Who are you? A life-long adventurer for whom retirement and relocation are just another opportunity to clear out the lumber in the attic? Or a senior executive concerned about losing your status and connections, and perhaps even the goals that drive you, in a whole new world? Continue reading
Tag Archives: Planning for Retirement
Retirement in the Riviera Maya: What’s to Know?
Retirement in the Riviera Maya – what’s to know is a guest blog by Betty White, whose bio you can find at the bottom of this article.
In the modern era, we are living faster than ever and working much more than relaxing. When we are young and full of ambition, we even find pleasure in the adrenaline that this lifestyle brings us. But as the years go by, we become tired. Continue reading
The Six Rules of a Golden and Profitable Retirement
As the years start rolling about faster and faster, boomers, who are now on the brink of retirement, start to wonder how they will retire and what they will do in their retirement. The truth is, there are no rules to this and each person decides what to do with their retirement time, money and plans. However, experts have panned out a retirement plan to make it truly golden and profitable. You may call them guidelines, rules, commandments, or whatever pleases you. But these rules have helped millions of soon-to-be-retirees understand what the golden years have in store for them.
Save, save and save some more
The first rule to retirement is saving money for it. Putting money into your 401(k) and IRA retirement funds is a great way to ensure you will have money to do what you please in your retirement. In fact, many people even put their IRA retirement funds to work prior to retirement by investing in vacation rental homes overseas. Any income generated from that property is put back into your IRA account, helping you create a steady flow of income that will come in very handy in your retirement. In the meantime, you can also create automatic deductions from your paycheck and join investment plans, which help put away money before you are able to spend it. Many retirees often just rely on their Social Security, which is a safety net, to say the least. It does not guarantee that you will be able to afford any sort of comfortable lifestyle. So, if you save – and invest – your money wisely, you’re ahead of the game.
Move away and find an affordable retirement spot
The reason why thousands of Americans and Canadians move to Mexico for their retirement is cost of living. Don’t be afraid to get up and move elsewhere. In Playa del Carmen, you can comfortably live for 50% less of the cost than you would in Sarasota, FL or Scottsdale, AZ, for example. And you might even be able to purchase a home for a fraction of the cost it would cost you back home. Mexico is the perfect spot for retirement due to its proximity to the US for quick visits back home, and it is the most culturally familiar country for those in the United States and Canada. So, get ready for that adventure abroad that retirement often promises.
Wait the correct amount to retire
You might hear of early retirement cases that are a huge success. A young man of 53 and his similarly-aged wife investing abroad and getting ready to retire after years of work. But this is not the case for everyone. Retirement should come at the right time for you. Early retirement is good when you have a fortune saved up and are certain that you have enough to live comfortably for the rest of your life. However, you need to measure your individual case. It’s quite simple. You need to give your money time to accumulate and multiply. Your Social Security checks will become smaller if your retirement is longer. So, make sure you give yourself time to fully prepare for retirement.
Think of no one but yourself
Downsizing is often a scary thought for people. But the reality is that you no longer need to shelter a whole family – just you and your partner. Think of yourself first, and everyone else second. Sure, you might want a guest bedroom in your Mexico home for whenever your grown children and grandchildren visit. Or if you have friends who are enjoying their retirement by traveling and want to stay with you. But there is no need to look for a 4-bedroom home with a studio, a TV room, a laundry room and all the big, lavish spaces you enjoy as a family. Retirement often means going back to basic. And that means you should think of your savings and your needs. Get rid of that mini van and switch out for a small car, or no car at all!
Plan to stay active, motivated and busy
Retirees often find themselves bored, not knowing where to go and what to do. If you’re used to a busy lifestyle, where you work 9 to 5, go out for business meetings or are often traveling, make sure to keep a fast-paced retirement. Except this time, there are no responsibilities, commitments or people depending on you. Staying healthy, active and busy during retirement is great for both your physical and mental health. So, make sure you plan your retirement with enough motivating activities. You might want to move abroad and spend your time traveling to nearby places. You might want to travel the world. Maybe your retirement doesn’t really necessarily mean you’ll stop working altogether. Maybe you open up a shop you’ve always dreamed of or join a club. The point is to keep yourself going and don’t let yourself disappear into your couch in front of the TV.
