The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

Expat Files - 09.08.17

#1- The real truth about “Gringo- vs- Latin” prices. Today’s first “boots on the ground" story shows you how to spot price gouging and work around that phenomena.

#2- Johnny takes a trip to the hardware / building supply store. Today’s second “boots on the ground” story is for do-it-yourself types who like tinkering.

#3- Some recent examples of the “true’ cost of living in Latin America, both on and off the gringo tourist trail

#4- FACT: All buildings, houses and apartments in Latin America will leak in the rainy season - so be prepared. You can either accept that fact as an act of nature (as all Latins do) or attack the problem like a determined first-world gringo. Note that it might involve seemingly endless trips trips to the hardware store.

#5- TEN hot tips when dealing with the bad habits of Latin building contractors, repair men and car mechanics. Pay attention because these will surely save you undue headaches, stress and grief.

#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 on the earlybird list and info signup details by emailing Johnny at: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

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

#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

Expat Files - 09.03.17

#1- Ten things you must know when taking on a Latino business partner: the do’s, dont's, realities the pitfalls.

#2- The scoop on gringo and expat legal name changes in Latin America: the why’s, where’s and the in’s and outs.

#3- When gringos rip off gringos: Latin America is fertile ground for gringo con men and scammers. Surprisingly enough, gringos and expats are often sucked in and scammed by other likable smooth-talking gringos- not so much by Latinos (as you might have assumed). Though it does make sense- what with so many gullible ever-trusting gringos and expats looking to get in on the next big land, business or real estate opportunity.

#4- Friends and family will eventually come to visit - and certainly crash at your Latin paradise (pad). You can count on it. But normally they’ll only fly down after much time has passed and they come to realize you are really happy, living the good life and  haven’t been kidnapped or eaten by cannibals. Some of those visitors will arrive, like it way too much and stay way too long. Yes, and they’ll be back. That can be a problem.

#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 blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros 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

Expat Files - 09.01.17

#1- Yes, I occasionally get weird questions from listeners. For example, how about this one, “Johnny what do you know about "circumcisions" in Latin America?”

#2- In many Latin countries, more kids are born in the home, delivered by a “comadrona”( midwife), than in regular hospitals. Therefore in the home or campo (the boonies) there are very few caesarean births. Although, just like in the states, caesarean births in hospitals are very common occurrence whether necessary or not (mostly not).

#3- The word on the street here in Latin America is that millions of Latinos in the states are very afraid of Trump and his scaled-up deportation efforts. The immediate effect is that stateside Latinos have dramatically stepped up their remissa dollar transfers back home. Today remissas are at all time highs. Why should that be? Because most of them who snuck in left tin-shack homes in crap-hole slums and figure if they do get shipped back they’ll want to have a much nicer place upon arrival. That’s why of late a large percentage of remissas are being diverted to home construction and improvement. Today’s boots-on-the- ground story is just such a testimonial.

#4- 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 blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your plan before getting boots on the ground in Latin America. See the three video intros 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 - 08.27.17

#1- What you really need to know about pesticides, herbicides and GMO’s in Latin America.   

 

#2- 10 Things you didn't know about Latin American Veterinarians along with and some tips that will come in very handy if you have pets in Latin America

 

#3- The care and feeding of US fast food franchises in Latin America: a 2017 update. How many of them have arrived? Are there too many, too few? Are they prospering? Are there room for more? Why would you even want to consider such a sordid business in the first place?       

 

#4-Flu vaccines and other depressing first-world habits that have arrived with great fanfare and though they're causing damage in Latin America, locals think they're great just because gringos mandate them    

 

#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 early-bird list and get the info signup details by emailing Johnny at: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

 

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

Expat Files - 08.25.17

 

#1- Gringos with too much time on their hands often try to mold their Latin American paradise into a synthetic 1^st world replica. The results are often not pretty. That’s one reason why we don’t recommend Costa Rica, Panama, and most of Gringoized Mexico. Why leave the states and turn your paradise into a lush tropical Cleveland with nice weather. Makes you wonder why people like that leave the states when they could just move to Florida .

 

#2- Gringos often arrive on the scene a bit frazzled. Many are addicted to stress and are mentally chained to their own private treadmill (thought it’s slowly killing them). That’s why some new expats just can’t relax and need a bit of pressure or a goal or two (at least in small doses) to feel comfortable in paradise. If not, they remain antsy or worse. Today’s “boots on the ground” story deals with the subject..

 

#3- Bullfights in Latin America (especially Mexico) have a long and gory history. Yes, they still have them but they are fast losing popularity. The younger generation is now more obsessed with gadgets and social media- not to mention that in most countries the spectacle has been softened since you can’t kill the bull anymore, only torture him.    

 

#4-More on Bitcoin Mining in Latin America

 

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

Expat Files - 08.20.17

#1- Ten Business tips for gringos and expats who are thinking about doing business in Latin America

 

#2- Smart gringos and expats often buy existing Latin business that are up for sale: Often such a Latin business may be failing or just getting by and treading water. Consequently, many Latin businesses are dirt cheap diamonds in the rough available at fire sale prices. When in the right location, astute gringos can often spiff up, reorganize and make such a Latin business profitable in no time. Though there are some definite pitfalls…

 

#3- Unrestored classic American and European cars can be spotted tooling around all over Latin America. 

