2 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

What work did you do?

I had a way of stumbling into high paying jobs. Sold financial software and my final 6 years I was an executive at a bank. I made huge money the last few years and lived in a small place and had a 7 year old car. My monthly nugget was $2500 and that was in the San Francisco area. I was saving $200k+ a year the last couple of years! Social security in America also for those that only work ~10 years extremely kind :) THe way they calculate what you get is perfect for my scenario and is the a good safety net if you live in Thailand. It will be $3000 a month if I wait till 70. Not an affluent lifestyle but $3k goes a long ways here. I only spend $2k now and I buy so many things I don't need.

3 hours ago, IsmeUno said:

Oh please...stop it. Every now and then, you make a post that shows quite clearly that you do not have a clue. 😊

Thank you. Always good to be told by a fellow member that I don't have a clue. Very helpful information.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Is this an example of you not attacking other posters?

Is the truth really that painful? I thought it was a pretty rational and level-headed reply and I also feel that there was a lot of truth in it.

19 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Been raising them over 40 years now, and will for at least 10 more. Put my bucket list aside awhile but when we're back home, I'll have more time to get it done. Hardest job anyone can do, especially with 5 girls. Hair still isn't gray though.

Bucket lists are overrated :) If you can get outside and enjoy fishing and whatever, then who needs a list. My last holiday was with my best friend and his frickin bucket list. By the end of the trip I seriously debated clubbing him while he slept.

20 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Been raising them over 40 years now, and will for at least 10 more.

So you’re raising your children into their fifties, that’s quite interesting. And your spouse breast feeding them until what age, up until their twenties?

4 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Bucket lists are overrated :) If you can get outside and enjoy fishing and whatever, then who needs a list. My last holiday was with my best friend and his frickin bucket list. By the end of the trip I seriously debated clubbing him while he slept.

I'm a diehard fisherman and hunter so I have certain species on my mind to catch or tag. Europe is another, a few countries for a couple of months to see the history, being a war movie and documentary buff. Most I can do in the US. I already did the physical things besides parachuting.

5 minutes ago, novacova said:

So you’re raising your children into their fifties, that’s quite interesting. And your spouse breast feeding them until what age, up until their twenties?

50 years of raising 6 children total, not into their 50's lol.

Nil. because we're married and she can have however much she wants--within reason. I never understood the "salary" thing over here with married couples. If you don't trust your partner with your money why did you marry her? Single guys, I understand giving a girl a stipend for whatever reason, but to me married is different. I've been married to the same Thai woman for 30 years with no problems, but saying that, I do know MANY guys that have had money problems with their wives.

41 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I honestly have to thank Isme. His way of responding has made me more aware of my own way of responding. So, not bad for nothing.

People just tend to reflect your behaviour, from their perspective. If they think that you are being rude, they might feed that back to you. If they think that you are being evasive, they may tell you so.

There's no right or wrong as such. We all found ways, personal to us, to deal with our environments.

Here, in a sandbox, they are put to the test. You tell me what you think. I tell you what I think and we battle it out. For me, this is absolutely normal behaviour.

What do you do in the gym? You create resistance exercises to make you stronger.

That is what we do here. We create resistance exercises for each other. We both stand our ground and argue our points. You mostly cheat 😊 but that's okay. You learn cheating is not an admirable trait. It slows your learning. I also learn things from discussions and behaviour here.

You might imagine that I'm taking notes, but that is not the case at all. If you are perceptive, you pick up on important details. If you tend to be self absorbed, you will perceive the world differently.

So here, our worlds collide and that's okay. We can talk about it, thrash it out, without the threat of physical harm. Instead, you need to use your brain.

My background is likely quite different from yours, and perhaps also quite similar. Brought up in different countries, exposed to many different cultures and influences. Knife and hammer throwing and catching as a child with the Chinese. Wrestling with the Indians. Jiu-jitsu and Aikido with the Japanese.

But always shied away from violence. Mainly because I was scared what might happen to the other person and thought about the consequences for both of us.

That's why I vehemently disagree with your ideas for using violence to control.

