Sound Advice for 20 - 40-Somethings Gambling On Move To Expat Paradise
Here’s a dozen tips and pieces of advice to help you on your journey to becoming an expat, mostly for the younger wanna-be expats who desire to some far-away, foreign land. Some of these suggestions apply for travel in general and as I said, to anyone considering becoming an expat, young or old.
1. Have a Plan
“Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.” Do your research. don’t just wing it. Reconnaissance is part of your plan. Stay for 3-6 months, even longer if possible. Include a backup plan and an exit strategy. Have you been to your dream destination for more than a weekend? Plan with military precision.
Plan for retirement just like you SHOULD DO when back home.
If you won’t be working, plan what you’re going to do with your time! Remember, anything can happen and proper planning not only means being prepared to live in a foreign country but also being prepared in the event you need to leave .
Last but not least, Some guys say they will never marry and don’t ever want kids. For whatever reason, one day they end up married with children. Expect the unexpected, think the what IFs and plan accordingly.
2. Choose your destination carefully and wisely
So let's say you traveled internationally on vacation and had time the of your life. Excellent, I’m happy for you. However, spending time in a foreign country on your vacation and living there are not the same. If you are seriously thinking of moving abroad, first, do the research. Before moving to Thailand, I trained in Muay Thai and knew a handful of Thais. I also had two friends who had been to Thailand and had some great information.
Here’s a dozen tips and pieces of advice to help you on your journey to becoming an expat, mostly for the younger wanna-be expats who desire to some far-away, foreign land. Some of these suggestions apply for travel in general and as I said, to anyone considering becoming an expat, young or old.
1. Have a Plan
“Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.” Do your research. don’t just wing it. Reconnaissance is part of your plan. Stay for 3-6 months, even longer if possible. Include a backup plan and an exit strategy. Have you been to your dream destination for more than a weekend? Plan with military precision.
Plan for retirement just like you SHOULD DO when back home.
If you won’t be working, plan what you’re going to do with your time! Remember, anything can happen and proper planning not only means being prepared to live in a foreign country but also being prepared in the event you need to leave .
Last but not least, Some guys say they will never marry and don’t ever want kids. For whatever reason, one day they end up married with children. Expect the unexpected, think the what IFs and plan accordingly.
2. Choose your destination carefully and wisely
So let's say you traveled internationally on vacation and had time the of your life. Excellent, I’m happy for you. However, spending time in a foreign country on your vacation and living there are not the same. If you are seriously thinking of moving abroad, first, do the research. Before moving to Thailand, I trained in Muay Thai and knew a handful of Thais. I also had two friends who had been to Thailand and had some great information.
Sign up for Wise (Formerly Transferwise) and transfer money to Thailand quickly and inexpensively.
3. Be flexible and keep an open mind
This goes for travel in general but it’s amazing how many people I've seen who are extremely inflexible. “What, warm beer? Why this is preposterous!” Every traveler should attempt to keep an open mind. It's the first tenet of travel. You’re in a different country, not your own. It is what it is. Expecting someone to change their ways because you think your way is better generally does not work. People change because they want to change.
4. Talk to Friends and Family Before You Decide to Leave
If you’re ready to move abroad, talk to a loved one before give away, throw and sell everything you own. Act logically and do not allow emotion or sentimental feelings to cloud your judgment. If you just graduated high school or university and you feel you must live abroad, take a gap year instead. Be smart, consider working and saving money until you’re 30.
Before you speak with friends and family, be certain moving abroad is what you really want and more importantly, moving abroad is the best thing for your life. If you truly believe it is what’s best for you, then have the strength and conviction to tell them, “This is why I want, I think this will be good for me, so I’m doing it.” Do not waver. If you have doubts, then listen closely to what they say.
This goes for travel in general but it’s amazing how many people I've seen who are extremely inflexible. “What, warm beer? Why this is preposterous!” Every traveler should attempt to keep an open mind. It's the first tenet of travel. You’re in a different country, not your own. It is what it is. Expecting someone to change their ways because you think your way is better generally does not work. People change because they want to change.
4. Talk to Friends and Family Before You Decide to Leave
If you’re ready to move abroad, talk to a loved one before give away, throw and sell everything you own. Act logically and do not allow emotion or sentimental feelings to cloud your judgment. If you just graduated high school or university and you feel you must live abroad, take a gap year instead. Be smart, consider working and saving money until you’re 30.
Before you speak with friends and family, be certain moving abroad is what you really want and more importantly, moving abroad is the best thing for your life. If you truly believe it is what’s best for you, then have the strength and conviction to tell them, “This is why I want, I think this will be good for me, so I’m doing it.” Do not waver. If you have doubts, then listen closely to what they say.
5. Move Away for the Right Reason
I have say this. If you’re young, and by young I mean in your twenties, think long and hard about becoming an expat. Take a long holiday, take a year off, but take your decision seriously to move to another country. Move abroad because you want to start a new life abroad, move abroad to work at a job you enjoy, move abroad for a more stress-free lifestyle or to see the world. Move abroad because to live off a meager disability pension where you can live like a millionaire for much, much less.
