Warren Buffett for President Please!
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http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2012/12/how-to-fix-america-warren-buffett/
Warren Buffett for President…Please!
Most people know Warren Buffett as one of the richest people in the world—third richest to be exact, but there is a
lot more to him than a bank account with a balance beyond most people’s wildest dreams. He has been asked
what his thoughts are on the debt ceiling of the world, and he has some pretty thought- worthy suggestions. In a
recent interview with CNBC, Buffett responded to these questions with an interesting view of something that could
actually be good motivation. He said “I could end the deficit in five minutes…you just pass a law that says that
anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re- election.”
While this may sound a bit sarcastic, there is quite a bit of truth to this basic idea. It would force all politicians into
a situation where they had to work toward a resolution that would stick and fix the state of the economy that we
see all around the world right now.
It has been said that if each person in the United States told just 20 other
people about an event or idea, that it would take only three days for
almost everyone in the United States to become aware of this event or
idea. If this was put into action with Warren Buffett’s thoughts, it may be
something that catches the attention of the people whose jobs would be at
risk if this were to actually come to fruition, potentially causing some
motivation toward a resolution that could save people’s lives.
Maybe more of the ideas of the people who are facing the harsh reality of
just how bad the economy truly is would make it to the people who could
change things with this method, and maybe that would be what it took for Accountability…Why? This is America!
people to remember that they can take charge of their own country once
again.
Most American’s live in the United States for the freedoms that have been fought for over the last few centuries,
but most people are not taking advantage of what these freedoms are or even what they mean. Something as
simple as the 26th Amendment giving 18 years olds the right to vote – some people are not even taking that
seriously. People need to take this right seriously enough to do their research and make sure that the best
candidates make it into those positions of power and influence. They vote because they feel like they’re
supposed to, instead of trying to make a difference. Had people started voting with the intention of making a
difference in years past, the state of the economy could be in a much better situation now than it currently is.
Look at the current phenomenon that is happening all around the world of dumpster diving for a simple example
of how this method could make a difference. Some people do this to save money or to get a piece of furniture to
put in their home or garage, but what about the people who are now being forced to do this simply to put a meal
on the table? What about families that could not feed their children without visiting the dumpster behind their local
grocery store on a regular basis because of the rise in taxes and other fees they now have to pay? What are
those voted officials doing about the situations of these families? How many of these politicians have truly been
where some people are now? You and I both know that very few, if any, have ever eaten something that has
seen the inside of a dumpster. So why do we keep voting them into these positions when we could be putting
people with new and fresh ideas that could actually help, into these positions, potentially changing our own future?
That’s a good question.
Another thing to keep in mind is that this phenomenon is not limited to the lower class of any particular country.
This is affecting the middle class just as harshly with the inability to make ends meet or pay for the things they
need without having to resort to getting assistance from somewhere outside of the home. People of any class
should not have to decide between eating and paying for the roof over their head, but that is exactly what many
different families have to do each month. Now imagine how different the economy would be if what Warren Buffett suggested had been put into place. How many families would be struggling to survive if the politicians had been put to the test with their jobs on the line? How much more would governments be willing and able to provide their citiz ens if it meant that elected officials were able to keep their jobs when they worked for the people? Food for thought… American’s have the unique ability to make a difference in ways that other countries do not offer their citiz ens. They can change what happens within their own country just by taking a stand, but for some reason people have not been using this form of pressure to let these politicians understand how important the state of the economy really is to them. Out of all of the amendments to the Constitution, pressure by the American people got seven of them passed in less than a single year. People took a stand and showed politicians of all levels how important their ideas were and how important they needed to be in the eyes of the government, and it made a difference. It is time for people to once again take a stand and make a difference. Unless we are all willing to live in these circumstances, or worse, for who- knows- how- long into the future, we need to do something, and fast. We cannot let the politicians or governments as a whole decide that the needs of these people are not important, but rather we need to bring the needs of ALL people back to the forefront of what each government was founded on. For Americans, the Founding Fathers are likely rolling over in their graves right now seeing how greed and power have taken over the leaders of the country instead of helping people live what most people would now refer to as the “American Dream”. It used to be that people were willing and able to stand up for what they believed, even to the point of willing to die for the rights that the United States stood for. However, now it has turned into a situation where the politician with the most money and influence can decide what route the American people as a majority must face because of how they figure out a way into the office they desire. One suggestion that is being sent around the United States via mainly email is that of a fictional Congressional Reform Act. It is not entirely accurate, but it does give some ideas that could be used to help reform some of the way that America’s politicians behave. When combined with what Warren Buffett suggested, it can really make a person think about just how impactful a unanimous voice really could be. Take a look at what this Act would include if it were real: Congressional Ref orm Act of 2012: 1. Term Limits—12 years only, one of the possible options below: A. Two Six- year Senate terms B. Six Two- year House terms C. One Six- year Senate term and three Two- Year House terms 2. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office. (Once Congressmen are up for re- election, the American people can choose to put this person back into their position or elect someone new, so tenure does not necessarily apply in this circumstance. There is no reason, however, for any former Congressman to get any type of income after they leave office other than what they paid into their retirement while in office.) 3. Congress, past, present and future, participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
(Now current Congressmen do pay into Social Security, but they have other options that are not available to
anyone aside from ranking federal employees.)
