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We live in an age in which we’re perpetually tied to our gadgets–when we eat, watch television, even when we sleep. When we travel, we find technology especially helpful. Whether you’re traveling for business or for pleasure, a tablet will be especially great to have on your journey.
But traveling with technology requires a little extra care, so take note.
Tips for traveling with your tablet
Tablets are perfect traveling companions because they’re designed with the intention of consuming media. While phones exist for communication, tablets are meant almost exclusively for accessing video, internet, and a variety of applications.
As such, its easy to forget that tablets do not have the same ability to endure as say, a hard backed book. While we use them for reading, we have to be careful where we’re putting them. The sand and the sea are both bad for tablets–as is hail, snow, rain. They aren’t waterproof, so don’t make the mistake of taking them through inclement conditions. To prevent weather damage, simply invest in a good case and bring a few freezer bags. The touch screen will be responsive through the bag, but you’ll prevent damage to your device.
When you’re using your tablet (especially abroad) remember that your internet connection (assuming you’re staying in a hotel) is tentative, at best. It’s also unsecure, so if you need to conduct a lot of business over the internet, you’ll need an alternative solution. You have a few options, one of which is to set up a private network. You can do this via wireless hotspot by way of your mobile phone or set up a virtual private network.
Finally, remember that travel is a great opportunity to meet new people, be it for personal or business. Take some time and put down your tablet to embrace these new opportunities with your full attention.
Tablet safety issues
If you’ve ever traveled with a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, you know that you’ve got to be extra careful. While we might wish the world was a friendlier place without theft, that simply isn’t the case. If you’re a tourist, you’re especially vulnerable to theft, so take care of your technology with these tips.
If you’re staying in a place you are unfamiliar with, keep your technology with you. Your tablet is light and meant to be portable, so store it in your purse or backpack to keep it safe. In case it is stolen, make sure that it isn’t filled with personal data. Don’t store your passwords on your device and keep your tablet especially close in areas where there are a lot of people.
You might also keep the tablet in a plain case that doesn’t overemphasize the content–simple is best. When you’re in the airport, don’t forget to watch your tablet on the conveyor belt–belongings are often not monitored after they’ve passed through the machine. Once you’re on your train or plane, continue to keep your tablet within site–don’t rely on overhead bins, but use the area provided under the seat.
Finally, make sure you check restrictions regarding technology before you fly, both at the airport and within the areas you wish to travel. You may have to pay an import tax where applicable. To make things as easy as possible, register all devices with US Customs before embarking on your journey.
Load it up
Tablets are the perfect device for travel because you can load them up with helpful applications to assist you in your travel. We’ve gathered a few of the ones we think you’ll enjoy.
Goby
Goby points out hot spots in the neighborhood you’re in, including hotels, restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, etc. This app will tell you where concerts, plays, local festivals, etc are, so you don’t miss out on exciting activities in the city you’re visiting.
GasBuddy
Don’t worry, this app doesn’t do what you think. Instead, it works to find gas stations and provide you, the traveler, with the approximate price. Instead of looking for a station and driving around to compare prices, you’ll have them at your fingertips.
Google Flights
We hope you’re already using Google Flights, but you should definitely start now. Download the app for your tablet and start comparing flights. You’ll have to go to another site to actually purchase plane tickets, but this app provides a great look at the range of costs. Plus, the interface is easy to use.
City Guides, Offline Maps
The mobile app of stay.com, City Guides, Offline Maps has the ability to put together an itinerary for you based on where you’re staying, where you’d like to eat, etc. The itinerary isn’t perfect or super scheduled, which can be a nice way to organize your travel. It is best used in conjunction with the website (perfect for the tablet). It’s totally functional offline, allowing you to access maps even when you’re without service.
Tripomatic
This app is perfect for trip planning as well, as it has over 40,000 attractions listed in over 300 destinations. It also syncs with the website, allowing you to work on your travel planning from multiple devices. Not everything is available offline (but much of it is) and you can’t save daily itineraries when you’re not connected to wireless or data. It makes a good companion to an offline app.
We’re so thankful that technology exists–traveling without it seems like a long lost relic of the distant past. While a phone can be a big help, it is a bit small and can be hard to navigate. Laptops are great too, but much more difficult to carry from place to place, and not overly helpful when you’re standing on a street corner and trying to find your way. Enter the tablet–the perfect blend of both, capable of making phone calls and navigating the internet with ease.
What is your favorite use for your tablet while traveling? Tell us about some of your favorite apps, share stories, tell us what you’re thinking! Share with us in the comments below!
Since late 2014, oil prices have been steadily falling. While that makes US drivers very happy, plunging prices can deliver a hit to the recovering real estate market in areas where the oil industry has a high profile.
US oil prices are now dropping below $200 a barrel, down from over twice that a year or so ago. But Big Oil flourishes when prices are high. That means more investment toward production, more workers, more money filtering out into the local economies of areas like Houston and Tulsa where oil production is a longstanding and well-established part of the landscape.
A recent report from Forbes points out that in oil dependent areas of the country, there’s a correlation between housing prices and oil prices. An oil boom, with high prices and lots of demand, means an economic boost for the local economies hosting the oil companies. When oil is riding high, more jobs open up, so workers move in and buy homes. They help keep the local economy humming and all goes well – until the cycle of boom and bust turns to bust.
The drop in prices means less profit for the local oil industry. That leads to layoffs, and the workers brought in to support a boom may start looking for work elsewhere. The houses snapped up by those workers who moved into the area specifically for work hit the market – often for prices far lower than their original ones. There may be a time lag between the decline in oil and the drop in housing prices, but the trend can be tracked in cities both large and small.
The slowdown in oil production in a slump period also has an impact in various other areas including education, manufacturing and retail sales. Oil companies hire directly but also need support from local businesses and manufacturers, all of which may suffer if the industry falls into a down period.
That impact isn’t always felt in the same way. Large industrial areas like Houston, Bakersfield and Tulsa have other kinds of manufacturing and businesses to keep the economy afloat if the local oil company hits a slow patch. Workers who relocated for the job may not have to leave the area to find new work. And the housing market doesn’t have to falter due to sudden sales and falling prices.
In smaller towns where oil production makes up a major part of the local economy, things may be different, though. An oil boom can inject much needed new life into a stagnant economy – and a slowdown can deliver a major blow to the area’s economic health.
That’s what happened to Williston, North Dakota. According to Forbes, this small city got a major boost in 2010 when Big Oil came to town. New drilling brought new workers for the company on all levels, more demand for housing, and more money for local businesses and institutions.
Over the course of the next five years, oil production would account for a third of the jobs in Williston and a major source of revenue for just about every business in town. But when the boom was over, and prices fell, the whole town suffered. Without oil company jobs and nothing to replace them, workers moved on to greener pastures. Williston’s entire economy faltered as small businesses failed and housing prices fell.
The connection between oil and the housing market points up the many ways a local housing market can be affected by the larger context of its economy. The boom and bust cycle of oil production isn’t all that different from the ups and downs of any other industry. And when that industry props up an entire community, a down period can be devastating.
The kind of situation Williston is facing points up one of Jason Hartman’s key commandments for real estate investors: Thou shalt diversify. Diversifying your real estate investments over as many different areas as possible creates a hedge against scenarios like Williston.
Communities with a diverse and thriving local economy offer the best chance for investing success. And if a crash does happen in one area, the investor with a diverse portfolio of properties won’t lose all.
Oil and real estate do mix – and their relationship illustrates a bigger lesson about market conditions and the risky business of putting all investing eggs in one basket.
Last week we talked a little bit about buying and selling products–how to get started and taking the necessary steps to choose the product you want. While those decisions are among the most important you’ll make, they’re only the beginning. This week, we bring you another installment in a short series on buying and selling products–a job you can do from just about anywhere!
Once you’ve selected a product and sorted out the wholesalers, you’ve got some real work to do. Luckily, it isn’t difficult–and it is well worth your while.
Dealing with returns
When you’re looking for a product, make sure you’re looking for something that typically doesn’t have a high rate of return. When a product is returned, you eat the cost. While a produce will be returned every once in awhile, making a habit of it starts to add up. Look for a product that typically boosts a one or two percent refund rate–it will keep your evaluation scores higher too.
Even if a customer has a return, it’s important to manage it well. You want good customer feedback and that can be hard to develop, especially initially.
Growing your business
Once you’ve determined what product you are going to sell and who you’re going to purchase it from initially, it will be time to grow your business. Your next step will probably be to determine whether or not your business is going to be a side project or constitute just a bit more of your income. You can sell a few items on eBay or brand your merchandise (of course, this is extra work) to sell more on Amazon. You might sell a few items per month or a hundred a day–it’s up to you to determine the scope of your project.
If you choose to grow your business, consider expanding to a number of sales channels that fit your product. There are a ton of them out there–be creative. Start thinking about sales and marketing. You may even think about adding products to your repertoire as your business grows and you learn to be successful.
Another thing you may want to consider is branding yourself. You essentially become your brand–if people trust you, they’re going to want to buy your product. Part of this process might be to establish a good marketing and promotion plan–coupons included with shipments, newsletters, databases, etc.
Should your business become larger, you’ll also be able to get better prices from your supplier. Higher volume sales mean cheaper prices for you–more money in the long run. Run a social media campaign, consider paying for Google advertisements, and think of other spaces you might advertise your product. And, if you’ve got more work than is possible for one person to achieve, you can always pick up an employee to ship items, do your accounting, or take care of customer service needs.
Alternative suppliers
If you’re hoping to operate a business but all of this business about online wholesalers is a little off putting, there may be other options for you. If you live in a place with factories, you may be able to work directly with someone local to you. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no–so give more unconventional options a chance. Work with your local Chamber of Commerce to identify possible local solutions.
If you’d prefer to go local, remember that it can present a different set of challenges. These companies may not be acquainted with working on such a small level, so there may be a little bit of a learning curve. Work to establish and clarify your relationships–it make take time, but it can be a great way to keep business in your community.
A few logistics
Remember that you’re going to have to obey the law if you’re considering going into business for yourself. You will need a federal tax identification number, which you can apply for by visiting the IRS website. This tax identification number will make it possible to establish a bank account in the name of the business, separating personal and business accounts and balances when it is time to file taxes.
Depending upon where you hope to sell, you may need to look into obtaining a vendor’s license. For more information on where you might need a license in order to sell, see the official website of your state, which should provide you with the appropriate details.
You’ll need to think about sales tax as well–and who is responsible for paying it. In some cases, the wholesaler may pay. In others, you (the retailer) will pay, and in others, the customer will carry the burden. Make sure you’re seeking guidance and (as Jason Hartman always recommends) educating yourself on the specific rules of your business and location. Consult an accountant and an attorney early on in your process to make sure that nothing is overlooked.
Advantages for the buy/sell lifestyle
While it may sound like a lot of work (and it is) this type of business can be great for the right kind of person. People living abroad can be very successful running this type of business. You can essentially do it anywhere, which makes it a great option for expats and other jetsetters.
It’s a great way to make a little bit of money on the side, but has the potential for growth if that’s the direction you choose.
While it might be a bit risky to put all of your money in this business, its a great way to supplement your income or put together some extra cash for your next investment property. As Jason has talked about a number of times, the key to a great portfolio is diversification. While he’s typically referring to the geographical area in which you own properties, there’s some merit to the idea that all of your money doesn’t have to be tied up in one little bundle. Start a business. Invest in rental properties. Save (and make) money for retirement–and do it from anywhere in the world!
Jason Hartman has talked a lot about how the stock market is simply a modern version of organized crime–stocks manipulated daily, fluctuating and changing as the sun rises and sets. As you probably know, Jason prefers the stability of income property. While businesses ebb and flow, the need for housing remains constant. Essentially, these type of investments get rid of the middle man, giving you complete control and ownership of your investment.
And investments should pay–otherwise, they’re nothing more than speculations. Which can be alright, if they equal a very small percentage of your investments.
Jason Hartman also frequently recommends a diverse portfolio, which may include some international investments. Investments across a number of jurisdictions, bank accounts across the globe, and passports internationally all help diversify your portfolio and protect and grow your assets.
But investing abroad can be very complicated, and requires a bit of research. It may also require the consideration of different kinds of investments.
It’s important to note that even real estate is sometimes considered an alternate investment (as it is not a stock, bond, or cash). While real estate transactions have happened for a very long time, investment property is most often still considered an alternative investment.
Working with a trust company
If you’re going to be doing business internationally, it’s a great idea to manage your money through a trust company. When you work with a trust company, you simply set up a relationship with a trustee. You’ve probably heard of people setting up trusts for children, etc. to access down the road. Until that time comes, a trustee manages the assets. Trusts are wealth management tools, established to protect assets by minimizing litigation risks. Trusts also can be located offshore, which allow for a variety of tax benefits.
But trusts can be tricky. Should a judge question your trust in cases where money is owed, you could be in trouble. But it depends on how the trust is structured, so make sure that yours best protects your assets.
If you’re working through a trust, you also need to make sure that your assets cannot be stolen by the trustee. When assets are easily liquidated, this risk increases. For example, hard assets (like income property) are more difficult to cash out and are thus safer than other types of assets.
Alternate investments
Luckily, there’s always income property, but additional alternate investments are always worth considering. Alternative investments are those investments which fall into an asset class that is not stocks, bonds, or cash. It can include tangible assets (like metal, wine, art, other things people tend to collect). It can also include real estate funds, commodities, hedge funds, venture capital, even film production.
The Merrill Lynch/Cap Gemini Ernst and Young World Wealth Report from 2003 indicated that high net work individuals typically have about 10% of their assets in alternative investments (structured products, luxury valuables and collectibles, hedge funds, managed futures, and precious metals), as defined by the report. In 2007, this was reduced to 9%.
