Hope you had a nice and restful weekend.  Mine was great, but not restful.  My brother and I took my father on a fishing trip as part of his fathers day gift. We figured it would be better than all those ties we bought in previous years.  And, it was!

 We used a popular family owned fishing company for our trip.  It was started by the current owner/boat captain’s grandfather over 50 years ago.  They have a good reputation and know everything about the industry.  However, they too have been hit by the economic tsunami.  He told us that sales are down about 70%.  While we were out on the lake waiting for the fish to bite, we all talked about the economy.

 The captains tone was noticably low key when he spoke about his business.  You could tell things were tough for him.  He stated, “we used to be booked all the time and had more business than we could handle.  Big companies used to bring their employees down and we would have a great time fishing and making money. Now, I just don’t know.”

 What struck me was that he was stuck on thinking about how things “used” to be.  Never did I hear him mention what he was going to do about the present.  The look of his boat and office/bait shop reflected how he was feeling inside “rundown.”

 This is a guy who was confused about what had happened to his business and now was feeling very fearful.  His confusion and fear lead to ”paralysis.”  He is totally imobilized.  Similar to a deer in headlights waiting for the truck to hit him, he is waiting for the economic tsunami to wipe him out. 

 The lesson: Don’t be the deer.  Take action and get over how things “used” to be and move out of the street.  What worked in the past may not work now.  Those who recreate themselves and develop new business tactics will succeed. 

 Have a great week!

 Timothy A. Laskis, Ph.D.

Founder of http:lex-t.com, A business/management consulting company since 2005.

tim@lex-t.com

www.lex-t.com

www.findingyourcostarica.com

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Central America has become a favorite destination for living on a fixed income.  In particular, Costa Rica has become one of the most popular countries for expats.  Everyone wants to know more about living there.  Just hearing the word Costa Rica sparks all sorts of interest.  Most people think of a mystical land where you can swing in your hammock on deserted beaches.  Well, the truth is, yes.  It is a beautiful tropical place where the rain forest meets the ocean.  And, you can find many deserted beaches all to yourself. 

 Costa Rica is very different from the U.S.  Many people say it’s like going back in time.  Roads near the coast are mostly dirt and construction is minimal, except for a few areas such as Jaco, Tamarindo and San Jose.  Below I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions. 

 Is the government in Costa Rica stable?

The government is very stable as it has the longest running democracy in Latin America.  In fact, Costa Ricans (Ticos) pride themselves on being a peaceful country.  They disbanded their military many years ago. 

 What about crime?

It is true that you will find more petty theft than in the states.  However, it depends on where you go.  It happens more frequently in the city of San Jose and in popular tourist areas.  But, as you go into more isolated regions, it seems very minimal.

 Is Malaria rampant in Costa Rica?

No.  I haven’t heard of many cases of malaria.  However, they do have some problems with dengue.  This is an illness caused by mosquito’s.  Symptoms include fever, headache and weakness.  The country is doing a good job of controlling this and it is mostly found in coastal regions.

 What happens if I become sick while in the country?

The medical care is excellent.  Some expats swear it is comparable or better than in the U.S.  A friend of mine, whose wife had a major surgery in Costa Rica, said her care and treatment was wonderful.  Many of the doctors are trained in the U.S. and return to Costa Rica.  Also, most medicines can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription.  Best of all, it’s about 50% cheaper than in the states. 

 Can Americans own property in Costa Rica?

Yes.  In fact, Americans have the same rights and protection as Ticos.  Many Americans and Canadians are purchasing property all over Costa Rica.  In the last few years, the coastal regions were very popular.  However, it seems that mountain areas are more popular today.  The reason is that mountain properties not only have gorgeous views of the valley below, but temperatures are much cooler with little humidity.  Also, prices for mountain property can be much less. 

 Are prices the same in Costa Rica as in the U.S.?

Household appliances, cell phones, computers, televisions and cars are more expensive.  I brought my computer and television from the states.  However, I purchased a used car from an expat in C.R. and it worked out great. 

 There are deals on land and homes.  If you plan on buying in areas like Escazu or along the coast, it will be expensive.  I once owned property in Grecia, which is about 45 minutes outside San Jose.  This is becoming very popular with Americans and Canadians.  Prices are continuously rising, so it’s a great investment. 

 Food is cheap.  My favorite restaurant served a hefty portion of rice, beans, chicken, plantains, salad and drink for about $3.00.  Also there are outdoor markets on the weekends where you can load up on fresh fruits and vegetables.

 How are the roads?

It’s best to rent or buy a 4X4 if you plan on going out of the city.  The roads are full of potholes and some places along the coast are not paved.  When it rains, they fill with water and get really sloppy. 

 Does it rain all the time?

June thru November is the rainy season.  It may rain for 1-3 hours late morning and in the evening.  Typically, the mornings are bright and sunny and around noon it will cloud up and rain.  It will clear up and then in the evening it will cloud up and rain some more.  It’s very refreshing and not at all difficult to handle.  Also, some regions do receive more rain than others. 

 Can Americans work there?

Yes and no.  It is very difficult to find a job in Costa Rica.  The government has restrictions on foreigners working.  However, it is legal to start a company and earn an income.  The most popular is real estate sales.  You will need to find an attorney in C.R. who can file all the appropriate paperwork.

 How long is my Visa?

Many foreigners enter the country on a tourist visa.  You are granted three months each time you enter.  If you want to stay longer, you need to start the process for residency or leave the country 72 hours and re-enter for another three-month extension.  Many people travel to Panama or Nicaragua for a few days, and then come back.

 Is Costa Rica for everyone?

No.  If you are a type A personality (always in a hurry and not patient) you will most likely not last very long.  The bureaucracy in C.R is extensive.  Get ready to wait in lines for extended periods of time at banks and government agencies.  You are on Tico time, not U.S. time.  They are not in a rush to do anything.  It is a way of life here and you just have to adjust.  But, once you do, it is no problem.

 Costa Rica is a beautiful country with alot to offer.  You can find rainforests, beaches, volcano’s, lakes, rivers and exotic wildlife.  Be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime.  Hope this helps those of you thinking of retiring in Costa Rica.  Pura Vida!

 Timothy Laskis, Ph.D. lived in Costa Rica in 2006.  His wife, Isabel, is a native of Costa Rica and they currently live in Greenville, SC.  He is the president of Lex-T Consulting and author of Finding Your Costa Rica: 5 Powerful Steps to Personal, Professional and Financial Success.  He can be reached at www.findingyourcostarica.com or www.lex-t.com.

Working Toward What You Already Have

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.  Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna.  The American complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The fisherman replied, “Only a little while.”

The American then asked, “Why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?”

The fisherman said, “With this I have more than enough to support my family’s needs.”

The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos.  I have a full and busy life.

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you.  You should spend more time fishing: and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats.  Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.  Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor; eventually opening your own cannery.  you would control the product, processing and distribution.  You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and evenetually New York, where you will run your even-expanding enterprise.”

The fisherman asked, “But, how long will this take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then?” asked the fisherman

The American laughed and said,” That’ s the best part.  When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

“Millions? Then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire.  Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with you wife, stroll into the village in evenings where you could sip wine and play guitar with your amigos.” – Author, Unknown.

Now they have no option but to downsize and live more economically.  Living in a 2600 sq. foot home is no longer seen as necessary.  A more cozy home of 1000-1500 is the new norm.  Also, expensive trips and restaurants are being cut.  Eating macaroni and cheese in the back yard is the replacement. 

It seems many people are making adjustments.  Those with upper incomes have chosen to live life as middle income families did.  Middle income families are now shifting to living as low income families.  This is why stores such as the Dollar Tree and Walmart have replaced high end retail stores.  Will this trend continue?  Probably so. 

One way to live with more and not less is to move to Central America.  Costa Rica is becoming one of the most popular retirement destinations in the world.  Your money will go much further there and you can actually live more lavishly than you do in the states.  Is it right for you?  Go visit and see.  Amcostarica.com is a great online resource to see what’s happening there. 

Timothy Laskis, Ph.D., author, Finding Your Costa Rica: 5 Powerful Steps to Personal, Professional and Financial Success.

www.findingyourcostarica.com

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ticotimes.net

Timothy Laskis, Author, Finding Your Costa Rica: 5 Powerful Steps to Personal, Professional and Financial Success. findingyourcostarica.com

I do believe 09′ will see a leveling of our stock market and housing industry.  However, it will take years to see gains similar to 05′.  In the mean time, there are many things you can do to stay afloat.

1. When insurance policies come due, explore options in your current plan to save and shop around for a better rate.

2. Make a list of all your expenditures.  Then,separate necessities vs. luxuries.  Set a goal of $100 and start eliminating some of those luxuries.  Track each month and make additional cuts if necessary.

3.  Pay yourself first as Robert Kiyosaki says.  Set aside a small amount of money in your savings each month before you pay bills.  This way you will have money when emergencies arise. 

4.  Schedule an appointment with a financial advisor.  The money you spend will pay for itself ten fold.  Having a professional who can guide you is a must.  The worst thing you can do is take free advise from friends and family.

