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Raddr's Early Retirement and Financial Strategy Board
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raddr
Site Admin
Joined: 22 Jun 2004
Posts: 4735
Location: Texas
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 Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 7:33 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | If you define yourself as a wallet, you cannot really get mad at a woman who sees you as one... (ouch) At the risk of sounding profound here -- who are you besides your "earning capacity?" What other things do you bring to the table besides your income tax bracket? |
Well said.  There's a lot more to picking a spouse than what she/he brings to the table financially. I'm a lot happier with my spouse of 22 years who financially brought only her car payment, no savings, and a low paying job to the table than many of my friends who insisted on marrying a woman with money or big earning capacity. What she did bring to the table was undying devotion to me, honesty, common sense, incredible social skills, modesty, and respect for folks from all walks of life. Oh, and 22 years and one child later she's still very pretty, too. 
_________________
"I brew therefore I am." 
-raddr |
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wanderer
Joined: 28 Jun 2004
Posts: 1598
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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I view my time with my ex-wife similarly to how I view my time at Andersen: glad for what it brought me but, ultimately, far too costly (not $ mainly) and very glad to be out. Dunno how I took it so long in either case.  Cost me a ton but it was worth every penny. |
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Author
Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Posts: 227
Location: World wide
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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Raddr! That is SO Romantic! Wow. Nothing like devotion and respect for your partner. I am most impressed.
Yes, earning capacity is only one thing of many to bring into a relationship. Congratulations on your well made choice.
And Wanderer... it IS worth every penny. Self knowledge and learning from so called "mistakes" does not come for free. I admire that you learned and moved forward. Good for you! 
For some reason I am not able to copy and paste with this mouse in this cyber cafe... so I cannot excerpt quotes for easy reference today.
Petey - I wanted to mention that you seem informed about being in Thailand - have you ever been here?
There are lots of reasons to be afraid where ever one goes... but sometimes we just gotta jump into that volcano (did you see that movie with Tom Hanks? Joe and the Volcano?) 
Sometimes you just gotta take a step. There are no guarantees in life. You can think you have it all thought out, and life will give ya a side swipe that you didn't know was coming... and it's not your "fault." You can spend your whole life covering every imaginable base, then turn around only to find you are 80 years old, and never took a chance.
We all get "taken" at some point. Take the best, and leave the rest.
RE: all the ways we get $$ while on the road, you gotta get the book! We discuss it in there... and also have a chapter on Fear, and one on Peer Pressure. It's a worthy read...
Gotta go. Be back tomorrow.
Akaisha
Author, THE ADVENTURER'S GUIDE TO EARLY RETIREMENT
_________________
Self-sufficiency builds confidence.
www.RetireEarlyLifestyle.com |
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wanderer
Joined: 28 Jun 2004
Posts: 1598
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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Where in Thailand are you, Akaisha? Can my Dutch volcano and I live there for $2,000 per month? Have you seen ben??  (inside joke, a poster here who retired very early to Thailand). |
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raddr
Site Admin
Joined: 22 Jun 2004
Posts: 4735
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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| wanderer wrote: | | Have you seen ben?? (inside joke, a poster here who retired very early to Thailand). |
Yeah, where's he been hiding lately?
_________________
"I brew therefore I am."
-raddr |
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Author
Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Posts: 227
Location: World wide
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 11:54 pm Post subject: |
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Wanderer said: | Quote: | | Where in Thailand are you, Akaisha? Can my Dutch volcano and I live there for $2,000 per month? Have you seen ben?? (inside joke, a poster here who retired very early to Thailand). |
Right now, we are in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We have just met up with our good friends Paul and Vicki Terhorst. (CASHING IN ON THE AMERICAN DREAM)
In answer to your question, which I am assuming is sincere -- a big YES to that one. we do it easily on 1/2 of that... +/-... Now, if you wanted, you could buy a condo, or rent an apartment, get a car, and live more upscale, and increase your livin' style There is lots of financial room there for differing tastes.
Haven't seen ben...  Should I look in the post office for his photo?
Weather report here: humid, humid, humid with rains inbetween.
Raddr, I'm still thinking about the kind words you said RE: your DW. Nothing sexier than respect and devotion. Both of you are fortunate. SO happy for you! 
Take care,
Akaisha
Author, THE ADVENTURER'S GUIDE TO EARLY RETIREMENT
_________________
Self-sufficiency builds confidence.
www.RetireEarlyLifestyle.com |
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peteyperson
Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Posts: 2073
Location: SE Asia
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 4:37 am Post subject: |
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Hi Akaisha,
Have not been to Thailand as yet.
