{"id":28305,"date":"2026-05-23T04:22:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T04:22:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/28305\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T04:22:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T04:22:57","slug":"i-regret-selling-our-home-to-move-to-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/28305\/","title":{"rendered":"I regret selling our home to move to Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Justine and Andrew Boniface, the dream of buying a home<\/a> slipped further away with every year they spent renting after returning to the UK from Spain.<\/p>\n

The couple, both 55, had already climbed onto the property ladder once before. They bought their first home in Hemel Hempstead in 1998 for just over \u00a370,000.<\/p>\n

But they sold it nearly a decade later for around \u00a3205,000 and moved to the Costa del Sol<\/a> with their three sons in 2008, renting a property. <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShorts\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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Navigating hot and sticky weather is often a sensory and social nightmare<\/p>\n

With summer approaching,
Dr Adil Sheraz of the British Association of Dermatologists, explains why we sweat and
what we can do about it.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"MonicaMonica Garcia, 65, swelters in Madrid\u2019s first heatwave of the summer (Photo: Isabel Infantes\/ Reuters)<\/p>\n

Why do we sweat?<\/p>\n

Sweating is an important part of thermoregulation. When you sweat and it evaporates off the skin, it will take the latent heat with it.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re covered in three to four million sweat glands and the majority produce a sweat made up of just electrolytes and water. In other words, completely odourless.<\/p>\n

These eccrine glands function from birth
to keep us cool.<\/p>\n

When does sweat smell?<\/p>\n

\"AmazonOil in our sweat can suck in microplastics posing a health risk (Photo: Tom Williams\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Glands in the armpit, groin and scalp operate differently. <\/p>\n

They\u2019re under the control of hormones and the glands contain lipids and potentially fatty esters.<\/p>\n

The bacteria on our skin will
feed off these fatty acids and
lipids and cause the odour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t
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\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n

LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

\nAre we sweating more now?\n<\/p>\n

It is not just the weather impacts how we sweat\u2026<\/p>\n

The bigger you are (in height, weight or muscle mass), the more surface area you will need to sweat on in order to\u00a0cool down.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This is why men tend to sweat more than women and why you sweat
more when you gain weight.<\/p>\n

Medical conditions like diabetes
and thyroid problems will also
cause increased sweating.<\/p>\n

Certain dietary items, including caffeine, processed foods and spicy foods can also trigger the chemicals in our body which cause us to sweat more.<\/p>\n

When does it matter?<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s impacting your daily life, you will likely have some form of hyperhidrosis and need
to speak to a doctor to determine further.<\/p>\n

Primary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating with no underlying cause.<\/p>\n

Secondary hyperhidrosis means there\u2019s a condition or illness causing the sweating.<\/p>\n

There are two main ways to tell the difference.<\/p>\n

Sweating with secondary causes tends to happen all over the body rather than just localised to your palms or armpits.<\/p>\n

Primary hyperhidrosis tends to switch off when you\u2019re sleeping as the neurons stop firing. This doesn\u2019t happen with secondary hyperhidrosis.<\/p>\n

\nHow to manage sweat\n<\/p>\n

\"RelaxedCaption: Relaxed young woman in bright summer clothes is sitting on a bench on a city street with her eyes closed enjoying music through headphones from a smartphone.
Photographer: Tanja Ivanova
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Clothing<\/p>\n

Wear natural or wicking fabrics that prevent sweat patches, or clothes that are cooling for the skin.<\/p>\n

Antiperspirant<\/p>\n

One that contains aliminimium is advised as it\u2019s well known for blocking and plugging our sweat ducts.<\/p>\n

\"WomanCaption: Woman applying deodorant roll on under armpit
Photographer: wing-wing
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto<\/p>\n

\"Britain'sBritain\u2019s best coffee shops have been revealed \u2013 spanning from the tip of Scotland to the bottom of England. (Photo: William Lailey \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n

Dietary changes<\/p>\n

Where possible
reduce dietary causes like caffeine and
spicy foods.<\/p>\n

Can I save money without giving up fun?<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Kasia Delgado<\/p>\n

Chief Features Writer<\/p>\n

When it comes to financial planning, I\u2019ve always lived month to month, but recently I\u2019ve wanted to be slightly more serious. <\/p>\n

