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Too Much Stuff—Some Of It Will Have To Go

Admin

Not everyone is interested in a life in the tropics…or at the beach. Maybe you, for example, dream of a cosmopolitan life on the Continent. I’m going to let you in on a secret: Euro-city life can be more affordable and therefore more realizable than you might imagine, for reasons you might not predict. The key is adjusting your approach. In the United States, we Americans live big. We reside in three- and four-bedroom houses with walk-in closets, full basements, finished attics, and two-car garages. We have porches, backyards, and driveways, and we fill every square inch of every room, … Continue reading Too Much Stuff—Some Of It Will Have To Go

Great Places For Holidays And Investments1 Comment

Into The War Zone–On The Ground In Chiang Mai

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“Vicki and I arrived in Chiang Mai, Thailand, a few hours ago, Friday morning local time,” writes Intrepid Correspondent Paul Terhorst. “Protesters left their Bangkok camp on Wednesday, but some refused to go home. Instead, they tried to burn down much of Bangkok. The army prevailed overall, but not completely. Random violence quickly spread to other parts of Thailand, including Chiang Mai. “The U.S. Department of State talks of ‘unrest in Bangkok and Chiang Mai’ and says U.S. citizens should ‘defer all travel to Bangkok and defer all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand.’ “The Thai government has set … Continue reading Into The War Zone–On The Ground In Chiang Mai

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The Big Benefits Of Being The Only Tourist In Town

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“As I’ve explained,Vicki and I considered canceling this trip to Chiang Mai,” continues Intrepid Correspondent Paul Terhorst, picking up where he left off yesterday. “On the Thursday before we planned to travel, Switzerland, Brazil, the UK, and Australia raised their travel advisories to: Do not travel to Thailand. These four countries joined 14 others already making this recommendation, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Taiwan, Germany, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Israel, Belgium, and New Zealand. “We came anyway. We flew into Chiang Mai, 700 kilometers north of the main violence in Bangkok. “I wrote … Continue reading The Big Benefits Of Being The Only Tourist In Town

Today A Better Day Than YesterdayLeave a comment

No Regrets!

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“‘Do you have any regrets about moving to Belize?’ “That’s the question we’re probably most frequently asked, both by our neighbors here on Ambergris Caye and also by friends and family back home in the States,” writes Belize Correspondent Anne Kuffner. “Without hesitation, my husband Mike and I answer, ‘No. No regrets. Not a one.’ “The folks back home often find it baffling that we could be as happy–in fact, happier–living here in little San Pedro Town than we were living in the San Francisco Bay Area. “Initially, we invested in property on Ambergris Caye because of our love for … Continue reading No Regrets!

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Move Over, Baby Boomers! Make Room For The New Generation Of Overseas Retirees

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At what age should you think about retiring overseas? It’s almost never too late…or too early. Laurie Norton and Paul Jewitt, two easygoing Canadians, low-key and modest, started their new lives in Belize four years ago, as young 30-somethings. As Belize Correspondent Ann Kuffner explains, “Laurie and Paul are part of an emerging trend. Move over, Baby Boomers! An increasing number of adventurous 30- and 40-year-olds are making their mark on the local San Pedro Town scene here on Ambergris Caye. They’re making their way down here to La Isla Bonita with small savings and pockets full of dreams, and … Continue reading Move Over, Baby Boomers! Make Room For The New Generation Of Overseas Retirees

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The Five Flags Approach

Admin

I’ve been inundated recently with e-mails from readers asking, “Why not?” “Why not Honduras?” “Why not Costa Rica?” “Why not Spain?” “Why not the Bahamas?” Etc. Why do I focus in these dispatches on the countries I do…and give less (or no) virtual ink to others? I have a Top 10 list. On it are my picks for the best places in the world right now to think about spending your time and your money. This list has been created based on more than 25 years experience traveling the globe and covering this live, retire, invest overseas beat…and it has … Continue reading The Five Flags Approach

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Tax Heaven No More?

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“Bad news from down South America way,” writes friend and offshore expert Bob Bauman. Bob is legal counsel for the Sovereign Society, an organization we’ve trusted for years as perhaps the most reliable source of information on what can be complicated and murky issues. “It was announced last week that the government of the Republic of Uruguay plans to introduce legislation to impose taxes on bank deposits and other assets held offshore by citizens and residents in the country. “If this proposed legislation becomes law, this would be a radical change from the current territorial tax system that exempts citizens … Continue reading Tax Heaven No More?

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When Really Cheap Isn’t A Good Deal

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This week I was forwarded information about cheap lots on a Caribbean island. Prices start at US$7,550. That’s an attention-getter, right? In fact, this sounds-too-good-to-be-true offer (like every such offer I’ve come across in more than 17 years seeking out international real estate investment opportunities) is just that–too good to be true. Here’s why. Property this cheap generally falls short on the three characteristics I look for in any property investment–location, size, and infrastructure. In the case of the Caribbean lots that came across my desk this week, upon closer inspection, I saw that we’re not, in fact, talking about … Continue reading When Really Cheap Isn’t A Good Deal

Real Estate Investments1 Comment

If You Don’t Like Change, Try Sun City Instead

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“It has been nearly four years since I moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Boquete, Panama,” writes new Panama Letter Editor Lee Zeltzer. “Looking back over my experiences, the operative word is ‘change’…in Spanish, cambio. “Panama has changed in the time I’ve been living here, but more rhelevant to me is the change I’ve experienced. “I came to Boquete with my wife to start a new life when our last of four children moved on to university. Within 18 months, my wife had left. For many reasons, she has not returned. Big change. “Before she left, we’d purchased a small piece … Continue reading If You Don’t Like Change, Try Sun City Instead

Attitudes1 Comment

Secrets Of The Perpetual Traveler

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“Vicki and I travel light,” writes Intrepid Correspondent Paul Terhorst from his current position in Chiang Mai, Thailand. “We never check bags. When we run out of something on the road, we buy it. “We also like to read. How do we travel light when we read three or four books a week? “We’ve struggled with this problem for years. Recently we’ve come up with a solution: Download books from the web. “First, the easy way. A friend says to buy an Apple iTouch or something similar and purchase your books online. Carry your iTouch around the world and connect … Continue reading Secrets Of The Perpetual Traveler

Attitudes1 Comment

Why Panama Is The Best Place In The World To Start An Internet Business

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Set yourself up properly, and you’ll be liable for no corporate tax. Not in Panama and not anywhere else either (including, you may be wondering if you’re an American, in the United States). That’s a big reason why Panama is the #1 place in the world right now to start an online or e-commerce business. It’s also the best place to base yourself if you want to make a living from consulting, travel writing, copywriting, or any other laptop-based profession you can think of. The key is that your customers are outside Panama. In other words, as long as the … Continue reading Why Panama Is The Best Place In The World To Start An Internet Business

Holidays, InvestmentsLeave a comment

Times Are Tough, But You Have Options

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“I think we’re living in tough times,” writes Intrepid Correspondent Paul Terhorst this morning. “Americans appear to hate government, Wall Street, oil companies, immigrants, trade… “Our house is worth less than before. Our stocks are worth less than they were 10 years ago. Our taxes have gone up, our standard of living down. And we’re the lucky ones. Vicki and I have friends who have seen their financial boat sink. You may know people in that boat, too. “The question becomes: What to do now?” That’s what we’re convened in Belize City this week to consider: What to do now? … Continue reading Times Are Tough, But You Have Options