How to live for 4000 baht a month. Not inc rents.

[yooper]

7 hours ago, bazza73 said:

Assuming you get to 70, your opinion might change. 80 and up is the new normal.

Amen to that! I'm suddenly 71 and just got the dirt bike of my dreams this year, I run snowmobiles,  chainsaws, road race my corvette, and still work (online telecommuter) the same database programming job for approx 40 yrs. (I started with cp/m os and 300 baud modems )  I've been careful with my diet, managed my weight and the only med I need is a blood pressure pill. Until recently I was never been one to minimize alcohol consumption. I do feel a  significant loss of stamina, strength and libido but can generally keep up with my much more junior friends. 

 

My best advice to those who want to live long is to include deep, controlled breathing exercises along with other exercise. This assumes you can inhale clean air of course ... also quit sugars and processed food sooner rather than later, eat plenty of fruits, greens and fiber. Have annual checkups with bloodwork... many years ago I was 'pre-diabetic' but all is fine now ... also get the fecal occult test for colon polyp detection if you are shy about a colonoscopy.  I never dreamed I'd manage to live as long as I have but I'm so very glad to be around now for my amazing extended Thai family.  

 

[bkk6060]

5 minutes ago, yooper said:

Amen to that! I'm suddenly 71 and just got the dirt bike of my dreams this year, I run snowmobiles,  chainsaws, road race my corvette, and still work (online telecommuter) the same database programming job for approx 40 yrs. (I started with cp/m os and 300 baud modems )  I've been careful with my diet, managed my weight and the only med I need is a blood pressure pill. Until recently I was never been one to minimize alcohol consumption. I do feel a  significant loss of stamina, strength and libido but can generally keep up with my much more junior friends. 

 

My best advice to those who want to live long is to include deep, controlled breathing exercises along with other exercise. This assumes you can inhale clean air of course ... also quit sugars and processed food sooner rather than later, eat plenty of fruits, greens and fiber. Have annual checkups with bloodwork... many years ago I was 'pre-diabetic' but all is fine now ... also get the fecal occult test for colon polyp detection if you are shy about a colonoscopy.  I never dreamed I'd manage to live as long as I have but I'm so very glad to be around now for my amazing extended Thai family.  

 

Hey good advice for older folks like us.

Interesting though I really don't see many 75+ year olds here. Over 80 I am not sure I have met maybe a handful.

Okay, yes there are some but percentage wise not that many.

I assume they head back to their home countries for medical reasons/care.  Medicare and the such.

[MaeJoMTB]

4 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Hey good advice for older folks like us.

Interesting though I really don't see many 75+ year olds here. Over 80 I am not sure I have met maybe a handful.

Okay, yes there are some but percentage wise not that many.

I assume they head back to their home countries for medical reasons/care.  Medicare and the such.

All the ones I knew died before or very soon after 70. I don't think Thailand is kind to old white guys.

Neither of my parents made 70 back in the UK. Two of my aunts did make 80, but  Alzheimer's removed their minds well before that.

My best advice for people who want to live a long time is stay at home in the UK, you may not live much longer, but it will seem like forever.

Edited October 31, 2017 by MaeJoMTB

[bkk6060]

3 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

All the ones I knew died before or very soon after 70.

I  don't think Thailand is kind to old white guys.

You got me curious so just checked and WHO stats put male life expectancy here at 71.9 years.

Seems your comments are pretty right on.

[yooper]

Just now, bkk6060 said:

Hey good advice for older folks like us.

Interesting though I really don't see many 75+ year olds here. Over 80 I am not sure I have met maybe a handful.

Okay, yes there are some but percentage wise not that many.

I assume they head back to their home countries for medical reasons/care.  Medicare and the such.

yes, I realize that there is a huge possibility that some day I and/or my wife could face the choice of Medicare or Thailand. My wife could get the 30baht insurance and maybe better.  Her sister and the husband and another brother have had serious heart issues and are doing very well today under govt care... If I expire in a hang-gliding accident or some other risky misfortune she would probably stay in Thailand. Maybe the VA will extend benefits worldwide over the coming years for me. Meanwhile I plan to return to the usa each year for my checkups at least until I dispose of our property and my man-toys.  