So I spoke to a range of financial experts for the easiest, idiot-proof ways to be savvier with money \u2013 without just hibernating. <\/p>\n

\nThe expert tips\n<\/p>\n

Print out your bank statements<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the hardest step but you\u2019ve got to know what\u2019s coming in and out, down to the pound,\u201d says financial coach Ian Dempsey. You\u2019re more likely to remember what\u2019s on there, and pay attention to it on paper.<\/p>\n

\"KasiaCaption: Kasia Delgado reads old letters from her childhood.
A professor of happiness at Bristol University taught Kasia how adults can train themselves to be happier and find more joy, like when they were unencumbered children.<\/p>\n

Photographer: mail@teripengilley.com
Provider: Teri Pengilley \/ i News
Source: Teri Pengilley<\/p>\n

\"KasiaCaption: Kasia Delgado, Chief Features Writer, i News.
Photographer: Teri Pengilley
Provider: Teri Pengilley \/ i News
Source: Teri Pengilley<\/p>\n

Draw an image of what you\u2019re saving for<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything that requires discipline is much easier to achieve when you [can picture] the end goal,\u201d says Ruth Power, from the Financial Management Bureau.<\/p>\n

\nThe expert tips\n<\/p>\n

\"UKExperts are arguing that the UK should make greater use of existing government data
Photographer: Andrzej Rostek
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
Copyright: andrzejrostek@gmail.com<\/p>\n

Go on a money date<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in a relationship, for 30 minutes once a month, take a notebook to the pub\/cafe and talk about money with your partner.<\/p>\n

Delete shopping apps\u2026<\/p>\n

They are designed to be compulsive. Removing them gives you an extra layer of resistance.<\/p>\n

\"CloseClose up of an unrecognizable woman shopping online with credit card via mobile phone \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"AnAn image of a hand that quickly sends an email \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2026and unsubscribe<\/p>\n

Marketing emails are designed to reach you when you\u2019re likely to spend money. <\/p>\n

How it went when Kasia followed the expert advice<\/p>\n

I delete Vinted and only re-download it when I actively want to replace something for my son that he\u2019s grown out of.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m no longer buring my head in the sand. Sections of my bank statement flash into my mind when I go to use the Uber app.<\/p>\n

Money dates have been uncomfortable. We did have a small argument about buying own-brand beans versus Heinz for example, but scribbling down numbers we want to save has also been exciting.<\/p>\n

I have found it easier to be mindful about spending and broke some unhelpful habits, like associating walks with always getting a coffee.<\/p>\n

\nHow the UK currently saves\n<\/p>\n

The average person in the UK has \u00a316,067 in savings in 2025.<\/p>\n

39%<\/p>\n

However, 2 in 5 Britons have \u00a31,000 or less in savings. A quarter have \u00a3200 or less.<\/p>\n

1 in 6 UK adults (16 per cent) have no savings at all, equating to around 8.4 million people.\u00a0<\/p>\n

82%<\/p>\n

Men are estimated to have 82 per cent more in savings than women.<\/p>\n

Almost three in 10 (28 per cent) of adults state saving money is a habit.<\/p>\n

The final verdict<\/p>\n

The truth is, I\u2019m never going to be someone with five side hustles and the financial savvy to become a bitcoin billionaire. But I\u2019m no longer thinking, \u201cwhere did my salary go?\u201d. The small changes have, over time, made a difference to my bank account, but also my mind\u00a0and self confidence.<\/p>\n

KASIA DELGADO <\/p>\n

\"Kasia\u2018I\u2019ve found greater joy in spending money in an active, more conscious way \u2013 on things that felt worth it such as a massage, a cocktail with a friend, a comedy gig, a tricycle for my son,\u2019 says Delgado (Photo: Teri Pengilley\/The i Paper)<\/p>\n

Six easy swaps to increase your fibre intake<\/p>\n

We asked the experts why it\u2019s so important to include enough fibre in our diets, and how to do it without totally overhauling our diets\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Why fibre is important<\/p>\n

Fibre isn\u2019t a fad nutrient. It\u2019s been consistently linked to better health outcomes for decades. Unlike protein, which the majority of people already get enough of, fibre is something most of us (96 per cent) are significantly lacking.\u00a0<\/p>\n

