The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

Expat Files - 08.03.17

#1- Tips on buying and selling items in Latin America: If you buy or sell an item using Latin classifieds, newspaper ads, internet sites like www.olx.com or any sort of Latin Craigslist clone or whatever method, don’t be surprised if you find most of the sales will take place in a Walmart, MacDonald's or some other “borrowed” parking lot. It’s an odd but common practice in Latin America and here’s why…

 

#2- Latin Banks loosen their once very strict credit practices and help inflate the already very overblown real estate bubble. Beyond that, for the first time there is an ever-inflating credit bubble too. In the financial and credit sectors there seems to be a “lag time effect” about 15-20 years behind the USA and no historic memory of what causes bubbles. Newly loaned up and credit card maxed-out Latins seem totally unaware of the dire problems that await them. In addition, for the first time car dealers and banks are offering “no money down” financing for new cars like Volvo, VW and many others. Crazier yet is the fact that families can now finance or get a second mortgage to fund things like their daughter’s all important quince anos (15 year old) party. In that regard many Latin families will spare no expense since these events represent competitive one upmanship between families and neighbors, even within the poorer classes.    

 

#3- Listeners are reporting daily that new US travel regulations and restrictions are making travel a very trying/tiring ordeal

 

#4- Johnny Mueller’s next Latin American “Expat Insider Seminar” will take place Saturday, January 6^th  through Thursday, January 11^th  2018. Get on the early-bird 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 - 07.30.17

#1- Land border crossing chaos. Land border bathroom blues. Johnny’s latest “boots on the ground” story

#2- More examples of Latin upper-class racism/classism among upscale gringo copycats and first-world wannabees.

#3- When so called type “A” Gringos and Expats come down (the shakers and movers) they often need to be the big fish in a small pond once again. Many overconfident gringos take on too much at first, they roll too fast especially when they know a bit of Spanish. They tend to follow their own lead and don’t listen to good advice, sometimes getting taken in by scammers and schemers in the process.

#4- Today a few nasty words about the massive Latin America credit card bubble

#5- Latin Banks and employers (that is the employers on the books) are pushing hard to get the population to switch from cash to credit and plastic. In some Latin countries half of the population already have credit or debit cards. Yet the vast majority of low and middle-class workers don’t use their plastic to purchase things (as the banks would love them to do) , instead they prefer to use them to just take their dough out of the ATMs and spend the cash. “Viva America Latina!”

#6- Johnny’s next Latin American “Expat Insider Seminar” will likely  take place in early January 2018. If you are interested in attending the week-long event just send an email to theexpatfiles@gmail.com for more info and details.

#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 downloading the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com

Expat Files - 07.28.17

#1- Pollution in Latin Cities. How bad is it and what are governments and locals people doing about it, if anything.

 

#2- More good reasons why its not a good idea to live in a medium to large sized Latin city (or in any big US city for that matter).

 

#3-Latin America has a continuous baby boom that’s mostly confined to the poor and lower income classes.

So then where do all of these under-educated babies go when they come of age? A large portion sneak in to the US as illegals to chase down the “Sueno Americano” and the riches of the US minimum wage and generous welfare benefits they have heard about. Another large portion of the young people migrate to the big Latin cities to escape the drudgery and low pay of agricultural work(they want McDonald's and cell phones too)

 

#4- Latin men the worst litterbugs in the world. Latin women seem to know better, but what the hell is wrong with their men?

 

#5- New “Amigo” beer is a hit and making a huge splash in Mexico. Why?because Donald trump is the sombrero-wearing mascot on the label.

 

#6 -Breaking traffic laws in Latin America is a national sport. Still, most Latins don’t even know they are breaking  laws since they see cops and govt slugs run red lights, pass on curves and do tricky street maneuvers with regularity

 

#7- Johnny’s next Latin American “Expat Insider Seminar” will likely  take place in early January 2018. If you are interested in attending the week-long event just send an email to theexpatfiles@gmail.com for more info and details.

 

#8- 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 atwww.ExpatPlanB.com 

 

#9- 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.