Do not:
Move away to escape paying alimony, child support or serious criminal charges. This is the modern age, the age of technology and you will be found - probably sooner than later. Also, it’s probably a good idea to stay home if you have serious mental or substance abuse issues.
Usually your best support system will be at home - whether the support comes from friends and family or in some cases, the government.
Nowadays it’s easier than ever before to find a portable job or become location independent. Some people may find living in one country part-time and living back home part-time in another works best for them.
7. Focus on your career
Go the semi-traditional route. Get your degree, find a job that allows you to move up and live abroad. Maybe you’re a chef and you work at an international hotel chain. Put in the time, gain some life experience and be ready if the opportunity comes to work abroad. If you don’t want to go this route, find a job that will benefit your career before leaving. Like I said, build your career, save money, find a job in your preferred destination, save more money and then make your move abroad.
8. Never lose sight of the importance of money
Save more, bring more, live within your needs and live frugally. More money and less stuff is better. Money is your buffer between the time you set down and begin to call yourself an expat and the time you start earning or figure out exactly what you need to stay comfortably long term. Become an expert on the art of budgeting.
9. Get familiar the language and the culture
You can learn to get by without familiarizing yourself with the local language, but it definitely comes in handy. Language is an additional tool in the toolbox. I know many 50 and 60-year olds who refuse to even try to learn the basics a language because “They can’t hear well enough to hear the tones,” or “Their memory is terrible.” In most cases, they’re just excuses. Familiarizing yourself with the language will help you learn the culture and vice versa. Just do it.
10. Accept you will never fit in 100%.
I always say this, if you’re in Thailand, you will never be Thai. Be prepared to be on the receiving end of stares and be prepared to hear the word “foreigner” often. Despite the taxi driver marveling at your language skills and the length of your stay and then telling you, “Oh you are Thai already,” you are not and never will be. There will be times when you feel like you fit in and times when you’re wondering what you’re doing in this weird place. When it comes down to it, you will always be the foreigner.
I have say this. If you’re young, and by young I mean in your twenties, think long and hard about becoming an expat. Take a long holiday, take a year off, but take your decision seriously to move to another country. Move abroad because you want to start a new life abroad, move abroad to work at a job you enjoy, move abroad for a more stress-free lifestyle or to see the world. Move abroad because to live off a meager disability pension where you can live like a millionaire for much, much less.
Do not:
Move away to escape paying alimony, child support or serious criminal charges. This is the modern age, the age of technology and you will be found - probably sooner than later. Also, it’s probably a good idea to stay home if you have serious mental or substance abuse issues.
Usually your best support system will be at home - whether the support comes from friends and family or in some cases, the government.
Nowadays it’s easier than ever before to find a portable job or become location independent. Some people may find living in one country part-time and living back home part-time in another works best for them.
7. Focus on your career
Go the semi-traditional route. Get your degree, find a job that allows you to move up and live abroad. Maybe you’re a chef and you work at an international hotel chain. Put in the time, gain some life experience and be ready if the opportunity comes to work abroad. If you don’t want to go this route, find a job that will benefit your career before leaving. Like I said, build your career, save money, find a job in your preferred destination, save more money and then make your move abroad.
8. Never lose sight of the importance of money
Save more, bring more, live within your needs and live frugally. More money and less stuff is better. Money is your buffer between the time you set down and begin to call yourself an expat and the time you start earning or figure out exactly what you need to stay comfortably long term. Become an expert on the art of budgeting.
9. Get familiar the language and the culture
You can learn to get by without familiarizing yourself with the local language, but it definitely comes in handy. Language is an additional tool in the toolbox. I know many 50 and 60-year olds who refuse to even try to learn the basics a language because “They can’t hear well enough to hear the tones,” or “Their memory is terrible.” In most cases, they’re just excuses. Familiarizing yourself with the language will help you learn the culture and vice versa. Just do it.
10. Accept you will never fit in 100%.
I always say this, if you’re in Thailand, you will never be Thai. Be prepared to be on the receiving end of stares and be prepared to hear the word “foreigner” often. Despite the taxi driver marveling at your language skills and the length of your stay and then telling you, “Oh you are Thai already,” you are not and never will be. There will be times when you feel like you fit in and times when you’re wondering what you’re doing in this weird place. When it comes down to it, you will always be the foreigner.
I Thought Bad Thai Food Was Impossible!
Thailand is known as one of the most popular, delicious cuisines in the world and bad meals are rare. The same can not be said for McDonald's however. Unfortunately, the Golden Arches have made their way to Thailand and in addition to their lousy burgers, they've added several Thai dishes to the menu and in my opinion ruined most of them.
Thailand is known as one of the most popular, delicious cuisines in the world and bad meals are rare. The same can not be said for McDonald's however. Unfortunately, the Golden Arches have made their way to Thailand and in addition to their lousy burgers, they've added several Thai dishes to the menu and in my opinion ruined most of them.