NICHOLA LUDLAM-RAINE, SPECICIALIST REGISTERED DIETITIAN AND AUTHOR<\/p>\n

\"Various <\/p>\n

\nThe small diet tweaks to make\n<\/p>\n

Beans, lentils and chickpeas are fibre powerhouses, with around 6-8g per half-tin. If you find beans tricky to digest, start with microdosing them for a week and gradually build it up to half a can at a time.<\/p>\n

\"YoungBread is the category of food that is most thrown away, survey finds (d3sign
Provider: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"GreenCaption: Green vegetable salad with chickpea, spinach, cucumber, red onions, and greens on a wooden table. Top view
Photographer: Qwart
Provider: Getty Images\/iStockphoto
Source: iStockphoto<\/p>\n

One of the simplest changes you can make is to switch to wholegrain versions of everyday carbs. Swapping two slices of white bread for wholemeal adds around 3g of fibre.<\/p>\n

\nHow to add fibre to your diet\n<\/p>\n

\"Close-upWhen you cook potatoes the right way they go from being a health burden to a health hero (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Keep some skin<\/p>\n

The skin of some foods can contain up to 50 per cent of the total fibre. Just make sure it\u2019s safe to eat.<\/p>\n

Level up the snacks<\/p>\n

Berries, raw vegetables with hummus, or a small handful of nuts are all easy fibre wins.<\/p>\n

\"YoghurtYoghurt and frozen berry crunch in a glass jar \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"OvernightBreakfast cereals can be swapped out for overnight oats (Photo: Jogy Abraham\/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t skip seeds<\/p>\n

Ludlam-Raine adds a spoon of mixed seeds to porridge, cereal, yoghurts, soups and salads.<\/p>\n

EASY WAYS TO ADD FIBRE TO YOUR DIET<\/p>\n

Add in, don\u2019t take away<\/p>\n

\"Plant-BasedPlant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Diet Ingredients Flat Lay \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

A few extra handfuls of fibre-rich ingredients might be all that\u2019s needed to take your meals from average to fibre-full.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Small changes are key because they\u2019re more sustainable and better tolerated by the gut. Increasing fibre too quickly can cause bloating or discomfort.<\/p>\n

One in four people in the UK is living with mould and\/or damp in their home\u2026<\/p>\n

David Prince, a leading damp surveyor who travels across the country treating mould, spends the day with The i Paper writer Eleanor Peake.<\/p>\n

\"EleanorSurveyor David Prince warns people are being overcharged by rogue companies for unnecessary treatment (Photo: Teri Pengilley)<\/p>\n

\nThe UK\n<\/p>\n

Britain\u2019s damp problem is one of the worst in Europe.<\/p>\n

45%<\/p>\n

Private renters are\u00a0disproportionately affected, with 45 per cent currently battling symptoms of damp.<\/p>\n

30%<\/p>\n

From 2015 to 2024, British winters were 16 per cent wetter than in previous years.<\/p>\n

By 2070, UK winters are projected to be up to 30 per cent wetter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The house I visited with David Prince \u2013 a private rental<\/p>\n

Renters are desperate for a resolution to their ongoing damp issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n

David notes that although the bathroom has an extractor fan, the room wasn\u2019t being ventilated efficiently. <\/p>\n

The hot air from the bathroom was floating towards the coldest part of the building (the bedroom) and turning into water as it hit the cold bedroom walls.<\/p>\n

This was an internal ventilation issue, other houses have an external issue. When the guttering is overgrown the water has to go somewhere else, sometimes seeping back into the brick.<\/p>\n

\nThe houses most at risk\n<\/p>\n

Victorian terraces, or those built in the 1910s, are more likely to have rising damp \u2013 where the water seeps through the foundation of the house. <\/p>\n

\"DavidCaption: David Prince, Director of Abbott Property Care Ltd.
For a feature on damp by Eleanor Peake, Senior Features Writer at The i Paper.
Photographer: Teri Pengilley
Provider: Teri Pengilley \/ The i Paper
Source: Teri Pengilley<\/p>\n

\"DavidCaption: David Prince, Director of Abbott Property Care Ltd.
For a feature on damp by Eleanor Peake, Senior Features Writer at The i Paper.
Photographer: Teri Pengilley
Provider: Teri Pengilley \/ The i Paper
Source: Teri Pengilley<\/p>\n

