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Retire in Style Outside the US

Here's an interesting piece from the Detroit News.

It details people who are retiring outside the US. Why are they doing this? Here are the highlights:

“I wanted to find a place where I could afford to live off my Social Security,” she said. “The weather here is so perfect, and it’s a beautiful place.”

McCowen’s rent in Ajijic, a community outside Guadalajara near Mexico’s Lake Chapala, is half of what she was paying in Texas. And since the weather is moderate, utility bills are inexpensive.

Retirees most often cite the cost of living as the reason for moving elsewhere said Olivia S. Mitchell, director of the Pension Research Council at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

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Straying from the Herd

The following is a guest post by Chris Cagle from Retirement Stewardship. 

If you read the financial press or investing blogs these days, you are sure to see an article about how the stock market has risen to record highs. Many are sounding the alarm that the market has reached such rarified heights that a major correction or crash is imminent.

A few are expressing concern that we are in a stock market “bubble,” which is a subject of some disagreement among those who closely track such things. There are analysts who say that although the market has hit record highs, it is far from “bubble” territory. Others who look at various price-to-earnings ratios as predictors of things to come are more concerned.

So the big question is, "Where will it go from here? Are we headed for a major correction or even a crash? Or perhaps we are heading toward heights we have never even dreamed of?"

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Star Money Articles for the Week of February 27

Welcome to this week's edition of Star Money Articles.

Reach Financial Independence lists three things that allowed a reader to retire with millions in the bank.

ESI Money continues his interviews with millionaires. (Plus he's giving away a FREE ebook on Financial Independence.)

iVigilante tells how to become a 529 wizard.

Retirement Manifesto asks if you're a financial tough guy. 

Get Rich Quickish says to make it a good day.

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No Matter How Much You Make, You Can Spend It All

I love Denzel Washington! He's probably in my top five leading actors of all time along with Leonardo Dicaprio, Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Tom Hanks, Hugh Jackman, and Chris Pratt. Ok, I know that's more than five. And I've probably left some out. :)

Anyway, I was thrilled to watch this interview Denzel did with 60 Minutes at the end of last year. But the end of it gave me pause. Here's the exchange between Denzel and interviewer Bill Whitaker:

Bill Whitaker: So what’s next? I mean, are you enjoying this, directing?

Denzel Washington: I won’t be directing anytime soon.

Bill Whitaker: You will not be?

Denzel Washington: No. No.

Bill Whitaker: Going back to the acting?

Denzel Washington: What’s your first name?

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Top 10 Things Americans Wasted Money on in 2016

Dave Ramsey lists the top 10 things Americans wasted money on in 2016 as follows:

1. Student loans.
2. Smartphone apps.
3. Gym memberships.
4. Daily coffee trips.
5. Car payments.
6. Car leases.
7. Car wash upgrades.
8. Lottery tickets.
9. Timeshares.
10. Shipping charges.

Here's where I net out on these:

1. I borrowed $5k from my grandmother which got me all the way through to my MBA. I paid it off a couple years after I graduated. My kids won't have debt at all given the college incentive we've set up.

2. I buy maybe two or three apps a year. Aren't many of the good ones free?

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Best Cities to Buy a Home

Go Banking Rates lists the best cities in each state to buy a home.

You can browse the list to see which ones you like, but I want to note that I've lived in three of them:

  • Colorado Springs, CO
  • Cincinnati, OH
  • Pittsburgh, PA

Not only were these great places to live, but they were relatively inexpensive. As we know, where you live can make a big impact on your finances.

So we were able to live in wonderful places, make a large income, and save a ton on expenses. That's a pretty good deal, right?

How about you? Have you lived in any of the "best cities" on this list?

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Some Things to Do When You Retire

Racing toward Retirement suggests some things you could do during retirement including:

  • Hobbies
  • Exercise
  • Travel
  • Volunteer
  • New Career
  • Learn something new

As a relatively new retiree, here are my thoughts on these:

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Star Money Articles for the Week of February 13

Welcome to this week's edition of Star Money Articles.

Retire by 40 prefers DIY retirement planning.

Mustard Seed Money budgets for a vacation.

Lauren Greutman lists the five best ways to spend a tax refund. 

Debt Roundup says to stop trying to take the easy road.

A Wealth of Common Sense covers consistency and self-delusion.

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Nine Resume Killers

Business Insider lists nine resume killers as follows:

  • Hobbies -- No one cares and they are a waste of time and space.
  • Objective -- It's obvious what your objective it - to get the job you're applying for.
  • Personal pronouns (I, me, my) -- It's understood the resume is about you.
  • Irrelevant experience -- Just adds clutter.
  • Images -- Tacky and distracting.
  • Professional contact information -- Do not use your current office number or email.
  • Buzzwords -- Turn-off for hiring managers.
  • Present tense for a past job -- Only use this for current job.
  • Unnecessary words -- Wastes valuable space.

Here's my take on these:

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