Image via Unsplash

Dealing with the waste we create is one of the biggest environmental concerns of the 21st century. While recycling rates around the world are increasing, so too is the population, and far more needs to be done to tackle the problem.

As reported in this guide to waste and landfills, 2.12 billion tonnes of waste is produced across the globe every single year. So, what practical steps can we all take to reduce the amount of waste that we produce? Here, we'll take a look at three areas where small changes can make a huge difference.


Cook in bulk

Food waste is a common domestic issue, but there are lots of ways we can reduce the amount we’re throwing away. Firstly, by making larger quantities of food that uses up all of your fresh ingredients and then freezing it, you reduce the amount of waste you generate. You also have meals on hand whenever you need them, saving precious time.  

You should also make a conscious effort to prepare your own meals rather than buying ready meals. Not only does this mean you’ll be reducing food and plastic waste, but you're also lowering your bills. Any uncooked fruit or vegetables that you don't use should be composted if possible.


Avoid single-use plastics

Limiting our reliance on single-use plastics is key to a better planet. As such, it’s important to be aware of any alternatives available to help stamp down on plastic waste. Always take reusable bags when shopping, use paper or mesh bags when purchasing fruit and vegetables, and use a refillable water bottle.

Refill shops which allow you to purchase key ingredients such as flour, pasta and other products without the packaging are spreading across the country. These make it easy to radically reduce the amount of packaging you use.


Borrow, repair, rent or share

Households consume vast quantities of consumer goods, clothes and appliances. Many of these cannot be recycled or repurposed after they've been used as they’re often made up of many different materials. By borrowing the household goods and appliances you need rather than buying them, you can reduce the amount of the material that ends up in landfills.

So-called 'libraries of things' are growing in popularity across the globe. These allow people to borrow household items, such as sewing machines, steam cleaners, hedge trimmers and garden furniture for a set period. There is usually a small membership fee and a daily charge, but the costs are considerably less than owning items that you might only use a handful of times yourself. Alternatively, you might be able to set up an informal sharing arrangement with your neighbors.


To sum up

As we’ve seen, by taking slightly more care and consideration around our lifestyle choices, we can make big strides towards drastically reducing our reliance on landfills. By being more mindful of the waste we generate and by taking these simple steps in different areas, we can each play our part in creating a greener future for generations to come.

Image via Pexels

by Hal Salazar

As the world goes digital, many consumers are looking for balance. If you're a homesteader, you're perfectly positioned to meet this demand with simple, back-to-nature products and services. Whether your talents lie in animal husbandry or arable, your hobby farm has the potential to bring in additional income.

Ways to Monetize a Hobby Farm

Some ways to monetize a hobby farm are:

• Sell farm food products. Earn money from produce, meat, eggs, bread, jams, and honey. Make sure to check food regulations.
• Sell handmade items. Options include crafts, soaps, and quilts.
• Teach classes or workshops. Instruct others in practical farm skills such as farming, beekeeping, welding, canning, or quilting.
• Create an online business. Build social media profiles, a blog, or a YouTube channel about your farm. Make money with ads, affiliate sales, and sponsorships.

Brand Your Farm

Create a brand that captures the personality of your hobby farm and helps it stand out from the crowd. Start by:

• Naming the farm
• Writing a mission statement
• Outlining your brand values
• Creating a logo, selecting colors, and choosing a visual identity

Set Up the Hobby Farm Business

If you're planning to create a business from your hobby farm, it's helpful to set up a formal legal structure. Once your company is official, you'll enjoy limited financial liability, more affordable tax rates, and flexible operations. Legal business entities also have an easier time securing funding. Your province or territory may have specific rules; a business formation service can save time and cut out expensive attorneys.

After you complete the legal registration process, you can seek funding to improve or expand the farm. Grants are a fantastic option — they provide a cash infusion that helps get your finances in order. For nationwide farm funding, check out Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) grants; you can also take advantage of government grants for small businesses. 

Top grants are extremely competitive; a well-researched business plan can help you succeed. Don't waste time applying for every grant — check eligibility requirements, make sure the availability suits your funding needs, and look for grants designated specifically for small farms. When you have a shortlist, create a high-quality, tailored application for each award.

