The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

Expat Files - 06.02.17

#1- The Secret Life of a Latin Maid (muchacha): what do they talk about when they get together. Do they talk about you, her employer? Of course they do but what can they be saying behind your back?

#2- Those ridiculously low Latin American wages: yes they vary a bit from country to country but are by our standards beyond ridiculously low. Even so, would you believe most cleaning ladies (muchachas) and domestic workers earn even less than the Latin minimum wage($250 to $350 per month)… often less than HALF of that!

#3- LATIN LABOR UNIONS: Yes they are here and as corrupt and as weak as they can possibly be. As usual, they always start out with very good intentions but and as soon as the leaders gain some power, just like politicians, they become accustomed to the good life at the expense of the workers they are supposed to represent.

#4- MY NEXT EXPAT “INSIDER” SEMINAR will be Saturday July 8th thru Thursday July 13th 2017 in and around Guatemala, Central America.  Go to www.TheNewExpat.com and click on the seminar link.

#5- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros to the “Expat Essentials” course now at www.ExpatPlanB.com

#6-Try the “Podcast by Phone” feature. Listen to the last FIVE Expat Files programs over the phone by dialing: 1-701-719-0893

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

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

Expat Files - 05.28.17

#1- How to shift some of your assets to Latin America and plan ahead for that eventuality. Expat gonnabees and wannabees want to know what Latin assets they should consider buying and/or investing in that might assure a nice stable, low stress “Plan B” life when they finally arrive.

 

#2- LATIN BANKS: you’ll certainly need an account in one or more banks but its confusing for Expats since every Latin country has at least a dozen of them. Though all the bank buildings look nice many are in poor financial shape, while others have been rock solid inside and out for decades. Today we discuss how Expats can get help determining the good and the solid from the weak and the crappy?

 

#3- LATIN LAWYERS: Today we discuss the percentage of Latin lawyer crooks and gougers versus the honest, loyal, reasonable and trustworthy types. You’ll be shocked at the guesstimates. Not surprisingly, there’s a huge difference in the percentages of good, bad and ugly lawyers depending whether one dealing with one on or off the tourist trail 

 

#4-BITCOINS for EXPATS: I’ve been talking about BC for over 3 years now and its about time I tell you my own amazing” boots on the ground” bitcoin story. It could only have happened in Latin America…

 

#5- MY NEXT EXPAT “INSIDER” SEMINAR will be Saturday July 8^th thru Thursday July 13^th 2017 in and around Guatemala, Central America.  The Earlybird Discount ends on June 1. Sign up now and save $500 by going to www.thenewexpat.com and clicking on the seminar link.

 

#6- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros to the “Expat Essentials” course at www.ExpatPlanB.com 

 

#7-Try the “Podcast by Phone” feature. Listen to the last FIVE Expat Files programs over the phone by dialing: 1-701-719-0893

 

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

 

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

Expat Files - 05.26.17

#1- When new green Expats encounter Narco chieftains and their entourages: that's the subject of today’s “boots on the ground” real-life Expat story that happened recently in an upscale Latin restaurant

#2- Can you guess the TWO favorite vehicle models overwhelmingly chosen by Narco capos and crooked Latin politicians for their day to day on the road travel? Hint?.. they both are American brands.

#3- Bulletproofing (armor plating) of vehicles is big business in Latin America. Every large Latin city has a dozen such “Blindado” shops. Its an expensive car upgrade that’s completely unnecessary for normal Latins and Expats and the shops generally have only three classes of customers: upscale Narcos, thieving government types and the lawyer’s that aid and abet the dirty deeds of said criminals and scumbags.

#4-Today's Question: If American businessmen are known for making deals on the golf course, and very, very, few Latins golf, then where do you think many Latin business deals are consummated? If you guessed at the strip clubs, (called nightclubs here), you’d be right.

#5- Yes, I do hammer on politicians all the time and people email me about it, but  are all of them really that corrupt? Well yes, and they're even much worse then you think. Today we have a perfect example: the new President of Brazil recently caught on audio doing a deal in order to keep someone from blabbing about a payoff.

#6-More reasons Belize is not a good long term choice for your “Plan B”

#7- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros to the “Expat Essentials” course at www.ExpatPlanB.com

#8-Try the “Podcast by Phone” feature. Listen to the last FIVE Expat Files programs over the phone by dialing: 1-701-719-0893

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

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

Expat Files - 05.21.17

#1- What expats need to know about air travel to and from Central and South America from the states

#2- What about internal air travel using local Latin carriers?

