Reply to: How's the warchest looking?

[stek]

I think it's a bit pointless having more than a years worth, if you're out of work for that long either you're skills are outdated and/or after a year off with a huge CV gap, unemployable....

Mind, my last (and only) gap was 7 months, bit close for comfort.....

[lukemg]

Just cos it's warchest, doesn't mean it's not invested, you won't need it all at once. So, of course you max out share ISA's every year, offset the mortgage, NS&I, 3yr bonds etc.

[PAH]

Nah. Can always go into negative equity with the warchest by living off credit cards.

Easy to pay them off when back in contract.

Assuming one can find any work.

[MarillionFan]

Reckon 6 months worth is a reasonable minimum.....

10 years would be cool mind but I think I'd invest/pay off mortgage or whatever with a large chunk of this.

Six months is definitely the minimum. Squeeky bum time less than that.

[psychocandy]

Reckon 6 months worth is a reasonable minimum.....

10 years would be cool mind but I think I'd invest/pay off mortgage or whatever with a large chunk of this.

[alreadypacked]

If you're likely to be travelling when you work a bolthole somewhere cheap with low cost of living.

I have already done this, I got a place in Sharm, low cost of living and winter sun. But still have the urge to buy somewhere else, but can't find anything that I feel this is the right move. Doing my head in

[craig1]

Interesting.
Care to name some examples?

Holiday Inn would be good for me..

Marriott shares along with a non-basic reward card means almost unlimited free upgrades. Naff formal benefits and it's all up to hotel discretion but once your reward card is linked to show you're a shareholder most Marriott hotels will give you the best free upgrade room they have left.

I remember getting an upgrade to the Arabian Nights themed room at the Newcastle Metro Centre Marriott a few years ago as that was the only upgrade they had left. My wife does the accounts for my company and it was quite amusing for about 2-3 seconds watching her expression when she was doing the receipts, followed by about 2-3 minutes of "explanations" for why I'd want one of their couples themed rooms when I was off on my own.

[KentPhilip]

How about shares in an international hotel chain, then you get free or heavily discounted accommodation wherever you go.

Interesting.
Care to name some examples?

Holiday Inn would be good for me..

[DimPrawn]

I'm seriously considering using a sizeable lump of my warchest to buy a nice place in southern France. The housing market will eventually inflate again there and prices are at a decently low price (in relation to the last decade at least). That way, if the Bob universities start pumping out Bobs who can communicate well enough to commoditise project management I can sell up my UK place and retire early.

Learn French, Bobs don't speak French.

[craig1]

I'm seriously considering using a sizeable lump of my warchest to buy a nice place in southern France. The housing market will eventually inflate again there and prices are at a decently low price (in relation to the last decade at least). That way, if the Bob universities start pumping out Bobs who can communicate well enough to commoditise project management I can sell up my UK place and retire early.

[PAH]

A fancy motorhome that can be easily relocated.

[doodab]

I travel a lot so I'm always renting. I would like to buy something but I am not sure which is the best place long term. I don't want to buy something and never work in the area.
Current options.
Zurich: prices are very high and if I was not working here would cost a lot to service the debit.
London: same as Zurich
Dublin: prices may come down more, and job market is changeable and rates have gone lower too.

So any suggestions where to buy?

If you're likely to be travelling when you work a bolthole somewhere cheap with low cost of living.

[PAH]

Serviced apartments they are generally called. Good BTL plan b I reckon.

e.g.

Serviced Apartments Swindon | Executive Serviced Apartments Swindon

I guess if they don't advertise prices (that I can see) then they aren't going to be cheap.

Maybe there's a market for renting normal apartments at a slight premium for those not wanting to commit to the initial 6 month term.

Something with no minimum term and costing somewhere between a normal rent and a hotel room. No servicing as such, just normal apartments on different terms.

[PAH]

my plan would be to invest that in revenue generating systems

What are such fail-safe systems at present?

In several banks, split into 85k chunks to get protection against bank collapse, getting a few % a year, which may not even offset inflation?

Anything better but not significantly riskier?

[DimPrawn]

I thought there might be. Some form of short term renting with minimal hassle, a sort of cross between typical apartment rental and hotel bookings.

Serviced apartments they are generally called. Good BTL plan b I reckon.

e.g.

http://www.esa-servicedapartments.co...FYYmtAodOi5C5Q