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Immediately after arriving in the new country relaxation is probably the initial order of the day. Eventually sun, surf and sand, views from the patio of tropical vegetation spread colorfully across rolling hills and bright stars in sharp focus scattered across a dark cloudless sky will become, if not taken for granted, at least expected and accepted as commonplace. There are limits to the number of times that visits to coffee shops, clubs, pubs, bars, nightclubs and restaurants seem new and exciting. Local shops and markets will soon have contributed all that is possible to the new lifestyle. The house or apartment will be furnished with influences both local and imported. Transport problems will have been solved and the new car bought locally or brought from overseas. It is not that boredom has set in but human beings like to be occupied. This is true even when retired. It is soon necessary to find an enjoyable activity. Perhaps there is a long held ambition that may be achieved. A new hobby, one often considered but not attempted, may be considered. Whatever is done it probably should not be onerous, of a full-time nature or have features which make time of the essence. The laws of the new country may not allow formal employment and there may be tax implications if this is permitted. The following suggestions may fill the desire for activity, be within the law and bring in, legally, some pin-money. 1. Those who speak English as a first language will find that employment teaching it is easy to find. This is true whether or not a formal qualification is held. It is also likely that there will be those in the local expatriate community for whom English is not the natural language. In a place where the national language is English many may have the need or desire to improve their linguistic skills. It is also quite possible to teach English via a web site. Use of the internet will allow the acceptance of pupils from outside the new country of residence only and the receipt of fees can be via offshore banking facilities. These possibilities both expand the market and avoid the contravention of tax and local employment laws. Most countries permit the earning of income abroad without incurring a tax liability. The United States of America and Ecuador places that require citizens and residents to pay tax on world-wide income. Teaching English is a good opportunity for natural English speakers. 2. A very useful activity which can provide a good income and also occupy just the time the retiree wants filled is computer programming. It will be necessary to have experience in the field. This is increasingly likely among current retirees. Contacts among previous colleagues or employers make the possibility of becoming a programmer for hire on a contract basis very possible. Those who have worked in the computer industry have undoubted skills but they may also have unfulfilled ambitions. The writing of original applications for computers, tablets or smartphones can be satisfying and worthwhile. Payment for such work can easily be accepted on the internet via an offshore bank account. No complications with local income tax laws are likely to occur with such arrangements except in the cases the previously mentioned countries (U.S.A. and Ecuador). 3. There are many possibilities if some skill in writing is possessed. It is not necessary to be a previously published author. Opportunities may exist in the areas of article writing, copy-writing, travel writing, ghost writing or blog writing. The internet always requires articles and this is a good outlet for writing talent. Writing for travel agent brochures, airline magazines or for other tourist industry promotions often provide travel opportunities as well as financial rewards. By far the most money can be made from copy-writing. Essentially this is the writing of advertising material. It may be in the form of snappy one line pieces or longer works to be reproduced in magazines, advertising brochures or on web sites. Some lengthy letters can be written for direct mail distribution or downloading from the internet. Persuasive work can result in greatly improved product sales and for this there are high rewards. So far as all of the above activities are concerned relevant associations, conferences and courses can be found on the internet to improve skills and to obtain qualifications. Participation or membership of such organizations can be expensive and may not be what a retiree requires. What ever the objective is it is probably wise to confirm ability and talent first. Programming ability is a known skill. It should be possible to test the ability to teach by practicing informally with new friends. Writing talent may be established by submitting at no cost articles to one or more of the many accessible sites on the internet or self publishing for Amazon's Kindle or the Nook of Barnes and Noble. The point and enjoyment of a retired lifestyle need not be lost by taking up any of these activities. The time taken by and the intensity of the occupation is entirely in the hands of the retiree. This is just what retirement should be whether abroad or not, comfortable and satisfying and at the individual's choice of pace. Les Johns travels widely and enjoys meeting new people. The benefit of his experience can be gained at his web site and it will save those looking at retirement abroad hours of research time. Also at this site the inexpensive companion books in the series "How to Retire in ..." can be bought for reading with an Amazon Kindle or a Barnes and Noble Nook.
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