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Thinking of moving to Costa Rica?  7 Books you should read.

7/10/2014

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Costa Rica is one of the most amazing countries on earth, with natural beauty, beaches, and a warm culture that's unparalleled. Every year, almost 2.5 million tourists visit the nation that has no army, and thousands of expats and retirees from the United States and Canada move there annually. If you're thinking about moving to Costa Rica - or just going for a vacation - you definitely will want to read these books. They're not guide books, but real life narratives by people who actually moved there and experienced Costa Rica first hand. The books are listed by popularity and you can click on the titles to link to Amazon.com

Feel free to email me if you have any questions about moving to Costa Rica. Pura vida and happy reading!  

-Norm Schriever   :-)

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Happier Than A Billionaire.

In this humorous and witty account, Nadine Pisani shares what it is like to follow her dream of quitting her job and starting a new life under the sunny skies of Costa Rica. Along the way, she finds reliable utilities are not that reliable, quirky neighbors are unavoidable, and tackling red tape takes the strength of a linebacker. But with all its challenges, you'll learn why Costa Rica is ranked as one of the happiest places on earth--and you too may want to taste the Pura Vida lifestyle.

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South of Normal.

A gonzo blast of laughs and adventure about a year spent in the tropical paradise of Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Frustrated and unfulfilled with the rat race in the States, businessman Norm Schriever quits his job, sells and donates all of his possessions, and moves down to Tamarindo, Costa Rica, with nothing but a laptop and a surfboard. But Norm soon finds that paradise has its dark side. Whether it’s adapting to the local customs and the language barrier, dodging lawless drug traffickers and corrupt cops, or spending “quality time” in a Third World prison, Norm always keeps his sense of humor and forges ahead, intent on finding the paradise he has been looking for. 

To download a free sample, click here.


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In Search of Captain Zero.

In 1996, Allan Weisbecker sold his home and his possessions, loaded his dog and surfboards into his truck, and set off in search of his long-time surfing companion, Patrick, who had vanished into the depths of Central America. In this rollicking memoir of his quest from Mexico to Costa Rica to unravel the circumstances of Patrick's disappearance, Weisbecker intimately describes the people he befriended, the bandits he evaded, the waves he caught and lost en route to finding his friend. 


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Two Weeks in Costa Rica.

Have you ever been attacked by monkeys, hiked in one of the most biologically diverse places on earth, or had your wallet stolen, then given back? Matthew Houde and Jennifer Turnbull share these adventures and more in the book, Two Weeks in Costa Rica.


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Unraveling the Mysteries of Moving to Costa Rica.

Ever wonder what it would be like to leave the U.S. and move to the tropics? This book deftly blends the personal story of the author (who, along with her husband and parents, moved from Maine to Costa Rica) with incredibly helpful practical advice. A wonderfully readable resource for anyone considering moving to Costa Rica. First in the Mainers in Costa Rica series.


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Paradise Imperfect.

Margot and Anthony were ordinary parents. With two jobs and three kids, there was soccer and carpool and too much to do, and a little chronic stress about money. Then one night, following a day that was a regular amount of hectic, Margot had an idea: “I think we should move to Costa Rica.” Seven weeks later, there they were, jobless on top of a mountain, hours from the nearest paved road. This witty, insightful memoir of a family's struggle to right itself in a leafy new world is about parenting and privilege, loneliness and connection. It’s about what happens when a stressed-out technology professional escapes with her loved ones to an idyllic mountaintop...and finds that even when everything changes, some things remain the same.

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Hope, Happiness and Pura Vida.

Heart Attack = One Week Vacation = A Story of Adventure = Life Lessons = Is Your Life in Need of a Makeover? Go along on an adventure as Debbie Knight shares a seven year journey that she and her husband, Chuck, followed in pursuit of the “pure" life in Costa Rica. You will learn about the magic of Pura Vida in one of the happiest places on earth and learn sometimes why it can also be a rather frustrating experience. You will question if your life is on the right track or if it too is in need of a makeover.


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What's your best advice for young adults looking to travel and where are the best places to go?

2/5/2014

2 Comments

 
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I received an email from a reader the other day with these questions:  

"What would be the best advice for young adults trying to travel or move out the country?  And which countries are best to move to?"

Super questions!  My best advice for young adults trying to move out of the country would be to travel while you’re young.  Do it now when you don’t mind long bus rides and bad beds and you don’t have a lot keeping you back in the states  (or your home country.)  Life has a way of anchoring you as you go on, and pretty soon you might have a good job, an apartment lease, car payments, a house, or a relationships or marriage that keeps you grounded.  So do it now!  

I would also suggest that you form a plan how you are going to fund the trip a good ways out – maybe 6 months? - and work your butt off until that date arrives.  You’ll have to sacrifice a lot; eating out, nights partying with friends, the newest clothes or concert tickets, but all of that money will be essential if you’re going to travel. In that time you have to prepare, read everything you can about your destination countries, learn about the cultures, watch documentaries, and read some travel articles and books that will give you a taste of real life on the road, too. 

Last thing: be careful.  The rest of the world is not a fantasy land and most people have problems that we can’t even imagine in the US.  So getting too drunk, walking around alone, messing with drugs, getting in with the wrong crowd, etc. could lead you into situations you can’t get out of.  Slow play the partying and keep your eyes open and you’ll be fine.  

The other question, "Where should you go?"