Marketing and Managing Your Hobby Farm

Get the word out about your farm with effective marketing. Since you'll also be running the farm, it's helpful to outsource these tasks — you can hire professionals on a part-time or contract basis to help with:

• Web design and development
• Brochures
• Social media management 
• Online store setup

You can also look for free online tools and apps to help with your marketing. For example, if you don’t have business cards to hand out to potential customers and clients, use a free business card maker to quickly put a design together. Many of these tools will allow you to put together something in as quickly as 30 seconds.

Once your hobby farm becomes a business, you'll find yourself with more responsibility than ever. Manage efficiently by:

• Hiring an accountant 
• Creating a calendar to stay on top of marketing, events, and farmers markets
• Hiring part-time help during busy periods

Make Money from a Hobby Farm

Running a farm and a business takes time and effort. By staying organized and efficient, you can increase profits and enjoy your homesteading lifestyle.

About the author:

Hal Salazar created Elders.Today to lend a helping hand to seniors via carefully curated resources. Hal is newly retired, and as he embarked on planning and preparing for his golden years, he realized there was a lot of information to keep up with so he started gathering it all on his website to help out his fellow seniors. When Hal isn’t working on Elders.Today, he enjoys walking at his local park, testing out new recipes with his wife, Marlene, and playing piano.

  

    

In our hectic and busy lives, I am reminded of this inspirational classic story that I read many years ago.  Back when I was working in the corporate world, it seemed that the purpose of my life was to climb up the ladder and achieve financial success. All that change almost 20 years ago, when suddenly I didn't have a "job". My perspective on life changed, one of the results is my now frugal life and this blog. Today, I focus on the blessings each day brings - no matter how big or small. I am grateful for what I have and I constantly strive to simplify and enrich my life with less. I hope you too will be inspired by this parable of the Mexican fisherman.

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.  Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna.  The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos.  I have a full and busy life.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then L.A. and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”

“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part.  When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”

“Millions – then what?”
​
The American said, “Then you would retire.  Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

​

Image via Pexels

by Hal Salazar

If you’ve recently left the workforce and found that you prefer to have more money than your pension, Social Security, or savings have to offer, then today’s post is for you. With a pinch of creative juggling and a sprinkle of determination, you can make the most of your senior years without sacrificing the things you love. Need tips? Here you go:

Look for passive income opportunities

The Frugal Lifestyle blog has touted the benefits of passive income before. There are many ways to make a few dollars here and there, from downloading apps to selling stuff you no longer need. You can also get cash back when you shop by using certain apps, such as Honey and Ibotta.

Freelance

As a freelancer, you can work for who you want, when you want, and for how much you want. But, even as an independent contractor, it makes sense to form an LLC, which helps keep your personal assets free of issues associated with business losses while giving you some tax benefits. You can save some money by filing your CA LLC online, but you’ll need to do your research for information specific to California.

Change your plans

You no doubt like to enjoy yourself, but that doesn’t always have to mean spending money. There are lots of ways to have a fun night out without watching your wallet shrink. Stylecaster offers several suggestions, including attending free concerts, visiting a museum – many offer free admission for seniors – or having friends over for a night of poker.

Travel differently

One of the best perks of retirement is having the ability to travel when you want. Unfortunately, this costs money. But, you can save a huge chunk on your travel expenses by doing things, such as staying at bed-and-breakfast instead of hotels or booking a room at a casino, both of which are often less expensive. But, the pinnacle of discount travel is free cruises. Although it sounds too good to be true, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and other major cruise lines often offer $0 fare for loyalty or casino club members. You’ll still have to pay port fees and taxes, but you can’t beat four or five nights free on a luxury liner.

Budget

Even if you’ve never had to watch your dollars closely before, you find yourself on a fixed income, every penny counts. GoodLife Home Loans expects that the average older American spends more than $50,000 each year. Learn how to budget by breaking down these expenses into housing, transportation, healthcare, food, utilities, and assorted expenditures. Then, you can save money by shaving some of the unnecessary items off. You might even refinance your home for a lower interest rate or take a cooking class so that you don’t have to rely on dining out when you get the urge for something other than a sandwich.

