Saying hello (after a long absence)!

[thetimeshareguy]

I just wanted to jump on to this message board after a long absence going back many years. I imagine some of my old friends are still active on these boards, and perhaps some have passed on (in every sense of the word!). I was very active here when my two sons were young and I planned vacations with my first wife. The information on TUG helped us learn to buy some very inexpensive timeshare points, including some associated with resorts in South Africa as I recall, that we used to call our "grass huts" that we exchanged into Gold Crown / 5-Star resorts in Orlando, enjoying luxury stays in wonderful places for about the cost of a non-name motel!

My friends here on TUG were very helpful also in answering my questions as I wrote my book Timeshare Secrets: How to Obtain Cadillac Vacations for Chevrolet Prices! (or something like that!) I don't see the book anymore on Amazon and am considering updating it and republishing it. Someone else now owns the URL for thetimeshareguy[dot]com so I have to think whether it's worth buying it back through a broker if that's even possible. And someone else has a Facebook page with that title that is totally inactive and only has three followers. I'm a writer, editor and publishing professional so this is all in my wheelhouse.

Anyway, here's a photo of me and my second (current) wife Vanessa. I will be active on this BBS from time to time. It's possible we will rent or purchase a resale timeshare or points eventually. I turned 65 last fall and am semi-retired. My wife is a Pilates instructor and is training to offer "fascia release" to clients — which I think is a lucrative niche with the aging Boomers and GenXers. I'm training to relaunch my publishing services with AI tools, and/or other online businesses. I started receiving my pension and related benefits recently and drove a school bus this year to generate a little extra income. Vanessa and I plan to spend at half the year in other countries ("slow travel") starting either this fall or the autumn of 2027. We're watching videos about places to visit that are very affordable with a view to checking out one or two each winter and eventually spend most of our time outside Canada.

Say hi if you're an old friend! And say hi if you'd like to be a new friend! I recall Tuggers as being among the most friendly folk anywhere! (Note that I originally posted this message in the Buying and Exchanging forum and then remembered that the admins are particular about us posting messages in the right place, so I've moved the message here.)

 

[moonstone]

Hi from a fellow Ontarian! Welcome back!
I remember your posts from years ago. Congrats on retirement and being able to travel more and for longer periods of time. We obtained a timeshare that had been converted to RCI points way before our retirement in hopes of putting together a few weeks in the sun & heat. We soon realized the points werent going to cover the amount of time we wanted to escape the snow so we bought a condo in Florida when our dollar was at $1.08 and real estate prices were low. Our plan was to rent it out on an annual basis until we retired but by then we had discovered Belize and were spending Jan > March there. It is much warmer than St. Augustine and they speak English there! After evicting a tenant from hell and my cancer diagnosis in 2021 we decided we wanted to spend at least 6 months in the sunny south. Due to the US rules on how long Canadians can stay in the country we go to Florida in the fall until Christmas, fly home for a week/10 days, then fly to Belize for 2 months before flying back to Florida for another 2 months. That gives us some extra allowable time in the US to visit family down there in the spring/summer/fall.

~Diane

 

[Tuggernaut]

Hello TheTimeshareGuy,

In the world of timeshares, buying resale is still where it's at (more than ever).

Annual timeshare maintenance fees and exchange fees (if you exchange your timeshare via RCI or Interval International) have increased dramatically (outpaced inflation) so the total cost of a timeshare week is now often similar to the rental price of a week. See the following sites where vacation weeks can be rented:

TUG https://tug2.com/timesharemarketplace/rentals
Redweek (high fees now) www.redweek.com/
Koala www.go-koala.com
DashWeek www.dashweek.com/rentals/
Vacation Candy https://vacationcandy.com/
Finding Meili https://www.findingmeili.com/
Airbnb www.airbnb.com
vrbo www.vrbo.com
Ebay www.ebay.com

Regarding publishing a book on timeshares, well, there is now YouTube. Perhaps YouTube has made travel/vacation books obsolete? For example, check out the YouTube channels "Destination Timeshare" or "Traveling With Jennifer Sparks Savoy". The author of the "Destination Timeshare" channel is also a TUG member.

We plan on retiring in the near future, so please post regarding your retirement travels!

 

[DeniseM]

Welcome back! But you were here in February, so it it hasn't been too long.

First Florida Retirement Trip

Hi Everybody. I haven't been here on TUG in ages! I recently retired and will be on here lots to discuss timeshare and holidays. Vanessa and I are thinking about maybe spending the winter in Mexico or another country in Latin America. But we have an elderly dog and by next fall we're not sure...

tugbbs.com

 

[Timeshare Von]

Hi and welcome back TimeshareGuy!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Welcome back!

