Living the DREAM?
 

Currently very disgruntled, annoyed, fed up and p*****d off. Are we the brits stupid? We try to do things right and get stung at every turn. How on the earth can you work when all you are working for is to pay the social and the accountant, how can you live without working if you are not of pensionable age? Even I have thoughts of going else where at the moment. Life was good, now its not. Anyone got any suggetions!!!!:frown:

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

come come, whats the problem Helen?

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

Where does one start? Extortionate social payments for the autonomous, large accountant bills, electric .................

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

Living the "dream" in Spain doesnt always turn out how we think - and the grass is not always greener

only yesterday I was talking a friend back in UK and basically our lives are the same (work, kids, school etc) except I live in Spain and she lives in UK

Im just going through the process of getting paper work (tax and IVA) sorted at the gestoria for the first time (our business partner has always done it previously) and did get a bit of a shock at how much it was - when you take this into account makes you realise why so many people just work on the black - but we want to be legal and above board

Helen, Im sure youre just having an off day ? I have them and it compounds things when I speak to family/friends in Uk and realise how much I miss them all

anyway, chin up

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

Definately having an off day! Trouble is it is the first real one in four years of livig here in Spain. Having a seriously "why bother" to do it right day. No wonder people dont declare anything and it does make it harder when having conversations with other brits that say "never paid that tax, dont declare this thing, whats a yearly declaration for wealth tax? Never done that etc etc ...... When we have always paid and been up front and now one of us is working and over half of the wages go in vat and social and accountant. Whats the point?

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

yes it is annoying, we have the same problem and see other people getting away with it - and going round ripping people off at the same time :curse: and there is no recourse for these people

but hang in there - we have been here 4 years too and it sounds as though me and you have the same thoughts - I wonder if there ever comes a time when you dont ? sometimes Im in a great mood, then I go out and encounter a "spanishism" you know being cut up, customer services skills or getting a different answer to the same question you already asked the same person aarrrararrggggghhhhh and get totally p*ssed off

BUT

I try and look for the positives in that out son is very settled and very happy and we are very lucky we dont have a mortgage so just have to earn money to pay bills

happy Wednesday :wub:

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

I'm not of pensionable age, and am lucky enough not to have to work. I've thought about this a lot. Its often been said that Spain is a great place to be if you're retired, and it does seem that if you have to work it can be a hassle.

To a non worker, I'm not sure if I would enjoy having to work here. It seems to be early starts, and although you get a break mid day its late finishes also. I don't think that would suit me too much.

I'm sure your reference to high NI payments etc is why there is such a high instance of black money here and unfortunately, as you say, if you do things properly its not always advantageous to you.

I wish I could say something to make you feel better, but all I can offer is the promise of a long hot summer ..... and also a reminder of the unsatisfactory lifestyle that you no doubt left behind in the UK .... sorry

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

Helen I think it's the 4 year itch.....I live Costa de la Luz and I have been speaking to quite a few peeps who have been here also for 4 years and they are all feeling the same. I really feel for you because it is no fun having these feelings and all you can see is money going out the door and nothing to show for it. It will pass:wub: the summer will be with soon and things will look differently. A friend of mine who was going to be out of work in the UK said he was going to Australia to live, we asked him why he replied because I would rather be poor in the sun than poor in cold:cool: Come on Helen:) chin up tomorrow is another day, have you cake or chocolate;)

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

I think the problem is after four years it isn't an adventure or a holiday anymore. It is just life with the same little niggly annoyances you would have where ever you happened to live. Stick with it. :)

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

I did see on another forum that the English removal firms often say "we'll see you in 3 years time" as that is a pattern that seems to have emerged. Clearly, many people get the urge to go back "home" after 3 or 4 years.

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

I think you need to compare with the reality that is available, and not with perfection. Here in Surrey Heath my wife and I are being bled dry to fund (it seems) everybody else. For more than £2000 council tax we appear to get little more than our bins emptied. They don’t even collect recyclable stuff other than paper and cans. Anything bigger than a black bag I have to take nearly 3 miles to the tip.

The Inland Revenue destroyed my thriving self-employed business a few years ago, and on going back to ‘employed’ after ten years, I found bullying and idiocy rife. Then I’m made redundant and discover that if you’re over 50 you may as well shred your CV as post it. I know expressions like cheer up or chin up don’t help, so I won’t say that, but compare your life with realistic alternatives, not perfection.

As a lot of what you say hinges around money, can you look at other ways to earn? (eBay, markets, bartering?) Would giving some of your time to the community make you happier? Just a couple of suggestions. I spent ten years in PTAs and eight years in school governorship for no money, but it was very satisfying and rewarding to know that ‘I made a difference’.

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

I was watching "Property Seminar" on Overseas TV the other week and John Howell was saying that the days of not declaring things are coming to an end.

He said if the taxman does catch up with somone who has not been declaring, then they will assume that all the extra money kept worldwide would be considered as having been earnt in the year since the last tax return and then all those "earnings" are taxed at 45%.

I think I'm remembering it right as I concentrated because I read a post on here complaining other people under declare a few weeks ago.

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

Toyboy speaks the truth. I am that man:(

As for the council tax:thumbdown: I was thinking about starting up a business called "Off to the tip again" :eek:

Chin up Helen, it sounds like you need a holiday.

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

It is now becoming increasingly difficult to sell your property if you haven't been paying your taxes.

As a resident you a need a certificate of fiscal domicile one of the requirements of which is to prove that you have been, or are legitimately exempt from, paying your resident taxes and non-residents are increasingly being asked for proof of payment of non-resident taxes during their period of ownership of the property.

In an effort to recoup some of the losses brought about due to the forced reduction of CGT for non-residents AEAT are planning to introduce a compulsory certificate of payment of non-resident taxes which will have to be produced to the notary before he will be able to grant an escritura of purchase/sale involving non-resident seller.

If you are discontented about the number of people who seem to be getting away without paying their social security contributions regularly just look through the BOP of your province and see the number of people, foreigners and Spaniards alike, who are about to feel the iron fist of the INSS descend on them from a great height.

Doing things properly and paying your dues may be an expensive exercise but it is infinitely preferable to having to look constantly over your shoulder wondering if you are going to be next.

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

If its any conselation helen I was in a road traffic accident here in britain and had to finish work on health grounds.I got a good lump sum and a small weekly pension.because of the money in the bank [which I declared]I was told I could not have incapacity benefit and I had to use the money in the bank[which was for my old age]untill it went below a certain amount,Now after 12 months half of it has gone.because of my injuries I cannot work.and when I get any insurance money for the accident I wiil have to declare that as well. I have worked all my life and never claimed anything before.......This country stinks[well the goverment does]