1 hour ago, Hummin said:

Nothing wrong with working. It just depends on what you do and who you do it for.

Some people actually like to work. But of course, if you hate getting up in the morning, have no connection with your coworkers, and dislike what you do, then it becomes a problem.

Honestly, too many people have spent their lives doing work they never really enjoyed.

The craziest part is that many also commute every day, spending hours in a car or on public transport just to get there and back.

Doing jobs for the likes of American banks ultimately meant i could retire early, some people hate their jobs and don't get paid much. Maybe 1 in 10 actually enjoy their work, i probably enjoyed it 50% of the time

6 minutes ago, StarOfLight said:

I don't disagree, but I think there comes a time when it's just about you. You don't want to die with that attitude imo.

Work can be rewarding. Not usually, but possible.

At some point it has to be about you. But that does not mean doing nothing. It means choosing something that builds your life instead of draining it.

I just came across a reel about a UK guy in his 40íes who moved alone into a canyon close to Hua Hin. He seemed full of issues and clearly needed a timeout to sort out his life.

It may show up in my feed again later, but to me it is a good example of what not to do if people are already struggling in life.

At some point, people have to understand that it is not always the world working against them. Sometimes they simply have not understood what it takes to build a decent life with a safety net.

Some also seem to avoid responsibility for themselves, and then make life even harder by creating more work just to escape the real problem.

Found it

https://www.facebook.com/RickCarterVlogs?

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Doing jobs for the likes of American banks ultimately meant i could retire early, some people hate their jobs and don't get paid much. Maybe 1 in 10 actually enjoy their work, i probably enjoyed it 50% of the time

What I do not understand, people have choices, and we had all the possibilities to do what we wanted, and also had the education system to become what we wanted, but again, people need to realise it takes dedication and discipline.

We had it all, and I cant say that for the kids today, unfortunately

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

At some point it has to be about you. But that does not mean doing nothing. It means choosing something that builds your life instead of draining it.

I just came across a reel about a UK guy in his 40íes who moved alone into a canyon close to Hua Hin. He seemed full of issues and clearly needed a timeout to sort out his life.

It may show up in my feed again later, but to me it is a good example of what not to do if people are already struggling in life.

At some point, people have to understand that it is not always the world working against them. Sometimes they simply have not understood what it takes to build a decent life with a safety net.

Some also seem to avoid responsibility for themselves, and then make life even harder by creating more work just to escape the real problem.

Found it

?

What I do not understand, people have choices, and we had all the possibilities to do what we wanted, and also had the education system to become what we wanted, but again, people need to realise it takes dedication and discipline.

We had it all, and I cant say that for the kids today, unfortunately

Being Norwegian seems cushy with the amount of benefits available, i know people who have sponged all their life living here and back in Norway, not much stress there, probably education is good by default because of the high tax, so not all people have the same options.

Someone posted on Facebook a couple months ago, how do i retire early? i said work harder at school, a lot of losers did little at school, but not all schools are equal

10 hours ago, TedG said:

Whose perception are you looking at? A Thai person living in Thailand, or a Westerner living in Thailand with their Western buying powers. The average person living in the West is spoiled and does not know how well they have it.  I think the average Westerner has a higher quality of life than the average Thai person.

How about the average pensioner living in the west Vs the average western pensioner living in Thailand?

As far as I can see most pensioners living in the UK have very poor quality of life.

That was certainly true when I worked with pensioners in Cornwall circa 2005.

Can't imagine it being better now!

My life as a UK pensioner in Thailand is amazing beyond anything I ever dreamed as a working man living in the UK.

Edited May 21May 21 by BritManToo

18 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Being Norwegian seems cushy with the amount of benefits available, i know people who have sponged all their life living here and back in Norway, not much stress there, probably education is good by default because of the high tax, so not all people have the same options.

Someone posted on Facebook a couple months ago, how do i retire early? i said work harder at school, a lot of losers did little at school, but not all schools are equal

Even in Norway, people need to push, get up in the morning, study, work, and save money. That is universal, no matter where you come from.

And trust me, the distractions are universal too. It is easy to spot, even here, when retired or disabled expats come to Thailand believing it is the land of promise and endless fun.

Some continue to burn bridges instead of building something stable. They change country, but not habits. Then the same problems follow them, just in another culture.

And Thailand gives nothing back if you arrive with nothing to build on. It only takes, like every other place, if you have no plan, no safety net, and no discipline.