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
(Many times Congressmen have voted to refuse pay raises, so this only applies on the years that Congress
decides that they have done something above- and- beyond to have earned some type of a pay raise.)
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the
American people.
(Congressmen currently have to use the same health care system that all federal employees get to choose from,
but it is still better than a good portion of the American public gets to choose from. Maybe if they had to deal with
the waits that Public Aid and Medicare forces upon many people, changing that system would become important
to them as well? Who knows…)
7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
(Somehow this does not seem likely.)
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective the day this is signed into law.
(This is likely referring to the contracts made with former Congressmen that allowed them to have some benefit
over the standard American citiz en once they were out of office. This would bring quite a large sum of money
back into the budget of the United States, so this is probably not likely as well.)
If the American people as a whole stood up and unanimously told the government that this is something that they
demanded, it would likely be something that politicians took seriously instead of thinking it is little more than a
chain letter. If the promise of losing their job if they did not perform properly also loomed over the heads of the
politicians who read this proposal, it may even sink in a bit deeper. Politicians have been taking money that could
have been used to help those most affected by the current economic state for decades, and it is now time that
people said “enough is enough”.
Decide that your economic future is important and that you are no longer willing to put up with the hand that the
government believes you should be dealt. Start making a difference by getting your ideas out there. Do some
research and put those who are really willing, able and proven to make a difference into office, leaving those who
just want to have the money or power to fend for themselves with all of the rising costs of living. Start working
together by showing just how much of a wave a unanimous voice can create, and do not let another opportunity to
get your voice heard pass you by. If a comment from Warren Buffett can make it around the world and make the
public think, then you really can make a difference.
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escapefromamerica.com http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2012/12/investment-condo-belize-pays-mortgage-first-three-years- guaranteed/ Investment Condo in Belize that Pays Your Mortgage the First Three Years – Guaranteed By Cathy Brown / Dec 12 • Categoriz ed as International Real Estate Referred to as “Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret,” Beliz e truly is an exotic, tropical paradise on the Caribbean Sea. Beliz e is home to ancient ruins, thriving jungles, the world’s second largest barrier reef, perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving – and making things easy for expats and travelers from the US, English is the official language. The diverse geography, flora and fauna, spectacular reefs, comfortable climate, and intriguing Mayan culture make Beliz e a destination that appeals to those who seek a reasonably priced life- style that also provides major The diving and snorkeling around Ambergris Caye is amenities and infrastructure that they have come to expect. some of the best in the world. Many well- traveled people have commented that Beliz e offers an eco- tourism experience similar to Costa Rica, it just happens to be much closer to the US. As a result of the recent tourism boom in Beliz e, Ambergris Caye, measuring 25 miles long and 1 mile wide, and located a mere 13 minute flight from Beliz e City, has been experiencing progressive growth as well. This island is located northeast of the country in the beautiful Caribbean waters, and within sight of the barrier reef. Islands Magaz ine in 2012 ranked Ambergris Caye as one of the Top 10 Islands to Live. “The budget- friendly properties available a few flip- flop steps away from the beach, an exuberant expat community and the vibrant streets of San Pedro earned this Central American island a place on our list”, they commented. Likewise, CNNMoney listed Ambergris Caye as one of six “hot” locations that was destined to become a popular second- home location overseas. The sustained growth on Ambergris Caye spawned many new developments in the market, offering buyers and investors a broad range of units, locations and price ranges from which to choose. Despite the 2007/2008 mortgage crisis in the USA, properties under $400,000 have continued to sell briskly in Ambergris Caye and San Pedro Town.Undeveloped beachfront property in San Pedro, in particular, has become a scarce commodity, consistently putting pricing pressure not only on beach properties, but also the off- beach properties. Grand Baymen, developed by ECI Development, who for 15 years has created socially responsible properties in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, fills a unique market niche, providing a reasonably- priced modern gated community for conservative investors and possible expats who are looking to make a solid investment abroad. They are offering condos at an affordable $119,900US, perfect for retirees or for people who are looking to have a second home abroad. Owners and renters have access to numerous amenities, such as a 3- tiered pool at the Baymen Gardens, fitness classes, tennis courts, and personal training at the San Pedro Fitness Club, and beach access, dock access, and a dive shop at the Exotic Caye Beach resort. For more detailed info on amenities, you can get in touch with http://beliz etravelandbusiness.com/. But enough with the blah, blah, blah, right? I am sure what you really want to know about is that part about your mortgage being paid and a guaranteed extra monthly income the first 3 years. So, okay, understood.I will get to it…
It’s actually quite simple. Buy a brand- new, fully- furnished, 1- bedroom, 412 ft2 condo in the Grand Baymen
development offered at $119,900 with an initial amount of $23,980 (20%) down plus a furniture package of $8,000.
This leaves a mortgage of $95,920 at 10% interest (principal + interest = $842 per month, $10,101 per year)
amortiz ed over 30 years.
The terms are as follows: Grand Baymen will lease your
condo from you for $1,250 per month for 3 consecutive
years. They then put it in their rental pool. During this time,
Grand Baymen will handle all of your administrative tasks,
including paying your mortgage ($842/month), condo fees,
insurance, and taxes ($140/month), for a total of $982 in
expenses per month. After all fees under the lease are
paid, the remaining balance, $268/month profit will be
yours for the taking, no matter if Grand Baymen rents out
your condo or not – that burden and risk falls on their
shoulders, not yours. Your expenses are covered for the
first three years, no matter what happens in the rental
Yes, you could get paid to have a condo here.
market. If you would rather own the condo outright without
having a mortgage, pay the total amount of $119,900, and
they will still lease your condo from you for $1,250/month. That money will go straight to you.