Timber
That’s right, ladies and gentlemen–timber is more than just another annoying Ke$ha/Pitbull song. Bobby Casey, from Global Wealth Protection, recently spoke with Jason Hartman about his alternate investments. He’s got a timber farm in Nicaragua that yields 15% annually. Because trees mature at different rates, wealth is compounded with such an investment. The longer the trees grow, the bigger they get–a great deal, if you’re selling by the pound.
The property is in his own name and is managed by local employees who share in the profit. Of course, there are risks involved (as with everything)–political, business risk, management risk. Ultimately though, people still need timber. So while prices fluctuate, Casey says that it is a pretty safe investment.
Mangos
Casey also invests in mangos from Panama. Similar to a tree farm, the yield comes more quickly and the initial investment is just $40,000. Cash flow doesn’t happen immediately–Casey says it takes between two and three years–but one tree is good for 50 or 60 years. After Within a couple years, Canadian teenagerjustin-bieber-news.info went from covering Usher on YouTube to working with Usher. only five years, an investor can expect to make a 25% cash yield annually. Best of all (trees or not) you own a piece of land.
Coins
Many coin collectors do not initially identify themselves as an investor, but that’s what they’re doing. Coin investors buy either bullion coins (those minted by national governments, usually gold) or numismatic coins. The former is not collected because their value is not dependant upon their scarcity and the later is valued for their rarity. Bullion coins reflect the value of gold while numismatic coins vary greatly in value. They’re fun to collect, but difficult to rely on from an investor standpoint.
Wine
Finally, an investment that’s consumable! All kidding aside, many people chose to invest in fine wines to the tune of an annual return between six and 15 percent. Because prices vary from year to year, investors need to conduct a fair amount of research on vineyards and vintages that have done historically well. Wine is tricky because you’ve got to invest in a lot of it at once to make a profit, it must be properly stored, and collections should be insured.
Art
Many investors like investing in artwork because it doesn’t follow the market fluctuation of stocks and bonds, making it a more appealing (and pretty!) choice. The value of art has shown an annual increase, but the market still shifts often. Since the 2008 recession, art has slumped in value. To invest in art, expect a startup cost of at least $10,000. While you may not immediately profit from your purchase, you’ve got something to hang on your walls.
The bottom line
We’ll always recommend real estate because it is safe and money-making. The smart investor has a large variety of options from locations around the world and, if he or she is wise, they’ll all be working to make money for the investor.
Many expatriates use investment properties in a variety of countries to supplement their income–it’s a smart choice, given the ease of acquiring income. While the rules might be different in every country, investing in property will always be a good choice–if you’re smart about where and how you do it.
Jason Hartman has traveled all over the world, so he knows a thing or two about international investments. While Jason hasn’t yet made the news, we bring you a few tales from those who have.
News in New Zealand
Very recently, New Zealand made the news for a New Zealand High Court decision regarding residency–a decision that should be celebrated by expats with property in New Zealand. In 2013, the Taxation Review Authority made a decision that any New Zealander who both lived and worked overseas for over ten years was a tax resident in New Zealand. Any claim otherwise was not acceptable. Fortunately, the High Court overturned that ruling this September.
The Taxation Review Authority deemed ownership of an investment property in New Zealand a sufficient tie to New Zealand for the purpose of tax residency. The residence, Mr. Diamond, lived outside of New Zealand and didn’t ever live in the investment property. The committee’s decision was made because the investment property was available to and for the investor and was in the general area where his ex wife and children resided. They ruled that he would likely choose to live in his investment property, should he move back to New Zealand–and was therefore liable for taxes.
The High Court, however, focused on how the piece of investment property was actually being used. They determined that he intended to rent it out and had, as demonstrated by his past, no plans to live there. As such, it was not considered his home and could not be listed as his New Zealand residence. The Taxation Review Authority chose to uphold penalties implemented by the Inland Revenue for not paying taxes on the basis that he was not a resident, claiming that position was incorrect.
The Inland Revenue, in a recent Interpretation Statement, recognized that investment properties and holiday homes may not be treated as a permanent residence, though those properties might be considered if other strong ties to New Zealand still exist.
The decision is good for expats who live and work overseas but make money via investment property–so long as they’ve never called their rental home.
Long term residency in the Middle East
Real estate investment has been growing in the Middle East, thanks to the rising number of expatriate centers in the area. They’re buying property at greater rates, thanks to real estate ownership being a qualifying factor for long term residency.
Property ownership guarantees a residence permit, but expats are seeing more benefits.Local economies are flourishing and property sales are higher than ever–21 percent belonging to British expats. Rental income is high (and growing) and properties appreciating in value. In 2012, property values showed an increase of 13 percent and are expected to continue their assent. So property is increasing in value–but so is rent.
Of course, these facts aren’t universally true. As Jason Hartman often points out, good rental properties are those in good, rentable locations. The same is true in the Middle East.
Singing in the ….Spain?
You just might be, if you’ve got the cash. In October of 2013, Spain passed legislation to benefit non EU citizens who wished to be in Spain. It’s a popular area for foreign investors, and the Spanish Parliament was likely wise to allow additional opportunity.
Expats can now buy a commercial or residential property to qualify for a visa that allows them to remain in Spain for twelve months (previously, a three month maximum)–but they’ve got to be willing to pay. To qualify, a property must be worth at least half a million euros. If this is sounds like it could be you, you’ll also receive a two year residency permit that can be renewed again.
The law also happens to be retroactive, so those who already own expensive properties will have the same opportunities.
Want another way to gain residency in Spain? Invest two million euro in public debt bonds or one million euro in Spanish companies. You might also set up a business in Spain to create jobs and positively influence the economy.
Of course, proof of your ability to provide financial support and health insurance for you and your family is required, as is a lack of criminal record.
Turkey lurkey
Turkey has seen a large number of expatriates because of the warm client, culture, and affordable prices. Inexpensive property is readily available and (overall) Turkey is a pretty cost effective place to retire or work. People like Turkey.
In April, the General Directorate for Migration Management announced changed to expat healthcare policies, requiring nationals from outside the country to invest in local policies in order to gain residency. Expats could either purchase expensive policies directly from the government or to invest in private Turkish insurance policies (even more expensive).
This raised the country’s cost of living considerably and angered expats who were already paying in their home country. Still others were happy to pay the cost, given that they’d be receiving better care. The lack of policies available frustrated many–so much so that the Turkish government is no longer requiring it. Instead, Turkey is offering the opportunity to choose a policy in either Turkey or one’s home country. Perhaps strangely, these rules apply only to expats who are of a standard retirement age–younger expats must still pay into Turkish health insurance policies. Though the rule may change shortly, it presents a problem for a younger generation of traveler.
As you can see, residency is a complicated affair made more complicated by the differences between countries. Laws and regulations change frequently–so make sure that you do your research before embarking on an international journey. Prepare yourself, save a little money, and secure that investment property!
Dubai has been in the news a couple of times lately, for reasons of varying important. First, because it hosted a hang out between at least one of the Kardashian sisters and former nemesis Paris Hilton. But Dubai again made the news because of a massive stock crash (6.5%) on Sunday, October 12, 2014.
The drop represents the biggest in four months and brings the Dubai Financial Market General Index to the lowest its been since late July. In the United States, stocks fell about 2.5% across the board–the Nasdaq lost more than 4%. But Jason Hartman has long spoken about the perilous gambling that is investing in stocks.
Dubai is the biggest city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates and is the second largest emirate (after Abu Dhabi, the capital) in territorial size. Located on the Persian Gulf’s southeast coast, it is one of seven making up the country and one of only two with veto power in the legislature. Home to the 2020 World Expo, it is a city on the rise.
Whether or not your wealth was affected by a fluctuating Dubai market, you might be wondering how the city rose to its current status.
Only a few years ago It seems like Dubai only recently entered our minds–a city that was rich and unique, interesting, new. A city with a skyline that set records and allowed skiing any time of year, thanks to the inclusion of an indoor ski facility. The city was home to a shocking number of foreign born individuals–96%, making it more diverse than any other city.
Dubai was a modern city at the forefront of innovation, thanks to advances in both technology and transportation.
Dubai before Before the jet plane came to Dubai in a significant way, it was a city linked to other developing cities and served as a place for Saudis and Iranians to visit when they wanted to get away from the more restrictive natures of their own countries. Russians would make purchases in Dubai and sell items back in Russia. In fact, a lot of international business people began to visit. And they stayed.
The idea of tax free salaries was pretty enticing, and by 1995, 20,000 Brits lived in Dubai. Dubai is now the financial hub of the Gulf.
Not all hearts and roses Much of the money associated with the 9/11 attacks on the US traveled through Dubai, so it’s reputation is not spotless. But the 9/11 attacks only fueled growth in the area, growth that stopped only because of the financial crisis. Still, when the Patriot Act made it less appealing to invest in the United States, money was pulled from one country and invested in Dubai.
In real estate news… In 2002, Sheikh Mohammed issued a decree which allowed foreign investors to own property in Dubai. This was the first time land reform measures allowed the ownership of real estate in any Gulf state–and it paid off. An area with little to no previous real estate market suddenly saw a shift from renting to home ownership. Wealthy folks from surrounding companies invested in Dubai real estate because their own countries were unstable and they feared for their wealth.
Real estate investment experts tauted Dubai as one of the greatest cities in which to invest and real estate markets continued to boom. If you’ve seen photographs of Dubai, you know what we’re talking about–a city that looks new and shiny, modern and full. Local architecture blossomed and the city built buildings shaped like trees and sandworms. Population increased and real estate continued to grow.
Free zones Dubai is divided up into free zones. People would be governed by different legal coded dependant upon where they were within the city. In this way, traveling amongst the various neighborhoods in Dubai became similar to traveling between whole different countries.
In 2002, the Dubai International Financial Center free zone opened, which made a block of desert off a major road into a free zone. The complex contains a variety of global banks and is intended to be a large space (110 acres) in which civil and commercial laws don’t apply, though other laws are written and implemented where needed. It’s a financial district with Western business sensibilities.
The DIFC has it’s own court system, it’s own official currency, it’s own official language.
Other “cities” Dubai is known as the financial hotspot of the Middle East, but leadership also hoped to make it a king of industry in other areas. Internet City and Media City make up another of Dubai’s free zones, which also have a very American feel.
These two “cities” are exempt from internet censorship laws too.
They’re a big deal, just ask Microsoft, who leases rent free for 50 years because they agreed to locate there and hang a big sign on the building. And where Microsoft goes, so go others–Hewlett Packard, Canon, and Dell, for starters.
The area has struggled to attract more creative types though. Regulations regarding intellectual freedom have prevented the two cities from growing as much as Dubai would perhaps like.
Media City is home to BBC, CNN, Reuters, al-Jazeera, and al-Arabiya. The location is popular because of it’s relative quiet in an area frequently at war.
A household name Big companies mean big publicity for Dubai, as do the crazy buildings and indoor ski slopes. A man made island doesn’t hurt either–Dubai has become something of a household name. And while restrictions may now prevent Dubai from experiencing the growth many would hope for, it is certainly on its way.
It’s a city on the rise, both for celebrities and investors–heck, even celebrity investors. Dubai is quite a destination for expatriates and tourists alike, and certainly shows no signs of stopping. Whether you’re looking for a piece of investment property, a week of skiing during the off-season, or a visit to discover some of the most interesting architecture around, Dubai is a city worth visiting.
People are more excited than ever about the possibility of working from anywhere. Established jetsetters and young graduates alike are keen on the idea of making money by working for themselves in a location of their choosing–and it is more possible than ever.
While businesses can take on many forms, buying and selling remain essential components of both. If you are prepared to begin a business, you’re going to have to choose a product to sell–and this may mean a number of things. When you’re thinking about products, it is important to note that you need to think about a specific product rather than just a niche.
Defining product
Your product should be narrowed down even within the niche in which you will operate. While not all niches are created equal, they all contain profitable products that tend to do well. This focus can make a new business seem less overwhelming. It can also be small enough to give you some side income–it needn’t be your full time job if that’s not something you’re interested in. If you are successful, you may later consider branching out.
Identifying your product
Not all products will make money and not all of them will be easy to sell. Identifying a product that will work for you is your first step to business success. It may seem silly to think about actual object size and shape, but it can be important. Good products tend to be small, light, and mobile.
Good products are extremely specific–you won’t sell pillows but goose down couch pillows. If you’re new to business, you’ll probably want to sell things that don’t cost a ton of money–think $200 and below. They’re affordable for everyone and tend to have a high profit margin, but you should make sure you’re selling for at least double the cost of purchase. They also seem to maintain buyers, ideally through all seasons and economic trends.
Avoid products that are overly mechanical, need warranties, and are sold at larger retailers for similar prices. As with any investment, you’ll want to minimize risk. Avoid fragile products, trademarked products that will get you in legal trouble, and products without universal appeal.
Price checking
We’re very luck to live in the age of information, so take full advantage of it in all of your investments. Do your research and check around for price comparisons. You’ll want your product to be competitive but you’ll also want it to make you money. Amazon and Ebay are great places to start your research and establish a price point for your product.
Finding a supplier
For every product you decide to sell, you’ll need to find and contact at least three suppliers–more, if you’d like. You’ll be in touch with salespeople who can feel pushy, but don’t be intimidated by them. They’ve got answers and you’re not obligated to buy from them. As you begin your communications process, create a separate email to avoid spam in your primary account.
Identify the suppliers that look promising to you and begin contacting them. Email or use a contact form that asks for general information and explains who you are. Ask for a price list, shipping information, payment details, and a sample of the product. Suppliers will typically be quick to respond to your request, as it means business for them.
Response time is a pretty good way to evaluate potential suppliers, so this should help you narrow your list to two or three suppliers you can test out. Purchase samples, making sure that you’re paying through a reputable service that provides records so that you’ll be protected from scams. You’ll also need to think about minimum order quantities and your ability to place an initial order, especially if this is a new business.