Make new friends and try new things
Retirement is a treat. It’s a reward earned from years of studying, working, caring, learning, stumbling and starting over again. So, don’t be afraid to do all those things you couldn’t when your focus was elsewhere. Travel, learn new languages, make new friends. Thousands of Americans and Canadians relocate to Mexico for their retirement and enjoy living a simple, laid back life surrounded by friends they never thought they’d have. Enjoy your retirement. You’ve earned it!
And if you’re keen on making that retirement money work for you, don’t hesitate to invest in real estate in the Riviera Maya!
Cathy Tells You about Life in Playa del Carmen! (Video – Livin’ Playa)
Do you ever imagine what life in Playa del Carmen would be like? Walking on the beach, yoga, Spanish classes, martini’s at the poolside, relaxed expat clubs …
Sounds almost too perfect, doesn’t it?
Well, people who live here can tell you that that’s what life is actually like. We have another video in our Livin’ Playa series, this time an interview with Cathy Morrison. Cathy is a past client of ours – we helped her and her husband find their ideal condo in Quadra Alea. And guess what life is like for her:
(If you can’t see the video, click here.)
Walking on the beach, yoga, Spanish classes, martini’s at the poolside, relaxed expat clubs …
Life in Playa is relaxation!
-by Thomas Lloyd
How Old Do You Have to Be to Retire … in Mexico?
How old do you have to be to retire? How old do you have to be to retire in Mexico?
They are two distinct questions, and have two distinct answers.
We all know that in the U.S. and Canada retirement age is on the rise – often due to financial constraints.
In Mexico, there are several factors to consider:
- The cost of living is lower, which makes it easier to retire sooner.
- It’s easy to start your dream business; it costs less and there are fewer hurdles. Mexican bureaucracy can be a marathon, but outside of the government offices you’ll find that it’s easier to get things going. Most people running their business in Mexico just keep doing it – even if they’re financially ready; they just like it so much.
- It’s easier to be healthy making it easier to choose to keep working or to have an active retirement otherwise. Warm weather, good and affordable healthcare and easy access to fresh, healthy food have many advantages.
When it comes right down to it, you might not think of it in the same way as you do there. You may just enjoy life here so much, that the distinction between work and retirement blurs and even disappears!
-by Thomas Lloyd
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Pyramid Marketing or Relaxing Retirement on Mexico’s Beaches?
The word is getting out there; more and more Americans are worried that they won’t have enough money to retire comfortably.
Wall Street Journal has taken notice. Yahoo News did too. It’s becoming common place to see articles analyzing the situation and offering advice for those who are approaching retirement with lower funds than they would ideally want or need. Solutions are being offered up that include anything from even more frugality to elaborate savings and tax strategies.
This guy is even suggesting that the best solution is to join an internet based pyramid marketing program. (He’s the CEO, so no surprises …!)
Now, I have nothing against how people make a livelihood, but let’s just get right down to a simple, basic question:
How would you prefer to spend your retirement years? Trying to sell products to your family, friends and neighbors, or simply enjoying a relaxing life on the beach?
I think even JR Ridinger would choose beach. (He’s so rich, he doesn’t have much to worry about, but if it came right to down to it …)
The point is that if you retire in Mexico, you won’t have to become a pyramid salesman in your free time to make ends meet – or, if you do, that money will sure go a heck of a lot further. This true of any part time job.
And what about those elaborate savings and tax strategies? Go for it! No one will complain about having too much saved. But why not take some of the pressure off and enjoy the hard work you’re putting into those savings a little more?
-by Thomas Lloyd