In addition…yes, the deal gets even sweeter…for each referral you make to the Grand Baymenreservations
department for either your condo or any other condo in the development, Grand Baymen will credit you
depending on how many room nights you refer per year. You will be credited 35% of the booking price to the
principal balance of your loan, up to 100 room nights. The credits increase to 40% for room nights 101- 125, and
45% for room nights 126- 150. Grand Baymen will credit 50% for every referral for room nights over 150 nights! This
offer does not expire after the initial three years, you could technically continue with this until the condo is paid in
full from referrals.
You may think that reaching the 50% of bookings level or
even higher may be difficult, but it’s actually as easy as
referring three 10- room dive groups per year. Think about
it, 10 rooms x 7 nights = 70 room nights x 3 groups = 210
room nights. Dive shops are always looking for a new reef
to dive and Beliz e does have the longest reef system in
the western hemisphere, and second longest in the world!
Many agents book 4, 5, 6 dive groups per year. Imagine how
quickly your condo could be paid off – and the cash flow
comes straight to you after that!
Do your due diligence, of course, but if this is something
that interests you, act on it. ECI’s other developments Not a bad place to retire to or have a second home –
abroad have been wildly successful, and this development Beliz e offers English as it’s language, and it’s a very
will sell out, especially with these friendly terms. To see short flight from the US.
floor plans, or for more info on Beliz e or any other detailed
info on the program, please connect with
http://beliz etravelandbusiness.com/.
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Tagged as: Beliz e, expat finance, International Real Estate, Latin America, Retire Overseas, Retirement
escapefromamerica.com
http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2012/12/ultimate-freedom-enjoying-a-nomadic-retirement/
Ultimate Freedom: Enjoying a Nomadic Retirement
By Domini Hedderman / Dec 12 • Categoriz ed as Overseas Retirement
Have you ever thought that your stuff is holding you back
from the life you really want to live? Have you ever
considered escaping from your stuff and your house itself
so that you can freely fly away on adventures?
Lynne and Tim Martin did just that.
The Martins aren’t your typical retirees. At 70 and 65, the
pair realiz ed that time was running out, and that life was
too short not to follow their dream of travel. Both in
excellent health, they decided now was their time to see The Martin’s former house in Paso Robles, California
the world. was a huge burden, both financially and energy- wise,
keeping them from their retirement dreams.
But they couldn’t do it with their Paso Robles, California
home hanging over their heads, with all its financial and
physical expenses and responsibilities.
“We knew that worrying about the air conditioning or the sprinkling system in California would be a real drag if we
were trying to have fun in Marrakech!” Lynne laughs.
So they decided to become nomads. They call their concept living
“home- free.”
Since 2006, Tim has been retired as co- owner of an electronics
business, while Lynne had owned a public relations firm and a gourmet
food manufacturing company during her entrepreneurial career.
Both were used to making life happen for themselves. Neither was a
stranger to thinking outside of the box at each phase of their lives. So
why would their retirement be any exception?
The Martins didn’t want an ordinary life. They wanted to be “citiz ens of
the world,” before “the prospect of old age closing in.”
Selling your house and most of the contents therein is no simple
proposition. It involves a physical and mental divestment of all your
worldly trappings…and discovering that stuff simply doesn’t matter.
“We stored our art, some personal things, and kitchen equipment, but Lynne in Santa Margherita, France
the rest we parted with,” remembers Lynne. “Closing the door on the
storage unit was one of the most liberating acts of our lives. We
realiz ed that our identity is no longer defined by our house, our things, our collections, our toys. That was a huge
AHA moment.”
Lynne and Tim are an inspiration to people who wonder about the possibilities of being able to live home- free,
stuff- free, and well, simply free.
Freedom comes when you are able to part with your house and stuff. Lynne and Tim learned that lesson
immediately after selling. That’s when they jumped a cruise ship across the Atlantic and started their journey.
It all began in May 2012, when they cruised to Europe. They visited Turkey and then spent a lovely June in Paris.
They lived in Florence in July and part of August, and then moved to London in September. After that, they lived
just outside of Dublin and then visited Marrakech and Barcelona before boarding a westbound cruise ship back
to the States to visit family for the holidays. In February they’ll travel back across the Atlantic, again on a cruise
ship, and head to Venice, the city of love – just in time for Valentine’s Day.
The couple reports that it costs them about the same to live the travel
lifestyle as it did when they owned a home in the States. In fact, since
they have no maintenance, repairs, redecorating expenses, or
entertaining costs, they actually save money.
In a culture of progress, where so often people are judged by the stuff
they own, the car they drive, or the house they live in, Lynne and Tim’s
story appealed to many when they published a piece in the Wall Street
Journal in October. The article resulted in the readership on their blog
(http://homefreeadventures.com) to leap from thirty to well over 2,000
subscribers.
And the blog is not the only way the Martins are sharing their
inspirational tale of taking their retirement on the road. Lynne is currently
working on a book about their experience and has already signed with
a literary agent.
