Nyezhov Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, sanemax said: Spending your working life providing for a wife and kids , getting divorced and losing most of everything you own can have a detrimental effect on your fiances Yep. And then you make the best of it. You go out everyday with a smile on your face and say, hey dude, Im walking on top of the grass instead of laying under it. One day you are driving a S550, next day a 76 Ford 150. Its all good. The funny thing is....as a single older guy who just wanders around...what the hell do you spend big money on here? Edited December 6, 2018 by Nyezhov 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyezhov Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 6 minutes ago, BritManToo said: I lived in Cornwall, it was still cold and wet most of the time. You know of a drier place in the UK? Cycling and walking isn't much fun in the rain. Try living in Alaska. Or the heat of Phoenix and the traffic. Or the humidity of NC. Or the traffic and cost of NYC or LA or Miami. Bangkok is paradise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TPI Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 1 hour ago, murraynz said: what i cant understand is----how do so many people get to retirement age, after 45yrs of potential working time...yet they havent accumulated enough savings ,assets, passive income to provide for a good retirement. so many dont even have enough to deposit the 800,000thb in bank for visa..{its a pittance,realy} scrimping and scraping in retirement is not at all clever...prepare for retirement, we may live 30 yrs past 65.. i dont feel sorry for the people who havent saved---they must have boozed or lived over -extragantly, in their early years... moving to a country with cheaper cost of living-doesnt always solve the problem.... No no Murray, aah the arrogance of youth! After working for 45 years, marrying, raising children, paying the bills, paying the taxes and when you're getting ready to coast through life...divorce! Back to less than zero inside one year! Start again? With what? Time to go to Asia, look around...can I afford a nice house or apartment and a cheap scooter? Yep! And enough for a couple of beers and the occasional "empty out" (out of the question back home)! Think about it aud$34,000 (800,000) is not chicken feed, in Oz it's a reasonable deposit on a house, young couples work two jobs for years to raise that sort of money! Be gentle with us older folk, we've had a hard row to hoe! ???? 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterw42 Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 44 minutes ago, murraynz said: what i cant understand is----how do so many people get to retirement age, after 45yrs of potential working time...yet they havent accumulated enough savings ,assets, passive income to provide for a good retirement. so many dont even have enough to deposit the 800,000thb in bank for visa..{its a pittance,realy} scrimping and scraping in retirement is not at all clever...prepare for retirement, we may live 30 yrs past 65.. i dont feel sorry for the people who havent saved---they must have boozed or lived over -extragantly, in their early years... moving to a country with cheaper cost of living-doesnt always solve the problem.... For many of us the 800k represents a part of our working capital, ie: the money we use to make money. Or its already tied up in a fixed asset investment. Most retirees probably have the 800k ten times over but not in a liquid movable asset. Retirees dont have an income any-more and generate their own income using their existing assets. I have 1-2 milliom baht in cash but that money is in and out of the share market and flipping properies etc Let me give an example My retirement is fully funded, money "invested" (it cant be liquidated and moved to Thailand) a pension that kicks in in a few years etc. I do however, at the moment fund myself through share trading and flipping properties. I have a working capital of $1-2 million baht, with this capital I invest in the share market and renovating properties, My 1-2 million baht is busy making money. I now find myself in the position where I will have to deposit the 800k (half my working capital) in Thailand, so that is the money that was going to pay for a new kitchen/bathroom/coat of paint etc on a property to flip early next year , or my next 3-4 months share trading etc. I think you will find even wealthy people dont often have $20-30k US sitting around doing nothing, most would have it tied up in investments, or be using it to make money. On the contrary, I would consider anyone with $30k US sitting around not invested, as either very wealthy or very stupid. Getting a return on your money is usually how people get and remain wealthy. I know millionaires who dont have liquid assets and would baulk at firstly, taking a big hit on value due to current exchange rates, and secondly, having any amount of money getting little to no return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nyezhov Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 17 minutes ago, TPI said: Be gentle with us older folk, we've had a hard row to hoe! And a lot of hard hos to row too. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post connda Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 I'm here because I'm married, have a family here, and have a house here. Why pull up stakes after living here for well over a decade to return to a country with a significantly higher cost of living, where you can't wipe your butt without applying for a permit, and that is as over-regulated and Thailand is under-regulated? Plus my wife has zero desire to relocate at her age (pushing 60 - I didn't marry a women young enough to be my daughter). There are pros and cons about living here as opposed to the home country, but at the end of the day, this is where I plan to stay. Haven't even been back to visit the home country in over 10 years. That pretty much says it all. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NoshowJones Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 Are Expat's Opinions of Thailand Influenced by how much money they have? Yes, definitely, without a doubt, there are quite a few Thaivisa members who make it so obvious. I will give just one example. How many times do you read about posters telling other posters who cannot afford to have 400.000 or 800.000 in their bank accounts, and also certain financial costs to line their pockets, that they should go home if they dare complain, but are still contributing to Thailands economy and taking Thai families out of poverty? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newatthis Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 40 minutes ago, TPI said: No no Murray, aah the arrogance of youth! After working for 45 years, marrying, raising children, paying the bills, paying the taxes and when you're getting ready to coast through life...divorce! Back to less than zero inside one year! Start again? With what? Time to go to Asia, look around...can I afford a nice house or apartment and a cheap scooter? Yep! And enough for a couple of beers and the occasional "empty out" (out of the question back home)! Think about it aud$34,000 (800,000) is not chicken feed, in Oz it's a reasonable deposit on a house, young couples work two jobs for years to raise that sort of money! Be gentle with us older folk, we've had a hard row to hoe! ???? Also the ex is entitled to some of your hard earned superannuation which you thought would be a life saver for your retirement. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JungleBiker Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 2 hours ago, sanemax said: Spending your working life providing for a wife and kids , getting divorced and losing most of everything you own can have a detrimental effect on your fiances Yes, your fiances and your finances! ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NoshowJones Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 (edited) 12 hours ago, gk10002000 said: I like your travel comments and that is what I love about Thailand. I loved Pattaya because one can hop and off a baht bus. So easy and convenient. I would add that I don't borrow or pay for cars with loans so my USA travel costs are less than most. But I still have amortization costs, routine repairs, major repairs that crop up, insurance etc. Although I drive used SUV no need to insure the vehicle for collision, etc. So there are ways to free up money and live cheaper no matter where one is. I love hands free traveling on decent bus or train. But I sure do like the independence of being able to hop in my car and go anywhere at any time. For a few months I am happy to give that up and wander around Thailand. Not sure how I will like 6 months of no car. Motorbike is so dangerous, yet convenient Good post, but motorbikes don't have to be dangerous, of course there are risks, just like everything else in life, but if you ride using genuine common sense, you have every chance of staying safe. I bet there are lots of farangs riding motorbikes for years regularly, and have never been seriously hurt while doing so. I will rephrase this. I would bet that the biggest majority of farangs who live in Thailand and rely mostly on motorbikes for transportation, have never been seriously hurt riding them. Edited December 6, 2018 by possum1931 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 13 hours ago, Nyezhov said: Im here because I cant do winter, and am bored in the USA looking at the same sh*t every day. Plus my girlfriend drives me nuts. Over here or over there? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 2 hours ago, BritManToo said: It doesn't matter how much money I have, I can't make the UK warmer or drier. or less windy.???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post connda Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 2 hours ago, murraynz said: what i cant understand is----how do so many people get to retirement age, after 45yrs of potential working time...yet they havent accumulated enough savings ,assets, passive income to provide for a good retirement. Divorces, financial downturns in the market, taking care of others, unexpected and unanticipated expenses, accidents, job loss..... What you should reflect on is how fortunate you have been to have made it through life unscathed. Life went well for you - now you look down your nose at others. But the winds of fate are fickle my friend. Today you're on top of the world, tomorrow you're climbing the hill again. Some hit retirement age at the peak, other in the trough. With enough time, that could reverse. Consider yourself fortunate. Try nurturing some thankfulness, humility, and empathy. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Lacessit Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 I think the answer to the OP's question is obvious. Of course the amount of money you have here ( and back home ) would influence one's opinion. I am reasonably well off. Not rich, but comfortable. However, I can imagine if I was forced to line up at Immigration and wait for hours, sometimes to be told to come back tomorrow, my opinion of Thailand could change significantly. Or if my staple diet was 30 baht pad thai. If I was to become suddenly much richer through some freak chance, I still would not go back to Australia to live. I would just go more upmarket here. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Lacessit Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Nyezhov said: The funny thing is....as a single older guy who just wanders around...what the hell do you spend big money on here? Condos and houses for Thai GF's and wives? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NoshowJones Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Nyezhov said: Yep. And then you make the best of it. You go out everyday with a smile on your face and say, hey dude, Im walking on top of the grass instead of laying under it. One day you are driving a S550, next day a 76 Ford 150. Its all good. The funny thing is....as a single older guy who just wanders around...what the hell do you spend big money on here? Women?????? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post connda Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 2 hours ago, BritManToo said: A man with a wife never owns anything in the western world. Well, he owns half. Then out of his 'half' comes child support, alimony, then university expenses. It's a bit like sailing a boat with the anchor deployed: your sails are full of wind, but you go nowhere. Methinks that those who chastise others for not being 'responsible enough to have adequately saved for retirement' never had their anchors wedged and stuck firmly in the shoals and reefs of failed matrimony. Nothing like a vindictive 'ex' and her lawyer to take the winds out of your sails and keep it that way during your most productive years of life. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhodie Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Some are happy with very little and some are unhappy with a lot. It is all up to your individual outlook. Sure you might be happier with a bit more, but accepting the lifestyle you can afford and making it happen works for those that want it, whether on 30k or 300k. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex8912 Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Nyezhov said: Try living in Alaska. Or the heat of Phoenix and the traffic. Or the humidity of NC. Or the traffic and cost of NYC or LA or Miami. Bangkok is paradise. Excuse me but where did you buy your rose colored glasses that obviously block your view of Bangkok traffic?? If I can market them I’d have a penthouse in both my favorite cities New York and BKK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex8912 Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Peterw42 said: For many of us the 800k represents a part of our working capital, ie: the money we use to make money. Or its already tied up in a fixed asset investment. Most retirees probably have the 800k ten times over but not in a liquid movable asset. Retirees dont have an income any-more and generate their own income using their existing assets. I have 1-2 milliom baht in cash but that money is in and out of the share market and flipping properies etc Let me give an example My retirement is fully funded, money "invested" (it cant be liquidated and moved to Thailand) a pension that kicks in in a few years etc. I do however, at the moment fund myself through share trading and flipping properties. I have a working capital of $1-2 million baht, with this capital I invest in the share market and renovating properties, My 1-2 million baht is busy making money. I now find myself in the position where I will have to deposit the 800k (half my working capital) in Thailand, so that is the money that was going to pay for a new kitchen/bathroom/coat of paint etc on a property to flip early next year , or my next 3-4 months share trading etc. I think you will find even wealthy people dont often have $20-30k US sitting around doing nothing, most would have it tied up in investments, or be using it to make money. On the contrary, I would consider anyone with $30k US sitting around not invested, as either very wealthy or very stupid. Getting a return on your money is usually how people get and remain wealthy. I know millionaires who dont have liquid assets and would baulk at firstly, taking a big hit on value due to current exchange rates, and secondly, having any amount of money getting little to no return. I think you need to re word your first sentence containing “ for many of us” I just don’t believe that is why at least 95% of the posters who don’t have the 800k, don’t have the 800k. But it’s nice to have your glass half filled! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivinLOS Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 4 hours ago, Peterw42 said: I dont think anyone has ever moved back home because its cheaper. Isnt that what every expat that runs out of money does.. Western social safety nets, free housing, free healthcare, pension support cheques, etc etc etc.. Plus the ability to make proper money. Also in the big picture theres 'net monthly' in asia I only spend, in the west making money is trivially easy, so when thats factored in west is far cheaper.. How many expats come here with nothing and end up rich v how many come here with assets and go home broke ?