Is Costa Rica on your bucket list for retirement? Time Is Passing, So, Get it Done!
What am I talking about? Your bucket list for retirement! Preparing for the next stage in your life, that’s what! Younger people know the steps that are required if they are going to make something of their life; study, go to the right school, do an internship, join the army for training or do an apprenticeship, etc.
But once you start to work through the career, life sort of takes over and the planning stops. Then we get to middle age, whatever that is, and we begin to wonder what we are all about and maybe question earlier decisions.
We may even think seriously about changing a few things. Generally, these are pretty narrow in their focus. The most typical broad focus change usually takes place when you retire.
For many, the issue of retirement comes when you hit some milestone that triggers a financial lever, and you perceive you can get by without working. Or it is a medical matter that becomes the trigger. It also happens when they have their “ducks lined up”. This latter group is pretty small. But, it doesn’t have to be.
What is the strategy of your bucket list for retirement?
There are two methodologies:
1) Work on a Bucket List for Retirement
2) Paint a Picture
The first strategy is often a bit fragmented, in that the items on the list may be unrelated. But it has good possibilities. You’ve identified a number of goals. That is the most important part. However, it requires a few more things.
The list has to be reviewed on a regular basis, at least annually, if not more frequent. It needs to be supplemented and culled as your interests change. Next, you have to set priorities. Then you have to set a timeframe. Now, you have to put the plan in place: Line up your ducks.
The second strategy typically involves constructing a flushed out scenario of what the next phase of your life plan is going to look like. This is usually more integrated than the bucket list for retirement and therefore perhaps a bit more complicated, but not necessarily more difficult to achieve. It requires more up-front thought and more vision.
Following this “picture” it is necessary to fill in the particulars with objects, colors, and shading. Now that you know what it looks like, you follow the same methodology as the bucket list, review, modification, priorities on filling in the picture and timelines. Some people refer to this as pre-retirement planning. Perhaps that is a misnomer, it depends on the plan, and how you view what you have been doing for a number of years.
Pre-retirement Planning
Is this a company program or your program? Smart people and smart companies integrate everyone’s elements and needs. My next article for the Grand Rapids Business Journal will explore this topic in a bit more depth.
Who is Ardon Schambers?
Ardon Schambers is Director of P3HR and has 39 years of professional HR experience, including 7 years establishing and operating HumancO Resources, before the company was acquired by Varnum Law to establish Varnum Consulting.
At Varnum Consulting, he served as the Executive Director of the HR practice group until 2007. Prior to forming HumancO, he worked for world-class companies including General Telephone, Bell & Howell and Steelcase, where he was the Director of Compensation, Benefits, and International Human Resources.
Ardon has served on a variety of local and state level committees and boards associated with Human Resources issues. He has also held director and officer positions for a number of profits and not for profit organizations.
Ardon is planning to retire in Costa Rica and owns property in Río Grande – Atenas and has rented a beach vacation rental with our affiliate partner Nikita Mohammed. Ardon cooperates once in a while with his blogs to our community. if you plan your retirement in Costa Rica you can use your retirement fund like IRA, 401 (k) or your RRSP to make an investment in Costa Rica real estate.
Once you have been able to finish your bucket list for retirement, contact us and we’ll assist you in the purchase of your retirement home in Costa Rica.
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While we’re at it, I DO want to remind our readers that we appreciate any referrals you can send us. Finally, please remember the American-European real estate Group’s agents when you refer a real estate agent. Because we DO appreciate your business.