“Experiencing the world in more than a two- or three- week vacation is a
The countryside surrounding Vez eley,
great luxury and I think people were thrilled with the idea that they could
France, a walled French town on a
do it, too!” Lynne comments, when asked why they think their story
gorgeous river. The couple plans on
appealed to so many people on a gut level. “The emails we have
returning to France this next year.
received have been universally enthusiastic and many people have
told us that we opened their eyes to possibilities they never dreamed
of.”
March is Portugal. April is Ireland. May, June, and July will be lovely Paris once again, since it’s such a great
central location. The month of August will find them in Berlin and September in Barcelona. In October, the Martins
will once again sail home from Barcelona for the holidays.
“Not only have we coped with this new lifestyle, we have
thrived,” Lynne reports, enthusiasm dripping from her every
word. “We are healthier than ever, our minds are sharper
because we are taking on new challenges every day. We
adore seeing new places and meeting people whose
viewpoints are different from our own. And our relationship,
which has always been extraordinary, has become even
more solid. We trust each other completely and know that
we can do anything as long as we are together.”
The author of this article, Domini Hedderman, writes for and
maintains the blog www.renaissancehousewife.com.
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Tagged as: Retire Overseas, Retirement, Travelescapefromamerica.com
http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2012/12/the-azores-of-portugal-expat-paradise-off-the-beaten-path/
The Azores of Portugal: Expat Paradise Off the
Beaten Path
By Casey Hartnett / Dec 12 • Categoriz ed as Overseas Retirement
Perfection does exist in retirement without any lifestyle compromise. This perfection is found in the Az ores. My
name is Casey Hartnett and I had been searching over the last five years for the perfect island retirement location.
My search took me through Asia, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and of course, the United
States. My grading criteria were extremely harsh and no place could come close to passing the comprehensive
final. There were good characteristics of each country I visited but not enough that could justify a permanent
residence.The cost of living could be low but the crime was terrible, or the crime was low but the heat was
unbearable, etc. Nothing had it all, that is, until I stumbled upon the Az ores.
The Az ores is a group of islands in the middle of the
Atlantic made up of nine islands situated an hour and a
half flight fromLisbon and about a five- hour flight from
Boston.The Az ores hasa subtropical climate that enjoys
pleasant temperatures all year round with mild wintersof
temperatures in the 60s and warm summers in the 70s.The
islands are one of the two autonomous regions of
Portugal,which have one of the lowest tax rates in Europe
and incredible incentives for foreigners to start
businesses. The islands can best be described to
Americans or Canadians as the Hawaii of the Atlantic,
unspoiled by commercialism, at 1/10 of the price with more
beauty, abundance, and quality of life. Each island has its
One of the gorgeous views at Lago Do Fogo.
own unique characteristics.Flores is covered in flowers and
waterfalls, Sao Miguel & Sao Jorgehavelush jungles and
indescribable natural wonders, Pico is a meeting spot for
whales all over the world and has one of the tallest mountains in the world measured from base to peak.
Upon researching & critiquing everything I could find on the
Az ores, it was perfect on paper. Not only did it pass the
final but with extra credit. The weather, the culture, cost of
living, real estate, nightlife, gastronomy, infrastructure, low
cost of health insurance, organic and fresh food, stable
economy, ancient architecture, bilingual population,
championship surfing, hiking, mountain biking, whale
watching, scuba diving, sailing, kite surfing, and
paragliding, just to name a few activities andcharacteristics
are all world class. Not to mention it is the center of the
developed world between the United States and Europe
with many direct flightsthroughout. Needless to say to
more, I was on a flight the next week and visited the
The sub- tropical climate offers pleasant temperatures
islands for two months. When I returned to the US, I put
all year round.
my house up for sale, applied for a Visa, took care of my
dog’s paperwork and moved here five months later and
have not looked back. The entire process with a Visa wasless hassle than waiting in line at the DMV, but a Visa is not required as I found out after being here for several
months.
Since arriving, every day has been as amaz ing as the day before.
The most difficult decision in the morning is to go surfing, hiking, sailing,
diving, kayaking, snorkeling, or wind surfing. All activities are either
within a thirty second walk to the marina and beach or a fifteen- minute
drive to the mountains from the town of Vila Franca Do Campo. Vila
Franca Do Campo is the town I eventually fell in love with on the south
side of the Island. In Vila Franca, all the local Az oreans I have met
have been extremely helpful and accommodating and it has been a
very easy transition to feel at home quickly. The point of life in the
Az ores is to enjoy life without all the unnecessary stresses that seem to
be typical in western culture. Here, everyone works only enough to
enjoy life. If work interferes with beach or party time, it will not last long.
There is much more to be said about the Az ores. However, anyone
who is looking for a semi retirement destination with adventure above
or below the water, values a rich culture and quality of life, loves food,
enjoys a clean environment, and wants to live free with little stress
should highly consider the Az ores. The Az ores offer much more than just
beautiful beaches - ancient architecture
St op Looking Sout h, Look East To The Middle of t he At lant ic can be found throughout the islands.
What awaits you is what you have been looking for and daydreaming
about for years. Do not let the propaganda of Central and South America be the only benchmarks for your
retirement search. There are better locations, safe,culturally vibrant, affordable locations, with an excellent quality
of life waiting for you at absolutely no lifestyle compromise. Right now, Europe is on sale and one of the most
breathtaking natural wonders in the world that very few Americans and Europeans know about sits between
Boston and Lisbon.
The most appealing Volcanic Area in the World according toWorld Travel Guide.