 

#10- 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 - 07.23.17

#1- A frequent question from listeners: “Johnny, where would you live if you had to settle down and have your “Plan B” in Mexico?” Today you’ll get the full, unabridged answer.

 

#2- In Mexico the prices are going up, up, up. You might be surprised at the reasons why. That’s all bad news for the hundreds of thousands of Gringo and Expat pensioners living on SS checks and low-end fixed pensions.

 

#3-With tattoos, face piercings and ink displays all the rage in the states and Europe, what about here in Latin America?Naturally there’s the usual lag time, with most of that stuff seen regularly in gringo tourist areas. Of course Latin gangstas have always been into body mutilation, though now its also spreading to certain rebellious Latin college kids too.. the ones who somehow think they are being gringo-like and edgy.

 

#4- For many reasons I don’t recommend that newbee gringos and Expats live in big Latin cities. There are so many better, safer, cleaner, more wide open and beautiful alternatives down here. That said, what if you are a big city person and prefer that hectic city style of living? If that’s your thing, we have some tips and suggestions for Latin American big city living.

 

#5- Johnny’s next Latin American “Expat Insider Seminar” will likely  take place in early January 2018. If you are interested in attending the upcoming week-long event just send an email to theexpatfiles@gmail.com for more info and details.

 

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

Expat Files - 07.21.17

#1- A recap of some of the more interesting happenings at my most recent (July 2017) Expat Insider Seminar

#2- The new Senate Bill #1241 is more than Big Brother on steroids. Listen and hear what SB 1241 will do to your “Plan B” and why every American is about to be grilled at the border and forced to divulge all assets, cash and cryptocurrencies they own. This will be the new routine on every international trip you take. If you don’t tell all the govt can then seize ALL of your US assets. However, they can’t touch any of the assets you might have already moved to foreign jurisdictions.

#3-What happens if the US govt actually tries to go after your foreign based assets- like bank accounts and real estate?

#4-The “blue eyed” syndrome strikes again.
There's nothing that grabs a Latin person’s attention more than blue eyes, or what Latins call ojos claros or “clear eyes”. In Lain America, blue, grey and green eyes are very rare and simply do not occur naturally in the Latin genome, that is unless there was a heavy dose of Anglo-Gringo or European blood somewhere in the mix.

#5- Johnny’s next Latin American “Expat Insider Seminar” will likely  take place in early January 2018. If you are interested in attending the next week-long event just send an email to theexpatfiles@gmail.com for more info and details.

#6- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before (or after) 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 - 07.09.17

 

#1- When gringo retirement plans in Latin America go awry: today’s “boots on the ground” story

 

#2- When and why gringos in Latin America just can’t assimilate (even a little) into Latin culture. We complain about Latins who bring their customs (good and bad) to the states while some of us gringos in Latin America do the same and can be just a stubborn  

 

#3-A tip for Newbee Expats: beware of friendly gringos who seem a bit too helpful, upbeat or nosy. They usually have something to sell or some pet project they are pushing and you just may have qualified as the next likely mark.  

 

#4-Latin Real Estate contracts and examples of what can happen if a contract is not satisfied

 

#5- Retired Americans living in Mexico weigh in on how the influx of millions of Expats and gringos have tainted their former paradise. Some say its as if they had the word “Sucker” tattooed on their foreheads

 

#6- Do you get mailings from International Living? A female listener tells how disappointed she was after attending an IL seminar in Latin America. 

 

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

 

#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 the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com

Expat Files - 07.07.17

 

#1- Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Mussolini- all infamous and despicable names from the past, right? Well not necessarily for citizens of South America. Those names and faces don’t always carry the negative images as we might expect. In fact some actually name their kids after these guys. Why? In part because Argentina’s Eva Peron and her husband Juan (presidents from 1946 and beyond) allowed Argentina to became a post war haven for over 10,000 Nazi war criminals, with explicit protection from Perón, as long as they brought along investments, gold and dough.