Modern houses are often built with concrete ring beams, one of the coldest materials to build with. The damp turns to condensation just by hitting the walls.<\/p>\n

Damp specialists <\/p>\n

\"EleanorCaption: Eleanor Peake, Senior Features Writer at The i Paper, meets David Prince, Director of Abbott Property Care Ltd, to examine the issue of damp in rental properties.
Photographer: Teri Pengilley
Provider: Teri Pengilley \/ The i Paper
Source: Teri Pengilley<\/p>\n

Only a small number of damp specialists \u2013 around 250 \u2013 are registered with the Property Care Association (PCA) in the whole of the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This means that a majority of people in the UK are receiving quotes and recommendations about damp from building surveyors who aren\u2019t qualified to give a diagnosis, says Prince.<\/p>\n

\nThe golden rules for managing damp\n<\/p>\n

The most common issues can be solved by simple tweaks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Start with the outside. When it\u2019s raining, have a walk around your building to see if the gutters are pouring water down the wall, or water is being trapped in some way.<\/p>\n

Make sure you\u00a0have good ventilation in key wet rooms: kitchen, bathroom, utility, and toilets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Open all your windows every day for a short period of time to force natural ventilation \u2013 even on cold days.<\/p>\n

Never place furniture, or even pictures, on an external wall if it suffers from mould. It helps retain moisture. <\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman awaking after sleeping well in a nice sleeping room. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

SLEEP<\/p>\n

How to reset your sleep<\/p>\n

Irregular sleep has been linked with poorer cardiovascular health, metabolic disruption, inflammation and mood imbalances.<\/p>\n

If your sleep has fallen out of whack, this is what the experts recommend. <\/p>\n

From personalised \u2018sleep windows\u2019 to unhelpful bedtime routines.<\/p>\n

Consistency in bedtimes<\/p>\n

It helps the brain feel safer and more predictable around sleep, which is important for people with\u00a0insomnia. When sleep and wake times are consistent, that clock stays well aligned.\u00a0When sleep timing is all over the place, the body clock becomes confused\u2026<\/p>\n

dr ZOE GOTTS, CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT THE LONDON SLEEP CENTRE<\/p>\n

\"CoupleCouple sleeping in bed \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\nThe changes to make\n<\/p>\n

\"SleepSleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Find your sleep window<\/p>\n

When do you naturally start to feel tired? Aim to allow your body to sleep within that timeframe most nights.<\/p>\n

Wake at the same time<\/p>\n

Pick a wake-up time you can stick to and anchor everything around that, says Dr David Garley, sleep expert.<\/p>\n

\"SereneSleep doesn\u2019t have to be so complicated (Photo: Olga Pankova\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"TOPSHOTCaption: TOPSHOT \u2013 NASA\u2019s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is seen at sunrise at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on April 1, 2026. On Wednesday three men and one woman are set to embark on the first crewed journey to the Moon since 1972, a landmark odyssey that aims to launch the US into a new era of space exploration. The NASA mission dubbed Artemis 2 has been years in the making after facing repeated setbacks, but is finally scheduled to take off from Florida as early as April 1 at 6:24 pm (2224 GMT). (Photo by Gregg Newton \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: GREGG NEWTON
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

Get out into sunlight<\/p>\n

Exposing yourself to daylight soon after waking helps to sync your circadian rhythm, says Dr Garley.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHow to reset your sleep\n<\/p>\n

Regulate your nervous system<\/p>\n

Many people are running on exhaustion but still in a state of high alert, so might not be able to rest when needed, says Dr Gotts. <\/p>\n

Gentle routines, reduced evening stimulation, and calming the body can make a huge difference.<\/p>\n

\"SleepSleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"SeniorSenior bed woman problem pain headache home elderly mature pain bedroom upset unhappy female caucasian adult relationship retirement old difficulty ache head sick migraine hangover sleep \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t spend too long in bed<\/p>\n

If you cannot sleep within 20 minutes, get out of bed, ideally out of the bedroom, and find a relaxing and distracting activity to do while you wait for the natural urge to return.<\/p>\n