[yooper]

17 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

You got me curious so just checked and WHO stats put male life expectancy here at 71.9 years.

Seems your comments are pretty right on.

I guess that explains the wide eyes I got last year when family introduces me to friends and tells them my age. 

 

[Si Thea01]

44 minutes ago, yooper said:

Amen to that! I'm suddenly 71 and just got the dirt bike of my dreams this year, I run snowmobiles,  chainsaws, road race my corvette, and still work (online telecommuter) the same database programming job for approx 40 yrs. (I started with cp/m os and 300 baud modems )  I've been careful with my diet, managed my weight and the only med I need is a blood pressure pill. Until recently I was never been one to minimize alcohol consumption. I do feel a  significant loss of stamina, strength and libido but can generally keep up with my much more junior friends. 

 

My best advice to those who want to live long is to include deep, controlled breathing exercises along with other exercise. This assumes you can inhale clean air of course ... also quit sugars and processed food sooner rather than later, eat plenty of fruits, greens and fiber. Have annual checkups with bloodwork... many years ago I was 'pre-diabetic' but all is fine now ... also get the fecal occult test for colon polyp detection if you are shy about a colonoscopy.  I never dreamed I'd manage to live as long as I have but I'm so very glad to be around now for my amazing extended Thai family.  

 

Good on you.  It is a must to have good health. I agree with all you say.  I do envy you with your new bike, I rode bikes back home for some 40 years but had to give them up owing to my medical condition,  arthritis, a knee replacement and ankle fusion.

 

We have to keep active as we enter out twilight years so I walk my dog, twice a day, most days and also try to watch what I eat but like most, I like good food and wine.  Need to loose at least 15 kilos but I cannot do enough exercise to do this. So I am between the devil and the deep blue sea.  

 

Yes the loss of stamina, strength and libido is a worry too but if one has an understanding woman, then they will get by.  I have a complete medical every two years, for everything and so far, so good and I'm only 2 years behind you.

 

I had diverticulitis about 18 years ago and had a metre of the large colon removed, told I was cured but I have noticed, through x-rays, that a few have returned but was told not to worry. Will be getting a second opinion.  I am concerned as I had an operation here where the doctor was negligent and ruined the sight in one eye.  I don't want any more stuff ups. All I can say is keep up the good work and live a long and fruitful life.

  

[bazza73]

4 hours ago, Casanova666 said:

I have often had thoughts about the big water machines
they are on mains water so to produce drinkable water they need a filter
does anybody really think that there is a Thai running around changing filters ?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

The water I get from the machines appears to be clear; however, I boil it to be on the safe side. If I boil tap water here, it's so loaded with lime the kettle will clag up in no time.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

12 minutes ago, bazza73 said:

The water I get from the machines appears to be clear; however, I boil it to be on the safe side. If I boil tap water here, it's so loaded with lime the kettle will clag up in no time.

 

Past testing by the Thai Health Ministry has shown extensive water contamination among water vending machines, often because they're never cleaned and/or have their filters changed.

 

I use tap water at home in BKK, but before using, I run it thru a PUR brand water filter system and then boil it in a water boiler. So long as I PUR filter the BKK tap water first (and change the filter on schedule), the interior of my water boiler remains clean.

 

The advantage of handling it at home vs from a water vending machine is with the vending machine, you have no idea what you're getting or how it's been maintained. Whereas when I handle the filtering at home, I know exactly what's going on.

 

[bazza73]

2 hours ago, yooper said:

Amen to that! I'm suddenly 71 and just got the dirt bike of my dreams this year, I run snowmobiles,  chainsaws, road race my corvette, and still work (online telecommuter) the same database programming job for approx 40 yrs. (I started with cp/m os and 300 baud modems )  I've been careful with my diet, managed my weight and the only med I need is a blood pressure pill. Until recently I was never been one to minimize alcohol consumption. I do feel a  significant loss of stamina, strength and libido but can generally keep up with my much more junior friends. 