I'd rather argue with you all day, rather than to physically harm you. Give you time to come to your senses, rather than to do something stupid that might change your life forever. That way we learn to do it differently, over time. Practice makes perfect. You can continue to mistrust and repeat the same behaviour or learn to let go a bit and allow things to change.

You can say whatever you think. That's okay with me. If I think you are wrong, I'll say so.

All of this "Troll" and "Baiting" nonsense is just weakness. Talk it out and be honest with yourself. You know when you are avoiding a question or a subject. Pretending the other person is doing so when you know that you are doing it, is cheating.

We need solid reference points, not cheaters. Cheaters upset the balance and confuse the situation. Be more honest with yourself and you will automatically be more honest with the outside world.

Personally, I value honesty over a username. Whereas you seem to be more concerned with how you look.

I don't care about that. I'm just doing what I'm doing at that time. Once that is done, I move on to something else. It doesn't define me. It's just the interaction that occurs when certain characters collide.

The great thing is that you need to use your brains to solve the problems, rather than your fists. New skills. Sometimes, in order to gain something, you need to let something go.

8 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Bucket lists are overrated :) If you can get outside and enjoy fishing and whatever, then who needs a list. My last holiday was with my best friend and his frickin bucket list. By the end of the trip I seriously debated clubbing him while he slept.

Yeah I avoid tourist traps. I ride bikes on back roads and I'm happy as a dog with 2 tails.

3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I'm a diehard fisherman and hunter so I have certain species on my mind to catch or tag. Europe is another, a few countries for a couple of months to see the history, being a war movie and documentary buff. Most I can do in the US. I already did the physical things besides parachuting.

Yep, good old parachuting. That was on his list! What a bore was the whole experience. Now if I had my own plane and didn't have to be attached to instructor.... nevermind it would still be boring.

4 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Yep, good old parachuting. That was on his list! What a bore was the whole experience. Now if I had my own plane and didn't have to be attached to instructor.... nevermind it would still be boring.

It would be a good way to go if you knew your time was up. Everyone has their own list , things that they want to experience, but it's a personal thing. If you can find someone that enjoys the same things as you, all the better. When I hit Europe, I'll take either a friend or family member that also likes the old history, architecture and food Europe offers.

12 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Bucket lists are overrated :) If you can get outside and enjoy fishing and whatever, then who needs a list. My last holiday was with my best friend and his frickin bucket list. By the end of the trip I seriously debated clubbing him while he slept.

I spent a few moments thinking about whether just applying a laughing emoji was appropriate. It was funny, but how's it now with your best friend? 😊

I'm definitely not a bucket list person, but having a bucket list person as a close friend isn't a bad thing either. I've done a lot of things and visited a lot more places that way. So I don't mind getting pushed out of my comfort zone for a while.

11 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

People just tend to reflect your behaviour, from their perspective. If they think that you are being rude, they might feed that back to you. If they think that you are being evasive, they may tell you so.

There's no right or wrong as such. We all found ways, personal to us, to deal with our environments.

Here, in a sandbox, they are put to the test. You tell me what you think. I tell you what I think and we battle it out. For me, this is absolutely normal behaviour.

What do you do in the gym? You create resistance exercises to make you stronger.

That is what we do here. We create resistance exercises for each other. We both stand our ground and argue our points. You mostly cheat 😊 but that's okay. You learn cheating is not an admirable trait. It slows your learning. I also learn things from discussions and behaviour here.

You might imagine that I'm taking notes, but that is not the case at all. If you are perceptive, you pick up on important details. If you tend to be self absorbed, you will perceive the world differently.

So here, our worlds collide and that's okay. We can talk about it, thrash it out, without the threat of physical harm. Instead, you need to use your brain.

My background is likely quite different from yours, and perhaps also quite similar. Brought up in different countries, exposed to many different cultures and influences. Knife and hammer throwing and catching as a child with the Chinese. Wrestling with the Indians. Jiu-jitsu and Aikido with the Japanese.

But always shied away from violence. Mainly because I was scared what might happen to the other person and thought about the consequences for both of us.

That's why I vehemently disagree with your ideas for using violence to control.

I'd rather argue with you all day, rather than to physically harm you. Give you time to come to your senses, rather than to do something stupid that might change your life forever. That way we learn to do it differently, over time. Practice makes perfect. You can continue to mistrust and repeat the same behaviour or learn to let go a bit and allow things to change.

