The Latest Attack on Your Digital Privacy

The Latest Attack on Your Digital Privacy

The U.S. government has a pretty dismal record when it comes to computer security. Last year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) revealed that hackers had stolen the personal information of more than 20 million current and former federal-government job applicants and employees. The stolen data included more than 6 million fingerprints, considered the gold standard for proof of identity.

My Own Cashmere Farm in the Hills of Chianti

My Own Cashmere Farm in the Hills of Chianti

Late spring is Nora Kravis’s favorite time of year on her cashmere farm in Tuscany. “The lilacs and wisteria are in bloom,” she says. “Goat kids are just being born, and they gambol and frolic in the green grass like no other time of the year.” And then there are the views from the farm Nora fell in love with years ago. “I have the perfect Tuscan landscape from every window. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s true. The only night noise here is the wildlife in the woods. I have no TV, no discos, no traffic, and no crowds.”

The Secrets to a Happy Life in Costa Rica

The Secrets to a Happy Life in Costa Rica

Costa Rica ticks almost all the boxes on anyone’s retirement checklist. It’s conveniently close to home. With many direct flights to two international airports (and a third in the works), it’s close to the U.S. and Canada—less than three hours from Miami. From the temperate Central Valley to the beautiful tropical beaches, there’s a climate for everyone. The World Health Organization praises Costa Rica for its healthcare system and has ranked it higher than that of the U.S., despite Costa Rica spending 87% less on healthcare per capita.

Own an Idyllic Country Retreat

Own an Idyllic Country Retreat

Imagine waking up each morning and, cup of coffee in hand, looking out your window onto acres of uninterrupted forest, field, and pasture. Ah…that’s life in the country. Slow, tranquil, and quiet. No honking horns, traffic lights, or rush-hour traffic out here. Every morning or evening, you can enjoy a laidback stroll through the forest, up the wild hills, or along quiet country lanes. You can walk miles without seeing another soul. Perhaps just deer frolicking in the woods and cows munching on grass. And at night, you look up to see what seems like all the stars in the sky.

The Ease of Social Networking—Expat Style

The Ease of Social Networking—Expat Style

I was catching up with a high school friend over Skype recently. During our conversation, he shared his amazement that my wife Cynthia and I enjoy what he called our “crazy social life.” He said, “It seems like you two are always busy having fun with friends.” I replied that, since I’d “walked in his moccasins,” I understood his feelings. “Let me ask you,” I said. “I know you recently moved, so how many of your new neighbors have you met?”