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11:39 am
April 1, 2010
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yankee
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|  Seedling | posts 3 | |
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FSN posted this podcast this week: Topic: Getting Out: Your Guide to Leaving America. See the 3/31 post and listen in your format.
http://www.financialsense.com/…..n/main.php
Thoughts, in general, if SHTF? Not all places are equal and people have different priorities.
If mine were, say
- low taxation
- low gov't interference
- liberty, property rights
You know, rights we used to have but no longer do….
Where would an educated, middle-aged (pre-65) person possibly want to go? It used to be the US was #1, but the last 10-15 years have eroded our rights and now the Marxist-In-Charge is putting nails in the coffin. Media propaganda rivals Russia and the Ks total control (TG4 Fox News, talk radio and the internet) and people are starting to screech irrationaly. Time to move on? I never would have considered such a move even 5 years ago, but why live through years/decade(s) of strife and negative change? There are too many morons here at this point who depend on the gov't for their miserable existence. How to overcome that? Any state willing to really make an effort to leave the union? Maybe we can live there….
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Stage 5 Constitutional Alert
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12:16 pm
April 1, 2010
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yankee
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| Seedling | posts 3 | |
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Also see this forum:
http://www.chrismartenson.com/…..263?page=3
FSN will have on Mark Nestmann in the near future. Per this forum, if you are interested in the tax implications of expatriation you'll find Nestmann more appropriate than Erman.
Also, recent legislation (buried an a large bill called the HIRE Act) there is debate on a section starting on page 27: Offset Provisions – Subtitle A—Foreign Account Tax Compliance of whether this slams the door on you trying to put $$$ overseas and not have a lot of it taken through tax. Not a drug-runner Cayman Islands acct., but, say, an account to offset the $$$ decline. Onerous taxation if you want to leave in not a good thing!
I think we need to monitor this.
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Stage 5 Constitutional Alert
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2:06 pm
April 1, 2010
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Justin Case
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|  Bronze Apple | posts 647 | |
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yankee said:
Where would an educated, middle-aged (pre-65) person possibly want to go?
The FSN interview said first, know thyself, and then, do thy homework.
For the homework part, a good site to start with would be Retire Abroad. There is a lot of information out there with the theme "retire abroad and live like royalty on your social security check." You can also Google "retiring abroad" for more sites to explore.
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2:09 pm
April 1, 2010
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jamie
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|  Golden Apple | posts 1820 | |
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Check out ferfal's post SURVIVING IN ARGENTINA
Has an Expat talking about this.
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2:59 pm
April 1, 2010
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cryingfreeman
| | Armagh, N Ireland | |
|  Core Member | posts 227 | |
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And don't forget Simon Black's Sovereign Man web site (the best there is on the subject, IMHO): http://www.sovereignman.com/
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4:34 pm
April 1, 2010
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MW
| | Over the Rainbow | |
| Golden Apple | posts 1622 | |
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I've been researching Panama and Costa Rica for quite a while now. Without a pension or other retirement fund you need at least $300,000 in the bank to qualify for citizenship. Medical care is cutting edge for the most part, available and 50% cheaper on average than the U.S. The problem with Panama is it borders Columbia and the canal is always a potential hot spot if the SHTF. Costa Rica is not quite as developed as Panama, but there is a large and growing American expatriate community. Either nation is 5-6 hour flight to Miami as well.
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All the kings horses and all the kings men won’t be able to put the empire together again. -anonymous
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5:35 pm
April 1, 2010
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cryingfreeman
| | Armagh, N Ireland | |
| Core Member | posts 227 | |
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Personally, NZ would be more attractive than anywhere in Latin America. I prefer Europe even more, particularly Switzerland, but there's no point elaborating on here as it's v hard fropm what I've read for you chaps from a non EU country to move there, unless of course any of you can qualify for an EU passport (Irish grandparents, for example).
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5:51 pm
April 1, 2010
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Floridian
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| Core Member | posts 172 | |
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yankee said:
FSN posted this podcast this week: Topic: Getting Out: Your Guide to Leaving America. See the 3/31 post and listen in your format.
http://www.financialsense.com/…..n/main.php
Thoughts, in general, if SHTF? Not all places are equal and people have different priorities.
If mine were, say
- low taxation
- low gov't interference
- liberty, property rights
You know, rights we used to have but no longer do….
Where would an educated, middle-aged (pre-65) person possibly want to go? It used to be the US was #1, but the last 10-15 years have eroded our rights and now the Marxist-In-Charge is putting nails in the coffin. Media propaganda rivals Russia and the Ks total control (TG4 Fox News, talk radio and the internet) and people are starting to screech irrationaly. Time to move on? I never would have considered such a move even 5 years ago, but why live through years/decade(s) of strife and negative change? There are too many morons here at this point who depend on the gov't for their miserable existence. How to overcome that? Any state willing to really make an effort to leave the union? Maybe we can live there….