Timesharing started out as me loving RCI and now I don't feel the same anymore. I no longer love RCI and love II. That happened about 10 years ago. I still have a few weeks that trade through RCI and am kind of stuck for about six more years until the resort hits the sunset clause. The underlying value of the land is a lot more than $0 per week, and that is what weeks sell for at this resort on various websites. I have been buying all of the $0 weeks because I know the end is near.

Mansfield in Australia was my foray into RCI Points. That ends soon as they shut down the resort and sell the units. Cannot happen quickly enough for me.

I also have Wyndham points that trade through RCI, and I will make use of those. Points are expiring at the end of this month, unfortunately. It's a lot of points. I extended them one year and that was all RCI would allow.

I keep wondering what happened to some TUG members who were frequently here and offered advice. There are a few that really helped me.

 

[thetimeshareguy]

Hello TheTimeshareGuy,

In the world of timeshares, buying resale is still where it's at (more than ever).

Annual timeshare maintenance fees and exchange fees (if you exchange your timeshare via RCI or Interval International) have increased dramatically (outpaced inflation) so the total cost of a timeshare week is now often similar to the rental price of a week. See the following sites where vacation weeks can be rented:

TUG https://tug2.com/timesharemarketplace/rentals
Redweek (high fees now) www.redweek.com/
Koala www.go-koala.com
DashWeek www.dashweek.com/rentals/
Vacation Candy https://vacationcandy.com/
Finding Meili https://www.findingmeili.com/
Airbnb www.airbnb.com
vrbo www.vrbo.com
Ebay www.ebay.com

Regarding publishing a book on timeshares, well, there is now YouTube. Perhaps YouTube has made travel/vacation books obsolete? For example, check out the YouTube channels "Destination Timeshare" or "Traveling With Jennifer Sparks Savoy". The author of the "Destination Timeshare" channel is also a TUG member.

We plan on retiring in the near future, so please post regarding your retirement travels!

Thanks for this information! I think you might be right about timeshare books! In any case, that's a great idea about sharing our retirement experiences. I'm reminded this is also a good place to discuss travel ideas. Vanessa and I plan to spend six months down south each year. We're unsure whether this fall will be our first winter in a warm place. (We live in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada and would like to get away.) We might continue with the status quo one more year to pay down some debts and let precious metals have time to rise in value, as that is our biggest investment and we believe these will grow. We have a full size black lab who is quite old now, but doing well. This will restrict where we travel for now. My research currently shows Columbia is a great place and very affordable, with the country now very different from a few years ago and much safer. We might spend six months there this winter or next. After our dog leaves this world we'll travel further afield. We're keen to visit Thailand, for instance. After four or five years of"slow travel" to some different countries we hope to make a decision about where to eventually settle down — at least as a base. I can see us spending time in two or three countries each year.

 

[thetimeshareguy]

Hi and welcome back TimeshareGuy!

Thanks! I can't believe I was away from these forums for so long!

 

[thetimeshareguy]

Welcome back! But you were here in February, so it it hasn't been too long.

First Florida Retirement Trip

Hi Everybody. I haven't been here on TUG in ages! I recently retired and will be on here lots to discuss timeshare and holidays. Vanessa and I are thinking about maybe spending the winter in Mexico or another country in Latin America. But we have an elderly dog and by next fall we're not sure...

tugbbs.com

Oh yeah! I'd completely forgotten that I stuck my nose under the curtain here that recently! Thanks for the reminder that I might be going senile!

 

[thetimeshareguy]

Hi from a fellow Ontarian! Welcome back!
I remember your posts from years ago. Congrats on retirement and being able to travel more and for longer periods of time. We obtained a timeshare that had been converted to RCI points way before our retirement in hopes of putting together a few weeks in the sun & heat. We soon realized the points werent going to cover the amount of time we wanted to escape the snow so we bought a condo in Florida when our dollar was at $1.08 and real estate prices were low. Our plan was to rent it out on an annual basis until we retired but by then we had discovered Belize and were spending Jan > March there. It is much warmer than St. Augustine and they speak English there! After evicting a tenant from hell and my cancer diagnosis in 2021 we decided we wanted to spend at least 6 months in the sunny south. Due to the US rules on how long Canadians can stay in the country we go to Florida in the fall until Christmas, fly home for a week/10 days, then fly to Belize for 2 months before flying back to Florida for another 2 months. That gives us some extra allowable time in the US to visit family down there in the spring/summer/fall.

