ALEXANDRA SHULMAN’S NOTEBOOK: I’d rather be a SKI-er than give my cash to the taxman

Alexandra Shulman says she is happy to be a “SKI-er”, a term for older people spending their money while alive rather than preserving it for their children. She argues that taking more frequent, shorter trips in retirement or freelance life can be affordable and enjoyable, and notes that inheritance tax changes may leave less money to pass on anyway.

She says she spent 23 days abroad this year, fewer than the holiday days she would have taken while employed, but visited more places by travelling outside school holidays. The column also mentions hot weather causing cracks in London homes, criticises the costly film *Digger* and praises the sub-£1 million British film *Extra Geography*. It ends with a brief reflection on perms and Victoria Beckham’s view that 15 is too young for her daughter to have one.