We are all

concerned

about safety. 

The following email I recently received emphasizes that very fact – our safety. It’s from Edna and she writes:

Hi Barbie: If I want to go and spend a month in Mexico to test the waters so to speak, do you have any information on that? I’m single female, traveling alone. Would it be safe? Thx,  Edna

Edna has a very good question. My response is: No matter where you go, you need to be careful. That includes anyplace in the U.S., too. You need to be careful in Mexico, in New York City, in San Francisco, and in Small Town, USA.

Early morning

I really think  that no matter where you go, you will enjoy it more if you can talk a friend into going with you. My opinion is – you should never go to a strange place alone.

And remember: Get all the information you can before you go. Know what to expect. I have received so many emails from single guys and gals and they have been just fine – but, know where you’re going – know what to do. Don’t be foolish. Do your research and plan ahead.

Talk about safety…

I just got an email from someone who “had a friend” who was in one of the larger cities in Mexico. They were at a bar and decided to walk to their hotel at 3 AM.  Excuse me, but that now no way thinking of safety - was stupid…anyplace!!!  So, the police pulled them over and fined (” robbed”) them of the cash they had on them – $55. Frankly at 3 AM they were lucky something worse didn’t happen to them.

Anyway, I’ll get off my pulpit and just say: BE CAREFUL. Enjoy yourself  and research, research, research before you go, and always be aware of the safety factor.

Maz to PV and back:

Safety article by Barbie.

So, you want to retire?

Then get your finances in order.

Of course, if  you’re soon going to hit that magic age to retire,

it may seem a bit late to worry about.  But, hopefully, you’ve learned to be a bit frugal along the way – put a little bit aside – learned not even to try to keep up with the Joneses (Like the pitiful guy on the television commercial who shows off his beautiful house, his big new car, the golf club membership and then admits “I’m up to my eyeballs in debt!” – poor guy – no – poor stupid guy.)

My husband, Dick, and I learned years ago it’s not how much money you bring in, it’s how wise you are using whatever that amount is.

So, clear up those credit card balances before you are ready to retire…

… and then make it a practice to always pay your credit card debt off each month.  We also feel you should try your very best to have your home paid off – no mortgage in otherwords.

Remember, you’ll most likely want to downsize when you retire - why worry about having to clean and care for a 4-bedroom home when you really just want to head out and get another round of golf in?  Hopefully you can sell that big money-drainer and get something easy to take care of and then, even put a good chunk of cash in your pocket.

I have a chart in my book , Retire in Luxury, that actually has the figures and compares living expenses where we then lived, with those expenses we would probably experience in Mexico, when we retire.   Actually, during the time Dick and I were exploring, in order to decide to where we would and spend these precious years, we had charts for everything – and we even had a chart about what we wanted in a house - what would be really important to us – what was necessary – and what we’d like but could do without– we really are detail folks, apparently!  Especially in retirement, it works for us!

Retire article by Barbie.

Expat

Social Clubs

When you head to Mazatlan to check things out, a fun and easy way to get info is to visit the expat social clubs.

You’ll get opinions on everything from other expats, from banking in Mexico to hearing about the wonderful theater downtown.

Once you’re here, you’ll probably find even more organizations!  Here are some of the groups to check out:

“What’s Up Amigos”  At “When Pigs Fly” 4:00 p.m., Fridays. When Pigs Fly is located on the malecon, about a half-mile south of Valentino’s Disco.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL  You won’t have to miss your meeting if you call 69-83-90-37

LION CLUB  Located in Av. Insurgentes #1000.Phone: 69-83-28-00, 69-83-12-56

AA MEETINGS  Across the street from VIP’s and Baskin Robbins – Av. Camaron Sabalo No. 306, Golden Zone, AA meeting – Tuesday, 10 a.m. ; Tuesday, Men’s 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, beach meeting across from Hotel DeCima 10 am. Open AA meetings: Sunday 10 a.m., Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat 6:30 pm. Contact 669-118-4260

ALANON MEETINGS  Same location as AA meetings, Thurs. 10 a.m., women’s. For information call Expat at 69-13-01-32 or Expat at 69-88-05-68

Get together

AMERICAN LEGION POST #11  All meetings are held at The Place (El Paraje) restaurant on Sabalo Ave.For more information, call Commander A. “Sam” Pelzman at 69-85-20-47;or Adjuntant Jerry Alexson at 69-16-66-03

AMIGOS DE LOS ANIMALES  The Humane Society: 69-16-71-07.

HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER  This is a group of English speaking expats in Mazatlan, they meet the 2nd Friday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Playa Mazatlan Hotel

FRIENDS OF MEXICO  http://www.friendsofmexicoac.org/, and the president, Rudy Villalobos’s email: president@friendsofmexicoac.org

FRIENDS OF THE AQUARIUM  They meet sporadically. Volunteers are needed. You can call Kittie at 69-83-99-31 or Vicky at 69-16-62-10 for information

Whether you’re an expat or a native, there are seven Association’s Mexicana Automovillistica throughout Mexico. 

I had originally thought there were no auto clubs in Mexico that sort of correspond to our AAA, American Automobile Association – but I was wrong.  I have their contact phone numbers as an addition in my book Retire In Luxury.

You will find most of the meetings have a listing in the local newspaper – Pacific Pearl.

Expat Clubs article by Barbie.