~Diane

Thanks for the message Diane! That's interesting that you mention Belize, which I've been researching recently. Yeah, timeshare can make less sense when the kids are gone. That is what I found. But I can see myself snagging some discounted vacations in that system from time to time. I believe a deep recession is coming and I imagine a lot of inventory will become available and maybe some resorts will switch out of timeshare altogether. We will likely travel to Columbia for our first winter abroad, due to a long list of reasons. One complication with Belize is we can't directly fly there with our full-size lab in cargo. I looked into some complicated options to fly him to Mexico first and then transport by land. I'm sure there is some way, but I'd only do that if we were relocating there permanently. He turns 16 this year so likely won't be around too many more years, sad to say. Once he's gone Belize is near the top of our list because of all the things to do and because it's English speaking. We'll have to stay in touch to learn more about Belize! I also need to build my online business to make at least a few thousand dollars per month. Because ultimately we'd like to slow travel to other countries eight or nine months of the year and spend our summers at the trailer in Ontario. But I just learned if I stay outside Canada for more than six months I'll lose my Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) that's worth almost $700 per month! I was factoring the GIS that into my calculations, thinking we had $2,000 per month from my pension, Old Age Security (OAS) and GIS, but it would drop to around $1,300 Canadian if we don't spend six months in Canada. Very frustrating. And since the resort is only open for about four months, we have to figure out where to stay and what to do for that extra two months, in Canada. I'm sure we'll think of something. I watch a lot of those YouTube videos about "ten cheapest countries to retire" and that sort of thing. Some are very shallow, but some go into real depth. Adventure Freaks is a good channel in that regard.

 

[thetimeshareguy]

Hi and welcome back TimeshareGuy!

Thank you!

 

[thetimeshareguy]

Welcome back!

Timesharing started out as me loving RCI and now I don't feel the same anymore. I no longer love RCI and love II. That happened about 10 years ago. I still have a few weeks that trade through RCI and am kind of stuck for about six more years until the resort hits the sunset clause. The underlying value of the land is a lot more than $0 per week, and that is what weeks sell for at this resort on various websites. I have been buying all of the $0 weeks because I know the end is near.

Mansfield in Australia was my foray into RCI Points. That ends soon as they shut down the resort and sell the units. Cannot happen quickly enough for me.

I also have Wyndham points that trade through RCI, and I will make use of those. Points are expiring at the end of this month, unfortunately. It's a lot of points. I extended them one year and that was all RCI would allow.

I keep wondering what happened to some TUG members who were frequently here and offered advice. There are a few that really helped me.

Thanks for the interesting note! I'd love it if you could walk me through your strategy in a bit more detail about buying the $0 weeks. So you could make money when the resort ends as a timeshare resort, and the land gets sold or redeveloped as something else? I believe a severe recession is coming and possibly a currency collapse, and a lot of people will no longer be able to afford travel or paying maintenance fees, meaning a lot of resorts will go bankrupt or at least take many units back into inventory, which might make this idea something one could apply in many places.

 

[thetimeshareguy]

Hi and welcome back TimeshareGuy!

Oh yeah! I'd completely forgotten that I stuck my nose under the curtain here that recently! Thanks for the reminder that I might be going senile!

And I do remember you, "DeniseM" from way back!

 

[moonstone]

One complication with Belize is we can't directly fly there with our full-size lab in cargo. I looked into some complicated options to fly him to Mexico first and then transport by land. I'm sure there is some way, but I'd only do that if we were relocating there permanently.

Yes, there are specialized pet transport companies that I see folks using and recommending on the Belize expats FB group but they are expensive. Another option is to join a private charter where the dog sits right with you in the cabin -likely on a small jet. You would also need to check the vaccination and other regulations for pets coming into the country you choose.

Another place to consider is Panama. Our daughter's neighbours vacationed there for a few winters (a couple of weeks at a time) and then in the fall of 2024 they decided they would try living there. They rented out their condo at Port Severn to a friend who just had a job transfer, and rented a townhouse on a golf course (they are both golf nuts) in a largely expat community. The community clubhouse has a large pool and lots of planned activities so it didnt take long for them to meet people. One couple was from Kingston ON! They are just a short bus ride away from town where they can also get a different bus to the beach or other cities. Many folks in the community have cars so they can also catch a ride into town with somebody most days. Even though it is a Spanish speaking country they usually didnt have too much trouble finding somebody who could speak English to translate for them unless they were in a smaller local town. They love it there but due to family health issues are coming home next month and are not sure when they will be able to return.

