R    E    T    I    R    E        E   A   R   L   Y        L    I    F    E    S    T    Y    L    E
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A swimming pool, hot tub, tennis courts, exercise room, immaculate gardens, Wifi internet connection, all for less than most homeowners pay in property taxes.

The days of the 1945 Lafite Rothschilds are gone as well as the ‘72 Heitzes, but we are thankful for those extraordinary memories. We drank more than our share of fine wines when we owned our restaurant. There were three day trips up the coast to Napa Valley, California, staying in Bed and Breakfasts eating in restaurants in the forefront of cuisine history. Alice Water's Chez Panisse in Berkley, Margaret Fox's Mendocino Cafe Beaujolais were the norm. The outstanding vacations in southern California at the Santa Barbara Biltmore hold an exceptional place in our minds. And the many two-week sailboat cruises through the Caribbean will never be

Active Adult Communities are springing up all over the country

forgotten.

Oh, those were the days; "livin’ large", spending a lot.

Or were they?

Today we live in an Active Adult Resort Community, with the above amenities and more. We are purposely based near an international airport with shuttle service that allows us to leave our vehicle securely parked at home.

Activities are never a problem as there always seems to be a tennis match, bar-b-que, pool party, a dance or movie being presented. Several golf courses are nearby and newer, well-stocked grocery stores are within walking distance. Assorted restaurants dot a 3 block range, as well as a popular dinner theater and we are 20 minutes from world class shopping.

Our eating habits include fresh food skillfully prepared by one of the best chefs Akaisha has known: Me.

New Zealand Lamb prepared exquisitely to order in Chiang Mai

It’s easy to get comfortable here. But then there’s the international travel that calls and we want to pursue it as much as possible before we get too worn out to be able to handle it.

Today's cost of air travel can quickly erode funds, so we prefer to stay extended periods in far away locations. Our approach is unhurried, taking our time to know an area seeing what it offers.

In Chiang Mai, Thailand for example, eating in an upscale restaurant with nouvelle cuisine including wine might set us back $35.00,  but that’s for two. In glamorous Phuket, an ocean view room  overlooking the Adaman Sea with air conditioning, satellite TV, mini bar and more can be had for $400.00 per month.

Or a beautiful teakwood resort in Chiang Khong overlooking the Mekong River for

$15.00 per night, breakfast included. How about those two-hour, $5.00 massages that Thailand is famous for? If you didn’t think you were livin’ large before one of these, the massage girls will make you a believer.

Oh, you see, I am starting to think about traveling again, and we have been back in the US only a few weeks!

Livin’ Large, on Less

When I hear of stories about people that struggle to get by on $50,000 per year in retirement income, living in a McMansion, I question their desire for change. There are so many nice places out there - and these folks are stuck! It’s no secret that we are making living on plus or minus $24,000 annually an art form. We could spend more, but as a good friend asked me, “WHY?”

We prefer the footloose, unencumbered lifestyle filled with variety, unique people and exotic choices that world travel offers. At any point we can walk away or settle down into whatever option proves appealing. This is our style and we're sticking to it.

Warren Buffet lives in the same house that he purchased in the 50’s, and I am sure many have wondered “why” as well. I don't know his answer, but in our case a big house, new car or fancy clothes are not a reflection of one’s wealth. They seem more like a burden to us, filled with time-consuming responsibilities.

We prefer to have our lives based on experiences and interactions with people instead of on things. I am much more comfortable in shorts and a five-dollar silk shirt, than a suit and tie. In our travels and in life, we have noticed that truly wealthy people do not flaunt it. More likely than not, they live a quiet life, not showing off their riches, and are just normal folk. I know this is a generality, but you get the idea.

Back in the old days, when we were “livin’ large” we were like two ships passing in the night. There were long periods of time when we barely saw each other; not the type of environment that encourages romance. These days we share our adventures and perspectives. Our marriage has improved. That, in itself, is worth the simpler lifestyle.

Best Friends and Partners