The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

Expat Files - 12.22.17

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: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#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.

Expat Files - 12.17.17

#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: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#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.

Expat Files - 12.15.17

#1- How gringos and Expats in Latin America are making money in the cryptocurrency space.

Today we discuss just how even here in Latin America certain gringos and expats are making making good dough with multiple cryptocurrency projects. Some are making money by becoming bitcoin and crypto- currency miners and its not all that hard or technical. In fact, at the January “Expat Insider” seminar we will be featuring the famous Bitcoin Dan as well as “Expat Oscar”, a real-live cryptocurrency miner who’s making good money right now as we speak with his hardware cranking out crypto coins in his little Latin condo complex 24/7. Yes, he knows the ropes in a field that seems both mysterious and virtually unknown to the average  person but man does he have some good news for expats who want to make some money and get in on the act!

 

#2 – A listener, expat “Insider Seminar” seminar attendee and Bicoin investor tells a few personal stories to backup why he is convinced that most females are generally what he calls,“bitcoin adverse.”

 

#3-A very green gringo, never out of the states before, hits the low budget (but not backpacker) trail completely on his own and lives to tell about it!

At first he encounters a huge culture shockand nearly throws in the towel only to find he came to the right place after all. In today’s “boots on the ground” story we see how a gringo can pay $160 a month rent and get a million (no billion) dollar view.

 

#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 6^th  through Thurs, January 11^th  2018. Get on the earlybird list and get the info signup details by emailing Johnny at: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

 

#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.

Expat Files - 12.10.17

#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: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#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.

Expat Files - 12.08.17

#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: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#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.

Expat Files - 12.03.17

 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: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#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.

Expat Files - 12.01.17

#1- Will a previous bankruptcy filing affect your Latin American residency application? Might it disqualify you? What about having a DUI on your police or FBI “good conduct” report? Here’s the skinny…

 

#2- Residency Requirement problems:

About those Police/Sheriff vs FBI reports, you’ll need one or the other. Today we explain why in some case its sooooo much better if your Latin country of choice requires a police/sheriff background check and NOT an FBI report for the residency application. Unfortunately more and more countries are switching to the FBI report as a requirement but it’s always much more strict. Soon all the Latin country residency programs will be jumping on the FBI bandwagon so you’d better get started now.

 

#3- Some people have elected for a “Plan B” in Southeast Asia. Today we discuss the pros cons and differences in that approach versus the Latin American “Plan B” solution.  

 

#4- 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/

  

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

 

# 6- Sign up for Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course”. Its step by step “Plan B”blueprint designed to help kick-start your own plan. See my video intro to the course now at www.ExpatPlanB.com 

 

#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.

Expat Files - 11.26.17

#1- Something fishy going on here in Latin America regarding food labling and “expiration dates”. Yes “expiration” and “to be used by” dates have been popping up recently and are now seen on most food products here. But can you really trust them?

 

#2- An “amparo” is a Spanish word for a court date “postponement” and why white collar political crimes pay so well in Latin America.

Right now in every Latin country there are countless pussbag politicians awaiting trail whose cases either won’t get on the docket for years to come or the case will just fade way. Example: in a recent case of an exceedingly corrupt congressman, his lawyer had filed over 100 “amparos” and the case is just now being heard after he's been 4 long years out on bail. Ten to one he won’t get convicted since in that prolonged time the initial judge has retired, the key witnesses have moved and the rest don’t quite remember the facts anymore. Yes, that’s exactly the plan!

 

#3- How to import food products into Latin America:

Think you might have a food product that will sell well down in Latin America?

Today you’ll hear about all the moronic bureaucratic obstacles to maneuver through just to get a gluten-free soy cookie on a Latin supermarket shelf that's already overloaded with junk food. 

 

#4- A few words about electric power companies and power restoration service in Latin America

 

#5- You don’t see see rooftop water cisterns in the states but you do see them all over Latin America. You’ll probably need one too. Meanwhile the question is, how do they work? Today you’ll find out.

 

#6- 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/

  

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

 

# 8- Sign up for Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course”. Its step by step “Plan B”blueprint designed to help kick-start your own plan. See my video intro to the course now at www.ExpatPlanB.com 

  

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

 

#10- 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 - 11.24.17

#1- Latins are born litterbugs. They have a culture of littering.
When you see it in action, you probably will most days, you will naturally get irritated even outraged. What would or should be your response? Should you give a scolding, a lesson, make an embarrassing remark, or let it pass and do nothing at all?

#2- Plastic pollution in Latin America- an update on a huge problem.

#3- Latin Cops: their motto should be “to protect and serve- themselves, friends and families”
Local Latin newspapers are reporting citizens finally getting rankled at the way “on duty” cops use police cruisers as stand-ins for family cars and personal vehicles. Bottom line, if there’s a cop in the house no one in the immediate family need ever hire a mover, haul a refrigerator or ride a chickenbus again.

#4- 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/

#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: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

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

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

Expat Files - 11.19.17

#1- When Gringos and Expats kick the bucket in Latin America- Part 2:
Dying, funerals and burial insurance are all very inexpensive in Latin America. Insurance is about $3 a month for individual coverage and they take care of EVERYTHING. Plus there’s a death benefit that will cover he extras like a decent plot and casket. But wait a minute. If funerals in Latin America are so very cheap at half or less USA costs, why not just skip insurance and pay out of pocket? Well, Latinos have different rules and customs about death, dying, burials, rituals etc., and besides, all the paperwork details and arrangements are in Spanish. That’s why it’s not a bad idea to drop $3 a month, get a policy and let the insurer take the ball and hold your hand through the process. Gringo survivors will be ever so glad you did.

#2- The idiosyncrasies of Latin oligarch families and traditional power brokers:
Not only are most of the top dozen or so families not very nice people, but many of their offspring are do-nothing morons gliding through life with the dumb luck of having been born with a well respected (and often feared) surname. However as a gringo you cut through the Latin class system like butter and therefore may get invited to the parties of the hoi-polloi. If so you can sit back, watch the show and silently make fun of them, like I do…

#3- Did you know that only certain banks in each Latin country transfer and receive the millions of dollars in in remissas- mostly coming from Latins living and working illegally in the USA? Now these very banks are offering a new kind of life insurance product. Its aimed mostly at illegals sending dough back home from up in the states. Today we explain it all in this somewhat unbelievable “boots on the ground” story.

#4- 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/

#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: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

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

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