laughingboomeradmin's blog

What are we going to eat?

Tue, 2006-10-31 19:45

What about the phrase, “We married for better or worse, but not for lunch”?

Be grateful for inexpensive ethnic cuisine.

Other suggestions include teaching your better half how to cook, preparing double or triple a recipes and freezing, or buying more prepared foods. It is not the end of the world.

Retire the Word Retirement?

Sat, 2006-09-23 23:13

Hi:

I've talked to many people about retirement. Most are looking forward to a time of life when their life will be less busy, less structured, and more free.

A few people however, do object to the word "retirement". It is not the idea of not working that is the problem, but the image of being old that bothers them. In fact, some seem quite concerned about being called a retiree. They mention things such as being ignored by younger people, or discounted. They picture people thinking of them as lumpy old people who shuffle along, eat dinner at four pm and go to bed by nine.

Vacation Home Ownership Up

Wed, 2006-09-20 09:12

Hi:

According to Money magazine, August,2006, 40% of the homes sold in 2005 were sold to people who already own one home. That is a record, reports the National Association of Realtors.

Well, although the column does not say how many of these homes are for rental purposes or for recreational purposes, it is safe to assume that many are second homes in small outlying areas. These homes may indeed be rented now, but will later transition into retirement homes. Planning for retirement includes buying the property in your dream location well before the retirement date. Given the current rise in real estate prices, this seems wise on the surface.

Retirement Plans Changed by 9/11

Mon, 2006-09-11 22:04

Hi:

I haven't blogged for a couple of months, and today seems a good time to start. In thinking about today, September 11th, and the remembrances around the World Trade Tower bombing, I realize retirees have been affected greatly by this event. People thinking about travel and moving internationally now consider terrorism as one of the criteria for consideration. I don't believe this was the case five years ago.

Initally, many people simply stopped travelling. A shift to road-based transportation played havoc with airline traffic for a while. Now, five years later, things are back to relative normalcy, although the recent British scare and the ban on liquids is another reminder the terrorists are still active.

Ah, the weather! Retire to the Sun

Thu, 2006-06-15 23:57

Hi:

Well, here it is the end of February. In Vancouver a pink haze surrounds some trees, an early promise of blossoms to come. The tulips are half up in the back yard, and daffodil stalks are standing tall.

Spring seems a long time coming. We had a long spell of rain, 29 of 31 days in January and the last two weeks of December. I think I'm growing moss.

The last few days have been very cold and windy. Fireplace logs going, heavy clothes.

Did you know there is an ideal climate? It's somewhere around 20 degrees centagrade, with relatively small changes in barometric pressure. That's the change in air pressure that gives some people headaches or sore bones.

Retirement and Global Living

Thu, 2006-06-15 23:15

Hi:

Many people never think of the large factors that are changing our lives in so mnay ways. Yesterday, talking about real estate, the big factors that come to mind for me are globalization and demographics, as well as lesser social trends.

Globalization is the process of including global factors in your decision making. People are now looking internationally at opportunities that interest them. People all over the world are awakening to the fact that the world has exciting places to live other than where they were born. Further, citizens have the ability to buy property where they want. They want Vancouver, you want Costa del Sol.

Take Portugal, for example. On the Algarve coast massively large homes with ocean views have been built. For whom, you might ask? Well, the Germans apparently enjoy getting away from their cold winters. Facing Africa and the brilliant blue skies and water are pleasant ways to forget the cold days, warm the arthitic bones.

There are 60 million people in the U.K. over the age of 60. Where will they want to enjoy their time? For some, not in grey cold London. In spite of its charm, England gets left behind for Greece and Spain.

Closer to home, Americans are buying second homes in the Okanagan and Victoria. Canadians buy home in Florida and Arizona. Many retirees are moving to Central America. Panama, for example, is appealing because of its pensionado status.

We are a global village now, whether we like it or not.

M.

retirement

Retirement Travel and Money

Thu, 2006-06-15 23:11

Hi:

One of the biggest ways you can save money when you travel is by judicious use of your time and airline costs.

The flight costs are often a major factor in a trip, especially if you are going to a country with lower costs than major western nations.

One of the great points of retirement is that now you can take much longer trips, and so make better use of your airline costs.

If you fly to a region and then take full advantage of your time to fully explore that part of the world, it becomes a wonderful adventure. You become a traveller, not a tourist.

Moving from Canada after Retirement

Thu, 2006-06-15 22:21

Hi:

What else do you have to give up if you want to escape the cold Canadian winters and the high income tax rate? Well, there actually is quite a bit.

As I mentioned yesterday, to be a non-resident of Canada you must be a resident of somewhere else. If you are not a resident of Canada, why would you need the Canadian health system?

Not to fear. Contrary to opinion touted by some, we do not have the best health care system in the world. There are many, many countries with excellent care.

You must also give up your credit cards, club membership, video store memberships and driver's license. Of course this can be done over time, as you set up residency in your new country. But while you still have all those things you still are taxable on your world-wide income in Canada.

You may keep property in Canada, but it must be rented at arms-length. That means you can't put your son or daughter in and charge them nominal rent so you can come back at will. You must use an agent. It is also recommended that you stay out of Canada for at least two years. Arrange your holidays so your kids come and see you, or go to a U.S. border town and meet them there.

This seems like a terrible amount of bother. Why would anyone do it? Well, the answer lies in the tax system. More tomorrow.

M.

retirement and expatriates

Retirement Travel and Women

Thu, 2006-06-15 22:12

Hi:

Besides the adventure trips that some women like to take, there are also the shopping trips that others fancy.

There is something quite engaging about shopping in another country. Things are different. Sometimes it is in quite small ways, or other times the focus of the country comes to the fore.

I remember shopping in Spain. The stores were full of magnificent shawls. The variety of styles and qualities was dazzling. They were so beautiful that I had to buy a lovely red one with a six or eight inch fringe. Spain also had wonderful leather goods, magnificent purses and shoes. With a cosmopolitan city life in Spain, women dress elegantly there.

In Paris I bought scarves. Although I've always worn them quite a bit, the verve with which the Parisiennes wear them in engaging. It was just fun to do.

I like to buy small personal items such as cosmetics and toiletries. They are unusual, easy to carry around, and not expensive.

Power shoppers, however, go for their major purchases. Outlet stores even exist in Europe, usually outside the large cities such as Florence.

Organized tours to these shopping meccas usually focus on particular seasons, when the best buys are available. Some enjoy these marathon days of bargain hunting.

These shopping extravaganzas sound like a nightmare to me, but there are certainly those that enjoy it. I'd rather browse in small local shops. Cultural experiences are my joy.

M.

retirement travel

Small Communities Luring Retirees

Thu, 2006-06-15 22:00

Hi:

Many small towns across Canada and the US are stepping into the retirement stream and the current is swift.

Small quiet communities see the benefits of retired folks. They bring their money and often considerable assets into a community.

The newly retired buy new luxury homes or townhomes. With extra cash from their old home equity, boomers can finally buy all the little luxuries they have been waiting for. They can afford luxury and buy it. When else are they going to have their fantasy home? When they are 70 or 80? Oh no, these folks are going for it now.
Now is the time boomers are decorating to their heart's content.

Besides redecorating their home, people are pursuing leisure activities. Golf, walking, birdwatching, bicycling and boating are great ways to spend time and enjoy the good life.

Small communities who offer these amenities are bustling with action. The few good restaurants are busy every night, and the great establishments are catering to a grey-haired, plaid shirt set. Some communities are very actively laying out the red carpet and the welcome mat.

More tomorrow.

Mahara Sinclaire

retirement