Losing your phone is frustrating, but there’s an easy way to find it. These tips can help.
SUCCESS
Inside an Architectural Heirloom in Coastal New York
A rare piece of architectural history, this six-bedroom residence on Shelter Island was one of famed Norman Jaffe’s early creations, exemplifying his style with its strong lines, generous use of stone and wood, and harmony with its serene seaside setting. A recent painstaking renovation by an esteemed designer has honored the original architecture while elevating the home as a bastion of luxurious modern living.
After numerous sojourns on Long Island in the 1960s, young American architect Norman Jaffe quickly developed an affinity for designing beach houses. By the early 1970s, he had become the most prolific architect in the Hamptons, ultimately credited with pioneering the iconic rustic modernist aesthetic there. His legacy—an innovative use of natural materials, bold geometry, and an aim of integrating architecture with nature—has endured well into the 21st century.
East Hampton, New York| Nick Brown | Sotheby’s International Realty – East Hampton Brokerage
In the late 1960s, Meir and Eileen Osofsky commissioned Jaffe—then still in the early days of his career—to design a retreat on exclusive Shelter Island, on an estate site bookended by two other, smaller properties and elevated like a crown jewel above the water. So dedicated was Jaffe to the relationship between a home and its land, he is reported to have slept on the property until construction commenced.
The resulting residence, built in 1971 and considered one of Jaffe’s finest, is a rare piece of architectural history, with strong lines, pervasive stone and wood, and a clear affection for geometry that exemplify Jaffe’s singular style. Its expanses of glass and distinctive cantilevered decks make it ideal for appreciating its coveted seaside setting, on the coast of Gardiners Bay, and sweeping ocean views. A 1981 Jaffe expansion, also commissioned by the Osofskys, added a guest wing that affords visitors consummate privacy as well as their own relaxed living area and space for dining. This wing connects seamlessly and feels at one with the original residence.
Benjamin Brouham—senior creative director of Jonathan Adler and an esteemed design professional behind the restoration and modernization of the storied Grey Gardens—purchased the property in 2020 and, with the help of revered Shoshi Builders, embarked on a painstaking two-year renovation that added some 1,600 square feet to the floor plan. Simultaneously respecting and elevating the original architecture, this rejuvenation moved the cook’s kitchen to the lower level, where it opens to an alfresco dining area, and created a chic cocktail bar with a dumbwaiter on the main level. The attached garage was transformed into a well-outfitted theater.
Today, the main level is dedicated to easy, luxurious living and sophisticated gatherings, with a fluid collection of dining and lounging spaces walled in stacked stone and uninterrupted glass. Six serene bedrooms with en suite baths allow for the comfortable accommodation of more than a dozen people, affording a rare combination of privacy and togetherness. The home also features a gym and an office with a balcony. No detail has been overlooked, and the quality of every fixture, furnishing, and finish is of the highest quality.
Multiple decks and terraces encourage basking in fresh air, sunshine, and sea breezes. Festivities can continue outdoors thanks to a deep heated gunite pool and an alluring pergola—added during the most recent expansion—with an open-air kitchen, a fireplace, a living area, and dining space for up to 14. Further afield on the 1.7-acre grounds is a tennis and pickleball court. Landscaping by celebrated designer Vickie Cardaro added enchanting pollinator gardens and carefully chosen native coastal flora.
This idyllic setting, which includes 175 feet of frontage of Gardiners Bay, helps the estate accomplish one of the core goals of modernism, beloved by Jaffe and discerning aficionados the world over: the creation of harmony, well-being, and sustainability by uniting a home with its environment.
Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
The Question That Helped Me Reclaim My Time and Energy
“You can’t add more to your life until you first let go of what weighs you down.” ~Unknown
I used to think being busy meant being successful. My days were a blur of meetings, notifications, and commitments. My calendar looked impressive, but at night I lay awake wondering why I felt so exhausted and strangely unfulfilled.
One rainy Tuesday, stuck in traffic between two appointments I didn’t really want to attend, it hit me: I wasn’t living my life. I was managing it. I’d filled my days with activity, but not necessarily with value. That moment of realization started a slow but profound shift. I began asking myself a simple question: Does this bring me value?
This is how I learned to spot the waste in my life—the habits, obligations, and even thought patterns that consumed my time and energy but gave nothing back. By identifying and letting go of these, I created space for what truly mattered.
When Busyness Became My Default
Looking back, I see that my busyness was rooted in fear. Fear of missing out. Fear of disappointing people. Fear of slowing down long enough to feel my own emotions. So I said yes to every project, every invitation, every “opportunity.”
At first, it felt good. I felt needed and important. But slowly, my days began to feel like an endless loop of obligations. Even small joys—hobbies, social events—turned into chores when I crammed them between other tasks.
