benj005
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Posts posted by benj005
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OP, get out of NJ and your behind over here. If your GF has been aiting for a year, chances are that she is a good one.
If you have 6000 bucks, you can buy a ticket and have money left to tide you over 3 or 4 months. You will not be homeless, if you can live at your GFs place.
You will get work in that time as a teacher.
DO IT!
She is a good girl. I'm going to get my own place, but it's going to be cheap.
No problems.
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Thanks for the responses everybody.
I have decided that I am going to go to Thailand next week. My girlfriend has located an apartment for me. It's only $200 w/ kitchen. Electricity and water are separate.
My girlfriend is a good girl who has been waiting patiently for me. She works full time so she isn't a lazy girl who is looking for a handout. If she was looking for money she would have left me a long time ago. I met her mother. She seems like a wonderful person. She doesn't have a father. She grew up in Korat. It's a nice community, I was there a few times.
I've been to Thailand a few times. I was only on vacation, so obviously it's a major difference from living and working there year round. I need the change. I need to be on my own, and I need to succeed and fail as a man. Going to Thailand could be something awesome, or it could be a terrible decision. I'm not going to know unless I take the chance.
Finally, I'm not going to get anything unless I'm there.
I have nothing going on in New Jersey.
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Hope you mean to quote the other poster.Was there even a reason to reply if you can't advise?
So this is how you got most of your 1,999 posts by offering wishy woshy advice? the man is
seriously in need of a life changing advice and you make a joke of it.....
I didn't reply to OP as I'm not teaching so couldn't give any good answer but the other poster's reply was a useless waste of bandwidth.
I agree the OP needs a life changing advice and there's no room for silly jokes.
That's fine. Were all adults. I can just ignore bad posts.
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I have about $6k. I kinda know what to expect when I go to Thailand. I could send out a few resumes before I fly over. Everybody keeps telling me that I need to be there, and that Thailand is not Korea.Still, I don't want to look back 20 years from now and be filled with regret because I didn't take a chance
I think you've answered your own question there.
Do you have any money at the moment? A few thousand dollars(or a decent credit card) will be enough to tide you over until you find work. With your qualifications I'm sure you'll find a decent post fairly quickly.
Thailand is a country which can both frustrate and fascinate in equal measure. I'm sure you won't regret it.
Why not look online at some of the teaching sites and whack in a few applications before you come over?
Good luck...
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.Option 1:
Continue to masturbate alone every night living a lonely terrible miserable life in an ugly depressing part of New Jersey that has not yet been gentrified not making any money with no friends and with with no reason to believe that anything will improve.
or
Option 2
Roll the dice in Thailand with a woman who claims she loves you. At the very least you can give five finger Mary a vacation.
Why aren't you on the plane yet?
The plane ride to Thailand sounds more appealing. And 5 finger Mary does need a vacation.
There is nothing here for me in New Jersey. I just fear that I will be homeless in Thailand.
Still, I don't want to look back 20 years from now and be filled with regret because I didn't take a chance.
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Try asking for more info in the TEACHING FORUM, they may have mors appropriate advice adn guidance to your questions.
One thing is for sure, you wont get much done sat in the US feeling sorry for yourself. Get up and get going, it wont just fall in your lap,
I understand. I guess I need to be more proactive.
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Hello All.
I have a very difficult decision that I'm currently facing. My Thai girlfriend wants me to come to Thailand soon. By soon I mean by next week. I last taught in South Korea for 2 years. I have been home for almost 6 months now, and I am currently jobless. I've been substitute teaching but that's it. I've sent out resumes but not much is biting. If I want to find a teaching job in NJ I'm going to have to sub next year. I don't think I want to do that. The American job market is still bad. Anyway, my girlfriend has told me that I need to go to Thailand to secure a teaching job, and she can help me find a job. But she has stressed that I need to be in Thailand! Also, she told me that I need to get there quickly because school semester starts in 15 days.
My concerns are:
1. I'm going to have to pay for my plane ticket, and flying from America is not cheap.
2. Not finding a job when I get to Thailand.
3 My age. I'm 44 years old. If I was 25 I would be thinking differently. Or maybe not.
Maybe I've been home for too long. I live in a resort area so there is nothing here 9 months out of the year. It's very common for people to work 4-5 months and collect unemployment checks the other months. I've fallen into a depressive stupor. When I was in Korea I had purpose. Although the job was stressful and I was working long hours, I was making money and I was working with great people. The only person I currently see is my father.