Once you’ve chosen a supplier, you’ll probably have to negotiate a little bit. Everything in business is negotiable, so don’t take anyone at their word when they say that rates are firm–they’re not. To negotiate the best price, you might say that another supplier is offering the product for a quarter less or negotiate cheaper shipping costs for continued business.
While many suppliers are similar, it’s important to find one that you are able to develop a good working relationship with. You’ll work closely with them for the duration of the life of your business, so don’t be afraid to shop around.
Selling your product
Once you’ve been through all the nitty gritty of product supplier selection, it’s (nearly) time to begin selling your product. First, make sure that the sample products you received are up to par. If they’re of low quality, your customers will complain and you won’t be able to build a strong reputation as a good businessperson.
Before you place a bulk order, sell your samples and wait for feedback. If something is very wrong with a product, your customers will let you know and you can address the problem before you’re stuck with 200 or them. Limit your risk by testing things first.
Congratulations! You’re now ready to sell your product. List it on eBay, Amazon, etc. from your seller account. Get those samples out there and wait a week or so after they’ve been delivered. Because your samples cost you money and shipping, you probably won’t begin making money when you sell them–but it’s an important part of the process.
If you’ve listed your products, conducted your research, and written good, clear copy, you should be making sales. If you aren’t, it may be time to reevaluate price, product quality, etc. Solve any problems you may have before you order in bulk. You may also find that your product simply isn’t in demand. While you may be frustrated at your wasted time, you should understand that this is simply part of growing a business. As you continue to buy and sell products, you’ll find that your business sense also grows. It does get easier.
For more information and next steps in the buy and sell process, read next week’s “Part 2” article.
Coming your way: a new generation of (probably permanent) renters. It’s the millennials, making news once again for the basic contradiction of their lives: better educated than their parents, but simultaneously economically more disadvantaged. And because this generation is both the largest demographic and one of the poorest, their circumstances may mean new opportunities for income property investors.
According to census data reported in a recent article from The Atlantic, the median income for the nation’s youngest members of the workforce lags far behind that of their parents at similar ages and locations. On average, young working adults today earn $2000 less than their parents did.
That’s no surprise given the current economic climate and the large amount of student debt carried by many new and fairly recent college graduates – debt that will likely shadow them for the length of their professional lives. And that’s assuming that they’ll be able to enter the profession they trained for.
Securing solid employment is a challenge for this generation in an era of stagnant job growth and declining demand in key fields. And the picture is even worse for those without a college degree, since job options are even more limited. For college dropouts who ended up without a degree but still have student loans to pay off, things may be even worse.
Still, as the Atlantic points out, comparing today’s young workers with their parents at the same age may be like comparing the stereotypical apples and oranges. It’s a very different world in many ways. The country is a far more diverse place than it was thirty or forty years ago. Some of today’s young workers are the children of immigrant parents who earned very little. In an era of increasing globalization, jobs have been outsourced overseas and technology has made others obsolete. Four-year college degrees can’t always keep ahead of the curve in a fast moving world.
But all these change notwithstanding, by most standards, the millennials are struggling. And that struggle is clearly illustrated in the housing market. To save money, many underemployed young workers are still living with family. Others are sharing dwellings – and rent – with friends.
Of those twenty and thirtysomethings on their own, though, an overwhelming majority is renting dwellings that range from apartments to houses. Citing money concerns and lifestyles, they’re choosing to get married later and postpone having children. And unstable employment situations mean they might need to move to another city for work.
Along with millennial attitudes toward home buying, the housing landscape has changed dramatically since their parents’ day. The housing collapse and the recession that followed brought tighter standards for getting a mortgage, including higher down payments and credit scores. That made it more difficult for young workers with unstable employment to even qualify for a home loan.
Because those standards were actually preventing people from getting loans and buying homes, they’ve relaxed somewhat. The government has asked the Fair Isaac Corporation, purveyors of the famed FICO credit scoring system, to loosen their standards. And amendments to the Qualified Mortgage Rule that took effect in i2014 have relaxed the down payment requirements for some kinds of loans.
Those changes don’t seem to have affected millennials’ interest in home buying much. Another trend might: the surge in rents in many markets around the country. A recent study by online real estate giant Zillow found that on average, renters pay twice as much per month for housing than homeowners. Some industry watchers speculate that the sheer cost of renting could push millennials with the ability to make a down payment to take the plunge into homeownership.
But that depends on factors that, for now, seem to elude the grasp of many in this youngest generation of workers still struggling to find and keep well paying jobs. While their parents may have been able to opt in to the American dream of homeownership at a similar age, today’s millennials are postponing it, perhaps indefinitely.
It seems like cruise ships are always in the news for one thing or another—whether they’re sinking, flipping, or serving up a mass amount of sickness, cruise ships are a popular topic of conversation. Infamous writer David Foster Wallace immortalized his experience aboard with A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again and The Simpson’s took the cruise idea further with their own parody episode.
Recently, cruise ships have been in the news because Lee Wachtstetter, an 86 year old Florida woman, is paying $164,000 to live on one. She’s on the Crystal Serenity ship, where she’s known as Mama Lee. She’d been there since her husband died in 1997.
The ship holds just over 1,000 people and has a chef’s garden, an abundance of retail stores, a movie theater, and a whole bunch of food. Wachtstetter says she’s gained 25 pounds—but at 87, she’s hardly concerned about calories. Instead, she’s attending ship christenings by Dame Julie Andrews and making friends and dancing all of the time.
And, while a bit unusual, Wachtstetter isn’t the only person in the world who does this. There’s actually a private residential ship called The World, which is home to 165. It’s been around since 2002. There’s also a number of people who live aboard other tourist ships, as does Wachtstetter.
Wachtstetter doesn’t know how many countries she has visited because she’s been to so many (she’s been to basically everywhere that has a port) and attributes her love of cruising to her late husband who was a banker and a real estate appraiser. During their 50 year marriage, they went on 89 cruises. Since, she’s been on around a hundred more, 15 of which were World cruises.
While aboard, Wachtstetter definitely misses her family, but technology has been a lifesaver. She’s got a laptop she uses to stay in touch with her three sons and seven grandchildren. Plus, she sees them whenever they dock in Miami. Last year, that happened five times.
She’s shelling out $164,000 to live in a single occupancy stateroom on the seventh deck, but that includes meals, gratuities, and entertainment. Prior to her residency on her Crystal Cruise ship, she lived on Holland America for all of three years. She left when the ship decided to stop offering the dance host program Wachtstetter loves so much.
On the Crystal Cruise ship, there are three other women, but Wachtstetter has been there the longest. Everyone on board loves her—and she loves them right back.
The case for cruise ships
Why exactly would one want to live aboard a cruise ship, you ask? There are quite a few reasons Wachtstetter and others might choose this lifestyle. Everything is contained in one relatively small, safe space. There are malls containing everything a person might need or want to purchase, and endless supply of food (people often joke that most people gain a pound per day aboard a cruise ship) and plenty of entertainment—from movie theaters to fire dancers to swimming in a manmade pool within view of the ocean. There’s a lot to offer.
There are a growing number of expatriates across the world and, unsurprisingly, many are married or otherwise coupled. When a spouse makes the decision to live and work abroad, they often receive training and other accommodations to make their transition overseas easier. But what about their partner?
For many, a transition to expat life when a partner makes the decision to live and work abroad can be a difficult and lonely process. When you move because your significant other has accepted work, they’ve often got a built-in community as a result of their job. As a result, you may have a hard time creating your own opportunities.
Luckily, many companies offer (at a minimum) a course or two before your travel to assist with learning the culture, language, and food. Of course, learning the language will inevitably smooth your transition, as will connected with other local expatriates. You may also be able to find pre and post relocation counseling that will ease your transition and set your expectations. You may also meet people by involving yourself with your significant other’s company events, joining parent groups, etc.–but be prepared to feel overwhelmed at first.
The reality of the situation
While various forms of cultural preparation can make you feel a little less uneasy about your new home, you should prepare to feel isolated and even lonely at first. As with any move, it can take awhile to assimilate into a place and meet people with whom you can become friends. Simple things may suddenly become difficult–purchasing clothing in your size, for example.
Often, transitional help is provided as a couple prepares for expatriation, but fades once the move is complete. It is estimated that 30% of those who chose to return early from international job assignments do so because of the inability of their significant other or family to adapt to the new culture and lifestyle.
This is problematic for a couple of reasons. First, early returns cost both the former expatriates and the company they work for money. Reputations can be damaged beyond repair and replacements must be found. This of course interferes with productivity. But there is a human cost too–such decisions can encourage resentment from one spouse and interfere with relationships. Repatriation can also be a difficult process, and the former (home) office of the employee may not be prepared to deal with the reintroduction of an employee who has been living abroad.
What’s being done
Obviously, the best solution to the problem is to find a way to accommodate expatriate spouses and significant others before it is too late. Some companies have begun to send spouses and/or children to immersion courses that begin with the initial concerns of a place–food, etiquette, language, appearance. These courses may also cover topics like gift giving, customs during births or deaths, and so on. The courses will progressively delve deeper into the country and culture, giving spouses and children a more thorough idea about what’s going on in their new country. Some companies even continue these courses, especially in language, once the family has relocated to their new country.
While these courses do cost a company money, the goal is to reduce relationship and family stress, loneliness, and culture shock to make the transition to expatriate life as easy as possible. These courses work best when they are cumulative, happening before, during, and after the move.
What spouses can do
Even in the absence of professional support, there are steps significant others can take to make things easier in their new country and culture. It is recommended that they adapt an immersive attitude–become part of the new culture by experiencing it in every way from day one. This means purchasing groceries from local stores, using local post offices, and buying supplies from the same places the locals do–basically, do everything as you normally would.
This can provide invaluable experience to a new expat–by observing the actions of others, you more easily begin to behave like them. You’ll learn the secrets the locals know, and soon you’ll be one of them. Focus on learning language, which will almost certainly act as a cultural entry point for you.
Of course, you’re going to have to deal with some major differences in culture–but there area ton of resources available, including Jason Hartman’s many podcasts. Training can help negate these differences, but do your own reading and observing too. Know that these differences can be deeper than what you see on the surface–there may be deeply held beliefs that aren’t immediately apparent (though you may still need to be aware of them). The key to assimilating will be to completely invest in being part of a culture, and a positive attitude will go a long way. Set realistic expectations for yourself and your new country and embrace change with open arms.
Pulling the plug
While some people may try to make the expatriate lifestyle work, there comes a point when you may have to call it quits. Unfortunately, living and working abroad isn’t for everyone and it can be in your best interest to go home, assuming you’ve given your new country a fair shot. A spouse may continue to feel isolated if they’re not getting support outside of their relationship.
If your spouse’s company isn’t considerate of your needs, you may end up heading home–and that’s okay too. Appreciate the opportunity to travel and explore, give life outside of your home country a change, and don’t be ashamed if (for whatever reason) it simply doesn’t work out.
Support is obviously crucial to successful spouse expatriate experiences, and when it isn’t received, things can go south pretty quickly. If you are the employed expatriate spouse for whom the family is moving, ask about options for support. If you are the spouse or significant other, seek out resources to help make your transition easier. Similarly, if you are a company who sends employees on long term international assignments, think about what you could do to make the experience a better, more productive one for your employees and their families.
Travelling the world is an ambition that many people share, but few get the opportunity due to the costs involved. However, taking simple steps to increase your income and save money can make all the difference between a staycation and an amazing vacation. Jason Hartman offers tips and advice for anyone – regardless of educational background or prior investing knowledge – to earn income through investment rental properties. It is an excellent way to supplement your current income to set aside additional income for your current or future travels.
Cutting back on current expenses is an added option for saving money for travel in the United States or abroad.
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Reduce utility spending: Take a shorter shower, line dry your clothes on warm days, open the windows to create a breeze rather than running the air conditioner, drop your thermostat by one degree in the winter, or let your hair air-dry rather than blow-drying it. There are many ways to save on your energy and water bills, simply by using them less. The small efforts really add up to noticeable savings.
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Use your car less: Save on gas by carpooling or taking the bus to the store or work. You can also ride your bike or walk to nearby locations that you would typically drive to, which is better for your health and your wallet.
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Cancel your gym membership: Speaking of walking or riding your bike, why not save even more money by canceling your gym membership and pick up cycling or running instead? You can even invest in home gym equipment and still save money that would normally be spent on a gym membership.
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Pack your lunch: Even if you’re only spending $5 per day on lunches, which most likely it’s closer to $15, you’ll be saving a lot over the course of a year simply by packing your own lunches. Brown-bag lunches do not have to be boring tuna fish and a brown banana, either. Get creative. Use Pinterest for adult-friendly packed lunches or make extra for dinner and freeze it for a lunch later in the week.
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Give up Starbucks: Everyone enjoys a Double-Shot Whipped Mocha Latte every once in a while; but if you spend $3 to $5 per day indulging in coffee drinks, you are wasting money. Calm your caffeine addiction with home-brewed coffee and save your bills for that Caribbean vacation instead.
So start saving money today and contact Jason Hartman to learn how you can acquire investment rental properties as a means of additional income. You’ll be on that tropical vacation before you know it!
The recent boom and subsequent bust of the housing market has left many Americans skeptical of investing in real estate. While it is true that we may be on the upswing, potential sellers and buyers are still treading lightly. Yet, things are not as bad as they seem. Money can be made in real estate and Jason Hartman wants to show you how.
Jason Hartman is a self-starter. While attending college he began investing and brokering in real estate. He would go on to found three companies: Platinum Properties Investor Network (PPIN), The Hartman Media Company, and The Jason Hartman Foundation. He and his colleagues help fellow investors through podcasts, software, and speaking engagements. Hartman encourages others to financial independence and literacy in order to turn the tide of our current financial crisis.
