Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

sleepless_saver

droopsnout wrote: »

And what would you do with 58 cherry trees??? We have more than enough with two! Well, I suppose you could sell the fruit at the nearest market!

That's exactly what I was thinking - along with the figs, almonds, apples and pears!

seven-day-weekend

droopsnout wrote: »

Nice find, sleepless saver. But it is just one bedroom and only 55 square metres of living space.

It is not on mains electricity and requires its own generator, is not on mains water (has a new well with sand filter), and has its own septic tank (as do almost all properties away from town). No telephone point, but a cable runs 80 metres away.

80-mettre track to the house, not tarmac-ed. Not on mains gas, but uses large gas bottles. Nearest neighbours 2km away.

It is basically two rooms: a living area with kitchen, and a bedroom with bathroom.

And what would you do with 58 cherry trees??? We have more than enough with two! Well, I suppose you could sell the fruit at the nearest market!

But yes, it does fit oldandhappy's requirements, such as we know them!!

When we first went to Spain, the amount of people we knew who had seen an advert on the internet saying '.....ruin with 85 olive trees....' and bought there and then because they wanted 'real Spain', could be counted on more than one hand. Then they found that they couldn't build a residence on the plot and it was only accessible by 2km of dirt track on the edge of a ravine.

Don't understand it myself. I know where we lived was remote and traditional, but our house was in a village and there were other villages 4-5 km away. Also we had all the services (except mains gas, which very few areas in Spain have).

oldandhappy

I guess my post was a bit vague. We had a property around Alicante for over 25 years and driving back and forth hundreds of times so have also spent a lot of time in France caravanning or camping visiting vast areas of France. 'oldandhappy' is tongue in cheek having only retired in the late 90's and put out to pasture here in Bexhill on Sea from London. We have a mini smallholding...8 ducks 3 hens 2 cats and a partridge in a pear tree. 'Old's brother has lived in France now 3 years and settled very very well in the Charentes area..Winters are not great though!!!We have seen lots of properties for under 200000 euros with around 1 acre in various areas and yes they are a very mixed bag but as I mentioned the coast is out because of the higher cost of property.We have been looking South West mainly over as far as Toulouse area but we actually feel spoit for choice area wise....Thank you for your useful post. regards 'Happy'

droopsnout

Over the last ten years, I have made many orders from France with UK suppliers for delivery of goods to UK addresses. It is very handy when it comes to gifts for friends and relatives, for example.

Today, I made an order for a gift of earrings to my daughter-in-law. I received a confirmation of order, but later had an email to say that the order was cancelled because I was ordering from abroad.

Apparently, the seller's systems include fraud checking which it seems doesn't work on foreign orders. The card I used was issued in the UK by Bank of America and my French address is the only one associated with it. It is, in fact, a standard Amazon card.

I also received a second email, stating that the reason for cancellation was lack of stock.

The company concerned is Ernest Jones, the jewellers. You may care to decide whether they are totally honest or not, and whether you think you might wish to place orders with them in future.

For my part, I have emailed them saying that their policy is hopelessly out of date, that I have placed many orders from UK retailers in the past with no problem, and that I would let other expats know the situation on this board. Also I do slightly resent a subtle implication in their message that criminals are more likely to be "foreigners".

seven-day-weekend

When we were in Spain, my Barclaycard Goldfish had both addresses registered to it so if I had trouble with the Spanish one I could use the UK one. I must admit, I quite often did have problems with the Spanish address.

I was never brave enough to have a Spanish credit card!

My recommendation is to have one card with a UK address. Shouldn't be necessary, as droopsnout says, but often is.

seven-day-weekend

My husband pointed out to me yesterday that if we were completing on our house sale now instead of when we actually did in April, we would have lost another £5k due to the exchange rate.(We already lost £5k due to a month's delay caused by the notario).

Good for our buyers though, who have income in Sterling and a mortgage in Euros!

droopsnout

Yes, the pound reached 1,28€ recently, though this week has sunk rather to 1,26€.

We are in the same position as your buyers. It has made a huge difference to our spending power, and also Mrs DS has just qualified (through age) for her occupational pension, so we are smiling!

Before we seize up completely through arthritis,etc., we would love to save up and make an extended trip to Oz, to drive a camper van across the country. Maybe we would visit NZ, too.

If anyone has any useful info on such an exploit, I'd be glad to read it.

seven-day-weekend

Yay! I remember when I got my State Pension after a couple of years of scraping the barrel, it was wonderful!

Both hubby and I get more pensions in 2014 (his State, mine Local Government, although I could take that now if I take a reduction).

We won't know what to do with all that wealth!

oldandhappy

My Sister at 60 now 65 purchased a Motor Caravan and she has travelled far and wide.....just get use to a small working space for all your indoor needs and things to do' sitting down' when the weather is not so good for out and about. You do have to get on really well with your partner too!!!Would love to do it but we have tied ourselves down with Pets.
House on the market so the move to France is moving a shade nearer. regards Mrs Happy

oldandhappy

What advise can anybody give us.....Pensions Paid straight into French Bank Account or via a UK bank account?