I started to dread my own life.
The Question That Changed Everything
That day in traffic, something inside me asked, “If this were the last year of your life, is this how you’d want to spend it?” My honest answer was no.
So I tried a small experiment. For one week, before saying yes to anything, I paused and asked, “Does this bring me value?” Not “Will this impress someone?” Not “Will this make me money?” Just “Does this nourish me in some way?”
It was harder than I expected. Sometimes the answer was unclear. Sometimes it meant saying no to people I cared about. But slowly, a pattern emerged.
Finding What Brings You Value
I realized I didn’t actually know what “value” meant for me. I’d been measuring it by other people’s expectations. So I sat down with a blank page and drew a line down the middle.
On the left, I listed everything from the past week that had made me feel alive, purposeful, or at peace. On the right, I listed everything that had left me depleted, resentful, or numb.
The results surprised me. Deep conversations with loved ones, time in nature, and writing all went on the left. Endless scrolling, reactive email, and overcommitted evenings filled the right column.
It wasn’t a perfect list, but it was a start. For the first time, I could see—in black and white—what actually nourished me and what drained me.
You can try this too. It’s a simple but powerful exercise. And it becomes even more useful when you revisit it regularly, because what brings value can shift as your life changes.
Spotting Life’s Waste
In manufacturing, waste is anything that uses resources without creating value. In life, waste can be less obvious but just as costly.
Some of my “silent wastes” included:
Multitasking. I thought it made me efficient, but it actually left me more tired and less effective.
Automatic yeses. I accepted every invitation out of habit, even when my body begged for rest.
Endless mental loops. Worrying about things I couldn’t control burned energy I could have used to create something meaningful.
You might have different wastes—relationships that drain you, purchases that bring no lasting joy, or habits that numb rather than nurture. The key is to notice how you feel before, during, and after an activity. Do you feel lighter or heavier? Energized or dulled? That’s your signal.
Letting Go Gently
I didn’t overhaul my life overnight. In fact, trying to cut everything at once can be overwhelming. Instead, I began with small, gentle cuts.
I said no to one low-value commitment each week. I set a time boundary on my most draining habit (for me, it was social media). I replaced one draining activity with something from my “value” list.
For example, I replaced my evening doomscrolling with a short walk outside. That tiny swap improved my sleep and mood more than I expected.
These small experiments built confidence. Each gentle cut made room for more of what mattered. Over time, my calendar felt less like a cage and more like a garden I could tend.
One of the first times I had to apply this to a bigger life/social decision was getting invited out for a beer after work with a group of colleagues I hadn’t talked with in a while. I had made a choice to prioritize time with my daughter, and going would have meant sacrificing my “bath and bedtime” with her and putting that work on my partner.
I was also worried that if I didn’t go, I would be letting my friends down, and they would think less of me. I had to ultimately choose whether I wanted time for myself and friends or time with my daughter, and the ultimate winner was being a better father.
Rather than just telling my colleagues “no” and leaving it at that, I told them why I was saying no and that I would be interested the next time. By telling them why, I was able to communicate my priorities and decision-making process.
I decided that if they had issues with that, I wouldn’t waste my energy on it, because true friends would be empathetic or understanding about my priorities.
Creating a “Lean Life” System
Once I started trimming the waste, I wanted to make sure I didn’t slip back into old habits. So I built a simple weekly ritual:
Each Sunday, I reflect on the past week. What felt valuable? What felt like a waste? Then I choose one small adjustment for the coming week.
It’s not a rigid system. It’s more like a conversation with myself—a chance to realign. And because it’s simple, I actually do it.
Over time, this practice has changed me. I notice waste more quickly now. I’m slower to say yes out of obligation. My days feel calmer and more intentional.
The Freedom of Less
The most surprising part of this journey wasn’t what I lost but what I gained. By cutting the waste, I found time I didn’t know I had. My relationships deepened. My work became more focused and rewarding. I felt more present in my own life.
I’m still learning. Some weeks my “value audit” reveals uncomfortable truths. But each small shift brings me closer to a life that feels like mine.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, I invite you to try this experiment:
For one week, notice what energizes you and what drains you.
Make one gentle cut.
Replace it with something you love.
It’s a humble practice, but it’s powerful. This is how a lean life begins—not with a grand overhaul, but with a single conscious choice.
Closing Thoughts
You can’t live a meaningful life on autopilot. It takes courage to pause, to question, and to let go. But the reward is spaciousness—room to breathe, to grow, to savor.
When you identify and release the waste, you don’t just free up time. You free yourself.
About Mike Murray
Mike Murray is the author of Lean Life: How to Maximize Time, Minimize Waste, and Enjoy More. He has twelve years of experience in manufacturing and working to find value and reduce waste in businesses. He writes about simple ways to create space for what matters most. Learn more at mybook.to/leanlifebook.
