Retiring abroad is growing in popularity! A recent survey of 1,006 adults were asked if they would consider retiring outside of the United States. Close to 50% of the poll said they would. You may wonder why baby boomers would consider retiring outside the U.S. Primarily because it costs less to live in certain countries, therefore retirement dollars would stretch further. Of course, this is not the only reason people retire abroad. Lifestyle, culture, and exotic locale are just a few of the reasons why this is a growing trend.

If you are thinking of investing in offshore in real estate that you may or may not use in your retirement years, pick up a copy of Hubert Bromma’s new book How To Invest in Offshore Real Estate and Pay Little or No Tax. If this is an exciting option for you, visit The Entrust Group (www.theentrustgroup.com) and learn how you can use your IRA or 401(k) to invest in offshore real estate!

The Environmental Protection Agency just released a report, in time for the freezing winter months, on EcoLogical Savings. Consumers can save 40% on annual energy bills by sealing duct leaks and gaps in central heating and cooling systems. Other ways to save include programming thermostats when no one is home and adding insulation to water pipes. Avoid heating with a wood fire, which draws heat out of a house and up the chimney. Good advice for investment properties too!

Happy New Year! Now is the best time put max into your retirement savings and avoid mistakes that most of us would take for granted. Here a few do’s and don’ts to consider.

Do…start now to save for your future! Visit www.theentrustgroup.com to learn more about a self-directed retirement account where YOU take control of your financial future with assets you know, understand and control.

Don’t…rely on social security to be there when you retire. Most information states we will run out of social security funds by the time we are ready, so don’t count on this in your calculations.

Do…save a minimum of 10% of your income, even if you have to give up that latte!

Don’t…miscalculate. Figure you will need 100% of your income today for your future. In the past, planners used 75-80%. Be safe and use 100% and you won’t go wrong!

Do…make investments. Not just savings accounts. You want this money to grow.

I wanted to personally wish all wise women out there a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! A toast to 2008….let it be your year! Cheers! Lisa