The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

Expat Files - 03.10.17

#1- Franchise Business opportunities in Latin America. What gringos and expats first need to consider

#2- Lets talk about Latin American “niche” business ideas

#3-Environmental impact studies are suddenly all the rage in Latin America. With predictable lag time they have arrived. Result? Corrupt Latin govts see it as an acceptable “green” way to gouge developers, top off govt coffers and skim as usual. The question is, will you need an EIS if you plan on building and if so what can you expect? Here’s the scoop..

#4- Life, Death and Happiness in Latin America.

#5-Finding a good Latin building contractor for your basic brick and mortar projects can be an easy and simple task- or not. Today we have two “boots on the ground” stories and some important tips regarding the do’s and don'ts.

#6- MY NEXT EXPAT “INSIDER” SEMINAR will be Saturday July 8th thru Thursday July 13th 2017 in and around Guatemala, Central America. Just go to www.thenewexpat.com and click on the seminar link for full signup info.

#7- My new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before coming to 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 100 shows posted on my You Tube channel so have a look.

Expat Files - 03.05.17

#1- Latins go to extremes when it comes to religion and have some Christian beliefs that you have to see (or hear) to believe… and here are just a few of them..

#2- Yet another reason why it’s not a very good idea at all to select Costa Rica for your “Plan B” destination. Today we present reason #4563- A new law that will tax rental homes and Air B&B’s an additional 18%

#3- Thinking about trying your luck at the antique business in Latin America? There are some amazing finds and it’s still a wide open field, especially when off the tourist trail. So here are the latest “boots on the ground” tips and observations..

#4- Yes, the Chinese are venturing into certain parts of Latin America in a big way. On occasion they like to reach out and partner up in some very peculiar business ventures, like the one we’ll be discussing today. ..

#5- 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 for full signup info.

#6- My new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before coming to 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 100 shows posted on my You Tube channel so have a look.

Expat Files - 03.03.17

#1- The latest travel problems, worries and inconveniences: airports, airlines, TSA and more.

#2- Speaking of applying for and getting Temporary and/or Permanent residency in a Latin Country: how would you like to kill two birds with one stone?

#3-“Manana Time”: the good, the bad and the ugly regarding that ever annoying phenomena and how it affects your life as an expat.   

#4- An update on those scary looking point of use electric shower head water heaters: Yes they’re everywhere, and the subject of today’s “boots on the ground” story.

#5- Electrical outlets and wiring in Latin America: the things you need to know about how Latin houses and businesses are wired

#6- MY NEXT EXPAT “INSIDER” SEMINAR will be Saturday July 8th thru Thursday July 13th 2017. Just go to www.thenewexpat.com and click on the seminar link for full signup info.

#7- My new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before coming to 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 100 shows posted on my You Tube channel so have a look.

Expat Files - 02.26.17

#1- Many Latin adult males lead double lives. In fact it’s not that uncommon for a Latin man to have two separate families that are clueless about the existence of each other. Almost every Latin person has a friend or family member with such a skeleton in his closet. How do those macho Latin guys pull it off and how do they get away with it for so long? Often it only comes light after the guy dies or gets deported back to Latin America from the states.

#2- Speaking of getting deported from the USA:
DYK that local Latin police departments are now hosting free classes and seminars (taught by police officers) that inform and impart tips to Latins intent on sneaking into the USA by coyote? The classes are less intended to dissuade- and more to “train up” illegals on what to expect in the way of avoiding dangerous situations along the journey.

#3-More on Ecuador: Should it figure in as your “Plan B” destination?

#4- Why have 4 of the 20 Latin countries abandoned their own fiat currencies and now use US dollar fiat money? It seems improbable visiting a country whose citizens don’t speak English yet they use dollars with English words written all over them. Do they even know what those hollow, printed words mean?

#5- Make a note: Saturday July 8th thru Thursday July 13th 2017 will be the dates for my next “EXPAT INSIDER SEMINAR”. Get on the earlybird mailing list by sending an email to: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#6- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before coming to 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 100 shows posted on my You Tube channel so have a look.

Expat Files - 02.24.17

 

#1- When your rough Spanish really kicks into high gear:

There are unpredictable good a bad things that happens when you finally start understanding bits and pieces of what’s being said around you. How and when that hallelujah moment of clarity finally does happen comes differently for all of us clueless expats. Even so, after that it’s not “damn the torpedoes” full speed ahead either. Confidence will build and then overconfidence will disappoint along with some noticeable backsliding…

 

#2- At the Movies in Latin America. Yes, the big Latin cities have 3-D and  the I-Max. Most also have the latest first-run US and international features flicks too. In fact most movies are premiered on the same day as in the first world, however…

 

#3- Did you know about the insanely popular new type of Latin soap operas called Narco-telenovellas? Well they are under fire from the Mexican government, treatening censorship or outright prohibition. Here’s why…

 

#4- Make a note: Saturday July 8^th thru Thursday July 13^th 2017 will be the dates for my next “EXPAT INSIDER SEMINAR”. Get on the earlybird mailing list 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 own plan before coming to 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 100 shows posted on my You Tube channel so have a look.

 

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

Expat Files - 02.19.17

#1-Spanish is not the only language the local Latins speak. Chances are that your cleaning lady/maid and the small shopkeepers will speak one of the 25 or so indigenous languages as well- nope, not to you but to each other. Yes, the sounds they make will confuse and baffle, but they’ll also speak Spanish to you (and maybe 20 words of English too).