Shop used

There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying used furniture, clothes, and decor. You can also save by buying used sports equipment instead of paying for a monthly gym membership. With a bit of digging, you can also find used books, cell phones, computer equipment, and pretty much anything else you want by looking at Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local yard sales.

The point of retiring is to enjoy freedom in your senior years. But, that can be challenging when you can’t be free with your money. However, with a few tweaks to your way of life, you don’t have to give up anything to enjoy everything. From freelancing to simply sticking to a budget, the above tips can help you live your best life when you have time to enjoy it the most.

About the author:

Hal Salazar created Elders.Today to lend a helping hand to seniors via carefully curated resources. Hal is newly retired, and as he embarked on planning and preparing for his golden years, he realized there was a lot of information to keep up with so he started gathering it all on his website to help out his fellow seniors. When Hal isn’t working on Elders.Today, he enjoys walking at his local park, testing out new recipes with his wife, Marlene, and playing piano.

  

For the environmentally-minded couple, a wedding is the perfect place to show off your eco credentials, while encouraging your friends and family to play their part, too. If the planet is a priority for you and your partner, then budget and sustainability are two words you might hear a lot during the wedding planning process.

Protecting the planet can be an expensive undertaking. From investing in electric vehicles to installing solar panels at home, many lifestyle changes are more difficult to be made when operating on a tight budget. But when it comes to your wedding, there are plenty of opportunities to make sustainability the order of the day without breaking into the honeymoon savings.

Here are three ways you can make your special day more environmentally-friendly on a budget.

Rent a dress

Efforts to make your wedding as sustainable as possible should start long before the big day arrives. Dress shopping is one of the most important milestones in the pre-wedding hysteria, but it is also a great opportunity to flex your eco credentials. Not only can buying a dress outright be the more expensive option, but it is more sustainable to recycle and rent a wedding gown, as most brides only wear their wedding dress once.

It is worth considering whether sentimentality is an important factor for you, since this approach removes the opportunity to cling onto your dress after the day is done. But, with experts suggesting 15% of your budget will go towards your attire, you could save a big chunk of the budget by renting, while also saving on materials.

Confetti

Confetti can be one of the biggest sustainability offenders on a wedding day. Covering the bride and groom in confetti has long been customary at weddings around the world, but the plastic which is traditionally used can cause harm to the surrounding environment.

When it comes to using environmentally friendly confetti, the options are literally endless. Many vendors will offer biodegradable alternatives to plastic confetti, or you can go one step further and do it yourself. Make up your own personalized confetti bags and fill them with a more eco-friendly product like petals, lavender or bird seeds. While this will add a little more to your pre-wedding workload, guests will certainly appreciate this personalized touch which is also doing good for the environment.

Streamline the guest list

For some couples, the best way to celebrate their special day is to have a grand affair, inviting as many friends and family as possible. While this would create a buzzing festive atmosphere, it may not be the most sustainable approach, both economically and environmentally.

When it comes to the considerations of budget and sustainability, looking at your guest list is a great place to start. Increasing your invite list means that not only do you have to consider the environmental costs of additional journeys made by guests, but also the extra food, furniture and anything else that will be needed to cater for them on the day. Carefully talk through the list with your partner and make sure you are both completely comfortable with the final number – remember this is your decision so don’t be influenced by other voices.

Summary

This guest blog article offers three great suggestions for how to make more sustainable choices around your wedding day without having to make special allocations in your budget. All of the suggestions can be considered during the planning process, giving you time to implement them and find which will or won’t work for you and your partner.

If you're looking ahead to the future but you’re feeling a bit shaky about your retirement savings, you’re not alone. According to a February 2021 research report by the National Institute on Retirement Security, 56% of respondents said they’re worried about achieving a financially secure retirement.

If your savings fell short in 2021, the new year is a great time to get back on track and reach your retirement goals. The Penny Hoarder has rounded up a few tips to help get you there.

1. Stash Money in Your 401(k) Before 2021 is Over

Stepping up your retirement savings now — before 2021 ends — could give you a nice tax gift next year.
That’s because contributions made to your 401(k) before Dec. 31 help lower your yearly taxable income.
It’s not a tax credit or deduction, but by lowering your taxable income you could save money at tax time — or even boost your refund.
The maximum you can contribute to a 401(k) in 2021 is $19,500 — or $26,000 if you’re 50 or older — by the end of the year.

