Did you know that according to a Global HSBC survey, Canadian retirees are second only to those in Mexico in terms of feeling happy in retirement? That reminds me of the time I talked about a hard-working, Commerce degree-toting Saskatoonian who was sightseeing in a small Mexican village. While on the beach he noticed a Mexican fisherman bringing in his small catch. He asked the man why he hadn’t stayed fishing until he had caught more. The man explained he had enough to meet his and his family’s needs. Our guy then asked what the Mexican fellow did with all his time. “Well”, said the fisherman, “ I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta. Later I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar and sing a few songs. Life is good”. Then our guy says, “Listen, you should fish longer every day and sell the extra fish you catch. With the money you can buy a bigger boat and eventually a second one, a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet. Someday you can leave this village and move to a big city from where you can manage your whole enterprise. In a few years you can sell stock in the business and eventually make millions”. “Oh yes”, said the Mexican, “And then what”? “Well, this is the best part: after that you’ll be able to retire, live in a quiet village on the coast, sleep late, catch a few fish, take siestas, and spend your evenings enjoying life with your friends”.

That’s Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois.