Do you think (most) financially struggling western retirees are stupid for not retiring abroad?

[bignok]

Life sucks

Then you die

Enjoy

[nana kid]

I'm not stupid                      nor am I sad and lonely.    Been here 12 years.  Thailand doesn't outreach for expats;  their eyes are glued to 49 million tourists      Waiting for it to happen again        I don't think they can see past that. 

  Expats are a monthly cash cow requiring nothing from the Government.  It's a one way cash flow

[Yellowtail]

3 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I am wondering when the penny will drop with Americans that unbridled capitalism is doing them no favours, and mild socialism is not the evil most are conditioned to believe.

Capitalism in the US is not even close to being "unbridled", and we already suffer from "mild socialism". 

 

 

[transam]

1 minute ago, bignok said:

Life sucks

Then you die

Enjoy

For you, probably............

[wwest5829]

7 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I am wondering when the penny will drop with Americans that unbridled capitalism is doing them no favours, and mild socialism is not the evil most are conditioned to believe.

It happened before when there was a real perceived threat. The result was, when their back seemed to be against the wall, FDR was able to get social legislation through Congress. But then, they were facing the Depression. Those with power/wealth will not bend until there seems to be no other way. Sad ... any confrontation, such as what we are facing increasingly today, could be avoided by taking a "middle road" paying increased attention to moderating the economic stress among the working middle class upon whom any hope of a participatory democracy depends in the USA.

[Yellowtail]

1 minute ago, wwest5829 said:

It happened before when there was a real perceived threat. The result was, when their back seemed to be against the wall, FDR was able to get social legislation through Congress. But then, they were facing the Depression. Those with power/wealth will not bend until there seems to be no other way. Sad ... any confrontation, such as what we are facing increasingly today, could be avoided by taking a "middle road" paying increased attention to moderating the economic stress among the working middle class upon whom any hope of a participatory democracy depends in the USA.

FDR did nothing but extend the depression. The recovery was well on it's way before his interference. 

[Celsius]

It's not fair or accurate to label financially struggling Western retirees as "stupid" for not retiring abroad. There are numerous factors that can influence a retiree's decision to stay in their home country rather than moving abroad. Here are some of the considerations:

1. Financial Constraints: Not everyone has the financial means to retire abroad. Moving to another country often involves substantial costs, and some retirees may not have the resources necessary to make such a move.

2. Family and Social Ties: Retirees may have strong ties to their home country, including family, friends, and community connections. Leaving behind these relationships can be emotionally challenging.

3. Health and Healthcare: Access to quality healthcare is a crucial consideration for retirees. Some may have specific healthcare needs or preferences that are best met in their home country.

4. Language and Cultural Barriers: Moving to a foreign country can be intimidating, particularly if you don't speak the language or aren't familiar with the culture. Some retirees may not feel comfortable navigating these challenges.

5. Legal and Immigration Issues: Depending on the destination country, there may be legal and immigration issues to navigate, which can be complicated and time-consuming.

6. Personal Preferences: Retirement is a highly personal decision. Some retirees simply prefer to stay in their familiar surroundings and are content with their lifestyle, even if it means financial constraints.

7. Risk Aversion: Moving abroad comes with uncertainties and risks, and not everyone is willing to take on these challenges, especially in their later years.

Instead of labeling retirees as "stupid," it's more constructive to consider their individual circumstances, choices, and priorities. What might work well for one person may not be suitable for another. Each person's financial situation and personal preferences are unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for retirement.

[Jingthing]

There have been a few complaints about using the word stupid.

Everyone is stupid in some ways.

The word clearly helped stimulate the discussion here.

[wwest5829]

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

FDR did nothing but extend the depression. The recovery was well on it's way before his interference. 

 

3 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

FDR did nothing but extend the depression. The recovery was well on it's way before his interference. 

Interesting interpretation of history. Could I ask where you earned your degrees in history or economics? I would agree that it was WW II that brought the world clear of the economic depression.

