Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

Merrywidow

Yes, that just about sums up what the day with the Polish family was like. It was OK till we all started drinking (The Polish are VERY hospitable) and then it all started to go very crazy.

Reminds me of the Christmas many moons ago when my Parents came to Holland to meet my husbands family. Totally crazy. My Mum went on to learn Dutch at night school and my father in law to learn English. Oh yes, that was my first Christmas in Holland in my own home and my mother in law offered to buy my turkey for the dinner. She arrived with the turkey, all cut into little chunks!!!!!!!!!! just as the Dutch like it. I thought my mother would pass out. When in Rome etc. Life gets very wobbly when you cross borders.

sandy2_2

We live in rural Spain and our Spanish mobile phone is very old and on it's last legs...OH is going back to Uk in a few weeks for a couple of days and thought he'd buy a new modern up to date mobile over there.(as instruction book will be in English) We're not at all technically minded, so has anyone any suggestions as to which quite basic one we should get that comes already unlocked or that can be unlocked easily and cheaply Thanx

droopsnout

My son got me a Nokia 2610 which is nice and basic. Just calls, texts, and a handy FM radio via earphones. He had it unlocked, but I'm not sure how you go about it. On the other hand, there are other threads on MSE which deal with such things!

When in the UK, we use our Virgin SIMs, which are PAYG but the bill is settled bi-monthly by direct debit. And when in France, we have PAYG SIMs from the supermarket chain Leclerc, which allow top-ups which don't expire. (Although there is a monthly charge of - I think - 1,90€, which grates a bit).

Francophile

Carphone warehouse sell most of their phones unlocked. Just ask in the shop and they will tell you which are. They can also advise on a suitable phone for your needs. I bought one from their website a few weeks ago for £9.95 and it has a camera etc which I've never had before. I still don't know how to use the camera but the phone is easy to use and for £9.95 an excellent deal.

droopsnout

Interesting. Just had a look, but maybe I was in the wrong section. Cheapest I could see was £39.95, with FM radio but no camera. Doesn't say whether it's locked or not. Page is here

Edit: Have now discovered cheaper phones, inc £9.95, which become available if you are happy to purchase airtime at the same time as the phone. But these come locked to a network, or so it seems. I quite fancy a new phone with a camera, Francophile. What am I doing wrong?

seven-day-weekend

Have you tried eBay?

Although I think for someone who knows nothing (like me) about phones, Carphone Warehouse is a good bet.

Mine was actually £7.99 on eBay with £5 worth of credit! It is VERY basic (doesn't have a camera) but does want I want it to do. It's a Motorola f3.

droopsnout

Hmm. Good idea. I'll be back in the UK during October. And my birthday is during the visit ...

sandy2_2

Had a look a carphone warehouse site, doesn't say if phones come unlocked or not. Did see a phone with camera for about £12 but then you had to pay £10 PAYG card
I'll have a check of ebay later. Thanks everyone for your help

Francophile

droopsnout wrote: »

Interesting. Just had a look, but maybe I was in the wrong section. Cheapest I could see was £39.95, with FM radio but no camera. Doesn't say whether it's locked or not. Page is here

Edit: Have now discovered cheaper phones, inc £9.95, which become available if you are happy to purchase airtime at the same time as the phone. But these come locked to a network, or so it seems. I quite fancy a new phone with a camera, Francophile. What am I doing wrong?

When I found the one I wanted on the internet, I rang them (there's a free 0800 number but I don't know if that's any use to you in France) and I asked them to make sure the phone was unlocked. It didn't seem to be a problem. I've also bought unlocked phones in their shops.
Hope that helps.

droopsnout

Thanks!! Hope you're all dried out now! (Er -not an alcohol problem, folks!! Just the rain!)

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