That all depends on what you’re looking for, but I’m going to take a wild guess and say you want someplace warm, with a beach, that’s not too expensive, where there are other backpackers?  That opens up one set of possibilities, but others want to volunteer, or to experience authentic culture more than partying and lying on the beach.  It also makes a huge difference if you’re just going backpacking around or trying to live there for a year and work.

When I chose a country to live in (not just vacation!) I have a rough guide of criteria, based on priorities.  Make your own list and then do some research what might be a good fit.    

Tier 1
• Cheap – lodging around $300-$500 a month, total budget around $1,500 a month.
• Nice beach – a beautiful white sand beach goes a long way in balancing out all other factors!
• Friendly people – Then again, I don’t care how beautiful a country is, if the people aren’t warm and friendly, I’ll keep it moving.  I’m not down with snobbery or arrogance.
• Safe politically – don’t be freaked out by one news story in a country (if we judged the US by that same standard we’d never want to visit!) but also don’t mess with places where a coup or political violence is occurring.  Same thing goes for countries with terrorism, religious radicals, or drug cartel problems.
• Good WIFI (no kidding – I write/work as I live abroad so I’m screwed without a serviceable internet connection)
• City, town, or village?  There are pros and cons to each as you balance amenities, convenience, laid back vibe, nature, etc.

Tier 2
• Healthy, cheap food – I want to say “Yummmmm,” for $3 a meal, not for $7 a meal and up.  
• Culture – things to do like visiting temples, ruins, archeological sites, natural wonders, etc.
• Night life – of course you want a little bit of fun, but are you looking for mellow beach bars or clubbing all night long?
• Safety walking the streets
• Ability to get work –teaching English, teaching yoga, or working at a hostel or bar are some of the best possibilities for local employment
• Some tourism, but not overrun – the problem you’ll encounter is that the places you want to go, everyone else in the world wants to go there, too.  The trick is to find a place that is ahead of the curve, not way behind it when it will be too crowded/too expensive/soulless.  
• Diversity of population – I like a place that has a healthy blend of backpackers, expatriates, vactioners, and plenty of locals who still live there – not just work there.  That’s harder to find than you’d think!


Tier 3
• Speak some English – you should attempt to learn the local lingo but it really helps when they speak a few words of English.
• Proximity – The southern tip of Patagonia in Argentina is amazing, but don’t think you’re just a hop, skip, and jump away from main cities.  It’s fun to be in a city/country where you can get around easily, hopping buses and even small flights around the country or region easily.  
• Good gym – since I’m living in these countries I want to go to the gym every day and especially love boxing or muay thai, etc., but maybe you just want to surf or do yoga, etc.
• Family friendly – I like locations that don’t just have a bunch of 20 year old kids but a cross section of real life, including families and people who are old (my age.)

Based on those criteria, some great spots I’d suggest:  Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Cuba (I’m dying to go there!), India, Sri Lanka, Israel, Jordan, Ghana, Senegal, Vietnam (good one,) Cambodia, Thailand (a little too touristy for my liking,) Laos, Mynmar, the Philippines, and Bali in Indonesia.  That’s a short list.  You can do the Caribbean and Europe when you’re older, plus they’re a little too expensive. 

I hope that helps, and happy travels!

-Norm  :-)

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Want to be happy?  Practice subtraction in your life, not addition.

6/20/2013

6 Comments

 
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I’ve fallen in love with subtraction.  No, no, I’m not a math geek - in fact I only achieved a C+ average in school by cheating off the kid with coke-bottle glasses sitting next to me.  I’m talking about the concept of subtraction in my life.

When I look around it seems like everyone is focused on addition.  Our American obsession is to add things to our lives: a bigger house, a better job, a hotter boyfriend or girlfriend, and constantly chasing a boat-load of green paper.  From the moment we wake up, we scramble to pull things into our lives; adding that dream vacation, a nicer car, or even 1,000 more friends on Facebook for more social affirmation.  Turn on the TV and they’re hard-selling you addition: the new, improved diet pill (losing weight is adding to our self-image), a dating site to attract your perfect mate, or the seminar to teach you to become a millionaire.  We even say “I wish I could add an hour to my day,” so we could add more to our to-do list, of course.  Our national mantra is: look better, dress nicer, be wealthier, achieve more, and even have a better head of hair (ok, I wish I could add that one.) 

Do you see what I’m getting at?  It’s all about addition: attract, gain, possess, increase, achieve, augment, enlarge - better, more, more, MORE.  Our motors are running 24-7 to pull everything possible into our lives, like junkies who need that next fix.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t have these things in your life, and certainly wanting to make money to support your family or be in better shape are noble pursuits, but the unconscious craving for addition leaves us surprisingly empty.

No wonder why, as a country, we’re exhausted, stressed, depressed, addicted, angry, hopeless, and overwhelmed like never before.  But we try to self-medicate by adding drugs, booze, sex, work, and more shiny new things, and when that doesn’t work, little pills from our doctor.

Why doesn’t addition make us happy like we think it should?  Constant addition brings self-judgment, always making us feel like we’re not only failing, but failures as human beings, incomplete and inadequate.  We compare ourselves to others, but that’s a comparison we’ll never win.  Addition brings us constant desire, attachment to outcomes, and therefore suffering.  The more we get, the less value it has.  So we try to add even more to make up for it.  That’s like trying to multiply bigger and bigger numbers by zero, but expecting a different outcome.     

But how many things in our lives are actually subtraction? 

