2young2retireUK

Are you in the market for a mini-retirement?

Many visitors to this blog are people close to retirement age who are looking for ideas, information and advice to help them with the process of retirement.  But a growing number of people who haven't reached that stage, are investigating the idea of 'mini-retirements' so they can experience a change of lifestyle NOW, without having to wait years until they're old enough, and can afford, to retire 'officially'.

If that sounds like you, you'll probably be interested in Recipe for a Mini-Retirement Overseas, an article by Michael Manville, which discusses how living abroad can not only save you money but help you create a new stream of income to finance your travels. 

Although the article is written for US readers, the ideas it contains are equally applicable to those of us over this side of the pond and, for currency conversion purposes, 1 dollar is currently worth about 61p (UK) and 68 cents (Europe).

Thought Provokers: About voluntary work

'Investing time in a community organization or a charity because you are a helpful and kind person is not the same as doing it because you feel passionately about contributing to a greater good or making the world more beautiful or friendly.'

Karen Gail Lewis

Do you agree with the above statement?

What kinds of voluntary work have you done/considered because you are a helpful and kind person?

What kinds of voluntary work do/would you feel passionately about?

Travel full-time for less than $14,000 per year

Found this great post from Nora Dunn, a professional world traveller - Travel full-time for less than $14,000 per year - which is probably mainly aimed at younger folks but which still has some great advice and resources for those of you with an adventurous streak and not much cash.

Release your inner author...

Have you made a start on that book you always wanted to write yet?

Someone told me this morning about authonomy - a unique online community that connects readers, writers and publishing professionals. authonomy, which was conceived and built by editors at HarperCollins Publishers invites unpublished and self published authors to post their manuscripts for visitors to read online. Authors create their own personal page on the site to host their project - and must make at least 10,000 words available for the public to read.

Visitors to authonomy can comment on these submissions – and can personally recommend their favourites to the community. authonomy counts the number of recommendations each book receives, and uses it to rank the books on the site. It also spots which visitors consistently recommend the best books – and uses that information to rank the most influential trend spotters.

It costs nothing to create a profile, to upload your book, or to read and recommend the books on offer.

Disappearing Wonders

Following on from yesterday's, 50 Places To See Before You Die, here's a list of ten places to see while you still can... because all are in danger of disappearing altogether due to various factors such as climate change, erupting volcanoes, illegal logging and commercial development.  See all ten in Disappearing Wonders from MSN Travel. 

50 places to see before you die

I came across 50 Places To See Before You Die on msn.com and realised that I'd better get a move on...  I've always considered myself to be reasonably well-travelled but I've only visited five of the fifty!  Click here to see if you can do any better!

What can I do if my flight is cancelled?

What can you do if your flight is cancelled to a) minimise your inconvenience and b) get you on another flight as soon as possible? 

Quite a lot, actually, as you'll see in this article by Samantha Bomkamp for MSN Travel...

The World's 25 Best New Adventures for 2008

Are you up for an adventure before 2008 draws to a close?  If so, check out National Geographic's The World's 25 Best New Adventures for 2008.  All 25 adventures are, apparently, 'innovative, exploratory, action-filled, and guaranteed to change your life'!  Dave Freeman would be proud...

Road trips less travelled

Do you dream of taking a road trip?  Just getting in a car, on a bike, or, better still, in an RV or motorhome and setting off?  If your road trip aspirations extend beyond getting your kicks on Route 66, have a look at this MSN Travel guide to 'Road Trips Less Travelled'.  With a choice that includes Bolivia, Romania and Southwest China, you should be able to find something that gets your juices flowing...

Great quotes - On travel (and procrastination)

You cannot assume that something beautiful and unique that exists right now will be the same tomorrow.  Better get to that unsullied oasis in your dreams without delay - because you may look up one day and discover they've opened a Wal-Mart there...

Phil Keoghan