\nThe tweaks to make to reset sleep\n<\/p>\n

\"Caucasian(Photo: AzmanL\/Getty\/E+)<\/p>\n

Look at your bedtime<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t presume earlier to bed (ie. more time in bed) equals better sleep. The timing needs to fit you.<\/p>\n

It might mean going to bed later<\/p>\n

Set an alarm to anchor the wake-up time, then choose a bedtime that allows you to fall asleep easily and aim to sleep solidly within that time.<\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman in bed at night having trouble sleeping. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"AA mature woman lies in bed and reads a hardback book \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t overdo it<\/p>\n

Too much preparation can increase pressure around sleep so a short and consistent routine is far more effective.<\/p>\n

Weight training has a host of benefits, but only if it\u2019s done correctly.<\/p>\n

We asked personal trainers the common mistakes that people make when lifting \u2013 especially for the first time or early on in their strength journey \u2013 and how to avoid them.<\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman lifting barbell with heavy weights in cross training gym \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Priotising weight over form<\/p>\n

When the load is too heavy, form usually breaks down, the wrong muscles take over, and the risk of injury goes up. If you can\u2019t control the lowering part of the movement, keep good posture, or move through the full range, you\u2019re compromising.<\/p>\n

CELEBRITY TRAINER AND PT AIMEE LONG<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nThe mistakes you could be making\n<\/p>\n

\"CloseClose up of male athlete gripping heavy green kettlebell during strength training exercise in cross training gym \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Not progressing<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re reaching for the same pair of dumbbells each week you\u2019re likely just maintaining muscle, not building.<\/p>\n

The wrong trainers<\/p>\n

You need adequate support for your ankles, without overly cushioning your arches.<\/p>\n

\"Close-upFind the best shoes for you (Photo: Xavier Lorenzo\/Getty\/Moment RF)<\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman at the Gym \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Not timing your rest<\/p>\n

PT Nancy Best\u2019s advice is to take 90 seconds of downtime before picking your weight back up.<\/p>\n

\"WomanResearch has found that strength training can help slow bone loss
(Photo: FJ Jimenez\/Moment RF
via Getty)<\/p>\n

Neglecting recovery<\/p>\n

Progress does not happen during the workout itself; it happens afterwards when your body repairs and rebuilds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Poor sleep, not eating enough calories or protein, or training the same muscles hard every single day can hinder recovery and leave you constantly exhausted, says Long.<\/p>\n

\nNot choosing the right exercises\n<\/p>\n

An effective programme is built around variety.<\/p>\n

Ensure your training includes each movement for the upper and lower body.<\/p>\n

PT Luke Worthington recommends a push\/pull programming. <\/p>\n

Upper body push targets the shoulders or chest and upper body pull typically works the back.<\/p>\n

Lower body push includes squats and leg press whereas pulls include deadlifts and hinges.<\/p>\n

What to do<\/p>\n

Perfect the movements before increasing the weight.<\/p>\n

Best recommends Nike Metcons or Converse for a flat, stable surface.<\/p>\n

Aim to eat 1.4-2g of protein per kilogram of bodyweight if you\u2019re regularly exercising.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re comfortable you can increase the weight, number of sets or reps, or range of motion to progress each lift.<\/p>\n

\t
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\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n

LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

The eight biggest mistakes we make
when retiring<\/p>\n

Psychologist and author Dr Denise Taylor says we shouldn\u2019t sleepwalk into retirement, nor stop walking, just because everyone else has.<\/p>\n

\"DrDenise Taylor\u2019s marriage ended at 60 as the structure of the working day faded away (Photo: Mihai Zsigmond)<\/p>\n

\nThe mistakes we make when retiring\n<\/p>\n

\"TheThe man is currently drawing a small defined benefit (DB) pension (Photo: SimpleImages\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Hoarding money <\/p>\n

Many clients tell me their biggest regret was spending too little when they were healthiest and most able to enjoy it.<\/p>\n

Planning to rest<\/p>\n

Boredom in retirement is misunderstood. It\u2019s rarely about having nothing to do. It\u2019s\u00a0about having time without meaning.<\/p>\n

\"TiredNaps before 1pm can lead to better cognitive performance in the following hours (Photo: Lord Henri Voton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"\"Photographer: Lourdes Balduque
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Copyright: Lourdes Balduque<\/p>\n