Jason wants to make it known that the so-called “housing market” is actually made up of several minor, specific markets – some of which are currently very healthy. Through PPIN the difficult work of scouring the country in search of potential investment properties has been done. Hartman’s group works as a researcher and aggregator in major cities in eleven different states, such as Texas, Florida, and both the Carolinas. These are cities specifically chosen for their real estate investment potential.
From there, Hartman educates investors on how to make money through income properties. The key term here is returns. Hartman’s philosophy centers on the idea of choosing real estate in markets where the prospective return on the investment is maximized. Buyers use low interest, fixed-rate loans to purchase properties in areas where the market is about to blow up. For instance, Atlanta is the home of several Fortune 500 companies, one of the fastest growing and most diverse cities in the U.S., and is projected by the U.S. Census Bureau to steadily grow through 2030. By investing now in the right Atlanta Metro properties, Jason Hartman is sure that investors will see quick, large returns.
It is no secret that investing in real estate can be highly risky. However, there are locations and strategies to greatly diminish that risk. Jason Hartman has earned millions of dollars in the real estate business through such means. He wants to share his methods with you and help you on your way to a life of financial independence offering all of us the opportunity for a higher standard of living.
Thanks to our ridiculous American tax code and lawsuit-crazy national mentality, it’s not surprising that those among us lucky enough to have a little money are looking for ways to protect it from the IRS, litigants, ex-spouses, and maybe even to stiff a few creditors in the process. (We’re not making moral judgments here, just calling them like we see them).
In case you missed the news, the United Bank of Switzerland, formerly a bastion of stability and privacy, has reached an agreement with the IRS to turn over personal information related to account holders suspected to be engaged in tax fraud. Ouch. The bottom line is that the Swiss banking system, which was built on a rock solid devotion to secrecy, now only offers stability, privacy, and protection to clients against private parties. An additional disincentive to go offshore is that domestic judges have taken to jailing people who refuse to disclose or turn over assets stashed there.
So, what are you going to do? One option is to take advantage of a growing trend in domestic trusts. Seeing an opportunity to carve out a slice of a lucrative market, individual states like Alaska, Delaware, Nevada, and South Dakota have promulgated the most attractive trusts and pro-debtor laws. These new domestic trusts aren’t your grandfather’s trust. They’ve been tweaked to allow you to put money in and benefit from it but also to prevent creditors from getting it out, after a certain period of time.
For example, during a bankruptcy hearing, a federal court can access trust assets going back ten years, which probably makes most readers wonder why even bother? The good news is that the window of opportunity for private creditors to claim your assets is much shorter when the federal government isn’t involved, as little as two years in Nevada. These new trusts also prevent ex-spouses from claiming funds for alimony, property settlements, and (surprisingly) child support.
Jason Hartman would like to remind you that these new types of domestic trusts haven’t been fully tested in a court of law. While many lawyers believe they will hold up, you might not want to volunteer yourself as a guinea pig. The bottom line is that the best strategy to protect a large amount of cash is to spread it among several jurisdictions, both foreign and domestic. Diversification still works better than anything else. It’s more time consuming and expensive for a creditor to fight a legal battle on several fronts simultaneously, making it more likely they’ll agree to a settlement.
Whether or not you want to tip the service staff while traveling is entirely beside the point. You’d better do it, especially if you use the facilities often and don’t want to find yourself wandering why the doorman can’t seem to find a vacant taxi when they’re lined up and down the sidewalk; or why it was your suitcase that got mashed repeatedly between the elevator doors on the way down to the lobby? As a swanky Jetsetter, it is certainly your right to disagree that proper tipping is necessary but be prepared to suffer the consequences.
Think service staff at high-priced hotels and restaurants aren’t as petty as the rest of us? Think again.
The following is the going rate for a nice dinner out:
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Waiter - 15%, Captain 5%. If you add the tip on your credit card, specify the breakdown between the two or the waiter gets it all.
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Headwaiter who seats you - Give him $5 if it’s a one time visit or $10 at regular intervals if you’re a regular patron. Always make it cash. Never tip the headwaiter if you like long waits and lousy tables.
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Sommelier - 10% or 5% if the wine is very expensive. Come on, what are you doing ordering expensive wine if you can’t cough up a little something for the wine dude? In most places, $2 or $3 is a decent tip.
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Bartender gets a buck minimum or 15% of your drinking bill.
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Hatcheck, restroom attendant, and doorman should get fifty cents to a dollar. Opt for the latter if he has to flag a taxi for you in the rain.
Other random tipping advice. The limo driver expects about a 15% tip. Hotel valets, room service, and bartenders get fifty cents to a dollar. The bellman need fifty cents a bag and the chambermaid a dollar a day. The headwaiter at your favorite nightclub should get $5 to $10, depending upon the level of service you’d like (and how much you want to impress your friends).
That about covers it for tipping. Remember, ignore the "little" people at your own peril.
Airlines love to dictate how you should book a connecting flight with at least a three hour safety window to make sure you don't miss it. Well, that's a bunch of poppycock. Often, you can find cheaper air fare by booking an "illegal" connecting flight that leaves as little as 45 minutes after the first leg of your flight lands at the airport. Apparently, airlines don't trust themselves to stay on schedule and the thought of hundreds of travelers sprinting through the airport simultaneously in a mad dash to connect fills them with trepidation.
Plus, what better way to force you to drop some bills on local food, beverage, and book vendors than "encouraging" you to hang around for three hours? Got the waiting-around-the-airport blues? Here's what to do. Normally these too-close-for-comfort flights don't show up on computer schedules generated by third party aggregates like Travelocity or even the airline's own website. But you can call your handy-dandy travel agent and have him book two separate tickets. The second is a flight that commences at your connecting city. See how that works? Instead of waiting for three hours in Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago or some other God forsaken airport, touchdown, grab your bag and go.
The cost to book your trip this way should be no more than a traditionally booked flight. If you happen to miss your connection, simply turn in your ticket at the counter and have them book you on a later flight. Using this method, you're really rolling the dice if you check baggage. Chances are that's not going to work out well for you. Go the carry-on route and make sure it's something you can move fast with.
You don't have to fly around the world constantly to live the splendid life of a Jetsetter. Don't forget that there are plenty of spine-tingling road trips to be had right here in the good, old United States of America. The clear advantage to American travel is you can rent yourself a hot little sports car and roll in style. If you already own a hot little sports car, bully for you. What are you waiting for? Get it out on the road.
When it comes to seeing the highways and byways of America at top speed, what better rental car choice than the current fastest production model available, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT. Now we didn't say you could trot down to your friendly neighborhood Hertz dealer and find one of these. And who knows what the daily rental rate would be. Probably one of those deals where if you have to ask – you can't afford it. How fast is fast? The Ultimate Aero clocks in at 255.83 miles per hour. That's fast. You could see a lot of America fly past the windows at that speed.
Stepping down from fantasyland for a moment, what would be a good, high-performance car to choose for your American travel that's a bit more grounded in reality? The Mazda RX-8 can be had for a $26,000 to $35,000 (purchase price). This practical sports car uses a 238 HP engine to hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and, strangely, can seat four adults in comfort. With the RX-8′s great combination of handling, speed, and comfort, you might almost convince the wife that it would make a good family car. Good luck with that.
All that's left is for you to lock and load your American travel destination. We hear the fall foliage in Maine is an excellent sight to behold. And don't forget the Pacific Coastal Highway. Or the Overseas Highway heading out to Key West.
Don’t just assume you know everything there is to know about the ins and outs of credit cards when traveling overseas. That could be the biggest mistake you’ve made in a while and nobody wants that. First of all, don’t take debit cards masquerading as a credit card. You know the ones we’re talking about. They walk, talk, and look like a regular credit card, but back at the company, it’s a whole different beastie that will likely be turned down in many international locations.
The main reason to call your credit card company is to alert them to the fact that there will be charges coming through from outside the country. Otherwise, they might grow suspicious when payments for women’s lingerie in Istanbul and hand grenades in Switzerland start coming in, and shut down your card completely, thinking it is being used fraudulently.
Other issues to address with your company before traveling are:
how acceptable their card is in your target country
if your PIN works there
foreign exchange and cash advance policies
phone number to call in case of trouble
There’s one thing of which you can certain; having your credit card declined in the midst of a two week vacation to another country would be classified as the opposite of fun. Though you will likely be able to use your credit cards for cash advances while traveling, remember that the ATM will dispense funds in the local currency, so don’t freak when unusual colors and shapes come out instead of trusty Uncle Sam’s dinero. And you might won’t to take more than one credit card, in case the first one becomes mysteriously maxed out or won’t work at a particular location. Bring at least two different companies of the Big Four along for the ride: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover.
Who among us hasn’t had the fleeting (sometimes permanent) urge to test ourselves against the earth with nothing but two feet between ecstasy an disaster? Would you settle for old, rickety wood, a stout chain to hold onto and a deadly plunge down the side of a Chinese mountain? If you’re really dialed into adventure travel, don’t miss out on the chance to journey to Mount Hua for what might be a trek across the most dangerous hiking trail in the world, known as the Huashan Trail.
Located 120 miles east of Xi’an City, and on the vertical slopes of one of China’s five sacred mountains, some people come for the rugged natural scenery and others for the ancient Taoist temples. But in this area, it’s all about the Huashan Trail and those who dare to tread upon it. Thanks to the Chinese government’s policy of censoring such information, we don’t know exactly how many people die each year on the trail but unofficial estimates put the number upwards of at least 100.
The thing to keep in mind with the Huashan Trail is that this is hiking, not mountain climbing, so generally you don’t get to rely on fancy gear to keep a misstep from plunging you into the abyss. However, a pair of work gloves and a strong grip are helpful. The worst part of the trail is a thirteen-foot long, one foot wide plank path hammered into the rock of a vertical cliff face. There is a chest-high chain hammered into the rock also, which would be a great place to hook yourself to with a mountain climbing harness. Other portions of the trail only have chain and a few footholds to keep you from tumbling back down the mountain.
Travel advice pop quiz time: It's fun to get sick while on vacation. True or false? If you answered in the affirmative, we suggest a Pacific scuba outing in the region of the deadly venomous "reef stone fish," a critter rumored to have ended the lives of numerous islanders over the years. It's highly toxic venom ought to give your immune system a good workout. The rest of us prefer to stay at the peak of health at all times, especially when traveling.
Here are some critical issues.
Know Your Allergies
If you have allergies and are traveling out of the country, learn how to say the name of the offending food in the local language. This might also apply to the Deep South in the United States if you're from New York or California, and vice versa, of course.
Dental
If you even have a suspicion you might need dental work done, why not get it before you go? Ever seen the movie Cast Away? Bet Tom Hanks wishes he had seen a dentist before he crashed on that desert island and had to perform his own root canal with a rock and (shudder)…never mind.
Indigenous Diseases
If you're going somewhere known for funky diseases, and every place has at least a few funky diseases, our travel advice to you is research first and know how to prevent exposure. Failing that, at least figure out what to do if you contract a disease. It's also a good idea to stock up on prescriptions and get vaccinations if needed. Schedule your vaccines early enough that you'll have time to recover in the event of an allergic reaction.
Trying to do all this the day before departure – not a good idea. What's the point of even giving you travel advice if you're not going to use it properly? Go ahead. Have a tooth pulled, half a dozen vaccines, and tease a reef stone fish the day before you leave on your African safari if you must, but don't say we didn't warn you.
Going to Vegas to blow a little trust fund money, hmm? That's okay. No crime in that. But what would it be worth to you to get the inside skinny on your best chances to walk out with the shirt on your back? Nothing? Okay, we're going to tell you anyway, Mr. or Mrs. Jetsetter. Craps and baccarat are the best chances for success from a Vegas casino. They take the smallest percentage and are easiest to play. Blackjack is okay if you have a sharp eye and good memory. Your worst bets are keno, roulette, and the slot machines.
Okay, ready to roll, right?
Please, we're just getting started. We haven't even reached the important part yet. No matter how thick your Jetsetter credit card is, go in with a game plan. Know in advance where you're going to draw the line at losses and at what point you'll throw in the towel. Entering a casino with an open-ended loss target is a recipe for disaster. People that do that are the reason we have organizations like Gambler's Anonymous. Don't be the next to have to stand up and say, "Hello, my name is Derek and I'm a gambling addict."
Don't chase money or you're a goner for sure. Never risk more than 1% of your stake on a single bet and only up bets that you're ahead on. Likewise, don't lose your mind to euphoria. You have to be very, very smart and disciplined to walk out of a casino with a profit. These guys aren't pikers. They've been calculating odds and taking suckers for a while now. If you hit a small winning streak with a certain dealer, say $100, but have given back $20 of the profit, take a breath, close up shop, and walk away. Find another table. Eat a lobster dinner. Whatever you do, take a break before continuing.
And the last Jetsetter in Vegas rule is to pass up free drinks unless you want to leave a loser. Do you think they offer them out of their concern that you might be thirsty? Wrong! They wouldn't do it if it wasn't profitable. What does alcohol do? Altogether, boys and girls. It lowers inhibitions and turns normally sane individuals into gambling idiots and the casino wins.
Good night and thanks for coming.
It seems almost silly to ask but, if you’re going to be living abroad, why wouldn’t you want to learn the language? Do you want to make life more difficult for yourself? We’re just saying…when in Rome, it makes sense to speak Romish or whatever that language is. What’s that from the peanut gallery? Italian? Oh, yeah. And don’t start whining about how hard it is.
If you’re going to the time, expense, and risk of living abroad, give yourself the best chance for success by actually being able to communicate with your new neighbors, at least on some level of proficiency. A recent article in Escape From America Magazine caught our attention. In it, writer Paul Allen wrote about his experience at a conference in Vienna attended by folks from all over Europe and the Middle East.