I have a good friend who left the states several years ago. He moved to St. Croix. Still the US, but way out there. Lots of crime and poverty, but you are on your own with a nice view.
I don't think there are any easy solutions that will improve on what we have here in the states. Maybe, New Hampshire… http://www.freeestateproject.org
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Liberty in Our Lifetime: freestateproject.org
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2:07 pm
April 2, 2010
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Sourdough
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| Bronze Apple | posts 730 | |
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Post edited 8:10 pm – April 2, 2010 by Sourdough
Floridian said:
I have a good friend who left the states several years ago. He moved to St. Croix. Still the US, but way out there. Lots of crime and poverty, but you are on your own with a nice view.
I don't think there are any easy solutions that will improve on what we have here in the states. Maybe, New Hampshire… ageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.freeestateproject.org');" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.freeestateproject.org/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.freeestateproject.org']);" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.freeestateproject.org
I left the "States" 41 years ago, and have never regretted the decision…………
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LOOK: Start to get wrapped around the idea that it was over in the Fall of 2008. This is just the dying quivers. Stop waiting for "IT" to happen, "IT" already happened.
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2:58 pm
April 2, 2010
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CapnRick
| | Mar del Plata | |
|  Fresh Fruit | posts 21 | |
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Post edited 10:05 pm – April 2, 2010 by CapnRick
jamie said:
Check out ferfal's post ageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/ferfal.blogspot.com');" rel="nofollow" href="http://ferfal.blogspot.com/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://ferfal.blogspot.com']);" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SURVIVING IN ARGENTINA
Has an Expat talking about this.
I live in Argentina.
For those who are considering moving out of the United Socialist States of America, be aware that my cost of using an ATM to get money from my US bank account has just increased. It now costs $.12+ of every dollar to make a withdrawal. The ATM fees went up 40+% last month … from ARp$11.40 to ARp$15.50 PLUSSSSSS they reduced the amount I used to be able to get on each transaction from ARp$900 X 3 transactions to ARp$500 per transaction X 3 transactions. OUCH! As a result, I pay 12 cents extra per dollar for the exchange rate, ATM fee and the restriction on the amount I can withdraw in each transaction… which dramatically increases the cost of using an ATM. Math does not have to be my strong suit to understand that we are in deep doo-doo if we have to stop our current practice of…
1. Using my wife's local peso income to live on, and…
2. Either one of us traveling to the USSA or one of our 5 kids traveling here to hand-carry funds from our US incomes, which we have to keep in various safe places around the country because SIGNS POINT TO ANOTHER PENDING CORRALITO in Argenzuela and we cannot trust the local banks.
While you guys are setting up to have a hideaway outside of the US, we are having to entertain the possibility of moving back to our place in Miami Beach. Please be extremely cognizant of the many difficulties that come from being in a different country from your income stream or savings. Sadly, some of the most desirable places to live… such as Argentina, Paraguay, etc… are not the safest places to safeguard your money, and they make it incredibly difficult to develop a reliable income stream.
If the ability to move money around efficiently becomes too difficult, having a third option is a good idea. The problem is, that while you are stacking up money and raising a family, you just don't have time to develop the residency requirements, documentation, etc to start the effort to acquire your second and third passport opportunities. If you are fortunate enough to have a spouse that is willing to follow your lead on stuff like this, I suggest planning your next few years vacation taking care of your residency requirements to start working toward your new passports. You may have to spend 4-5 days every 5-6 months to get the residency part done correctly… only you can decide if it is worth the effort.
Some of my friends have 5+ million dollars to invest. They can buy a hotel and several apartment buildings where I live and survive in luxury from the income these investments are capable of generating. I am not like that. I have a government employee pension, social security, a bit of positive (so far) cash flow from some Florida real estate investments, and a wife with a job. At this moment in time, the wife with a job appears to be the closest to a secure asset… bless her heart!
If I had not married an Argentine, I would have kept working (instead of taking early retirement) while I got my Canadian immigration squared away, using one of the programs where you have to live in the deep backwoods only accessible via air transport. I would have the Mexican border scouted out for a super cheap place to live once I got my Canadian passport. And, with my US and Canadian passports, I could move anywhere I wanted. Even places where US citizens are not welcome are happy with Canadians.
Suerte, ya'll! -CapnRick
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4:16 pm
April 2, 2010
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CapnRick
| | Mar del Plata | |
| Fresh Fruit | posts 21 | |
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jamie said:
Check out ferfal's post SURVIVING IN ARGENTINA
Has an Expat talking about this.