What might we deduct from our whole?  We can start small by subtracting some possessions we don’t need, donating clothes to charity or cleaning out the garage.  We can subtract some time from our never-ending To Do list and spend it with loved ones, or even with a complete stranger who needs company.  We can subtract a little from our bank accounts and give it to someone who needs food or doesn’t have a place to live, or subtract some of our energy and volunteer.  Any of these things will make you feel richer because when you give, instantly there is more value to what is left in your life.  

I would say love is subtraction, because we are giving of ourselves to others.  So too, then, are empathy, compromise, and compassion.  We can endeavor to subtract from our egos, to shed our fears, deduct from our endless well of anger.  We can place a minus sign in front of our stereotypes, our prejudices, and, so importantly, subtract those images of perfection in our minds that we reach for, thinking they will make us whole.  I promise you – none of that can be achieved through addition.  Try subtraction.

It will feel uncomfortable at first – your reptilian brain is so addicted to addition that you may hear a little voice whispering: “I need to start doing yoga.  I really need to meditate every morning.  I should be more appreciative of what I have.”  Get rid of that mental junk, too – you’re only trying to add subtraction, and that is more of the same.  You need to let go of addition, first, for this process to work, or at least be conscious of it.

So right now, give yourself 5 minutes and turn your motor of addition off, which has been running so long you probably don’t even hear it rumbling anymore.  Give yourself permission out loud: it’s ok to stop.  Be still.  Let go of worrying about your ‘to do’ list, your bills, the house, the car, the perfect body, the perfect spouse, the perfect job, more money money MONEY.  My God, give yourself a little break!  The world is already spinning fast enough, you don’t need to try and speed it up more.  "But things aren’t perfect," you say, and "I'll relax when I just get this next thing done?"  Guess what?  They never will be perfect.  So just stop, breathe, and release it all.  Subtract.

When you stop clawing for more in your life you’ll begin to feel acceptance.  It will dawn on you that you already have everything you need.  You have life, breath – the gift of self-perpetuation to grant you another moment.  And another.  You’ll start to surrender the idea that you have control over things – believe me, you don’t.  Once you make room in your life, the universe will give you everything you want and need.  Wish nothing more.  Try to go nowhere.  THIS is your life.  Yesterday is over – it’s only a memory, and tomorrow doesn’t exist yet – it’s just a concept.


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What might that look like?  Think about children – how purely joyful they are.  Doing what?  Just being.  Running around on a sunny day with some friends provides a child more pure, unadulterated bliss than most adults feel in their own lives.  They need nothing but each other and laughter.  But somewhere along the way we teach them to worship the God of addition (about the time the TV goes on), that they should compare themselves to others, and strive to add things to their lives at a fervent pace.  We strap that heavy motor to their backs and switch it on for them, and actually think we’re doing them a favor!      

"But Norm," you may be saying, "all those things I’m adding will GIVE me a better life, they'll BRING me happiness!"  Bullshit.  You’ve just become a master at fooling yourself that this is why you were put here on earth.  What you’re looking for with all that addition isn’t the material thing itself, but the feeling you think it will give you.  It won’t, or that feeling will be very short lived, fading out quickly and leaving you ravenous to fill that void.  I promise, you can find that pure feeling much easier elsewhere. 

With practice and patience, subtraction in your life will yield amazing results.  Once that motor turns off, the anxiety in you chest will slowly ease.  That nagging voice in your head will get weaker.  You’ll sleep better, feel more clear and calm, and actually notice you’re breathing deeply.  Your mind will work better, like a computer that’s trash bin and cache have finally been emptied after way too long.  A sense of peace will filter down into your life as you realize that everything and everyone is connected.  What’s truly important will glow – family, friends, laughter, helping others, enjoying the ride.  “Why didn’t I see this before?” you’ll ask, smiling because you’re finally in on the cosmic joke. 

I’m not telling you NOT to work hard, hustle, or enjoy nice things.  Not at all.  Enjoy the hell out of them – buy a helicopter made of gold and wipe your bum with 50-dollar bills if you want.  Just make sure you are their master, not the other way around.  Like the philosopher Frederick Nietzsche said, “That which you possess, possesses you.” Or, another way of looking at it: 

Don’t love things that aren’t alive, because they'll never love you back.

How do I know this?  Because my life has turned from addition to subtraction, too.  A few years ago I was an addition junky – the big, beautiful house, two luxury cars, seven TV’s (including one in the bathroom), so much material crap that I needed two storage sheds to hold the overflow, and a business that kept me hustling from sunup to sundown trying to pay for it all.  I used to go shopping every day and fill my cart just to buy something, then bring it all home only to decide I didn’t like it, and go back the next day to return it.  Who does that?  This dipshit!  

The feeling I really loved was sharing time with good friends but I couldn’t relax and do that anymore, I was too busy juggling chainsaws trying to maintain it all.  I stressed more and smiled less, so I kept adding things to fill that void: work, money, women, superficial friends, more women, food, alcohol, and more food.  I was running as fast as I could but getting nowhere, trying to drag 1,000 anchors with me.  


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So I did something about it.  

I gave it all up – ALL of it.  I sold the house, sold the cars, and sold the seven TV’s.  I stopped being a workaholic, stopped buying stuff, and gave up the wom…well, I gave up most of it.  What I didn’t sell I donated to charity in the biggest karmic garage sale of all time.  I even cut some people out of my life who were toxic.    