Allen was amazed at the level of English skill exhibited by attendees who were using it as their second or even third language. Yes, English is still the language of business but that sentiment is not going to do you much good when you’re trying to buy a bar of soap in Managua. Don’t be the ugly American who thinks the rest of the world should bend to your accident of birth.
Allen went on to quote a 2005 European Commission study which reported that the following percent of adults in these countries were able to converse in English:
Sweden 85%
Denmark 83%
Netherlands 79%
Luxembourg 66%
Add to these amazingly high number that over 50% speak English in Finland, Slovenia, Austria, Belgium, and Germany. Kind of makes us look inadequate, huh? A Dutch friend who Allen spoke with told him that she believed that American television had a great influence since the shows run with Dutch subtitles rather than being dubbed. A last tidbit for you. English is the third most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. Americans planning on living abroad in a Central American country, take heed. They speak Spanish there.
Expats are discovering that travel to Tulum, Mexico, is like finding your inner hippie. Maybe you never were a hippie but kind of wanted to be. Maybe not. Maybe you're just into nature, community, and big helping of relaxation. Tulum is a small town on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula that, despite an explosion of growth, actually has a plan in place to manage the increased demands in harmony with the environment.
In a word, the city is prepared to grow in such a way that it doesn't ruin the very thing that brought people there in the first place. For expats interested in travel to Tulum, expect to find sub-tropical forests, long, wide beaches and the mystical influence of a Mayan past hanging over everything. While some of Tulum's beaches have become known around the world, it's still easy to find long stretches of sand with hardly another human nearby, perfect for downshifting from the rest of the world. The turquoise Caribbean on one side and verdant jungle on the other has caused many a visitor to lapse into a hypnotic dream state they swear never to leave.
From biosphere preserves rich with an incredible diversity of animals and plants to the eco-themed parks designed to put you in touch with the area's history, nature, and culture, you'll never lack for activities to activate your "get outside" bone. But is it for you? Maybe a week or month long trip would be in order. As with any new area, it takes awhile to settle in and discern the true vibe of the place. Maybe you'll like it so much you'll break the beads, tie-dyed shirts and start channeling Jerry Garcia.
Then again, you might say, "To hell with this."
But for jetsetting, aging hippies, travel to Tulum could be just what you've been loooking for.
Is your adventure travel vacation in peril of being swamped by a lousy economy? We hope not. Everybody needs a vacation, preferably a whole bunch of them. Here are some ideas to save money before you throw in the towel on your vacation this year.
The first way to save money with adventure travel is do the research; exhaustive research if you have time. Don’t throw a dart at the globe and plan to head for where it sticks. Or if you do, at least figure out to enjoy locals prices once you get there. There’s no reason to pay the outrageous tourist mark up. With the internet, it’s relatively easy to contact local bloggers and expatriates for the scoop on where to stay and eat and what to do to avoid high prices.
This next idea applies to almost anything in life but especially for adventure travel: Overestimate the cost and reduce spending. There you go. The secret to success in this life. Here’s some good advice from Arnie Weissman, editor-in-chief of the publication Travel Weekly. Take half as many things as you packed and twice as much money. In addition to what you might carry as cash, have access to more via a credit or debit card.
While an exact prediction of when the plane ticket to your adventure destination will be at it’s absolute lowest is next to impossible, there is a method that should get you a good price. Begin checking prices about two months out. Repeat every few days to catch any downward fluctuations. When it hits a price you feel comfortable with, pull the trigger. And don’t make the mistake of waiting until the very last minute. Once in a blue moon might get you an incredible deal. Most of the time it gets you kicking yourself in the pants.
And remember not to be so cheap that you miss out on the experience of a lifetime over a few measly dollars. If you’re in Egypt and it costs $20 to see the pyramids up close and personal, don’t fret that it’s your entire expense budget for the day - see the freaking pyramids!
Americans intending to expat to Mexico have traditionally been a little queasy about the prospect of owning Mexican real estate. Thanks to a previously nebulous, byzantine set of laws on the subject, who can be blamed for wondering exactly what an American can and can't own in Mexico? Thankfully, the Mexican government has realized what a great economic boon it is to allow foreigners to fully participate in the local economy, and that means owning property.
Here are some answers to the most obvious Mexican real estate questions.
Q: Can foreigners own property in Mexico?
A: Yes. Ownership is guaranteed through a 50 year renewable Mexican Bank Trust. More than one million Americans currently own property in Mexico.
Q: Can an expat buyer get title insurance and escrow on the property?
A: Yes. Several U.S. Companies specialize in Mexican real estate insurance.
Q: Can the Mexican government reclaim the property?
A: No. Foreign owners enjoy the same rights to ownership as a Mexican national, as well as all the benefits of direct ownership.
Q: How much are property taxes?
A: The current property tax rate is .65% of assessed value as long as it is used for residential use.
Add to this that Mexico was named the "World's Top Retirement Haven" by International Living in 2007. Not too shabby. When you consider the millions of illegal Mexican immigrants streaming north across the border into the United States, makes one consider there must be a lot of extra space down south. With recent expat focus on countries like Costa Rica and Panama, don't forget to give good, old Mexico her due.
Depending upon where in the world you are going, a travel vaccination review with your doctor might be a good idea first. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have updated information on their website about health threats in various countries. You’ll need to think far enough ahead to schedule a doctor’s visit 4 to 6 weeks before your scheduled departure. Some vaccines take that long to begin working.
The CDC divides the idea of a travel vaccination into three categories: routine vaccinations, recommended vaccinations, and required vaccinations.
Routine Vaccinations: Routine vaccinations include those against diseases that may be almost unheard of in the United States but are still common elsewhere. You may not be fond of finding out that you need to be poked with a needle a few times but it’s better than a raging case of influenza. Different vaccination schedules apply to adults, adolescents, and children. Particular information can be found on the CDC website at wwwnc.cdc.gov.
Recommended Vaccinations: There are several factors that go into determining if you need a recommended travel vaccination. This category of vaccine is meant to protect you from diseases that might be present in other parts of the world and to keep you from bringing it back home. Factors that go into your doctor’s decision and recommendations are destination country, time of year, travel to rural areas, age, overall health, and vaccination history.
Required Vaccinations: At present, there are two vaccines required by the International Health Regulations. Travel to certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa or Brazil requires that you be vaccinated against Yellow Fever. A meningococcal vaccination is also required by Saudi Arabia if you travel during the annual the Hajj, or trek to Mecca. Take one look at the massive crowds of people thrown together from around the world and you’ll understand why.
Got it? Now go get a travel vaccination if you need one.
The concept of fractional ownership of luxury items allows more people than ever to live the life of a jetsetter. Condos, cars, private jet airplanes, yachts, and even fine art can be yours for a fraction of the cost. Of course, you only get to enjoy it for a fraction of the time but, to many people, a little is better than nothing.
We’re used to the idea of fractional ownership in relation to condos. You pay a yearly fee, maybe a few thousand dollars, for the use of the condo for a particular week. 51 other people are sold the same rights and, voila, every week of the year is filled. It’s not especially cheap but it is cheaper than buying a condo outright on the French Riviera, Acapulco, or the Florida Keys.
The latest fractional ownership craze that lets you live the life of a jetsetter is vineyards. That’s right. Dip your toe into the Argentinian wine industry for a mere $12,000. For that low entry cost you receive a 1/25th share in the La Vida Buena Argentine Boutique Vineyard, plus the use of a 2 bedroom / 2 bath rental casita. With wine sales from the region soaring to customers like the United States, Canada, and Brazil, local developers estimate your $12,000 investment would be generating approximately $2,000 annually by year five. Don’t expect any profit the first few years because it takes awhile to get the vines up and growing.
The onsite rental casita will help boost the vineyard’s income and will also be available to owners interested in taking a look at how their investment is proceeding. Don’t ever say we never told you how to live the life of a jetsetter vineyard owner at a fraction of the cost of starting one yourself.
If you decide to expatriate, one thing you should get used to is the fact that you’re always going to be an Ugly American. No amount of time, money, or plastic surgery will change it. So why become an expat? There are too many reasons to list: adventure, new horizons, unusual employment fugitive status. Doesn’t mater what your reasons are because they are as legitimate as any. But why must you be classified as an Ugly American? You haven’t personally offended anyone.
The answer goes back decades and you can thank your leftist expat friends for the rancor they’ve stirred up while languishing in Europe. In every city, at every hip cafe you find them. Alienated, angry, affluent, middle-aged males smoking Gitanes, claiming to be writers in search of the unique European experience – the new Henry Miller.
These expat brats are American Failures, having secured a college degree of sorts, financed by mommy and daddy, in the art of their choice. Upon graduation, they realize that their classmates who didn’t spend every waking moment spewing bile and vitriol at the American way of life have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, and accountants. Seething with the resentment of failure, our Ugly American hero heads for Europe where his diatribes against the evils of capitalism will be properly appreciated.
He calls himself a writer but his European acquaintances see through that bit of smoke and mirrors. The Ugly American’s unique literary gifts and cultural insight are no better appreciated on the far side of the Atlantic, largely because they are non-existent. This financial failure goes on childish rampages against the evils of monetary reward for effort expanded.
Remember the Ugly American expat while suffering the quiet scorn of citizens around the world. It is he who went before you and left a bitter taste in the mouth too large to overcome.
Bouvet Island is 19 square miles in size and 93% covered by a glacier. Located in the South Atlantic Ocean, Bouvet is more than 1,000 miles from Antarctica and 1,600 miles from Cape Town, Africa. The coast is harsh and foreboding, with steep glacier cliffs falling to black volcanic sand beaches. With no ports or anchorages of any sort, your best means of ingress is to land by helicopter. Once there, feel free to study the feeble vegetation consisting of moss and lichens. Other than that, seals, seabirds, and penguins will be your only companions for the duration of your stay.
The tricky part about travel to Bouvet Island is that, since it’s a nature preserve, you’ll likely be denied permission if you request to visit for tourist purposes only, though no one from Norway will likely be there to refuse entry. If you happen to be an arctic research biologist, geologist, or helicopter pilot, your chances of legal entry are better.
So if you really need time alone, stock up the yacht with extra batteries and whale blubber, tie the chopper down good to the landing deck and strike out for Bouvet Island. Don’t forget to send a postcard.
For the jetsetting beach bum, a problem eventually arises. Where do you go in the world for a new beach fix after your travels have taken you to the usual sandy spots around the world? Well, that's an easy one – it's time to get experimental. Everyone and their brother has hit the tropical white sand beaches, encircled with swaying palm trees, turquoise water nibbling at the shore. Are you ready for one with a twist on the theme? Check out the resort complex San Alfonso del Mar in Algarrobo, Chile, for the world's largest swimming pool.
This one should definitely be added to your bucket travels list.
What do you do when you're a world-renowned resort located smack dab on the pacific coast in Chile? Normally whoop for joy that you can charge top dollar for the proximity to the ocean. But this particular stretch of ocean offers 63 degree year round temperatures, dangerous waves, and rip currents – ouch – plunging nightly rates. Until some brainiac figured it would be a good idea to build the world's largest swimming pool mere feet from the ocean.
Turns out it was a good idea. This massive saltwater pool remains a constant 79 degrees. No tides, sharks, or stingrays to ruin the day either. How big is big? Try half a mile long and holds 66 million gallons of water. Looks more like a lake. Add in a white sand perimeter, palm trees, and docks for sailors to ply their hobby . You heard correctly. Sailing in the pool.
And if you get a wild urge to experience Mother Nature's version of water, it's only a few steps to the real deal. We're betting you'll be back in the pool before long. How's that for a jolt to your usual beach travels?
Holding two passports calls to mind images of Matt Damon as Jason Bourne from the movie series shuffling through a handful of alternate identities as he runs and fights his way through Europe and part of America. Action thriller plots not withstanding, the truth is that there are instances when it might be beneficial for the world traveler to have a second passport.
Is this even legal? Absolutely. Unlike Mr. Bourne, who had a different passport for every country, we’re talking about multiple documents of the same nationality. There are a couple different instances we can think of where a second passport would be handy.
The first is be if you plan to travel through Asia, where they measure waiting times for visa issuance in years rather than weeks. When a series of visas are required to travel, the first one can literally begin expiring before the last one is approved. Having a second passport allows you to have two irons in the fire at once.
A second example is if you are in one foreign country (Russia) and decide to take a side trip to another (China). China requires you to leave your passport, sometimes for weeks, at the Chinese embassy in Russia while they decide if you are a threat to the very fabric of their society, and whether or not they should let you in. This makes it difficult to do things like rent or car or even travel freely in Russia while the Chinese anal exam proceeds. Got an extra passport? Problem solved.
American law makes it legal for you to apply for an additional passport called "second limited" which expires after two years rather than the usual ten. Other than that, they’re both the same.
Much of the free travel information out there comes with a slant of personal bias. Sorry, that’s the nature of the business model. It’s tough to find an opinion unencumbered by advertising dollars or some sort of financial incentive to taint the review towards the positive. On the other side of the coin, you have the review mill websites. TripAdvisor is a good example. Aggregate websites like this invite travelers to post their own unbiased reviews.
Great idea! Except that, just like callers to radio talk shows, the disgruntled minority are not shy about blabbing the bad parts of their current obsession to Kingdom Come, while satisfied customers sit silently by. That’s human nature for you. Nothing much to do about it except realize the free travel information you’re perusing of allegedly unbiased reviews are not a true sampling of people who have used the facilities in question.
That’s where Jetsetter comes in. The free travel information dispensed via the blog and podcast are truly a labor of love on Jason Hartman’s part, inspired by a lifetime of world travel. There is no ad revenue in place on either to sway our opinions, plus we realize that to live the Jetsetter lifestyle requires knowledge that goes beyond the simple question of where to stay and what to eat. We’re in the business of teaching you how to live a lifestyle independent of financial restrictions. A vacation is great. A permanent vacation lifestyle is better.