Not mentally preparing<\/p>\n

People prepare financially and practically, but don\u2019t do the psychological work of leaving well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Waiting to plan what\u2019s next<\/p>\n

Once the structure of work disappears, people can slip into a narrower way of being. Start sketching out possible paths at least two years ahead. Even rough ideas about what you might want to explore \u2013 creative projects, volunteering, learning.<\/p>\n

DR DENISE TAYLOR<\/p>\n

\"DeniseDenise Taylor has worked with many clients who moved into \u2018purposeful\u2019 roles expecting to feel better, only to be more depleted than before
(Photo: Ilona Gierach)<\/p>\n

\nCommon mistakes she sees\n<\/p>\n

\"asian\u2018I know it\u2019s a minor thing but it makes me feel unheard and ignored\u2019 (Photo: PonyWang\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Not preparing as a couple<\/p>\n

Discuss how much time you want together, and what kind of lives you\u2019re moving towards, rather than assuming it will naturally align.<\/p>\n

Trying to stay busy<\/p>\n

Without noticing what drains your energy, activity becomes a way of bypassing the deeper adjustment. <\/p>\n

\"LawnRemember to care for your lawn (Photo: RHS \/ Tim Sandall)<\/p>\n

\"SeniorSenior bed woman problem pain headache home elderly mature pain bedroom upset unhappy female caucasian adult relationship retirement old difficulty ache head sick migraine hangover sleep \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Treating it as an ending<\/p>\n

People can find themselves psychologically stranded. Days begin to blur into one another.<\/p>\n

\nRetiring because everyone else is\n<\/p>\n

For a generation raised to expect retirement at a certain age, default timing can feel normal.<\/p>\n

The timing is personal. <\/p>\n

\"PortraitPortrait of senior man at desktop computer in home office \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

The mistake is retiring without\u00a0questioning whether that timing actually fits your own life. It ignores your relationship with work, your health and\u00a0your finances. <\/p>\n

\t
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\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Agony Uncle<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

\nWhat to do\n<\/p>\n

1For some a gradual shift is best like working fewer days or changing role, slowing down.<\/p>\n

2Experiment before you leave.\u00a0Taking a sabbatical\u00a0or reducing hours can show you how retirement might feel.<\/p>\n

3Prioritise a small number of meaningful anchors: one regular commitment, one place where you feel known and one activity.<\/p>\n

4Slow it down psychologically \u2013 question default timing, resist expectations and ask yourself what kind of transition you are actually stepping into.<\/p>\n

\"GLASTONBURY,Sir David Attenborough is estimated to have travelled almost two million miles in his career, and has visited 90 countries and all seven continents in his quest to enhance our understanding of nature (Photo: Shirlaine Forrest\/WireImage)<\/p>\n

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH<\/p>\n

The national treasure has celebrated his centenary<\/p>\n

For all the inspiring insight into nature that\u00a0Sir David Attenborough\u00a0has given us, he has also shown us how to age well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here, Chief Features Writer Kasia Delgado looks into his lifestyle, and the tips he\u2019s shared to live to 100.<\/p>\n

\"ProgrammeCaption: Programme Name: Africa \u2013 TX: n\/a \u2013 Episode: The Future (No. 6) \u2013 Embargoed for publication until: n\/a \u2013 Picture Shows: SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH WITH A THREE MONTH OLD BLIND BLACK RHINO ??? LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY, KENYA \u2013 (C) BBC\/David Chancellor \u2013 Photographer: David Chancellor
Photographer: David Chancellor
Provider: BBC\/David Chancellor
Source: 6
Copyright: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures\u2019 Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) as set out at www.bbcpictures.co.uk. In particular, this image may only be published by a registered User of BBC Pictures for editorial use for the purpose of publicising the relevant BBC programme, personnel or activity during the Publicity Period which ends three review weeks following the date of transmission and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial, prior written approval from the copyright holder will be required.<\/p>\n

LOREM IPSUM<\/p>\n

Never retiring fully<\/p>\n

Putting your feet up is all very well, but it\u2019s very boring, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n

In the last two years alone, Attenborough has done voiceovers on a number of projects, including\u00a0Wild London,\u00a0and a National Geographic Disney film,\u00a0Ocean.<\/p>\n