National Geographic Traveler selected the Archipelago as the second best islands in the world for Sustainable
Tourismout of 111 islands evaluated.
Lonely Planet named the Archipelago as one of the best destinations in the World.
In 2010, Forbes magaz ine named this Archipelago as a Unique Travelling Destination.
In 2011, BBC Travel named this Archipelago one of five most secret islands of the World.
National Geographic Traveler acknowledged the Archipelago as one of the 50 best tours to take in Europe of a
Lifetime in 2012.
The Nottingham University Magaz ine elected this Archipelago as one of the best places to go to in 2012.
Budget Travel elected this destination as one of the best budget destinations for 2012.
The archipelago holds the official status of Quality Coast Destination – being the most sustainable coastal
destination in Europe to spend holidays, contains several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Project “Life
Priolo”award winner, “Best of the Best – Nature” from the European Union, and the list goes on… and you
probably still have no idea, it’s ok. There are hundreds of millions of dollars aimed at promoting your social
security checks for direct deposit in Central and South America it is not your fault this place has not been
presented to you until now.This magical destination is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal and is named the Az ores. For a semi retired, burned out American who was living downtown in a big city, the Az ores is everything I had been searching for the last eight years. The charm of the islands, physically and culturally, will embrace you and there will be nothing you can do to fill the void once you experience it but become an implant. Since space is limited in this article, I want to introduce some of the basic landscapes of several islands. In future publications, I will expand on the prudent and analytical decision processes that makethe Az ores hands down one of the best decisions you can make in your lifetime personally and fiscally with the emphasis on no compromise for quality of life. The Az ores is a group of nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic situated an hour and a half flight from Lisbon and about a five- hour flight from Boston. The Az ores has a subtropical climate that enjoys pleasant temperatures all year round with mild winters of temperatures in the sixties and warm summers in the seventies. The islands physically can best be described as the Hawaii of the Atlantic, unspoiled by commercialism with European villages dotting the coastline that date back to the 1400s, with more beauty and abundance in nature. Unlike Central and South America, there are no poisonous insects or snakes on the island or mosquitos that dominate the night. Andlike Hawaii, each island has its own unique characteristics. First, is Flores Island, known as the flower islandand is covered in flowers and waterfalls that rise from sea level to over a thousand feet.It is the most remote island of the Az ores and its physical beauty is a mix of romance with savage nature. Throughout the interior of the island, there are huge peaks and imposing cliffs with deep valleysforming lagoons and natural hot springs with waterfalls feeding into them. Within the cities you may find yourself with the background noise of water mills next to manicured streams with an occasional horse carriage passing, visually stunned at the white houses with the natural backdrop and radiant color.One of the most beautiful areas of the island is near the town of Fajaz inha, where a large waterfall several hundred meters high is met by twenty other waterfalls causing rainbows to appear over the deep green mountainside. Flores is a place of imagination and will change anyone’s depiction of reality. Next, is the island where whales from all around the world come to call home, has one of the tallest peaks in Europe, and a wine lovers paradise, Pico.It is difficult to say the island has the most dramatic landscape, but it would be one of the top three. “Born from the Sea,” composed of lava rock, exotic vegetation, a mountain peak extending beyond the clouds, UNESCO historical vineyards lining the roads, and ocean views that include the islands of Sao Jorge and Faial, Pico is an island of fairy tale with Giants. Whale watching in Pico is probably the most underrated spot in the entire world.Blue whales, sperm whales, humpback whales, whale sharks (I know, not a whale), numerous species of dolphins, and many other species below the surface including sharks and mantas call Pico home. When encountering these giants, it is on a rubber raft in extremely close proximity with the chance to swim with the dolphins, which their pods can exceed one thousand. Swimming with 700 dolphins in Pico was one of the most memorable moments in my life. After being mesmeriz ed by the sea, the vineyards will transport you into another experience. All wine making goes back hundreds of years with care given to each grape and a sense of pride that is found only through tradition. Food and wine is the competitive sport in Pico and as an expat you will be invited everywhere to be the judge. It is an Island oftranquility with world- class activities. You can sample your neighbor’s wine while watching pods of dolphins from your patio, trek up a 7000 ft. mountain, or dive with Devil Rays. Lastly, I wanted to introduce my home island, Sao Miguel, ”The Green Island.”This is the largest of the islands at 293 square mileswith a population of150,000. Sao Miguel by far is the most enchanting island as it has the allcharacteristics of the Archipelago in one islandwith the most to offer. I often joke that there is more variety here than in the Continental United States, and it is not far from the truth. You can spend as much time doing things as you have available. Sao Miguel has multiple world class hiking destinations such as; Sete Cuidades, Logoa do Fogo, and Furnas that will leave you breathless and are ranked as some of the most incredible natural wonders in the World (remember all the testimonials above?). The surfing rivals Hawaii with perfect waves and no crowd here bra. Windsurfing, sailing, diving, kite surfing, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, boating, whale & dolphin watching, and body boarding are also very popular aquatic activities.Along the coast are beautiful beaches dwarfed below the cliffswith many natural swimming pools. Lakes, waterfalls, and hot springs are also abundant
but its best quality is the people. This is the first place I have lived where I feel at home. Nobody has any hidden
agenda and is genuinely great people. Everywhere on the island you go anyone will go out of their way to help
you and make sure you feel welcomed and at home. There is much more to be said about the people and
culture, beginning to describe the beauty is a difficult task.