Stay tuned to Jetsetter and we’ll show you how to get there, then stay forever if you want.
Looking for a travel website? You know the usual suspects - Travelocity, Priceline, Kayak, Orbitz, Expedia - and they all have their place in the universe. But there’s also a part of travel that goes beyond simple pricing of planes, trains, and automobiles, and that’s a little thing we like to call Achieving the Permanent Vacation. That’s what the Jetsetter Show specializes in. Sure, you can head over to Travelocity and the rest when you simply need a good price on a quick trip.
Our travel website has a bit higher aim than that. We want to teach you how to live like you’re on vacation all the time, wherever in the world you want to be: expatriating in Latin America or Europe; island hopping on your own yacht around the South Pacific; or maybe hiking the Scottish highlands working on your Sean Connery burr.
But to live life like you’re on vacation requires one thing. Passive income. Though nice, it’s not enough to be able to work from a computer anywhere in the world because you’re still stuck putting in those hours in front of the screen. Passive income deposits money in your account whether you do anything or not. The Jetsetter Show’s favorite choice for earning money this way is income producing properties. By far, the world’s best investment when it comes to returns and safety, it doesn’t get much easier, especially if you hire a management company to tend to the details.
If you’re interested in learning how to develop a Jetsetter lifestyle through real estate, visit Jason Hartman’s website for an education so thorough it’s hard to believe it’s free. Does your other travel website do this for you?
Travel to Venice, Italy, is high on the wish list of many budget travelers. Heck, for ANY traveler. Who wouldn't want to kick back in a gondola with their sweetie and let some guy with a long pole sweep you through the watery streets? Problem is, it seems like every other person in the world wants to visit this historic part of Europe too. Big demand means big prices. Here are some ideas to bring that trip back within your budget.
Aim for the off-season. Venice is hot and crowded in the summer and maybe that's the only time of year you can swing a visit. If so, sorry, it's going to be more expensive. However, move your trip to the winter and watch prices drop. That'll keep you out of the elbow to elbow with sweaty, ill-tempered folks scene. Remember that Venice is not a tropical city. Winter requires a coat!
Make hotel reservations well in advance. Budget travelers are notoriously spontaneous but Venice is one city where that impulse could result in sleeping on the sidewalk. Avoid the nose bleed prices and sellouts during your travel to Venice by booking a room on the mainland in the city of Mestre. It's no Venice but sure is cheaper.
Buy water bus passes. The water bus, or vaporetto, is equivalent to the subway in other cities. A single ride costs almost $9 US. Opt for the 24 hour pass for $23, 48 hour card for $36 or, best of all if you're there for a while, the week long pass for $64. Discount cards to attractions are also available for purchase.
For the uninitiated, keep in mind that high pressure sales pitches don't disappear when you travel to Venice. Some hotels offer a special "free" boat ride and tour that is merely an excuse to hit you with a timeshare style pitch to buy world renowned Murano glass. Don't be shamed into it unless you really want the stuff. It can be bought cheaper from other vendors.
Airline officials create a new fee every time they sneeze. To the flying public, this can turn your "good deal" ticket fare into a credit card busting surprise when all the damage is added up. But if you're smart, you can make sure your discount travel airfare stays discounted by preparing yourself to ward off ludicrous fees. Here are a few of the biggies:
1. Checked Baggage: It used to be that checking baggage was no big deal. Not any more. These days you'll pay 25$, $35, or more for the privilege. Avoid the practice at all costs if possible. Most airlines allow two carry on bags without extra charge. You would be wise to cram everything into these and leave checking to the Trumps and Rockefellers.
2. Oversized/Overweight Baggage: Make sure that you don't run afoul of the #2 suggestion in a headlong rush to avoid #1. Cramming everything into two bags so that you don't have to check it can expose your luggage to a fee for overweight or oversized case. Trust us, the specifications are buried in the fine print somewhere and they will be used if possible.
3. Go Online: This applies especially to budget airlines. There is normally a fee charged if you book your ticket in person or over the phone (except for Allegiant Air which is completely backwards and does away with a booking fee if you show up at the airport to buy your ticket). These businesses are encouraging you to buy your ticket online so the skeleton crew they hired to run the place don't spend all their time booking tickets when there is a long line of people to be checked in for a flight.
Pay close attention to these three suggestions and there's a good chance your discount travel will stay discounted.
The reality of air travel is that sometimes flights are canceled. Is the appropriate response to barge to the front of the check-in line screaming obscenities at the hapless counter clerk? The Jetsetter opinion is that such behavior only earns you a visit with a TSA employee in a little room with no windows and, ultimately, doesn’t help anything.
Here are a few sane ideas to deal with the eventuality of canceled air travel.
Sign up for alerts: Wouldn’t it be nicer to know there is a cancellation before you get to the airport? Even better, before you even leave the house? Set up every alert imaginable - email, telephone, voice mail - it’s not hard or time consuming.
Check the airline website: Having given out the previous advice, there’s always a chance the alert system fails. Before departing the house, hop on the computer and check the airline’s website to make sure your flight has not been delayed or canceled. So little time invested for such a huge payoff.
Know your ticket limitations: Who reads all that fine print gobbledy gook, especially if you’re a frequent flier? Well, you should. Know the exact terms of the ticket you purchased and the process of re-booking. Could save a brain aneurysm if you know what to expect up front.
Stay calm: Screaming and antagonizing airline employees doesn’t help. In this case, the squeaky wheel does not get the grease. There are lots of passengers in your situation and they’re all important in their own mind. Losing your cool will cause more stress for everyone and probably earn you worse service as well.
Implement these strategies every time you fly and air travel cancellations won’t be nearly as big of a deal.
Families joke about taking a vacation to a conveniently located relative's house, maybe in Orlando or Branson, and crashing on the couch. Hold your guffaws, because crashing on someone's couch is now a great way to see the world.
We're talking about the website Couchsurfing.com and the concept is exactly what you might imagine – a dream come true to adventurous travelers and nightmare to those who have seen the Saw movies one too many times.
It goes like this. A network of people offer up space on their couch to others in the network. Geographically speaking, this network, called Couchsurfing, covers most of the countries in the world. All you have to do is make contact with a host through the network, say they're in Costa Rica, and, whammo, you have a free place to sleep. We did say free, though it would be awful neighborly of you to offer to do the dishes or take out the trash or paint the house, depending upon how long you plan stay.
In truth, even though it's called couchsurfing, many hosts actually have a spare bedroom you can use. If this idea doesn't send you immediately running for the mace, it might actually be a very inexpensive way to get a firsthand taste of a foreign country or even state you've never been to in the United States.
Jetsetter can't answer every question you might have right now. Why not head over to Couchsurfing.comand give it a browse?
Let’s compare India’s stock market to the United States stock market and ascertain the respective economic health. In the U.S., the stock market sits roughly where it did 11 years ago. India’s Sensex Index has multiplied itself three times over the same span of time. Who would have thunk that?
For travelers looking to find a new host country with a vibrant economy, look what the cat dragged in. To many westerners, India appears chaotic and unsettled, with eight different coalition governments over the past three decades. But pull back the curtain to look behind the pandemonium and you find that India’s GDP has been growing at a rate of 6.2% a year over that time. Opportunities for business and investing abound.
But before heading out to India for a little prospecting and travel, you should be aware cultural oddities that make no sense to a westerner. Indians like to do business with people they know, thus it greatly improves your chances to be introduced by a trusted third party.
Business decisions strictly flow from the top down in Indian companies. Communication can take awhile. You should also be aware that India is not a nation of punctuality. Meetings are canceled, re-scheduled, and postponed with short or no notice. Get used to it. Their way of life is not going to change for you.
Flights to India can be found for less than $1,000. Check out Air India and be sure to book well in advance.
For those of you who prefer your aquatic travel adventures without the oceanic dangers of hurricanes or rogue waves, there are a host of enticing lakes around the world begging for your attention. We're talking really deep lakes here, many of which would make a great vacation spot for the adventure traveler. At Jetsetter, we put our noses to the grindstone and came up with the three deepest lakes in the world.
Lake Baikal (5,369 feet) â€" this Siberian jewel contains approximately 20% of the world's surface fresh water supply and is, by volume, the largest lake in the world. Baikal is deep, clear, and 25 million years old, making it also the oldest lake in the world. Sporting an average summer temperature high of only 60 degrees, remember to take your warm clothes.
Lake Tanganyika (4,823 feet) â€" if it's a warmer lake climate you seek, this central African body of water sprawls across parts of four countries: Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, and Burundi. Lake Tanganyika is home to a massive fishing industry and the man-eating crocodile, Gustave.
Caspian Sea (3,363 feet) â€" as an enclosed body water, and despite it's name, the Caspian Sea is the third largest lake in the world. Bordered by Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea also lays claim to the largest enclosed body of water in the world by surface area. These days, the Volga river is dumping massive amounts of chemical and biological pollutants into the Caspian, creating havoc with the local ecosystem, so you might want to postpone your fishing trip for a while.
There you go. Deep lake connoisseurs everywhere grab your travel gear and polish up your passport.
If your primary reason for expatriating to another country is to escape bad money decisions like credit card debt - think again. That kind of stuff can follow you around the world. Relocating to another country will not magically alleviate the problem.
To the contrary, you need to have your personal finances in tip top shape before committing to an overseas life. Consider the expenses even before setting foot into your new life: work permits, moving companies, insurance, one or more trips abroad to search for housing.
Once you arrive, there’s the deposit to put down on a rental, money for a car, taxes, insurance, medical. Then there’s the always reliable unexpected bill or fee. One thing you can be sure of is the necessity of a decent sized savings account or income before making the big move. There are certainly worse things that can happen to a person than running out of money in a foreign country but it’s right up there with other "Great ways to have a bad day."
So that makes saving money a high priority before departure. It’s not complicated. You’ve heard the drill before. Set aside a little each month and before you know it - voila - a savings account which can also come in very handy when you decide you hate that mountainside shack in Ecuador and are ready to move back to the United States.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you…
Tourists and businessmen (and women) alike have been heading to Hong Kong for decades. What many people don't know is that this economic powerhouse is actually one of the oldest settlements in the world. Paleolithic artifacts have been discovered in the Wong Tai Sin area. Under British control since 1841, this group of islands in the South China Sea rapidly became home to one of the busiest port cities in the world.
In 1997, England handed possession over to China, which turned out to be a sort of non-event. Hordes of communist soldiers didn't come swarming across the narrow water divide, and life in bustling Hong Kong has proceeded much as before. Even the Chinese realize how well the free-market enterprise system has worked in maintaining a thriving business climate that benefits everyone.
If you're wondering if a move to Hong Kong might be right for you, and the lure of the Orient is calling your name, why not secure a seasonal job to try it on for size? Bars, hotels, restaurants, and the like would be a good place to start looking. Since a work visa is required, and many of the blue collar jobs are taken by mainland China workers, your best bet might be to find a Hong Kong company to hire and sponsor you. The Hong Kong Labour Department is an excellent resource for those interested in professional type employment. Jetsetter believes the new Hong Kong is like the old Hong Kong – vibrant, interesting, and potentially profitable. Could be a nice place to travel to or even stay for a while.
Unless you’re independently wealthy or have recently been named the Sultan of (insert favorite country here), expatriating to a foreign land does not mean you’ll never have to obey a household budget again. On the contrary, living far from the safety net of family and friends makes the allocation of resources more important than ever.
Normally the largest budgetary drain is housing. Your first choice is whether to rent or buy. Jetsetter thinks it’s a good idea to rent for the first six months to one year in your new country. It gives you time to size up the situation and make sure it’s everything you want it to be without being tied down to a piece of property. Maybe, after being in-country for awhile, you’ll find an entirely new area where you’d wish you had bought. So take it slow. Rent first. After considering the carrying costs of home ownership - property taxes, maintenance, repairs, groundskeeping, etc - you might decide to remain a permanent renter.
Don’t forget to take into account location when planning your housing budget. For example, a two bedroom apartment in a nice area of Panama City could run $1,500 monthly – about what you’d pay in the States. However, head to a laid back town on the beach, like Las Tablas, and the same place might only cost $200. Depends on how important big city amenities are to you.
The last thing to keep in mind is Home Owner Association (HOA) fees. You can get tagged with these whether you’re renting or buying so read the fine print.
Here’s a side effect the international traveler may not have considered before. Languages are dying. Of approximately 7,000 languages spoken on this planet, 473 are classified as endangered. When the last known speaker of a language dies, the language does as well.
For example…
- There are four known speakers of Lipon Apache in the U.S.; two speakers of Totoro in Columbia; a single speaker of Bikya in Cameroon.
Why is it happening? In a single word - globalization. The world culture has created a blending and assimilation effect and certain languages such as English and Spanish gain dominance. When smaller, isolated communities begin to interact with the rest of the world find and themselves blending, their heritage falls away in the process.
Though a certain segment of the population screams about the travesty of lost culture, the rest of us realize it is what it is. Neither good nor bad but a natural consequence of people conducting the business of life. Languages have been dying as long as humans have been speaking them. The numbers are a bit startling. 6% of the world’s languages are spoken by 94% of the people. If our math is correct, that leaves 6% of the people to speak 94% of the languages.
What does all this mean to the international traveler? Maybe nothing. Perhaps it has a fleeting impact on you. Perhaps not. But we think it is worth noting the passing of a few of these marvelous tools of communication called language.
Sometimes, on days our federal government is especially acting like an ill-tempered buffoon, the temptation arises to renounce citizenship and move somewhere else - anywhere that logic and common sense still applies, though those characteristics are becoming more and more scarce.
The question becomes is it a good idea to renounce one’s citizenship and, if so, exactly how is it done?
