Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Tax Haven Savings


Thinking about the cheapest places to live typically involves looking at how much the basics of life cost. However, it's often the unseen expenses that take the biggest chunk out of your lifestyle.

More and more we are all becoming aware of the role taxes can play in making or breaking the bank account. Wouldn't it be nice to live in a place where property taxes are waived for five, ten, even up to twenty years? How about no taxes om interest income or income derived from sources outside of the country? Fantasy? Not in Panama. If asset protection and tax savings are a high priority for you than the benefits of living in Panama make it best place to retire.

Panama continues to be recognized as one of the leading nations for asset protection and tax savings. In his popular blog, The Way it Looks from Here, Bob Bauman reminds us that Panama still ranks at the top as world class tax havens.

In this recent blog post Bob also shares some insights into International Living and the recent price hikes in Panama City Real Estate. Take special note of Bob's comments, "the big downer in Panama at the moment is the upward spiral of real estate prices, mainly in condo-saturated Panama City." and, "There are still many good bargains in beach front and mountain properties away from the city, but you have to be careful and do your shopping."

Bob praises the strengths of Panama and also comments on the difference between a simple retirement destination vs one which can provide the added benefits of asset protection and tax savings. You may be thinking, I don't have enough money to worry about that. This stuff is just for the big cats with loads of cash. I encourage you think, read Bob's blog and think again. In todays volatile world we all need to be thinking asset projection and looking for ways to save taxes. 'cause it ain't gonna get better anytime soon!

To Learn About Panama and how this safe haven could be a very smart investment sign up for our Free 'Letters from Panama'.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Cheapest Places to Live

On search for the cheapest places to live my wife and I settled on Panama. We discovered there are so many nuances which make for a cheap place to live. It’s not just about house prices or the price of gas. It’s all about what motivates you to spend money and how you spend the money you have. In Panama we found we could live on a small fraction of what we lived on in Canada and all without sacrificing a thing. In fact, during our Panama retirement we found we were truly living like royalty. Fresh fruits and veggies are so much more flavourful and healthy than the ‘manufactured’ food we pay a fortune for in America. We dine out on gourmet fare – fresh fish and fine wine for under $25 - and thats for two! Then there are the tax benefits and the great discounts which come with a ‘Pensionado’ Visa. And you don’t even need to be retirement age to get one!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

A Panama Retirement at 18!

Did you know Panama is one of the Cheapest Places to Live because you can become a Pensioner at 18 years of age? It's true. Foreigners can apply for the 'Pensionado' Visa as long as they are at least 18 years old. You have to prove you have a monthly income of just $500 to get the visa unlike the Retire Belize program that has a requirement of $2000 a month this one has a low qualification. Once you have it you get all kinds of incentives and discounts on just about everything! It really helps make Panama a Cheap Place to Live.





Another cool part of this visa and living in Panama is that you can still run your own business. Due to the tax laws in Panama you can run a business as long as no income is derived on Panamanian soil. You may be thinking, Huh? What it means is you can't own a typical business but you can have a virtual business. Internet based businesses are ideal because the income comes from all over the world. You can save even more by taking advantage of Panama's extensive offshore banking community.

I encourage you to take some time and Learn About Panama. It may just open up a world of possibilities for you like it did for em.

P.S. I'll pass on more details about the Pensionado Visa in my next post. Plus you will learn lots more about Panama even about the flora and fauna and the amazing Panama bird watching. Maybe we'll even find an elusive Quetzal!