I do have a teaching degree in Special Education. I keep thinking that to get anywhere you need to take chances. Maybe I can get into a great school once I'm in Thailand, but I will never know until I'm there? What do you guys think?
My gf has been waiting for me for over a year now. It's not fair to her. I understand that. Should I just take the leap and move to Thailand?
I'm experiencing fear which I guess is normal.
I just need some more advice.
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Why cheating Thai girlfriends?
Why not my girlfriend? Why do you feel the need to single out Thai girls?
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That's a 2004 article. Its ten years old and it doesn't reflect today's realities. Since the downturn in the USA economy a lot of people have lost their retirement. Their are also older people we ho have lost their jobs, and have given up trying to find work. The economy has improved, but we have a ways to go.
But do you also like to be another American that only have $1000 saved for retirement?You are 44. Apart from the 3 year stint and the 2 years on Korea, what have you done for the rest 15 years? Starting to save for retirement at 44 means you'll never retire. So better start a school for after hours tuition. Lots of Thais with lots of money wanting their kids to be better than the rest means lots of fools willing to part with their money. Otherwise open an international schools. Lots of foreigners also willing to part with their money (or company's money) and most int'l schools in Thailand are full. Raise some money. Schools are an amazing business in Thailand.
I had a difficult time. I started college late in life. I was 28 when I started. I worked sh*t jobs. I pumped gas, worked midnight security, etc...
I tried working for the post office and I got hurt on the job. I had hernia surgery so they let me go.
I can't turn back time. I need to be proactive and think positive.
Anyway, they did studies on Americans and retirement. They found that a lot of people don't have enough to retire and are living paycheck to paycheck.
I have plenty of company.
I/3 of Americans only have $1,000 saved for retirement.
Is that thinking positive like you write?
http://money.msn.com/retirement-plan/single-can-you-ever-retire-liz-weston
American median net worth by marital status
All households Ages 55-64
Married couples $144,580 $268,835
Single men $28,100 $69,350
Single women $30,026 $62,140
Source: Census Bureau, 2004
I didn't save early for retirement. I was foolish. I guess I should take a cyanide capsule and end my life.
I already stated that I will probably work until I'm at leat 70. If I'm still living that will give me 25 years to save. I look at it this way. Most people only survive for 10 years tops when they retire. I even think it might be shorter.
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Hello Guys. I am reading through everyone's posts. Thanks you for contributing.
I like to listen to motivational speeches. I also like motivational quotes. Anyway, I really relate to Steve Job's quote on death. I also like the speech he gave at Stanford in 2005.
Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.
Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.
Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet, death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it, and that is how it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It's life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. -
I love how you guys talk sh*t on Thai girls. What about Western women? Do you think all is going to be great once you marry a money grubbing western girl?
Example: My buddy flipped houses in the 90's and early 2000's. He made a sh*t load of money. He decided to open a restaurant with his wife. The property alone was worth over a million dollars. The couple had 2 children. All was fine until she wanted to have more children. He was older so he didn't want a large family. She got pissed, and divorced his ass. She claimed that she was no longer in love with him. Next, she was out at the bars hitting on everybody and everything. She married someone new. She had 2 more children with her new husband. Meanwhile she sued her old husband and took 60% of his earnings, and got 50% of the restaurant when he sold it 2 years ago. The great thing is she contributed ZERO! He was the one that hustled and made the money.
I know a bit about Thai culture. My gf takes care of her mother. She sends her a little bit home every week. If we were to marry I would send her mother some money each week. Why not? I respect the fact that she takes care of her mother. Compare that to our western values. We just dump our old parents in nursing homes, or we just neglect them altogether.
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I know I need to take time with my girlfriend. I know the risk if I quickly marry this girl. I guess I should have worded it better.
I'm not taking the job in Surin. I've decided against it.
I'm going to apply for the teaching position in South Korea, and I will take it from there. One day at a time.
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You are 44. Apart from the 3 year stint and the 2 years on Korea, what have you done for the rest 15 years? Starting to save for retirement at 44 means you'll never retire. So better start a school for after hours tuition. Lots of Thais with lots of money wanting their kids to be better than the rest means lots of fools willing to part with their money. Otherwise open an international schools. Lots of foreigners also willing to part with their money (or company's money) and most int'l schools in Thailand are full. Raise some money. Schools are an amazing business in Thailand.
I had a difficult time. I started college late in life. I was 28 when I started. I worked sh*t jobs. I pumped gas, worked midnight security, etc...
I tried working for the post office and I got hurt on the job. I had hernia surgery so they let me go.
I can't turn back time. I need to be proactive and think positive.
Anyway, they did studies on Americans and retirement. They found that a lot of people don't have enough to retire and are living paycheck to paycheck.
I have plenty of company.
I/3 of Americans only have $1,000 saved for retirement.
injured working for the US Postal Service, and did not get a medical retirement?
When I got injured they put me on desk duty. At the time I was not a regular employee, so I didn't have union protection. The post office was pissed because I made them pay for my surgery. After it was done I was told not to come back. I was going to Rowan University at the time, so it didn't bother me.
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What does not make sense in your story is that when you went back to the US you were asked to pay taxes for 2013. Under the foreign earned income exclusion any income earned abroad (up to 90+K) if you qualify for the exclusion, is not taxed in the US. Anyway, individual income tax rates are almost as high in Korea as they are in The US. I thought California was in dire need for teachers, but you may need to learn Spanish first (more useful than Thai)
I didn't have to pay federal taxes. I was able to use the foreign income exclusion income abroad. I made under $90k
But this does not apply to New Jersey residents. Although I worked overseas I still need to pay NJ taxes, because it's the law. It sucks. I hate this damn place.
The median pay for a police officer is $90k. Superintendents make $130k The average tax rate on a family of four is $8k
We have a lot of middle class people who are leaving this state.
you did not make a case for taxes being too high with your examples.
You also did not plan your tax structure.
Tell us,
how many times have you been in love, and how many times were you with her, before she told you she loved you?
I have only been in love one other time, and I was 22 at the time. I've screwed around a bit and I just kept to myself.
I know this is going to sound weird but we've been going out for over a year, and I've seen her for one month total. I saw her for one week, one week, and then 2 weeks.
I actually want to be with this girl before I make a discussion such as marriage. I know I said that I plan to marry this girl. I actually want to live with her first, and then we will take it from there. Also, I guess it's an age issue. Obviously, if I was 25 years old I would be thinking differently.
NJ residents pay the highest taxes in America. I don't need to prove it. Do some research and you'll find that I'm correct.
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You are 44. Apart from the 3 year stint and the 2 years on Korea, what have you done for the rest 15 years? Starting to save for retirement at 44 means you'll never retire. So better start a school for after hours tuition. Lots of Thais with lots of money wanting their kids to be better than the rest means lots of fools willing to part with their money. Otherwise open an international schools. Lots of foreigners also willing to part with their money (or company's money) and most int'l schools in Thailand are full. Raise some money. Schools are an amazing business in Thailand.
I had a difficult time. I started college late in life. I was 28 when I started. I worked sh*t jobs. I pumped gas, worked midnight security, etc...
I tried working for the post office and I got hurt on the job. I had hernia surgery so they let me go.
I can't turn back time. I need to be proactive and think positive.
Anyway, they did studies on Americans and retirement. They found that a lot of people don't have enough to retire and are living paycheck to paycheck.
I have plenty of company.
I/3 of Americans only have $1,000 saved for retirement.
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What does not make sense in your story is that when you went back to the US you were asked to pay taxes for 2013. Under the foreign earned income exclusion any income earned abroad (up to 90+K) if you qualify for the exclusion, is not taxed in the US. Anyway, individual income tax rates are almost as high in Korea as they are in The US. I thought California was in dire need for teachers, but you may need to learn Spanish first (more useful than Thai)
I didn't have to pay federal taxes. I was able to use the foreign income exclusion income abroad. I made under $90k
But this does not apply to New Jersey residents. Although I worked overseas I still need to pay NJ taxes, because it's the law. It sucks. I hate this damn place.
The median pay for a police officer is $90k. Superintendents make $130k The average tax rate on a family of four is $8k
We have a lot of middle class people who are leaving this state.
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Thank you guys. The opinions that were expressed in my thread are great. I'm going to read each one, and hopefully this will give me a clearer picture.