#3- Tips on Tips and Tipping: find out what’s proper and what’s not. How well-meaning gringos tend to dislocate and distort prevailing wage and social systems throughout Latin America to the detriment of everyone. When that begins to happen it usually too late to reverse the trend.

#4- Why Latin University grads are finding they have little chance for employment or advancement in their chosen careers (sound familiar?)

#5- Just like in the states, Latin college grads can’t find decent jobs in their chosen fields so they often do the next best stupid thing-they go for an MBA, believing that an extra framed piece of toilet paper on the wall will be their ticket to the good life

#6- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros to the “Expat Essentials” course at www.ExpatPlanB.com

#7-Try the “Podcast by Phone” feature. Listen to the last FIVE Expat Files programs over the phone by dialing: 1-701-719-0893

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

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

Expat Files - 05.19.17

#1- An educated Latina shares her opinions on the steady Gringo invasion of the popularly promoted parts of Latin America. She talks about the good the bad the ugly and the great(naturally)

#2- Today we have a discussion on what Latins perceive as the sometimes disturbing differences between our two cultures with an emphasis on the traits of North American men versus Latin men and differences in North American women versus Latina women.

#3- Latina views on Gringo tourists and backpackers- it ain’t good

#4- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros to the “Expat Essentials” course at www.ExpatPlanB.com

#5-Try the “Podcast by Phone” feature. Listen to the last FIVE Expat Files programs over the phone by dialing: 1-701-719-0893

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

#7- Set up a one-on-one personal Phone/SKYPE consult with Johnny by downloading his consult questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com and following the instructions.

Expat Files - 05.14.17

#1- Gringos doing Business in Latin America: how to keep your eyes wide open for niche to fill.

#2-Doing virtual business in Latin America on the net

#3- PART 1 of a discussion explaining two separate and completely distinct brick and mortar  business operations that regularly return 100% of their initial investment annually. You’ll need “boots on the ground” to find inexpensive Latin business opportunities with this kind of amazing rate of return. Many are out there but almost never right-in your face. However, the sure-fire money makers explained today are examples of businesses I don’t necessarily recommend for Gringos and Expats.. for reasons you’ll never imagine.

#4- Today Expat Eddie gives us his wry observations about many of the “university educated” Latin employees he’s hired for supervisory and management positions. No matter how smart or educated, they all seem to have certain common personality defects making them less than optimally efficient and so he says they must be pushed.

#5- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros to the “Expat Essentials” course at www.ExpatPlanB.com

#6-Try the “Podcast by Phone” feature. Listen to the last FIVE Expat Files programs over the phone by dialing: 1-701-719-0893

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

Expat Files - 05.12.17

 

#1- Ecuador has now been permanently pulled from my preferred Expat “Plan B”destination list. Problem is, when the gringos come en mass so does the gouging and since the Ecuadorian government is dead set on subsidizing socialism for the masses, Gringos are taking it in the trasero. It will never end. Last month it was the 5% capital and asset exit tax for anyone leaving the country, and now it’s a 300 to 400% + hike in national healthcare premiums…  

 

#2-In regards to getting 1^st World Healthcare in Latin America: Gringos and Expats can either get very low priced healthcare insurance or go “raw” and pay out of pocket( many do because the costs are 1/4 to 1/6^th of US prices). The problem is that when Gringos look for insurance plans they often hook up with English speaking Latin insurance brokers who offer a  host of Cadillac plans. Now, because they know gringos come from a culture that insures everything, they will try to sell excessive coverage. Some brokers actually think its what you want. Meanwhile, 95% of Latins don’t carry any health or car insurance at all.    

 

#3- MY NEXT EXPAT “INSIDER” SEMINAR will be Saturday July 8^th thru Thursday July 13^th 2017 in and around Guatemala, Central America. Check out the earlybird discounts by going to www.thenewexpat.com  Click on the seminar link for full signup info and

 

#4- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros to the “Expat Essentials” course at www.ExpatPlanB.com 

 

#5-Try the “Podcast by Phone” feature. Listen to the last FIVE Expat Files programs over the phone by dialing: 1-701-719-0893

 

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

Expat Files - 05.07.17

#1- Cheaper air flights are coming to Latin America. Meanwhile, strikes and resistance are coming from old school traditional airlines and union crybabys.. all are against the entrance of newer, more efficient carriers promising lower prices.