Could restoring a few old cars and shipping them back to the states be a good gringo business? Many many gringos have had that same idea. Its today’s “boots on the ground” story featuring Expat Eddie  

 

#4-Cell phone registration laws: how to maintain a very low profile when purchasing a cell phone in Latin America, even though new laws say you must register with your personal dats when buying a phone.

 

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

Expat Files - 08.18.17

#1- Corn Tortillas: the unusual truth about the 3000 year old food that fed a good number of mighty civilizations.

However good they taste and smell, gringos and expats should watch carefully how they are made and handled. Every little tortilla stand has a different set of hygienic standards ranging from good to ugly. Unfortunately the cleanliness factor can be all over the place. Yes, backpackers know all about the after effects, so today we offer up some tips.   

 

#2- Latin public restrooms: five things things you should know before attempting to using them.

 

#3- The Bitcoin community in Latin America.

Today’s “boots on the ground” story concerns an “Expat Insider” seminar attendee who turned $2000 in Bitcoin to $300,000. Oh that is fantastic alright, but the fact is that at today’s Bitcoin price at $4000+  our hero would have been sitting on a 40 million dollar jackpot had he waited it out. Yes, a bittersweet victory at best and here’s how it went down…

 

#4-How Latin women really take care of their men. Tales from the trenches.

 

#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 and signup details by emailing Johnny at:  theexpatfiles@gmail.com

 

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

 

Expat Files - 08.13.17

#1- Venezuelan refugees and illegals are becoming a problem for adjacent Latin countries. A few years ago, before the present crisis, Venezuelans traveled about freely, trickled into other countries and were absorbed easily and even welcomed. Nearby countries like Colombia, Peru and Ecuador were easy destinations to get to. However these days in places like Colombia, etc., Venezuelans are looked upon with suspicion especially since they will work cheap, off the books and do hard grunt work for cash (sound familiar?)  

 

#2-And here we thought Costa Rica was first-world expensive and Ecuador third world cheap? Wait till you hear this;

The latest reports now indicate that hotels, restaurants and tourist agencies in Ecuador are much more expensive than their counterparts in both Colombia and Costa Rica. Wow…how’d that happen? (should we thank International Living?) Here’s the scoop...

 

#3- DYK: Latin America is full of Bitcoin miners?

The odd thing is they are all pretty much located in a place you’d never expect. Its all possible because it’s a place where the electricity so subsidized that its virtually free. However govt pus-bags are cracking down hard so it may not last.

 

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

 

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

 

Expat Files - 08.11.17

#1- “Castiga Maya or Mayan Punishment” is the label given to a punishment vetted out by indigenous people in Central America when they feel its time to take the law into their own hands and physically punish someone. This is done only after the locals have repeatedly called the local police on some bad guy/gal in the pueblo but to no effect. These incidents are reported in the Latin news and first-world media as “lynchings” though are NOT real mob lynchings as depicted in John Wayne movies. In Latin America “lynchings” are painful but rarely fatal and altogether different than one might imagine. Here's the scoop.

#2- Latins, even the so called “educated classes”, are very poorly educated  in the heath, nutrition and healthcare sciences. More likely they just don’t have the curiosity to care much about it. That’s probably why a Latin person (unless he’s an entitled child of the wealthy and been to university in the states) has most probably never heard of GMO’s, glyphosate, high fructose corn syrup, or even the vaccine/autism link. Previously it would not have mattered much when theor diets were quite natural and organic but now that cheap fast food has arrived in a big way Latins are becoming addicted just like most are in the USA.

#3-Have you heard of the Tortilla Wars?
There’s a subtle ongoing battle waging between the traditional, natural corn (maiz) tortilla product- made 3 times a day in tiny mom and pop shops - versus the more modern, convenient and corporately processed, preservative laden, wheat (harina) tortillas that have a proven shelf life of weeks (just like Wonder-bread). Here’s the scoop on how all of this started and why we must keep a close eye on how it plays out.

#4- Johnny Mueller’s next Latin American “Expat Insider Seminar” will take place Saturday, January 6th  through Thursday, January 11th  2018. Get on the earlybird list and get the info and signup details by sending an email to theexpatfiles@gmail.com

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

 

 

 

 

Expat Files - 08.06.17

#1- Driving and/or shipping your car down to Latin America. How much will it cost? How long will it take?  What can possibly go wrong?  Today's boots on the ground story explains how one expat drove his car from the USA to Honduras and what he paid to have it properly registered and licensed.  The do’s the don'ts, the good, bad and the ugly.

#2- Getting Car Insurance in Latin America Part 1:
Johnny’s top ten tips for gringos and expats owning or planning to own a car in Latin America. What kind of coverage and minimum limits should you get on your car policy? Today we have a primer on how not to get ripped off and/or gouged by English speaking insurance brokers. Pay attention: this advice could save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

#3-Some unbelievably strange facts about coconuts that could save your life (or kill you in the process)

#4- Johnny Mueller’s next Latin American “Expat Insider Seminar” will take place Saturday, January 6th  through Thursday, January 11th  2018. Get on the earlybird list and get the info and signup details by sending an email to theexpatfiles@gmail.com

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