[wwest5829]

4 minutes ago, Celsius said:

It's not fair or accurate to label financially struggling Western retirees as "stupid" for not retiring abroad. There are numerous factors that can influence a retiree's decision to stay in their home country rather than moving abroad. Here are some of the considerations:

1. Financial Constraints: Not everyone has the financial means to retire abroad. Moving to another country often involves substantial costs, and some retirees may not have the resources necessary to make such a move.

2. Family and Social Ties: Retirees may have strong ties to their home country, including family, friends, and community connections. Leaving behind these relationships can be emotionally challenging.

3. Health and Healthcare: Access to quality healthcare is a crucial consideration for retirees. Some may have specific healthcare needs or preferences that are best met in their home country.

4. Language and Cultural Barriers: Moving to a foreign country can be intimidating, particularly if you don't speak the language or aren't familiar with the culture. Some retirees may not feel comfortable navigating these challenges.

5. Legal and Immigration Issues: Depending on the destination country, there may be legal and immigration issues to navigate, which can be complicated and time-consuming.

6. Personal Preferences: Retirement is a highly personal decision. Some retirees simply prefer to stay in their familiar surroundings and are content with their lifestyle, even if it means financial constraints.

7. Risk Aversion: Moving abroad comes with uncertainties and risks, and not everyone is willing to take on these challenges, especially in their later years.

Instead of labeling retirees as "stupid," it's more constructive to consider their individual circumstances, choices, and priorities. What might work well for one person may not be suitable for another. Each person's financial situation and personal preferences are unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for retirement.

Thank for taking your time to offer valid "food for thought".

[charleskerins]

24 minutes ago, Tedly said:

 Also even if they do own a home, depending on what state they live in property taxes could be 500 dollars a month

Or more

[wwest5829]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

There have been a few complaints about using the word stupid.

Everyone is stupid in some ways.

The word clearly helped stimulate the discussion here.

Herein lies the problem. Everyone is "ignorant" (lack of knowledge) in some ways. Looking at the definition of "Stupid" implies quite a different meaning. PC? No, just English usage from someone who spent a lifetime in education.

[charleskerins]

5 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

 

Interesting interpretation of history. Could I ask where you earned your degrees in history or economics? I would agree that it was WW II that brought the world clear of the economic depression.

Is interesting a synonym for false ? i earned my degree from Villanova   

Annual
1 : As of Feb. 7, 2003, series codes for CPS data will change; data shown abo
1929	3.2
1930	8.7
1931	15.9
1932	23.6
1933	24.9
1934	21.7
1935	20.1
1936	16.9
1937	14.3
1938	19.0
1939	17.2

[charleskerins]

30 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I am wondering when the penny will drop with Americans that unbridled capitalism is doing them no favours, and mild socialism is not the evil most are conditioned to believe.

No need to wonder -never .They vote to cut their own throats.

[wwest5829]

3 minutes ago, charleskerins said:

Is interesting a synonym for false ? i earned my degree from Villanova   

Annual
1 : As of Feb. 7, 2003, series codes for CPS data will change; data shown abo
1929	3.2
1930	8.7
1931	15.9
1932	23.6
1933	24.9
1934	21.7
1935	20.1
1936	16.9
1937	14.3
1938	19.0
1939	17.2

Care to state what your numbers indicate and the citation of your information source? The Depression continued but to place the "cause" on FDR's and Congress legislation is not valid. The idea is to be both civil in academic discussion and cite pertinent valid information.

[Yellowtail]

14 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

 

Interesting interpretation of history. Could I ask where you earned your degrees in history or economics?

Sure

14 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

 

I would agree that it was WW II that brought the world clear of the economic depression.

I have not said that, so it's unclear who you'd be agreeing with. In any event, I was talking about the US depression, not the world depression. 

[Yellowtail]

18 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

There have been a few complaints about using the word stupid.

Everyone is stupid in some ways.

The word clearly helped stimulate the discussion here.

 

You called no one stupid, you asked it they were doing something stupid. 

 

Plenty of smart people do stupid things, and visa-versa. 

[Yellowtail]

15 minutes ago, charleskerins said:

Or more

Or less

[wwest5829]

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Sure

I have not said that, so it's unclear who you'd be agreeing with. In any event, I was talking about the US depression, not the world depression. 

