people), but we still have a long time to go until official retirement age, since we are both 49. (Yes, I know this forum is aimed at moneysavers over the age of 50, but we're nearly there!)

The alternative is to find work on a self-employed basis in teaching or translation, but I think it would be difficult to earn enough to live on, so I think we'll be continuing to work in the UK and just visit France for holidays at the moment - who knows what the future may hold?

seven-day-weekend

droopsnout wrote: »

Ooh .... I'm not allowed to say words like that!

"Bankers"!!! Ouch!!!

Neither is he.

I think 'hankers' is a word no-one should say.

droopsnout

Oh, no-one cares about ages here. Anyway, we're all in denial!!

You're right - there's not enough work (or there are already too many people) in teaching and/or translation.

And you know all those French websites and tourist leaflets that are in dreadful English that makes everyone either laugh or look at each other incredulously, well, you try suggesting that it's really not portraying the right image, and you'll probably get the famous shrugged shoulder!

Oh, the intentions are there at top level. I went to a training course for tourist personnel, all about latest hi-tech aids to promoting tourism, and, of course, websites were top of the list. And all websites should be in English as well as French. But you try getting anyone to actually pay you to do it!!!

No - I'll go further ... You offer to do it free, and see what happens!! Well, they'll take you on if you can actually construct the website for nothing. But if you just say, "Why don't I rewrite your pages in English in a separate version, with a UK/USA flag to click on to get the English version? Your webmaster can do that easily", they won't want to know.

Lourdes is one of France's biggest attractions, but check the English out: http://www.lourdes-infotourisme.com/uk/

donny-gal

Welcome tiddles - as has ben said don't worry about the age - we don't, the head says 25 it is just e body which disagrees.

droopsnout - you are turning into a grumpy old man - ranting away! Bet somebody there with you says what do you mean turning" . . .

Nite all
DG

droopsnout

LOL. Well, don't know if you're aware of Pigsback. It's a sort of shopping portal and cashback site, but I was officially a grumpy old man on their site for a time. Even had a grumpy photo of me on there!

I also love the TV programme.

The good news is that I've been accounting creatively, and I've got more money for the month than I thought!! Yay! About 250€, in fact.

donny-gal

That is good news mate, yes I use Pigsback, I take it you ranted about something on there? Bet you don't get insulted by your French neighbours like you do on here.

If you don't get over are you up for a B&B end of Jan. if we come with UK goodies?
DG

tiddles

I know what you mean about the poor English often used in tourist leaflets and on websites - why use a native speaker to translate when you have someone on the staff who was "good" at English at school?

droopsnout

D-g, this is certainly a possibility. We should make arrangements off-list, though.

If you feel able to send me an email address, please PM me.

No, I didn't have an impromptu rant on Pigsback. It was some kind of competition, and I won a bottle of decent scotch! (I don't drink whisky, but you and/or Mr d-g are welcome to a glass or two when you come here!)

We have decided that we will go to the UK in Feb, because our parents aren't getting any younger, we want to see the kids, we could explore possibilities for work, it will have been four months since seeing people, we will need a change of scene, it's harder to go over in summer, we want to visit various friends, I have commitments at other times, etc., etc.