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My brasilera and I will stay in Miami this summer, as this time I decided to work. Even so, I may do a trip to Cali solo, and we'll probably go to Rio for 2 or 3 weeks. But otherwise we'll plan the next summer and summers beyond. For those who have flexible schedules, with or without a significant other, here's one approach to consider. It might work for you.

First, I sold my house and car. This year I'll pay down credit cards since I haven't felt the need to travel and have saved a lot as a result. Plus my apartment here is less than a mortgage even with the tax break. Not having a car helps, too. We moved downtown, the only place to live in Miami without a car. So we're operating in serious black as a result.

The plan is to do 9-month leases in my building. I will arrange my work schedule to have 3.5 months free with pay, from May to mid-August. Each first week of May I'll call the Argentinian movers who've moved me several times in the past. 2 days of packing, followed by 3 hours of the guys moving our stuff 4 blocks (for $300) to a first-class storage facility for $110/mo. This makes us free with narry a care in the world. I make arrangements for a like delux apartment in our Miami building upon our return in August.

Three months from work with pay each summer with only modest payments means one summer in San Jose, the next in Buenos Aires, followed by Lima and then Medellin, and who knows from there. Of course plans can change and Brazil may be first and will always be in the mix. But May 15-Aug 15 would be the time-frame and usually mean a different locale each summer, with Brazil our default for part of or entire summers. Freeing up from a car and apartment in the States will allow us to live well in foreign lands, escape summer Miami heat, and allow me to sample local talent, solo or with my girl..

Just another consideration for the mix for those who are looking for alternatives to over-priced gringas, and to not go broke paying big expenses at home, plus the foreign apartment and costs. It's already
worked for me on two occasions - and it was pretty effortless. But it won't work if you're married to your possessions at home, including houses, cars, boats, Cesna 172's, etc. It also won't work without some level of flexibility at work. Food for thought...

Spain would be nice, too, as would Italy and some East European destinations. I'm not into Asians, though I wouldn't rule that out, if not just for the travel experience. The trouble with Europe and Asia is the expence and less reliable p4p and non's. Latinas are where my heart is, especially Brazil.

There ya have it...

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"Don't never trust a woman, till she's dead and deep....One day she'll say she loves you, next day she'll throw you on the street."

"...and if men didn't have this unquenchable desire to have sex with women, then they wouldn't have anything to do with women at all. I certainly wouldn't..."

3 1/2 months of time off each year with pay?
Sounds like a dream of a job. I've been working for the same big company for over 25 years and still only earn 4 weeks of vacation per year.
I can carry up to another 4 weeks on the books so the maximum I can ever have available is 2 months. That's not a significant enough amount of time to consider altering my lifestyle like you have. The best I can hope for is to, perhaps, take early retirement with reduced pension at 55 yo and then work on contract (for the same company or another) for 6 mo or more each year. Shedding the house, et al would provide the flexibility that you have described.

But then, even my pension at 55 combined with other investments, savings, etc. could fund a moderate lifestyle in CR. I would still be tied to one place though.

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

This was pretty much my strategy 3 years ago. I moved my stuff into storage. Sold my home and my car, before the real estate bust. Then, I moved to Escazu and paid cash for a home. When I need to work, I fly to the states. I gave up on any prospect of earning money in CR after experimenting with a few ideas.

So far, I work 2x less and have basically 6 months free each year. Not all can do it - but if you can, its worth a shot.

Cudos Jazz Musician...

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