CartagenaWarlock

4 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

If you eat very cheap food and drink very cheap drinks, yes. If you like the finer things in life, it will be a lot more expensive

The finer things in life are expensive in any country. I spend 15K for food and 10K for weed. Except the breakfast, I order most of my food. Also, when you get older, I assume people tend to eat less. Sometimes I drink cocktails, and there may be another 2K/month. I don't sit in the bar from morning until midnight, drinking beer. That's how most people spend their money, I assume. 

I went to the full-money party in February. Nobody ever approached me to buy drugs. It was surreal. Overall, I enjoyed it. They don't have adequate public toilets compared to the crowd they get. I had to go to the weed shop every time I had to pee and buy a diet coke. 

Just now, Nemises said:

No one is saying cash is obsolete. It’s just no longer “king”. 

Cash is still king in the sense that it was used first, I believe. During a stock market crash, if you have cash, you can buy up beaten-down stocks. So it's still a king. However, for day-to-day purchases, a credit card provides more advantages than cash. 

20 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Anybody actually used Google Wallet? if so which shops accept it?

I use it extensively in the US but have never tried it in Thailand. Maybe I will give it a try. I'm not sure of the advantage, though. In Thailand I just pull out my CC and wave it. In the US, I can use it for online ordering, in restaurant, etc. I have not tried in supermarket in the US. I remember using it in Taipei once while ordering some foods from a table inside the restaurant. 

I rented a MC in Samui, and she asked for my passport and DL. I told her I didn't have a passport. She was surprised but insisted on seeing my passport. I told her I had lost it. She wanted to see the police report. I said I was going to the police station now. She wanted to see my Thai DL which I had and showed it. But she wanted to keep it. I asked what would happen if the police stopped me and asked for my license. She gave me her card and told me to call her, but I must be wearing a helmet. I agreed and gave her my license. 

8 hours ago, freeworld said:

I think even CH makes a lot of noise, at the end of the day they also toe the US and EU line when it comes to international finances and trading.

Cooperating with the US and EU does not mean kowtowing to their demands to punish other countries. As China and India have shown, they don't care this foolish financial punishment of Russia. They will buy their oil from Russia and Iran using their own currencies. And what they want is to strengthen that and other trades without dollars in the future. 

16 hours ago, Padthaigoong said:

Line man and Grab deliver to Jomtien very cheaply.

I think the last time I used them it was 30 baht to deliver to Jomtien from central Pattaya.

I don't like McDonald's delivery because the fries become soggy, and I don't like it. 

6 hours ago, Everyman said:

Try doing an ACH pull on the Chase side from your Wealthfront account and you’ll see what I mean. 

Done many times. Not more than 24 hours. Moreover, I can see the money is already gone from Wealthfront after 48 hours of Wise pull. 

2 hours ago, Padthaigoong said:

And a KFC

And a Burger King

I am not a big fan of KFC, but I believe they have one in Lotus. I like Texas chicken. 

I never go to Burger King in the US either. So, I don't miss it. My first food chains were McDonald's and Arby's in the US. I believe they don't have Arby in Thailand. I have never seen one. For McDonald's, I either go to Tree Town or Tukum. More often to Tukum than to Tree Town. 

Just now, piston broke said:

Jomtien has no gas stations - Wongamat/Naklua has 2 ....

They have two gas stations on Thepprasit Road. I like Jomtien. Only once did I go to Wongamat/Nakula to look for a condo, but I did not like the area. I can't give you the exact reason. The first impression was not good. The only thing lacking in Jomtien is a McDonald's, and I don't like ordering from McDonald's. I like their hot French fries. 

Just hand over a veet tube. That's what I do when my ladies show signs of laziness. 

I wanted to try out the USA deposit account in Wise (USA). So I added $1,000 USD last Friday. They informed me it will take one week to get my funds from my Wealthfront account  because apparently I linked the bank using two micro deposits. To check if the delay is due to Wealthfront or Wise, I immediately went to the Wealthfront site and initiated $1,000 transfer to Chase Bank, and the money reached my Chase bank in three hours. So it is not that Wealthfront is delaying it (The Wise transfer was a pull and the Chase bank transfer  was a push). This morning I woke up and checked my Wise account; the money is still not there (after more than one week) in my Wise account. I checked my Wealthfront account and the money was withdrawn by Wise two days after I initiated the pull at Wise and that was five days ago. I don't understand why it takes so long for Wise to pull money from my US bank. I can assure you that most American banks will pull the money by the next day (apparently they do it in batches), and it will be in my account within two/three days. I'm not sure why it takes so long for Wise to pull the money. And yes, it's a shame that there is no instant transfer in the USA, like in most countries. 

Just now, oMega69 said:

My country have DTA with Thailand so its should be zero tax then. . .

Just having a DTA does mean anything. If you have to dig into it to find out what is specifically exempt,. US SS, and government pensions are specifically exempt. 

3 hours ago, Liquorice said:

The Non Imm O-A is a multi entry visa, valid for 1 year, each entry grants a stay of 1 year up to the expiry date, but is subject to the expiry date of the compulsory health insurance he must take out. He'll also require a criminal record check. If he enters just before the visa expiry date, he'll be granted a further one year stay and if he obtains a multi re-entry permit, he can come and go as he pleases for a second year. 

I talked to him. Apparently, he had an OA before COVID and abandoned it after they mandated health insurance. He says it is inconvenient for him to align his "permitted to stay" date with his health insurance expiration date. He gets his health insurance from the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace, and within two years he is going to switch to Medicare at 65. He stays for six months  but not continuously. Takes a break and goes back to the USA. I told him the best option for him was to get an agent-assisted extension. After the first year, it is around $30 per month. And yes, he has to pay for the months he is not in Thailand, but still, it is a bargain. Now, let him do whatever he wants to. 

So far, weed works for me the best. There is no need for any other enhancement drugs. I will see how long I can continue with weed and no enhancement drugs.  

On 1/12/2024 at 9:58 PM, Lacessit said:

Most pharmaceuticals here can be obtained by simply showing an empty box of the medication, or a note in writing.

In Thailand one does not need a prescription to buy most medications. That is also the reason my UHC health savings MasterCard is always denied at all pharmacies. They only work in hospital pharmacies. 

6 hours ago, Liquorice said:

So his funds are in invested in an IRA account with a financial institution, not a bank.

I would transfer the required funds for the Non Imm O into a checking or savings account to be on the safe side.

 

Has he considered the Non Imm O-A visa?

401(K) is like an IRA, and he has IRAs as well. So, this is ruled out.He mentioned O-A and is looking into it; otherwise, he will continue to do whatever he is doing with TVs and extensions. He is thinking about taking a risk, sending his IRA statement for a non-O, and seeing what happens. 

6 hours ago, Liquorice said:

As long as the funds are immediately accessible, it should be OK.

Settlement time when you sell a portion of your 401K is a few days. Not immediately available, like in checking or in savings. 

6 hours ago, Liquorice said:

And should he have a medical emergency?

Credit cards. Credit cards are for emergencies.