Stan Streason Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 I am currently in the gap between exchange and completion for my first “second house” yet I notice that I seem to be getting meaner and meaner and I cant quite understand why.Up to now I have travelled around Europe with my sons watching half a dozen champions league matches a year with no regard to the cost either of the travel or the exchange rates when I am there. If I want something electrical, I decide what I want, go to my nearest shop which stocks it and buy it. I still buy my electricity from the electricity company, gas from the gas company and my telephone/broadband package from BT, even refusing their offer to save me a couple of pounds a month if I sign up to an 18 month contract. We tax and insure 4 cars between the 2 of us (because its occasionally “handy” to have an alternative) and spend a fortune on 2 horses, 2 dogs, 5 cats and 6 chickens.We are not rich but I am lucky enough that my income does run to this expenditure and we pretty much spend what we earn. An indication of my ways is that within 6 months of receiving the first half decent capital sum in my life I have spent it on a holiday home.However, since committing to the second house I seem to spend an age thinking about the most advantageous way to transfer cash. I monitor exchange rates daily. I wonder how to get the most low cost phone package in France and follow the threads on this site about the relative costs of TV’s and other such goods between England and France. I am considering doing some pointing myself to save on the cost.For goodness sake I have even produced a spreadsheet working out the most low cost way to travel to my property (Deux Sevres) for any given number of days stay setting car hire against petrol etc etc.I am hoping that someone here can reassure me that this is somehow a natural reaction to buying a property in France and not some indication that I am maturing or being more responsible in some way. Please tell me it wears off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 It is a perfectly normal to want your money to be spent wisely and not wasted. it is normal to try and get the best and to try not to be ripped off. No problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 We have significantly curtailed our spending on non essentials because of the miserable exchange rate.I'm not known for being a tightwad nor is it a question of not having the money but previously, when the £ was €1.45, I'd look at something priced at say €150 and mentally convert that to a tad over £100 but now that same item is effectively £150 and I cannot bring myself to pay that much so I don't buy.For big sticker items I'd rather make a list and schedule a trip to UK [:'(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 A second home is lovely. But the practicalities are often forgotten.Wouldn't it be great if you could just open a magic door and be in your home abroad.People forget the traveling time and cost. The need to be there when things go wrong.I would suggest downsizing your day to day costs in UK if you want to enjoy your second home to the full.It will not wear off - make changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Streason Posted January 27, 2009 Author Share Posted January 27, 2009 Although my post was meant to be slightly humorous I think it does highlight the overriding problem with the current economy in the UK.I am extremely happy with my house purchase and I am getting a fantastic deal (in sterling) but the only niggle in the back of my mind is "if it all goes really belly-up, wouldnt it be better for me to have the cash in reserve rather than the property".I have a number of clients in the UK sitting on large amounts of excess cash, some several millions. Even 6 months ago these companies would be taking advantage of cheap deals in the market place, (thats just why the cash reserves were built up) but they are now sitting on the cash, just in case, even though it is giving them little or no return. We will know when things begin to get better when confidence has increased enough for this cash to be start being spent again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 [quote user="Stan Sreason"] We will know when things begin to get better when confidence has increased enough for this cash to be start being spent again[/quote]Things are going to get much much worse before things get better. There may be quite a long wait.Gorgon Brown is trying to stop the tide of recession by making a break-water with paper money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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