The west is going broke. No doubt. And mainly it's populations. No doubt. But it's the respective populations of western nations who are putting themselves in hot soup. Look at the trillions of dollars handed to Ukraine. Look at the billions Europe is spending on illegals or alleged asylum seekers. You see in places like Portugal, urkainians comming in and paying for houses in cash. Look at America and the trillions they allow their governance to spend on military and for what result ? Despite a global humiliation in the Strait or Hormuz (and other Nations in the past), I don't see much benefit. All the western nations spending trillions on high tech military hardware, that is no match for a swarm of cheap home made drones. European Union is handing out billions to the east european nations of the EU that are now becomming the new Dubai's. Whereelse countries like France, UK, Germany, Italy are seeing their people crossing the line of poverty. Sorry, but what is happening in the west is all the consequences of what we westerners are allowing our politicians to do so freely.

People like us who have the ability and mental acumen to make an out of the box choice like moving to Thailand, are not even one percent of the west. We are also typically less encumbered.

Give thanks and praise every day. The women and the cheap mango and sticky rice are inconsequential compared to having that very rare freedom.

Delete

Edited May 21May 21 by Fat is a type of crazy

6 hours ago, StarOfLight said:

Hopefully you can still get it up at your age even with vitamin V. Just think if you retired ten years before? Why Pattaya? Dog pound full of mutts lol.

You don't understand, which isn't surprising coming from you.

I was already in Pattaya 10 years ago.

Your clichés and sweeping judgments about the older residents of this wonderful city are, at best, jealousy or envy.

Regarding romantic activity, you shouldn't generalize based on your own experience.

Surely the candle doesn't stand proudly in front of your old lady partner, but with beautiful Noy of Buriram it's a completely different story.

8 hours ago, Rams86 said:

I own 3 properties in Thailand, a 2 storey house where I live, a condo in Pattaya for holidays and a town house which is rented out. All up the total value when I puchased them was 3.25 million Thai baht. That's around AU$ 147,000, that would barely be a deposit to purchase a house in Australia now, where the median price where I used to live is AU$ 1.25 million. One other thing, let's not forget the weather in Thailand, it's like being in heaven compared to Melbourne winters.

When did you buy? That's certainly not the case today.

1 hour ago, Toc-Toc said:

You don't understand, which isn't surprising coming from you.

I was already in Pattaya 10 years ago.

Your clichés and sweeping judgments about the older residents of this wonderful city are, at best, jealousy or envy.

Regarding romantic activity, you shouldn't generalize based on your own experience.

Surely the candle doesn't stand proudly in front of your old lady partner, but with beautiful Noy of Buriram it's a completely different story.

I lived there on and off from 1998 to 2009. I know exactly what that place is and is not. It's not changed one iota

Depends on circumstances but if youre genuinely rich, the west is still the place to be but lower down the socioenomic classes you're probably better off there - it's why 99.9% of expats in Thailand are working class (ex=builder, postman, mechanic etc).

In Europe it's essential to have enough money to get away from the underclasses - whites and foreigners who are prone to noisiness, crime and general aggro. They're truly gross and western laws tolerate them for some reason. But, if you can stay away from them , and have money to travel now and again, West is best.

Thailand is boiling hot - too hot - Yeah you get somewhat used to it, but that's the main probem for whites ime.

7 hours ago, Hummin said:

What I do not understand, people have choices, and we had all the possibilities to do what we wanted, and also had the education system to become what we wanted, but again, people need to realise it takes dedication and discipline.

6 hours ago, Hummin said:

Even in Norway, people need to push, get up in the morning, study, work, and save money. That is universal, no matter where you come from.

I am failing to grasp what you are trying to communicate here.

You seem to be suggesting that everyone should be in exactly the same position that you are in now.

They had choices. So if they chose to be a musician and didn't get rich, it's their fault?

Everything you write about discipline and dedication simply reflects your view of the world. You repeat it as if it is fact, a fait accompli. But it's just a formula that worked for you.

How many people have taken that path and ended up with nothing? You think only people with dedication and discipline are wealthy now and only the lazy and stupid are poor and just getting by?

You do not understand? Of course you don't, as you did not walk in their shoes. Do you think everyone can go to work on the rigs? That's your story.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. What kid knows what they want to do for the rest of their lives? I knew what I didn't want. That was to exchange my precious time/life, for a salary, which is constantly devalued. You see the upset and anger of the people who remember that a man's salary could support the whole household. Why do you think so many, perhaps including your good self, head to the shores of Asia?

To regain the feeling of being the man who can support the whole household?

