Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

donny-gal

Just testing from my new toy!
DG

gfplux

Sorry to hear of your cat bite. Sadly I think that the cat will do it again be careful. My daughter has 4! yes four cats!!. They are not allowed outside as they have been de clawed. (This is an American thing, not at all unusual over there apparently. I can not say I agree with it) Now she has a child she has told me never again will she have cats, but they have many years to go as the are not very old.
A money point to mention.
I am having some trousers dry cleaned and the cost? a very large €5.30 per pair. Very strange their closest competitor is the same price. How does that compare with other parts of the world?

droopsnout

Wouldn't know. All my trousers are washed at home - I never buy "dry clean only" clothes. Sorry!

donny-gal

Ditto - if it says dry-clean only then don't buy them!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

DG

droopsnout

Well, you guys, you must all be busy in the sun!!

Anyway, some good news:

1 GBP = 1.14381 EUR
1 EUR = 0.874274 GBP

donny-gal

In the rain more like! We had two good days rain + wind yesterday, and raining with milk of magnesia sky at the moment. Calamity yesterday wind caught awning blew it straight over 'van. V poorly awning, missed car by 6"! 13 days over 3 years new for old replacement and off to France in 3 weeks. D/

droopsnout

Ouch! Really sorry to read that. Presume awning poles didn't dent 'van? Does the awning need a new pole or two, or is the canvas damaged?

Hope you get it all sorted for the trip to France.

donny-gal

Small dint - not punctured, so a badge has covered it. Poles damaged. Need a McDonalds for connection and waiting supplier opening. Sat in middle of a field at Scampton Hall, Malton.

[Deleted User]

Friends and neighbours of ours bought a villa in Spain 3 years ago and spend alternate months there. They still like it there of course but seem to be a little bored ie tied to one place. That was exactly my thinking re holidays and buying abroad.

When interest rates are good then obviously the interest on money spent on a place abroad would pay for a few holidays abroad. Just now any holiday is bought from capital ie savings but taking into account no depreciation on any property. So swings and roundabouts

I am in the camp that would get bored after a time, even if we had a static caravan in this country. This year and early next we will have been to Italy(twice), Austria, Poland, Malta and the Canaries

What are your thoughts? Buy or not to buy (and I wouldn`t buy to rent out) maybe Holland? or better to be flexible re holidays as we are now

Francophile

We bought a house in France 7 years ago. I have to say we are creatures of habit and it wouldn't suit everyone. We take our main holidays at the house in France but throughout the year take short breaks to other destinations. Our plan, when we retire, is to live in France about 6 months of the year and to use the house there as a base to see other parts of Europe.