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Have you considered retiring early? What is early though? Is it under 65, your early 50s, late 50s? Meet our youngest guests on the show to date! Traci Stinson-Smiley, 48, and Rolanda Stinson-Smiley, 38, a couple who went from living a hectic work-life in Seattle, Washington to retiring to an affordable, comfortable lifestyle in Manta, Ecuador! On Episode 52 of Retire There with Gil & Gene, hear what drew Traci and Rolanda to Manta at such young ages.
The African Americans in Ecuador Facebook page was a great resource to Traci and Rolanda.
You may also wish to check out the Expats & Amigos in Manta & Manabi Facebook page.
Traci Stinson-Smiley was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, but grew up in the military, so she was kind of raised everywhere. She attended school in a small town called Copperas Cove, Texas and later attended Executive Secretarial School. Most of her career was spent as a Product Distribution Specialist and then in her latter years she worked as a Legal Assistant. She retired from being a paralegal, decided to enroll in a course to get a TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) to teach English online.
Traci loves gardening and landscaping.
Rolanda Stinson-Smiley was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois.
She attended Columbia College in Chicago and was a Technology Project Manager for the majority of her career. She still works, but just part time, about less than 20 hours a week. Rolanda enjoys crafts and is interested in interior design.