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyezhov Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Lacessit said: Over here or over there? The GF is over there. That's why I'm over here ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyezhov Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 15 minutes ago, alex8912 said: Excuse me but where did you buy your rose colored glasses that obviously block your view of Bangkok traffic?? If I can market them I’d have a penthouse in both my favorite cities New York and BKK. Notice I said traffic AND cost. Here I got cheap Transport. Cheap everything. No winter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLCrab Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Well, to give a more straight answer to the OP's query, I worked but never lived in SE Asia and PRChina for 15+ years and, after a few lengthy visits to Thailand, I decided I was more comfortable here than in the area where the OP lives. Financial considerations really had little to do with it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post watcharacters Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 3 hours ago, BritManToo said: A man with a wife never owns anything in the western world. And definitely not in Thailand. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoon Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 15 hours ago, i claudius said: I could not imagine living back in the UK with all the rules and regulations and the PC bullsh-- . I like the fact that if i park my car with its wheel touching the yellow line i dont get a fine for 90 quid,l But be sure not to park your car on a piece of road that has no yellow line and is available for the use of the public but located in front of a shop. I do that all the time in the UK (1 hour waiting allowed in my community) and so far have suffered no deflated tyres and no keying or threats of violence from the shop owners. I have "heard" that the same is not true of Thailand. Maybe it's all a myth. "Swings and roundabouts" is the saying I believe. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Enoon Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 So peoples attitudes to life and the world might be coloured by their financial circumstances? In Thailand? Well who would have thought it? 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HooHaa Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 No need to read the op through, the title is adequate enough for response: Peoples opinions of everywhere they visit are filtered through the amount of cash the have available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post totally thaied up Posted December 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 6, 2018 10 minutes ago, JLCrab said: Financial considerations really had little to do with it. When you have money, you have a choice. More dosh you have, well, you can just not worry about the little things that make life confusing. As long as you can pay your insurance premium in Thailand, have 800/400K in the bank, well pretty much everything else is very simple. Cash is just not important in Thailand but worldwide. I am in several Facebook support groups (with around 57K members) and the biggest problem in them is money stress. So I cannot see it being any different in Thailand compared to anywhere else in the world. Sure, we have people come here trying to live a cheaper life, yet I do know a few people that do have money and spend a great deal of time here. Money does count. I came to Thailand and I was on a set amount of money and I knew I could live here on it. My insurance is covered each year by a Trust Fund payment and my monthly pension is enough to live on. I do not need much more. If I got paid more, the only thing that will change is my quality of life as in what I buy to eat and wear. It would not change much. Maybe just more holidays during the year and upgrade to a bigger and nicer car. For me, later on in life will be very easy due to inheritance. My life was destroyed by illness and divorce. Like others say, divorce is just a killer and it does strip you bare and starting again for some is almost impossible. Like another said, it is like striking a reef in a boat and you do not know if you are going to sink. I think as long as you just have a buffer of cash in the bank, most can be right living in Thailand but recently I have seen so many people (and friends not on TV) complaining about the 800K saying they do not have it. I learned in 2008 from my parents to always keep about 2-3 years living expenses in cash. My parents loaded up on shares in 2008/2009 and made a killing but they always kept a buffer of about 2-3 years of living in available cash. I think that is when cash is important. So I think cash plays a big part about what we do and how we live. I have met my share of guys here that live on 30 baht street meals or they cook at home most days to save money and they are just as happy because most of them tell me, just experience a cold English Winter for 60 years of your life and you will always be happy to live in constant warmth. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoon Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 1 hour ago, connda said: Well, he owns half. Then out of his 'half' comes child support, alimony, then university expenses. It's a bit like sailing a boat with the anchor deployed: your sails are full of wind, but you go nowhere. Methinks that those who chastise others for not being 'responsible enough to have adequately saved for retirement' never had their anchors wedged and stuck firmly in the shoals and reefs of failed matrimony. Nothing like a vindictive 'ex' and her lawyer to take the winds out of your sails and keep it that way during your most productive years of life. 10/10 for imaginative and colourfully illustrative use of metaphor and simile. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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