2. Don’t Have a 401(k) at Work? Open an IRA With a Robo-Advisor

Not everyone has access to a 401(k). In fact, 33% of all private industry workers lacked access to any sort of employer-provided retirement plan in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If that’s your situation, you can still save for retirement on your own. And we promise, it’s not as scary as it sounds.

Robo-advisors are online companies that use computer algorithms and advanced software to build and manage your investment portfolio. They take the guesswork out of investing by picking stocks and bonds that align with your risk tolerance and financial goals.

The best robo-advisors on the market give you access to tax-advantaged individual retirement accounts (IRAs). You can set one up in less than 20 minutes without ever picking up the phone or speaking with an actual person.

Companies like Wealthfront and Betterment give you the option to open either a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA when you create your account. Both accounts let you contribute up to $6,000 a year in 2022, or $7,000 for people 50 and older. Roth and traditional IRAs also come with sweet tax perks. But how and when you get a tax break is different. As a quick reminder:

Traditional IRA
        Taxes aren’t withheld when you put money in and your contributions lower your yearly taxable income (like a traditional 401(k) does). However, you’ll get a tax bite on the backend when you withdraw money in retirement. If you tap your account funds before age 59.5, you’ll pay a 10% IRS penalty.

Roth IRA
        The government takes out taxes when you fund your account and contributions don’t help lower your yearly taxable income. But you won’t pay any taxes when you withdraw money in retirement. Plus you can withdraw your contributions at any time with no taxes or penalties.

Using a robo-advisor is a super easy way to start saving for retirement because it can help you decide if a traditional or Roth option is better for you. The robo-advisor will fill your IRA with diversified, long-term investments and offer easy-to-use online tools that make retirement planning interactive and accessible.

Unlike a traditional 401(k), your IRA contribution deadline is April 15, 2022. If you don’t hit the $6,000 contribution cap this year and you’re worried about a 2022 tax bite, you can add money to your traditional IRA no later than April 15.

Likewise, if you meant to start an IRA this year but forgot, you can still open an account and fund it in 2022 — but count the contributions toward 2021.

3. Gig Workers and Self-Employed People: Consider One of These Accounts

If you’re a gig worker or self-employed, the word retirement might make you laugh. You don’t get the option of opening a standard 401(k) at work so it may be difficult to know where to start. Thankfully, there are five different retirement accounts for small business owners, self-employed people and individual contractors.
        • Traditional IRA
        • Roth IRA
        • Solo 401(k)
        • SEP IRA
        • Simple IRA

A solo 401(k) is an individual 401(k) specifically designed for a business owner with no employees.
It lets you serve as both an employer and an employee — and make contributions in both capacities. The contribution limit is very high: $61,000 in combined employee and employer contributions in 2022. Solo 401(k)s also come in both Roth and traditional forms, so you’ll have your choice on tax savings.

Another option is a SEP IRA. Unlike a solo 401(k), you can add a few employees to a SEP IRA. Or you can use it just for yourself. For a self-employed person, you can contribute up to 25% of your net earnings to a SEP IRA, up to a max of $61,000 in 2022.

As always, don’t contribute more than you can afford. Look at your cash flow and business expenses for the year to decide how much you can comfortably put away each month.

4. Don’t Panic Sell or Withdraw Money Early

Selling investments is literally one of the worst things you can do with your 401(k) when the market drops.
Many people learned this lesson around March 2020 when the stock market nosedived — only to rebound a month or two later. Remember this: The losses you see inside your retirement account aren’t actual losses until you sell. If you simply wait for the market to recover, your investments will go back up.

A single day — or even a few weeks — of volatility shouldn’t change your long-term savings plan.
A down market is not a time to panic. In fact, smart investors see it as a time to buy.

Cullen Roche, a Wall Street pro and founder of Orcam Financial Group, summarized it nicely:
“The stock market is the only market where things go on sale and all the customers run out of the store.”