Timothy Laskis, Ph.D., Author, Finding Your Costa Rica: 5 Powerful Steps to Personal, Professional and Financial Success.  findingyourcostarica.com

A few good sites to located ocean and/or mountain properties are amcostarica.com, ticotimes.net and cr-home.com.  These sites often give you a good idea of what’s out there. But, before you buy, consider these tips.

- If buying a lot or farm, investigate if electricity, telephone and water are on the property.  If not, it could be very costly to bring it in.  Also, what is the access road like?  Some properties require a 4×4 vehicle because the road is not paved.

-Another question to ask before buying a lot or property is the restrictions on building.  Don’t assume you can start cutting away trees and moving earth around at will.  Many times you will be limited to the size of home you can build and how much of the property can be developed. 

-Buying condo’s can also be tricky.  Sometimes projects will sell before they are complete.  This can be a problem if the government decides permits are not in place and shuts them down.  Some projects can not finish along the pacific coast because there is no water.  It may be wise to wait until a project is complete, units are occupied and your attorney reviews all the paperwork before making a deposit.

-Purchasing homes along the coast has it’s share of issues too.  Many homes built within 200 meters of the water can be expensive because of taxes.  Also, you will not own the land, as it will be leased from the gov.t.  They decide how long the lease will be and may or may not grant an extension. 

Even though there are pitfalls to avoid, owning property in C.R. can be a rewarding experience.  Ensure you have a bilingual C.R. attorney and do your homework and you should be fine.  If you enjoy nature with all of it’s exotic animals and beautiful scenery, you will love C.R.  Pura Vida!

Timothy Laskis, Ph.D. is the author of Finding Your Costa Rica: 5 Powerful Steps to Personal, Professional and Financial Success.  He can be reached at www.findingyourcostarica.com.

I did not know what to expect, but I assumed their holiday traditions were similar to us “Gringo’s”.  Man was I wrong.  Christmas is more like a New Year’s celebration.  December 24th was a day of cooking, drinking, dancing and laughing.  The entire family, including all the kids stayed up through the night.  They cracked open a pinata around 11 pm and then at midnight we passed out the gifts. 

By the next day I was dead tired.  I thought Christmas day would be spent sleeping.  Well, I was wrong again.  There is this place called Zapote near San Jose.  Here, they have a fair, a sea of open air bars, disco’s and a big bull ring.  For those who are brave, they can run with the bulls in the ring.  This was the damn craziest thing I have ever seen.

I’m not talking about baby bulls.  I mean BIG, MEAN and UGLY bulls with sharp horns.   It starts with around 50-100 people in the ring jumping around.  They pick one bull at a time and then let him loose in the ring.  The people run and jump over the wall or scramble behind a barracade when the bull charges them.  Each night people were ran down and thrown up in the air like rag dolls or stomped on after they tripped and fell. 

This goes on for about a week or so and is televised each night.  On the last night, I returned in a crazy attempt to have my turn with the bulls.  But, thankfully there were too many people trying to get in and I did not have a chance.  Apparently, god was looking after me because on the last night they release the meanest and deadliest bull of all.  What was I thinking?

Costa Rica High School

My wife, Isabel, arrived in C.R. a few weeks before me.  During this time she made our donation to the high school in Pavas.  The school, Colegio Rincon Grande, is in a small poor area of San Jose.  They have many needs and we have donated in the past.  10% of sales from my book, Finding Your Costa Rica, is given to the school.  They are always very happy and grateful for our help.  If you would like to support them, purchase your copy today at www.findingyourcostarica.com.  Or, you can contact the school directly at 011-506-2-213-0104.  The director’s name is Sra. Emilia Fernandez. 

Timothy Laskis, Ph.D. is the author of Finding Your Costa Rica: 5 Powerful Steps to Personal, Professional and Financial Success.  He can be reached at www.findingyourcostarica.com or at tim@lex-t.com.

It wasn’t too long ago that Mel Gibson took Britney to his home in Costa Rica.  It is assumed that he wanted to get her away from the media and negative influences in her life.  Maybe he wanted to share his wisdom with her to ensure she got her life in order.  And, maybe he wanted her to experience Costa Rica and all it’s beauty.

What ever it was, it worked!  Look at Britney now!  She’s a new woman.   Every time I go to Costa Rica, I return refreshed, calm and ready to go.  So do yourself a favor and take a trip to Costa Rica. 

Timothy Laskis, Ph.D., author, Finding Your Costa Rica: 5 Powerful Steps to Personal, Professional and Financial Success.  findingyourcostarica.com