Bring The Kids With You (They’ll Be Fine)

May 16, 2012, Panama City, Panama: When making a move to another country with children, international schooling options become a top priority.

"Kathleen, I really find your newsletters entertaining and interesting, but I have a request. The concept of early retirement to a nice, sunny, tax-free place is great, but please remember those of us with families and children who may want to do this..."

-- Bert S., United States

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

My daughter Kaitlin, age 8 at the time, cried herself to sleep every night during our first year living in Waterford, Ireland. Kaitlin was fiercely opposed to the idea of leaving her grandmother, her cousins, her friends, and her school in Baltimore behind, and she made sure we were painfully aware of that fact every single day. "You've ruined my life!" she'd sob night after night as she fled from the dinner table to her bedroom and slammed the door.

My husband Lief and I, of course, thought we were doing precisely the opposite. We believed we were enriching Kaitlin's life and expanding her horizons. But, I have to admit, some nights I'd lie awake wondering if maybe Kaitlin weren't right. Maybe launching a new life in a foreign country at age 8 would translate into years of psychotherapy down the road.

How And Why To Open A Bank Account Overseas

May 15, 2012, Panama City, Panama: Your live, retire, and invest overseas plan should include both an international bank account and a local one, out of which you’ll cover local expenses and pay local bills.

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

I recommended that you consider opening what I term an international bank account--that is, an account at a bank that isn't necessarily located where you're living. In fact, it can be better if it's not. This bank account, typically with a bank with offices around the world, is the best first step for any overall diversification plan. It's a place to park assets and capital privately and safely.

And it's a separate thing from the other bank account you'll need in the country where you eventually decide to retire. That local account is an operating account, out of which you'll pay your local living expenses.

Should you open this local operating account before you arrive in your new country? You may not be able to. It's harder and harder to open a non-resident account most everywhere in the world. Most any bank you approach as a non-national these days is going to want you to produce some proof of some connection to the country before they'll allow you to open an account with them.

Retirement Plan In Tatters? Here’s The Answer

May 14, 2012, Panama City, Panama: If your retirement nest egg is limited, the secret to realizing the retirement lifestyle you want is to open your mind to possibilities and options beyond your own borders.

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

"Recently, we read a New York Times article by Joe Nocera called My Faith-Based Retirement," write Retire Overseas Correspondents Billy and Akaisha Kaderli.

"It was a cheerless piece detailing the failure of 401k's as an investment vehicle, the decline of pensions, the lack of employer-sponsored healthcare benefit plans, and the consequent reduction of Boomer's retirement expectations. A dreary, rain-drenched, out-in-the-street future was being painted focusing on stark data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) that states: 'only 22% of workers 55 or older have more than US$250,000 put away for retirement, and 60% of workers in that same age bracket have less than US$100,000 in a retirement account.'

“I Don’t Think My Kids Have Enough Money To Pay The Kidnapper’s Ransom!”

May 13, 2012, Panama City, Panama: New website AngloInfo launched to help English-speaking expats, retirees, businesspeople, and travelers in Panama City.

Also This Week: Financial Meltdowns Come And Go…Single, Married, Retired, Or With Kids--No Matter...This Haven Could Be An Ideal Choice…Four Reasons Never To Buy A Home Overseas…Pockets Of Opportunity In The Far East End Of London…

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

Back in Panama City this week after more than a month out of the office, I'm catching up on the news ...

Carlos, our contractor in Medellin, reports that the renovation of the apartment we purchased in that city nearly a full year ago is, finally, complete. After 11 months of sometimes daily communication, many gigabytes of e-mailed progress photos, and extended time together on the ground, designing, planning, shopping, choosing, correcting, I'm going to miss Carlos. He has proven himself a professional with vision, experience, and good connections. Should you be considering a renovation project in this City of Flowers, I heartily recommend him.

Off To See The Coconuts

May 11, 2012, Panama City, Panama: This coconut plantation opportunity in Fortaleza, Brazil, is one of the best productive land investments that the small investor can make today.

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

Many readers have expressed interest in the coconut plantation investment opportunity in Brazil that I've reported on recently. I believe this constitutes one of the best productive land investments that the small investor could make today. And, to keep things in perspective, in the current climate, a productive land investment is among the smartest plays, period.

I've invested myself. However, I made the buy decision after making a trip down to the region to see for myself both the plantation and the factory where the coconuts are processed into their various end products. Many readers who've contacted the developer regarding this opportunity have expressed a desire to do the same thing--to see the operation firsthand before making a final decision.