Devaluing people based on how much they have is not something that I support. Criticising...but failing to notice where they themselves are.

Not everyone follows the same path. I certainly do not look down on anyone who appears to have less than myself. We are the lucky ones.

Personally, I did not have to work hard, unless I chose to do so. I simply utilised my brain. Of course there was dedication and discipline on some level. But not as a wage slave nor did I make anyone who may have worked with me, as such.

12 hours ago, Rams86 said:

I own 3 properties in Thailand, a 2 storey house where I live, a condo in Pattaya for holidays and a town house which is rented out. All up the total value when I puchased them was 3.25 million Thai baht. That's around AU$ 147,000, that would barely be a deposit to purchase a house in Australia now, where the median price where I used to live is AU$ 1.25 million. One other thing, let's not forget the weather in Thailand, it's like being in heaven compared to Melbourne winters.

You must be Thai to own a house and townhouse. Or are you concerned you might lose 2/3?

12 hours ago, Toc-Toc said:

They can also play the same game as the girls and run away at the first sign of trouble. Emotional deprivation does not exist at LOS

Take care of body to stay fit.

And enjoy the incredible selection of beautiful short time companions, with no strings attached and no hassle.

Personally, I've saved so much on my pension that I'm going to buy my own place here in Pattaya soon, even though I left my house in West to my ex-wife and children.

Not the same

When you are old the damage is done.

You can be a hot 65 but you're still 65

Most are not hot 65

55 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

I am failing to grasp what you are trying to communicate here.

You seem to be suggesting that everyone should be in exactly the same position that you are in now.

They had choices. So if they chose to be a musician and didn't get rich, it's their fault?

Everything you write about discipline and dedication simply reflects your view of the world. You repeat it as if it is fact, a fait accompli. But it's just a formula that worked for you.

How many people have taken that path and ended up with nothing? You think only people with dedication and discipline are wealthy now and only the lazy and stupid are poor and just getting by?

You do not understand? Of course you don't, as you did not walk in their shoes. Do you think everyone can go to work on the rigs? That's your story.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. What kid knows what they want to do for the rest of their lives? I knew what I didn't want. That was to exchange my precious time/life, for a salary, which is constantly devalued. You see the upset and anger of the people who remember that a man's salary could support the whole household. Why do you think so many, perhaps including your good self, head to the shores of Asia?

To regain the feeling of being the man who can support the whole household?

Devaluing people based on how much they have is not something that I support. Criticising...but failing to notice where they themselves are.

Not everyone follows the same path. I certainly do not look down on anyone who appears to have less than myself. We are the lucky ones.

Personally, I did not have to work hard, unless I chose to do so. I simply utilised my brain. Of course there was dedication and discipline on some level. But not as a wage slave nor did I make anyone who may have worked with me, as such.

There are many different lenses through which to view all of this, and I think one needs to distinguish between people who worked hard at something and did well financially, others who did the same but did not gain a lot of financial benefit from their efforts, and those who just sat around and let possibly good opportunities pass them by.

Also, you have a few different types of people who turned out well financially. You have those who came from the right backgrounds and had all the right connections, whose fate was always sealed from the start. Then you have those who worked hard, managed to save well, and turned out okay. And then there are others who may have just made one or two right decisions at just the right time that changed everything for them, a bit like they were presented with an opportunity that they decided to act on but could have just as easily passed by and then ended up struggling for the rest of their life like many others do.

I think it is hard to generalize people’s outcomes. They can go in so many different directions and there are so many different factors, many of which are stacked against most people from the start.

1 hour ago, IsmeUno said:

I am failing to grasp what you are trying to communicate here.

You seem to be suggesting that everyone should be in exactly the same position that you are in now.

They had choices. So if they chose to be a musician and didn't get rich, it's their fault?

Everything you write about discipline and dedication simply reflects your view of the world. You repeat it as if it is fact, a fait accompli. But it's just a formula that worked for you.

How many people have taken that path and ended up with nothing? You think only people with dedication and discipline are wealthy now and only the lazy and stupid are poor and just getting by?

You do not understand? Of course you don't, as you did not walk in their shoes. Do you think everyone can go to work on the rigs? That's your story.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. What kid knows what they want to do for the rest of their lives? I knew what I didn't want. That was to exchange my precious time/life, for a salary, which is constantly devalued. You see the upset and anger of the people who remember that a man's salary could support the whole household. Why do you think so many, perhaps including your good self, head to the shores of Asia?

To regain the feeling of being the man who can support the whole household?

Devaluing people based on how much they have is not something that I support. Criticising...but failing to notice where they themselves are.

Not everyone follows the same path. I certainly do not look down on anyone who appears to have less than myself. We are the lucky ones.

Personally, I did not have to work hard, unless I chose to do so. I simply utilised my brain. Of course there was dedication and discipline on some level. But not as a wage slave nor did I make anyone who may have worked with me, as such.

Thank you for adding things I did not say, and things you obviously want to twist into another meaning.

But I stand by this:

Choices, discipline, timing, health, luck, and responsibility matter.

And how many people can look back at life and honestly say there is nothing they could have done better?

Most of the luck for many of us here today was simply the time we were born.

21 hours ago, TedG said:

Whose perception are you looking at? A Thai person living in Thailand, or a Westerner living in Thailand with their Western buying powers. The average person living in the West is spoiled and does not know how well they have it.  I think the average Westerner has a higher quality of life than the average Thai person.

Even with the inflation? With middle class dissapearing? Then why many westerners complain these days? And feel theyre in decline. They claim that Asia is the future with growth happiness and prosperity.

13 hours ago, Rams86 said:

I own 3 properties in Thailand, a 2 storey house where I live, a condo in Pattaya for holidays and a town house which is rented out. All up the total value when I puchased them was 3.25 million Thai baht. That's around AU$ 147,000, that would barely be a deposit to purchase a house in Australia now, where the median price where I used to live is AU$ 1.25 million. One other thing, let's not forget the weather in Thailand, it's like being in heaven compared to Melbourne winters.

"One other thing" your property will be worth the same or less in Thailand after five, ten or even twenty years whereas, in the West, property often doubles in price in a few years.

10 minutes ago, Screaming said:

"One other thing" your property will be worth the same or less in Thailand after five, ten or even twenty years whereas, in the West, property often doubles in price in a few years.

Things starts to change now in Isaan

13 hours ago, davb said:

Even with owning a home, the cost of insurance has skyrocketed. Same with car insurance, and of course health insurance. I'm stunned when people tell me what they are paying. In Thailand almost all of my monthly expenses are for day-to-day living, but the US a noticeable percent goes to insurance.

Life is so simple here

I haven't had "bills" in three decades... before that I'd always shunned debt but the only bill I have is rent and utilities. I just give six months to the wife and let her deal with it. Oh! One year internet about US 55$. 70gb mobile pm.

My car is sleek Siemens subway. I wait in aircon to take my 1usd ride to shopping and dining.

Food court lunch is 2.25 daily.

Fruit trucks await outside selling all manner of seasonal fruit cheap.

My fruit cart guy daily buy.2 or 3 PCs - 40/60b. Cut sliced done.

Wife cooks for weekends. Depending about 500-1000b for four proper meals, light breakfast. That's about 30+ USD max and usually under 25. Two people.

United States can suk a dik

29 minutes ago, Screaming said:

"One other thing" your property will be worth the same or less in Thailand after five, ten or even twenty years whereas, in the West, property often doubles in price in a few years.

*Condos

Buying second hand often mitigates loss.

Villa in thong lor is just going up

YES.

Absolutely.

In past decades, life was better in developed countries.

However, things are not the same, now.

Nobody can ever be satisfied living in the western developed world.

Why is this? Maddening Madison-Avenue Propaganda....This is why.....

a. Nobody is happy, these days.

b. Nobody CAN BE happy these days.

c. Artificially created needs are NEVER SATISFIED....obviously.....maybe.....

Note: This represents a HUGE pain in the tuchus.....for everyone.....

The only cure is: Mutually Assured Destruction.....

And....

It will not be long now....Folks.....!!!!

Edited May 21May 21 by GammaGlobulin

6 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

YES.

Absolutely.

In past decades, life was better in developed countries.

However, things are not the same, now.

Nobody can ever be satisfied living in the western developed world.

Why is this? Maddening Madison-Avenue Propaganda....This is why.....

a. Nobody is happy, these days.

b. Nobody CAN BE happy these days.

c. Artificially created needs are NEVER SATISFIED....obviously.....maybe.....

Note: This represents a HUGE pain in the tuchus.....for everyone.....

The only cure is: Mutually Assured Destruction.....

And....

It will not be long now....Folks.....!!!!

What, no Rolling Stones videos? Any why all the self written text when you could simply be dropping in half a dozen AI screenshot texts? C'mon gRamNDma, you're slipping here. You need to get back on to your standard M.O.

