Well, you've come a long way. You have planned ahead, you have done your research on the best retirement destination for you, you have investigated international real estate options, you have obtained your visa, and you are just about to take the dive and retire early and move abroad.

Now that you are at the final stages of the move, its time to consider some of the odds and ends that need to be taken care of before you official move to your new home. Here is a list of said items.

• Buying the items that tend to be hard-to-get

There are always going to be items that are hard to find in your new environment. Whether that be coffee filters, glasses, or prescription medication, it’s a good idea to stock up on these necessary items before you leave the U.S. The more you get now while you’re still in the States, the less you will need to travel back to the states to get them, therefore saving you money.

You should have a good idea of what you can get at the local grocery stores from your previous trips. So especially if you enjoy cooking should you be stocking up. Be sure to buy spices and ingredients that you use on a regular basis.

This is also the time when all the talking with expats in your new country will have paid off. They know what they miss from the U.S. and give you pointers on what you should buy before moving. They will prove to be very valuable assets in this regard.

• Medical Check-ups prior to leaving

You and your family’s health is what’s most important. So with that in mind, it is recommended that that you have a good medical once-over before leaving. It would be a good idea to visit the dentist, eye doctor, as well as a physical exam. This is a minimum of what you should get.

This may also be a good time to get any vaccinations that you will need. If you have children that are moving with you, talk to their new schools to see what is required.

The benefits of doing all this before leaving, is that you wont have to rush to find different types of doctors as soon as you arrive. You can take a little more time in doing this knowing that you have already had a recent check up.

• Preparations for your pets

If you do not want your pet to be left out, be sure to make their plane reservations far in advance. This is necessary because many carriers only allow one or two animals per flight.

Also, it is likely required that you take you pet to a veterinary just prior to departure. So planning is needed. Be sure to check into this well in advance so your fuzzy little friend can come with you.

That about wraps up everything you need to consider when planning for an early retirement abroad! If you have followed our series, then you will have learned 11 great steps to take to make the move as smooth as possible. You've probably got a ton on your mind, lots to be worried about, the great unknown awaits and it's... well... unknown. There is one last step to take before diving into your new international lifestyle: Breath.