The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

EXPAT FILES - 02.09.20

Descriptions- EXPAT FILES SHOW #928 SUN, FEB 09 (02-09-2020):

JOHNNY’S EXPAT FILES WEBSITE PERMANENT NAME CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

My new website is www.ExpatPlanB.com. The old one www.theexpatfiles.com has been retired so from now on please use www.ExpatPlanB.com. 

#1- Latin Funny money currencies and what you need to know about using and converting them

#2- Why and how certain Latin Countries switched over to the US dollar:

In the last few decades FOUR Latin countries have done it so far. How did it happen? How was it done? Has it been a success or failure? Is it good or bad for Gringos and Expats? What do the locals think about it? Will they ever switch back? Isn't having a national currency a matter of sovereignty?

#3- Cucaracha infestations in the home and how to stop them cold

#4- Today we feature some common Latino slang words designating private body parts often misinterpreted and misused by gringos and expats and/or completely lost in translation:  

#5- Be sure to pick up my new and revised, "LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT":

It's the new edition for 2020 (and beyond) including the latest "Stem Cell" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com and click on the "Latin American Healthcare Report”.

   

EXPAT FILES - 02.07.20

Descriptions- EXPAT FILES SHOW #927 FRI, FEB 07 (02-07-2020):

JOHNNY’S EXPAT FILES WEBSITE NAME CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

 

My new website is www.ExpatPlanB.com. The old one www.theexpatfiles.com has been retired, so from now on please use www.ExpatPlanB.com. 

#1- Your chances of car or motorcycle theft (if you own one) in Latin America

#2- What you need to know about LED light-bulbs and their rumored negative health effects and toxicity:

Should you worry? Are they safe, or should you revert back to incandescent or even those ugly fluorescent bulbs?

#3- Latinas and their hair extension madness:

#4- Protecting your Latin American home and/or office from the bad guys:

DYI tips on setting up surveillance cameras  

 

#5- The general state of self-esteem in Latin America and why 95% of Latinos appear to be gringo wannabees:

Think about it, and consider how you’d feel if every day of your life you were reminded of the fact that that you grew up in, and are a product of the 3^rd world.

#6- The truth about car insurance in Latin America and why adding full coverage collision may not be worth the extra dough

#8- Be sure to pick up my new and revised, "LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT":

It's the new edition for 2020 (and beyond) including the latest "Stem Cell" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com and click on the "Latin American Healthcare Report”.

EXPAT FILES - 02.02.20

Descriptions- EXPAT FILES SHOW #926 SUN, FEB 02 (02-02-2020):

JOHNNY’S EXPAT FILES WEBSITE CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

My new website is www.ExpatPlanB.com. The old one www.theexpatfiles.com has been retired so from now on please use www.ExpatPlanB.com. 

#1- When gringos and expats get scammed or screwed over its almost always because they are too trusting:

Yes it’s even happened to me!

#2- Water, humidity and Moisture problems you will encounter in you Latin American home and how to deal with them effectively

#3- Guarantees, Warranties and other Latin American fibs and lies:

#4- Tips on living in the “Altiplano”:

Ten things you really need to know..  

#5- THREE million more reasons why you should NEVER sign up to be a client/patient in the National Healthcare system in your chosen Latin Country:

#6- Today I post a short list of stuff I take on every trip to make infinitely life easier

#7- Getting use to the fact that you will definitely have problems with your paint and varnish projects:

Today we discuss the proper guidelines on how to avoid disappointing results, failures and the usual complaints

 

#8- Be sure to pick up my new and revised, "LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT":

It's the new edition for 2020 (and beyond) including the latest "Stem Cell" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com and click on the "Latin American Healthcare Report”.

EXPAT FILES - 01.31.20

Descriptions- EXPAT FILES SHOW #925 FRI., JAN 31 (01-31-2020):

NOW AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

My new website www.ExpatPlanB.com is under construction. The old one www.theexpatfiles.com has been retired so from now on please use www.ExpatPlanB.com.  

#1- What to consider before installing solar power in your Latin American home or getaway:

#2- Will you be shipping things from the states to your Latin Home or ordering from eBay, Amazon or other online store?