Done fair bit of research. Know good group of people who have travelled there or lived there for periods of time. I plan to travel there over the next few years.
Petey
| Author wrote: | Petey - I wanted to mention that you seem informed about being in Thailand - have you ever been here?
Gotta go. Be back tomorrow.
Akaisha
Author, THE ADVENTURER'S GUIDE TO EARLY RETIREMENT |
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peteyperson
Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Posts: 2073
Location: SE Asia
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 4:38 am Post subject: |
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Hey raddr,
Ben is around. Just a bit busy with sorting everything out sans final job. Stuff like health insurance fine print, accommodation, etc.
He hasn't forgotten about us.
Petey
| raddr wrote: | | wanderer wrote: | | Have you seen ben?? (inside joke, a poster here who retired very early to Thailand). |
Yeah, where's he been hiding lately? |
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raddr
Site Admin
Joined: 22 Jun 2004
Posts: 4735
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 8:42 am Post subject: |
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| peteyperson wrote: | Hey raddr,
Ben is around. Just a bit busy with sorting everything out sans final job. Stuff like health insurance fine print, accommodation, etc.
He hasn't forgotten about us.
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I'm glad to hear he's doing well. I look forward to him coming back and filling us in on his adventures.
_________________
"I brew therefore I am."
-raddr |
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Author
Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Posts: 227
Location: World wide
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| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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Petey wrote:
| Quote: | Have not been to Thailand as yet.
Done fair bit of research. Know good group of people who have travelled there or lived there for periods of time. I plan to travel there over the next few years. |
Hey, Petey! I think you will do fine here... One can do a lot of research and a lot of reading but there is nothing like direct first hand experience. It's like reading about marriage or reading about raising kids. It's in the doing of it, that we get the real experience. There really is no substitute.
If you have any common sense, if you have a bit of openess to the new, if you trust yourself at all, you will be fine!
Of the Ex-Pats we meet here, they always say a sense of humor is most necessary. Having too many expectations can ruin a good thing.
Take care.
Akaisha
Author, THE ADVENTURER'S GUIDE TO EARLY RETIREMENT
_________________
Self-sufficiency builds confidence.
www.RetireEarlyLifestyle.com |
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peteyperson
Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Posts: 2073
Location: SE Asia
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| Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 4:57 am Post subject: |
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Hi Ak.,
I think you are right there.
I don't expect Bangkok or Chiang Mai to be much different in day-to-day life than London. Facilities are different, but that is to say that I don't expect any of life's problems to suddenly be cured. Just a different, interesting place to live is all. And more affordable to boot.
I spent a little time in the greek islands a while ago. That was a real eye opener for me. Made it all seem possible. Talking to people online about their travels has also been a useful reality check, rather than just reading about it.
Petey
| Author wrote: | Petey wrote:
| Quote: | Have not been to Thailand as yet.
Done fair bit of research. Know good group of people who have travelled there or lived there for periods of time. I plan to travel there over the next few years. |
Hey, Petey! I think you will do fine here... One can do a lot of research and a lot of reading but there is nothing like direct first hand experience. It's like reading about marriage or reading about raising kids. It's in the doing of it, that we get the real experience. There really is no substitute.
If you have any common sense, if you have a bit of openess to the new, if you trust yourself at all, you will be fine!
Of the Ex-Pats we meet here, they always say a sense of humor is most necessary. Having too many expectations can ruin a good thing.
Take care.
Akaisha
Author, THE ADVENTURER'S GUIDE TO EARLY RETIREMENT |
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Author
Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Posts: 227
Location: World wide
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| Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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Petey said:
| Quote: | | I don't expect Bangkok or Chiang Mai to be much different in day-to-day life than London. Facilities are different, but that is to say that I don't expect any of life's problems to suddenly be cured. Just a different, interesting place to live is all. And more affordable to boot. |
I think you have it right... "all of life's problems" do continue, and being in a more affordable place does help with some of them... other things pop up, tho' -- It's how we can adjust, it's our attitude that can make the difference. Having things affordable can and does cut the stress level. However, one could find cultural differences, or unexpected things like getting homesick for favorite foods, or a pasttime done in our own home country. This is where the Ex-Pat community can help.