Anyway, I should say some things.
*I'm a 44 year old white man
*I'm from America (NJ)
*I have a degree in special education, and I'm highly qualified to teach grade K-5th (The highly qualified status is a NJ requirement)
*I did a 3 year stint as a classroom aide in a self contained room.
*I worked for 2 years as an ESL teacher in South Korea.
*I started late saving for my retirement. I have an IRA Roth Account that just started putting money in.
*I have never lived in Thailand. I've only been there on vacation. I know big difference.
*My girlfriend is a Thai from Bangkok. She is 35 years old. We met thru a dating site called OK Cupid. She is not a bar girl! She works for a sports company as receptionist. I've been to her work and I've met her friends. Her father is dead.She has a mother who is very nice. My gf is from Korat. She wants the typical Thai wedding with Sin Sod. I don't mind because the mom will give the money back to us.
Most of our relationship has been long distance. Our plan is to be together. This will happen 2 ways. I'm going to go to Thailand, or she is going to come to America.
*What I really like about Thailand is the low cost of living. I like the people and the weather. Thai food is amazing.
*I shouldn't have said that I suffer from self esteem or confidence issues. That was a bad choice of words. The answer would be I doubt my abilities sometimes. I made it thru 2 years at a Korean academy working 12 hour days so I must be doing something right.
Finally, Its a bad time to be a teacher in America. They are losing their benefits and health coverage. Governor Christie in New Jersey has waged a war on educators. He is in the process of ending tenure. NJ teachers have given up a lot and have gotten very little in return. He's even in the process of extending the school year. The drop out rate for first year teachers is very high. You do anything remotely wrong and they want to get rid of you. Veteran teachers are even warning people to stay away from teaching. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/randy-turner/a-warning-to-young-people_b_3033304.html
Thanks for help.
haaaa....it's about time teacher got what should have come to them a long time ago...especially Spec Ed teachers....they are all the same ...exploit special needs kids based on the budgets. Don't bother with a re-reply....i got your number.....read the book many times....sick of the movie re-runs
lol... I haven't exploited anybody. I was only a classroom aide, so I wasn't in charge of budgeting. Anyway, the children I worked with most definitely needed special education services. I worked with a wide range of special needs children: LD, BD, ED, Autism.
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American ignorance is a very very dangerous thing and thai ladies love it. Come on over....do whatever you want....in the end, you will learn what you should have researched in the beginning....keep researching this topic before you make a decision......
Unless......
You happen to find a thai lady with her OWN money and she is willing to support you while you get your crap together.
Perhaps you can try Ukraine women....they don't hate all americans and they do love the money just like thai ladies.
If you have your heart set on asia.....go back to korea or try vietnam
I don't want a woman to support me. Whenever I'm with my girlfriend she wants to do my wash, make the bed, and cook my meals. I tell her no most of the times. That might be fine for a 60+ year old man but not for me. I've been alone for a long time, and I've had to take care of myself. I do everything on my own.
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Thank you guys. The opinions that were expressed in my thread are great. I'm going to read each one, and hopefully this will give me a clearer picture.
Anyway, I should say some things.
*I'm a 44 year old white man
*Single, No Children (Thank God!)
*I'm from America (NJ)
*I have a degree in special education, and I'm highly qualified to teach grade K-5th (The highly qualified status is a NJ requirement)
*I did a 3 year stint as a classroom aide in a self contained room.
*I worked for 2 years as an ESL teacher in South Korea.
*I started late saving for my retirement. I have an IRA Roth Account that just started putting money in.
*I have never lived in Thailand. I've only been there on vacation. I know big difference.
*My girlfriend is a Thai from Bangkok. She is 35 years old. We met thru a dating site called OK Cupid. She is not a bar girl! She works for a sports company as receptionist. I've been to her work and I've met her friends. Her father is dead.She has a mother who is very nice. My gf is from Korat. She wants the typical Thai wedding with Sin Sod. I don't mind because the mom will give the money back to us.
Most of our relationship has been long distance. Our plan is to be together. This will happen 2 ways. I'm going to go to Thailand, or she is going to come to America.
*What I really like about Thailand is the low cost of living. I like the people and the weather. Thai food is amazing.