Get in the conversation! Click here to leave a comment on the site.
If Your Security Camera Is in One of These 7 Spots, You’re Basically Doing the Intruder’s Job for Them
It truly does matter where you choose to place security cameras in your home.
Not to Be Dramatic, but These 9 Air Fryer Meals Just Made My Stovetop Irrelevant.
It’s time to promote your air fryer to chief cook in your home.
7 Hidden iPhone Features That’ll Improve Your Sleep Quality Overnight
Catching some Zs has never been easier, thanks to these special iPhone tips and tricks.
Whisky Enters 2026 in a Phase of Consolidation and Strategic Reset
As the industry moves into 2026, the global whisky market is showing clear signs of consolidation. After several years of post-pandemic expansion and price inflation, producers are now recalibrating production, leadership and inventory in response to slower growth and shifting demand dynamics.
Its a Buyers’ Market
The opening week of 2026 has confirmed a buyers’ market that began to emerge in late 2025. Analysts describe the current phase as a necessary correction following years of accelerated pricing and speculative momentum. In Scotland, distillers are managing a pronounced supply glut, compounded by a 10 percent US tariff on Scotch whisky imports. The Scotch Whisky Association estimates this tariff is costing the sector approximately EUR 4 million per week.
While single malt exports remain above pre-pandemic levels, growth has slowed materially. This deceleration has prompted major producers to adjust output. Diageo has reduced production at selected malt distilleries — including Teaninich — in order to align capacity with current demand rather than future projections. Industry observers note that these decisions signal a shift from volume-led expansion to margin protection and inventory discipline.
Distillery Developments: Leadership Shifts and Heritage Releases
At the distillery level, the start of the year has brought both symbolic milestones and carefully positioned releases. Ardbeg entered 2026 with a leadership first as Bryony McNiven assumed her role as the distillery’s first modern female Distillery Manager on 1 January. McNiven — whose father worked at Ardbeg for more than 30 years — is expected to guide a series of heavily peated releases described internally as “smoky schemes”.
The Macallan marked the new year with the launch of A Night on Earth: The First Light, a limited-edition single malt inspired by the first sunrise of 2026 in New Zealand. Alongside this release, the brand has completed the rollout of its core Double Cask range, finalising the 15 and 18-year-old expressions. Aberlour has also reinforced its heritage credentials with the unveiling of a rare 50-year-old single malt to mark a significant internal milestone.
Read More: Raising the Bar: Celebratory Spirits for the Festive Season
American Distillery Faces Structural Pressure
The most consequential development of the period has come from the United States. Suntory Global Spirits confirmed that Jim Beam will pause production at its primary Clermont distillery for the duration of 2026. The announcement reflects mounting pressure across the American whiskey category, which currently holds a record 16.1 million barrels in storage. Exports have also fallen sharply in key markets, including Canada.
While Jim Beam’s visitor centre will remain operational, the production pause underscores the severity of the imbalance between supply and demand. Elsewhere in the US, Brown-Forman has enacted a 12 percent workforce reduction at Jack Daniel’s, while MGP Ingredients has implemented strategic production cuts. Together, these moves point to a structural slowdown rather than a short-term correction within American whiskey.
Rare Assets Hold Firm in Auction
Despite broader caution across the primary market, the secondary market for ultra-rare whisky remains resilient. A complete 19-bottle set of The Macallan Anniversary Malt collection — spanning multiple decades of production — was recently listed via a private broker for USD 167,637. At auction, a 1945 Macallan Fine & Rare 56-year-old achieved a price exceeding USD 30,000, while a 1988 Macallan cask sold for approximately USD 266,345 during a holiday sale.
Attention now turns to the current Whisky Auctioneer event — closing on 5 January — which includes highly sought-after Samaroli silver-cap bottlings. Highlights include a 1967 Laphroaig and a 1966 Tormore, both expected to attract strong interest from established collectors. These results suggest that capital is concentrating at the very top of the market, even as mid-tier speculative activity cools.
Looking Ahead
As 2026 begins, the whisky industry is no longer driven by unchecked growth or scarcity-led pricing. Instead, producers, investors and collectors are navigating a more selective landscape defined by consolidation, disciplined production and long-term positioning. While challenges remain across both Scotch and American whiskey, the market’s response indicates a period of strategic maturity rather than decline.
A version of this article was first shared by the WhiskyReturns Team for their newsletter entitled “Why Jim Beam just stopped production”.
For more on the latest in alcohol and luxury spirits stories, click here.
The post Whisky Enters 2026 in a Phase of Consolidation and Strategic Reset appeared first on LUXUO.
