Are you struggling in Thailand?

[saintdomingo]

5 hours ago, impulse said:

 

That's assuming you're on the income method and not on the "money in the bank" method.  Lots of guys are whittling away at their 400K or 800K and then have to go to dodgy agents.  (The ones that can fake a bank statement) 

 

Not hard to imagine they'll eventually struggle to pay the agents.

Bad news, though.  If you're struggling in Thailand, "back home" isn't going to be any cheaper.  Being a Covid refugee for a couple of years proved that to me.  The saving grace is that you can pick up a job back home.  But unless you have some special skill, that just qualifies you for a miserable existence.

 

Impulse but sadly not finger on the pulse.

Edited April 11 by saintdomingo

[JimTripper]

I'm Ok, but I'm not saving much like I did in the Usa. More just like neutral. My lifestyle is fine, but I'm a bit worried that I should be saving more. As you get older you need more saved up to be Ok. I got a couple large tax bills that reduced my savings that I was not expecting, that got me a bit worried. A chunk of it was getting double taxed on liquidating some of my retirement accounts. I did not have the records from decades ago in contributions so I had to pay the tax and a hefty penalty on the full amount.

 

A bit of advice, I don't recommend retirement accounts anymore to get the tax deduction. It's not worth the risk or hassle, though I think it would be beneficial if you handled things perfectly. Just use a regular brokerage account.

Edited April 11 by JimTripper

[Dioj]

7 hours ago, Celsius said:

Like.....are you short on cash?

No, I’m flush with cash. Made a mint in crypto, then hit the lottery, and my great uncle kicked off last week leaving me 3 fat bank accounts. I wouldn’t be able to spend it all in 3 lifetimes, but gawd knows I’ve been trying! I’ve been partying a lot and smashed everything from north to south on 4 continents. But I’m lonely, looking for a serious relationship. No time wasters! I’m also looking to do some philanthropy like build some schools, start up some orphanages, or maybe even build some churches in Nigeria. Looking for some good suggestions and some sound advice. All serious inquires considered! 

[Dan O]

6 hours ago, bob smith said:

I dropped 10,000 on a steak dinner last weekend. 

 

4,000 on a bottle of wine.

 

much love,

BOB.

Here we go again. A new next addition to the fantasies of being bob.

[Dioj]

6 hours ago, bob smith said:

I dropped 10,000 on a steak dinner last weekend. 

 

4,000 on a bottle of wine.

Everyone knows a half decent steak costs 20,000 and any wine that isn't total p1ss costs at least 8,000 a bottle. Well, if you are forced to do things on the cheap like that then nobody should hold it against you. 

[Stevemercer]

I never even thought about money and living costs until I married a Thai woman. Now it's a bit of a worry.

[impulse]

14 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

But as I said above, the baby boomers will miss out because it's all too difficult to retrain the brain to the new electricity or internet, i.e. Cryptocurrencies.

 

That's what they said about tulip bulbs...

 

[Skeptic7]

Nope. Rocking & Rolling in it❗💰🤑💰

[scottiejohn]

13 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Nope.  I'm just curious.  I guess it's like P4P, which we also can't discuss.  But I know how P4P works...  No mystery there.

 

I've always figured that one way to avoid falling afoul of the rules is to know what that looks like.  Over the years, we occasionally read about guys who hired an agent but later found out the agent did dodgy stuff for a WP or an extension.  I'm not advocating the dodgy stuff.  But I would like to know how to tell if an agent may be cutting corners or doing something that may come around and bite me.

 

 

 

If the agent does not take you to get a photo taken at the Immigration Office (IO) then it is a dodgy extension!

 

PS;  I am talking CM IO but I assume the photo at the IO is a requirement at all IOs

[Dan O]

14 hours ago, impulse said:

 

I don't claim to know the mechanics.  I was just differentiating between going to an agent because you don't like waiting in line and going to an agent because you don't meet the requirements. 

 

Though, if a fellow doesn't have 400K or 800K to his name, and still gets an extension that requires 400K or 800K in the bank, I am curious how that does work...

 

Faked documentation. It exists and most agents being paid to get your extensions are paying someone to overlook it or produce it. Its not rocket science to figure out. 

[norfolkandchance]

14 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I live as I want to. I don't have to worry about dying broke.

If you regard yourself as a heavyweight, chances are you have a gut to match.

 

Wow. Real classy Dear Boy.

[herfiehandbag]

10 hours ago, topt said:

Sorry to hear of your troubles but where were you able to get all that for only 6k baht?

Government Hospital Chiang Rai.

They didn't offer any options, carted me in to the emergency room. Terrifyingly young looking English speaking nurse questioned me about what happened, most interested in my head. Talked to the doctor, issued some instructions to her team, next thing I knew they had removed my clothes and wrapped me in a hospital gown (I was a bit confused otherwise I would have enjoyed that bit!). Whizzed me in for the scan (her very good English slipped a bit when she announced " we did a scan of your head and found nothing - you must have a very thick head!". Then upstairs, drip inserted and onto a bed next to the nurses office, with a window through which I was observed.

