Retirement Planning

So, my friend, who is 19 years younger than me, invited me to a conference this past weekend.   This conference was sponsored by International Living and was basically to learn how to retire overseas, somewhere outside the U.S.  What a concept!   Just the thought of doing something like this is crazy, right?  Well, I have to admit, after attending the conference and workshops... maybe it's not so crazy afterall! The conference also focused on investing in property in other countries.   It was VERY interesting and informative.   We forget there are other options to the lives we are leading.   It was eye-opening, for sure. 

Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay, Spain, Italy, Southeast Asia, Belize.... all offering paradise at a reduced rate.  The thing that impressed me most was my friend.  Here she is in her 20's and she has developed a plan to get her a successful company she can administer from anywhere in the world.   She has purchased property in another country, contracted a lawyer and a tax accountant to get her started on her plan.   IMPRESSIVE!   Where the hell have I been?  What have I been doing?  

Oh wait!  I remember now.  I was following the American Dream.  I got married, had kids, went to school, focused on my career, made sure my kids were raised in the high standards we American's have created, attempted to stay married for 17 years.  I was BUSY!   I don't remember ever having a set plan as to what I was going to do with my life.   It just happened.   I didn't create a schedule or create goals or even think about where I was going to retire when I was in my 20s! 

So, now I feel incrediby behind and completely ill prepared.   But, the weekend was motivating and provided me with some things to think about.  I can still plan.  It's never too late.   After my divorce I said it was strange because I had written a book/future with my husband and when we went our separate ways, there were no more pages to turn.   I have made short term goals and met all of them since then, but I have not made any long term goals.   I have another 20 years of work and therefore, have plenty of time to acheive a long term goal.  So, what do I have to do now?  MAKE A PLAN and then execute it!  Write a new book and start turning pages again.

I hope this has helped you to think of your long term goals and become aware of more options.  There's a whole world out there.  We can do what we want, where we want.  Isn't that cool!?