Month: October 2016

Clearing Out – My challenge to myself for November

ebay selling

Call it what you like, the vast majority of us, have far too much stuff.  Not only do I have too  much stuff, a couple of years ago, my mother died and while I passed a lot onto charity shops, I kept a lot of things that would be ‘useful’ one day, or they had… Continue reading Clearing Out – My challenge to myself for November

Take the Spending Challenge?

It is November 1st in a few days.  So here is something to try for one month Part 1: Take a bit of paper (or a spreadsheet) Write down at the top, your net household income. (Salary, pension, etc). If your tax is not taken off before you get it, estimate your tax, and take it… Continue reading Take the Spending Challenge?

New Zealand Part II – South Island to North Island

The picture above was taken while we were sitting in a cafe, in the sunshine, having a beer, watching the sea plane take off…. OK, this started off as a bit of a monologue, but I have now hopefully made it a bit sharper! Where in NZ have we been? (in post I covered Christchurch, Dunedin,… Continue reading New Zealand Part II – South Island to North Island

Retirement US v UK

What are the main differences in retirement in UK v US? The main considerations have to be—> State Healthcare I am based in the UK. so effectively, regardless of whatever health issue I have, it should be entirely funded by the National Health Service (NHS). While still working, my employer provided Private medical care. What… Continue reading Retirement US v UK

Retirement Travels – New Zealand Part 1 – South Island

Having had 3 trips to New Zealand now, with a fourth coming shortly, here is part I of probably IV, on what we have found and enjoyed on our travels. I hope you will find it interesting should you be heading there, or indeed just visiting from your armchair…. We have used a local NZ travel agent… Continue reading Retirement Travels – New Zealand Part 1 – South Island