lifestyle

José’s Guide to Retiring in Portugal’s Algarve Region on $2,800 a Month

By: Dr. Steve Bettner aka José 🌍 Introduction: Living Like José in Europe I promised you I’d share pathways to “Living Like José” — not someday, but right now. That means two things: Last time, we explored Panama. Today, we’re hopping across the Atlantic to Portugal’s Algarve region — a sun-soaked stretch of coastline thatContinue reading “José’s Guide to Retiring in Portugal’s Algarve Region on $2,800 a Month”

José’s Guide to Retiring in Panama on $2,500 a Month: Live Better, Spend Less, and Build the Life You Actually Want

Can you really retire in paradise on just $2,500/month? You bet. Welcome to José’s Guide to Retiring in Panama—a practical roadmap for digital nomads, early retirees, and anyone ready to escape the rat race.

José goes to San Pedro-La Isla Bonita

This is a short story about how a random act of kindness on my recent trip to Belize helped to change someone’s life.

Listen to the Weather

Although they are gone
They are not lost forever
I just close my eyes and I
Listen to the weather

A Lucky Man

I have all that I could wish for,
a lucky man some say;
It’s a beautiful life
when you live like Jose.

A Pirate looks at 40!

I am not sure what it is exactly about Jimmy Buffett and his music that immediately transports me to a different place; one with sunny skies, an ocean breeze in the air, sand between my toes and a tasty boat drink in hand. When I think of Margaritaville, I can close my eyes and I hear a the steel drum band playing island music. I can vividly feel the kiss of the warm sun on my skin. I can taste the salted rim glass and the refreshing feeling of a ripe lime squeezed margarita as it passes my lips and I hold it in my mouth long enough to get a hint the yin and yang of the sweet and sour and the bite of the perfect amount of tequila as it passes over my tongue and down my esophagus. Ah, the taste of summer.

Who is José?

I think all of us have an inner José, wanting to break free of the rat race and the social expectations and burdens placed on us by living the life of keeping up with the Jones. We give in to the temptation to chase the “American Dream” without ever considering what it would take to make us truly happy.

The story of the Mexican Fisherman

If you have never read the story of the Mexican Fisherman or if has been a while since you have, please take a minute and reacquaint yourself with it. There are many life as well as leadership lessons hidden within this parable. For me it highlights the importance of asking “why” and “then what” type of questions and to regularly evaluate the end goal of what your are working toward, you may be surprised to find you already have it.