You can say whatever you think. That's okay with me. If I think you are wrong, I'll say so.

All of this "Troll" and "Baiting" nonsense is just weakness. Talk it out and be honest with yourself. You know when you are avoiding a question or a subject. Pretending the other person is doing so when you know that you are doing it, is cheating.

We need solid reference points, not cheaters. Cheaters upset the balance and confuse the situation. Be more honest with yourself and you will automatically be more honest with the outside world.

Personally, I value honesty over a username. Whereas you seem to be more concerned with how you look.

I don't care about that. I'm just doing what I'm doing at that time. Once that is done, I move on to something else. It doesn't define me. It's just the interaction that occurs when certain characters collide.

The great thing is that you need to use your brains to solve the problems, rather than your fists. New skills. Sometimes, in order to gain something, you need to let something go.

You are crazy!

One reply here made me laugh more than any other before it, and I'm thinking everyone else knows this one. Braggadocio with no evidence to the contrary, veiled threats with the same, and a blowhard that hasn't a clue to whom he's responding. Made my day. Those assumptions. and I lived in a gym with some of the strongest, baddest people imaginable, and they never needed to say a word, as we were all in it together.

21 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Social security in America ... is the a good safety net if you live in Thailand. It will be $3000 a month if I wait till 70. I buy so many things I don't need.

More than enough, as we live on SS @ $2425 a month, and actually save about half of that, while living a very comfy life. Aside from food, everything we buy or spend on isn't really needed 🙄

Even thinking about buying another EV, which would really be a frivilous expense, especially if we don't sell the present one. Practical long term investment, maybe, even though a depreciating asset, as it will have a life time warranty on major components.

Present one does not, but no way will we (wife) be putting enough kms on it, to really matter. It would have to be a major one off oops, that kills present car.

6 minutes ago, Hummin said:

You are crazy!

You just aren't particularly intelligent. So most of what I write just goes over your head. Similarly with your good friend @fredwiggy

14 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Yep, good old parachuting. That was on his list! What a bore was the whole experience. Now if I had my own plane and didn't have to be attached to instructor.... nevermind it would still be boring.

That was way too cool, even though static line jump, but not attached to anyone. Once was enough though. Why chance fate with injury, and unless knowing someone with a plane, the thrill wouldn't really be worth the expense of the hobby ... for me.

Nil.

Next month marks 4 years since my last paid employment, I have a comfortable income here, nothing extravagant but no debts, all good.

My wife is in year 14 with her employer, another five years she qualifies for the company-funded pension but will likely continue there, possibly reduced hours as she enjoys the work and they're a good company to work for. 15% salary increase in January plus cash bonus and a paid trip to China. Mother-in-law pays daughter2's uni fees, didn't argue with that one.

Could be worse.

9 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Braggadocio with no evidence to the contrary,

You are mangling the English language. That sentence does not make any sense. Neither does any of the rest of your strange rant.

Veiled threats? Who threatened you here?

You really do seem quite mad. I think you and @Hummin are affecting each other for the worse. Really.

9 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

I spent a few moments thinking about whether just applying a laughing emoji was appropriate. It was funny, but how's it now with your best friend? 😊

I'm definitely not a bucket list person, but having a bucket list person as a close friend isn't a bad thing either. I've done a lot of things and visited a lot more places that way. So I don't mind getting pushed out of my comfort zone for a while.

We are still good friends and he has silly money so I was along for the ride and didn't pay for anything. Maybe that was the real issue. I like to do my own thing and I like much more real adventures that aren't so contrived. Hard to set the agenda if he is paying the bill. I learned from that trip and told him our next trip I will be paying my way and we won't be staying in $600 a night places.

39 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Thank you. Always good to be told by a fellow member that I don't have a clue. Very helpful information.

Allow me to demonstrate it in more practical terms. You suggested that @fredwiggy was "highly intelligent" and suggested that somehow other people were pulling him into the situations wherein he would be ranting for hours.

But I see it somewhat differently and I wonder if you really have any idea of his behaviour.