New Real Estate Investment Frontiers In 2026
As investors seek value, growth and diversification, the international luxury residential market is expected to migrate beyond the traditional powerhouses of New York, London and Miami by 2026. LUXUO investigates new economic corridors, regulatory reforms and growing wealthy populations, which are attracting money to sectors that were deemed peripheral. The eight countries listed below combine strong demographic trends, regulatory openness and attractive price dynamics to justify thoughtful consideration for cross-border property investors.
Portugal – Western Europe’s High-Growth Luxury Hub
In 2025, Portugal’s luxury home market outperformed those of Western European peers. According to Knight Frank’s Prime Global Cities Index, Lisbon placed among the top ten cities in the world for luxury price increase, with prices rising by approximately 5.3 percent year-on-year, exceeding Paris, London and New York. Savills forecasts that prime prices in Lisbon could increase 4 to 6 percent in 2025, maintaining momentum from the 6 percent growth seen the previous year.
In early 2025, national property prices increased by 15.2 percent year-on-year, the most in the EU and significantly higher than the Eurozone average of around 5 percent. In the Algarve’s premium market, transaction values topped EUR 75 million, with typical villa prices approaching EUR 5 million and ultra-prime estates much higher.
Investor composition is changing. Metrics from Portugal Sotheby’s International show 31 percent year-on-year revenue growth and a 34 percent increase in transaction volume, driven by increased demand from North America, Brazil and the United Kingdom, with average transaction values climbing significantly.
Domestic purchasers remain active, accounting for more than half of deals in 2025, while overseas capital increasingly focuses on branded houses and high-end seaside villas.
Lisbon and the Algarve are luxury hotspots, with average central prime prices exceeding EUR 6,100 per m² and limited availability, leading to increased demand. Portugal’s market combination of strong fundamentals, EU connectivity and lifestyle appeal continues to draw global mobile capital outside of conventional hubs.
Bulgaria – Eastern Europe’s Value-Driven Luxury Growth
Bulgaria’s luxury residential market in Sofia and select resort towns has emerged as a popular value option in the EU. According to a 2025 Christie’s International Real Estate study, sales of residences valued above EUR 600,000 increased by around 50 percent year-on-year, with 15 percent selling above the asking price, demonstrating significant buyer commitment at the upper end.
Bulgaria’s aggregate home prices increased by approximately 7.1 percent between late 2023 and 2024, making it the greatest gain in the EU during that period. Growth is expected to continue at a rate of around 15 percent in 2025. In Sofia’s premium class, typical costs are EUR 3,500 per m², with prominent core neighbourhoods surpassing this level.
Independent valuation data for late 2025 shows Sofia’s residential market reaching approximately EUR 2,310 per m², a 25.5 percent yearly rise, driven by record pricing in top areas and limited new supply. Premium city and beach properties have appreciated significantly over the last five years, with coastal resort values almost doubling and premium urban apartments increasing by 60 to 70 percent. Bulgaria’s high-net-worth demand is supported by cheap entry prices in comparison to Western Europe, friendlier tax regimes, lower borrowing costs and projected Eurozone entrance – a potential trigger for further value compression with Western markets.
Luxury clusters remain concentrated in Sofia’s Lozenets, Iztok and Izgrev districts, although seaside locations like Varna and Burgas provide price arbitrage and rental upside for investors seeking yield and diversification.
Vietnam – Southeast Asia’s Emerging Luxury Frontier
Vietnam’s luxury residential market continues to draw domestic and international investments as economic growth and urbanisation drive up demand in the country’s major cities. Prime apartment rates in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi now range from USD 5,400 to USD 15,000 per square metre, matching global gateway markets but below Singapore and Bangkok. This price stance has fuelled sustained capital inflows.
Government policy has simplified foreign ownership regulations and boosted investor access, while infrastructure developments, ranging from metro lines to international airports, are enhancing connectivity and property values. Foreign professionals relocating for multinational assignments create concentrated demand for luxury residences, which tightens supply, strengthens rental income and underpins sustained capital growth in urban and resort markets.
In Q3 2025, Hanoi had significant price hikes, with high-end apartments exceeding VND 180 million (approx. USD 6,840) per square metre in key districts and central luxury villa listings reaching VND 395 million (approx. USD 15,000). Branded apartments and premium buildings in Ho Chi Minh City have enjoyed considerable appreciation, with some sub-markets experiencing double-digit growth rates.
Vietnam’s luxury residential market is expected to reach over USD 3 billion in 2025 and nearly double by 2030, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 13 to 14 percent until the end of the decade. Despite their limited market share, villas and landed estates are one of the fastest-growing subsectors, with a predicted 14 percent+ growth rate.
