Yup. We had our identity stolen. Not in Mexico, but in the U.S.

The way I became aware of it was just opening the mail one evening. There was a bank statement, an internet bill, and a bunch of junk mail. The junk mail went into the shredder. Then I opened Quicken on my computer and quickly paid my internet bill, then opened the bank statement.

We happen to have two accounts at this particular bank — a “senior” checking account, and a bank account that we’ve had for a few years that just sits there with $1,385 in it (a little emergency cash, just in case), month in, month out never a charge, never any interest.

So, of course, I expected to open the envelope, glance at it and put it in it’s proper file. But — hey — wait — $850 balance??? Hum??????

OK — “Hey, Dick” I yell through the house. “Have you, by any chance, been to Hungry Howie’s Pizza without me and spent $62???”

“What in the world are you talking about, Barbie?” came back his response.

By now, I had glanced down the page at the rest of the charges — Hungry Howie’s 6 times???

Dick and I had never even heard of the place. Also a charge to an Internetcompany. And a couple of other strange items…Like the Wild Bronco’s Hideaway.

Like I mentioned, this was evening — our bank is closed. It’s a rough night in the Parks household.

Early the next morning, we head to the bank. Luckily the manager was there and took us directly into his office. After calming our fears with an assurance that the bank would stand behind us, he entered some information into his computer. An immediate fraud report went out attached to our account.

But, even with that quick action, as we were sitting there, the computer flashed an alert — over $500 spent at a computer store — oh boy — whoever was doing this was planning to have a fun weekend!

An interesting point — this was just a bank account — the cards that were issued to us were never taken out of the envelope they came to us in and that envelope has lived from the first day in my file. Never taken out, never used. From what the Bank Manager told us, hackers can just buy some sort of a gadget from a store, connect that up to their computer and it starts sending out random numbers to companies trying to charge an amount of $1, and when a charge hits an actual number,it “takes”. Your account is then at the mercy of the thief. Scary Huh?

So, even though they, the thieves, had no social security number, no I.D. number, nothing, your identity can be stolen. Even if you have no computer!

Dick and I felt very lucky our bank stood behind us. It was less than two weeks, and we were reimbursed.

However, this costs the bank — so we’re all losers. The banks have to cover their loses some way.

Well, anyway — if this happens to you – contact your bank, credit card company, etc, immediately – don’t wait one second. And make sure you always check the charges on all of your statements.

When you place an order over the Internet, it’s easy to make sure it’s a secure transaction. When you start the paying process, you should make sure the address line has an added “s” immediately after the http – meaning “secure connection”.

So watch out, be careful, and monitor your statements! Identity theft can happen to anyone.

Just ready to start another new year – where in the world does time go?

I recently heard a new theory on that: When you’re young, the percentage of time in the future, compared to what you’ve lived, seems very large, so each day is a large portion of your experience. On the opposite end, when you’re “mature”, the amount of time you’ve experienced, compared to what’s left, seems very small – hum – takes lots of thought, but it’s as good an explanation as I’ve heard.

Dick and I have always joked about things happening way back in the “olden days”. Up until just a few years ago, we’d say “way back in aught-two” meaning 1902 – but now, we have to keep remembering, geepers – ’02 (or as my Grandparents called it, aught-two) was only 6-7 years ago – and this is a completely new century! Oh my!

So, are you enjoying retirement, or the contemplation of retirement? I sincerely hope all is falling into place for your future plans. Remember, your retirement years may be 25 to 40 years in duration – that’s a long time to enjoy yourself… if you’ve planned well.

Interesting enough, for the second straight year, Mexico has been named the number one place in the world in which to retire.

Over the past few decades, the number of S.S. benefit checks for people living in other countries has been rising steadily. 1992 saw approximately 188,000. The number rose to approximately 242,000 in 2002. And it’s still growing – so don’t think you are one of only a few people who want to move to Mexico to improve your retirement years!

A suggested budget from a recent publication suggests you can live well in Mexico on just over $2,000 a month. Their breakdown is: housing = $800; utilities (electricity, gas, water) = $125; Groceries = $300; Maintenance and fuel for one car = $150. They also include $150 a month for housekeeper and gardener three days a week…which you may or may not need. Dick and I believe in having a small enough home to be able to mostly take care of it ourselves in our retirement. We have never hired help of that sort… housekeeper, etc – guess that’s up to the individual.

$250 a month for entertainment is suggested – that’s a lot! That’s $8 a day, everyday of the month, for entertainment – we don’t spend that much! Health care using IMSSis listed at $280 for 2 people – per YEAR, plus $63 for private-care incidentals = $110; Clothes, household items, etc. = $100; Phone, internet, cable tv = $150, for a monthly total of $2,135. But also, I always preach that you should have your home paid for – totally – by the time you retire, or you better work a bit longer and get that taken care of.

So, in my calculations, if you include perhaps $300 instead of $800 a month for housing expenses such as upkeep and taxes, and skip the paid house help, you can still easily get along very well in Mexico on a little under $1500! All depends on the individual, but it can be done! And, believe me, there are people getting along on less than that in Mexico.

70 million boomers approaching retirement age don’t have enough money saved for a comfortable retirement in the U.S.

Here’s an email from one happy retiree in Mexico:

“Thanks Barbie! Your information has been very helpful.   As sales and marketing director for an ocean front residential development here on the Baja California coast, I am trying to put together some living expense comparisons for buyers.  Bella Vista is designed to be a luxury resort style, full time living community for active adults, so your newsletters have proven to be a gold mine of information!!

“I have lived and worked here on the Baja coast (between Rosarito and Ensenada) for the past 5 years and love it!! For the first 2 years I commuted to San Diego every day, but realized that there was no point in holding on to the high U.S. income.

I am able to support a better and wonderful lifestyle here on half of what I needed to just survive in San Diego.

For example, I moved down after finishing treatment of breast cancer. A visit to my oncologist in the U.S. is over $300.  Here, my oncologist office visit is $50 and I actually get to meet with the doctor without being rushed, not just a medical assistant followed by a maximum of 3 minutes with the doctor. He is up to date on all the latest information and clinical tests…and is warm and generous with his time.

“Speaking of medical costs, I recently took a friend to a cardiologist at Hospital Angels in TJ for a test requiring specialized equipment.  Instead of paying $1200 (with insurance) in the U.S. and getting treated like a number, he got the test done with the same state-of-the-art equipment and very personalized care for $250. While waiting for him I talked with several U.S. doctors at the coffee shop, who had nothing but praise for this wonderful medical facility. More importantly, they enjoy the ability to practice medicine without being dictated to by paper pushers and bean counters.

“Again, thanks for all the hard work you put in to help others find a great life in Mexico!”

A quick joke I just have to include:

A very self-important feeling Grandson, coming home for the holidays during his freshman year of college, while at the family dinner took it upon himself to explain to his grandfather, who of course was a senior citizen, why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation.

“Grandpa, you grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one,” the young man said, loud enough for the entire gathering to hear. “The young people of today are much more advanced than people your age. We grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon and the internet. We have cell phones, nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers, automated manufacturing, amazing technologies …and,” then, he paused in his oratory to take a drink of his iced tea.

The senior took advantage of the break in the student’s litany and said, “You’re right! We didn’t have those things when we were young …so WE invented them. Now, my young man, what are YOU doing for the next generation?”

The laughter from the table was resounding… I love being a Senior Citizen!