The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

Descriptions for FRIDAY DEC, 22- EXPAT FILES SHOW #720, 12-22-2017

1-Advice for expat gonnabees and wannabees formulating their Plan B’s- some predictions that will affect expats in the next 5 years:
It seems the vast majority of wannabees and gonnabees with a “Plan B” in mind believe the world is definitely headed for a big time reset but at the same time they think it will play out on “their own” particular time line. Funny how their personal "time-lines" seem to coincide with the need to work just a few more years to collect the”maximum” social security payout or pension. The sad news is ....as the world implodes it ain’t gonna follow “your” timeline. Never did, never will. You’re just lucky to have a chance to get a plan together before things get really hairy. Like the man said, “you don’t buy fire insurance after the fire!

#2- Why smart expats and gringos much prefer living in poor Latin countries as opposed to living in the wealthy, more organized first-world. Newbee expats often have mild to severe adjustment pains but in time learn its small price to pay for the huge personal and financial benefits realized in the long run.

#3-The ironclad reasons why you really should take Social Security at age 62.
Not to mention those of you slated to get private pensions should start drawing down as soon as you reach the qualifying age too. Don’t think by working longer to get a few hundred extra bucks a month will pan out. By thinking that way you’ll be taking a great gamble. Today we discuss why.

#4- Get “FAST SPANISH” second edition free! For a limited time you can get a copy of Jack Brett’s newly updated 100+ page pdf book by going to: theexpatfiles.com/fastspanish/

#5- Sign up for Johnny Mueller’s Latin American “Expat Insider” Seminar. The next one will take place on Sat, January 6th  through Thurs, January 11th  2018. Get on the earlybird list and get the info signup details by emailing Johnny at: [email protected]

#6- Set up a one-on-one personal Phone/SKYPE consult with Johnny by first downloading the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com

#7- Check out my “The Expat Files” You Tube channel. See all the fun slides and photos that go along with each show. There are now more than 150 shows posted on my YouTube channel so have a look.

#1- Gringos and car repairs:
Today we have yet another “boots on the ground” story you really must pay attention to. Why? To be able to make the right decisions when having your car repaired when, not if, it happens to you!

#2-Occasionally we all need to buy and/or sell used or new personal items like cars, furniture, tools, appliances. But this is Latin America and the rules of the barter, buy and sell game are slightly different than what you’re used to. For example, how would you arrange a safe meeting place to inspect an item that’s for sale when dealing with someone you don’t know who you found on www.OLX.com (the Latin version of Craig’s list) or in the Lation classified ads? Say you want to buy or sell a bike, cuisinart or treadmill? Here are some tips on how to manage the situation and go about it in a secure way.

#3-Latin transit cop stories:
Many expat gonnabees and wannabees are worried about possible confrontations with Latin cops. They’ve heard and read second hand stories that sound scary. Fact is you have a lot more to worry about when dealing with your own US cops. Turns out in most all Latin countries SOUTH of the Mexican border, cop anxiety is really unjustified. That said so called “Law Enforcement” is really an oxymoron in Latin America. Enforcement is spotty at best. Sounds bad at first, but is it really? It can either be a pain or a gift depending on circumstances. Today we present more “boots on the ground” evidence and you be the judge.

#4- Get “FAST SPANISH” second edition free! For a limited time you can get a copy of Jack Brett’s newly updated 100+ page pdf book by going to: theexpatfiles.com/fastspanish/

#5- Lat chance to sign up for Johnny Mueller’s Latin American “Expat Insider” Seminar. The next one will take place on Sat, January 6th  through Thurs, January 11th  2018. Get on the earlybird list and get the info signup details by emailing Johnny at: [email protected]

#6- Set up a one-on-one personal Phone/SKYPE consult with Johnny by first downloading the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com

#7- Check out my “The Expat Files” You Tube channel. See all the fun slides and photos that go along with each show. There are now more than 150 shows posted on my YouTube channel so have a look.

#1- A Latin American “Cost of Living” update.
Today we discuss the various types of Latin tiendas, stores and markets (mercados) and where you can get the very best deals on food, produce and common household goods.

