18 Aug 2017 12:16 PM:

Get someone to open your post, if important they can scan the letter and email it to you, make sure you take a cheque book with you.

Leave the central heating on the frost setting.

Driving is cheaper, I think there is still an off season ferry once a week from Plymouth to Santander if you don't want overnight stops on the way down. You can drive from Santander to Orihuela Costa in 7 to 8 hours if you use the toll roads ( and speed a bit! )

Telephone/ data needs, use the " Dog & Bone" shop they are very good.

Take some warm underwear.

Thread: Advice for a winter stay in Spain

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18 Apr 2015 11:36 AM:

If you live near a University it is worth considering renting to students, the benifits are;

 You will make more money from two or three house sharing.

The students parents usually pay their rent monthly by standing order, as they don't want their kids to have housing problems whilst they are at uni.

After two years they move on & you can review the rent.

The furniture you provide does not need to be " top quality " acceptable will do.

You will not have to re advertise as before the end of their first year the students in halls are actively seeking rental property for house sharing.

I think that some universities operate an approved list of landlords & properties, & offer some sort of management/insurance scheme.

Every room in the house can be decorated with magnolia emulsion paint & carpet tiles for easy redecoration.

I suppose the disadvantage is that you may have to do a "blitz" before new tenants take over, although the property has to be left in reasonable order for the tennants to get their full deposit back.

 

 

This message was last edited by wodger on 18/04/2015.
Thread: Experiences from people who are renting their properties in GB to fund life in Spain please!

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21 Feb 2015 12:21 PM:

Most likely the best plan is to wait at least 4 months to see what happens to Greece re: her Euro Zone problems.

If Greece gets a deal, will Spain Portugal, Italy & Ireland want something? & will this mean even more euros for your stirling & therefore make property cheaper to buy in Spain?. Bad news if you are selling because your Euros will not buy as many pounds or dollars.

My cousin in Greece says that if they exit the Euro Zone & go back to the dracma she will lose 75% of the remaining value of her property it is currently worth only 50% of what she paid.. The Greek banks are having to cope with 2 billion Euros a week being withdrawn & "salted away" elsewhere.

Perhaps waiting a few months is the best bet.

Thread: Is 'now' the time to buy in Spain… is the wait finally over?

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26 Oct 2013 10:16 AM:

I was a teenager in the UK in the late 60's, we all used to smoke. Smoking was permitted at work, in public buildings, & even hospitals & Doctor's waiting rooms. The only places where you did not smoke were in Synagogues, Churches etc. Of course it was always polite to ask if you could smoke in someones house.

My wife came home from work one day & stated that it was disgusting as they were putting up cigs. to £0.34 for 20. She finished the packet & has not smoked since.

I gave up years later, & found it remarkably easy, I just told myself that I would not buy anymore fags. In any case after 48 hours your body in clear of nicotine, & cravings only last for a minute or so at a time, especially if you are busy doing something.

A few months ago in the UK I looked at the price of tobacco in a shop, & calculated that if my wife & myself still smoked then we would be spending £7,000.00 a year on cigs.

Out of all of our friends there is only one who still smokes, so you see giving up is not a problem, if others can do it then so can you!

Thread: Giving up smoking - Champix?

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29 Jun 2013 12:42 PM:

 Marcbernard

Yes, you are no doubt right that millionares will not want to pay any more than they are already doing, this rule applies to us all.

They may argue that they have worked extreamly hard 24/7 to secure their wealth, whilst other benefit types have spent the last 30 years sitting on their bums at home drawing the dole.

I.M.O. the only fair way is that everyone should share austerity cuts, but not equally of course. It should be based on ability to pay, & must include pensioners & the disabled. 

Thread: Winter Fuel Allowance

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