Why do so many fail?
Jun 12th 2007 | 7:29 am
#46
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 178
From: Blackpool
Re: Why do so many fail?
Some people (early retirement but not of State Retirement age) just do not plan correctly.
I know several couples in this category who have come out here to live on capital. They have rapidly run out. The one couple have sold up in the UK, haven't bothered paying NI to the UK towards their State Pension (although if this 30-year rule comes in they may be OK), don't pay into the Spanish system either and are now having to drastically downsize to release more capital. They have recently found out that thye have to pay towards medicql care (hospital bill); however a gestor is registering them as self-employed (they are not, really) and they can pay into the system that way.
Another couple in a similar situation have sold up and are running out of money, but they ARE paying into the UK State Pension and are covered on Spanish healthcare. Luckily they now have several months' work a year from their previous employers in the UK.
We are also in the category of early-retirement-but-not-retirement-age, but we still have a property in the UK, we have my husband's teachers' pension to live on, we pay into UK State Pension and are covered for Spanish Healthcare.
It amazes me how many people come with no clear idea of what they are going to live on. We would not have come if we had not got my husband's pension, nor if we'd have had to have sold up completely in the UK (although I understand that keeping a property is not possible for everyone).
So, my answer to the question is, incomplete and unrealistic financial planning.
I know several couples in this category who have come out here to live on capital. They have rapidly run out. The one couple have sold up in the UK, haven't bothered paying NI to the UK towards their State Pension (although if this 30-year rule comes in they may be OK), don't pay into the Spanish system either and are now having to drastically downsize to release more capital. They have recently found out that thye have to pay towards medicql care (hospital bill); however a gestor is registering them as self-employed (they are not, really) and they can pay into the system that way.
Another couple in a similar situation have sold up and are running out of money, but they ARE paying into the UK State Pension and are covered on Spanish healthcare. Luckily they now have several months' work a year from their previous employers in the UK.
We are also in the category of early-retirement-but-not-retirement-age, but we still have a property in the UK, we have my husband's teachers' pension to live on, we pay into UK State Pension and are covered for Spanish Healthcare.
It amazes me how many people come with no clear idea of what they are going to live on. We would not have come if we had not got my husband's pension, nor if we'd have had to have sold up completely in the UK (although I understand that keeping a property is not possible for everyone).
So, my answer to the question is, incomplete and unrealistic financial planning.
Jun 12th 2007 | 7:32 am
#47
Senior Moment
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,459
From: On the edge
Re: Why do so many fail?
Basically I was short by 4 years on NI contributions when I came out here and decided to make voluntary contribs. When I went to Dept of Work and pensions I was told not to bother as they are bringing the full pension contribution time down to 30 years. So if you've been paying in for that time you get a full pension ....... allegedly
Jun 12th 2007 | 8:39 am
#49
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 835
Re: Why do so many fail?
Personally it's not failure..... if you think about it, if people did not realise their dreams and try, then they would always look back with regret and think "If I had done that then I would have been happy, successful and content", which might never have been the case but would impact on their everyday lives, always thinking that there is something much better out their in Spain etc, at least if people try then they can look back hopefully without regrets and think "well hey I tried it, and it didn't work", the latter is not a good situation, but neither is a life time of regret.
I am in the latter class, having to live in Spain for the next 7 months, at least, trying to learn the language, not very successfully I might add but if I do go home, I will look back on the disastrous relationship and my time in Spain with a sense of pride, I tried, used my savings, but at least I know that life was not greener)
Challenged, smiling and attempting kite surfing)
I am in the latter class, having to live in Spain for the next 7 months, at least, trying to learn the language, not very successfully I might add but if I do go home, I will look back on the disastrous relationship and my time in Spain with a sense of pride, I tried, used my savings, but at least I know that life was not greener
)Challenged, smiling and attempting kite surfing
)
Jun 12th 2007 | 9:45 am
#50
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,140
From: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Re: Why do so many fail?
Unfortunately my retirement date is January 2010 so I still need to pay one more year, but my husband's date is 2014 so he doesn't need to pay any more as he has 38 years already.
Last edited by scampicat; Jun 12th 2007 at 9:49 am.
Jun 12th 2007 | 9:58 am
#51
I'll have a double double
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 233
Re: Why do so many fail?
rgds
John
Jun 12th 2007 | 10:06 am
#52
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,826
From: Hoping to get away from UK to Spain
Re: Why do so many fail?
Basically I was short by 4 years on NI contributions when I came out here and decided to make voluntary contribs. When I went to Dept of Work and pensions I was told not to bother as they are bringing the full pension contribution time down to 30 years. So if you've been paying in for that time you get a full pension ....... allegedly
So think this confirms Mitzys post
Jun 12th 2007 | 10:24 am
#53
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 489
From: Valdovino, Galicia
Re: Why do so many fail?
