swissie

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".

Yes, sad story. But to this very day, there were no Russian soldiers in the "Western Ukraine". Who did the looting? His neighbors? PS: I would never put JT on ignore, as (on a good day), he is perfectly able to deliver good in depth analysis of a wide array of subjects.

Judging by your past contributions you can do much better than that. Try again. Deliver pro's and con's based on facts outlined in my OP.

How do you connect this to Putin and propaganda? Just comparing the faith of Ukrainian/Russian refugees.

What about the Ukrainians fleeing to Europe? In 80% of the Ukraine, no war takes place. Most Ukrainians never felt the need to flee. Still, 10 thousands of Ukrainian refugees ended up in Europe. Less than 10% are gainfully employed in Europe and language/integration courses are not in much demand by the refugees. Preferring to live on welfare benefits. As opposed to Russian refugees in Thailand, where they have to pay for their livelyhood. Someday the war will end. I could imagine that refugees returning to the Ukraine will not receive a warm "welcome back" by their countrymen.

There is so much more to it: For decades, Government Statistics "prove" that the average wage earners are better off than ever. Really? My dad was the only provider, my mother never had to work. We had a good life, lacking nothing. Therefore, how come, that in todays Europe, mom and dad have to work to make ends meet? Same in Thailand. Have 2 stepdaughters, both married, having good jobs at the Bank and Industry. But mom and dad have to work, otherwise they could not afford to live in Bangkok. If in the olden days a single provider could "carry" a family. Today it takes 2 "earners". So how do Government Statistics derive their "better off than ever" from? Today we have to deal with "fake news". But long before we have appearantly and obviously been fed with "fake statistics". To "fine tune" and "adjust" the basket of consumer goods is paradise for government "statiscians", wanting to low ball annual inflation rates.

After the recent "setback" of the markets, investors ponder once more the all important question: - Was this just a technical correction or is the Bear knocking on the door? My 2 cents worth: The hopes of steadily declining interest rates for the rest of the year are in question (at least concerning the US). Next weeks earnings reports by big (tech) companies better be within (high) expectations. Disappointing results may well trigger more market "correction". This brings us back to square 1: At what point turns a "market correction" into a Bear Market? To anyone giving me a clue, I will pay a commission of a buck and a half plus give the phone number of my ex-wife.

All very well observed, not to forget, that before "tensions" between the US and China arose, China parked massive amounts of their "export surplus money" in US T-Bills/US T-bonds. Financing a good part of the US budget deficits. Absurdity total: Without the Chinese influx of "surplus money", the US defence of Taiwan would possibly have to be financed by tax increases by US citizens. No way, as no US polititian would be re- elected proposing something like that. (Another Vietnam, with a peaking inflation rate of 15 % in the middle of the 1970 ties?) To impose sanctions agaist China? Great idea! Meaning that the Chinese will even buy less US T-Bonds, and affordable Chinese consumer goods will no more enter the shores of the US. The consumer goods that the US Industry can produce (if at all possible) will cost 30% more than the Chinese imports, further accelerating the impoverishement of the "lower-class" of Americans. The future looks bright, unfortunately not for the US/European economical universe.

It's "swissie", for better or for worse. Question: Next to your valuables, have you locked your sense of humor in your safety deposit box as well?

I am so disthrought. If only you would read my posts more carefully. By doing so, you would have noticed that I used "Roulette" only within the context of "mathematics". I don't do roulette, but I do "ruthless trading" far away from any roulette table on occasion. (With playing money only). With regard to my post above: I would be interested to know what you store in your safety deposit box next to Gold. With the right "content" of your safety box, I might still want to "suck up to you". Come on, spill your guts. To verify: Is your handle truly "yellowtail"? If "yellowsnail", I would have to reconsider my generous offer.

What you pay for your safety deposit box at Krunsri is very reasonable. Congrats! Of course it's all relative. If only 1 oz of Gold is stored, the carrying charge would be close to 3%. -------------------------------- PS: In case you store 1 Mill $ worth of Gold in your safety deposit box, I would like to suck up to you. I make for a great pal, I sing and dance like Fred Astair. I tell funny jokes and sell snake oil on the side. I can mow your lawn and give professional massages to the female members of your family. We could sit together and wach the markets while sipping liberal amounts of beer. How's that?

Are you playing your cards right? = AND ???