Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

donny-gal

Our son rang today, to ask if I thought he should buy his Euros to go ski-ing on the 17th before the interest rate change or wait, I had to say I did not know, just suggested that all 7 of them get their Euros togethr and then they could do a good negotiating job. Please to see it break the 1.11 barrier.

DG

droopsnout

Further improvement today:

1 GBP = 1.12070 EUR
1 EUR = 0.892303 GBP

meekgeek

Thinking about escaping, would this be a good buy: http://www.volcanoestates.com/propdetail.php?id=568 or would it be better to rent for a while and then buy do you think?

droopsnout

I don't know anything at all about properties in Lanzarote, but it seems horrendously expensive to me! Think you'd have to buy a car there, too. Is it for permanent residence or just holidays?

Only one person can really answer your question, though: you! Have you spent time there? Stayed there in winter?

See replies given to magictom123 a little further back in this thread.

In almost all cases, it's better to rent first and really get to know the island and all its properties before buying.

droopsnout

Ça continue, mes amis!

1 GBP = 1.13428 EUR
1 EUR = 0.881617 GBP

EdInvestor

Interesting article comparing the effects of the crunch in different countries: if anything France looks likely to escape with the least damage, with Spain suffering the most, but there's not much in it.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/europe-is-united-at-last-by-recession-1297822.html

Structure of economy (eg manufacturing vs service industries/financial services), often a point of criticism in the UK, doesn't seem to make much difference - the Germans suffer if we can't buy their BMWs, because our bankers have no money.

We really do all seem to be in the same boat for once.

droopsnout

Yes, Ed, very good article, giving a few facts (we hope!).

Thanks very much.

LesD

Merrywidow wrote: »

Hi everyone - yes I am back - Happy New Year to you all - I am full of cold - feeling rotten - but had a great time. It was quite a shock shopping in Euros. My brother in law ordered a chinese meal to be delivered. 15 euros was the average cost per meal - yikes - my local chinese charges about £4 per meal - there is no way my pension would fit into Dutch life at the moment. Glad I went it was a real eye opener. Then of course there was the cold - oh dear - I had forgotten just how cold it can get over there - but how the Dutch love it - all that water that freezes and they can skate on it. Forcast is minus 15 tonight over there. My suitcase is unopened next to the washing maching but I am off to my own lovely bed which I have missed.

More tomorrow. Looks like you have all been busy posting - will read tomorrow. Night Night - welterusten as they say over there.

PS - a smile to light up your evening. My 3 and a half year old niece didnt want to come to live with me in England because "I am not your child, if you want a child you have to grow one in your tummy!!!!!!".........

Hi MW. Hope you had a better experience with KLM than we did! Our return from Washington arrived at Schiphol at 08:00 only to find our onward connection to Birmingham had been cancelled! (When we got home, I found an email advising of this which was sent at 03:52 that morning!)

They first wanted to reroute us back via PARIS but did eventually agree to squeeze us into 'Europe Select' on the 12:50 direct flight.

Not that's much of a benefit! Trying to scoff down the 'premium' snack in only about 1 hour tends to create indigestion!

And I know what you mean about the cold! All that de-icing going on can be a bit disconcerting!

However, I suppose it could have been worse! We could have been on Ryanair!

droopsnout

I'm very happy with Ryanair services that I've used. Don't expect a lot, and you won't be disappointed. It's only a glorified bus, after all.

donny-gal

I don't knock Ryanair either, I have never been late with them, we may have set off slightly late, but they normally make up the time. At least if I keep my wits about me and my elbows sharp I can get leg room without paying a fortune.

DG