During my time on this forum though, I have seen some rather unrealistic planning the move. After reading their thread I thought to myself "UH...yeah..right". Maybe a bit hard to judge but some people who are planning it are thinking they will go to Spain without a job, no skills, earn ends meet and live a superior Spanish life style. I wouldn't say those people have failed since they never had a chance of success....
Jun 12th 2007 | 10:29 am
#54
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,826
From: Hoping to get away from UK to Spain
Re: Why do so many fail?
simple one liner , but absolutely right !If i get over there and dont like it in several years time ! well then its back to the UK , with the knowledge and experience of trying it behind me , then i get one of them little tiny retirement bungalow things with warden alarms etc, and sit indoors watching the Country decline into further despair , keep my eye on the cctv system for the burglars and wait until the kids are at school before going to do the shopping . then come back home relock the doors and switch on the electric fencing system , before replaying the cctv recording to see if any unsavoury characters have tried to scale the fencing in my absence !!
before putting in a classic film like "Mopedders do it slowly (in colour)" and having a half pint of home made real Ale
All the time knowing that i had tried Spain but wasnt as good as expected ,and so this is the way life is ,so got to get on with it ...
Jun 12th 2007 | 10:30 am
#55
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,826
From: Hoping to get away from UK to Spain
Re: Why do so many fail?
Not sure, I haven't made the move yet. But the work and money obstacle won't be a problem for me as I will keep my current job.
During my time on this forum though, I have seen some rather unrealistic planning the move. After reading their thread I thought to myself "UH...yeah..right". Maybe a bit hard to judge but some people who are planning it are thinking they will go to Spain without a job, no skills, earn ends meet and live a superior Spanish life style. I wouldn't say those people have failed since they never had a chance of success....
During my time on this forum though, I have seen some rather unrealistic planning the move. After reading their thread I thought to myself "UH...yeah..right". Maybe a bit hard to judge but some people who are planning it are thinking they will go to Spain without a job, no skills, earn ends meet and live a superior Spanish life style. I wouldn't say those people have failed since they never had a chance of success....
Very true ..
Jun 12th 2007 | 7:59 pm
#56
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 439
Re: Why do so many fail?
I really don't like this idea that people think that if you don't make Spain your home permanently that you are a failure.
I certainly am not a failure just because I made the choice to leave Spain. I simple had enough of Spain. Making a country your home for six years, raising your daughter, living a new lifestyle, new home, becoming mortgage free at 27 (even tho problems still occurred) does not in my eyes equate to failure.
But staying somewhere that you have become to hate because of various reasons such as the bureaucracy, animal cruelty, bullying and racial tension would in my eyes be failing my family and myself.
Deciding to leave, take the plunge; leave your house and your adopted life behind and everything that your child has known. To move to a country you haven't lived in for 13 years to try and improve your lifestyle even though it is against the odds. To help your child achieve good grades in school (which she has done) have a social life and friends (which she has done), give her a better chance in life. Improve your self by having the opportunities to educate yourself. Simple get a life that doesn’t involve vegetating on the sun lounger forever more simple because there is nothing else to do. To me are a challenge and certainly not a failure.
Yeah England may have problems but tell me what country hasn’t? The government has problems but I tell you this country is a darn site better than it was 13 years ago when I left. Here if I don't like something I have a voice and am not just shrugged off as some stupid foreigner.
Jun 12th 2007 | 8:47 pm
#57
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,140
From: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Re: Why do so many fail?
I really don't like this idea that people think that if you don't make Spain your home permanently that you are a failure.
I certainly am not a failure just because I made the choice to leave Spain. I simple had enough of Spain. Making a country your home for six years, raising your daughter, living a new lifestyle, new home, becoming mortgage free at 27 (even tho problems still occurred) does not in my eyes equate to failure.
But staying somewhere that you have become to hate because of various reasons such as the bureaucracy, animal cruelty, bullying and racial tension would in my eyes be failing my family and myself.
Deciding to leave, take the plunge; leave your house and your adopted life behind and everything that your child has known. To move to a country you haven't lived in for 13 years to try and improve your lifestyle even though it is against the odds. To help your child achieve good grades in school (which she has done) have a social life and friends (which she has done), give her a better chance in life. Improve your self by having the opportunities to educate yourself. Simple get a life that doesn’t involve vegetating on the sun lounger forever more simple because there is nothing else to do. To me are a challenge and certainly not a failure.
Yeah England may have problems but tell me what country hasn’t? The government has problems but I tell you this country is a darn site better than it was 13 years ago when I left. Here if I don't like something I have a voice and am not just shrugged off as some stupid foreigner.