As to the first issue, whether it’s a good idea or not, that’s all up to you. All we can do is enumerate the ramifications. By renouncing your citizenship, you give up all rights, privileges, and protections associated with being a citizen of a particular country. Unless you are already the citizen of another country, you may find yourself suddenly stateless, under the protection of no government, which can present a difficulty when it comes to applying for a visa or passport for travel.
Renouncing your citizenship is fairly easy - and irrevocable. All you must do is:
1.appear in person before a U.S consular or diplomatic office;
2.in a foreign country;
3.sign oath of renunciation
The key here is you must be in a foreign country to renounce U.S citizenship. By the way, renouncing citizenship will not get you out of legal, financial, or military obligations. Do we at Jetsetter advise folks to renounce their citizenship? Not hardly! You better have a darn good reason first. This information is presented merely for educational purposes.
The term to use if you are of a certain age in the country of Panama is "La cuenta por favor con descuento de jubilado." Translated to English it means "Check please, with the retiree discount." It’s like magic. You’ll pay up to 50% less on almost all goods and services. It’s sort of a national thank you to Panamanian senior citizens.
But the truly cool part is that the descuento applies to American expatriates. A descuento of this size might actually make the difference between being able to afford to live abroad or not. The program you need to sign up for is called the Residency Retirement Program. Write that down.
How much will you save? How about less than $6 to get your cholesterol checked at the local health clinic. A Five-Star brunch of mimosas, waffles, eggs, meats, cheeses, sushi, chicken, filet mignon, shrimp, mahi-mahi, and dessert that works out to cost about $30 for two people. A first run movie ticket is $2 at the local cineplex. A half day of maid service runs $10, and unlike much of the western world, retirees receive courteous, prompt service everywhere they go.
Crazy, we know, but travel to Panama will likely be an entirely different experience than what you are used to - in a good way. Retiring in this tropical Central American country, where a discount is REALLY a discount, might be the best financial move you ever made.
Historically a popular travel destination, Mona Lisa's home still has a few things going for it – a reputation as the most romantic city on earth, fine food, an appreciation and long history of art and architecture. If you don't mind the occasional disenfranchised urban youth riot or outraged farmers blocking roads, it could still be the country for you. It was good enough for Voltaire, Descartes, and Jean-Paul Sarte.
But what is today's French reality? If you're independently wealthy, it could be a blast. Buy your plane ticket today. If you're part of the working class, maybe not so much. The effects of massive unemployment 30 years ago lingers, with a rate of about 9.3% currently. The rate of 16-24 year-olds working in France right now is the lowest throughout the developed world – and it's not because they're sipping aperitifs at a sidewalk cafe.
The business climate is good if you're in the right business, namely, one the government doesn't mess with. Central control maintains a stranglehold on entire industries: defense, transport, insurance, and banking, though it is slowly loosening the grip. French citizens pay a dear tax burden to live there, with up to 60% of gross pay to the public till called the French State Public Benefit System. Ouch.
The end result is that we at The Jetsetter Show conclude that while France might still be a great place to visit, relocating is another matter entirely. No jobs, high taxes, look out!
How does health insurance work for Americans traveling abroad or even living in a foreign country? There are a few aspects regarding this unavoidable fact of life you should be aware of. Your first basic choice is whether to buy local insurance or go through an international insurance group like BUPA. For example, a comprehensive local policy in Panama could cost as little as $100 monthly. The risk you assume going this route is that the local insurer goes out of business. Then you’re back shopping for insurance again.
By going through BUPA, you pay a little more, probably closer to $150 monthly but can be fairly certain the company will be around when you need them. Over the age of 74, you’re out of luck. Neither BUPA or a local insurer will assume the risk.
Depending upon where you’re traveling/living, another option is to go without insurance. Jetsetter does not necessarily endorse this view but it is an option. Take into account whether you’ll still be able to sleep at night. If the cost of medical care is low enough, you should be able to handle the expense of normal care and even the occasional emergency. What’s more, in some countries you become eligible for free healthcare after becoming a permanent legal resident. Ireland is an example. All residents get free universal healthcare.
Policy options vary dramatically from country to country. Ask questions so you know exactly what you’re buying.
When you travel to Texas, keep in mind that the state sometimes likes to do things in a big way. Case in point is the Driskill Hotel in Austin. This is one of those hotels that is a travel destination unto itself. Sure, there are plenty of enticing activities and attractions in the area but it wouldn’t really matter if you never left the property.
It’s that memorable.
Jesse Driskill was a cattle baron who made his fortune supplying beef to the Confederate Army throughout the Civil War. Driskill decided he needed to diversify his investments, so built an opulent hotel in Austin, completing work in 1886. Problem was he charged $2.50 to $3 nightly while others were charging .50 cents. Even though the inaugural ball for the new governor was held there, a tradition which has continued to this day, Driskill went out of business in less than a year.
Whether Driskill actually lost the hotel in a poker game is neither here nor there. The reality is that the hotel changed hands many times over the years, becoming less of a draw until a 1969 demolition was planned because further renovation was not affordable. Saved at the last minute by a conglomerate who have resurrected the stately lady, the Driskill is now one of the premier hotels in Texas, as well as one of the most haunted, if you believe that kind of thing.
A regular reservation can be a bit pricey at $300 – $700 nightly but visit the hotel’s website atdriskillhotel.com to see the variety of special packages that can save you up to 30% for a stay in this slice of Texicana.
Ever wished you were ahead of the curve on a really good deal? Wouldn't it be great to be first in line for the steal price rather than stuck in the back paying twice as much? Sorry, that's how capitalism works. Rising demand of a limited quantity of goods means higher prices. In this case, the goods come in the form of prime beach location along Ecuador's most under-developed, nicest coast. With 1,400 miles of coastline (that's more than Florida) this central American country is set to soar in popularity with the gringos from the north but you can still buy a luxury beach home for $100,000.
That's crazy.
A house on a large lot right on the beach in an upscale community costs about one hundred grand. Why, you ask? Here's the rub. Though the country has developed a fairly stable democratic government and even adopted the United States dollar as its official currency, violent crime is still rampant – thus the appeal of living in a gated community of expatriates. Some areas of the country are beset by drug and small arms trafficking and if you get too close to Columbia you have to worry about terrorist incursions from that area.
Taking a page from the Mexican book of entrepreneurship, there have been at least 11 instances of Americans being kidnapped over the past decade and held for ransom. Does that $100,000 beach house still look good? Maybe not so much. On the face of it, Ecuador seems to have room for improvement before all but the hardiest American traveler chooses to relocate there.
Traveling all the way to the south pacific is such a logistical bother. Expect to use a variety of planes, trains, and automobiles – you might even have need to call upon a sherpa and mountain goat before you sink your toes in the toasty sand rimming a forgotten lagoon. For those who don't have the time, energy, or money to mount a full-fledged global trek to find their tropical paradise, Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys is a tad closer for most of us.
The great part is you can almost get there by car. The last 20 minutes require a short boat ride. The island first came to fame in 1962 when Warner Brothers shot the movie "PT-109" on site, starring Cliff Robertson. It made people sit up and take notice, hardly believing it wasn't the south pacific. Since then, Little Palm has been a target for presidents, celebrities, and travelers who know what they like.
Cheap? Oh, no, it's not cheap. We never said it was cheap. You'll be lucky to find anything for less than $1,000 nightly but oh, what an experience. The tropical bungalows have no television or telephone, no kids under 16 allowed, and direct views of the ocean from your private veranda on this 5 acre slice of paradise. Dinner at a private table relocated to the beach for your romantic pleasure? Check. Diving? Check. Leisurely afternoon on the beach? Check.
If you've got deep pockets, Little Palm Island is a world class resort without the attitude. To find it, head south out of Miami on U.S. 1, commonly called the Overseas Highway. Just past Big Pine Key, on Little Torch Key (Mile Marker 29), look to your left for the welcome station where you'll catch a ferry to the island.
Over 55 and looking for a Five Star trekking travel adventure – why not try South America? No, we're not talking about Alabama and Georgia, though those two southern states can be a particular adventure in themselves. We're talking about the real South America. The one that contains countries with names like Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Patagonia.
Why go there?
At The Jetsetter Show, we say "Why not?" You haven't seen it all yet. Why quit until you do? World Expeditions offers an upscale 23 day trip through South America at the surprisingly affordable rate of under $4,000 per person. "Holy mackerel!" you exclaim. "How can they do that without putting us in tents?"
Ummm, actually you WILL be in a tent part of the time. After all, this is adventure travel, but don't forget this is classy adventure travel too. Camping is only part of the experience. You'll also be staying in hotels (including the world famous Copacabana), resorts, and lodges. In between, expect the best slam bang trip around the continent available – in comfort and safety – as long as you don't mind walking a bit. That's why they call it a trek. You know, place one foot in front of the other.
This South American odyssey includes time in Buenos Aires, Lima, Puerto Maldonado, La Paz, as well as riding the Orient Express train to Puno and Lake Titicaca, and walking the Sacred Valley and Inca trails. There's more but why would we ruin all the fun of discovery?
Visit World Expeditions.com and see for yourself.
It’s been happening for years, people flying quietly under the radar, saving more money on extended vacation lodging than you might ever imagine. How? It’s simple - trade houses with someone who lives in a country you’d like to see.
We’re not talking permanent relocation here. Think of it more as a vacation house swap.
Doesn’t matter if you have a sprawling ranch in Montana or tiny studio apartment in New York City. There’s a good chance someone, somewhere, would love to swap places for a few weeks, months, or longer. It’s happening right now everyday on websites like www.RoofSwap.com. With a broad range of travel destinations available around the world, and new selections being added daily, give it a visit.
Want to head down to Panama and see if it really is the paradise everyone says? Maybe you’ll hate the heat and bugs. Maybe you’ll love the mountains. What better way to find out than swap houses with a local who always wanted to try cattle roping. If you’re not used to thinking like this, it might seem a bit unseemly. Come on - that’s just your stick-in-the-mud gland talking.
At the Jetsetter Show, we think a house swap is a great idea. Obviously, use your judgment and don’t arrange a swap with a known drug kingpin or mafia boss. Other than that, get busy swapping. It could be your low cost ticket to adventure undreamed.
In the old days before Al Gore saved the world by inventing the internet, travelers had no real way to find honest-to-goodness feedback about travel destinations. Yes, they could grab a travel guide but sometimes it seems like those are written by robots and not real people. You want to be able to put your finger on the pulse of a place before you go. Since you can’t try all the hotels, restaurants, and attractions, it would be nice to access honest feedback from those who have been there before.
Voila! Introducing the internet.
With Google Earth, it’s like you don’t even need to really leave your couch to feel as if you’ve been. This free program allows you to zoom down to street level almost anywhere in the world and have a look around. Welcome to virtual tourism. It’s a great way to get a glance at where you’re going. Other handy websites are places like TripAdvisor.com which allows travelers to post reviews and make recommendations (both pro and con) regarding what’s great or not at the travel destination of their choice.
As with everything that introduces the human element, take extremely positive or negative reviews with a grain of salt - after all, anyone can write anything on these websites - but use them as part of your trip planning toolbox. For example, if you’re looking for seafood in Melbourne, Florida, a place called Squid Lips is listed #9 out of 88 ranked restaurants overall. Not bad. Click on some reviews to find out what people liked about it.
And so on and so forth. If you haven’t incorporated the internet into your vacation planning, now would be a great time to do so.
The business of selling travel destination guides to people who may or may not ever actually go to the place they’re obsessing over is a big business. And those thick tomes splashed with oh-so-tempting pictures are not cheap. Enter Lonely Planet with an alternative. How do you like the idea of buying one chapter at a time and downloading it electronically?
This is obviously only for the active traveler who simply needs information and not the couch-borne adventurer who lovingly lingers over each description but never actually gets around to booking the flights. Hey, if you like reading travel guides for their own sake, be our guest. You’ll get no quarrel from us.
But let’s take a hypothetical scenario. Say you want to take a trip to the Space Coast area of Florida but could care less if the rest of the state gets blown, every single sand particle, across the Gulf of Mexico and scattered over Texas by the next hurricane. You’re in luck! At the Lonely Planet website you can search for Florida Guides, which are listed by chapter. At last check, you could pick the one relating to Space Coast travel and buy it for a pittance – $1.68! That’s a heck of a deal if you just need the facts.
Love it so much and want to buy another chapter or the whole book? No problem. It’s easy to pick and choose more chapters. At the Jetsetter Show, we like to keep an eye peeled for ways the world traveler can save money and this seemed like a good one.
If you have had the dubious pleasure of booking airfare in the past century, you probably already realize that all of them are NOT created equal. Sometimes one seems higher than another on a particular day of the week but not when you stand on one foot, close your eyes, and are wearing green socks. Seriously, the rhyme and reason to finding the best deal on flights is impossibly obscure.
While we at The Jetsetter Show do not proclaim to be the end-all authority on why airlines do what they do, here are some patterns we’ve noticed that might help.
1.If you have flexible dates for your travel plans, Travelocity and Kayak are good choices.
2.For last minute airfare search Kayak, Hotwire, and TravelZoo.
3.For international flights, we like Mobissimo, Momando, and Kayak.
Remember, there are no guarantees with this advice or anything else in life on earth. These are merely our impressions - your own results may vary. However, compare these travel sites when you are ready to book your next flight and let us know if your results fall in line with ours or if they are wildly divergent.
You do realize that it’s not an all or nothing proposition, don’t you? Retiring overseas doesn’t require that you:
1.Bid the children farewell forever
2.Give away the dog
3.Sell the house
4.Put the car on Craigslist
5.Buy a one way ticket to parts unknown
Slow down there, pardner. Why not take an extended vacation to a country you’re interested in and stop thinking of this as the Big Upheaval? Yes, it’s scary to think about moving to a country where few people speak your language. There’s a less stressful, chicken way to do this thing. Pack a few small bags and spend a month or two in a different country, one where you think you MIGHT like to live eventually.