Institutional and foreign capital flows are assisting this trend. Vietnam’s growing population of high-net-worth individuals (expected to reach 25,800 by 2025) is driving demand for branded luxury products. Infrastructure expenditures, like as new metro lines and road networks, are improving access to rising premium corridors.
Philippines – Manila Luxury Market Outpaces Regional Peers
Manila’s luxury residential sector is growing fast. According to Santos Knight Frank’s Prime worldwide Cities Index, prime home prices in Metro Manila rose 21.2 percent in a year, outperforming worldwide rivals such as Dubai (15.9 percent) and Shanghai (10.4 percent). Philippines News Agency Report cited Manila as one of the top five cities in the world for luxury price growth, with a 77.5 percent increase over five years, ahead of Los Angeles (56 percent) and Shanghai (32.8 percent).
Key nodes such as Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Manila Bay fetch high prices, with some central condos topping PHP 1 million per square metre in select launches. Macroeconomic fundamentals underpin demand: countrywide residential prices increased by around 7.5 to 8 percent per year through early 2025 and affluent domestic buyers, as well as foreign cash buyers who can acquire up to 40 percent of a condominium complex, put top stock under pressure.
While speculative categories suffer oversupply, luxury stock absorption remains strong in comparison to mid-market inventory. Luxury values are being driven by a restricted supply of ultra-prime properties, rising local wealth and important infrastructure improvements such as the LRT-1 extension. Manila not only outperforms regional counterparts, but it is frequently listed as one of the world’s fastest-appreciating luxury markets, with price trajectories substantially above global standards and a strong buyer base.
Saudi Arabia – New Ownership Rules Expand Investment Opportunity
Saudi Arabia’s residential sector is evolving from a primarily domestic play to a viable global frontier. In 2025, Riyadh’s residential prices increased by around 10.6 percent year-on-year, while overall residential transaction volume in the Kingdom increased in the mid-seven figures. In Jeddah, villa and apartment prices increased by 2 to 3 percent in the first half of 2025, with transaction values increasing by about 34 percent, indicating that demand is expanding outside capital pricing hotspots.
According to Knight Frank data, Riyadh apartment prices have climbed 75 percent in the last five years, while villa prices have increased by 39 percent, indicating long-term capital appreciation in major urban segments. In early 2025, the national average gross rental yield was approximately 6.75 percent, with Riyadh at 8.89 percent and Jeddah at 7.89 percent. These statistics are comparable to major global gateways. The foreign ownership system, which goes into effect in January 2026 and permits non-Saudis to buy defined residential properties outside restricted zones subject to registration and fees, represents a structural turning point for the country.
These amendments, combined with the Premium Residency programme, aim to increase international capital inflows by giving residency for real estate investments over SAR 4 million (approx. USD 1.07 million). Saudi Arabia’s domestic house ownership rate has climbed to approximately 63.7 percent, moving towards a government objective of 70 percent by 2030. However, price escalation and rent regulation, such as recent rent freezes, are reshaping affordability dynamics. The kingdom’s real estate is transitioning from a national home market to an open frontier, with rising prices, above-average returns and structural reforms that widen investor eligibility – an important narrative for 2026 allocation plans.
Taiwan – Selective Opportunity Amid Market Moderation
In 2025, Taiwan’s residential market has seen price deceleration and transaction declines, owing mostly to tighter mortgage regulations and lower buyer leverage. House prices in Tainan and Kaohsiung fell by around 2 to 5 percent year on year in Q3 2025, while overall transactions plummeted 28.1 percent compared to 2024, the lowest level since 2017. Taipei’s average gross yield is approximately 2.24 percent in mid-2025, indicating limited income possibilities for investors.
Luxury residential demand in Taiwan is concentrated in Taipei’s affluent neighbourhoods (such as Da’an), where premium pricing remains despite the overall market recession. High-net-worth purchasers who pay cash, notably those from China and regional buyers seeking asset diversification, continue to drive top-tier segments even as credit tightening inhibits speculative activity.
Long-term analysts predict that the Taiwan luxury residential sector would increase at a approximately 6.5 percent CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) until 2033, with waterfront estates and penthouses dominating demand, indicating latent premium appeal despite the current downturn. Taiwan is a selective luxury play where premium micro-markets within Taipei and other global city pockets can outperform broader sentiment. Capital values are stabilising following cyclical contraction, establishing 2026 as a potential entry point for patient capital.
Taiwan is a selective luxury investment, with premium micro-markets in Taipei and other global metropolitan pockets potentially outperforming broader sentiment. Prices have cooled after several years of growth, creating clearer entry points for buyers focused on long-term value rather than short-term gains.