 

My best advice to those who want to live long is to include deep, controlled breathing exercises along with other exercise. This assumes you can inhale clean air of course ... also quit sugars and processed food sooner rather than later, eat plenty of fruits, greens and fiber. Have annual checkups with bloodwork... many years ago I was 'pre-diabetic' but all is fine now ... also get the fecal occult test for colon polyp detection if you are shy about a colonoscopy.  I never dreamed I'd manage to live as long as I have but I'm so very glad to be around now for my amazing extended Thai family.  

 

I was a daily drinker, but now I've cut it back to weekends only. Modesty prevents me from explaining in quantitative terms how that has improved my libido. Haven't smoked for over 30 years.

The daily markets provide ample fresh fruit and vegetables. While I still eat meat, small quantities only.

One small point worth watching - one can become Vitamin B12 deficient here. That's because most of the meat here is pork, chicken or fish, and beef (red meat) is the only source of Vitamin B12. I take a B12 supplement every second day.

I think the 71.9 statistic is for Thai males. Australian and UK male life expectancy is just above 80 years.

Most Thais I meet ( male and female ) think I'm 60. They're genuinely astonished when I tell them I'm 74.

It's all about quality of life.  I can't imagine living on 4000 baht a month would have much quality.

 

[yooper]

28 minutes ago, bazza73 said:

I was a daily drinker, but now I've cut it back to weekends only. Modesty prevents me from explaining in quantitative terms how that has improved my libido. Haven't smoked for over 30 years.

The daily markets provide ample fresh fruit and vegetables. While I still eat meat, small quantities only.

One small point worth watching - one can become Vitamin B12 deficient here. That's because most of the meat here is pork, chicken or fish, and beef (red meat) is the only source of Vitamin B12. I take a B12 supplement every second day.

I think the 71.9 statistic is for Thai males. Australian and UK male life expectancy is just above 80 years.

Most Thais I meet ( male and female ) think I'm 60. They're genuinely astonished when I tell them I'm 74.

It's all about quality of life.  I can't imagine living on 4000 baht a month would have much quality.

 

I disagree about red meat .... B12 is found in all animal-derived foods such as meat, eggs, dairy, fish and poultry.  I am a huge on fish, eggs and dairy.  I don't much mind the libido issue, to me it is actually more of a blessing given all the trouble it cause in younger days.

[Craig krup]

30 minutes ago, bazza73 said:

IThat's because most of the meat here is pork, chicken or fish, and beef (red meat) is the only source of Vitamin B12. I take a B12 supplement every second day.

There's plenty of B12 in loads of things: milk, for example. It's vegans who have to be really careful. They need yeast - Marmite, Vegemite or similar. 

 

Eating the lumps of cooked jellied chicken blood in curries will certainly do the trick. 

[KiChakayan]

16 minutes ago, yooper said:

I disagree about red meat .... B12 is found in all animal-derived foods such as meat, eggs, dairy, fish and poultry.  I am a huge on fish, eggs and dairy.  I don't much mind the libido issue, to me it is actually more of a blessing given all the trouble it cause in younger days.

As long as I can boomboom I don't want to die..

 

By that I mean, walking into a gogo bar and not walking out with one or two nymphets would kill me. Boombooming your wife isn't the absolute test as one might get bored. But so far, not so bad, 2 or 3 times a week, after nearly 9 years together.

Edited October 31, 2017 by KiChakayan

[yooper]

7 minutes ago, KiChakayan said:

As long as I can boomboom I don't want to die..

 

By that I mean, walking into a gogo bar and not walking out with one or two nymphets would kill me. Boombooming your wife isn't the absolute test as one might get bored. But so far, not so bad, 2 or 3 times a week, after nearly 9 years together.

lol !  I always met a lot of resistance when bargaining for a double, but that was back in the 70's (and before I met the wife),  times have changed eh?   I don't want to die in any case but I wouldn't mind the peacefulness either.... or exploring other worlds.

[Si Thea01]

Just now, yooper said:

lol !  I always met a lot of resistance when bargaining for a double, but that was back in the 70's (and before I met the wife),  times have changed eh?   I don't want to die in any case but I wouldn't mind the peacefulness either.... or exploring other worlds.

Yeah but what I used to do all night now takes me all night to do.