After shedding all of my possessions I moved down to Costa Rica, to a little seaside village called Tamarindo, to live in perfect stillness among palm trees and monkeys and that beautiful beach, where I would chase my life’s dream of writing a book.  

I knew it was a solution, but at first it still felt alien.  I was like the guy with one foot on the dock and one on the boat.  As the boat pulled away I got stretched until I was doing a split and ripped my pants and had to decide.  So I jumped on the boat, and my life changed, forever.  

That was two years ago and I’m still trying to practice subtraction – to let go of my ego, my fear, my judgment, my desires.  It’s a life long journey that I’ll never get perfect, but do you know what?  The less I have, the less I want.  Seriously – you could hand me a million dollars or the keys to a brand new BMW right now and I’d say “no thank you,” because I really don’t give a shit.  From the outside looking in, those things just look like anchors to me.  I have everything I need – a few changes of clothes that fit into one duffel bag, more than enough food, I get to sleep indoors (most nights,) and, most importantly, I am free to share my prayer for the world, my writing, with all of my wonderful friends, new and old.  By creating so much space in my life I’m ready to receive the most amazing experiences and warmest, most wonderful people – all of YOU, and I have no desire to add anything that will jeopardize that.  I’ve grown to accept life, to embrace detachment from outcomes, to slow down.  I’m open to everything but want nothing.  


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Before you accuse me of being a traveling Dali Lama with a surfboard (as my friend Tamara joked), please realize that I’m still as full of it and flawed as everyone else.  It’s still a struggle, but I do feel with certainty that I’m stumbling forward in the right direction, and that’s enough for me.  So when I hear that voice from my reptilian brain clamoring for addition, which it still does every day, I remind myself to focus on subtraction, because that is where I’ll find true happiness.  And then I give my brain the middle finger and smile and chuckle and everyone on the bus looks at me crazy and moves over a seat. 

Please understand that I’m not trying to be preachy, because no one likes “that” guy, and I’m not trying to sell you anything.  I only wanted to share the concept of subtraction with you because I think it will enrich your life, as it has mine. If you love this advice and it helps you, just buy me a beer some day down the road (which I will gladly subtract from the bottle.)   

Well, I’ve taken enough of your precious time, so I’ll leave you with this: it’s easy to be all about addition, to worship the bling.  I understand that better than anyone.  Believe it or not, it’s also easy to do what I did – to give it all up and start from zero.  I’m certainly not encouraging you to sell all your possessions and drop out of society and move to the beach, too.  That was my true path, and you’ll find your own, I promise.  But I do know that the most important journey in life, for all of us, is to find that perfect compromise between addition and subtraction, our equal sign, for that is where we’ll balance the equation of our happiness. 


-Norm   :-)

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Work From The Beach - an Interview with Rich Pearson, CMO of Elance.com

4/29/2013

3 Comments

 
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In a continuing effort to help you live the dream - traveling the world and working from the beach, this is part 3 of an article on virtual careers. 

You can see part 1 here, 45 Virtual Jobs You Can Do From The Beach. 

And part 2 here.

Last week I had the chance to interview Rich Pearson, the Chief Marketing Officer of Elance.com, the world’s biggest online work community.  I asked Rich how Elance functions, what kind of virtual jobs are available, and whether it is indeed possible for a semi-talented writer to work from the beach in the tropics. 

Before becoming the CMO at Elance four years ago, Rich worked at Yahoo, Bing Technology, and other tech start-ups.  He’s an alumni of Cal-Berkeley and the Walter A. Haas School of Business, and alongside his wife and kids, enjoys traveling to places like England, Thailand, and Nigeria, to vacation, work, or experience the expat lifestyle.    

What is Elance?

Elance.com is the world’s largest online work platform.  But instead of being another online job posting board, like Craigslist or CareerBuilder, Rich describes Elance as “Online dating for business and freelancers.” 

Based out of Mountain View, California and Olslo, Norway, Elance was launched in its present form in 2007.  Since then they have paid out over $750 million dollars to freelancers (or e-lancers).  Approximately 500,000 businesses actively use Elance, posting 3,500 new jobs every day for 2.5 million freelancers.  Rich anticipates that Elance will pay out about 300 million dollars to freelancers in 2013 alone.   

How does it work?

When a business or individual needs work done, but doesn’t want a full-time employee (or another warm body sitting in the office) they can post a job on Elance to attract freelance workers.  These workers apply for the job through the site, displaying their skills and past work experience through their Elance profile, which acts as an online resume.  If they are awarded the job they interact with the employer directly, do the work, and get paid, all through Elance.  The employer and the freelancer can be located in the same town or on opposite ends of the world – it doesn’t matter.   

It’s interesting to note that all of this takes place through the Elance platform.  Most employment sites just match people up and take a finder’s fee, leaving everyone on their own and hoping for the best.  But Elance only gets paid when the job is done and the employer pays the freelancer, so they have a huge vested interest in making sure it’s all done right.  The fee for their service is 8.75% of the total cost of that job, which is added on to the bid so it’s not out of the freelancer’s paycheck.

What kinds of freelance jobs are available on Elance?

Rich defines a virtual career as “Anything you can do in front of a computer,” which definitely fits our dream of working from our laptops on a beach in the tropics.  He breaks down what the virtual jobs on Elance consist of:

40% are tech jobs, mostly mobile application development, web design, and coding.  40% are considered creative jobs, like blog or article writing, graphic design, search engine optimization, and social media marketing.  The remaining 20% is a great mix of jobs for virtual assistants, architects, accountants, and even attorneys.  Those last three fields are growing the fastest, Rich reports.   

