Category: Pillar 5 of 7 – Finance and Financial Education

How to Weaponize Your Bank Account So You Never Start Over From $0 Ever Again

Great Places For Holidays And Investments, Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

Culture Shock In Reverse

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A couple of months ago in Paris, I had lunch with another long-time American expat, whose children, like ours, have grown up outside the States. “We’re moving back,” he remarked that afternoon, “to Bethesda.” At first, I thought he was joking. After more than 13 years in France, he was opting now for Bethesda, Maryland? Then he explained. “Only for a couple of years, until our youngest son goes off to college. We feel like we need to do something to help his transition back to U.S. life. His older brothers have struggled with it so.” Then I understood. I’ve … Continue reading Culture Shock In Reverse

Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

Building The Perfect Property Portfolio

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The perfectly diversified international real estate investment portfolio might look something like this… A rental property in Europe that is leveraged (that is, carries a mortgage…remember that it’s possible to borrow for the purchase of real estate as a foreign buyer in many European countries) and that generates positive cash flow. Right now France, Italy, and Portugal probably make the most sense for this kind of investment. This is a long-haul play, and, thinking very long term, I like Paris. It’s the closest thing to a recession-proof rental market as you’ll find. Next, a rental property in a resort location. … Continue reading Building The Perfect Property Portfolio

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Here’s How Not To Let This Happen To You

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Buying wholesale, path of progress, crisis investing, real productive assets…why bother with all these different real estate investment strategies? Why not just focus on one? Wouldn’t that be simpler? Yes, sure. It’s be more simple, but, over time, it’d also be far less effective. One of the fundamental advantages global real estate investing offers is diversification. You want to capitalize on that advantage every way you can. All those bubble investors in the United States who “controlled” millions of dollars worth of pre-construction condos found out the hard way what putting all your eggs in one basket can mean for … Continue reading Here’s How Not To Let This Happen To You

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Nobel Laureates, Sugar Cane, And Cruise Ships–The

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“St. Lucia is like a pretty girl with only her smiles to live off,” writes Correspondent Paul Lewis, continuing the reports from his early-winter cruise through the Caribbean. “The island’s main export is Nobel Prize winners–it has had two so far. With a population of only 160,000, this makes it the world champion Nobel Prize-winning country. “St. Lucia’s first laureate was Sir William Arthur Lewis, who received the Economics award in 1979. He launched the United Nations Development Program and championed the idea that education is more important than money in promoting development. “St. Lucia’s second win came in 1992, … Continue reading Nobel Laureates, Sugar Cane, And Cruise Ships–The

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See Asia In 2010

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“I grew up in the 1950s and 60s, and China was closed, full-stop closed, permanently closed,” writes Intrepid Correspondent Paul Terhorst. “Mao’s Revolution had taken hold,” Paul continues. “One thing we knew for sure was that we’d never, ever get to travel in China. “Today I can still hear my older brother saying, with that grave, pontificating voice that 14-year-olds assume, that China, not Russia, looked to be the biggest danger in our future. Remember that, during the Cold War, Russia–actually the Soviet Union, but everyone called it Russia–was Enemy Number One. My brother figured China would be even worse … Continue reading See Asia In 2010

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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

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

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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

Entrepreneurship, Real Estate InvestmentsLeave a comment

Filling Niches–Two Tales Of Entrepreneurial Success In Paradise

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“I’ll let my friends Bill and Jenny tell you the story of how they were able to check off their list their long-held dream of owning a resort in Belize,” writes Belize Correspondent Amma Carey in her about-to-be-published “Live and Invest in Belize Manual” (in production this week). “‘Starting a small inn in Belize has been a great adventure for my husband and me,’ explains Jenny. ‘It all started after finding our piece of paradise on the Caribbean Sea. Once we had our view, the rest fell into place. “‘We were able to find a good local contractor for building … Continue reading Filling Niches–Two Tales Of Entrepreneurial Success In Paradise

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Riverfront Idyll For As Little As US$20,000

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Phil Hahn is tempting those of us convened in the meeting rooms of the Ft. George Hotel in Belize City right now with photos of the piece of property he’s begun developing in the Cayo District of this country. Carmelita is crossed by a river and a nature-lover’s delight. This is lush hill country, where you spend your time on horseback, on the river, hiking the hills, exploring the rain forest, and discovering the caves and the Mayan ruins.  As Phil explains, “This is counter-largesse.” Just what the doctor ordered these days. At Carmelita, residents will grow their own food … Continue reading Riverfront Idyll For As Little As US$20,000

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Utter Peace, Quiet, And Escape

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“Paul and I try to hang out with locals rather than the tourists wherever we travel,”writes Intrepid Correspondent Vicki Terhorst. “So, when we were ready for some beach time during our recent stay in Malaysia, we headed for Pangkor Island, a west coast island popular among Malays. “We left our hotel in nearby Taiping early in the morning, while it was still cool, to catch the first (and maybe only) bus headed toward the port town of Lumut. You can also reach Lumut on comfortable, first-class, air-conditioned buses from Kuala Lumpur or Ipoh. “Lumut’s simple beauty convinced us to stay … Continue reading Utter Peace, Quiet, And Escape

Investments1 Comment

Make Your Own Simple, Sweet Reality In Belize

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Mick Fleming is a larger-than-life character, a Brit who, more than 30 years ago, with US$600 in his pocket, made his way to Belize City, where he met a guy in a bar who owned a piece of land in the jungle he was interested in selling. Mick bought, thinking he’d try his luck as a farmer. The farming was tough going, but, in time, Mick identified another opportunity. Travelers were beginning to find their way to this remote region. They’d happen upon Mick and ask if he had a place where they could spend the night. Mick built a … Continue reading Make Your Own Simple, Sweet Reality In Belize