Since moving to Italy, my morning commute is no longer mandatory. Rather it’s an indulgence…a gentle stroll along ancient brick-lined streets to get a freshly brewed espresso. Afterward, I might visit the gym, which is open again this week as life in Italy begins returning to normal. Then, I typically run some errands, before finally […]

“All you need is good internet and you can work from anywhere in the world.”  When Brittany Braucher from Springfield, Missouri heard these magical words from her employer, it opened up the opportunity for her and her husband, retired firefighter Gerry Koeneman, to move overseas.  Brittany has been working as an accountant for a construction […]

Whether you’ve found yourself working from home or are a freelance worker in the gig economy, a key factor for success is the ability to present yourself and your ideas virtually. Being in front of a lens can be intimidating, whether it’s a Skype interview, a Zoom meeting, or an online PowerPoint presentation. But there […]

I recently finished a new painting—which is relevant from two trending perspectives. First, it fits into a broader trend of focusing less on “job” and more on “living.” To wit: I happened upon a British publication in my recent reading, and inside I found a story headlined: “The benefits of flexible working.” It basically made […]

Originally from Ireland, Brendan and Gwen O’Toole immigrated to Canada with their daughter in 1988, where they started a successful tire and automotive accessory business. In 2000, the couple went on vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and immediately felt an affinity for the country. In the years that followed, they returned annually to either Puerto […]

A couple on vacation, anywhere from Disney World to Bali, is approached by a friendly stranger at their resort. Would the couple be interested in a free breakfast, theme park tickets, or a gift certificate?  In return, they need only attend a short sales presentation and tour. Of course, it’s a pitch for a timeshare, […]

Last week, I agreed to write a freelance story about climate change research warning that as sea levels and temperatures rise, migration patterns in the U.S. will change. (Spoiler: Buffalo and Duluth could become “climate refuge cities” over the next few decades.) Now, here at The Savvy Retiree, changing weather and migration patterns aren’t really […]

A few years ago when my grandmother died, I had the task of going through her effects and selling off everything in the house. I was struck by a piece of paper. I still remember the day she signed it. It was a carbon copy receipt for a certificate of deposit she and my grandfather […]

Many years ago, when I was writing the Love & Money column for The Wall Street Journal, I interviewed a longtime friend, Melissa, about paying people to do household chores. She told me she hires people for lawn maintenance or housecleaning because she’d calculated that she earns far more money on an hourly basis than […]

Time. These days, we all have a lot more of it than we are accustomed to. The issue is how to use it effectively.  One excellent way to take advantage of this abundant at-home time is to take a good look over your finances and see how you can improve them. That could mean building […]

A new mode of transportation is taking off in Boquete, in Panama’s Chiriquí province, introduced by a semi-retired American expat who has made his home there since 2005. Vincent Spagnoli is the owner of Soul Planet Cycles, an electric bicycle company based in the small mountain town, a popular tourist destination. In addition to renting […]

“Stay in school is what adults tell kids, right? That was my problem. I stayed too long,” says Ronald Kysiksi from the veranda of his condo along postcard-perfect Hoi An beach, just outside of Da Nang, Vietnam. Back in his student days, Ronald, who has degrees in physics and math, thought he would spend his […]