Argentina – A Market Repricing After Currency Volatility
Argentina’s residential market has recovered sharply in 2025, owing to currency fluctuations and financial restoration. Buenos Aires’ average costs range from USD 2,268 to 2,500 per m² citywide, with upscale enclaves like Puerto Madero fetching USD 5,931 to 6,500 per m². Sales volumes have increased by approximately 39 to 47 percent year-on-year, indicating increasing buyer interest after extended stagnation.
Prime neighbourhoods are experiencing a yearly nominal price rise of approximately 8 to 12 percent, whereas broader metropolitan markets have increased by 5 to 9 percent in recent cycles. Mortgage activity has increased by over 1,000 percent due to lower interest rates. This liquidity has increased participation and boosted turnover.
Medium-term predictions for Buenos Aires include ongoing annual growth of 7 to 10 percent in key districts through 2026 to 29, aided by peso depreciation, increased mortgage penetration and rising foreign buyer interest, particularly from dollar-linked investors seeking value relative to other global hubs. Luxury residential inventories are concentrated in established central nodes with outstanding rental and resale performance, whilst rising suburban submarkets show enormous appreciation potential. Gross yields in well-located apartments can surpass 7 to 9 percent, a unique characteristic among global gateway cities.
Puerto Rico – An American-Regulated Market With Strong Price Momentum
Puerto Rico’s real estate market is differentiated by a U.S. legal framework and tax-driven migration, resulting in strong price movement. Home prices increased by 11.6 percent in the first quarter of 2025, following a 22 percent increase in late 2024 — one of the highest recent quarterly growth rates observed outside of core U.S. metros. Luxury beach and resort homes in Condado, Dorado, Palmas del Mar and Bahía Beach command premium pricing and very fluid market absorption, contributing to the island’s total residential market valuation of USD 346 billion by 2025. Median selling prices have risen in recent cycles, reflecting both on-island demand and mainland U.S. investor inflows lured by tax breaks and lifestyle benefits.
Prime luxury pricing varies greatly – seaside estates can surpass USD 7 million and recent high-end listings exceeding USD 65 million have been recorded, indicating top-tier demand in the market. Rental returns, particularly in the short-term or high-tourism segments, can surpass 8 to 12 percent ROI, while longer-term leases in urban hubs such as San Juan continue to produce strong yields. Act 60 tax breaks (Puerto Rico Incentives Code, (Act No. 60-2019) — a comprehensive tax regime designed to attract investment and affluent residents by offering significant tax breaks to qualifying individuals and businesses), such as capital gains and income tax reductions for qualified residents, increase investor appeal. Puerto Rico combines U.S. regulation with Caribbean demand factors, resulting in a policy-supported pathway for luxury property that not only appreciates but also provides attractive income metrics and tax-efficient resident benefits.
Conclusion
For investors seeking alternatives to heritage hubs in 2026, these eight nations offer a wide range of value propositions, including rapidly rising Asian cities, regulatory opportunities in the Middle East, Europe’s value markets and frontier growth in Latin America. While risk profiles differ, the underlying drivers — economic expansion, demographic changes and greater cross-border accessibility — provide a solid foundation for informed investment decisions in the new year.
For more real estate reads, click here.
The post New Real Estate Investment Frontiers In 2026 appeared first on LUXUO.
The Costco Retirement Plan: Everyday Purchases That Pay Off Long-Term
Shopping at Costco can save you a significant chunk of change, thanks to the wholesaler’s deals and discounts on food, clothing, cleaning supplies and more.
By heading to the warehouse for your everyday essentials, you can free up space in your budget — and retirees, who can no longer have a steady paycheck, should take advantage. Purchases related to your health, home and security, for instance, can offer sizable savings.
Must Read
- Experts are Bullish on Gold — Here’s How to Get In
- Warren Buffett on Market Volatility — and 3 Ways You Can Take Advantage
- Side Hustles You Can Do In Your Spare Time
The Costco payoff for retirees
Shopping at Costco isn’t free; you’ll need to pay a membership fee to get through the warehouse doors. But you may be able to save enough to recover that fee fairly quickly. Here are five items retirees should consider buying at Costco.
1. Home security
If you’re looking for home security items such as security cameras, doorbell cameras, motion sensors, smart door locks and more, Costco has many options to choose from. You can browse the offerings from companies like Reolink, Ring and SimpliSafe online.
You can also save money on batteries and long-lasting LED lighting by buying them in bulk at Costco.
Save Smarter: Take control of your money with the Rocket Money budgeting app, one of Money’s favorites
2. Health and personal care
Bulk vitamins and supplement orders at Costco can go a long way for your wallet while ensuring you are taking care of your health. The warehouses also have pharmacies where you can get flu and COVID shots as well as immunizations for travel, and pick up prescriptions (for you or your pet).
Retirees may want to look into getting eye wear and hearing aids at Costco, as well as buying personal care items — shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and deodorant, for instance — in bulk to save.
