Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

gfplux

Canadians know how to cope in the winter. They have built some of the new infrastructure around knowing the snow ALWAYS falls in the winter.
Toronto foe example of a City you can walk all around the centre underground. Useful when its minus 10 outside

seven-day-weekend

Just had some terrible news from my friend in Spain. Her husband has been airlifted to Granada hospital and has acute leukaemia. At the moment he is not well enough to receive chemo as he has an infection. He was 65 only last week.

We are very upset as you can imagine.

droopsnout

Hello, s-d-w.

I am really sorry to read your appalling news. But I like to think that this is a rather magical time of year, and I'm sure you do, too.

Perhaps with some support from us, the medical services - which I am sure are very competent - will be able to bring this gentleman back to his wife for more special times together. The very fact that he has been flown to Granada shows that someone is trying very hard for him.

Thinking of him, of his wife and family, and of you.

seven-day-weekend

Thanks droopsnout. The medical care at that particular hospital we know first hand to be excellent, my husband had an operation in there on 2007. I know everyone is doing what they can. My husband and I and one or two of our friends who know him from visits are praying for him, we believe in the power of prayer, so between us all, hopefully he will recover.

Thanks for your good wishes

gfplux

We all hope for the best outcome.

droopsnout

droopsnout wrote: »

There exist "Livret A" accounts, which are tax free, and it seems you don't have to be resident in France to have them.

Have a look here. The interest rate is set by the government, so no need to research all the different banks. Use your regular French bank if you're happy with them and if it's more convenient.

For other readers who may not want too much detail, but just the main points:

• Interest rate 2.25% tax free in France
• Invest from 10€ to 19125€
• No risk savings account with instant access and no fees
• Available to both UK and French residents
• Everyone can benefit. Limited to one person.

Just a short note to say that the interest rate on the Livret A accounts is being reduced to 1.75% with effect from 1st February. However, from 1 January the limit for savings in the account has been increased to €22950.

tsmiggy

Sorry to hi jack this thread,but to cut a long story short.I have been left some money,and i cant stand the winters here.I would much prefer warmer places,but i am at a loss as to go about living abroad.

I am in my late fifties,and i do own my own house here,could any kind soul,offer advice on the rights and wrongs.Any pointers would be most welcome.I do assume there are answers within the thread,but its a long thread

cheers

Savvy_Sue

Welcome to the Living Abroad thread.

I think the main advice would be not to buy before you've rented, even if you're sure you can afford to - don't jump into anything!

I'd start by thinking about what you fancy: do you think you'd like to be in the same place each winter, or would moving from place to place appeal?

Do you have any links you could work on? For example, if your Spanish was passable at school but your French was a nightmare, you might prefer a Spanish speaking country to a Francophone one.

Do you have any friends or acquaintances who regularly fly south for the winter? What would their advice be? Just chat to people ... especially us lot here!

For starters, I know that the climate in the Canary islands is pretty consistent all year round. I'd hate to be there for several months (I think), but I do enjoy winter holidays there. We have met several couples who do spend much longer periods there, and one chap we spoke to recently said he was getting much better VFM with long rentals than if he'd bought - even though prices are rock bottom. Plus it's a lot less hassle - report any problems to the landlord and get it fixed!

tsmiggy

Thankyou for your reply,i think i would prefer Spain or Portugal,mainly because of the distance from the uk by plane.Needless to say my granddchildren,and come to think of it my children,would never forgive me if i was four hours away.

Mind you there are times when i would like a great distance between us lol.I have to admit to being a total novice on this subject,and i do not know the pitfalls of living abroad,of which i would imagine there are many.

seven-day-weekend

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Just had some terrible news from my friend in Spain. Her husband has been airlifted to Granada hospital and has acute leukaemia. At the moment he is not well enough to receive chemo as he has an infection. He was 65 only last week.

We are very upset as you can imagine.

Glad to say, after nearly dying twice, my friend is now in remission.