swissie

By openly disclosed figures, issued by defense ministeries, German Defence Minister (Mr. Pistorius) has confirmed this dismal situation on public TV a few days ago.

Please, back on topic. What (and where) if we should end up as Western European "Fugitives"?

Yes, now I remember. Thanks.

Adressing US guys. For US citizens, living outside the US, some annual "asset-reporting" has to be filed. (how much money is in your foreighn Bank Account etc etc). Forgot where to report this, it's a 4 letter abbreviation but even that I can't remember. Anyone?

Currently the standing Army of Germany consists of around 100'000 soldiers. The ratio in other European countries is about the same. Compared to Russian capabilities, western Europe is basically "defensless".

Lets's suppose: Putins hunger is not satisfied by the Ukraine and marches on into "western Europe", turning you into a "Fugitive". Where outside of the EU would you go? US, Canada, Australia is "out", as only highly skilled labor and/or wealthy persons will find entry originating from Europe. Where would you go?

Very valuable information. Thanks. May this spread among Farangs, heading for the Philippines.

By all means, keep us posted. Does your handle "the fugitive" has anything to do with all of this?

Only remedy: Pre-marriadal agreements. Setteling matters in case of divorce. Remarkably: Single since 10 years. Have met several women, willing to marry me. But as soon as I mentioned some pre-marriadal agreements, their desire to marry me has evaporated quickly. Especially when I stipulated that "My money is my money and your money is your money". All said. Not to worry, 20 years from now (at least in "the west") marriages without pre- marriage agreements will not be officially approved.

Unless the law has changed: It is easy to marry a Philippine female. But the same law makes it impossible to divorce (Catholizism in it's purest form). Ergo: Think twice boys.

Clearly, OP has disclosed something to the lady, that he shoulden't have disclosed in the first place. With this knowledge she is practising "Extortion". As simple as that. Recommendation: If you have murdered your mother in law in the home country, of have been operating a Opium-Den in Thailand, never tell something like that to your Thai Girlfriend. Over.

During my time in the US, I always admired the fact, that low income people were allowed to live in so called "Mobile Home Parks", with a little garden in front. (Never available in Europe for long-term residents). Now the space rent is 500/month? Those figures are related to "Cities" (smaller or bigger), But I bet, that even today I could park my travel trailer in the middle of Kansas with a farmer for very little money, especially if I would feed the pigs twice a day and look after the chicken. Only drawback: Not much spare-time Hoopla-Hoopla and the nearest hospital 100 miles away. PS: What's the space rent in Quarzsite, Arizona, these days?

IMO: Your portfolio-mix is just fine. A 3 fund index fund portfolio is over-diversification, I find. (Too many potential "laggards" stifeling the potentional "high flyers"). Talking about Diversification: How about adding some commodities to the mix, especially now, that some Gurus see a future "Bull Cycle" in Industrial Materials just around the corner (after those materials have already increased remarkably= the usual). The problem: Most commodities are traded via futures markets. Most of the time, most markets are in a "Contago" situation. Causing constantly "roll-over" losses. In the end, it's called the "carrying-charge". This makes long-term investing in commodities "investor- unfriendly". To take a look at "financing cost", look here (only during trading hours available): https://www.oanda.com/uk-en/trading/financing-costs/?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTXpSbE1UVTFOV1prTkRJMSIsInQiOiJ5RThTZWpJbDVSU3J5MDBwdGg5MmVBa2toUjFydjRPbTQ3VWNFbG9iQ1ZvR0FMekE5OWlZcElzOW5VTWZXajJnK3JGYU1BanRkMzQ3Q1lyWkF0cjFkYm9YYmpCUmhCQWdTbkNSTE1iTFJ5aEhJcUoyaG5wYjVWK0VscURpUE1iUCJ9 How to avoid those costs: Store your Gold under the mattress, store your 50 tons of Copper in your cellar, next to your collection of single malt whyskey. That is also a commodity. The only "carrying charge" would be some insurance, especially if you have a family member that spends a lot of time in the cellar.

Yes, China has been a dog. But ready to turn into the "primaballerina" of the world again. Why? Because the Chinese Government has decided so.

Next to real estate, stocks were a good investement for over 100 years. Well supported by economic growth, increasing productivity. But mainly limited to "the west". Some thinkers believe, that inspite of AI etc etc, the west has hit a certain economical ceiling, whereas "the rest of the world" has plenty of catching-up to do. Therefore, you going on "automatic", I think that a "world tracker" should be considered, as most of future economic growth will take place "in the rest of the world" and not "in the west". If (over a period of 20 years) this should not have produced satisfactory results, you are free of blame: a) "The rest of the world" has not produced any economical growth. b) Some weirdo going by "swissie" on ASEAN NOW has recommended this, blame him.

Just a theory: For decades (mainly in Europe), The "working class" has saved their money to purchase a house with garden. But in the meantime a house and garden is no more affordable for them. Mainly the case in Europe, less so in the US, so far. But still some savings are accumulated. If not enough for a house, still enough to buy some stocks. Perhaps those savings find their way into the stock markets, providing the "liquidity" that fuels any broad based Bull market, regardless of any other "logical inputs". "Excess Money" (savings) will end up somewhere. Currently preferrably in the stock markets. Regardless of other "logical inputs". While currently everybody including his uncle is mesmorised by the performance and resiliancy of the stock markets, I have decided to re-direct my funds to greener pastures.

The term "investement advisor" is still a unclassified profession. Everybody including his uncle can call himself an "investement advisor".

It took centuries to form something like "Switzerland". Never having a chance to emerge as a "world power". But some mountain tribes decided that the rule of the "Habsburgs" had to end. The result was that many small "countries" joined the "Swiss Confederation". Small is beautiful, nevermind the 4 languages, still in effect and causing no problems. Knowing that we would be too small to affect "world happenings", we decided to stay neutral. =May the "world powers" bang each others head in. We rather not partake. What if: All countries turn "Neutral"? No interferance of other countries internal affairs? Switzerland as a shining example?

Can not see why this thread has been moved to "The war in Ukraine", as the thread of "Why are Russians fleeing to Thailand" still remains in the "pub forum". It adresses the same configuration be it in Thailand or Europe. But I suppose that as long as Russian Tourists can support themselves, they are welcome. Once they run out of money, Thai authorities will find a way to "unload" them to Europe. But as long as they have money to spend (as usual), everybody is welcome in Thailand. Seems to me that "ASEAN NOW" is supportive of this concept.

In the eastern Ukraine they speak Russian, In the western Ukraine they speak Ukrainian. Just another Russian slang. Same as US southern slang compared to the slang of Boston. Still undersrtanding each other.

Let's remember: Before the war, the Ukraine was classified as corrupt as Russia, making it impossible to join the "EU". Just as a reminder.

No magic. All very predictable.

"Kiss my grits" is somewhat of an outdatet term, sometimes still used in the southern states of the US. In todays lingo it would mean something like "f+ck-up, leave me alone".

Facts? Easy, government statistics. 70'000 refugees from the Ukraine in my (small) home country.

I woulden't go this far. But true"southern slang" warms my heart. Long live "dixie".