IL Postcard

Yes, You Can Retire in the Next 12 Months

Date: 06/07/2008 Author: Len Galvin

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Read more about funding your life in Paradise in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

“I’d love to live in a tropical paradise, but what will I do for money? I can’t afford to just quit my job and go.”

This is a question we’re often asked by new IL readers. Our answer is always the same: You may have the money…and not know it.

If you’re dreaming of an apartment in Panama...a beach house in Brazil...a farmhouse in Italy...and the only thing holding you back is lack of capital...read on.

As a reader of these Postcards, you’re at least part-way toward creating a whole new life for yourself and your family in Costa Rica…or Mexico…or France…

Whatever your dream may be, you face the issue of bankrolling it. Unless you have an uncapped income, money is a problem. After all, no matter how cheap the world’s best-value destinations are, you can’t live for free. For a lot of folks, a lack of funds proves to be a roadblock and the reason why overseas dreams remain just dreams.

But imagine a job you could do on your beachfront deck, while the water gently laps up onto the sand and the palm trees sway. (I can think of three jobs like that right now.)

First, let me clarify something: When I say “job,” I’m not talking about swapping the drudgery of your old 9-to-5 routine for the same situation in a different place (albeit with better views). What good is Paradise if you don’t have time to enjoy it? I’m talking no hard work…no long hours…lucrative "work" that will allow you to spend your afternoons relaxing, reading, snorkeling, sailing…or whatever takes your fancy.

For example, you could become a:

Travel Writer

If you’ve ever wanted to travel the world and get paid to do it, here’s how. As a freelance travel writer, you have the opportunity to visit the world’s most romantic, exciting, and offbeat destinations. Your “office” might be a luxury suite in Paris’ Latin Quarter...or a first-class berth on a cruise ship steaming through the Caribbean.

Your “job” will be to discover amazing places that most people have to pay to visit on their annual two weeks of vacation.

IL’s resident travel writer, Steenie Harvey, says it’s the best job in the world.

Importer-Exporter

Those who have enjoyed success in the import-export game owe that success to nothing more than open minds and fertile imaginations. All you have to do is notice something unique or special while on vacation and think to yourself, “People would pay big bucks for that back home.”

The original import-export pioneer was Marco Polo, exploring China’s Silk Road trading route during the 13th century. You don’t have to wander ancient trading routes or battle pirates to be an importer-exporter. These days, all you need is a laptop computer and an eye for a bargain (if you’d prefer to search for merchandise from the back of a camel, you could do that, too, of course).

It’s easy to create your own import-export business, no matter how small to start. This is a $148 billion industry in the U.S. alone, so there's plenty of room for newcomers.

And it’s easier and cheaper than you might think. Don’t be intimidated. Start small. Take an extra suitcase with you on your next trip to Mexico or Ecuador. Fill it, as you travel, with trinkets, pots, handicrafts, musical instruments, jewelry…anything that strikes your fancy. If you like it, others from wherever you hail likely will, too. And they’ll be willing to pay a premium for having the treasure hand-delivered.

No kidding…it can be as simple as that. Find out how.

Copywriter

Becoming a copywriter is a fascinating way for you to work wherever you want, whenever you want…and earn $50,000 to $250,000 a year. You don’t need a qualification or any experience…but you must love to write and you must love to read. You may not know what a copywriter does…so we’ve asked friend of IL Jason Gaspero to give you the lowdown.

Try one of these “jobs” on for size today. You’ll gain the freedom and flexibility of working to your own schedule…you’ll have more time to travel, pursue your interests, broaden your horizons, and just enjoy your life.

By this time next year, you could be turning a profit, living anywhere you want, traveling anytime you like, and working for just a few hours a day. Please let us know how you get on.

Best of luck,

Len Galvin
Editorial Director, International Living

Read related articles:

- How to Profit From Panama’s Duty-free Zone

- Cash in on Your Travels: Steenie's Insider Secrets

- Turn Your Vacation Snapshots Into Cash