3. Auto offerings
Costco offers auto perks to its members, such as free tire installations if you buy tires from a Costco Tire Center. Those tires also come with a five-year road hazard warranty. Car owners who are also Costco members can score 15% off parts, service and accessories at participating service centers.
4. Furniture
Costco offers a wide range of furniture, such as mattresses, tables, sectionals and desks. You can often find discounts on popular brands and the furniture delivered to your home.
5. Gas
If you pump your gas at Costco, you can save significantly. The retailer offers lower prices to bring people to its warehouse, meaning you can save both time and money by combining your shopping trip with a trip to the gas pump.
Extra Money: See how you can get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new active SoFi invest account
How to shop strategically at Costco
Strategic shopping at Costco can reduce your overall household overhead and free up space in your budget. That way, you can get more mileage out of your nest egg when you retire.
You don’t have to be a wholesaler to benefit from bulk purchasing. Costco members can save significantly by purchasing non-perishable items in bulk. You can either make these orders yourself or team up with friends and neighbors to buy items in bulk, split the purchase and save.
Before you head to Costco, make a list of the items you need and can buy in bulk, such as olive oil, peanut butter, toilet paper and cleaning supplies.
Must Read
- Experts are Bullish on Gold — Here’s How to Get In
- Warren Buffett on Market Volatility — and 3 Ways You Can Take Advantage
- Side Hustles You Can Do In Your Spare Time
Carole Forestier-Kasapi on Strategic Direction and the Future of TAG Heuer Movements
Carole Forestier-Kasapi does not get emotional about watchmaking; she favours the engineering side of her background when it comes to her role as TAG Heuer Movements Director. This might surprise those who know Forestier- Kasapi by her Queen of Complications sobriquet and her family background. Born in Paris into a family of watchmakers, she spent more than three decades shaping the industry’s mechanics.
Her career began with a meteoric rise, highlighted by her 1997 Breguet Foundation Prize win for a central carousel tourbillon concept that would eventually birth the legendary Ulysse Nardin Freak. She later spent 15 years as the Director of Movement Creation at Cartier, where she oversaw the development of nearly 30 in-house calibres and revolutionary concepts such as the ID One and ID Two.
Since joining TAG Heuer as Movements Director in 2020, Forestier-Kasapi has pivoted from pure watchmaking complexity to a strategy focused on industrial resilience and performance. Her tenure has been defined by a “fix the basics” philosophy – improving reliability and precision – while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of material science.
Somehow, we have missed speaking extensively with Forestier-Kasapi since her Cartier days, but we finally corrected that problem in 2025. It is particularly apt given the debut of the TH-Carbonspring at Geneva Watch Days this year. We do like to geek out on escapement technology but fortunately for all, Kasapi-Forestier stays level-headed and also gets into the Solargraph and the realities of industrial production.
You championed the idea of surprise in watchmaking, and the importance of that surprise for the client when they see and feel a watch for the first time. What is the value of a surprise like this?
To the eyes of our clients, it is a question regarding the expression of desirability. First, of course, I think that is the key element. You will never buy a watch if it is not desirable in your eyes.
If the expression (of the watch) connects to something you want to achieve, and it speaks for itself, it is a win-win situation. You don’t need to explain it; it is a self-explanatory design.
If you look at the history of the Maison, watches were always… not just a new way to innovate, but innovating with sense (or purpose) behind it. I think it is very important. It is not just innovation for innovation.
Right. The idea of this “surprise” occurred to me not only because of the Split-Seconds Chronograph, but also because of things like the Plasma Diamant case. You think: “What is this? Why are you doing this? What is the plan?”
It’s not just developing a movement; it is really a succession of impacts serving a strategy – a movement strategy that makes sense for the Maison.
The most important thing for me at the beginning, when I joined TAG Heuer, was to put a long-term strategy on the table. A movement strategy for the Maison: What do we want to achieve? Where do we see TAG Heuer in the future?
Once you have a clear long-term movement strategy, you can develop and accomplish your roadmap.
On that note, when you look at the assortment, you have a variety of things. You have in-house movements developed, where the priorities seem to be reliability and good power reserve. But then there are other elements, including partner or supplier movements.
Yes, because they (the suppliers and partners) are serving the main strategy. Independently from where the movements are coming from, the most important thing is: Are they serving the strategy or not? It’s not a question of the supplier.
We don’t want to become 100 percent in-house; this is not our strategy. The movement strategy is about more durability and more quality. The orientations are there (as you said).
For example, with solar movements, we want more durability. We want to switch totally from quartz watches with regular battery movements to solar movements <referring here to the Solargraph> to achieve more than 10 years (of autonomy). Everything is connected to the strategy.