[bazza73]

36 minutes ago, yooper said:

I disagree about red meat .... B12 is found in all animal-derived foods such as meat, eggs, dairy, fish and poultry.  I am a huge on fish, eggs and dairy.  I don't much mind the libido issue, to me it is actually more of a blessing given all the trouble it cause in younger days.

And what does your yearly blood test say, or doesn't it check for B12?

The comment about red meat is based on what my doctor in Australia told me. If you know better than a medical professional.........

[KiChakayan]

They are selling doubles on line now. A lot less fun than exploring group dynamics with a friendly 3rd age mamasan as coach.

[yooper]

2 minutes ago, bazza73 said:

And what does your yearly blood test say, or doesn't it check for B12?

The comment about red meat is based on what my doctor in Australia told me. If you know better than a medical professional.........

My doctor has never said I was deficient.

I most certainly don't know better than a medical professional but my comment about sources is verified from what is published by our National Institute of Health. You may want to think about changing doctors.

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/

 

[MaeJoMTB]

1 hour ago, bazza73 said:

And what does your yearly blood test say, or doesn't it check for B12?

The comment about red meat is based on what my doctor in Australia told me. If you know better than a medical professional.........

Not all doctors are competent (or honest).

I always check their opinions, and about 50% of the time conclude they are wrong.

6 years back a doctor decided my gall bladder was dead and needed removing ASAP, I decided it was OK, and am still alive and intact.

2 years back a doctor decided my 4 year old son had an appendix that needed emergency removal, I took him to another hospital, and the doctor there decided he had acute constipation, my son is still alive and intact.

 

Doctors make money from surgery.

Edited October 31, 2017 by MaeJoMTB

[BuaBS]

2 hours ago, bazza73 said:

One small point worth watching - one can become Vitamin B12 deficient here. That's because most of the meat here is pork, chicken or fish, and beef (red meat) is the only source of Vitamin B12. I take a B12 supplement every second day.

True that . As a vegetarian , or here in Thailand I'm more a vegan , I was far below minimum B12 levels . Have to take some pills too.

So good advice for vegans & vegetarians : have your blood tested for B12 !

Edited October 31, 2017 by BuaBS

[Craig krup]

45 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Not all doctors are competent (or honest).

I always check their opinions, and about 50% of the time conclude they are wrong.

6 years back a doctor decided my gall bladder was dead and needed removing ASAP, I decided it was OK, and am still alive and intact.

2 years back a doctor decided my 4 year old son had an appendix that needed emergency removal, I took him to another hospital, and the doctor there decided he had acute constipation, my son is still alive and intact.

 

Doctors make money from surgery.

Rebound pain is the killer diagnostic test. It was the third numptie who knew that when I was a kid. 

[bazza73]

7 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Not all doctors are competent (or honest).

I always check their opinions, and about 50% of the time conclude they are wrong.

6 years back a doctor decided my gall bladder was dead and needed removing ASAP, I decided it was OK, and am still alive and intact.

2 years back a doctor decided my 4 year old son had an appendix that needed emergency removal, I took him to another hospital, and the doctor there decided he had acute constipation, my son is still alive and intact.

 

Doctors make money from surgery.

I assume you are talking about Thailand. Australian GP's don't do surgery, they refer patients to specialists. In Australia, the standard of professionalism is much higher.

[JLCrab]

Per some of the above, the late Steve Jobs is a classic example of a guy who knew more than his Doctors. From Wikipedia:

 

Despite his (cancer) diagnosis, Jobs resisted his doctors' recommendations for medical intervention for nine months, instead relying on a pseudo-medicine diet to try natural healing to thwart the disease. According to Harvard researcher Ramzi Amri, his choice of alternative treatment "led to an unnecessarily early death".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs#Health_issues

[Time Traveller]

20 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Seems that some TVF posters consider that one can "live" only if one is spending money. Given that most of what people spend money on is unessential and somewhat pointless, if one can live without all the extraneous clutter one could be far more content with life.

The year I spent in Antarctica where the only thing requiring payment was booze, and we all lived the same was the best year of my life.

