For four long months between October 2014 and January 2015, oil prices tumbled down a black hole…one that seemed to have no bottom. And that was after a 10% correction in the oil market. The U.S. public was dancing at the pumps, and I filled my tank for less than $2 a gallon, a price I hadn’t seen since early 2009. The last time oil prices fell this hard this fast, the global economy was in a tailspin that threatened to turn into a depression. This time, though, the global economy is not to blame. This time, oil is having a true “blood in the streets” moment—one that could be very profitable to investors in the know. You see, lots of good investors will tell you to buy when there’s blood in the streets. Essentially, that means you’re getting assets on the cheap in hopes that those who pressed the panic button sent prices down too far.

For many centuries, coins have been collected and hoarded. They have provided security against war, disaster, inflation and panic. And an added bonus is the thrill of owning a unique item with a history dating back hundreds or even thousands of years. And right now, there’s an opportunity for you to diversify your collection with rare world coins that are seeing substantial and steady growth in value. Rare and early coins from particular parts of the world are increasingly in demand from collectors in search for a piece of history. Coins from Eastern Europe and Russia have seen some prices increase tenfold in the past decade. Coins from India and the Middle East are now of intense interest to collectors in those countries. Even traditional collecting areas—such as Ancient Greek and Roman, as well as Western European and British coins—have increased over fivefold in the past decade. And this trend is set to continue.

Martine Rheaume was 52 years old when she left everything behind in Boston to start a new life in Cusco, Peru, as an English teacher with no prior experience. Three years later, she has more friends than ever before, a dream job with more work than she can handle, and a renewed passion for life that only living in Latin America can give you. “I landed in Peru with only ‘mañana’ and ‘gracias,’ but six months later I was speaking Spanish and had an active social life,” she says. Originally from Montreal, Martine has traveled extensively all her life, fueled by her strong interest in ancient history. It was this that ultimately led her to Peru.

As I savor coffee on a honeysuckle-scented terrace, it strikes me that Lanjarón doesn’t look at all weird. South of Granada, on the edge of Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains, this beguiling little spa town overlooks the ruins of an old Moorish castle. Its spring-fed fountains are tiled with snippets of Federico García Lorca’s poetry. Its whitewashed houses have saintly wall shrines and balconies hung with geraniums. Its long main street is a sun-splashed jumble of florists, tapas bars, and old-fashioned stores stocked with locally produced hams and honey.

Every year, more and more North Americans are waking up to the immense opportunities that an overseas retirement presents. Some move abroad to embrace new experiences, a different lifestyle—even an exciting new career—unavailable to them at home. Others—worried that a depleted nest egg and spiraling healthcare costs may leave them too little to retire on in North America—discover that many lower-cost countries let them stretch their savings and enjoy a comfortable, even luxurious, retirement.

Imagine waking up in the morning and enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee before heading out your back door to get breakfast. You gather eggs from your hens. Tomatoes, peppers, and herbs, all from your kitchen garden, as well as homemade goat cheese, are added for an excellent omelet. The fresh-squeezed orange juice comes from your trees. Life in the cities and suburbs of the U.S. can mean being far removed from the origins of the food we eat. If you dream of getting back to the land, you’ll find hobby farms with fertile soil, ideal growing conditions, and great locations throughout the world.

Recently I spent a month in the U.S. visiting family and friends. It was my longest continuous stint “back home” since I moved to Mexico eight years ago. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and enjoy the U.S., and I did. There’s a lot that I love about my home country, including its beauty, the sheer convenience of life there, and, of course, its familiarity. I don’t include the high—indeed, exorbitant—cost of U.S. healthcare on that list of things I love. Those who live in the U.S. don’t have any choice—that expensive healthcare is all they have. But in moving abroad I gained a choice in the matter, and it’s been one of the best things about my move.

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