The shrinking pound

[weesoul]

I'm sure you all have been hearing or reading about this often.  Although I knew it was shrinking I didn't realize how much.  $1.85 to £1 and 1.25 Euro per £1.  Ouch!  So much for the US being a 50% off sale!

In one way this is good for me because I inherited dollars from my dad a few months ago which I left in an American bank.  But if the pound continues to shrink I may just convert some to pounds.  On the other hand, I am planning 2 European tours in 2010 - one with my sister to celebrate her retirement and one with my oldest son whom I rarely see (a bribe).

annie

[Lotus Freak]

sounds like you've got plans for your money already I'm hoping it climbs back up again because we're headed to the US for Christmas and I want to do some serious shopping.

[weesoul]

Like water through my fingers      Started what I thought was a decent college fund for granddaughter then looked at the college calculators that tell you what it will cost when the kid is college age.... $160,000.  Ha!  She better get a scholarship!

I'm torn between wanting the pound to be 2 for 1 with the dollar and turning some dollars into pounds which I won't do until I'm sure it's the best rate I'll get.  But the way I'm spending I won't have to worry about it!  Dh decided it was about time I bought the airline tickets to see my family at xmas.  Fair.  So we're going for 3 weeks. 

When we arrived in Uganda we got nearly 3500 shillings per pound, now it's 2900.  Ouch.  Funny that any tourist hotel etc will take dollars because it's in the British Commonwealth.  And as far as we can tell the majority of tourists are not American.  Most Americans we run into are missionaries.

How's it going Cherri?  How long in the US for xmas? 

annie

[Lotus Freak]

don't even talk to me about college tuition. When my nephew was born I started saving money for his little trust fund and when I left in 2002 I managed to save up $10k which I split up in various accounts, so he's got a CD, some bonds and some other investment account that my brother set up. You would think that it would be growing a wee bit faster but it's taking it's sweet old time gaining interest. Like you said, this child had better get a scholarship because he starts college in 5 years and he barely has enough money to cover 1 semester. Oh well, at least he'll have a bit of pocket money from good old Tita Cherri.

I'm doing fine just really busy with business picking up. I'm in dire need of a proper holiday where I do nothing but sit and read a book whilst sipping margaritas. I'm debating whether or not to book our tickets now for xmas, we're only going for 2 weeks this time. I'm really excited because this is my first xmas back home in 7 years. All I want to do is eat and visit with the family. The good thing about being there for xmas is that Jan 1st is mom and dad's anniversary so we're going to throw a big party for them. I can't wait because my cousin from Cali and another cousin from the Philippines will be there. It'll be a nice reunion for us all.

What about you? Any big plans for xmas/new year or is it just hang out with the family and shopping?

[weesoul]

Aye, mostly hanging out with family, shopping, taking yet a million more pics and videos of granddaughter.  Our flights are really long so we'll stay 3 weeks.  We are breaking up the trip better this time.  7 hours to Dubai arriving after midnight, 2 nights in hotel, then 14 hours to Toronto, night in hotel then drive to Ann Arbor.  Whew!

I've convinced my oldest son to come up from TN for xmas.  He hasn't been for 3 years.  I gave my other son a nice cheque for his wedding in May and told the eldest one I'd take him on the trip of his choice and he wants Europe as he's never been except to touch down for refueling on his way to Iraq - twice.  I am soooo looking forward to that!

Can't remember (I'm old!) but where does your family live?  7 years is a long time!  I love xmas with the family!

annie

[Lotus Freak]

all my family is back in Charleston and you're right 7 years is a long time. It's gotten to the point where I detest Christmas over here. There are never any family/friends parties, what we do for Sunday dinners is basically what Christmas is like, apart from going to the pub in the afternoon. I'm just bored with MR's family and I miss the festive atmosphere of Christmas in the US with my family. I can't wait to go home. If I play my cards right, I might be spending 3 weeks in Charleston...we shall see what happens this week.

[weesoul]

Ah, right!  Charleston, of course.  I love Charleston.

Dh is beginning to complain that we have to freeze every xmas in Michigan and he'd like to spend xmas with his daughter sometime.  We've been to Michigan every xmas except the last one here in Uganda.  As much as he loves my family he gets bored because it's not exactly the place to be a tourist.  We did really enjoy the year we spent 2 weeks of Dec in sunny SW Florida then the next 2 weeks in snowy Michigan for the holiday.  That was a packing nightmare!!

I told dh that when his daughter has a baby we'll rotate between Michigan and the UK at xmas and he likes that idea.  He likes the idea of going instead in spring or autumn.  He really loved Michigan on our May trip and our Sept trip - he discovered it does have some beautiful scenery.

Hope you get to go for 3 weeks, Cherri!

annie

[Lotus Freak]

I wouldn't mind alternating where to spend xmas, I think we should start doing that. My xmas over here wouldn't be too bad if I had my family visiting. I just wish MR's family were a bit more festive.

IIRC, didn't you do some kayaking in Folly Beach?

[weesoul]

When I was still fairly new to kayaking, my friend and I went to a huge kayaking workshop at Folly Beach one year - mid 90's.  Kayaked in Charleston Harbor as well and then around an island and out into the ocean.  Yikes!  Didn't go far out though and we were with a group, some of whom were experts. 

Been to Charleston itself 2 or 3 times and just love the old buildings. 

annie

[weesoul]

Reviving this thread as today it is $1.37 for a pound!   Definitely going to wire some dollars into my Scotland account!! 

As for granddaughter's college fund I posted about above....it has shrunk by nearly nearly 50% thanks to the stock market. 

[Lotus Freak]

my buying power wasn't what I wanted when we went home during the holidays. Oh well, like you said, now is the time to get some money transfered over.

[Pahakissa]

I must admit that I am all for the shrinking pound right now because if the land sale goes through in the US I want to convert a chunk of that to pay of some debts and put towards the house.

[Jewel]

Good for you!

I might actually get a visitor from the US this summer because the dollar to pound exchange rate makes it easier for him to think about coming here (after paying for tickets for himself, wife and two kids).

On the other hand, I'm paying out big time on my students loans, which sucks, since the exchange rate wasn't exactly in my favour when I brought the money to the UK!  But, it is what it is...

[Pahakissa]

J, I know about the student loan bit.  But it will be nice to have family/friends visit!

[Lotus Freak]

I want it to go up again by the time I go back in Oct