There are other islands of the Az ores that are just as remarkable that I did not discuss and I am sorry for this. If
this article caught your interest feel free to email me any questions you have. There will also be additional topics
in the future that are more in depth. This is truly the last great place in the world. The Az ores inspires imagination
and is unlike any destination. Once you come here, you will not be disappointed and will start your retirement
planning immediately after.
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http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2012/12/new-years-eve-in-sydney-australia/
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Sydney, Australia
By David Wright / Dec 12 • Categoriz ed as Living Overseas
As one of the first major cities to cross the International Date Line, Sydney has quickly become the signal to the
rest of the world that New Year’s Eve celebrations are officially underway. Sydney’s fireworks show is the first to
be seen in recaps, photo montages and news shows worldwide – and over a 24 hour period a staggering 1
billion people worldwide are estimated to see the show with the instantly recogniz able Sydney Harbour Bridge
and Sydney Opera House in the background.
This has made Sydney a top New Year’s Eve destination
for revelers from around the globe. Whether they want to
be the “first” to ring in the coming year or simply like to be
where the party is, Sydney has welcomed an increasing
number of visitors to the Sydney Harbourforeshore to
witness the pyrotechnic display, with 1.5 million people
watched the display in person in 2011/12.
The Bridge Effect on the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a light
showthat takes two months to build. Tall buildings around
the city become launching pads for shooting streams of
fireworks. Even boats in the Harbour come dressed for the
show with elegant lights on their outlines and masts. And of Celebrating New Year’s Eve with such an iconic view will
course, Australian stars are brought in to help host the make your night one to remember.
evening; Kylie Minogue has been named Syndey’s
“Cultural Ambassador” for the 2012/2013 presentation,
which has as its theme “Embrace.” Previous years’ themes include “Reflections,” “Creation,” City of Light” and
“The Time of Our Lives.”
Spectators are rarely disappointed, and in fact are treated to three separate shows. First there is the Indigenous
Smoking Ceremony at 8pm from barges in the harbor; the “Family Fireworks” show at 9pm includes barge- based
pyrotechnics as well as flares from city skyscrapers; and finally the midnight show, which includes the Sydney
Harbour Bridge and its access roads and is set to a soundtrack that is broadcasted from the Harbour. In between
these shows are periodic colorful explosions to mark the time, the last one being at 11:45pm.
Ringing in the New Year in Sydney is simply something that must be done at least once in a lifetime. There are
many vantage points from which to watch the fireworks throughout the evening, and the City of Sydney has
organiz ed it well for the influx of visitors. Below are some of the better options for spectators; each has their own
characteristics, including whether there are facilities, food, and alcohol available, as well as handicap
accessibility. It’s best to check ahead of time so as not to be turned away from your favorite vantage point. Happy
New Year!
Circular QuayCircular Quay Even first- time visitors to Sydney will quickly become familiar with Circular Quay due to its proximity to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, and its central location for trains, buses and ferries. Circular Quay is a prime front- row seat watch the fireworks show on New Year’s Eve. It is advisable to arrive early, since the capacity is limited to only 4500, and over 1.5 million people come to Sydney for the New Year. During the daytime there are restaurants and cafes on the promenade, but these tend hold private functions on New Wherever you choose to watch the fireworks from, make Year’s Eve. Note that Circular Quay is not handicap sure to arrive early. Over 1.5 million people pour into accessible, and there is no alcohol allowed at all. Sydney to watch the show. Mrs Macquarie’s Chair The amusingly named Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is in a peninsular park east of the Sydney Opera House. While there is no actual chair (it’s a sandstone rock bench), it does have a fantastic view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge – so much so that you feel like you are actually out on the water. Like most of the vantage points, it is strongly recommended to arrive as early as possible, and there are toilets and food available for the long wait. Unlike Circular Quay, however, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair holds 20,000 people, so it should be easier to secure a good spot. Alcohol is available from special event stalls, but bringing alcohol from outside is prohibited. Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is handicap accessible. Blues Point , Nort h Sydney Unlike Circular Quay and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Blues Point Reserve is on the north side of the Sydney Harbour looking back over at the city. There is plenty of room with a capacity of 12,000, and it is considered one of the better vantage points, as Blues Point stretches a long way into the Harbour almost directly across from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. On most years it does reach capacity, and as a result tends to be closed off early on in the evening so don’t delay for too long if you are planning on meeting friends there.Alcohol and dogs are prohibited, but like some of the others there is handicap access, and food and facilities available. Luna Park, Milsons Point Luna Park is an iconic family amusement park, located right on the Harbour in Milsons Point. But on New Year’s Eve, it is transformed into one of the hottest spots in town. Far from being a midnight- only production, there are bands,DJs, and events all night long. It does normally sell out, so tickets need to be arranged well in advance. Tickets to attend aren’t cheap, but New Year’s Eve does only come around once a year! On a boat For those who want an unimpeded view of the fireworks and are not fond of being jostled by thousands of people, then the best option is watching from on a boat in Sydney Harbour itself. Although it is necessary to book a long way in advance, there are a lot of choices – party boats, dinner cruises, luxury cruises and private vessels are available for the price of admission or rental, and they make it worth your while with food, drinks, dancing and other entertainment while you’re waiting for the big show. Written by David Wright for Travel Insurance Cover (www.travelinsurancecover.com.au).Thinking about a trip to Sydney to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Find out more about the travel insurance policies available through Travel Insurance Cover for visitors to Australia on their website. Related Articles
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http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2012/12/expat-entrepreneur-interview-with-david-garrett/
Expat Entrepreneur Interview with David Garrett
By Cathy Brown and David Garrett / Dec 12 • Categoriz ed as Living Overseas
Editor’s note: I first connected with David a few years back in Buenos Aires, when I became a fan of a fun and
effective Spanish language course that he helped to develop, BuenoEntonces. While he may be humble in this
interview, he must have been a wildly successful networker because his name came up absolutely everywhere I went,
and not one person had a bad thing to say about him. He struck me as an expat entrepreneur that I had a lot to learn
from. It always came across that he had figured out how to balance being a driven, hard-working entrepreneur with
remembering one of the reasons he moved abroad in the first place – to actually enjoy life to the fullest.