If there’s a crash in 2022 and you have extra cash on hand, consider transferring some to your retirement account. This lets you buy additional shares when prices are low. Then again, timing the market is tricky. A better long-term strategy is dollar-cost averaging, where you invest on a regular schedule no matter what’s happening in the stock market.

If you have money automatically deducted from your paycheck and deposited into your 401(k) or IRA, you’re already practicing dollar-cost averaging. You’re investing on a regular schedule (each time you get paid).

No matter what strategy you choose, don’t withdraw money from traditional retirement accounts early unless it’s a true emergency.

5. Use Some of Your 2022 Tax Return to Buy I Bonds

Inflation ramped up in 2021 — and it might stick around for a while in 2022. Investors tend to shy away from bonds when inflation is high. But some bonds, like Series I bonds from the U.S. Treasury, offer interest rates indexed to inflation. That means their interest payments increase as inflation increases.

In November 2021, the government set an eye-popping interest rate of 7.12% on I bonds purchased now through April 2022. That 7.12% interest rate won’t last forever. The Treasury will calculate a new I bond rate May 1, 2021. If inflation continues to heat up, you could get even more interest on your bonds. If it cools off, your interest rate declines — although you can’t lose money with I bonds. You just might not earn much interest for six months.

There are a couple ways I bonds can help boost your retirement savings. If you’re a young, risk-taking investor with a stock-heavy portfolio, you can diversify with a safe asset like I bonds. Or if you’re an older investor planning to retire in the next two to 10 years, I bonds provide a risk-free place to stash cash while earning a much higher return than CDs or savings accounts.

You can’t buy I bonds through your 401(k) plan or an online broker. You have to purchase them online from the U.S. Treasury Direct website. You can also choose to receive part of your tax refund in paper I bonds.
You can buy up to $10,000 worth of I bonds each year — but you have to wait at least a year after purchase to cash them in. If you decide to buy, make sure you absolutely don’t need access to the money until at least 2023.

6. Stop With the Excuses and Get Started, No Matter Your Age

It may never feel like the right time to get started saving for retirement. It might be confusing and intimidating to open your first 401(k) or IRA. But the only way to overcome those fears is to jump in and get started.

We have easy-to-follow strategies for how to save for retirement whether you’re in your 20s or your 60s.
Boosting your retirement savings doesn’t need to be dramatic or life-altering. If you received a raise at work this year, for example, use a percentage of it to fund your future.

Even setting aside $10 or $20 more from each paycheck next year can make a huge difference. The worst thing you can do is nothing. Ditch the excuses in 2022 and start contributing what you can reasonably afford to your retirement. You’ll thank yourself later.

Article by Rachel Christian, a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. Read original article here.

  

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by Katie Tejada

Moving is a big step and one that needs to be taken seriously. While many aspects of a successful move are self-explanatory, some just aren’t - and it’s sometimes these details that can help save you the most time and money. Here are 7 tips about moving you’ve probably never heard before.

Plan Ahead with Educational Enrollment

If you have kids, notify the staff of their school of your move at least a month in advance. During this time, you’ll want to get a hold of all of their school records. You’ll also want to start the enrollment process of the new school your children will attend. You don’t want your kids to miss school because you started the enrollment process too late. Doing all of this in advance will ensure you have a smooth educational transition for yourself and your children.

Plan a Yard Sale

If you’re moving and you don’t plan on taking every single item you currently own with you, planning a yard sale is a great way to get rid of extra stuff and make money. As soon as you start thinking about moving, you should take a look at all of your possessions. Take time to decide what you need to take with you and what you don’t.

While preparing for a move, it’s best to keep things simple and don’t overthink the process. When it’s time to move, we often realize that we own much more things than we thought we did. If you own items that you don’t remember owning, it’s probably best that you sell them. If you own items that serve you no purpose and you don’t use them regularly, you should probably sell those too.

Pack an Essential Kit

Many people are overwhelmed by the events of Moving Day and can forget to look after themselves. An essential kit is a collection of everything you need to stay comfortable during the move and it helps you stay focused on the task at hand rather than on your or your family’s needs.