When I ask Rich if virtual careers are gaining popularity, he says they are “An unstoppable force.”  Indeed, the marriage of virtual careers and freelancing is both pulling and being pushed by technological and social forces, forever changing the way we work.  Elance is only one aspect of that change, but it’s a big one, with triple-digit growth every year.  I can think of no more telling flashing neon endorsement of this phenomenon than the fact that Elance employs about 80 full time workers but 150 freelancers on a regular basis.   

How are freelancers paid?

Most work is project-based but some employers do pay hourly.  The paychecks range from quick $10 jobs to projects costing thousands of dollars.  Elance uses an internal escrow system to handle all payments, the only site of their kind in the world that has that capability.  The freelancer’s fee is set and then broken into installments to be paid out at predetermined milestones as the work is completed, so everyone stays on track.


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Is it safe?

Elance has carefully refined their system to make sure that everyone plays nice.  If there’s ever a complaint, they have a team who will investigate the matter, based on the project communication that was all documented on their site.  There is even a third-party arbitration system to work out a solution if it ever comes to that, but less than 1/4 of 1% of work projects end up in dispute, and they are quick to remove employers or freelancers who don’t follow rules, act inappropriately, or don’t fit into Elance’s professional culture.  

Both freelancers and employers receive ratings as they complete projects, calculated by a score.  So the more jobs you do, and the more jobs you do well, the more you’ll stand out to future employers.  Elance is all about transparency and online reputation, so merit will rise to the top and give the best freelancers, and employers, the edge.

So who are these freelancers?  

Rich explains that they have people working through Elance all over the world, but about 55% of workers are from the United States.  Of the total number of freelancers, about 25% work full time through Elance, 35-50% use the site to supplement their existing income or are between jobs, and the remainder are mostly students or recent grads, who can take a retail job at Starbucks but would rather keep working on projects that will give them valuable experience in their field.  No matter who it is, they all love the flexibility of being able to work where they want and when they want.  

Why is this a big deal?

Elance isn’t just another place to look for a job, but a profound change in the way we do business, and therefore how we live our lives.  It’s a successful experiment in macroeconomic forces, opening up markets in a pure global sense.  Anyone can work from anywhere, and that also means that any employer can hire from anywhere.  What results is a confluence of healthy competition and increased quality - companies hire the best workers at the lowest price no matter where they are, and freelancers vie for the best and highest paying jobs their skill sets allow.  

Rich talks about “escaping your local economy,” through Elance and virtual careers, which is exactly what we’re aiming to do by still working while wandering the globe.  A young man out of college in Spain might be facing a 60% unemployment rate or only menial, low paying jobs, but through Elance he will be able to apply for freelance work with companies all over the globe.  

This “labor arbitrage” works both ways – why wouldn’t you hire a designer in India to build your website if the price and quality were great, instead of being confined by the services in your home town?  And businesses can hire talent “out of the cloud” without being confined by the quantity or quality of locality, the cost of full-time employees, and paying for another desk in a physical office space.

Rich gives a great example: "In San Francisco when they need a graphic designer, it takes $250 an hour and a three-week wait just to talk to someone.  But now they can easily post their job on Elance and take bids and screen applicants from all over the world.  The result is an economic equilibrium where everyone benefits."  


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What’s the best way to get a job on Elance?

Making a profile and applying for jobs on Elance is free up to 40 proposals per month.  Just like crafting a resume for any other job search, you create an online profile through their site with a professional description and account of your skills.  But you can also pull in content from LinkedIn and other sites, and upload actual projects you’ve completed.  Of course you can interact with employers down the road, but your profile and work portfolio is what needs to stand out for you to get noticed.  Remember, these employers are interested in hiring the result, not just the person. 

When you see a specific job posting you like, you write an original online cover letter to them, citing specific examples of your work, and even set up a Skype interview if they are interested.   

Elance offers a free skills test, which employers pay credence to, as looking to see if you have a good Elance rating and positive testimonials from past jobs.  Elance even helps by ranking the most in-demand skills, job growth data, and other vital information.  They report PHP programming, WordPress programming, article writing, graphic design, and HTML programming as the most requested skills by employers (as of 2011).  By the way, if you need a GREAT place to learn new tech skills from your laptop for cheap, check out Lynda.com.  

Of course it’s not perfect – it takes a commitment of time to set up your profile, and persistence to search, apply for, and earn jobs, especially in the beginning when you have no proven Elance track record.  The trend of telecommuting even suffered a backlash recently, as Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer expressed her desire to have her workforce in-office (though she was talking specifically about Yahoo and not the workplace in general). 

However for the vast majority of skilled, diligent freelancers it will be a great fit. Rich recommends that you build an amazing profile, provide examples of your work, take the skills test, and have a plan when you are searching through the thousands of jobs, instead of “praying and spraying.”  

One last question for Rich Pearson, CMO of Elance:

So, Rich, IS it possible for a semi-talented writer like myself to sit on the beach in Costa Rica, or Nicaragua, or in Southeast Asia and actually make a living?

“Absolutely!  There’s a new way of working, and with cloud technology, at the most esoteric level, it’s just like ‘talent in the cloud.’  Of course it’s still about people, and employers want to hire talented people, but the talent that is coming online right now is unprecedented, as is the willingness of companies to look for new ways to get things done.”