#2- Today we have the final installment (Part 2) in our “Decameron Club” signup adventure - as told by a gringo and his Colombian wife who went through the process at a Colombian Decameron resort complex.
They had the sales pitch, got hooked, and dumped $6000 into an “all inclusive” resort package point system only to get a nice case of buyer’s remorse the day after . So today they tell the saga of what its like to cancel the contract and get their dough back.

#3- Latin American businesses and sellers do have money back guarantees, also return and exchange policies but there are many many “conditions” and hoops to jump through… so look out!!

#4- Spas and Jacuzzi: Latin America would be the perfect place to have one, right? Well not so fast..

#5- Make a note: Saturday July 8th thru Thursday July 13th 2017 will be the dates for my next “EXPAT INSIDER SEMINAR”. Get on the earlybird mailing list by sending an email to: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

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

Expat Files - 02.17.17

#1-Extortion, crime, drunken bus drivers and 101 more reasons expats should not ride the chickenbus: today a report from an organization loosely translated as “The Latin Widows of Chickenbus Drivers” (I kid you not)

 

#2- Some recent unbelievable examples demonstrating the extreme incompetence in Latin Governments: though it sounds crazy stupid and very bad at first, on closer inspection its really a good thing for freedom loving gringos and expats (in sort of a backhanded way). Monumental screw ups like these demonstrate further proof that a Big Brother state (as we’ve come to know it in the states) can never really take off in Latin America(not in our lifetimes anyway).  

 

#3- Thinking about Bolivia as a “Plan B” destination? Then you should know about some f the strangely odd and expensively narcissistic quirks of Bolivia’s President Evo “EGO” Morales  

 

#6- Make a note: Saturday July 8^th thru Thursday July 13^th 2017 will be the dates for my next “EXPAT INSIDER SEMINAR”. Get on the earlybird mailing list by sending an email to: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

 

#7- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before coming to 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

Expat Files - 02.12.17

#1-How to get great real estate deals when “off the tourist trail”

 

#2- Today’s “boots on the ground” story: a gringo Real Estate hunting and buying adventure in and around beautiful Lake Atitlan: we’re talking about a very special region considered by most travel experts to be most beautiful lake in the world (or 2^nd most beautiful if the travel reviewer happens to be of Italian descent)

 

#3- Ten common real estate errors and traps that gringos frequently fall into: real estate hunting for expat gonnabees and wannabees, the do’s and dont’s

 

#4. A seasoned former USA Realtor warns about realtors and shady real estate biz practices in Latin America

 

#5- Chemtrails in Latin America? Here’s the eye-witness “boots on the ground” dope on the subject

 

#6- Make a note: Saturday July 8^th thru Thursday July 13^th 2017 will be the dates for my next “EXPAT INSIDER SEMINAR”. Get on the earlybird mailing list by sending an email to: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

 

#7- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B” and the best way kick-start your own plan before coming to 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

 

Expat Files - 02.10.17

 #1- Can you still get 2nd Passport elsewhere if your home country (like the US or Canada) blocks your original one because of a glitch like govt debt, a felony, IRS involvement, etc., etc? Yes you can still get another country passport and nationality but it’s not easy. There are legal ways to get a 2nd passport but they are quite expensive. …

#2- Solar Power: solar H2O heating and getting off the grid in Latin America.

#3- What are the gringo business opportunities in Latin America for solar power and solar H2O heating

#4. The truth about plumbing and water systems in Latin homes: what you definitely need to know if you plan on buying, building or renting anywhere in Latin America.

#5- Make a note: Saturday July 8th thru Thursday July 13th 2017 will be the dates for my next “EXPAT INSIDER SEMINAR”. Get on the early-bird mailing list by sending an email to: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#6- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B”. The best way kick-start your own plan before coming to 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

Expat Files - 02.05.17

 #1- The USA is not the only country who wants to build a wall.
Talk of Trump’s proposed border wall has suddenly made it somewhat acceptable for other Latin countries-also plagued by inflows of illegals- to initiate their own such immigration barriers.

#2- Is Colombia to be your permanent Expat “Plan B” destination? Today we have ten new reasons to stay clear. Sure it’s a nice place to visit- with some “perfect spring weather” altiplano regions too - but after this report you’ll probably do well to scratch Colombia off your permanent expat “Plan B” destination list.…

#3- A few words about first, second, third and even fourth world countries.
There’s a lot of confusion with the terms. It’s now considered un-PC to use the terms second, third, and fourth world(but first world is ok). That said, the term “underdeveloped”… which was used for a long while too, is now frowned upon as being demeaning. These days media talking heads are stuck on the term “developing country”.

#4. Tens of thousands of somewhat educated- but gullible- Latins keep falling for so-called “fast track” US and Canadian Visa scams being advertised all over the place . Latins play into the hands of a lot of other slick scammers too... (but not us, right?Hmmm…)

#5- Make a note that Saturday July 8th thru Thursday July 13th 2017 are the dates for my next EXPAT INSIDER SEMINAR. Get on the early-bird mailing list by sending an email to: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#6- Johnny’s new “Expat Essentials Course” is a blueprint for your “Plan B”. The best way kick-start your qwn plan before coming to 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