Petey said:
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I spent a little time in the greek islands a while ago. That was a real eye opener for me. Made it all seem possible. Talking to people online about their travels has also been a useful reality check, rather than just reading about it. |
We would like to spend some time in the Greek Islands also.. any recommendations? We want to spend a year in Italy, off and on to the Greek islands, or some combo of that.. we hear good things about Prague and Czchekoslovakia (OUCH! that spelling was awful!! )...
Akaisha
Author, THE ADVENTURER'S GUIDE TO EARLY RETIREMENT
_________________
Self-sufficiency builds confidence.
www.RetireEarlyLifestyle.com |
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wanderer
Joined: 28 Jun 2004
Posts: 1598
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| Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:30 am Post subject: |
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Greece sounds great - definitely by the water. Crete is lovely. I wouldn't mind Cyprus - probably the Turkish side.
I was thinking of teaching at some of the American bases throughout Asia and Europe. 8 weeks and a two week break. Not a bad life. |
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peteyperson
Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Posts: 2073
Location: SE Asia
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| Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:24 am Post subject: |
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| wanderer wrote: | Greece sounds great - definitely by the water. Crete is lovely. I wouldn't mind Cyprus - probably the Turkish side.
I was thinking of teaching at some of the American bases throughout Asia and Europe. 8 weeks and a two week break. Not a bad life. |
Hey wanderer,
The greek Islands are great if you like things simple and quiet. Even in what is called "commercialized Skiathos" families complained after a week that there was little to do. Really it is a life of simple things, the beach, a taverna meal, and relaxation.
It is more costly. Crete is just about the cheapest major island. Quite a bit less expensive than the Ionian islands. Still a 30m2+ studio with ensuite will run you €40 a night in most parts. So a big jump up in costs from somewhere like Thailand where a decent place, with pool, can be had for €15.
The weather is also another issue. Crete is not fun during the winter months. Greece, like most of Turkey, is good for five or so months in the summer I would say. So buying a year-round place there is problematic. I would think a few months there, and the rest in Thailand would be reasonable though. Also misses some of the Thai rainy season too.
Petey |
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peteyperson
Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Posts: 2073
Location: SE Asia
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| Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:32 am Post subject: |
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Hey K.,
Crete is one of the cheapest, large island, lots to explore. Several "major" towns, all quite different from each other. Ionion are more expensive. Party towns/islands are pricey. Also best to get a jet from some islands to others. Sporades, for instance. Rough Guide Greece is pretty good on the ferry links available which are frequent.
Italy is gonna be costly! I would love to hear how your numbers work out after the fact. I want to do Italy at some point but outside of nordic countries, has to be one of the most expensive places to visit now.
Agree on your views on living in foreign countries. Very much mirrors my understanding. Saw a FIRE'ds budget which was 90% Thai food, but figured I needed to include more western food in with that to stay sane! Love Thai food.. but there are limits. Unless I do particularly well during the accumulation phase, I expect to settle in a low-cost base I am happy with - hopefully with decent varied food, US entertainment I can import, good weather, and a language I can grapple with - and then travel sporadically every year or so. That tames the amount needed to FIRE, but still allows me to see a bit more of the world. Would love to be able to budget more extensive PT but most likely it will be a toss-up between retiring at 60 or later with more travel budget. I think at that stage those extra few years will be the deciding factor!
Petey
| Author wrote: | Petey said:
| Quote: | | I don't expect Bangkok or Chiang Mai to be much different in day-to-day life than London. Facilities are different, but that is to say that I don't expect any of life's problems to suddenly be cured. Just a different, interesting place to live is all. And more affordable to boot. |
I think you have it right... "all of life's problems" do continue, and being in a more affordable place does help with some of them... other things pop up, tho' -- It's how we can adjust, it's our attitude that can make the difference. Having things affordable can and does cut the stress level. However, one could find cultural differences, or unexpected things like getting homesick for favorite foods, or a pasttime done in our own home country. This is where the Ex-Pat community can help.
Petey said:
| Quote: |
I spent a little time in the greek islands a while ago. That was a real eye opener for me. Made it all seem possible. Talking to people online about their travels has also been a useful reality check, rather than just reading about it. |
We would like to spend some time in the Greek Islands also.. any recommendations? We want to spend a year in Italy, off and on to the Greek islands, or some combo of that.. we hear good things about Prague and Czchekoslovakia (OUCH! that spelling was awful!! )...
Akaisha
Author, THE ADVENTURER'S GUIDE TO EARLY RETIREMENT |
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