Don’t think in terms of relocating yet. Put the car in the garage, ask the neighbors to feed Fido, and make those plane tickets round trip. Rent a a modest place and allow yourself to slowly submerge in the culture. If it turns out you can’t stand it, your life is still waiting for you back in the the good old U. S. of A. Ease into the thought of overseas retirement like you’re taking the new country for a test drive.
If the test drive turns into a return trip year after year but you still like to head back to America, so what? There’s no law against it. Some day the thought of a permanent vacation in a place like Costa Rica might make perfect sense and not be scary at all.
When it’s time to move, you’ll know. Until then, retire overseas like a chicken.
When it comes time to plan prospecting trips abroad for the purpose of finding a suitable expatriate country, chances are, unless you’re experiencing Jack Kerouac flashbacks, you’re going to fly on a commercial airline, which can be expensive. Unless you’re literally made of money, don’t run out and book the first flight you find. There are simple, legitimate ways to reduce airfare. Here are a few.
Book Early
For international flights, you should book at least 30 days in advance for best fares.
The simple act of planning ahead lops more than 50% off your airfare costs. Why, oh why, would you wait until the last minute and then pay those exorbitant rates?
Travel Flexible
This doesn’t mean you should take a yoga class before boarding, though that might not be a bad idea, considering the effects of an umpteen hour flight inside a sardine can. What we mean is be flexible with your travel dates. If you insist on traveling on a particular day, chances are good you’ll pay a pretty price for it. Most third party travel aggregates allow this function when you search.
There are other tricks we’ll get into at another time that will save you big chunks of money when you fly, but focus on these two the next time you book flights and watch how much money stays stubbornly in your pocket rather than jumping into the airline’s account.
Positioned immediately south of Mexico and perched above Honduras and Guatemala, the tiny country of Belize is something of an oddity, taking its culture in equal parts from Latin America and the Caribbean. It's easy for English speaking tourists to get around because that's the primary language, though you will find three different Mayan languages, as well as Creole, spoken too. One way Belize differs from other Central American countries is tourists have already found it in a big way, to the tune of 850,000 tramping through per year.
Simply put, the infrastructure is having a hard time handling the load. And the Floridazation of the Belizean coastal areas is well underway – high rise condos, cruise ships, and the accompanying eyesore that entails. Sure, the country is beautiful, historic, and still boasts much cheaper prices than Americans and Europeans are used to paying back home, but for the expatriate retiree looking to buy a chunk of paradise, there are cheaper options available. Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, and Uruguay to name a few.
One expat reports property taxes in Belize run $30 a year, and car insurance less than $150. Not bad. Another suggests you come prepared for bugs, bugs, and more bugs. Our advice is don't seriously consider moving anywhere until you've visited at least once for a week or so. It would be even better to go two or three times just to make sure you REALLY like it.
For the international traveler or expatriate who considers themselves a worldly shopper, get thee hence to Turkey. More specifically, the city of Istanbul. As the last stop on the ancient Silk Road, spices have been a way of life since the 1600s. You like curry? They sell curry, and more! Peruse the mountainous piles of dried herbs, plants, and holistic remedies not found elsewhere on this planet. And when you decide to take a break from the breathtaking cultural splendor that is Istanbul, head for any restaurant and prepare to have your taste buds tantalized with local ethnic dishes prepared with those very same spices.
Spiced out? Head for the fish bazaar or, Balik Pazari, to use the local lingo. Octopus, calamari, prawns and more are guaranteed the freshest to be found.
Then it’s on to the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi), and who hasn’t heard of this? As one of the largest covered marketplaces in the world, the Grand Bazaar covers 58 streets, 1200 shops, and handles an estimated 400,000 shoppers daily. If you can’t find what you want here, brother, chances are it doesn’t exist. This marketplace traces its origins to 1455 and is a microcosm of Turkey itself. Jewelry, pottery, carpets, and spices are but the tip of the iceberg. Sharpen your elbows and polish your bargaining skills because it’s a way of life at the Grand Bazaar.
Pushy salespeople? Absolutely! Be prepared to push right back. Haggling is part of the culture. If you want to really insult them, go ahead and pay the listed price.
If this crossroads to the Orient sounds like your cup of tea, plan a visit to Turkey. You might love it and you might hate it but, in this world, tangible items come and go. It’s the memories that remain.
If you have been looking for an opportune time to invest in Brazil, it’s coming first in 2014 when the World Cup will be played in the town of Fortaleza on the northeastern coast, then again two years later when the summer Olympics come to Brazil. Property investors should sit up and take notice. Infrastructure improvements that always accompany events like this inevitably drive up real estate prices.
The "World Cup Effect" is already being felt in Fortaleza. The Brazilian government is investing $5.3 billion with 63% of that money going to infrastructure improvements designed to handle the tsunami of traffic. Being a World Cup host automatically raises the global profile of a city in the years leading up to an event, putting it on the map for tourists to an extent usually not noticed before.
It should come as no surprise that JetSetter suggests you proceed very carefully when investing in a foreign country. There’s a good chance that laws are radically different than where you live. Consider hiring a real estate agent and attorney in the early stages. The key to investing in property anywhere is that it must make financial sense the day you buy it. This concept is discussed in great detail by our sister company Platinum Properties Investor Network (www.JasonHartman.com). Before investing in real estate anywhere, take a moment to investigate that website and study the free educational materials related to choosing investment properties.
Meanwhile, keep an eye on Brazil.
American expat wannabes might be feeling like they've missed the party as real estate prices in Costa Rica and Panama surge past the bargain basement levels of a decade ago, but all is not lost for the gringo. There's another Latin American country moving onto the radar. Uruguay. Wedged in between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay is about the size of Missouri but boasts the lowest poverty level in the area, as well as the highest life expectancy.
The population is a mostly European mix of Spanish and Italian, with dashes of French, Brazilian, Argentinian, Armenian, Croatian, Polish, Serbian, Romanian, Lebanese, and German thrown in to make things interesting. As you might expect, this is a diverse, tolerant blend.
Americans are beginning to figure out that a couple can live well on $2,000 a month in Uruguay, rent included, and warm summers and moderate winters are the norm in this Tropic of Capricorn location. The capital city of Montevideo is a model of old world European charm, while the rest of the country is dotted with smaller, colonial style towns. Visitors will find gauchos tending herd on the miles of rolling pampas. The beach resort town of Punta del Este has been hosting the richer side of the European JetSetters for years.
Speaking of beaches, expect to find mile after mile of white sand treasures with nary a soul spoiling the silence. If the price explosion of traditional expat destinations like Costa Rica have you thinking twice about moving overseas, maybe it's time to take a look at Uruguay.
If you plan on moving to Central or South America with nothing more than a Visa, plane ticket, and vague plan to spend a lot of time at the beach, good luck. It might turn out to be the worst decision you ever made. Come on, this is your life we're talking about. Why not do it right?
The number one thing is to be informed. There's this thing called the internet. Get on it and research, research, research. Buy the latest guide book for the country you're interested in. Find online forums related to where you're going and chat up people who live there or have been there.
Spend at least two or three weeks in the country you're
interested in before moving. No amount of information gained through blogs or forums can replace the reality of having your feet on the ground and shoulders submerged in the local culture. Don't get sucked into expensive real estate and relocation tours. More than than one person has ended up broke and discouraged.
The website www.couchsurfing.com is a great way to meet locals. You don't have to go all out and crash on their couch. Meet at a coffee shop and pick their brain. Language? Yes, you need to speak the language. Start with beginner classes well in advance of moving day. This is your basic foundation. Once you're in country, you'll be surprised how quickly you develop intermediate and advanced speaking skills in the language just by living it 24/7.
What’s not to like about Spain – sun, sea, sand, and sangria at your beck and call. Hold it! You think the United States and England are having economic issues? The Spanish economy is worse. The trouble began, as it has here in the dear old U.S. Of A, by shortsighted politicians with out of control spending habits, leading to an obscene budget deficit.
Now it’s time to turn to the lowly Spanish taxpayer to fill in the gaps. If you move to Spain, you will become one of those unfortunate taxpayers. Let’s look at some numbers.
1.Unemployment in Spain is 20%. That’s one-fifth of the population not working! If you’re thinking of moving there and looking for work, consider that a local employer might choose ANY Spaniard over you.
2.The budget deficit hole is reported to have grown to 9.5% of GDP in the past two years. The entire country seems to be on a fast track to bankruptcy and, like her American counterpart, is trying to spend its way into solvency.
And herein lies the reason we think it might be best to avoid moving to Spain for a while. The government is in the process of spending its way out of a recession caused by…overspending! They want to pour 15 billion into the old political class standby, infrastructure improvements, to magically create employment. Keep in mind the government has no real money. Where will the 15 big ones come from? Immediate tax hikes.
We don’t think there’s a tax hike big enough to hide this mess.
If you want to move to Spain, wait a while.
With memories of the Cold War still dancing in our heads, travel to Russia may not be high on your list of vacation or expatriate destinations. This country of contrasts is the largest in the world by size, twice that of the United States, covering ten time zones and climates that vary from sub-arctic in Siberia to temperate in the south.
Looming over the rest of Europe with a brutish history, Russia attracts and repels at the same time. The European Union is safe and predictable. Russia, on the other hand, is still exciting and mysterious after so many years behind the Iron Curtain. Remember a swell bunch of guys known as the KGB? You might still encounter a bit of institutional paranoia as you wind your way through the process of obtaining a travel Visa.
Why go to the trouble? Here are a few reasons:
1.St. Petersburg is a social and cultural mecca that rivals any city on the face of the planet. Expect a smorgasbord of museums, concerts, theaters, art galleries, movies, and nightclubs. New York City? Where’s that?
2.The history and architecture of Moscow casts a hypnotic spell.
3.The Trans-Siberian Railway is a 5,663 mile ride from Moscow to Vladivostok. Six days. Seven time zones. Ends in the Far East, just past Korea. In a word (or three) essential Russian experience.
It might not be a great idea to up and move to Russian without a visit or two under your belt first but, after that, who knows?
We're not saying that America is sailing obliviously toward an economic collapse of historic proportions, though it might. History tells us every empire fails eventually. Every. Single. One. But let's get positive! Here are ten good reasons you should consider retiring overseas.
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Escape the drudgery of U.S winters.
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Investments grow tax-free or at least tax-deferred.
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Increase quality of life while reducing the cost of living.
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Safer living.
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Reinvent yourself into what you always wanted to be.
There's five stupendously good reasons to consider relocation right there. Need more? You're in luck. Catch your breath because we're going on a whiz bang trip through the rest of the list.
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Escape the drudgery of a 9 to 5 job.
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Start your own business.
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Spend more time with family.
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Learn a new language.
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Study new wines, history, arts, and cultures up close and personal.
Thousands of people have fled the United States already over the past few decades and why not? Ensconce yourself in a comfortable home with a moderate climate, safe surroundings, housekeeper, gardener, nights out on the town, all for around $1,500 a month. Stay tuned to The JetSetter Show to learn how you can expatriate to your own paradise.
Just because we used the word "retirement" in the title doesn't mean you have to stop living. We're simply talking about escaping the U.S. rat race and settling down to whatever your particular vision of paradise entails. Maybe you'll want to run a small restaurant or even continue doing your regular work, only this time from long distance.
The following list is intended to get you thinking about the best the world has to offer in 2010.
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Panama - Still the best option for overseas retirement. This little Central American treasure caters to foreign retirees like NO place else.
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Argentina - European living at a fraction of the cost. With an amazing diversity of geography and culture, you can head for wine country, a mountain chalet, the cosmopolitan city life of Buenos Aires, or a laid back rural retreat.
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Uruguay - Likened to the simple charm and relaxed pace of 1950s America, Uruguay is a model of free trade, political stability, and an economy not reliant on the United States.
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Dominican Republic - Head here if you're looking for sun-splashed beaches, turquoise water, swaying palm trees, and a laid back Caribbean approach to life. One of the last truly affordable spots in the region.
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Croatia - In the early 1990s civil war made Croatia unthinkable for the foreign retiree. These days Croatia's beaches, winding hills, and coastal islands make it your best bet for traditional European living at an affordable price.
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Malaysia - Living in the shadow of Thailand, it is easy for foreigners to own property in Malaysia. Under the auspices of the Malaysia My Second Home (MMSH) program, expect to find cheap living and tax benefits similar to Panama.
If the thought has ever crossed your mind to some day leave the U.S. behind and live better for less in another part of the world, this list should get your mind to racing with the possibilities.
Here's the problem for the prospective U.S. retiree. As the American dollar and economy continue their neck and neck free fall towards an inglorious splat, couples who were planning on a decent retirement lifestyle are now feeling like the newly poor. Go south, old man, go south.
Florida? Keep going. Mexico? Not quite far enough. Stop when your map says Panama. This tiny Latin Caribbean isthmus of a country is primarily two coastlines flanking a high mountain ridge. And what beautiful coastline it is. But that's not a good enough reason to flee the "safety" of the good old U.S.A.
The Migration Policy Institute is a Washington DC think-tank that studies the movement of people around the world. According to them, the growing trend of professional Americans heading to this tropical hotspot is no accident. Expect to find First World health care at Third World prices. Like your senior discount at the local cafeteria? Check this out: In Panama, seniors receive half off things like movies, motels, doctor visits, plane tickets, professional services, and electric bills. As an expat, you pay no tax on foreign income and no property tax until the 21st year of ownership.
The money you will save cannot be overstated. What would be a $1 million home in Miami will cost in the neighborhood of $90,000 in Panama. Baby Boomers paying $1,200 monthly for health insurance back home can expect to pay about $800 yearly for the same coverage.
Best of all, no more Manuel Noriega!