 

#2-Uber In Latin America: Taxi Drivers, Taxi unions and the corrupt Latin govts are resisting the competition here too and in some cases have banned it all together. In Argentina, judges have ordered internet providers to block the service and the apps. Meanwhile, Uber drivers don’t seem too worried and continue the service as usual...

 

#3- Do you enjoy politics? Well here’s a tip for Gringos and Expats: stay clear of Latin politics and political parties. Don’t get involved. Take advantage of the cool fact that you can live your own life exactly as you wish… as a detached 1^st world guest in a 3rd world country. Latin politics are lose- lose situations so don’t get involved.

 

#4- Would you believe there is not one, but three known Chinese Mafia groups operating in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Today we have the skinny on how they run their supermarket extortion games…

 

#5- MY NEXT EXPAT “INSIDER” SEMINAR will be Saturday July 8^th thru Thursday July 13^th 2017 in and around Guatemala, Central America. Check out the earlybird discounts by going to www.thenewexpat.com  Click on the seminar link for full signup info and

 

#6- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros to the “Expat Essentials” course at www.ExpatPlanB.com 

 

#7-Try the “Podcast by Phone” feature. Listen to the last FIVE Expat Files programs over the phone by dialing: 1-701-719-0893

 

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

 

Expat Files - 05.05.17

#1- I told you so! Today we have proof that the majority of Latin countries are now in the active stages of tightening their immigration and residency requirements for foreigners (that means gringos). Today we excerpt a trusted Panama media source outlining how residency requirements and tourist visa renewal laws are changing right now in Panama listing Latin countries that will shortly do the same. Do you know what that means? There will be more residency barricades and hoops to jump through, requirements will be tightened, the process will be longer, more expensive and more stressful. Bottom line- you’d be pound foolish not to act on your plan B now. You can still get residency in some Latin countries while its still relatively easy. If not, you’ll kick yourself for not acting sooner.

#2-DYK: if you move to Latin America you will have a second chance to create a clean social media and email slate? Yes you really can become a private and somewhat anonymous person again (almost like living in the US before the internet) however it will take some pre-planning. Today’s  we discuss how some expats have accomplished that difficult feat.

#3- There is nothing so ubiquitous as whatsapp in Latin America. Although no one knew it existed a year and a half ago, everyone has it now, including shoeshine boys, maids and cleaning ladies. Today we have a very enlightening “boots on the ground” whatsapp story.

#4- Some tips on playing the “Clueless Gringo”- especially when pulled over by the cops. If you know some Spanish should you try to use it or not?


#5- MY NEXT EXPAT “INSIDER” SEMINAR will be Saturday July 8th thru Thursday July 13th 2017 in and around Guatemala, Central America. Check out the earlybird discounts by going to www.thenewexpat.com  Click on the seminar link for full signup info and

#6- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros to the “Expat Essentials” course at www.ExpatPlanB.com

#7-Try the “Podcast by Phone” feature. Listen to the last FIVE Expat Files programs over the phone by dialing: 1-701-719-0893

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

Expat Files - 04.30.17

#1- Things you should keep and eye out for in Latin American bathrooms and toilets.

#2-The Zika virus, mosquitoes and other man-eating bugs. The use and abuse of insect repellent

#3-A word on personal safety and security. A discussion of some items I have in my own small “Bug Out” Bag”- which is really not for bugging out as USA preppers define it. Yup, I’ve already bugged out so my little travel bag is more like a good, solid general “travel resource”.

#4-Know there will always be some petty theft in your nice little subdivision. So should you pat down your maid or cleaning lady at the door? Latin Lady bosses do it all the time. Today we have a few Expat Gringas chiming in with their own such stories and experiences.

#5- A question many Gringa Expats ask themselves – "Is the maid stealing my makeup?" Could be…

#6-Survellence cameras around the house and business.. are they worth it? Should you get them? Do they really work?

#7- MY NEXT EXPAT “INSIDER” SEMINAR will be Saturday July 8th thru Thursday July 13th 2017 in and around Guatemala, Central America. Check out the earlybird discounts by going to www.thenewexpat.com  Click on the seminar link for full signup info and

#8- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros to the “Expat Essentials” course at www.ExpatPlanB.com

#9-Try the “Podcast by Phone” feature. Listen to the last FIVE Expat Files programs over the phone by dialing: 1-701-719-0893

#10- Check out my “The Expat Files” You Tube channel to see all the fun slides and photos that go along with each show. There are now more than 130 shows posted on my You Tube channel so have a look.