49 minutes ago, BilllyGOAT said:

What, no Rolling Stones videos? Any why all the self written text when you could simply be dropping in half a dozen AI screenshot texts? C'mon gRamNDma, you're slipping here. You need to get back on to your standard M.O.

I never use AI when my own efforts prove even better.

I have been missing your comments during the past days.

Have you been under the weather, or something?

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

Thank you for adding things I did not say, and things you obviously want to twist into another meaning.

But I stand by this:

Choices, discipline, timing, health, luck, and responsibility matter.

And how many people can look back at life and honestly say there is nothing they could have done better?

Most of the luck for many of us here today was simply the time we were born.

My dear @Hummin

You need to understand that people don't live inside your head. They read and interpret what they see and respond in a way they think appropriate. It might not match exactly with what you meant to convey, but nevertheless, that is what they understood. I am quite sure many times you interpret what I write quite differently from my meaning. That's okay, communication can straighten things out. It's a discussion board with many different perspectives on life.

You added a lot of things that you didn't in your first post: "Choices, discipline, timing, health, luck, and responsibility matter."

That's quite different from your initial statement of "What I do not understand, people have choices, and we had all the possibilities to do what we wanted, and also had the education system to become what we wanted, but again, people need to realise it takes dedication and discipline."

Why on earth would I look back at my life to tell myself i could have done something better? Maybe if I have done something different, my life might have taken a completely different trajectory. I'm not complaining about my life. Everything led me to here. Happily, I haven't done anything terrible.

I don't disagree with how you ended the above post. My only disagreement was with your "I don't understand...". I've met people from all walks on life. Some with difficult childhoods. Even relatively wealthy people, as we have seen on the news recently. So many variables and outlooks on life to affect outcomes. I don't bother judging people on what they have.

19 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. Unless you are quite wealthy or own a home free and clear. Southeast Asia is infinitely more reasonable than America as an example. I am back here right now and the prices of goods and services are both stunning and ridiculous. Anyone who buys into that 3% inflation garbage is living an alternate reality.

You've been in Thailand and now you return to the USA see high prices and your claim is inflation is higher than 3%.

Sorry, but current inflation is around 2–3% based on the official CPI numbers.

The prices you're seeing are the cumulative effect of inflation over the last several years. Even if inflation slows down, prices don’t suddenly go back down they just stop rising as fast.

Since 2021 overall prices are up roughly 20%+ and other expenses like groceries, housing, insurance and eating out have gone up even more.

People feel like inflation is still “high” even though the current annual rate is much lower than it was in 2022.

I'm not blaming the last administration for everything as the inflation spike came from a mix of things, but massive government spending and stimulus give away along with printing more money didn't help. Then supply chain problems after COVID along with low interest rates and strong consumer demand all hitting at the same time.

You can debate who deserves the most blame, but when the government floods the economy with money, higher prices are usually part of the result.

37 minutes ago, ericthai said:

You've been in Thailand and now you return to the USA see high prices and your claim is inflation is higher than 3%.

Sorry, but current inflation is around 2–3% based on the official CPI numbers.

The prices you're seeing are the cumulative effect of inflation over the last several years. Even if inflation slows down, prices don’t suddenly go back down they just stop rising as fast.

Since 2021 overall prices are up roughly 20%+ and other expenses like groceries, housing, insurance and eating out have gone up even more.

People feel like inflation is still “high” even though the current annual rate is much lower than it was in 2022.

I'm not blaming the last administration for everything as the inflation spike came from a mix of things, but massive government spending and stimulus give away along with printing more money didn't help. Then supply chain problems after COVID along with low interest rates and strong consumer demand all hitting at the same time.

You can debate who deserves the most blame, but when the government floods the economy with money, higher prices are usually part of the result.

Wrong. I come back twice a year so it's not the cumulative effect of several years. Everybody that I know here, whether they're just getting by or they're quite wealthy are complaining about how inflation is soaring, and it's out of control.

The CPI numbers are a fiction created by the very dishonest government, using entirely skewed metrics. It's not just the Goon, all Administrations do that. The cost of living in America is completely out of control.

I spend part of the year in the UK (plus side-trips) and part in Thailand (plus side-trips)

Is the cost of living in the UK higher? Absolutely.

Does that mean my quality of life is worse there?

No. I enjoy the change.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

The CPI numbers are a fiction created by the very dishonest government, using entirely skewed metrics. It's not just the Goon, all Administrations do that. The cost of living in America is completely out of control.

You should share your data to back up this statement.