Robert, my 64 year old host, said “People think money is the only pathway to their objectives, but ingenuity can be a pathway.” From buying a new house to learning a new trade to finding happiness, I think he is right.

Robert knows he is right. He bought his house at a bargain price just a few years ago as a fixer-upper. It is now worth nearly three times as much after putting in a year of his time. By finding an underpriced property and putting in some serious labor he made a huge return on investment, providing himself a more secure retirement.

Next, Robert found himself a nice little Geo Metro for $600, the third in his collection. Rated at nearly 50 miles per gallon, these ancient relics have found a second wind on the mainland and are selling for a $2-3K. He never intends to own another car unless he finds another bargain Metro.

While in Hilo, I was fortunate enough to attend a party where I was the youngest attendee by probably 20 years or more. A woman in her early 80s, with a reputation as a “party girl,” hosted the party. Many of the elderly party-goers had interesting things to say, but one line in particular caught my attention.

A woman told me “Eat well, stay physically active, have good friends, and keep your stress level low. That’s how to live a long, healthy life!” She mentioned Hawaii as being the perfect place to find all the pieces of the longevity puzzle. This idea, while not groundbreaking, is nice to hear again.

Do you keep your ears open for little gems like these? I’m going to keep mine open, hoping I get some amazing insights along my voyage.