Good!  Then there's hope for me!  

-Norm Schriever  :-)

Email me if you have any questions, need help, or would like to check out my articles and books about living the dream, all over the globe.

3 Comments

The Expat Life: 10 Things to Think About Before You Move Abroad.

4/23/2013

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Every year 6.6 million U.S. citizens call another country home. They do so for a variety of reasons -- work assignments, warmer climates and better medical care, and a cheaper cost of living. But whatever the reason for buying a one-way ticket to being an expatriate, they have some important choices to make once they get there.

I've been lucky enough to live in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and travel all over the world, 37 countries on six continents and counting, and I've met U.S. expatriates almost everywhere. If you're considering a similar move, here are some things to consider:

1. Language.
Communication is something we take for granted, but when you are in a foreign country you might not be able to walk right up to someone and express yourself... or ask for life's essentials, like the bathroom, and beer. You'll want to study and practice the language as much as possible before you go. Also, taking intensive language lessons once you arrive is a great way to meet people and ease the linguistic transition.

2. Where to go? 
There are many factors that go into your choice of a new home country: climate, political stability, crime, proximity to the U.S. for a quick flight home, cost, language and customs, etc. Many people chose to expatriate to places like Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, or the Philippines for these reasons.

3. Taxes, insurance, and other nuts and bolts.
Even when you're living in another country, the IRS expects you to pay U.S. taxes as long as you're a citizen and make income. You'll probably also want to stay current with your U.S. health insurance, and many people conveniently forget to tell them that you don't live in the U.S. any more so it doesn't cause complications. You can bank online and pay bills online these days with e-statements, but you can also get your stateside mail sent to a relative or to a post office box.

4. Medical.
It's important to be aware of the medical services available in your communities, and how they are rated for quality and consistency, as well as access to prescription medications. Many seniors who are expats want to live in countries with medical care that is much less expensive than in the U.S. Luckily, that is most of the world.

5. Buying real estate and a car. 
Your first instinct may be to plant "roots" by buying a home, a car, etc. but I've found it's best to give it some time. Don't make any major purchases for at least a year until you thoroughly learn the local culture, customs and business climate. There can be some complex and Draconian rules when it comes to property and vehicle ownership, as well as bizarre registration and paperwork demands. Basically, people get ripped off or make bad decisions all the time, so give it some time until you're a seasoned expat and enlist the advice of a trusted local. You'll also want to weigh out the import taxes and costs of having things like a car or furniture shipped down to you, or buying them locally.

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6. Safety.
The reality is that you have to be careful no matter where you are in the world, but with some common sense you can stay safe. Don't walk around with jewelry, don't show off valuables, don't go into bad areas, befriend locals to show you around and watch after you, don't walk around late at night or get too drunk, and get a dog! Every country (including the U.S.) suffers from street crime problems, but avoid countries where there's political upheaval or religious fundamentalist groups.

7. Working, making money, and doing business.
Many expats find out that life isn't quite as cheap as they anticipated and the savings goes fast, so you'll have some decisions to make about earning money. But do you try and open a local business? Try to keep working in the U.S., doing your job remotely from your new home country? Or jump into tourism? Do your research and go for a low risk consistent paycheck, not a venture that requires a huge up-front investment of time and money. I can't tell you how many people I've seen open bikini or surf shops or restaurants, and six months later they're broke, stressed and going out of business. Keep it simple.

8. Technology.
Technology will be an invaluable tool as you try to stay connected to friends and family, do business, and get things done from your new country. With some adjustment and planning technology will be your best friend. Get a local cell phone. Almost every bar and restaurant has Wi-Fi, so iPads, laptops, iPhones (with your U.S. network turned off!), and e-readers can all be used as mini computers to keep you rocking and rolling. Applications like Skype, Netflix, WhatsApp, internet calling apps, language translators, currency converters, and GPS make your life easier. And a Go Pro camera is just fun!

9. Blending into the local community.
Assimilating to the local culture is a long-term challenge, but also a constant source of beauty, humor and fascination. Be naturally curious and open to being outside of your comfort zone. Say hello and show respect to everyone, learn the local sayings, the customs, celebrate the holidays, make local friends, and even get in good with the police and officials. Attending religious services and volunteering to do charity work are great ways to foster good will and positive karma.

10. Residency and Visas.
Some expats want to become citizens of their new nation, some are content staying there on extended tourist visas. If that's the case you might have some shuffling to do over the border to renew your visa every 90 days, and be your ability to open a business or own property restricted. Sometimes there are huge benefits to becoming a citizen, sometimes no real difference, so do your homework and talk to other expats, because it could be a lengthy and expensive process to establish residency.

***
I hope that helped!  Email me any time!  Now, can you handle the UNFILTERED experience of my time as an expat in Costa Rica? The TRUTH that you will NEVER find in an article?  Check out the CONTROVERSIAL book that has the Tico TImes, AM Costa Rica, and Costa Rican expats talking...and laughing!    

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Get the ebook: Limited time only $4.99 on Amazon for Kindle.