From a security forces website:
Costa Rica is increasingly becoming a battle ground in the control for the drug shipment routes to North America. Reports indicate that several of the drug trafficking organizations are paying the couriers in drugs instead of money. Increasingly these drugs are ending up on the streets of Costa Rica where there has been an escalation of violence over control of the local drug trade. Additionally the increased of drug abuse has led to more violent attacks by criminals looking for money to feed their drug addiction. For this reason all criminals should be considered armed. The criminals, if challenged or threatened, will not hesitate to use their weapons. No neighborhood is exempt from the violence. Late in 2008, three women were violently raped and two were murdered execution style after they left the White House Hotel in the hills of Escazu just north of where a large population of American citizens live. Additionally, in June of 2009, twelve U.S. citizen guests of the Best Western Paradise in Escazu were robbed at gunpoint in their hotel rooms by masked men with assault rifles and forced to handover all of their belonging, including U.S. passports.
Suerte -CapnRick
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4:46 pm
April 2, 2010
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ferfal
| | Argentina | |
| Core Member | posts 213 | |
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Post edited 10:47 pm – April 2, 2010 by ferfal
Thanks for sharing Rick, you’re a terrific asset.
Yes, I too feel there’s another corralito or something like that on the way. “La Presidenta” is just going nuts and doesn’t know what else to do to get her claws on some more money.
How’s that about the backwoods deal in Canada? Is that ok for all or is it just if you’re American?
FerFAL
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6:15 pm
April 2, 2010
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CapnRick
| | Mar del Plata | |
| Fresh Fruit | posts 21 | |
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Post edited 12:52 am – April 3, 2010 by CapnRick
ferfal said:
Thanks for sharing Rick, you’re a terrific asset.
Yes, I too feel there’s another corralito or something like that on the way. “La Presidenta” is just going nuts and doesn’t know what else to do to get her claws on some more money.
How’s that about the backwoods deal in Canada? Is that ok for all or is it just if you’re American?
FerFAL
Thanks, man… stuff is changing fast just about evertwhere, isn't it? We need to help one another to keep up.
Emigrating to Canada is complicated, but do-able. Their programs aare not restricted to US citizens. I suggest you ask your wife to call Dolly to find out what some Argentine friends of ours had to do to relo to Quebec… had to pass interviews and tests in both French and English for starters… but, they succeeded and leave this week from MarDel. Dolly has their email address.
Herez what appears to be a link to a program they had years ago for the remote parts of Canada… hard to say if it's the same program or not… http://www.immigration.gov.yk……rview.html
Herez the financial/income guarantee info http://www.ci.gc.ca/english/im…../funds.asp
You must reside in Canada for two of five years to qualify to apply for citizenship.
Investor immigrants must show proof of C$400,000 available to invest. Application as a self-employed person may seem to be a good way to emigrate… it uses a point system, with language skill in English and/or French being very helpful/weighing heavily. Education as an architect and teaching experience could also weigh heavily… especially, in the more remote provinces.
You might want to go to http://www.ci.gc.ca/english/im…..ly-who.asp and check each province for interest in sponsering you. Canada, like Argentina, is underpopulated and blessed with immense natural resources. I always thought that emigration recruitment programs like Canada has, and like Australia had in the 1950s was an idea that might work out to Argentina's benefit if it specified that 10 years minimum residence in a remote province was necessary for qualification.
Suerte, ya'll!
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12:19 pm
April 3, 2010
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EN
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| Bronze Apple | posts 942 | |
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Things are most definitely changing all over. It may be unpresendented in modern history. The only other event of this magnitude that comes to mind is the fall of the Roman empire. Steel production ended the day Alaric arrived in Rome and the it didn't recover to comparable levels until the beginning of the industrial revolution, almost 1300 years later. There has always been someplace to go where sanity prevails, but not this time. I always enjoy and am informed by your stuff Rick. Thanks.
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"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex… It takes a touch of genius to move in the opposite direction." Albert Einstien
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12:44 pm
May 9, 2010
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Pete
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| Bronze Apple | posts 715 | |
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EN said:Things are most definitely changing all over. It may be unpresendented in modern history. The only other event of this magnitude that comes to mind is the fall of the Roman empire. Steel production ended the day Alaric arrived in Rome and the it didn't recover to comparable levels until the beginning of the industrial revolution, almost 1300 years later. There has always been someplace to go where sanity prevails, but not this time. I always enjoy and am informed by your stuff Rick. Thanks.
EN, that's exactly what I've been telling my friends: that Chinese proverb "May you live in interesting times" couldn't be more relevant than it is today…the only thing that comes close to comparing to the fall of Western Civilization is the fall of the Roman Empire. All: this was a very sobering thread…I'm trying to go back and read up on all the old ones since I'm still a newbie and there's so much to learn; but, this is one of those threads that gives you a clue of just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Very Sobering! MW, have you started learning Spanish or can you speak it already? I've tried but not hard enough…not enough need for it at the moment and I may regret it someday if I don't do it now. SSSSooooo many things to prepare for!!! And, Cap'n Rick (not too sure if you're following this forum anymore), very informative posts. Thank-you!!!