Although his workload has remained high, he did acknowledge in 2017, that as he ages, he sometimes finds it harder to recall correct words as quickly as he did before. <\/p>\n

Improving his diet<\/p>\n

In his 90s, Attenborough has cut back on red meat, and begun eating an increasingly vegetarian diet.<\/p>\n

Whether as he said, he \u201csimply lost the taste\u201d for meat, or whether it was an environmental or health reason, the NHS advises that eating a lot of red and processed meat increases your bowel cancer risk at any age.<\/p>\n

\"FoxCaption: Fox Cub BBC Wild London 2026 Attenborough Screenshot<\/p>\n

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Big Read<\/p>\n

7 min read<\/p>\n

Keeping active<\/p>\n

\"SirCaption: Sir David Attenborough visits the London Wetland Centre in west London where he launched his new campaign to raise public awareness to help reverse the butterfly decline, urging the public to plant butterfly-friendly flowers in their garden to help reverse declining numbers of the insects.
Photographer: Stefan Rousseau
Provider: PA
Source: PA Archive<\/p>\n

Attenborough has previously said he has \u201cnever done exercise\u201d in an official capacity.<\/p>\n

But he has\u00a0kept active by going for walks in Richmond, where he lives.<\/p>\n

Interviewers who have been to his home have also mentioned him practically skipping down the stairs of his house. <\/p>\n

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TELEVISION<\/p>\n

8 min read<\/p>\n

\nAvoiding becoming isolated\n<\/p>\n

When Sir David\u2019s wife Jane died in 1997, the couple\u2019s adult daughter Susan moved in with her father. He said at the time:\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m quite used to solitude in the wilds but, no, an empty house is not what I enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TELEVISIONCaption: TELEVISION PROGRAMMES: THE QUEENS GREEN PLANET
Monday 16th April 2018 on ITV
Sir David Attenborough joins Her Majesty the Queen in the gardens of Buckingham Palace
This unique, landmark documentary follows Her Majesty the Queen and an ambitious legacy project to create a global network of protected forests, spanning the 52 countries of the Commonwealth.
This project, called the Queen\u2019s Commonwealth Canopy, brings together Her Majesty\u2019s deeply held commitment to the Commonwealth and her little-known love of trees.
At the heart of the film is a conversation between the Queen and Sir David Attenborough filmed in the gardens of Buckingham Palace last summer. In a rare opportunity to see the Queen talking informally to Sir David, the conversation ranges from climate change, to conkers and birthday gifts.
The film follows members of the Royal Family involved so far in making the Queen?s Commonwealth Canopy a reality, including Prince Harry planting trees in the Caribbean, and Prince William and his family in Canada\u2019s Great Bear Rainforest.
(c) ITN Productions
For further information please contact Peter Gray
0207 157 3046 peter.gray@itv.com
This photograph is ? ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme THE QUEENS GREEN PLANET or ITV. Once made available by the ITV Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the Transmission date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com<\/p>\n

Provider: From ITN Productions
Copyright: ITV<\/p>\n

\"KingSir David Attenborough during the event marking his 100th birthday today at the Royal Albert Hall (Photo: BBC Studios Natural History Unit\/Buckingham Palace)<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also been known to respond personally to fan letters and maintain relationships with people who admire him. He has no iPhone or email address and instead prefers to communicate by handwritten letter.<\/p>\n

Appreciating small things<\/p>\n

It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual\u00a0beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living<\/p>\n

\"VeteranCaption: Veteran broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough with an Australian bearded dragon after receiving an honorary degree from Queen\u2019s University in Belfast for exceptional services to science and broadcasting.
Photographer: Paul Faith
Provider: PA
Source: PA Archive<\/p>\n

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At the time, they expected the move to be permanent. Speaking to The i Paper, Andrew said: \u201cWe fully intended to stay in Spain. Unfortunately, we moved the year the first recession hit<\/a>, so it wasn\u2019t quite the dream that we thought it would be, but we loved it and we took what we could from it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we came back, things had really changed with mortgages. I\u2019m self-employed and before we left, we had self-certified mortgages as an option. But when we returned, they didn\u2019t exist anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Justine added: \u201cWhen we moved to Spain, the pound was strong and Andrew was still working in the UK. When this changed not only did work dry up a little but the change in exchange rate impacted our outgoings and we had to rely on our savings from selling our house to see us through the leaner times.\u201d<\/p>\n