South of Normal; My Year in Paradise.
A gonzo blast of laughter and adventure covering subjects like:  
  • Spending "quality" time in a Third World prison.
  • Getting ripped off by locals.
  • How a country is different during the rainy season.
  • Navigating the local dating scene.
  • Medical care, working virtually, and technology abroad.
  • Staying safe.
  • Dodging sharks, scorpions, drug traffickers and corrupt police.
  • Everything you WISHED you knew before you moved abroad!
 Tamarindo, Costa Rica, surf, ski, snowboard, diving, pura vida, Central America, Nicaragua, San Juan del Sur, Amazon best seller, travel, adventure, backpack, hiking, sharks, Endless Summer, Robert August, memoir, fitness journey, globetrotting, perfect beach, paradise, spring break, expat, live abroad, work abroad, summer reading, around the world, great read, humor, laugh out loud, South of Normal, Pushups in the Prayer Room

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45 Virtual Jobs You Can Do From The Beach.

4/16/2013

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The day dream is a familiar one; you’re sitting on a white sand beach by the crystal clear ocean, a soft tropical breeze blowing as you sip your third mojito and finish up the day’s work – which took a grand total of an hour on your laptop. 

Unfortunately, then you always wake up at a desk stacked with never ending paperwork, shackled inside some cubicle. The drool from your mid-afternoon doze-off has short circuited yet another keyboard, which will have to come out of your paycheck (the third one this month) and your boss starts whining because you forgot to put a cover sheet on your TPS report and he needs you to come in to work on Saturday. And someone stole your red stapler again.

That’s a more likely scenario for all of the 9 to 5’ers out there, but here’s the good news – the dream is possible. It’s out there, ready for you. You can travel or live anywhere in the world and take your job with you, still making money in the U.S. (or your home country) virtually. It’s not easy, and it may take a lot of research, planning, and hard work, but it IS possible to live your life by a beach, or on top of a mountain, in a foreign country and still make a living.  

In fact, people have been doing it for years, but many chose to work from home instead of living by the beach, superwoman stay-at-home moms who earn extra money AND take care of the kids. You’ll also hear it called working “virtually,” “telecommuting,” or just working online, and a U.S. Census report shows that the number of people who work virtually or from home has soared by 41% in the past decade. 

Every year there are an estimated 6 million U.S. citizens living abroad. Some of them chose to live in foreign countries and become full-time expatriates, while others go abroad to study, backpack around for a summer, volunteer, or do business. For the youth in other countries, England, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe, taking a year or two to go backpack around the world is so common it’s almost a rite of passage.  

Many of them try to find jobs in their host countries, but I’m seeing more and travelers and expats working virtually from their laptop and making enough money to keep their dream alive, especially in some countries where living expenses may be much lower. This trend is in its infancy, thanks to a business focus on Globalization and the explosion of useful technology in the last five years. The concept was celebrated in Tim Ferriss’s wildly popular book “The 4-Hour Work Week.”   

Whether you are a stay at home mom looking to work, a college student who wants to backpack around Europe and still make some money, or a 9-5 burnout who gives it all up and lives abroad (like me) the dream is alive and well.  

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Now I’m going to tell you how it’s done.  

First we start off with a specific list of jobs you can do from anywhere. In the second part of this article I'll go over WHERE to go to find these jobs, and HOW to get them.


Here is a list of jobs you could do virtually:

1. Writer.
 Selling blogs/articles on the Internet for magazines and newspapers, sites, or businesses.

2. Copy editor.
You can write and edit content for advertisements, sales brochures, manuals and guides, etc. 

3. Virtual call center/Customer service rep.
 As long as you have a phone and a headset (or a computer) you can take calls anywhere in the world. 

4. Web developer.
 This is one of the most common live-and-work-abroad jobs, and it does take a technical knowledge of HTML, Wordpress, or other web build code.

5. Blogger.
 You can start your own blog and attract enough visitors to start selling advertising or products.

6. Survey taker.
 They actually pay people to take surveys! Search engines also hire people to review their sites.

7. Telenurses.
 Virtual medical care is a rapidly growing field.

8. Teleradiologist.
 Radiologists mostly review x-rays, so this is easy to do virtually with the right technology.

9. Video producer and editor.
 Produce videos for corporations, non-profits, or entertainers.

10. Technical writer.
 Technical writers design manuals and instructions that are very specific and task-oriented (boring.)

11. On-line post-secondary teachers.
 There is a growing trend of online universities, colleges, and also high schools.

12. Translators.
 The world always needs people with good language skills to translate their messages. If you can speak two languages fluently, you will be in great demand!

13. Virtual tax preparer.
 You can prepare those pesky income tax returns over your laptop.

14. Phone sex operator.
 Do you really need me to explain this one?  “Brown chicken, brown cow!”

15. Data entry.
 Menial and unfulfilling, but who cares if you can do it by the beach?

16. Excel and Power Point specialist.
 If you know the technical intricacies of Excel companies will pay you to set up complex spread sheets and data systems, or prepare PP presentations for sales people, speakers, and organizations.

17. Medical transcriptionist.
 Transcribe notes from doctors and surgeons.

18. Medical billing.
 One of the work-from-home stalwarts, you can organize medical billing records for doctors offices.

19. Counselor or Therapist.
 Sit on your own leather couch and talk to someone about your problems via Skype, for $20 an hour, not $150 an hour.

20. Outside sales.
 Many sales jobs can be done via Internet, phone, fax, Skype, etc. and are based solely on commission.

21. Virtual assistant.
A lot of busy business people don’t want to hire a full time assistant in-house, so they outsource daily tasks to a virtual assistant.

22. Sell travel art and photography.
Though it’s a competitive field, many people sell their travel photography and artwork online.