~Diane

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I just wanted to jump on to this message board after a long absence going back many years. I imagine some of my old friends are still active on these boards, and perhaps some have passed on (in every sense of the word!). I was very active here when my two sons were young and I planned vacations with my first wife. The information on TUG helped us learn to buy some very inexpensive timeshare points, including some associated with resorts in South Africa as I recall, that we used to call our "grass huts" that we exchanged into Gold Crown / 5-Star resorts in Orlando, enjoying luxury stays in wonderful places for about the cost of a non-name motel!

My friends here on TUG were very helpful also in answering my questions as I wrote my book Timeshare Secrets: How to Obtain Cadillac Vacations for Chevrolet Prices! (or something like that!) I don't see the book anymore on Amazon and am considering updating it and republishing it. Someone else now owns the URL for thetimeshareguy[dot]com so I have to think whether it's worth buying it back through a broker if that's even possible. And someone else has a Facebook page with that title that is totally inactive and only has three followers. I'm a writer, editor and publishing professional so this is all in my wheelhouse.

Anyway, here's a photo of me and my second (current) wife Vanessa. I will be active on this BBS from time to time. It's possible we will rent or purchase a resale timeshare or points eventually. I turned 65 last fall and am semi-retired. My wife is a Pilates instructor and is training to offer "fascia release" to clients — which I think is a lucrative niche with the aging Boomers and GenXers. I'm training to relaunch my publishing services with AI tools, and/or other online businesses. I started receiving my pension and related benefits recently and drove a school bus this year to generate a little extra income. Vanessa and I plan to spend at half the year in other countries ("slow travel") starting either this fall or the autumn of 2027. We're watching videos about places to visit that are very affordable with a view to checking out one or two each winter and eventually spend most of our time outside Canada.

Say hi if you're an old friend! And say hi if you'd like to be a new friend! I recall Tuggers as being among the most friendly folk anywhere! (Note that I originally posted this message in the Buying and Exchanging forum and then remembered that the admins are particular about us posting messages in the right place, so I've moved the message here.)

Welcome back to TUG where you always have an open invitation!



















.

 

[AnnaS]

I wanted to mention Panama also. My niece and her husband moved to Panama last year. They did a lot of research. He was in the military for many years (moved around a lot/then worked for the government a few more years). They love it. They had narrowed it down to two countries. Don't know much about Panama though.

Just wanted to add, she has posted many pictures on FB - and just as she said in the posts - the City looked like Manhattan and not what most people thought it would look like. She rented a penthouse in the city for a year and now is looking to rent/buy a home to be with the locals.

 

[silentg]

I just wanted to jump on to this message board after a long absence going back many years. I imagine some of my old friends are still active on these boards, and perhaps some have passed on (in every sense of the word!). I was very active here when my two sons were young and I planned vacations with my first wife. The information on TUG helped us learn to buy some very inexpensive timeshare points, including some associated with resorts in South Africa as I recall, that we used to call our "grass huts" that we exchanged into Gold Crown / 5-Star resorts in Orlando, enjoying luxury stays in wonderful places for about the cost of a non-name motel!

My friends here on TUG were very helpful also in answering my questions as I wrote my book Timeshare Secrets: How to Obtain Cadillac Vacations for Chevrolet Prices! (or something like that!) I don't see the book anymore on Amazon and am considering updating it and republishing it. Someone else now owns the URL for thetimeshareguy[dot]com so I have to think whether it's worth buying it back through a broker if that's even possible. And someone else has a Facebook page with that title that is totally inactive and only has three followers. I'm a writer, editor and publishing professional so this is all in my wheelhouse.

Anyway, here's a photo of me and my second (current) wife Vanessa. I will be active on this BBS from time to time. It's possible we will rent or purchase a resale timeshare or points eventually. I turned 65 last fall and am semi-retired. My wife is a Pilates instructor and is training to offer "fascia release" to clients — which I think is a lucrative niche with the aging Boomers and GenXers. I'm training to relaunch my publishing services with AI tools, and/or other online businesses. I started receiving my pension and related benefits recently and drove a school bus this year to generate a little extra income. Vanessa and I plan to spend at half the year in other countries ("slow travel") starting either this fall or the autumn of 2027. We're watching videos about places to visit that are very affordable with a view to checking out one or two each winter and eventually spend most of our time outside Canada.

Say hi if you're an old friend! And say hi if you'd like to be a new friend! I recall Tuggers as being among the most friendly folk anywhere! (Note that I originally posted this message in the Buying and Exchanging forum and then remembered that the admins are particular about us posting messages in the right place, so I've moved the message here.)

Welcome back! I remember you! Hope you remember me?
Silentg