They moved back home because their eldest son was about to study for his A-levels and they wanted him to have the opportunity to go to university where he wanted to back home.<\/p>\n

Self-certified mortgages, once commonly used by self-employed borrowers<\/a>, allowed applicants to declare their income without extensive documentation. The couple had one before they made the move to Spain but they were banned following the financial crisis.<\/p>\n

That change hit Andrew, a self-employed fire engineering consultant, particularly hard. <\/p>\n

Without a large enough deposit, the couple repeatedly found themselves rejected when applying for mortgages, despite their steady income and long history of paying rent.<\/p>\n

For years, the family rented<\/a> around Milton Keynes as costs spiralled. Andrew said: \u201cInitially, we moved to a three-bed property, and we were paying about \u00a3900 a month for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut at the last rental we lived in, we were paying \u00a32,300 a month for a four-bed house, which is a huge amount of money.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe frustration was, although we were paying that amount of money in rent, up to the point where we sourced our current mortgage, nobody would take that into account when we were looking at lending options.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith my income, I could go and get a \u00a370,000 car. I could go and get numerous credit cards with credit limits. But I couldn\u2019t get a mortgage.\u201d<\/p>\n

The emotional toll of renting for so long became just as difficult as the financial pressure.<\/p>\n

Justine said: \u201cI never felt settled or at ease as I felt we could be served notice to quit at any time and especially anxious when rental contracts were coming to renewal time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the 12 years they spent back in the UK, the family moved between four different rented homes, none of which they could properly make their own.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cIt was extremely stressful when we did have to move to start again the process of finding a property which suited our needs in the area we needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of which we could make our own or make long-term changes and as a family that was often unsettling.\u201d<\/p>\n

As time passed, the couple increasingly feared that age itself would stop them ever buying again.<\/p>\n

Andrew said they thought getting back on the property ladder again \u201cwould never happen\u201d.<\/p>\n

The breakthrough finally came when they heard about track-record mortgages, which allow renters with a strong history of payments to buy without needing a traditional deposit.<\/p>\n

They secured a mortgage with Skipton Building Society and moved into a four-bedroom home in a village outside Milton Keynes in February 2024.<\/p>\n

The moment they realised they were homeowners again is one they still remember vividly.<\/p>\n

Justine said: \u201cOnce the movers had left, we sat in the living room, surrounded by boxes whilst eating fish and chips with our family, and Andrew said, \u2018This is our home\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven now, when asked the question, \u2018Are you a homeowner?\u2019 We think twice and have a moment when we remember that we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

The couple bought the property for \u00a3390,000 on a five-year fixed mortgage costing \u00a32,510 a month \u2013 only slightly more than the rent they had already been paying.<\/p>\n

But after spending more than a decade believing they had missed their chance, the biggest change is simply the security of knowing the home is finally theirs again.<\/p>\n

Justine said she now feels \u201ccompletely safe\u201d and \u201creally relaxed\u201d.<\/p>\n

Andrew added: \u201cAt our age, being able to say, \u2018This is our home\u2019, is a massive relief.\u201d<\/p>\n

Track-record mortgages<\/p>\n

Several lenders now offer track-record mortgages aimed at renters who may struggle to prove affordability through traditional income multiples alone. These deals use evidence of regular rent payments to support applications.<\/p>\n

Firms offering track-record-style mortgages include Skipton Building Society, April Mortgages, Accord Mortgages and Generation Home.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/p>\n

Helps renters prove affordability using payment history<\/p>\n

Can benefit first-time buyers with smaller deposits<\/p>\n

May allow borrowers to access larger loans<\/p>\n

Useful for people with strong rental records but non-traditional incomes<\/p>\n

Cons<\/p>\n

Still subject to affordability and credit checks<\/p>\n

Some products may have higher interest rates<\/p>\n

Limited number of lenders currently offer them<\/p>\n

Larger monthly mortgage repayments are still possible as rates rise<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For Justine and Andrew Boniface, the dream of buying a home slipped further away with every year they…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":28306,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1936,14430,350,17],"class_list":["post-28305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-spain","tag-expats","tag-home-ownership","tag-property","tag-spain"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28305"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28305\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}