I certainly am not a failure just because I made the choice to leave Spain. I simple had enough of Spain. Making a country your home for six years, raising your daughter, living a new lifestyle, new home, becoming mortgage free at 27 (even tho problems still occurred) does not in my eyes equate to failure.
But staying somewhere that you have become to hate because of various reasons such as the bureaucracy, animal cruelty, bullying and racial tension would in my eyes be failing my family and myself.
Deciding to leave, take the plunge; leave your house and your adopted life behind and everything that your child has known. To move to a country you haven't lived in for 13 years to try and improve your lifestyle even though it is against the odds. To help your child achieve good grades in school (which she has done) have a social life and friends (which she has done), give her a better chance in life. Improve your self by having the opportunities to educate yourself. Simple get a life that doesn’t involve vegetating on the sun lounger forever more simple because there is nothing else to do. To me are a challenge and certainly not a failure.
Yeah England may have problems but tell me what country hasn’t? The government has problems but I tell you this country is a darn site better than it was 13 years ago when I left. Here if I don't like something I have a voice and am not just shrugged off as some stupid foreigner.
Yes, I agree with glad 2 be back. Trying and changing your mind for perfectly valid reasons is not failure.
The bureaucracy and ever-more encroaching plasti invernerados and golf courses will get the better of us in the end. We know that. We think in about two years we will be off - maybe to northern France, maybe back to the UK.
As he/she says, this is not failure.
Jun 12th 2007 | 8:53 pm
#58
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 743
From: UK
Re: Why do so many fail?
Jun 12th 2007 | 10:42 pm
#59
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 489
From: Valdovino, Galicia
Re: Why do so many fail?
I really don't like this idea that people think that if you don't make Spain your home permanently that you are a failure.
I certainly am not a failure just because I made the choice to leave Spain. I simple had enough of Spain. Making a country your home for six years, raising your daughter, living a new lifestyle, new home, becoming mortgage free at 27 (even tho problems still occurred) does not in my eyes equate to failure.
But staying somewhere that you have become to hate because of various reasons such as the bureaucracy, animal cruelty, bullying and racial tension would in my eyes be failing my family and myself.
Deciding to leave, take the plunge; leave your house and your adopted life behind and everything that your child has known. To move to a country you haven't lived in for 13 years to try and improve your lifestyle even though it is against the odds. To help your child achieve good grades in school (which she has done) have a social life and friends (which she has done), give her a better chance in life. Improve your self by having the opportunities to educate yourself. Simple get a life that doesn’t involve vegetating on the sun lounger forever more simple because there is nothing else to do. To me are a challenge and certainly not a failure.
Yeah England may have problems but tell me what country hasn’t? The government has problems but I tell you this country is a darn site better than it was 13 years ago when I left. Here if I don't like something I have a voice and am not just shrugged off as some stupid foreigner.
I certainly am not a failure just because I made the choice to leave Spain. I simple had enough of Spain. Making a country your home for six years, raising your daughter, living a new lifestyle, new home, becoming mortgage free at 27 (even tho problems still occurred) does not in my eyes equate to failure.
But staying somewhere that you have become to hate because of various reasons such as the bureaucracy, animal cruelty, bullying and racial tension would in my eyes be failing my family and myself.
Deciding to leave, take the plunge; leave your house and your adopted life behind and everything that your child has known. To move to a country you haven't lived in for 13 years to try and improve your lifestyle even though it is against the odds. To help your child achieve good grades in school (which she has done) have a social life and friends (which she has done), give her a better chance in life. Improve your self by having the opportunities to educate yourself. Simple get a life that doesn’t involve vegetating on the sun lounger forever more simple because there is nothing else to do. To me are a challenge and certainly not a failure.
Yeah England may have problems but tell me what country hasn’t? The government has problems but I tell you this country is a darn site better than it was 13 years ago when I left. Here if I don't like something I have a voice and am not just shrugged off as some stupid foreigner.
I wouldn't describe your experience as a failure as it would seem you made a choice and certainly didn't rush into it. My original post was designed to see the common reasons why people return, I certainly wouldn't describe your experience as common.
Jun 13th 2007 | 12:02 am
#60
Click my Signature
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 112
From: Sierra de Yeguas
Re: Why do so many fail?
It cannot be called a failure if you are where you want to be. If you try another country and, for whatever reason, go back, then as long as it comes from a positive decision that is planned, how can that be a failure?
Fail to plan = Plan to fail.
or that useful old chestnut.
PPPPPP
(Perfect planning prevents p*** poor performance)
Fail to plan = Plan to fail.
or that useful old chestnut.
PPPPPP
(Perfect planning prevents p*** poor performance)