When was your f irst move abroad, and what inspired
t he move?
I moved to Cusco, Peru in August 2001. I had just sold a little
tech company and thought I wanted to be a writer. I lived
there for a year and wrote every day. My writing was terrible,
but I got the bug for living abroad and never went back.
Explain some of t he businesses or project s t hat you
have been involved in overseas. Is t here a common
f irst st ep t hat you had t o t ake t o get each of f t he
ground, t o get t hem f rom an idea t o realit y?
I have always been an entrepreneur, so it was a natural fit for me. The first business was a vineyard and winery in
Mendoz a, Argentina. It was supposed to be a little real estate project – half time for a year or two. It turned into a
big deal and was 80- hour weeks for 5 years. My second business was a technology business making mobile
apps that has grown fairly rapidly as well. The big thing they have in common was buying things cheaply in the
domestic market (vineyard land and software engineering) and selling them in richer, foreign markets.
You have a t rack record of net working really well, and
making great cont act s wherever you go. Any t ips f or
readers who move t o a new place who may have a hard
t ime meet ing people t o do business wit h?
That’s funny, I don’t think of myself as much of an extrovert. The
key is really persistence and drinking a lot of coffee. I try to make
sure I am meeting at least one new person one- on- one every
week. I don’t like networking events very much because I don’t
like competing for attention. I’d rather email someone to meet for
a coffee. And super important – always pick up the check!
How do you f eel like being an ent repreneur abroad dif f ers Helping to develop a large vineyard in Argentina
f rom being an ent repreneur in t he US? involves so much more than creating and
drinking delicious wine with like- minded people
Every country is different, and has different rules and customs. If
- David found himself working 80 hour weeks for
you expect your employees, partners or customers to adopt a
years.
US- centric style because it is “better,” you are going to have a
bad time. Figure out what aspects of the local market are flexible,
and which are inflexible, and proceed accordingly. Use judo, not blunt force.What advice do you have f or someone st ill living in
t he US, unsat isf ied doing t he 9- 5 t hing, whose heart
would pref er t hat t hey get on a plane and st art a
business while at t empt ing lif e as an expat …but t hey
f eel t hat t hey have t oo many responsibilit ies or
obligat ions t o do somet hing so ‘craz y’?
You have to be willing to give up everything you know –
most importantly security – in exchange for freedom and
amaz ing experiences. Putting obligations and
responsibilities behind you is a journey of self- discovery.
More often than not, you’ll find that they are security
blankets posing as “serious concerns.”
Any f ut ure moves planned?
Barcelona! My favorite city in the world.Hopefully in early
2013.
While currently living in Hong Kong, David has learned
On a f inal not e, you and your wif e have a darling that certain business skills, namely flexibility, apply no
lit t le girl. Has having a child changed your views on matter where in the world he moves.
expat lif e – eit her make you believe in it more or
begin t o quest ion it a lit t le? In what ways do you
f eel your daught er will benef it f rom growing up abroad?
Most of my favorite people in the world have grown up in multiple cultures. My 18- month old daughter understands
English, Spanish and Mandarin. I want her to grow up in an environment where she understands that the world is
full of lots of different kinds of people and a million ideas. I think the happiest, healthiest, most productive people
are those that live their life with more desire and less fear. The more open your mind, the less you fear. I think
raising my daughter in an international environment is the best gift I could give her.
Last quest ion: What is one sit uat ion you have f ound yourself in
abroad t hat you never could have imagined– a random memory t hat
makes you laugh at t he st range and wonderf ul places t hat lif e
t akes us?
When we moved into our apartment in Hong Kong, I was setting up
Penelope’s crib when I realiz ed that in her 15 months (at the time) she had
lived in 6 different homes on 3 continents in her short life. And then I counted
30 different homes that I have lived in over the last 30 years. And I wouldn’t
change a thing.
You can f ollow some of David’s recent project s here:
http://www.vinesofmendoz a.com
http://www.entaste.com
http://www.miniaturestudios.com
Little Penelope has effortlessly
http://www.generallinguistics.com
picked up English, Spanish, and
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http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2012/12/bureaucracy-living-in-argentina-tramite/
The Bureaucracy of Living in Argentina: Is it Worth
it?
By Hugo Lesser / Dec 12 • Categoriz ed as Overseas Retirement
Those who dream of moving to Argentina probably picture tango, asados, Malbec and the sweeping landscapes of the
pampas or the Andes, and while all these are readily available for expats in Argentina, another aspect of living here is
what can seem like a mad never-ending, world of ‘tramites’, or Argentine bureaucracy. Here’s a brief guide to help get
you through it and back to your barbecue.