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The United States' I grew up in no longer exists…click your heals, Dorothy: you're not in Kansas anymore!!
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1:57 pm
May 9, 2010
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MW
| | Over the Rainbow | |
| Golden Apple | posts 1622 | |
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Started learning spanish 3 months ago using a great, inexpensive, language program called instant immersion spanish. Still at level one. Cost me about $50. 
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All the kings horses and all the kings men won’t be able to put the empire together again. -anonymous
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3:51 pm
May 9, 2010
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Justin Case
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| Bronze Apple | posts 647 | |
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Post edited 9:56 pm – May 9, 2010 by Justin Case
Here are some expatriation links I found on another site:
An anonymous former US citizen provides this extensive guide for American expatriation.
The American Expatriation Guide (pdf file)
The expatriation tax provisions under Section 877 and Section 877A of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) apply to US citizens who have renounced their citizenship and long-term residents (as defined in IRC 877(e)) who have ended their US resident status for federal tax purposes.
Expatriation Tax (IRS)
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5:43 pm
May 9, 2010
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CapnRick
| | Mar del Plata | |
| Fresh Fruit | posts 21 | |
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QUOTE Pete, May 9, 12:44 pm…"And, Cap'n Rick (not too sure if you're following this forum anymore), very informative posts. Thank-you!!!" UNQTE
Thanks, Pete… I appreciate the comment.
I don't log in very often, but I have you guys on Google Reader along with the other stuff I get via aggregators… so, I stay up with what's going on.
Some of this stuff is pretty good… I just fast forward through the bitchin' and moaning!
Ya'll keep up- the good work. Suerte -CapnRick
ps: Some handy tips on the language learning issue:
1. read in the language into a recorder and play it back. You will be amazed at how bad your accent will sound on the recording.
2. translate something you know well in English and memorize it in the new language. Try to say it EXACTLY like a native… several hundred times a day until you get it right. See #1 for checking progress
2. get the foreign tv channels on cable or satellite. I recommend DIRECTV with a DVR so you can pause live TV and write down new words, etc.
3. Invoke the subtitles for the new language. Work hard at reading the subtitles in the other language while listening to the program in English (you can do this with DVDs if you can't get cable or satellite due to location, etc.) Some folks have difficulty adapting to this dual language simultaneous thing… it is worth the effort to get this going for you. Also, rent/buy/play the movies that you love and know almost word-for-word in the other language. It is a good idea to look at the languages available on the DVD and give preference to those available as translated or subtitled in the new language.
4. The best way to get fluent in a language is to use it daily. We are fortunate to have great tools for accomplishing this today… tools that did not exist when I was learning Spanish n Portuguese. Primary among those is system cameras/speakers and Skype, which is a free download and free to use with all other Skype users.
Find yourself a Skype user hottie whose native language is the target language, and work a deal where you talk 5 minutes in their language and 5 minutes in English so you can both get some practice. The hottie bit was toungue-in-cheek… but, you need to hook up with someone you like, or you won't do it enough to do you any good. There is a Skype forum that helps language learners hook up as a utility you can access after the free download. Did I mention it is freeeeee????
Suerte, ya'll! -CapnRick
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7:45 pm
May 9, 2010
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Justin Case
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| Bronze Apple | posts 647 | |
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Post edited 1:48 am – May 10, 2010 by Justin Case
CapnRick said:
4. The best way to get fluent in a language is to use it daily. We are fortunate to have great tools for accomplishing this today… tools that did not exist when I was learning Spanish n Portuguese.
I tried learning Spanish for a while long before the Web, but had to stop due to other priorities. At the time, Berlitz Spanish language tapes, a PBS course on Survival Spanish, and Spanish radio and TV stations in the area where I live were all I had (I didn't try to enroll in a course at a community college or check out materials from the public library).
With the Web, you can go to YouTube.com and iTunes.com (and many other sites) to view language instruction videos. You can go to sites in other countries for articles, audios, and videos in the local language. These resources help you learn how to listen to another language, but you still need to find ways to practice speaking it with others. I found 700 meetup groups worldwide, for example, when I searched on "Spanish" on meetup.com (and 185 such groups when I searched on "Español").
There are babelfish.yahoo.com and translate.google.com (and many other free sites) for translating blocks of text or Web sites.
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2:09 pm
May 31, 2010
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Justin Case
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| Bronze Apple | posts 647 | |
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I found another free source of language instruction on the Web: Learn Spanish with The Independent
The BBC offers language instruction (http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/), but the site wouldn't let me watch any videos (I might be on the wrong side of the pond). 
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