Puntos de vista - a personal Spain blog

From 1 June new electricity tariffs came into force. Many regarded this as a cost rise, yet Pablo de Ronda felt that if you shifted as much electricity use as possible to the cheap tariff, you could end up paying less than previously. He's just had his first bill under the new system of charging. How did he do?

In my previous article , How to Save money on your electricity bill in Spain, (https://www.secretserrania.com/2021/06/how-to-save-money-on-your-electricity-bill-in-spain/)

I suggested switching as much electricity usage to the cheap tariff, ie 12.00 midnight to 08.00 am weekdays and all day at weekends.

So, the washing machine, tumble drier and dishwasher all go on after midnight.

We have a pool, so I let the pump run in the early hours. Our garden irrigation system also.

We reduced the temperature setting on our fridge to 3C.

An iron uses lots of power so we iron before 08.00am

We use the ECO setting on appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and tumble driers.

We watch less TV. We try to avoid having it on in the background.

Leaving devices and appliances on standby also consumes electricity. Unplug every time.

Well, I just got my first bill under the new charging system and it was way less than last year.

In fact I managed to shift the bulk of my consumption to the cheap tariff, 340 kWh. The dearest tariff accounted for 112 kWh. The intermediate tariff accounted for 92 kWh. Total consumption just 78 euros plus the standing charges.

I don’t want to appear smug, but making the changes we did has saved us quite a lot of money.

Off peak? Every time!

When Pablo de Ronda was approached by Andalucía Country Houses to see whether he could help get the new branch of their estate agency off the ground in the northern Serranía de Ronda, he was flattered.  They wanted him to find properties that were for sale that perhaps nobody knew about.

Here Pablo writes about his new job. He retired from work 16 years ago, and now he’s starting work again. Is he nuts?

People think I’m nuts, embarking on this project.

Obviously I was flattered to be asked. In fact, I’d been approached by another estate agent a few weeks before, but didn’t take it any further.

This seemed different. Andalucía Country Houses has a successful track record in the southern Costa del Sol having operated there for 15 years. This family-run business oozes class, from its professionalism and friendliness to its website and the literature it provides.

We found premises just off the square in Montejaque. It will not be an office as such, ie not manned. It will be a shop window where interested folk can get information about properties for sale or rent in the area. Opening hours will be from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.

I live in the village and it will be my role to show properties to potential purchasers, while continuing to look for properties to list.

It’s amazing how many properties are for sale in Montejaque, but I’ve also found some in other villages, including Montecorto, Arriate, Jimera de Líbar and Ronda.

Officially I am an affiliate or associate of the company. I’m not employed, ie I get no wage from ACH, but if we sell properties from my portfolio I will earn commission. For that to work I have to become autónomo and get a gestor to do my books. And pay tax, for sure!

My wife thinks I’m nuts!

She’s right, of course!