23. Tourism.
Attract people to certain destinations with websites, social media, etc. and help them arrange hotel stays, condo rentals, fishing trips, etc. The proprietors will usually pay you a 20% finders fee.

24. Affiliate marketing.
You can promote other peoples’ goods or services on your website or blog, and if users click through and purchase something, you get a commission.

25. EBay broker.
 You can maintain an eBay story from anywhere in the world. Either hire people to package and mail the items for you, or utilize the ‘drop ship model,’ (below)

26. Reseller, drop ship model.
You sell products online, but instead of packaging and shipping the items yourself, your order automatically goes through to a warehouse that does everything for you. That means you can sell anything to anyone from anywhere and never touch – or even see – the product!

27. Graphic artist.
Every company needs a logo, infographic, or other artwork.

28. Wedding/event planner.
You can handle all of the minutiae of organizing big events, corporate or personal, and get paid to do it.  

29. Grant writer.
Writing grants for nonprofits and research is a super important field, yet requires a specific writing format. Nonprofits are ALWAYS applying and reapplying for grants and funding, so you will never be out of work. 

30. Social media consultant.
Every company wants to market their brand or service through social media and have access to an unlimited number of new customers, but many of them only know how to use Facebook enough to post inappropriate political comments and send out birthday requests. Help them, please! 

31. Publicist.
 Send out press releases, make connections, and garner traditional media attention.

32. Cottage Publishing.
Attract clients who want to self-publish a book and help them from start to finish, using cheaper subcontractors or services, and then mark up the price to include your fee.

33. Desktop Publishing.
Design the layout and graphics for menus, brochures, books, newsletters, etc.

34. Software engineer.
If you know all of that fancy technical stuff, you’ll be in high demand and can work from anywhere.

35. IT Professional.
These days an IT professional can assume control of your computer virtually, and poke around and fix the problem without even being there.  

36. Educational tutoring.
Tutor children in after school programs or learning centers, or college kids in specific subjects.

37. Language teacher.
Believe it or not, knowing English well is a commodity, and these days you can teach English via your laptop anywhere in the world (see profile at the end of this article)


38. Travel Agent.
You can arrange and book airfare, travel, and vacation packages virtually. The job of travel agent has actually shifted toward a work-at-home model years ago.

39. Franchise owner.
If you own a Subway store, you’re not the one expected to bake the bread. So hire great managers and supervise virtually. Think about it – you don’t even need a staff if you own a laundry mat or vending machine.

40. Landlord.
Own rental properties and manage them from abroad. The check will be in your bank every month and you can have a handyman on call. You can even rent out your own house while you’re out there traveling!

41. Answering service or scheduler.
Many businesses use an answering service during off hours, or someone to manage their busy schedule. You can take on as many clients as you can handle.

42. Insurance adjuster.
A lot of tedious work in the insurance field – like worker’s comp audits, for example, has been outsourced to virtual employees.

43. Support for open-source software. 
There are software systems out there like Linux, Wordpress, Dupral etc. that may be free, but people will pay for technical support.  

44. Accountant/Bookkeeper.
Manage the books and accounting for any business, from the beach.

45. Financial advisor.
Many independent financial advisors can work virtually – why not? They are dealing in information and expertise, not standing on the trading floor on Wall Street.

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Does that help? Look for part 2 of this article where I reveal the specific websites you'll use to get these virtual jobs, and even actual companies that are hiring right now. 

I'll also talk about the application and interview process, avoiding scams, and virtual employment code of conduct.  


Do you have more questions about living or working abroad?  Email me and I’d be happy to help. 

Happy job hunting, and safe travels!

Norm :-)

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Work Abroad Profile: Tommas Coldrick
Working virtually as an English teacher at an online school.

How long have you lived abroad/where have you lived?
 I'm from England, originally, and have lived abroad the last four years, in Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A. (Texas), The Czech Republic, China, Nicaragua and Russia.

What have you done for work?
Australia- Concreting and steel fixing. New Zealand- Nightclub security. U.S.A. Online teaching. The Czech Republic- English Language Teacher. China- Head Teacher of an international school. Nicaragua- manager at a bar/restaurant and teaching English online. Russia- Head Teacher of an international school, teaching English online.

What are the challenges?
Cultural differences always seems to be the biggest challenge while working overseas. Language can also be a challenge, but more of a fun challenge.

What are the unique opportunities?
Getting to fully immerse yourself into a completely different way of living, is one of the coolest experiences anyone can have. It also opens up your mind, and humbles you in such prolific ways, I can't even begin to describe. Being able to work within a different country, within a different culture; allows you to see the world in a different light, and it allows you to understand the unknown, just that little bit more.

Where do you see growth in careers working virtually?
Having taught online, I see the benefits to virtual careers. I was able to have a half decent paid job in England, Nicaragua, and the U.S. I didn't have to worry about finding work in each new destination; It was already there. 

What advice would you give young travelers who are looking to work while they live/travel abroad?
Do it! Ask yourself "What do I really want to be?" "Where do I really want to be?" Once you know the answers to these questions, then there's no stopping you. So go ahead and quit your day job, book a flight, and don't regret a moment! You will experience things that you would never imagine, you'll meet the most interesting people on the planet, you'll broaden your views on life, and you'll make friends who you will treasure forever.

You can email Tommas if you want to say hi!

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    Norm Schriever is a best-selling author, expat, cultural mad scientist, and enemy of the comfort zone. He travels the globe, telling the stories of the people he finds, and hopes to make the world a little bit better place with his words.   

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