*I shouldn't have said that I suffer from self esteem or confidence issues. That was a bad choice of words. The answer would be I doubt my abilities sometimes. I made it thru 2 years at a Korean academy working 12 hour days so I must be doing something right.
Finally, Its a bad time to be a teacher in America. They are losing their benefits and health coverage. Governor Christie in New Jersey has waged a war on educators. He is in the process of ending tenure. NJ teachers have given up a lot and have gotten very little in return. He's even in the process of extending the school year. The drop out rate for first year teachers is very high. You do anything remotely wrong and they want to get rid of you. Veteran teachers are even warning people to stay away from teaching. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/randy-turner/a-warning-to-young-people_b_3033304.html
Thanks for help.
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That would be correct. I have a teaching degree.Don't you need a current teaching license from your own country to work in International schools?
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I have low self esteem issues. I've been battling this for a long time.Who says the Hagwons don't count? It's all in how you sell & present yourself. Confidently proclaim your 2 years of teaching in an international setting, plus your experience in student teaching, plus your degree -- it all makes you a strong candidate. Stop looking for reasons to disqualify yourself; let them employer do that. You need to present the reasons why you're the best candidate for the job, and I would say there are many.
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I think you should focus your job search on getting a teaching position with one of the many International schools here in Thailand and forget about those 30,000 bhat jobs. Google international schools in Thailand and that should get you started.
True. The pay is much better. The problem is I don't have the 2 years of in class experience that they demand. Hagwons in South Korea do not count, and I was only a teacher's aide in New Jersey. I need to get more experience under my belt.
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Of course everyone's opinion will differ but for me, teaching English in Thailand isn't a long term career and I'd say you'd find it pretty tough to get married, raise a family, buy/build a house and save for your future on 30k Baht.
I'm in my late 20's and have been here for nearly 4 years. I taught English for the first two years and whilst it was a great experience, a long term career it is not and to be honest I (like many others I guess) only did it to stay in the country because there are so few other employment opportunities for farangs in Thailand.
When our daughter was born 30k wasn't really enough. People will say 'well Thai people live on 10k a month', well maybe they do, but when you add trips to the doctors, milk and supplies for baby, then unexpected hits to the finances, air con unit breaking, new laptop, unexpected visa run to Laos because your school messes up you B visa paperwork, it all adds up and 30k doesn't go very far - forget having any left over for savings.
If you want to stay here really long term, maybe setting up your own business is the way to go?? I don't, I got lucky and found employment in the private sector (not teaching) and earning a considerably better salary, which means my family and I live a comfortable life now but I hate to think how we would be if we were still trying to get by on 30k, to be honest, I doubt I'd still be in Thailand.
That said, they'll probably be a load of posts from people saying how they have taught here living on 30k for years and years. It's just that from my experience and with a young family, it was tough earning that kind of money.
Anyway, good luck and don't let my post put you off - dare to dream
I know $30k baht is low. That's not even $1k USD a month. My girlfriend would like me to open a small school. I don't know if I want to do this.
How did you find employment in the private sector? Is it something that you went to school for?
Thanks.
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OP, Why aren't you teaching in the US? Teachers retire at almost the same amount of pay as they made when teaching. They are allowed to double dip and also collect Social Security. You complain about taxes now, but if you worked in the US for the next 20 years you would retire at something just under $80k per year. ??
You don't have to go to NJ either. It's notorious for high taxes and high cost of living.
If you marry this gal, there is a forum here with experts who will help you get her to the US. Then if you want you can retire in style in Thailand. Your kids will grow up in a first world envirionment with a first world education (which you can't afford on a teacher's salary in Thailand)
If your wife teaches your kids Thai and they have dual citizenship, when they graduate from college they can return to Thailand and set the world on fire while you retire there.
Finding a teaching position has been a challenge for me. Currently, the competition is fierce. We just had a large district close their schools due to low enrollment. The teachers who worked for this district are now unemployed. When a school has an opening for just one position they get 300 applicants. Also, the governor of New Jersey has decimated the school districts. Their pensions and health benefits have taken a beating.
Thanks for the help.
I need to make a very difficult decision.
in Teaching in Thailand Forum
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She already knows my age, and I don't plan to scrounge around. Finally, I don't consider teaching jobs as being menial. I do have a teaching license so I'm in a different position from most people who are just there with a bachelor's degree.