Pack a small suitcase or duffel bag with all of the items you might need throughout the day, like glasses or contacts, medication, toiletries, chargers, a few bottles of water, and snacks, plus anything else you’ll need on the fly to stay more comfortable throughout the busy day.

Pack Plates Like Records

Avoid broken plates by packing them vertically, like records. We know this tip may come as a true surprise because if you’re ever watched a moving scene on TV, you’ve probably seen the characters pack their plates horizontally. However, vertical is always best because it puts the weight of the plates into the cardboard of the box rather than on top of one another.

And when you’re packing your boxes with fragile things like plates, do not leave any empty spaces in them. Professional movers often won’t move boxes that feel unbalanced or loosely packed. Fill the gaps in your boxes with packing paper, clothing, or towels to ensure they’re nice and snug for Moving Day.

Strategize your Food Situation

When Moving Day is getting close, it’s time to start strategizing your food situation. You can avoid food wastage by planning to have a completely empty fridge and freezer by the time Moving Day arrives. As the countdown gets shorter, grocery shop very intentionally. This will help you to consume all of the food items you have before it’s time to move.

If you’re not able to consume everything you have, check local shelters to see if they accept donations of unopened and unused food. If you’re not able to donate food, ask close neighbors, friends, and family if they would like your groceries.

Call Utility Companies

As soon as you know you’re moving, call utility companies located in your new neighborhood. Make sure your power, water, internet, and whatever else you’ll need are up and running before Moving Day. This step is essential on your moving checklist, as you want to ensure your comfort at your new place. Depending on availability, utility companies can take days or even weeks to turn on utilities. You don’t want to be left in the dark while you’re stuck on a wait list for your power connection.

Take Pictures

Don’t worry, we’re not pressuring you to start a blog or submit photos to an interior design magazine. However, taking a few pictures should be a part of your Moving Day. Let’s take a quick look at what you should take pictures of and why:
●    Box contents - Taking a quick picture of the contents of your box will help to jog your memory about what is in each box when it’s time to unpack.
●    The back of your TV - More often than not, TVs involve quite a bit of wire connections. Take a picture of the back of your TV so you’ll remember exactly to set up your wiring when it’s time to watch your favorite show at your new place.

Try to make moving day fun and stress-free. If you have small kids and pets that are not able to assist with packing, make babysitting arrangements so they’re out of the way and safe. Play music while packing to make it seem like less of a chore and do whatever else you need to make your moving process fun.

If moving seems like too much for you to take on by yourself, consider using a professional moving service. Using a moving service will help to eliminate some stress that may be involved with Moving Day. Your movers will ensure all of your belongings get to your new home, safe and sound.

Author Bio:

Katie Tejada is a writer, editor, home-enthusiast and former HR professional. She often covers developments in HR, business communication, recruiting, real estate, finance and law, but also enjoys writing about travel, interiors and budget-friendly topics.

For travelers who have seen their free-movement rights denied due to the pandemic, here is a list of 5 countries outside the United States that currently allow visitors to enter without quarantine, COVID-19 test, or vaccine. Please note that governments can and will change entry restrictions depending on economic, politic and epidemiology factors. As of today these are the ones welcoming back tourists, no questions asked. Check each country's travel requirements before planning your trip. Read original article here.

Costa Rica has been open for tourism without restrictions since August 1, 2020. Although visitors do not need to quarantine or bring a COVID-19 test, they must purchase a medical insurance that covers any COVID-19 related medical treatment, quarantine lodging and repatriation for up to USD $50,000.

Mexico does not require a negative COVID-19 PCR test or quarantine for entry and all countries are welcome to visit. According to the media they have had an increase in cases.

Colombia does not believe in mask wearing or putting any restrictions to its visitors. Back in June, the government reopened all businesses and tourist venues. Major cities are setting things up to hold music events with more than 10,000 people.

Dominican Republic only requires its visitors to agree to random COVID-19 rapid tests upon arrival in case travelers feel unwell. Visitors must be aware of the strictly enforced curfew that goes from 6pm to 5am (with a grace period for movement until 9pm.)

Albania lifted its remaining entry restrictions on May 5, 2021. Wearing a face mask in public settings is no longer mandatory and gatherings of up to 50 people are currently permitted.