Sorry, wires crossed. I was agreeing with your post, I think But taking issue with charleskerins post.

 

[Yellowtail]

5 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Care to state what your numbers indicate and the citation of your information source? The Depression continued but to place the "cause" on FDR's and Congress legislation is not valid. The idea is to be both civil in academic discussion and cite pertinent valid information.

I missed where you supported your idiotic albeit widely made claim. Just because a lot of people say it, does not make it so. 

[charleskerins]

10 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Care to state what your numbers indicate and the citation of your information source? The Depression continued but to place the "cause" on FDR's and Congress legislation is not valid. The idea is to be both civil in academic discussion and cite pertinent valid information.

The numbers indicate that under FDR the unemployment rate was reduced by 7% before WW2. Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics.   New Deal ,Social Security WPA ,TVA ,etc.

[wwest5829]

8 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I missed where you supported your idiotic albeit widely made claim. Just because a lot of people say it, does not make it so. 

Thank you for making yourself clear by using a personal "idiotic" attack ... the are billions of folks in the world no need to waste your time on me ... you are blocked.

[RanongCat]

On 10/21/2023 at 3:35 PM, bignok said:

Really? How many 30yo women have these poor old yanks slept with?

🤔

[wwest5829]

8 minutes ago, charleskerins said:

The numbers indicate that under FDR the unemployment rate was reduced by 7% before WW2. Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics.   New Deal ,Social Security WPA ,TVA ,etc.

Agreed that FDR legislation alone did not end the depression and that it was WW II that brought on the economic recovery. Reality personally was my Uncle hired through the CCC and family benefited. However, looking at another of your posts, I would think we have more agreement than disagreement. The social legislation in the long run, I think was a direction needed to progress today for the benefit of the working middle class in the USA. 

[Yellowtail]

38 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Thank you for making yourself clear by using a personal "idiotic" attack ... the are billions of folks in the world no need to waste your time on me ... you are blocked.

Hmm, I thought you made it personal with: "Interesting interpretation of history. Could I ask where you earned your degrees in history or economics?"

 

I don't blame you for blocking me....

 

[Yellowtail]

35 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Agreed that FDR legislation alone did not end the depression and that it was WW II that brought on the economic recovery. Reality personally was my Uncle hired through the CCC and family benefited. However, looking at another of your posts, I would think we have more agreement than disagreement. The social legislation in the long run, I think was a direction needed to progress today for the benefit of the working middle class in the USA. 

Well, if your uncle got a job through the CCC and you "think" that was the direction needed that's certainly enough for me. 

Edited October 23, 2023 by Yellowtail

[WhatMeWorry]

On 10/21/2023 at 4:00 PM, transam said:

You sound like a very boring individual..........

And you sound rather arrogant, I guess living in Issan will do that to you.

[charleskerins]

57 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Agreed that FDR legislation alone did not end the depression and that it was WW II that brought on the economic recovery. Reality personally was my Uncle hired through the CCC and family benefited. However, looking at another of your posts, I would think we have more agreement than disagreement. The social legislation in the long run, I think was a direction needed to progress today for the benefit of the working middle class in the USA. 

My dad was in the CCC!

[spidermike007]

19 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I wouldn't drive there but if going by bus it's quite easy to identify risky areas.

I like Mexico's residency offer in which depending on your wealth you can get permanent residence that's good for life upon one application. Or you can go for temp residency which leads to permanent in five years.

I continue to believe that there are relatively safer places to live in Mexico.

Mexico, and many other places are far more welcoming and far more gracious with retirees, than Thailand is. Their governments have enough vision to see the value, and are infinitely less arrogant, myopic and xenophobic. 

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

It seems every American I have met in Thailand is quite scathing about their home country.

Given the state of the political landscape, unsurprising.

It is far easier to discern horrific and ignorant foreign policy from a distance than it is when you're at home. Alot of Americans that I talk to in the US don't really have a clue, they don't see how ridiculously expensive things are, they don't see how the quality of life is declining, they're really blind to a lot of that, but once you get away from it and you see what life is like elsewhere, you perceive the truth and it's pretty easy to be critical at that point. America is broken.