fredwiggy

If giving is the most gratifying thing to you, you aren't quite the narcissist you believe you are. All of us have slight narcissistic tendencies, but some have the personality, and they aren't givers but takers and users, not caring about anyone besides themselves.

News that the Thai police force allows sexual predators loose after paying a small fine doesn't do well for tourism or expats living here , especially with children. Do they not understand the world sees what goes on here more and more?

Traveling the world hunting and fishing and seeing all my children end up with good partners.

You don't brandish the gun, you wear it under your shirt, and this isn't a bad idea. They aren't illegal, and won't scare others thinking it's a real gun. Soi dogs can be bribed with food, although some are plain mean and will attack anything in their territory. I see this around my house in the country where dogs have killed any cats I bring here that stay outside. Having biscuits handy will make a few friends and dogs will remember you but again this won't always work. A baseball bat isn't illegal either , if you can get one. A cop isn't going to give you a hard time if you explain yourself. A dog that attacks anyone isn't supposed to be around anyway, unless it's on it's home property and you enter. One of the horns people use at sporting events also will deter them.

No, just tired of hearing people brag because something's missing in their lives. It's always best to be humble because showing off only impresses the sheep. I know a lot of people who do better than most and they aren't feeling the need to tell others.If it was a topic on how much a person spends on food monthly it's a little different. There are some here, and we all know who they are, who feel the need to tell others just how much they have, and this is bragging. How they came into the money might be an interesting story also. Many of them are probably lying anyway which is sadder yet. This is a world in which most people are just getting by, and any advice on how to help others is always a good thing. Do you think anyone in their right minds cares how much the Kardashians make, let alone how they make it?

Of course we are not equals, but it's still bragging showing off what you have. You think anyone cares to hear?

I really don't assume much, preferring facts and evidence, so I'm not sure what you mean.

A large portion of Americans don't spend that much on food every month, and that includes children. Cheese costs here, as does foreign beef, which is much better than Thai beef. Cooking two meals a day does cost more, but I still can't see paying that much if most of it is cooking at home. If I remember right, when I lived back in Texas I ate like you did, with fish, chicken and seafood, salads daily, for my daughter and I, and I spent around half of what you do now.

Some of the people who do have more and don't find a need to brag about it are called humble, modest, frugal and a quiet achiever.

Danger Will Robinson!!

There's a difference in relating good advice on how a person with limited means can be frugal and get by, and one bragging to others just to show off. Easy to decipher between the two

Some people, millions in fact, bust their asses for decades just to get by, while people who sit behind a desk and move money around get wealthy doing a job that isn't helping anyone besides themselves and other rich ones. Some might not be able to work after age 65 because of health problems. Living here, most cannot work anyway because of legal requirements. Back in the US, it's very hard for a retired person to get a decent job, most being taken by the younger set. Yes, there are quite a few who are criminals that have money to burn, who've had jobs that hurt the earth or others, but I'm talking about the normal everyday worker. Social Security is all many have to get by on for many reasons.

Thought I had it a few years ago while visiting Hua Hin with the ex and daughters. Went to a local doctor and told him my symptoms, telling him I thought it might be H Pylori. He agreed, gave me a prescription for antacids and antibiotics, cleared up in two days. I think I might have had it while living in Texas, and maybe again after this one episode, but without checking you can't tell. In hindsight, the doctor actually should have given me a breath test . Much of the world's population has it or had it, and kissing another is one way to catch it, along with other things mentioned. Many people carry it with no problems, or they might come later, as Sheryl posted. I've had some stomach issues since I moved here and since I've always eaten very healthy, I couldn't figure out what I had besides a guess at IBS, because of the symptoms. I started eating the Brat diet more, Bananas, rice, Applesauce and toast, without the applesauce, because I can't find it here. This helped and when I started on collagen, it got much better, although still have symptoms, but a lot less. Without a gastro doctor, all you can do is process of elimination.

Why would one brag about how much they spend? Does it impress anyone perhaps? Spending 3000 baht a month at 7-11 means a whole lot of junk food, unless you do much of your shopping for oil, bread, water, fish sauce and other sundries besides doing it at Lotus or Big-C. Anyone who lives here knows they can get good, healthy food for under 300 baht at most restaurants without getting extravagant for some reason besides to show off. I'm guessing you don't understand that when a foreigner shows off burning his money, it makes the Thais around him think unrealistically about all foreigners, we're all rich and have money to burn, which isn't true for over 90% of the expats.

Average Social Security check by type While most people think of Social Security as a program just for retirees, it serves many other groups, including the disabled, spouses and minor children of retirees as well as the spouses and minor children of deceased workers. The amount that each group receives differs substantially. In fact, the average retired worker receives $1,905.31 each month – about 8 percent more than Social Security recipients as a whole. Here’s how the figures break down by recipient, as of December 2023. Type of beneficiary Percent of total payouts Average monthly benefit Source: Social Security Administration, December 2023.........................Google has a few things that don't match what the actual Social Security Administration says. The maximum they pay out is 4873 a month................The maximum benefit depends on the age you retire. For example, if you retire at full retirement age in 2024, your maximum benefit would be $3,822. However, if you retire at age 62 in 2024, your maximum benefit would be $2,710. If you retire at age 70 in 2024, your maximum benefit would be $4,873. All recipients 100% $1,767.03 Retirement benefits 78.6% $1,856.38 Retired workers 74.8% $1,905.31 Survivor benefits 8.7% $1,501.60 Nondisabled widow(er)s 5.2% $1,774.33 Disability insurance 12.7% $1,395.49 Disabled workers 11.0% $1,537.13