#2- When gringos and expats ask for and get good advice but don’t take it:
It’s a recurring theme. Good advice is given and people don’t take it or it doesn’t seem to register. Many fresh green expats prefer to step in the same potholes over and over again intent on reinventing the wheel. That’s one big reason why you’ll hear occasional Latin bad luck stories from gringos. However, if you bother to dig deeper into the facts you’ll likely see some errors and fatal flaws were committed along the way. Gringos were warned but just didn’t heed the advice.

#3- When “Gringo Prices” aren’t necessarily gringo prices (say what?)
That ubiquitous term generally means paying more for something than the local Latinos do. Though it doesn’t necessarily mean paying first-world prices. Here’s the skinny…

#4 The Lost Art of Reading:
If you still read the old fashioned way (real books or ebooks) today we have some tips on how you can tap into free online stateside libraries for practically anything in the way of ebooks, movies, documentaries and audio-books.

#5- Get “FAST SPANISH” second edition free! For a limited time you can get a copy of Jack Brett’s newly updated 100+ page pdf book by going to: theexpatfiles.com/fastspanish/

#6- Sign up for Johnny Mueller’s Latin American “Expat Insider” Seminar. The next one will take place on Sat, January 6th  through Thurs, January 11th  2018. Get the info signup details by emailing Johnny at: [email protected]

#7- Set up a one-on-one personal Phone/SKYPE consult with Johnny by first downloading the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com

#8- Check out my “The Expat Files” You Tube channel. See all the fun slides and photos that go along with each show. There are now more than 150 shows posted on my YouTube channel so have a look.

#1- Driving a vehicle through Latin American country borders:
Ten tips and cautions to observe (and contemplate) before trying such a  fearless stunt.

#2- In Belize the locals speak English. Cool huh? Well not so fast.
That also means the locals hear every complaint, comment and slur that gringo tourists and Expats utter about their country, people and culture. In such a hot sweaty country with poor roads and a bad infrastructure, there’s much for persnickety gringos to bitch about. No wonder so many local Belizians really don’t like Americans much and why some take advantage of clueless gringos at every turn.

#3- Is Cuba a good “Plan B: choice for Expats?
Don’t be fooled by blogs and promotions extolling the pleasures of ex-patting to Cuba. There are some serious problems with the infrastructure, food supply and internet an you’ll never get citizenship and their passport is useless. Unless you like roughing it and don’t mind going 1950’s native, chances are you’ll have a good expensive time on a short vacation visit but will be terribly disappointed if you decide to stay for any extended length of time

#4- Get “FAST SPANISH” second edition free! For a limited time you can get a copy of Jack Brett’s newly updated 100+ page pdf book by going to: theexpatfiles.com/fastspanish/

#5- Sign up for Johnny Mueller’s Latin American “Expat Insider” Seminar. The next one will take place on Sat, January 6th  through Thurs, January 11th  2018. Get on the earlybird list and get the info signup details by emailing Johnny at: [email protected]

#6- Set up a one-on-one personal Phone/SKYPE consult with Johnny by first downloading the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com

#7- Check out my “The Expat Files” You Tube channel. See all the fun slides and photos that go along with each show. There are now more than 150 shows posted on my YouTube channel so have a look.

 THE EXPAT FILES SHOW #715, 12-03-2017 (SUN):

#1- What gringos and expat needs to know about banking in Latin America: going beyond the basics.
There are many unanswered questions and lots of misconceptions about Latin banking. Which are the best and safest? How do you open an account? What about on-line banking with Latin banks? How to maneuver through your bank’s website when its in Spanish? What about direct depositing pension, trust and social security checks? In today’s discussion we offer tips and suggestions about things you really have to know well in advance before you even walk in a bank to open a basic account. Plus we discuss some of the common “lost in translation” errors and the things that can go wrong as well as show how to minimize the frustrations that you are certain to encounter with bank personnel and online.

#2- For a limited time you can get a free copy of Jack Brett’s newly updated “FAST SPANISH” second edition 100+ page pdf book by going to: theexpatfiles.com/fastspanish/

#3- Sign up for Johnny Mueller’s Latin American “Expat Insider” Seminar. The next one will take place on Sat, January 6th  through Thurs, January 11th  2018. Get on the earlybird list and get the info signup details by emailing Johnny at: [email protected]

#4- Set up a one-on-one personal Phone/SKYPE consult with Johnny by first downloading the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com

#5- Check out my “The Expat Files” You Tube channel. See all the fun slides and photos that go along with each show. There are now more than 150 shows posted on my YouTube channel so have a look.