Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

LesD

Without going into all the gory details, YE was given lots of national funding about 5 years ago which encouraged them to recruit paid local administrators across the country.

Bearing in mind it had mainly been run by volunteers previously, that p**sed off some people who moved on to other things.

Then, the government stopped the funding and put it into their own ideas (giving them the ability to launch a 'new intitiative') leaving YE having to find commercial supporters in order to carry on paying the new recruits!

They're still doing sterling work, but, I think, at the similar restricted level as before.

Merrywidow

:beer: Thanks Droopsnout for article on Dutch schoolchildren.

I have refrained from knocking the English in favour of the Dutch for obvious reason. You have to live in the Netherlands to appreciate life as it should be lived. It is a small country but with a large heart. It is a very rich country and what few would know is that in the 70's and 80's the Dutch Guilder was used as a the linch pin when adjusting the value of the German Mark and the French Franc. I may not be explaining it correctly but I think you know what I mean. Two very large countries relying on little ole Holland to see them right.

The thing that struck me about the country when I first moved there was the dicipline. It applied to all walks of life, politics, NHS, taxation. You lived by the rules or you were out. No if's or but's - one strike and that's it.

I think the main characteristic of the Dutch is their ability to enjoy every aspect of life, every minute of every day. They don't go balistic to create the utter madness that is the Christmas season in this country, why should they as they have been celebrating everything and anything the whole year. Any excuse for a party should be their motto.

I am not explaining this very well am I? I am a little fuzzy headed after over indulgence last night but I think you get the gist.:cool:

donny-gal

Back in the UK, and back on broadband! Good journey, will catch back up later
DG

gfplux

Holland is a wonderful Country and the Dutch are super people. During our most recent trip to Amsterdam last April we spent a day at the Keukenhof bulb park... WOW, so beautiful. If you have not been this is a MUST SEE in Europe.

droopsnout

Not the kind of publicity we expats need: "Expat benefit cheats soak up sun"

As you know, I hate seeing the State get heavy, but these people should be caught and prosecuted. They give the honest majority of us a bad name.

droopsnout

You may have been wondering where the daft sigs on my posts have been coming from. They are all quotes from CJ, Reggie Perrin's boss on the old TV series, and better known for saying, "I didn't get where I am today by ..."

A remake of the series starring Martin Clunes as Reggie starts on BBC1 tonight.

Today's silly sig is the last of this lot from me - though there are tens of others I could have used.

seven-day-weekend

droopsnout wrote: »

Not the kind of publicity we expats need: "Expat benefit cheats soak up sun"

As you know, I hate seeing the State get heavy, but these people should be caught and prosecuted. They give the honest majority of us a bad name.

Agreed droopsnout, it makes those of us who legitimately claim a Benefit look like frauds.

A distant relative of my husband's apparently is claiming Housing Benefit for a house in the UK. We don't know their surname or exactly where they live otherwise we would report them ( I don't think 'Chardonnay in Marbella' woukd be enough info and my information is only second-hand, from the woman's mother in fact).

Speaking of legitimate benefits, my husband has to have his Incapacity Benefit medical next Thursday - in Marbella!:eek::eek: We will have to have an overnight stay as it is over four hours to drive there. Wish him well!

gfplux

Good luck with the trip to Marbella and safe driving.
I agree completely that these cheats should be reported. Wherever you pay tax we all want it to be used and spent without fraud.
How do you all feel about those people who live in Europe with an English car which is not taxed or insured. I believe they should be reported. There is a web site just for that purpose.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/UntaxedVehicle/DG_4022073
These are probably many of the same people who are benefit cheats.

Just off to close my suitcase as I leave for Florida in the morning for two weeks. My elder daughter lives there and I have a 3 year old grandson I only have seen 3 times since his birth. Mrs gfplux has spent the last few days talking about "your holiday" as she is staying behind. I will have to find just the right present to bring back. I have already ordered some flowers to be delivered while I am away. As the memory and the blumes will have faded by my return I better have something in my suitecase!
TTFN

seven-day-weekend

gfplux, thanks for the good wishes.

Agree with you about the cars. Although we still have the same Seat Allhambra we brought over from England, it is now re-registered on Spanish plates. (That's a story and a half, but for another time .

Just want to point out though that you can insure a British registered car abroad. You can also get it MOT'd (at least you can in Spain). This does not make the car legal, but the insurance is valid. No excuse to not matriculate it though, as you still can't pay any road tax and it will not be legal in the UK - in fact it won't be legal anywhere.

Have a good time in Florida and enjoy your grandson.

droopsnout

Have a good time, gfplux.

Oddly enough, I had a strange phone call this evening, from a lady in a neighbouring village who was considering getting rid of her 20-year-old UK-registered vehicle which has been in France for the last 15 years!!! I told her that she shouldn't have told me that, as the car probably isn't legal, but she claimed that it was.