 

Nobody mentioned cost until the last ten minutes as I was  being discharged. My daughter went to get the bill, cashier asked her if it was OK or did I need a plan, it was OK so daughter toddled off to an ATM and withdrew the cash from my UK bank.

Edited April 12 by herfiehandbag

[Lacessit]

10 minutes ago, norfolkandchance said:

Wow. Real classy Dear Boy.

You're classy with your first response to me? I guess putting other posters down is your thing, which makes you a poor excuse for a human being.

[Ben Zioner]

17 hours ago, Trippy said:

No matter how much cash you have, living on a budget is the best way. 

Are you working at Wat Phra Wai Tae?

[norfolkandchance]

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

You're classy with your first response to me? I guess putting other posters down is your thing, which makes you a poor excuse for a human being.

Carry on Dear Boy.

[Ben Zioner]

16 hours ago, bob smith said:

I dropped 10,000 on a steak dinner last weekend. 

 

4,000 on a bottle of wine.

 

much love,

BOB.

I envy you Bob.

 

I don't take the risk with steaks here, even grossly overdone they won't refund the 2500 THB for prime Kiwi beef. And I set my limit for wine at 2000.

 

But seriously, most of ewes are probably single, but with a family of four on 300k a month I can feel my SOL shrinking these days...

[Ben Zioner]

17 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I am struggling in Australia. Cold, and expensive. Two weeks to go, and I will be back in Thailand.

People are really struggling here. Rental costs have skyrocketed.

Sounds like a lost paradise, I have fond memories of Oz in the eighties, when everything was just right, easy, warm, beautiful and welcoming.

Edited April 12 by Ben Zioner

[bradiston]

18 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Why on earth would I need to live of a measle 40K a month?

He meant $ (😉)

[itsari]

18 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Er - 40K a month is 480 K a year.

 

I average 660K a year, I see no reason to live as a miser.

Must be living like a lord with 15000 baht more each month than a miser.

 

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

Sounds like a lost paradise, I have fond memories of Oz in the eighties, when everything was just right, easy, warm, beautiful and welcoming.

Between the sixties and eighties was a golden age, housing was affordable and people could make good money compared to living costs.

 

I paid off my house mortgage back then in 18 months.

 

The current generation trying to get into their own homes are looking at 40 - 50 years.

[bunnydrops]

I'm doing OK. The house and car are paid for, and I don't have any debt. I haven't had to touch any of my savings or investments in years. My health is good. I don't live large but I am comfortable.

[Lacessit]

2 minutes ago, itsari said:

Must be living like a lord with 15000 baht more each month than a miser.

 

Two residences, two cars, two scooters. One GF.  Eat out regularly, play golf. Sometimes see troll posts on ASEAN.

[Hummin]

Yes, right now Im struggling with the heat and the pollution and motivation. Arrived a month or two early this time, but as quick the rainseason starts, it will be better.

 

Solution is going on an Island trip again for awhil. 

[NoshowJones]

19 hours ago, nikmar said:

i get by - I d be happier being poor in Thailand than poor in the UK though.

Very true, there are thousands of OAP's in the UK dying of cold related illnesses every year, some have to decide whether to eat or go cold so they can eat.

[Trippy]

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

Are you working at Wat Phra Wai Tae?

Yes, me and Bob. We have room for a third if you want to join us?

[NoshowJones]

19 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Why on earth would I need to live of a measle 40K a month?

If your house is paid for and you have solar panels, no TV licence or council tax to pay and use a motorbike for transport, don't drink alcohol or smoke. then living on 4oK a month should be very easy.

[brianthainess]

Are you struggling in Thailand?

Only if I wake up with a large lady on top. 

[The Fugitive]

12 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

If your house is paid for and you have solar panels, no TV licence or council tax to pay and use a motorbike for transport, don't drink alcohol or smoke. then living on 4oK a month should be very easy.

Do your solar panels run your air conditioning for free in this heat? I agree with you, especially if single. It's stepchildren and neices and nephews that can cost with university and college fees, living away from home expenses and their vehicles. Fortunately, mine are satisfied with 20 year old cars and pickups. However, the Mrs feels sorry for friends and neighbours and gives many interest free loans. She complains to me when they don't repay!  

[digger70]

20 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Why on earth would I need to live of a measle 40K a month?

Why not?  A lot of people only spend their money on what they need not just wasting money because they have it on sh!t what they don't need /Just want.

[brianthainess]

No rent to pay, no eating or drinking out. I pay for internet, Lecky, cigarettes, 2 large Leos every night, Netflix, cook at home, order frozen food every month around 2k, some cheap brick weed, and to keep within my budget still give my wife an allowance every month, she buys mainly her own stuff clothes, food she likes etc. cat and dog food, 25k max a month. about 10-20k a year on my car, and I only use that to go shopping.