Take this recent post of his, for example:

17 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

One reply here made me laugh more than any other before it, and I'm thinking everyone else knows this one. Braggadocio with no evidence to the contrary, veiled threats with the same, and a blowhard that hasn't a clue to whom he's responding. Made my day. Those assumptions. and I lived in a gym with some of the strongest, baddest people imaginable, and they never needed to say a word, as we were all in it together.

Do you have any idea as to whom and to what he is referring?

I haven't seen anyone threaten him. Have you? Can you make any sense of that post at all?

@fredwiggy is his own worst enemy.

10 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

You just aren't particularly intelligent. So most of what I write just goes over your head. Similarly with your good friend @fredwiggy

You reframe yourself as the reasonable teacher and me as the difficult student. 😂👏☝️

Give you one single grain of sand, and you build an imaginary mansion on the beach.

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by Hummin

9 minutes ago, atpeace said:

We are still good friends and he has silly money so I was along for the ride and didn't pay for anything. Maybe that was the real issue. I like to do my own thing and I like much more real adventures that aren't so contrived. Hard to set the agenda if he is paying the bill. I learned from that trip and told him our next trip I will be paying my way and we won't be staying in $600 a night places.

Understood.

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

You reframe yourself as the reasonable teacher and me as the difficult student. 😂👏☝️

Give you one single grain of sand, and you build an imaginary mansion on the beach.t

The only one that doesn't see him as what he is is him. Textbook and mirrors many cases I've read about for years. Not a reply without a deflection or assumption, and has run out of ammo, so is shooting blanks now.

12 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

More than enough, as we live on SS @ $2425 a month, and actually save about half of that, while living a very comfy life. Aside from food, everything we buy or spend on isn't really needed 🙄

Even thinking about buying another EV, which would really be a frivilous expense, especially if we don't sell the present one. Practical long term investment, maybe, even though a depreciating asset, as it will have a life time warranty on major components.

Present one does not, but no way will we (wife) be putting enough kms on it, to really matter. It would have to be a major one off oops, that kills present car.

I have been looking at 1 year old BYD Seals and decided for now that it would just be a ridiculous ego thing. My Neta is a a perfect fit for me. My wife now rarely travels with me because we settled down into a nice groove and our house setup really works for us. I can sleep in the back and have a tent extension as well as an the external power I would ever need on my camping trips. AC in Thailand during the night while sleeping is oh so nice!

Your SS check would also be more than I need. Once you get setup here and especially if you have solar and an EV as you do, you can live the good life with $2k+. I just have $50 in fixed cost now and the rest is spending money. Well, food is a fixed cost I guess so $350 a month and the rest is fun money.

3 minutes ago, Hummin said:

You reframe yourself as the reasonable teacher and me as the difficult student. 😂👏☝️

Give you one single grain of sand, and you build an imaginary mansion on the beach.t

You ego has a problem with that, I take it?

When did you give me a 'grain of sand'?

So you ignored anything useful or anything on which we might agree, because it hurt your ego to think that you might be learning something from someone you don't want to be seen to be learning from?

We say "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water". You might prefer "Don't shoot the messenger"

We both know if someone else wrote exactly the same thing, that you would not react in the same way. It's you who has a problem.

I just tell what I see. For you, it's always a p*ssing contest.

2 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

You ego has a problem with that, I take it?

When did you give me a 'grain of sand'?

So you ignored anything useful or anything on which we might agree, because it hurt your ego to think that you might be learning something from someone you don't want to be seen to be learning from?

We say "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water". You might prefer "Don't shoot the messenger"

We both know if someone else wrote exactly the same thing, that you would not react in the same way. It's you who has a problem.

I just tell what I see. For you, it's always a p*ssing contest.

Have a good day/afternoon Isme 🌞

7 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

The only one that doesn't see him as what he is is him. Textbook and mirrors many cases I've read about for years. Not a reply without a deflection or assumption, and has run out of ammo, so is shooting blanks now.

Your posts might aptly be described as oral diarrhoea.

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

Have a good day/afternoon Isme 🌞

That's a new one. 😊 I might be inclined to believe that you just go around in circles, repeating exactly the same things, year after year.

You cannot move beyond that.