In other words some one else paid for you to live in Antartica. And yes well technically you can "live" by just sitting on rock all day and staring at the world for free. But if you actually want to use anything or travel anywhere - then you will find it costs money. 

 

Like I said before, some people actually aspire to more than just a peasant existance, and thankfully so.

It's because of those go-getters that we have nice things like cars and roads and electricity and internet.

 

Which makes me wonder, why you're on the internet here burning up all those Bahts in unneccesary and somewhat pointless spending ?

 

Edited November 1, 2017 by Time Traveller

[bazza73]

1 minute ago, Time Traveller said:

In other words some one else paid for you to live in Antartica. And yes well technically you can "live" by just sitting on rock all day and staring at the world for free. But if you actually want to use anything or travel anywhere - then you will find it costs money. 

 

 

A little bit harsh. I think he was talking about Antarctica from the viewpoint of living in a world of staggering beauty, and also forming a team with like-minded people. I understand one doesn't just waltz up and get on the boat, candidates are carefully screened for psychological compatibility and physical ability to deal with extreme

conditions. Perhaps not for everyone; however, I can comprehend how he would have enjoyed it as a challenge, while getting paid to do it.

Yes, travel does cost money. However, travel in Thailand is a lot less expensive than in Australia.

[MaeJoMTB]

10 hours ago, BuaBS said:

True that . As a vegetarian , or here in Thailand I'm more a vegan , I was far below minimum B12 levels . Have to take some pills too. So good advice for vegans & vegetarians : have your blood tested for B12 !

I know lots of vegan cyclists, most inject B12.

[torrzent]

16 hours ago, yooper said:

Amen to that! I'm suddenly 71 and just got the dirt bike of my dreams this year, I run snowmobiles,  chainsaws, road race my corvette, and still work (online telecommuter) the same database programming job for approx 40 yrs. (I started with cp/m os and 300 baud modems )  I've been careful with my diet, managed my weight and the only med I need is a blood pressure pill. Until recently I was never been one to minimize alcohol consumption. I do feel a  significant loss of stamina, strength and libido but can generally keep up with my much more junior friends. 

 

My best advice to those who want to live long is to include deep, controlled breathing exercises along with other exercise. This assumes you can inhale clean air of course ... also quit sugars and processed food sooner rather than later, eat plenty of fruits, greens and fiber. Have annual checkups with bloodwork... many years ago I was 'pre-diabetic' but all is fine now ... also get the fecal occult test for colon polyp detection if you are shy about a colonoscopy.  I never dreamed I'd manage to live as long as I have but I'm so very glad to be around now for my amazing extended Thai family.  

 

Sounds cool....the cars, snowmobiles, etc......what is the bit about running chainsaws...izzat a sport?

[torrzent]

3 hours ago, bazza73 said:

I assume you are talking about Thailand. Australian GP's don't do surgery, they refer patients to specialists. In Australia, the standard of professionalism is much higher.

That's just because the system is different...not related to competence, more likely health insurance and cost to the state coffers.  This whole discussion reminds me of that TV show House....usually half a dozen medical experts, ace medical residents all get the wrong diagnosis before House solves the case(usually while heavily medicated himself)

Edited November 1, 2017 by torrzent

[bazza73]

1 hour ago, torrzent said:

That's just because the system is different...not related to competence, more likely health insurance and cost to the state coffers.  This whole discussion reminds me of that TV show House....usually half a dozen medical experts, ace medical residents all get the wrong diagnosis before House solves the case(usually while heavily medicated himself)

It's a little known fact that the most prestigious qualification for surgeons in Commonwealth countries is the FRACS ( Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons ). So the top ones in the field get the FRCS ( Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons ) in the UK first, then get the FRACS afterwards in Australia. They are then no longer referred to as doctor, they are called mister. When you see a person with the letters FRCS FRACS after his/her name, they have been through years of training just as brutal, in its own way, as any SAS or Navy Seal commando.

[thaibeachlovers]

21 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

You must have had a great life.

I have no idea as to what you mean by that.

 

I had an exceptionally interesting life on occasions and an average life on occasions and a not so great life on occasions. However, nothing was as great as my year in Antarctica.

The lowest points were when my relationships went sour.