The word “Aduana” is Spanish for what Latinos call the import and customs departments. They are staffed by the usual suspects- fat assed government parasitic slugs who are out to gouge you and waste your time. Therefore it’s obvious that you want minimum dealings with them if at all possible. That said, long time gringos and expats know some straightforward (and backhanded) ways to minimize or avoid customs and import duties…    

 #3- Don’t fall into these common tricks and traps when using Miami freight forwarding services or it may cost you dearly:

 #4- Be sure to pick up my "LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT":

It's the new edition for 2020 (and beyond) including the latest "Stem Cell" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com and click on the "Latin American Healthcare Report”.

EXPAT FILES - 01.26.20

Descriptions- EXPAT FILES SHOW #924 SUN- JAN 26 (01-26-2020):

#1- TEN things you need to know before selecting a Latin American Bank for your dollar and local funny-money account(s):

If you have a “Plan B” you will eventually need a Latin Bank account or two. And with each Latin country having a dozen or so banks (some being quite iffy…) today we discuss how to choose a solid bank for our purposes.

#2- Certain Latin banks offer US dollar CD’s that pay 5% yearly interest and have local funny money CD’s that pay 10%. Sound’s good… but should you bite?

#3- Lost in translation- PART 3:

Is it “Tontos polticos” or Tontas politicos”.. or both? One phrase means “many” politicians, and one means “stupid” politicians. It would be nice if gringos and expats knew the difference (if there is one)…   

#4- Living with broke and bankrupt Latin governments (sound familiar?)

#5- Cell phone and internet insecurity in Latin America

#6- Russian hackers in Latin America:

Ruskies have recently discovered- and are now exploiting- Latin America’s “Lag Time” effect as it applies to piss poor internet and cell phone security. Should gringos and expats be worried? In a word… YES! 

 

#7- Be sure to pick up my "LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT":

It's the new edition for 2020 (and beyond) including the latest "Stem Cell" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.theexpatfiles.com and click on the "Latin American Healthcare Report”.   

#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.

EXPAT FILES - 01.24.20

Descriptions- EXPAT FILES SHOW #923 FRI, JAN 24 (01-24-2020):

#1- Guns and Gringos in Latin America:

What you absolutely need to know about owning guns and ammo in Latin America. DYK that the laws in 4 out of the 20 Latin American countries make it nearly impossible for you to own a gun. However, in the 16 other Latin countries it’s a completely different story…      

 

#2- The two largest countries in Latin America have some of the highest murder and gun crime rates in the world:

They also have some of the strictest gun laws. If you think Mexico has idiotic gun laws you haven’t studied what they are like in Brazil…

#3- Valuable lessons learned in Latin America concerning Guns and Ammo that North Americans deny or don’t want to hear about.

#4- Be sure to pick up my "LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT":

It's been revised for 2020 (and beyond) including the latest "Stem Cell" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.theexpatfiles.com and click on the "Latin American Healthcare Report”.

#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.

EXPAT FILES - 01.12.20

Descriptions- EXPAT FILES SHOW #922 SUN, JAN 12 (01-12-2020):

#1- When Gringos commit crimes against other Gringos:

You’d be surprised how often it happens, especially when on the gringo tourist trail, and today we have all the dope  

 

#2- Do Latinos feel the same about their day jobs as gringos do?

Polls say 27% of gringos hate their jobs and 67% tune out and just go through the motions like zombies. Its called “sleepworking”. Is it similar with working Latinos too? You’ll be surprised…

 

#3- What you didn’t know about Latin American Factories and Sweatshops:

 

#4- Latinos working “on the books” don’t make much dough, but they do get TWO extra monthly salaries a year:

It’s one of the odd things you have to plan for if you have Latino employees, but that’s not all…there’s more..  

 

#5- Should you put your Latino or Latina employees “on the books” and register them with the government or is it better to just pay them in cash?  

 

 #6- Be sure to pick up my "LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT":

It's been completely revised for 2020 (and beyond) including the latest "Stem Cell" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.theexpatfiles.com and click on the "Latin Healthcare Report”.

