Retire South of the Border-Kiplingers

I keep hearing about the benefits of retiring to Panama. Warm weather and a low cost of living lure retirees from the U.S. to central America according to Laura Cohn, Associate Editor at Kiplinger’s, the Central American country not only offers a warm but also provides a lower cost of living, generous financial incentives for retirees, and a reliable and affordable health-care system. On top of that, Panama uses the U.S. dollar, so there's no need to hassle with foreign currency.

After visiting Panama, one retiring couple decided to go make it their permanent home. In 2008, for less than $250,000, the couple purchased a three-bedroom, three-bathroom (plus maid's quarters) condo in a new, nine-story building overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A similar place close to the water in North or South Carolina would sell for well over $1 million. The couple downsized their belongings and shipped some crucial possessions -- their car, their plasma TV and their Xbox -- to temporary digs in Panama City, where they stayed for a few months while their new home was being built in Punta Barco Village, about an hour's drive from Panama City. They could have retired comfortably in the U.S, but they live three to four times better down here."

Cohn does recommend that you consider a few things for you take the leap:

• Do a reality check 
• Do your research 
• Rethink your finances
• How to protect your health

To find a local lawyer, ask other expats, or use an online resource such as www.movingtopanama.com, which provides a wealth of guidance on the logistics of relocating to the country. (Anyone over age 18 who meets the financial requirements can apply for the pensionado program.) For retirees with a sense of adventure and a taste for the good life -- even if they lack a bank account to match -- a change in latitude might be the perfect plan. "All you have to do is think outside the box and beyond your own borders," says Peddicord. "You'll discover opportunities for a completely new and improved life available for a bargain price." To read the entire article with detailed recommendations go HERE.

Making Money

Today I was checking my email and I opened a report from my sitecounter. It says I have had several visitors this month even though I have not posted anything new in a while. Now I realize that my site is pretty eclectic, I generally write about what is on my mind. But usually there is a central theme. I want to make more money so that I can retire early. I post about Thailand because my wife is a Thai citizen even though we have Been married for 15 years (I will explain why another day), but I have a contingency plan is to retire in Thailand. I post about politics and the economy because they both effect my goals.

Generally my goals are to make money. I have several sources of income besides my full time job. I wrote recently about getting into the stock market and I must say it is the best thing I have ever done. On a good day I make more than I do at work. On a bad day I may lose a little bit but the profits outweigh the losses probably 10:1. For every $1000 i make I may lose $100. I posted about buying Ford stock, best move I ever made. I bought in at around 1.00 per share and it is around 6.00 a share. I have not sold yet b ut that is the exception to the rule. In this market (and I don't know how much longer it will last). Fundamentals are out the window. I usually buy small caps less than 10 dollars and keep them until they gain 20-30%. If they are losers I will sell when I lose around 10%. There is a lot more to it than that but I am saving my secrets to wealth in case I want to write a book. I have been doing a lot a reading on making money especially from one incredible author. I am not going to reveal his name now because I may want to have an affiliate link on this page in the near future. So at that time you can all go out and read his books. The put making lots of money in the simplest of terms but in ways you never thought of before. I have not yet put all of his methods to work for me but if I keep making money in the stock market I will be using his other techniques very soon. One piece of advice I will give you (not from a book) is check out all the biotech stocks that are working on the H1N1 virus, since the WHO has labeled it a pandemic every one and his brother will be racing to get that first vaccine approved by the FDA. Then they will get gobbled up by the big drug companies.

Speaking of drug companies, Bestmedicationstation (the only online prescription company I use) is doing better than ever. As a matter of fact I ordered medicine for my lower back pain yesterday and received it by FedEx today. I love overnight shipping. The prices are reasonable because you do not have to leave work to go see a doctor and the consultation is FREE. You just fill out a medical questionnaire (and be honest) and a certified MD approves it, a licensed pharmacist fills it and you get it the next day. Just click here and you are on your way. It is simple, it is legal and they send you reminders when you a due for a refill (but they don't harass you). I have been using them for about 3 years and I have never been disappointed. They deliver to you your door, your place of business, and even the FedEx store and they will sign for you. Check it out they have hundreds of medications. You cant go wrong. Till next time. Make money and Get Rich! Next time I will tell you how to get the get the best get rich books.

Thailand People's Protest Affect Americans

As I write this there is a rebellion going on in Bangkok. I do not claim to understand all of the issues involved, but a Thai faction is protesting and holding Americans (as well as other tourist)hostage, well sort of, they have taken over Bangkok's major airport and will not let them leave. This public dissatisfaction has been going on for a couple of years. As I understand it this ongoing coup was started to get the previous Prime Minister, Thaksin to step down for various reasons including allegations of corruption. BTW, Thaksin is a billionaire making his riches in communications, banking, transport and real estate.

In 2006, the Thai Army overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra and soon afterwards King Bhumibol Adulyadej appointed Surayud Chulanont as Prime Minister until democratic elections could be held. In 2008, Chulanont was succeeded by Samak Sundaravej who filled the post for 8 months amid public street protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). The PAD consists of middle and upper-class Bangkokians and Southerners, supported by the conservative elite and factions of the Thai Army, some leaders of Democrat Party, and leaders of state-enterprise labor unions.

On September 9th, Sundaravej was disqualified from premiership due to complaints lodged by the Senators and the Election Commission of Thailand. However, the People Power Party (PPP) vowed to vote him back to the premiership. Despite objections from its coalition partners, the PPP, in an urgent meeting, unanimously decided to renominate Samak Sundaravej. Ultimately, the Issan faction of the PPP and the coalition parties boycotted the vote. The boycott was a sign of Samak's disapproval from both his own party's members and coalition parties. Finally Samak gave up his re-election bid, allowing his party to choose new nominee. The majority of his party and coalitions eventually voted for Somchai Wongsawat, deputy prime minister, to be the new premier. Somchai Wongsawat was elected as Prime Minister in September 2008.

This brings us to what is happening in Bangkok currently. On October 7, 2008, protesters attempted to hold 320 parliamentarians and senators hostage inside the Parliament building, cutting off power, and forcing Somchai Wongsawat to escape by jumping a back fence after his policy address. But other trapped legislators failed to leave and flee from the demonstration. The 6-week sit-in and siege on the area beside the near prime minister’s office forced the government to transfer its activities to the former international airport. One female protester was killed after police use force to push back the demonstration and hundreds were injured.

In November, PAD forces blockaded Parliament prior to a crucial legislative session, used hijacked public buses to take control of the government's provisional offices at the former international airport. They have now seized the passenger terminal and control tower of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, forcing the airport to cancel all flights.

The PAD has called for the resignation of the governments of Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as Somchai Wongsawat, whom the PAD accused of being a proxy for Thaksin. The PAD refused to stop its protests, noting that Somchai is Thaksin's brother-in-law; thus, claiming failure of popular democracy in Thailand. The PAD has wants constitutional amendments making Parliament a largely royally-appointed body. The PAD is largely composed of royalist, and has regularly invoked the King in its protests, and has claimed that its enemies are disloyal to the monarchy. It has openly called for the military and Thailand's traditional elite to take a greater role in politics.

To make matters worse, a rival pro-government group, the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) said the movement would consider any retreat by the government to be a military coup, and immediately launch a counter street offensive against the army, raising the prospect of clashes.

If you read this entire post, you may be wondering why I wrote it. The reason I try to keep up with the political as well as economical landscape of Thailand is that my wife is a Thai citizen and I have considered retiring in Thailand. Now, I am not sure. The Thai government has been unstable for a while but before this Americans were not really affected. I can only wait and see.