Why Kenissi movements? It is the same: more durability, more qualitative movements. Same with [Vaucher]. Today, [Vaucher] is the best high-end movement supplier in Switzerland, delivering very high-qualitative movements.
To be clear, TAG Heuer currently has normal quartz, and you have solar… You prefer to actually have everything be solar in the future?
Yes, because it makes sense for the client. More durability – you don’t need to change your battery every two or three years. Here we have an accumulator in place of a battery, and the life of this accumulator is more than 15 years. Imagine how convenient it is for the client. That is really what we want to target: more durability and quality with these new movements. We believe solar is the smart solution for the client – very smart.
In terms of innovation, how do you decide where to put your efforts?
Because we are focused on durability and quality (and there’s a lot within quality)… Inside, or within quality, what we want to achieve is more performance. So, more precision, more accuracy, more power reserve. We want to tackle “weekend-proof” power reserve for all mechanical movements.
It is really a client-centric topic. I think today that is the most important thing for a luxury brand to achieve first. After that, we can play with complications… but the basics must be fundamentally very strong.
Take us through some of these basics, please!
In fact, it is easy. We looked at the most important reasons why watches come back to the manufacture for servicing when there is trouble (or problems with the running of any given watch). We analysed and classified these kinds of troubles. One of the most important ones is related to magnetism.
For mechanical watches, magnetism implies you need to find a solution regarding the escapement – an amagnetic (also known as antimagnetic) solution – and the same for the balance spring or hairspring.
So, on the subject of innovation, at TAG Heuer, we had already developed and invented this Carbon Hairspring (called the TH-Carbonspring). It takes time to finalize this level of innovation (TAG Heuer announced a production version of this hairspring in 2019, which ultimately did not happen). We worked very hard on it, and we are happy today. We present during Geneva Watch Days the very first solution with two new Carbon Hairsprings: inside the TH20- 60 chronograph calibre and the TH20-61 tourbillon chronograph calibre.
Finally, we have the mental strength at TAG Heuer to finalise this high level of innovation. This is the most complicated thing you have to monitor when you are a watchmaker – doing something regarding the material of the hairspring.
Mental strength indeed, because it took 10 years?
Yes, it took 10 years. And now we will extend this material and this hairspring everywhere in the Haute Horlogerie collection because the production is small (in terms of how many are being made, or planned). The price is high due to the production size, so we will have this first step only in Haute Horlogerie pieces. So, the Haute Horlogerie pieces, like the novelties of next year, will be equipped with the TH-Carbonspring (in the balance assembly).
It is a nice solution to present this year during Geneva Watch Days because, I don’t know if you know, but this year is an extraordinary anniversary. It is 350 years since the invention of the hairspring.
Oh yes, the original developed independently by both Christiaan Huygens and Robert Hooke?
Exactly. We are lucky to be able to celebrate this year (with the TH-Carbonspring).
It is often very exciting for people like us in watch magazines because the hairspring is the heart of the mechanical watch. But at the same time, we have to acknowledge that it is very difficult to market a watch based on the idea that there is an interesting hairspring.
For me, the topic is to solve the magnetism problem. That’s it.
In terms of overall strategy, we heard this year about plans for the different brands within LVMH watchmaking to leverage their respective strengths to benefit each other. How does this impact the broader strategy for movements at TAG Heuer, since you have the largest volume?
So, we are sharing some elements. All the Maisons have their own strategy. We don’t share the strategy, product plans, or development plans. But of course, if it makes sense to share something – if there is no added value to do two different things at the same moment – of course, we can share. It is just a question of doing the smarter thing.
What is cool in this group is the fact that we have the freedom to share, or to decide not to share. This is the most important. Our group is a group of entrepreneurs.
We recently published our interview with CEO Antoine Pin, and he was talking about the importance of moments, as he did during his keynote in Geneva. Precision is important on a fundamental level, but it is also an emotional thing. How does that feeling inform your perspective on watchmaking?
Every moment is important. Sometimes it is destiny, you know? More than just a moment of deciding. It is also a chance to be opportunistic. Sometimes you have to be opportunistic, and sometimes no. It depends on what kind of thing it is – if it is work or personal. Myself, I consider I am on the side of the engineer, as far as work goes. So, I am not very emotional on the work side. I am more emotional for my lifestyle. You have to separate the things; I don’t like to mix emotion in my work. Otherwise, decisions taken are not correct in the end. When you look back at your old decisions… when it is emotional… (it doesn’t work).
This story was first seen as part of the WOW #82 Festive 2025 Issue
For more on the latest in leaders and luxury watch reads, click here.
The post Carole Forestier-Kasapi on Strategic Direction and the Future of TAG Heuer Movements appeared first on LUXUO.