For those who are looking to relocate to Central or South America, oftentimes one of the best ways to secure a stable income (if you aren’t retired) is by finding online work. So, type in WORK FROM HOME in your search engine, and what do you find? A long list of work opportunities… but how do you differentiate the ones that are real from the scams? Is it possible to find real work online that will enable you to support yourself living abroad? The answer is yes! Working online over the internet from home is a great way to earn a living from a reputable company while living in your own personal paradise.

But how do you find work online?

Look no further.

Molly Hallman, from Payscale.com has written an article for Yahoo! hotjobs entitled “10 Companies Hiring for Work from Home.”

The article gives the name of each company, its web-site, and for what job they are hiring and is a great place to get ideas for how to support yourself living abroad.

You will find the article quoted in it’s entirety after the jump.

Ray Auxillou and Silvia Pinzon de Auxillou break it down for those thinking about retiring in Belize, and in other Central American countries, on their web-site.

The couple knew that upon retirement they would want to live abroad, since their minimal income would limit their means of living in the United States. They share their personal story from how they went about the process of deciding on Belize, to what they have encountered there.

I suggest this web-site as must read material for anyone considering a move or retirement in Central or South America.

Ray provides a lot of tips, and he and is wife also own a Hostel, the Falconview Tourist Backpackers Adventure Hostel, and have a couple of separate apartments that they rent out for shorter periods of time to those looking at relocating in Belize. They have been in Belize for over 2 years, and have really made the most out of retiring there.

Follow the link for a sample of what you will find on their web-site:

As seen on Mondinion.com, Listed with Rainforest Realty

* Built area: 27 m2 (300 sqfeet)
* Land / Lot area: 4,047 m2 (1 acres)
* Price: 82,500 USD (Built area: 3,055.55 USD / m2) (Land area: 20.38 USD / m2)

Villa/Restaurant with 2 Huge Lots
This GORGEOUS piece of land consists of 2 huge lots with their own separate entrance onto the property. The lots run back to back making a striking view. Completely fenced. All utilities. All weather Road.

There is a restaurant with a loft over the restaurant that could serve as a residence. There is a completed covered veranda eating area with separate and enclosed double restrooms. Full kitchen. Complete bar area.

There is also playground equipment on the property that makes for a good area for family or young restaurant customers. The many mature trees and awesome landscape make for a jungle like atmosphere–IN TOWN.

This property is a MUST SEE for any needs you may have in purchasing a piece of paradise in Belize. GREAT BUY!!

• Pet friendly
• Terrace
• Cable TV
• Internet
• Parking

011 501 602 2740
http://www.rainforestrealty.net

Date & Time Listed: 2009-01-01 16:38:10 GMT

Okay, so for those who are still concerned about safety in Belize, I found something you can do about it!

The Rotary Clubs of Belize have started a new program: Crime Stoppers Belize.

This community based service enables members of the community to take action to stop crime. If someone has information about a crime that has been committed they are asked to call the toll free number 0–800–922–8477. An international operator takes the information from the caller, who is given a code so that their identity remains a secret. The caller may then call back to check on their tip, using their code number as their ID. If the information they provided results in an arrest and a charge, the informant can receive a cash reward of up to $1000.

The steps are simple:

1. Make the Toll-free call. (NO CHARGE)
2. Report the crime
3. You will not be asked for your name.
4. The information you provide is passed on to the authorities
5. You are assigned a code number to call back and check on your tip.
6. If you gave a tip that results in legal action you could receive a cash prize!
7. Use the reward as you please.

The card game Pitty Pat is a favorite past time in Belize, and you can find it in the casinos in the country. So, when you get sick of the Poker, why not try something new for a change, something like Pitty Pat!

Pitty Pat is played with 2 to 4 players using a standard 52 card deck. Pitty Pat is a game similar to rummy. There are many variations to Pitty Pat. A common way to play is by dealing 5 cards to each player. The remainder of the deck is set in the middle of the table and the top card is flipped up and set along side the deck. The goal of this card game is to get rid of all the cards in your hand by matching the top card on the pile. It is done by doing the following:

When it is your turn if you have a card in your hand that matches the top card on the heal you can discard that card as well as one additional card, which becomes the top card on the stack. (That way the card is always changing, like in Uno)

So you like San Pedro so much that you’ve decided to stay. So what is next? Well, that depends. Are you planning on buying property and building? Or will you be purchasing a place and remodeling? Renting an apartment or a condo? Furnished or unfurnished? Whatever the case may be, Graniel’s Construction Company is sure to help.

Graniel’s Construction has been in business for over 15 years, with Armando Graniel still keeping things going. He is a very dedicated businessman who puts his heart and soul into quality work. Graniel’s specializes in custom design and condo and home remodeling using concrete, wood, and thatch. They also build piers, patios, and seawalls, and have a cabinet shop that makes high quality cabinets and furniture using mahogany and other hardwoods.

A report from a very relaxed Gringo in Belize.

As a frequent visitor to many Latin American countries, I have visited a great number of spas and had a decent number of not-so-decent massages. I haven’t been able to find just the right place that matches my needs… until now.

The Asian Garden Day Spa in San Pedro is hailed on many travel sites as being one of the best spa experiences vacationers to Belize have had, and this Gringo can verify, it lives up to its reputation.

Looking for some good conch fritters and fresh, delicious sea food in San Pedro? Try Caliente’s. They are well known for serving up some of the best food in Belize! You can find them in the Spindrift Hotel, right beside the Pier Lounge. They are open for lunch and dinner.

I would recommend any of the sea food. I’m a fan of anything curry, so the coconut curry shrimp is right up my alley. I have been told that the soup is a must have, and often sells out before dinner time. The ginger shrimp is also excellent.

Meals are reasonably priced, considering how expensive it is to get fish in the North. This is a definite must-stop place to eat in San Pedro.

Marla’s Kitchen is a small family run restaurant nestled between the front and middle street on Caye Caulker where you can get a decent meal for under 10 bucks.

Marla’s is on the quaint side; food is served up on a couple of plastic tables and chairs settled on the uneven sand. The menu is pretty simple with your basic BBQ foods and a decent number of side dishes.  The seafood is good and fresh, which is the case pretty much wherever you eat on Caye Caulker.

The beer is good and cold, and the family atmosphere, and delicious and inexpensive food make Marla’s Kitchen one of this Gringo’s favorite stops to eat dinner on Caye Caulker. (Don’t try to go earlier… the place opens at sundown.)

I was recently contacted by the Human Rights Project regarding their new mission: “To exceed the act of inspiring and successfully move people from apathy to activism.”

The Gringo Report has teamed up with the Human Rights Project in calling others to action.

To get the ball rolling, the Human Rights Project has developed a beautifully illustrated full color book entitled, The Trouble with the Alphabet, written and illustrated by Caryn West. The book takes you around the world to 26 countries A-Z where children are suffering. Each country featured is also connected to a charitable organization that receives part of the proceeds from each book purchased, as well as all purchases from TheTroubleWiththeAlphabet.com.

Check it out and do your part to make a difference.