#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.

EXPAT FILES - 01.10.20

Descriptions- EXPAT FILES SHOW #921 FRI, JAN 10 (01-10-2020):

#1- What you really need to know about Socialized Medicine and “free” National Healthcare plans in Latin Countries:

Yes, most all Latin countries have National Healthcare programs.  In many countries gringos and expats are eligible. The question is, are they acceptable and good enough for our discriminating tastes? The fact is, internet blogs and rags like International Living promote certain of those plans to gringos and expat wanabees saying they are just fine and virtually free (what a deal!). But the truth is they ain’t free and they can offer decent services one month and terrible service the next. Presently, they are sometimes used as marketing tools (and gringo bait). Today we have the real dope on the subject…

 

#2- Bernie and AOC are dead set on copying the Canada and the UK National Health plans because certain reports give them good marks for success:

Well, today we have a “boots on the ground” report from a British reporter (and mother) whose family uses the UK NHS system regularly. Today we get to see what first world socialized “National Healthcare” is really like..  and it generally sucks unless you are healthy and only need periodcheckups and labs.    

 

#3- When the SHTF worldwide, what will happen to the people of Latin America?

In whatever manner the SHTF... be it ecologic, economic, blackout, internet or banking systems down, the fact is that the vast majority Latinos and Latinas will survive as they always have. Every Latino and Latina has what we’d call an intrinsic “Plan B” but somehow they don’t know it.

 

#4- When it comes to your own “Plan B”, is taking Social Security at 62 a good idea, or is it best to hold off till 70 and get the maximum payout?

Today we explore those ideas and offer the best solution.

 

#5- There’s no FDA in Latin America;

Is that a bad or a good thing? Well, it can be a negative if you don’t do your homework, but having no FDA also means you can get umbilical Stem Cells and other cutting edge hi- tech treatments in Latin America. Here’s the story…

 

 #6- Be sure to pick up my "LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT":

It's been completely revised for 2020 (and beyond) including the latest "Stem Cell" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.theexpatfiles.com and click on the "Latin Healthcare Report”.

#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.

EXPAT FILES 01.05.20

Descriptions- EXPAT FILES SHOW #920 SUN, JAN 05 (01-05-2020):

#1- The good the bad and the ugly regarding the Latin Music scene:

Why it sucks and is getting worse (as if the US music scene is any better):

DYK there is a Mexican rock group “Mana” the Latino locals call the Latin Beatles? Although by US and British rock standards their talent and songs are of strictly Holiday Inn "lounge lizard" quality. However, since they were the first on the Latin rock scene with original (though terribly derivative) rock music,  they became immensely popular.

 

#2- DYK that there are TWO different kinds of “lag time” in Latin America?

There’s Central American “lag time” and South American “lag time” and there’s a big difference that needs explaining

#3- Of the 20 Latin countries, can you guess which 4 have the populations with the highest educational level and cultural acuity?

#4- A “startling boots on the ground“ report from Chile:

#5- US military bases in Latin America:

What you didn’t know about this revolting development will certainly surprise you

#6- 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.

 #7- Be sure to pick up my "LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT". It's been completely revised for 2020 and beyond including the latest "Stem Cell" info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.theexpatfiles.com and click on the "Latin Healthcare Report " link.    

EXPAT FILES 01.03.20

Descriptions- EXPAT FILES SHOW #919 FRI, JAN 03 (01-03-2020):

#1- What the hell is the “Canasta Basica” or “Canasta Familiar”, why the papers and media mention it all the time and why to Latinos make such a big deal of it;

What’s it got to do with gringos and expats and why should we care?  

#2- Weekend Universities, useless degrees, and ten reasons why 4 out of 5 Latinos in college never graduate:

#3- How and why gringos and expats always negatively affect the cost of living: 

#4- A “boots on the ground” trip to the dentist and an 80 dollar root canal:

#5- Fences, walls, razor wire and property boundaries:

Everything you need to know about protecting and guarding your yard and perimeter without creating an eyesore

#6- 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.