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It's McDonald's though, so it's to be expected. A few months ago, I saw one of their desserts, ice cream topped with shredded pork and chili paste. I expected it to taste as disgusting as it looked but to my surprise, it was actually quite good.
So the other day while walking by a McDonald's in the The Mall I saw they were selling a shrimp and glass noodles (กุ้งอบวุ้นเส้น) fried pie dessert, I decided to give it a try. I thought bad Thai food was impossible, but I was WRONG! |
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Virtually every American I have spoken with in the last month has said they can not wait to leave the US. Americans seem to want OUT more than ever before. Nearly all of my friends are in the process of leaving the US or planning to leave the US as soon as possible. Some have already made the move. They're choosing places like Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Portugal and Ecuador. So in today's stream we'll talk about why you may want to consider leaving America ASAP to move elsewhere, perhaps a place such as Thailand.
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How to Make Kratom Tea From Leaves
Kratom tea is made from the leaves of the kratom tree. Mitragyna speciosa (commonly known as kratom) is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally, the leaves of the kratom tree were chewed or dried and made into a tea. In low doses, kratom tea acts like a stimulant, providing mild stimulant effects. In large doses, however, kratom tea takes on the properties of a sedative, much like an opioid drug. In recent years, kratom tea has become popular in the Western world even though it has been made illegal in many of the countries where it is naturally found. |
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Is Living Abroad Your Best Option? Is living abroad truly your best option or should you stay in your own country? Becoming an expat is not a straightforward choice and for some, in these increasingly difficult times living abroad is a matter of dollars and sense. Should you continue to live in the US (or elsewhere) and struggle or move abroad and get more out of your resources. Worried your retirement savings fall short of what you'll actually need? It is difficult to plan for retirement in the best of times, so how can you increase your chances of having a happier, trouble free retirement? Is living in a foreign country your answer? |
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INSIDE BURMA
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BUENG KAN, THAILAND
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CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
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HANOI TO HO CHI MINH
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KHAO SOK, SURAT THANI, THAILAND
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WALKING ACROSS THAILAND
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The online publication Coconuts Bangkok reported, ‘A woman who is working with the parliamentary committee to beef up the “Cannabis Act” stated “Dispensaries should never have existed in the first place. Cannabis may only be sold at approved clinics, which would be consistent with officials’ repeated insistence it is meant for “medical purposes” only. “Dispensaries should close their shops now,” she said.'
Why NOW? WHY NOT BEFORE THE SHOPS OPENED? WHY? BECAUSE THIS IS THAILAND!
The Thai government is still working on their Cannabis laws. Public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday that the Cannabis Act should return to parliament by the end of August. If passed, the bill would then go for royal endorsement.
Should cannabis be legal, illegal, medicinal use only or are you unsure or completely apathetic? You can let me know your stance in the comment section down below or take part in the poll I put up on the community tab of my YouTube channel.
So far, here’s the breakdown of how people voted (updated):
Votes - 130
For - 50%
Against - 15%
Medicinal Use Only - 13%
Unsure - 3%
Don’t Care (Take it or leave it) - 18%
Until Next Time...
Why NOW? WHY NOT BEFORE THE SHOPS OPENED? WHY? BECAUSE THIS IS THAILAND!
The Thai government is still working on their Cannabis laws. Public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday that the Cannabis Act should return to parliament by the end of August. If passed, the bill would then go for royal endorsement.
Should cannabis be legal, illegal, medicinal use only or are you unsure or completely apathetic? You can let me know your stance in the comment section down below or take part in the poll I put up on the community tab of my YouTube channel.
So far, here’s the breakdown of how people voted (updated):
Votes - 130
For - 50%
Against - 15%
Medicinal Use Only - 13%
Unsure - 3%
Don’t Care (Take it or leave it) - 18%
Until Next Time...
Think about it — all these weed businesses race to open in order to get an edge on their competition, spending millions to get up and running and then the government says, “Sorry, we flip-flop. Can not.”
Muslim leaders from five southern Thai provinces also protesting the legalization of cannabis and despite government assurances they’ll maintain control of the industry, the leaders have refused to give up their fight. More than 800+ medical professionals — 851 to be exact — also are pushing for stricter legislation. Anything can happen, especially if there's a change of leadership.
How do you feel about the legalization of marijuana? Is legalization a good move where governments and their citizens reap the benefits or will it mellow society, creating a society of lazy stoners? If alcohol and cigarettes are to remain legal, I see very little reason for marijuana to become illegal again. Or shall we revert back to the age of Reefer Madness (1936)?
Muslim leaders from five southern Thai provinces also protesting the legalization of cannabis and despite government assurances they’ll maintain control of the industry, the leaders have refused to give up their fight. More than 800+ medical professionals — 851 to be exact — also are pushing for stricter legislation. Anything can happen, especially if there's a change of leadership.
How do you feel about the legalization of marijuana? Is legalization a good move where governments and their citizens reap the benefits or will it mellow society, creating a society of lazy stoners? If alcohol and cigarettes are to remain legal, I see very little reason for marijuana to become illegal again. Or shall we revert back to the age of Reefer Madness (1936)?
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