 

#2- The Latin “Anchor Baby” phenomena in reverse? Are kids born to US citizens in Latin countries awarded immediate and permanent citizenship there- as is the case with so called “Anchor Babies” born on US soil? In most cases yes, but with a few exceptions. Here are the details..  

 

#3-Changing your name legally in Latin America. Can it be done?

 

#4-Like it or not, eventually there will be an EMP attack or solar mass ejection raining down on the states. How will such catastrophic events affect people and electronic devices in Latin America? Here's the scoop...

 

#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- 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 the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com

Expat Files - 07.02.17

 

#1- TEN THINGS you need to know about Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in Latin America. 

 

#2- What happens when Latin countries make cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin illegal, or prohibit their use as legal tender. Colombia has just done so , but in a typical schizophrenic idiot govt move they have also decided to tax bitcoin transactions at the usual VAT (IVA) tax rate it. Duh? They make it illegal but tax it anyway? Say what? How is that possible?

 

#3-Should expats get into cryptocurrencies? Definitely yes, but cautiously. If so which of the many types available now might be the best to hold or use to spend on goods, services, to settle debts and/or transfer funds? Which ones are most likely to have the most upside(or downside) potential?     

 

#4- MY NEXT EXPAT “INSIDER” SEMINAR will be Saturday July 8^th thru Thursday July 13^th 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- 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 the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com

Expat Files - 06.30.17

#1- When you overstay your tourist visa you are in effect an illegal alien in a Latin country. So then what happens next? What can happen if you stay a very very long time beyond your tourist visa expiration date?

#2 Having two passports: that 2nd one can be a life saver and a kind of get out of jail free card, but be careful how you use them both. You can get in a fine regarding those all important entry and exit stamps if you don’t plan your travel moves correctly.

#3-The US allows dual citizenship (2 or more passports) but other countries, including a few Latin countries, don’t allow it. Oops! Might you have screwed up and picked the wrong "Plan B" country? Is it back to the drawing board? No, not quite. Those single passport laws are really just a technicality and not a serious problem. Today we have the dope on that widely misunderstood subject..

#4-There is an ongoing Latin American population boom, with super high  levels of teen and even subteen pregnancies. You might think you know why that might be but its not all that obvious. The real answers are quite surprising.

#5- Do you know anything about the Latin American legal age of sexual consent? Would you believe in 19 of Mexico’s 31 states (or departments) the age of sexual consent for females is an unbelievable 12 years old?

#6- 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.

#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 now at www.ExpatPlanB.com

#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 downloading the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com

Expat Files - 06.25.17

#1- When big and small earthquakes hit (they do with some regularity)how do Expats and gringos cope and react?

Two big 6.8 earthquakes hit Guatemala and Mexico this week.As usual there was some property damage and but none affecting local gringos and Expats. Only group truly affected when natural disasters arise are poor uneducated locals. The squatters in shacks and adobe structures are most vulnerable because they build helter skelter without permits and without following the country building codes. On top of that they invite disaster by settling on geologically unstable cheap (or free) land situated on the sides of steep valleys and mountains. Gringos and expats don’t live that way... except for the odd retro-hippy willingly gone native.    

 

#2 Gringos and Expats want to live in Latin American houses that have been constructed to current antisemitic codes, but how do you know for sure and how can you tell?

A house may look fine from the outside and be in a nice subdivision but has it been constructed to code? There are no regular building inspectors you know. Well today we have some proven tips, tests and inspection techniques to help you make that determination on existing structures.

 

#3-There are many clueless gringos who count on getting Expat “legal” info from gringos on blogs and from people at gringo bars and hangouts. Good luck with that. Every gringo has his stories and opinions. Unfortunately, if you ask 10 Expats a Latin legal question you just might get 10 different answers.

 

#6- MY NEXT EXPAT “INSIDER” SEMINAR will be Saturday July 8^th thru Thursday July 13^th2017 in and around Guatemala, Central America.  Go to www.TheNewExpat.com and click 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 now at www.ExpatPlanB.com 

 

#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 downloading the “Plan B” consult/questionnaire at www.TheNewExpat.com