Probably your first brush with a tramite will be arranging a
residency visa. This might be in the Argentine Embassy
before you leave, or otherwise at your local Migraciones
office after you arrive. There are 4 types of residency visas
available to would- be expats – a student visa, a working
visa, a pensioners visa or a steady income visa. The first
two are more or less self- explanatory – you can get a
residency visa if you have a place to study at an Argentine
College or University or a job arranged with an Argentine
company. The other two require you to demonstrate that you
have a pension or steady income from abroad and won’t
need to work in Argentina. A steady income can include
rental income from property or income from a job, dividends or investments, so this is a reasonable possibility for
many people. All these visas last a year, after which they must be renewed – cue the same process all over
again. After having renewed them twice, you qualify for permanent residence, so at least you’ll only ever need to
go through the process 3 times.
Your best bet is to go on a reconnaissance mission to ascertain exactly what documentation you will need. It is
important to make sure that you speak to someone who is going to process the application, rather than the
person at the door or reception whose priority may well be getting through the queue and back to their yerba mate.
Always be polite and friendly, introduce yourself so they remember you the next time, and ensure that you get
their name so that you can call and ask for clarification from the same person if you need to. Make notes of what
they said immediately afterwards, along with their name and the date, so that you can remind them what they said
in case they later change their mind. You’ll probably get to know them quite well during the process, so never
lose your temper as they hold the power to make your life difficult – including finding a reason to deny your
application entirely should they so choose. It works the other way too though – they can also make problems
miraculously vanish if they like you, so that’s what you want to aim for.
Every stage of any bureaucratic process in Argentina isEvery stage of any bureaucratic process in Argentina is
fiddly, laborious and open to interpretation by low- and
mid- level officials, so be prepared to be patient and
flexible and keep copies of all forms and documents and
notes on all meetings and phone calls.
Getting my visa for the first time took a couple of months
from start to finish, at the Argentine Embassy in London.
Renewing it for the first time in Salta took 6 months, and
nearly drove me mad. If it’s looking desperate and you
value your sanity, there are agencies and lawyers who can
sort it out for you if you are prepared to pay. It’s probably
best to get a recommendation first, though, even if it’s from It may seem like this. Add in that no one speaks English,
the Migraciones staff. all are drinking mate as opposed to actually working,
and no one has a clue what is actually going on or how
With your visa sorted out, life’s then a breez e of wine, to help you.
steak, and sunshine, right? Wrong. Argentines probably
dedicate at least two working days a month to tramites,
which are as such an integral part of life. So it is for expats, too. Receiving a parcel from abroad ought to be
simple, with it arriving at your house and perhaps requiring a mere signature. But that would be too easy. The
President in her wisdom considers anything entering the country a threat to Argentine industry, be it a Christmas
present from a relation abroad, or a book, DVD or any product that simply isn’t available in Argentina. This
means that any parcel larger than a flat A4 envelope entails a summons to the municipal post office, where you
must first queue to pay a small storage and admin fee, then again to see to the customs inspector, who will ask
you to open the package in front of him. If there’s an invoice or receipt in with it, you’ll then be asked to go to the
Banco de la Nacion to pay (more queueing) 50% import tax, before returning to the post office (more queueing
again) with the receipt to collect your parcel. This all typically takes a whole morning, and gives you the
impression that you might have time- travelled to Soviet Russia in 1975. The keys again are patience and being
polite and charming to all officials, who have the power to make things easier or harder for you.
Another thing that you’d think would be simple but isn’t is transferring money from abroad. You can currently carry
in up to US$10,000, which may well be worth it if you’ve got somewhere safe to keep it, as after that you’re going
to spend plenty of time queueing again to try to get any more in. The simplest way to bring in money from abroad
is to withdraw pesos from an ATM using your foreign card, which incurs total fees of 3- 5%, however daily
withdrawal limits prove problematic if you encounter any extraordinary expenses such as buying a car or
property. It’s at this point that you have to broach the uber- tramite of involvement with AFIP, the state tax agency.
Since as soon as you own assets (such as cars or property) in Argentina you have to pay asset tax, it’s probably
not a bad moment to find an accountant, who can not only fill in your returns but advise you on the registration
process. This will involve multiple trips to multiple government offices. Again I would recommend an initial reccy –
normally the receptionist or security guard can advise you on which forms you need and where to queue to get
them, and, most importantly, the quietest, quickest times (probably either early in the morning or 20 minutes
before closing time). Once you’re fully registered with AFIP (did I mention that you need your residency visa
sorted before you can register?), you can then open a bank account. All the same rules apply – go at the quietest
time of day, find out what documentation you need in advance, etc. to save spending all day doing something
that would take 20 minutes online in Europe, Asia or the States.
With your bank account up and running, you then have to seek advice on which government plan will allow you to
bring money into the country depending on what you want it for. There are various plans, all subject to different
rules and limits, for money to live off, to buy property, and numerous other things. Then make your transfer by
phone or internet from your foreign bank and after a week or two start calling your Argentine bank to ask where
the money is. The chances are they won’t be able to find it, and will ask for more information about the transfer
from your foreign bank. As always, it’s really helpful to know someone by name (and for them to know you) atYou can also read
