Re: Age
 

If there are that number of UK pensioners living on just the basic UK pension one wonders how they could ever have afforded to move to Spain in the first place.
Did they spend all their worldly wealth on a property and really expect to live well for in Spain for the rest of their lives ??
I have no doubt that for many and various reasons there will be numbers who do want to return to the UK. But in an ageing population why should that come as a surprise to anyone.

Re: Age
 

Getting on for 3 years but I was there 6 months ago. oh was out in Nov. too. Also still have a lot of friends and some relatives there. Infact we have Spanish friends arriving Friday, fortunately only for a couple of days en route:D they often complain about the rising cost of living, what would they know :unsure:

Re: Age
 

Yes there has always been a lot of movement.

I think anyone who moves to Spain on basic pension must be crazy. They will lose their entitlement to pension credit and all the other benefits that come with it.

Re: Age
 

It may come as a huge shock to you Jacky but most pensioners moving to Spain don't just have the basic pension.
Most have savings that they have accumulated over many years, and like ourselves many have additional private or government pensions, they wouldn't get pension credits even if they stayed in the UK.

You come out with sweeping statement and you manage to convince yourself that what you say is fact.....well it isn't!

Re: Age
 

You are talking about the fact that you bought the same car in Spain as your friend did in the UK so you are not talking about recent history because you left here 3 years ago so surely the car was purchased longer ago than that.

Rosemary

Re: Age
 

Reread your post, I think I know what you mean, but that's not what you said. She said the complete opposite.

Re: Age
 

Didn't take much doing. A new VW is giving £2,000 off and the garage £750 off if you take out the VW finance. The only real negotiating was a couple of hundred extra quid, and even though the free servicing deal was expired, got them to include that. I don't do finance, I always pay cash, but I checked out all the small print, spoke with VW Finance, consulted a VW Forum and confirmed I could take out the finance and cancel immediately and not lose the discount. It was that easy, got the settlement figure within a few days and paid it off over the phone. Obviously they hope you keep paying for 3/4 years and they make that money back. There are loads of similar deals to be had on all makes of cars, you don't need me!

Re: Age
 

I didn't imply that at all, never said that people are on basic:confused: that is why I said there are not many poor pensioners in UK. Most have additional pensions or Benefit top ups.

It is a few of you that are implying Spain is so cheap that it's manageable to live on it. I am pointing out that it's not.

Re: Age
 

I was referring to car insurance, there was 5 months to run when I left. Are you telling me that car insurance has dropped over £200 since I left.:blink:

House insurance was more expensive too. Saved about the same amount by insuring the house with a Gibraltar company.

Re: Age
 

You are all arguing other a few bob here and there, but what about exchange rate fluctuations?

Re: Age
 

:DGood point:) I think anyone moving on a tight budget would have to calculate at least an extra 10 % for fluctuations. When the Pound was near parity expats including me lost about a third of our income!

Re: Age
 

I have no sympathy for you rich bitch.:rofl:

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I think I need to brush up on my communication skills. A few posters seem to be getting the wrong end of the stick.:D

Re: Age
 

Dunno....I am beginning to think I can't afford to live in the UK when I read this:lol:

Re: Age
 

Don't worry, the apologies will be heading your way soon, might even get one myself! :rofl: About as much chance as meme getting one.

Re: Age
 

A lot cheaper than Spain though, eh j2:sneaky:

Re: Age
 

Took the dog to the Vet yesterday for yearly jabs. £49. I truly state that Vet fees are cheaper in Spain:)

Re: Age
 

Begs the question, doesn't it. How do we afford it, everything is sooooo expensive here. We could be in Spain "enjoying" €3 MDD's and getting hammered on cheap booze.

Re: Age
 

Don't have animals myself, but my son has a cat, wanted some flea treatment. The vet had to see the cat before he could buy it as he hasn't been for over 12 months . How much is the checkup? It's free. Just pay for the flea stuff.

Re: Age
 

How observant you are.:thumbsup:

Re: Age
 

I am sure there will be a foodbank quite near.

Beggars can't be choosers, I suppose the caviar will be a bit crap, but it will fill your belly when eaten with Warburton toast cut bread.

Re: Age
 

What the UK does is have a lot of offers and loyalty cards. Oh thinks I am crazy having all of them but they can be ok. I got app. £106 back from Sainsbury last year. I have a Waitrose card that gives me 10% off lots of products, a free cup of coffee and a free newspaper even the Sunday Times which costs £2. In addition many vouchers for eg. 15p per litre off petrol. I have a gardening club card which in addition to the cash points has offers such as £3 off spend, 2 cream teas for price of one, 2 meals for £8 etc

There was a campaign in Jan to gain online grocery shoppers. I took advantage of both Waitrose and Ocado. Waitrose was £10 off 1st shop, 15 2nd, 20 third and 25 4th...total £75 off. Ocado was £25 off. Good savings.

All in all much more cut throat marketing than Spain. Their answer to the crisis seems to be to raise prices in many cases. We bought quite a few cars in Spain and never once got a discount or perk. I had a BP petrol point card. Had loads of points, all I could have got was some plastic food containers:(

Re: Age
 

I suppose it must happen in Spain as well if you look for it.
Each year we get a couple of 100 euros back from one of the big Portuguese suermarkets.
Plus numerous special offers and up to 10cents ltr of fuel.
It is not just the UK that does this.
It is part of modern marketing to retain customer loyalty where ever you are.

Re: Age
 

Yep, I keep getting asked if I have a tarjeta when I shop in the local supermarket. I suppose I should register, but it's not just all the form filling, it's the data monitoring they do. When I buy 50 beers and 4 bottles of wine for an event they'll mark me down as a raving alcoholic!

Re: Age
 

Oh dear me Jacky, times must be hard there if you have to actually go to the shops and supermarkets yourself instead of sending the hired help.
Let us know when you feel the need to go to the food bank, we'll have a whip-round for you amongst us rich pensioners. ;)

Re: Age
 

Vets in the UK now are a rip off. They saw you coming,Have insurance and it costs a fortune, no insurance and it is not a lot better.

Re: Age
 

Nah. I shop online, my Butler is getting too old;):lol: