More and more loneliness in North America.

 As Im sure most readers know, there is more and more loneliness in North America and Europe even in the developed parts of Asia like Singapore. 

I think its now a consensus view that what people call screen time/phone time is changing our neurology and causing us to be alone on our screens, at work, at home and even in the night life when we are relaxing or on dates, or having dinner with friends.

I notice more people talking about this on social media and getting to the point of leaving social media or hiring people to run there social media so as not to rewire there brains in negative ways.

I think we are becoming atomized as people which separates us from family, friends, neighbors our communities too.

I believe corporate America and government wants this for banal reasons like selling more crap, or more sinister reasons like control us politically.

Id say corporations and governments want to farm us for monitory reasons to get as much loot out of us before we rebel or drop out of society. 

Speaking of dropping out, you are seeing more wealthy people and middle income people, "retiring" from the rat race and living off of dividend income, covered call income and capital gains.

I have seen more videos of Singapore women and Japanese women make videos of themselves doing that in the Philippines or Cambodia instead of continuing there careers. 

I find that interesting.

For decades now ive come across Aussies living on 300 to 500 Aussie dollars a month in the province in the Philippines and now they make videos about it. 

One gentleman I knew started a garden and sold vegetables and plans to local restaurants, he hired a few workers and made more than a grand, lived frugally then saved and got on quite well. That was years ago though. Probably hes now on pension. 

Another example is all the videos of young and older people showing videos of apartments in Cambodia, Thailand for 50 bucks to 150 and up and the swimming pools that go with then.

In Manila in the less famous areas you can get condos for 300 to 400 and spend 1k or less for food utilities ect, if your single and be around people you like and beat loneliness.

My point is the loneliness epidemic is so bad and the cost of living so high which has lead to people living in cars, vans ect. And still spending 1k a month.

As people learn about the low cost of living in Asia, Latin America and other places people will abandon ship.

Which means governments will lose tax which means governments will have to readjust to all this hopefully in good ways and not exchange controls and other tricks to keep the tax cows in.

Now that there are so many ways to consult online and so many countries to live in it will be difficult for governments to stop this.

I have noticed more countries are lowering there barriers to entry to get in. I mean the income requirements are either low to none and getting a legal residency will be easier to get.

Its also getting easier to get around these rules, if your flexible and or get in the right places.

Eastern Europe is one place and a place Im not familiar with. I have seen some videos on it and they seem to be getting Western European people to pull up stakes and leave, especially with the rising wealth tax and income tax and sales tax.

I dont blame them for leaving and going to Russia and the Eastern European countries. 

Then I see it in Thailand and Cambodia. Despite the problem s their people are going there more.

Same in Philippines. 

Thats it for now.

Slowly, then fast, bankruptcy

 

How I went bankrupt, not me but someone famous once said, slowly then fast 

Anyway, I think it was Mark Twain.

Anyway markets seem to be leaning towards getting expensive and overvalued by some analysts.  

Here in the US markets are trending up and have been for awhile. Same in Korea, almost 200% and in Japan too.

The war in Iran hasnt not knocked share markets down if any.

In Indonesia they have been trending down for awhile now, and in India too.

Europe maybe next. 

Treasury bonds in North America and the UK have been trending down and Europe too, I think. So inflation has drivin up interest rates quite a bit but hasnt knocked shore markets over much except Indonesia, Philippines and India. 

I do believe in time some markets and sectors could get knocked down 20%or 30%,  some maybe lower. 

This could cause a deflation scare, and if I had to guess most governments will lower interest rates quite a bit, especially if joblessness shoots up quite a bit.

This will suck if the world economy slows down and government pensions get cut or frozen and inflation is stubbornly high.

As always I dont know the future but will prefer to be open to anything. And a willingness to start an online business and put partial capital into trend following ETFs and or managed future ETFs. 

If gold pulls back I would add some gold, I assume with or without inflation uncertaintcy will go up and more people buy gold coins/bars.

I also assume with all this new technology more people will continue to work online and start online business to keep productive and prosperous and to pass on this knowledge to the younger generation.

Anyways it will be interesting to see how markets react to a peace deal in Iran if that happens. 

I think markets correct then the real damage from the war gets recognized and dealt with and then markets stabilize and then start back up.

Its my belief Governments want us speculating and gambling and paying tax on out gains to keep this rodeo going, thats why I lean to an inflationary ourcome.

Ive come to the conclusion market participants want this to, the average man doesnt want government to cut pensions and benefits so they prefer rising inflation and wages to deflation and thats why both parties vote for it, at least in North America. 

Rather than fight these trends I accept them and plan to start an online business and live wherever I want, probably Philippines, maybe Cambodia and never rule out Mexico. 

The cost of living is low, governments and people their leave you alone, not to mention taxes are low.

I think more people will do this in North America and Europe too.

Good Luck, Happy Hunting. 

Where is the world going?

 

I get asked about where the world is going as far as our economy and culture. 

As the culture declines people as where is this all going. 

If you study history and recent history you can see it gets pretty dark fast.

We have heard about the Epstein files and all the issues with that, and its pretty dark.

Recently I heard a podcast about something that I had forgotten. 

It was about Sarajevo. The war their happened I believe during the second Bill Clinton administration. 

Well now there is a documentary, where novels meet real life.

There are current criminal court cases in Italy I believe about this whole affair.

The documentary is called Sarajevo Safari.  You can google it and watch it, and its pretty dark. 

I remember reading this in the European press but mainly the British press.

What is alleged is wealthy men  I believe were brought in to "hunt" civilians. 

You paid a bounty to the Serbs, to kill children, infants and pretty women. 

It alleged the prettiest girls were hunted and killed for the most money, I heard 20k.

Its pretty depraved that wealthy people paid for these safaris. I suppose when you have that much power and money thats the only way you can get off.

Im not surprised it happened but am surprised its being prosecuted in Italy, thats my understanding. 

People as with women using only fans and how thats spreading to women all over the world, how much worse it can get.

My answer is the wealthy elites will pay to do these things legal or not, and soon it maybe legal and supported by most citizens and voters.

Its all the reason to enjoy life now and not to put off contentment. 

This is also happening in South Africa. Wealthy people like royal family members are being accused of, going to South Africa and going on South African hunts to hunt and kill poachers. 

I had not heard about that but would not be surprised if the rumors of Royal families in Europe doing that. It maybe the only way they can get there rocks off, or maybe they are socio paths. 

I mention all this because as the world gets wealthier and as corruption continues I can see a world where it decentralizes to this and in other areas its sugar and spice and everything nice.

With whats happening with technology in China, North Korea, Russia and now the US you will not even be aware this is even happening because the press is so controlled and propagandist. 

Thats why when people ask how to live I suggest, live well.

If you don't like where things are going retire to a atate or country you enjoy, live off your pensions, dividends, and capital gains.

If you dont have those start a consulting service done online or the phone and live somewhere affordable. 

Things are changing so fast you may not need as much savings as before, and if your curious about the world and like to learn it will be easier to start a business or consulting service and get paid to live anywhere. 

With USD stable coins, or BTC its easier than ever to send money wealth anywhere and pay your bills, especially Russia or the Philippines. 

Same with stable coins, exchange controls will not stop this just slow things down, just look at China.

Anyway good luck.

The Iran war continues, at least for now.

 

The war in Iran, seems to be continuing despite what President Trump says, or even oil futures contracts say.

The Holiday weekend is over, traders are back to their desks and oil futures traders seem to believe peace will bloom in the Middle East and most especially Iran.

I dont know. If I had to guess the war will continue until there is a crisis then someone will have to back down. 

If the Trump White House has to back down they will continue to lose legitimacy among voters and the citizens of the world and the US Empire will continue its perceived decline.

I already see people talking in the media, former intelligence people, talk of how China and Iran maybe gaing legitimately in the world and how that will hurt the interests of the US and our allies. 

The world is changing fast and I still woulnt bet against the US but can see how people will hedge there bets just to make sure they win in the long run.

I dont think Iran can really win at least with there people. More and more will immigrate, come what may.

You see that with North Americans, if they have wealth and skills they are going offshore and earning offshore and its not just for saving taxes.

More and more are leaving for safety reasons, mainly for there kids, and to make sure there kids grow up around people who have a more optimistic view of the future. 

You see the same thing in the UK, and now Germany, among other places too.

I believe eventually the war will be over and more countries will decide if they will aline with the US, China, the EU or Russia, only time will tell.

It would not surprise me if China takes the lead and the US aligns with China and Russia more and more and the EU continues its decline, but I have been wrong before.

I think we may get another opportunity to buy oil shares much cheaper than they are now, and if that happens I will take it. 

Something will get cheaper and then start to trend so get ready.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting. 

2033, THE Social Security cliff.

 

There has been more news articles and YouTube posts on the Social Security cliff thats coming in ten years or less,2033 is the projection year I see.

Thats when only 80% or less of Social Security benefits can be paid out of projected tax revenues. 

The idea is over time the population will decline or the working age population will decline and without immigration there will be fewer tax payors to pay tax for current and future benefits. 

Even if you had immigration it wouldn't really fix this problem because your just poaching workers from other countries and those countries lose workers and tax revenues. 

Having said that there is no incentive for politicians to cut benefits unless there is a crisis and so far there isnt a crisis.  Even Covid didnt appear to create a crisis voters would repond too.

So I would say benefits will be paid, lowered in small amounts until the crisis hits.

That might create a rising price level or inflation that governments wont know how to respond too, but they wont cut benefits until the crisis hits, that maybe a bond crisis, or funding crisis or it maybe a USD crisis Im not sure.

Looking at Japan for what may happen, so far its a Yen crisis just not yet.

The USDJPY rate is at 155 or so, I haven't looked recently. 

So far interest rates in Japan are still under 3% but are inching up, and so far no crisis. 

Interest rates in the US are getting close to 5% but still no crisis.

I dont think the US economy or world economy can sustain double digit interest rates like in the seventies and eighties. 

While I think Social Security will survive, what it pays out will be much less over time and the social contract will be changed, probably by the younger voters.

Even with AI raising the standard of living for most people we will not know till much latter if western countries can not be forced to cut these programs. 

We are starting to see the cracks in Europe so if I had to go by what I see there, there will be cuts and higher inflation and more of a break down in society. 

Japan looks to be different. There seems to be more social cohesion there so maybe there will be less of a breakdown and theres more of an understanding of technology and how it can be used for everyone s benefit too.

China might be another place to look for clues too.

In the US I expect more of a colonial comback, where people work for themselves into retirement and they will work with new technology like the Chinese do.

Im not as pessimistic as some so expect the market will readjust to this new reality with some bumps in the process but dont expect the dystopian nightmare many do.

I think it is possible for a dystopian nightmare but there will be opportunities for people to check out and live in countries where things will be less interesting as the Chinese like to say.

Thanks for reading. 

Markets are closed today,,listening to inflation/deflation debates.

 

Sense markets are closed today, except futures prices, I have been thinking more and more about the inflation/deflation debates, that have been going on in the market places of ideas lately. 

I fall somewhere in the middle, where I think we will have a deflation scare and bonds could go up quite a bit. So far I have been wrong but havent lost much because the credits I own haven't gone down much.

I have been shorting treasury securitys so have made money there, but thats about it.

Ultimately I believe we will see rising inflation to pay for the healthcare needs of retiring Americans and the same for pensions,  both private and public. 

Most pensions are underfunded in the US and most of the Western World. 

Governments will have to compete for saving and capital of the world driving up intrest rates and I believe inflation from these policies. 

Only time will tell.

It seems most market participants believe this will result in deflation or at least disinflation over time and thus inflation wont happen. 

I believe its possible this is an outcome but am starting to lean the other way where most Governments will inflate money supplies to pay for these programs and most voters will support this.

I believe one way to beat this inflation will be to invest in volatility and there will be more ways to do this over time.

I think another way maybe leveraged bonds, or using leverage to buy assets and letting inflation pay the debt or bankruptcy, maybe both.

It would surprise me if there is more fraud and theft involved in this inflationary outcome and maybe tolerated because of politics and no one really wants to raise tax or cut benefits to retirees or anyone else.

Because the rules are changing or not enforced it will be tough to be a successful investor in these times.

I think one way people survive is owning gold, going offshore both with capital and with body. Being in another jurisdiction will be helpful for lower cost of living and protection of assets and body too. Even healthcare will be done more and more offshore. 

I dont have much more to say on this  subject.

Good luck, happy hunting. 

Latest episode with Matt Smith/Dave Callom, Coffee and a mike.

 

The latest episode on Coffee and a mike. 

I enjoy Dave Collum and Matt Smith was really good and has a lot of how I see the world.

They even talked about Chase Hughes, and his comments on whats going on in the world. 

Here it is https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bpZ9Rr5WvL87K1S4ddZUQ?si=UF29_bW3R4q5meL_q9T7hA

I like Spotify,  but its also on YouTube. 

It has many out there views on where this is all going and explains why more men and women are dropping out of society, and leaving the Western World.  Or people are leaving to live on the edges of the Empire. 

Interesting conversation. 

Good luck.

End of the week, thought of the day.

 

End of the week and thought of the day, as the Brit in the Philippines likes to say, a nice chap to say the least.

It seems many people are despondent or the recent elections in the US. It looks like voters are making sure liberty takes a back seat now and for awhile. 

It seems all over the Western World, we have a loss of liberty, safety and much more inflation than what many can accept. 

Theres even a giving up I see in the younger generation, although I see people of all ages migrating to Latin America,  Eastern Europe, even Russia now. 

You also see more migration to the Middle East, and Asia and possibly even China. 

You still see the great unwashed trying to get into America if they can, and its still tolerated by many.

Although I say that there are now many Europeans coming to North America from Europe and the UK.

In other news,  the US share markets continue to make new highs, including the Dow Jones Industrial Averages.

Most people dont talk about the Dow, much less the Dogs of the Dow. 

Now with the forever wars we will need more Industrial bases here in the US which isnt bad but will be different from the past.

I continue to see many expats make dumb decisions in the East, mainly North Americans, which is unfortunate, because its so easy to succeed their, much like our ancestors did in the past.

I also see more YouTube influencers doing well and showing ways to succeed there and how simple it can be and how more young people are figuring this out.

Im not sure what to make of this but governments in the West will have to change and adapt or they will lose there older retirees and the younger generation that needs to take over and make things better.

Im not sure how it will turn out but some countries will will adapt and advance liberty and prosperity others wont and will continue to decline. 

Thats the thought of the day, 

Good Luck,  Happy Hunting. 

AI, UBI, SWFs and the industrial revolution.

 The industrial revolution really shook up the then current society.

The elites of the time, the Counts, Lords, and other Royalty elites of those times would not seen what was coming into the future.

The landed gentry, would not have expected the end of slavery, serfdom, and total changes of how wealth and status would change.

Its similiar with the AI revolution, there maybe great unemployment with AI that could lead to resentment and then high wealth taxes and then UBI.

Which could lead withe wealthy elites moving there capital and themselves offshore, it already has.

Most US tech companies are domiciled in Ireland where they pay little if any tax. If you has tax, they will tax there wealth and leave and give political donations to politicians to be left alone.

You may be able to fund UBI through SWF, or Sovereign Wealth Funds, like what is in Norway, UAE, and other countries. It may make sense for governments to treat information like the way oil is and taxed and put in a SWF and be used for the benefit of society, like education, possibly UBI or other things.

AI will probably change how we are governed. 

If elites can buy there way out of problems like they did pre industrial society we may have to change how we see and practice government.

If elites have first mover status and can suck up wealth before people understand how wealth creation has changed with this new technology, then can buy there way out and bribe politicians to give us UBI where we just spend the income at tech companies then its just a wealth transfer like during covid and could make inflation a bigger problem. 

I think we cant stop AI but could find a better way to tax tech companies for the free to low cost way they capture our data and use it against us and get first mover advantage.

Maybe thats through citizens owning our data and we get paid for it, maybe through UBI. Or other ways.

I want to transition to a society with more liberty and less dependence on UBI or and government hand outs that creates dependency. 

I dont know how it all unfolds but the cat is out of the bag especially in the US, China, probably Russia too.

Id guess the EU will be one of the first big losers but not all Europe. 

Not Switzerland, or Norway and a few other places where tax is low and culture still binds the citizens to continue to cooperate, IE high trust society, maybe Sweden but im not sure and Denmark too, it seems to me to becoming unglued their.

Im even thinking places in the South Pacific will be ok because no one cares about those places except maybe China and the US and to a limited extent Russia. 

In the end I expect this will be a huge wealth transfer to any who understand whats going on and plans for it and takes advantage of it, which unfortunately wony be everyone, especially in the Western middle class.

Good Luck.

Financial fraud is on the rise.

 

Financial fraud seems to be rising at an accelerating pace.

I just had an charge on one of my ATM cards that I rarely use, and the account balance is under 100 bucks.

I have multiple accounts for this vary reason. I can transfer money from my various accounts and use othet ATM accounts to spend or withdraw money if I need to cancel a card and have a new one sent out.

This seems to be happening more. This account is rarely used so I was surprised someone got access to it.

When I called the bank and talked to the fraud department, they told me the charge was made online and an address that wasnt mine was used. So the fraud department canceled the card and allowed me to dispute the charge and wait a few weeks to have the money refunded. 

Im just curious how my account was accessed.  Its not really important though, even if I rarely use it. I just canceled the card and be more aware of how I use all my cards and keep track of charges that dont make sense.

I cant add much accept to say the US Treasury Department has said with AI technology, there is and will be more fraud, and they invited all the high street banks into a discussion on what they plan to do to combat all this.

Im starting to think it may make sense to only buy with credit cards as its easier to dispute charges and get refunds and you seem to get more protection from fraud compared to ATM accounts, although thats changing. 

My other idea is to store some wealth offline in the form of gold and silver coins, and get some anonymous protection from criminals and other enemies. 

It maybe worth while to have and use USD dollar coins, and BTC stored on cold wallets, just to have some privacy and something to fall back on if you need to leave your legal jurisdiction and your banks, brokerages are frozen or just cant access to them for legal reasons.

These things like fraud, getting debanked are happening more and more in the Western World, and some other countries are copying Western World laws and customs,  which is sad.

The loss of liberty in the Western World is sad to see and explains why more and more people are leaving the West to be in lower cost of living places and to store money in banks like Singapore or even Switzerland if you can get an account there, or even the Caribbean. 

Even countries like Georgia are becoming fashionable to access places like Russia if your in the West or your Russian and need to transfer wealth from the West, or your stuck using BTC or USD dollar coins which works too.

Good luck our there.

I found a bike path in Alamogordo, NM.

 

I found a bike path just off Senic Dr. 

Its just off this green water tower, if thats what it is.

This bike path is in Alamogordo, New Mexico. 

It reminds me of the many bike paths in Phoenix, AZ. Mainly im thinking of Peoria, Sun City, AZ and the other county I cant remember. 

Anyways on these bike paths you can ride for miles, go bike camping in many places, and shop at Walmart, the Dollar store and many other places then go wild camping in the desert where few people bother you.

In AZ during covid they even put up bathrooms on the bike paths.

They look the same as this one I found on the bike path here in Alamogordo, NM.

Near this one is a place your car or park if you have one and a few picnic tables to either rest at, cook your food or just rest 

You could camp out there before or after the sun went down or just in the desert where no one could see you.

You could hide your bivvy sack and backpack then ride into town and hang out in the library and charge your phone, use the bathroom and if your disposed ask for help getting food stamps, a shower and place to have ID sent to if it is an issue.

My friend in Guatemala told me thats what he did in California when he was homeless, then just lived in the desert until he left for Guatemala.

This place place, bike path even has a bridge into the local neighborhoods,  its pretty cool.

The whole area is cool and quiet and you can hear the insects at night. 

I bet it would be an interesting way to live for a few months if you had too.

I bring it up because like in Sun City, AZ you see so many homeless people just camping in the desert nowdays,  its sad to see anyone live like this especially older women,  which I saw when I was their riding my bike all over the place including the gold dealer.

Here in Alamogordo I dont think theres any gold dealer to sell you coins to for cash.

Anyhow I thought it was a nice discovery to write about and talk about.

Theres even people in Quartzsite, AZ who camp in the desert ride there bike or electric bike into the local fast food joint and work for three or four months and save up money for there next adventure. 

You could do that here even Sun City, or here and then save money get on a plane use your passport and start again in Cambodia or Philippines. 

Good Luck, Happy Hunting. 

More strategies to protect your wealth.

 

Asset protection is talked about a lot nowadays.

Its usually aimed at wealthy people and usually the strategies are borderline illegal to not practical when it comes to taxes, but it makes the lawyer's wealthy and the clients have a false sense of security.

Usually the lawyer's will suggest LLCs offshore or domestic with trusts thrown in for good measure. 

  Often the trusts dont help and the offshore corporations dont really offer any privacy for North Americans.

Many times clients are surprised theres no privacy and governments can reach out and touch them.

They often pay tens of thousands of dollars if not more and find out they are not complient with reporting requirements and taxes.

Sometimes when they return to the US they are greeted with Treasury officials to IRS officials and detained for hours while they learn of there lawyer's mistakes and how they the client has little recourse. 

Anyhow the easiest of solutions is to just get the assets out of jurisdiction into either a bank account in your name or a gold storage facility where the account may not even be a reportable event. 

Owning real estate isnt a reportable event for most people and at least you can live in it, possibly rent it out for income.

Usually youd want residency so you can easily open bank account manage real estate expenses and taxes through the account.

Not to mention you can live work or play with most residencys, which can come in handy if your home country is suing you or its just unpleasant to live in and do business in.

If you still have a US LLC you can still do business and get credit cards and banking through it and the account would be in a corporate name if thats needed.

If the clients are all Americans easy to comply, if clients are offshore maybe another entity maybe called for. As always get legal help and stay compliant with all tax laws of your home country and residency. 

These are just a few ideas for average North Americans and getting residency isnt as costly as in the past so can be cheaper than offshore trusts and corporations ect.

Its also simplier and easier to manage time wise and money wise. With the exception of lawyer's for residency although not always needed if in Europe or parts of Asia like Japan. 

Theres more to these things and just a few ideas to get out of the trap of North America. 

Happy Hunting. 

How older people protect their bank accounts from medical debts, bank garnishments and other creditors.

 

Nowdays with high hospital bills and no insurance, people end up with massive bills they cant pay. Its now similar with credit card debt 

Many older folks now use debt to there benefit knowing its different for creditors to freeze a bank account or sieze the check.

How they protect themselves isnt really difficult or hard. They use the law to there benefit.

For one thing assets in a 401K are protected by ERISA laws. Even in bankruptcy they cant be taken. Its similiar for ROTH accounts, the money cant be taken in bankruptcy either.

So older folks use those benefits to there benefit by going through bankruptcy or having the creditor writing off the debt. 

In some States the statute of limitations is two years, like Iowa. If after two years a creditor comes after you, you can just take them to court and get damages for whatever injury you endured. 

Of course all States are different and theres exceptions sometimes so you need to do your research.

Another way the creditors can get money is by putting a lien on your bank account. The thing is social security is protected by law and banks know this.

The federal law says you can have up to two months of a government pension check, social security check, and other pension checks like rail rode pensions and State pensions. 

So if you have 1k check you can have 2k protected from seizure. 

Most creditors know this but if they dont the banks do, if there still is a seizure or mistake you can file documents at the court and get your money back, but it takes time.

So its useful to have cash, folding currency hidden away somewhere or an offshore bank properly set up and reported to uncle sam. If its over10k it needs to be reported.

Wealthy people have bank accounts set up abroad to protect themselves from creditors and other bad actors.

Nowdays most offshore banks dont want North Americans as clients because of compliance with uncle sam and if they do the deposits need to be substantial usually 250K or more.

Obviously theres exceptions to this rule if you have a second passport or residency set up somewhere, then its usually a few hundred dollars to set up a local USD account or USD account. 

More and more expats/ retirees are doing this and using credit to there advantage. 

If you need to hide cash from creditors you can always withdraw cash to be under the limit,  or buy gold coins stored onshore or offshore or just in your shoe box. 

Off course if you get into a lawsuit youll have to disclose these things, or lie under court, which I dont recommend or suggest.

What many do if it comes to it is get out of jurisdiction and have a friend or lawyer handle it.

There are law firms who handle debt negotiation for low prices and NGOs to.

They usually specialize in helping elderly clients but also help with medical debts no matter the age.

A lawyer can help you disguise your assets without breaking the law, or get caught up in fraudulent conveyances. 

As always theres more to this but I just wanted to offer a few ideas to help people survive and prosper as the empire declines or maybe its just the beginning. 

We still have a lot of liberties in North America so we are better off than most to survive and prosper come what may.

Good Luck, Happy Hunting. 

Mike Green, oversavings, Covered Call ETFs,

 

Mike Green, from Simplify https://www.simplify.us/ just put out a new article. 

If you can get on his mailing list, I believe its on Sub stack.

He wrote a pretty good article about how older Americans are over saving in their retirement accounts and brokerage accounts to meet their retirement needs when they retire.

All this causes a rising share market and problems with younger Americans not being able to enter the housing market and even employment market.

He pointed out how you can invest 1 million dollars into 5% long government treasury bonds, get 5% the rest of your life and not spend your principle, add in social security and the fact when you retire your cost of living goes down and inflation maybe over stated, which has lead to people who dont even spend all their social security or even their private pensions.

All this has lead to over valued share markets and under valued bond markets, which of course creates opportunities for some.

What I find interesting is I see this reflected in people's actions. I see people retire overseas for a fraction of the cost of living in North America. 

I see them live on much less than there social security checks and actually save money and add to there savings. 

Which brings up covered call ETFs and there high income, pay out dividends.

I see people buying them to get the income and retire from the employment market. I see this a lot with younger employees, as Mike points out theres less incentives for the younger generation to be productive in the employment markets.

They are not able to earn enough from jobs to buy houses, save for retirement so in many cases drop out of the market and live on state aid, or built up investments and live in low cost places like Latin America or Asia.  Or in vans ect.

All these incentives have distorted peopls incentive to be productive, which benefits older Americans which causes them to save more which distorts markets more.

All this causes flows into share markets, which incentives gambling in shares amongst younger Americans or gambling in general. 

It also seems to increase addictions and anxiety among younger men and women.  I would also say all age groups are loneier than ever, despite the abundance we have created in North America. 

Its all very sad and may result in disaster in the next few years. I mean a recession, and share market crash or long term sell off.

Im still optimistic about the future for most people and only time will tell.

Good Luck. 

Philippines, great places to live cheap.

 

I just saw a video from one of my favorite YouTube bloggers.

He was in Manila, visiting his friend,  an American Doctor I believe. 

He showed a nice condo area, I cant remember the name of it, but in the facility there are condos, two bedrooms for 400,00USD and up. 

It had a huge swimming pool on the ground floor, it was outside.  It had a nice gym, and in the neighborhood a bank, Starbucks and nice grocery store.

It reminded me of nice places in Guatemala. Where you can walk to everywhere and its safe, not much traffic and easy to park a car or motorcycle if you want to buy one.

As the YouTube gentleman said, 400 plus utilities and food and immigration fees would be under a thousand USD per month and unlike the province you have everything you need. 

It got me to thinking how much everything in the west is over priced. 

He even mentioned the condo would be 50usd just to buy it, not much.

I had forgotten how much the Philippine peso has fallen during the current war. Inflation in the Philippines is about the highest in Asia right now.

Most people will not believe me but in the less nice areas you can rent gor 80 to 160 be in an ok area, close to malls, wet markets street food ect and live on 500 to 600 a month, and build up an online business and when you get a good month fly to the beaches of the province and just relax for a few days or weeks at a resort.

Of course most North Americans wont do that, although you are hearing more and more are making the move or at least thinking about it.

Similar can be done in Cambodia but its not as developed but the costs can be lower and a little easier to make the adjustments. 

It takes time to make the cultural adjustments and the Philippines can be easier partly because of English and history and culture. 

Sometimes im surprised more people arent doing this but think over time many will especially in Europe because governments their aren't giving people reasonable chances to prosper and live in peace.

Thats it for now.

Happy Hunting. 

Escaping the matrix is getting easier and cheaper despite the inflation spike.

 

I see more and more videos of North Americans leaving Canada and United States living in Asia usually or even Brazil, I even see Brazilians and Mexicans living in Asia too.

Its never been easier and cheaper to get on a plane and go to where you are treated best from a tax and liberty point of view.

I know quite a few people now and from ten years ago who went outside there country of birth and teach conversational English or college course English lessons, college degree or not.

An American acquaintance of mine was from the southern United States, an exutive from corporate america, quite his job went to  Brazil, taught English, then started his own online business,  got Brazilian citizenship, then as he got older sold up and moved to Thailand, I haven't heard from him sense. I was on his email list.

Anyway I know a few men and women who still teach English online for small or large amounts of money and prefer it to living in America or the EU, UK.

Which brings me tothe few men and women who sometimes live on 300 to 500 a month in Thailand, Philippines, even Cambodia and Indonesia. 

Sense I dont get comments on this website ill talk about it.

You would be surprised how many people still live on this amount and build up sidelines business in addition to teaching English online and dont end up in poverty living on the streets of Manila, which still happens sometimes even more than id have thought.

There are still a few websites that will help you get clients for teaching online, no college degree or anything. The pay is low usually 12 an hour sometimes five an hour in Eastern Europe.

Even if you work part time its enough to pay rent, visas, and food until you build up the income to save some money or just spend more.

If you combine that with dividend income ETFs or a small pension its enough to escape the Matrix/ rat race.

Nowdays you see more people doing that in the US and living in their vans and when they have saved enough and built up an online income, sell the van and get the passport and leave for Latin America or Asia or the Pacific region.

Teaching English online still works which does surprise me but a private tutor whos a human still beats AI tech at least for now.

Good luck.

Polynesia, Philippines, Saipan, Micronesia

 

I think all these places are in the Pacific, or what I understand to be Micronesia, or North Pacific and South Pacific. 

Sense I was a young boy, I have always been interested in these places, especially the Marshall Islands.  I remember seeing a tv episode on old pictures and videos of soldiers in the Marshall Islands and people swimming in water that was clear as day.

Every sense I have wanted to visit there and learn about the history and culture there. 

Ive only been to Philippines and can say its much more different that Thailand or Cambodia, even the language Tagalog is pretty different.

I suppose the clear blue water was very attractive to a young boy so thats what I liked about it. Also I never felt a part of American culture,  I always felt I was on the outside looking in.

Anyways when Im in the province of the Philippines I have always liked swimming in the sea and seeing sea horses and other tropical fish.

Unlike others I like the food in the Philippines so that was nice too.

If you dont eat much of imported food your cost of living can be pretty cheap.

My friends in Saipan say the same.

The cultural things there are different than North America, people are really close there and theres little privacy.

If you stay in the Philippines long term you will learn that. You will need to be a part of your community or you will not fit in.

I think I liked the patience people have there, and the saving face they have, but it takes time getting used to 

Id like to visit more places in the Pacific next time I get out their. I look forward to visiting Saipan possibly living their.

As the American Empire starts to decline Saipan looks more interesting place to live in. Even with all the storms they have. The infrastructure looks better in Saipan than the Philippines but even Luzan is looking better and better everytime I go back their 

Even the healthcare options in Manila are better than twenty years ago.

I think as technology progress it will be easier and easier to live their, it may fall off the map of the general public but that maybe an advantage to some.

I see more young people from all over the Western world including Russian s going to these places in the Pacific. 

I wish I had more to say about the Marshall Islands but can only go by what I have read about it.

It has similar problems like most of the West, young people leaving for better opportunities, depopulation, not very good medical care. High costs for importing food and other goods, so not convenient.  I have heard you can order from Amazon have it delivered and it gets there in a month or two. Thats not bad compared with twenty years ago.

Its similiar to the Philippines,  you can order from Amazon but its a pain on the neck and youll pay taxes. 

Almost better to order have it delivered to Saipan pick it up there, then fly back to the Philippines. 

Youll need high income to do that but more and more are doing the planning logistics and doing it.

Good luck, and happy hunting. 

Is it worth it to still be productive in the US?

 

Is it worth it to be productive anymore?

When you see and hear all the people who are on benefit, as they say in the UK, you begin to wonder if you should continue working or work your business, considering all the tax you pay, not to mention the inflation tax we all pay, when government inflates the money supply to pay for benefits. 

Well I think you should especially if you dont have enough to retire on and reposition yourself in a lower tax jurisdiction, and lower cost price of living outside the West.

Im not sure giving up and living on welfare and section 8 is really worth it considering the lower standard of living and loss of self esteem.

I still think its worth puting capital in ERISA accounts and ROTH accounts not just for tax reasons but for asset protection. People under estimate asset protection when you consider how easy is is for creditors to seize your assets under false pretense and the cost to even get assets back.

Once you get enough assets offshore or onshore its much easier to leave the Matrix and move to a more gentle tax jurisdiction and lower cost of living place,  the world is getting easier to live in and theres often nicer people to live next to and much safer to live work and play in an safer environment. 

I also believe just giving up and not being productive, is hard on your sole.

If you live in North America, its still pretty easy to save money, put it into productive ETFs to earn monthly income while starting an sideline income.

Its also never been easier to learn where and how to live anywhere in the world that might interest you.

Its also never been easier to earn enough income teaching English online and making enough to survive and save money. Obviously theres other ways but thats what I see on social media and some of these people I know personally. 

Its even stilm possible to get pretty wealthy over time doing those things without the stress of living in North America or Europe.

The other consideration to make is I know people who worked five years and have saved enough to never work again and just live off investment income and now income from there small consulting business,  YouTube channel.

These men and women are in there twenties to fifties, im learning its never to late to start and now its never been easier despite the regulations, tax, and inflation .

Its still easy to get a passport in the West, ATM accounts, with credit cards to get you out of emergencies. Even credit limits are pretty high in the West, at least in the US its still true 

So yes, I think you shouldn't give up and still be productive for as long as you can and enjoy life anywhere you want in North America, or Asia. Or even Micronesia.

Thanks for reading, good luck.

Donald Hoffman, you live in a simulation.

 

I have listened to Donald Hoffmans latest interview many times.

He has had many over the years, talking about the possibility we may live in a simulation. 

He has now I think gotten more spiritual over the yeas of interviews he has done.

He reminds me of Chase Hughes as far as open mindedness and spiritual ness 

Donald seems to be convinced we live in an matrix/simulation. As I get older and hear this, I become more open to this.

It brings a lot into question about the things I believed as a younger person but probably dont believe anymore.

Donald seems to think this is a national security issue. As wealthy people tap into this idea and research it, it will become obvious, that there maybe ways for governments and corporations to take advantage of these things to create wealth and power that takes advantage of allies and enemies.

I just like the idea that we may not die like we think and that we are all playing a role in the universe that we barely understand. 

This understanding of this view of the world is so new I dont have much to say accept more people are open to it and these people are from all walks of life.

As an generalization im more optimistic about the future that most despite peoples worry over depopulations and economic downturns, and the current wars going on.

I also see an interesting thing happening in Russia our competitor and sometimes enemy. Its a spiritual awareness, awakening going on there, if you watch YouTube videos of people there its just under the current of awareness. 

Anyway thanks for reading. 

Trend following, momentum, the financial world is changing fast.

 The machine as some people say is changing markets fast. As AI tech and capital meet, it seems to be changing the old world of 60/40 investing fast.

Most investors cant seem to adjust to this new world of money printing, and booming world of wealth creation. 

Most people still seem to accept value investing as a way to either beat an over valued market and or beat inflation .

As markets adjust to this new way of investing trading more and more people are accepting trend following and momentum investing,  trading because it works and it seems to be the new world we are going into.

As corporations, governments learn to manipulate the markets and appear to be successful, more market participants seem to accept these changes and are adjusting there investing and trading strategies. 

As more wealth and prosperity is created all over the world, I believe we will not go back to the old way of doing things.

I have come to accept the momentum and trend following results im getting and the new ETFs that have been created to take advantage of these trends.

As Wallstreet sees these results they will change there way of trading and create a new market thats not like my Grandads market.

I believe we are seeing the clues underneath the surface of the market and as results come in it will change everything for the good.

Im not sure many see this so if you get in now you may get the better results than others.

Im more optimistic on the future than many 

I think as people see these results and use them in there own business it will create prosperity that hasn't been dreamed of.

When you combine this with depopulation and the AI boom it will become more obvious.

It will create a world where you can live work or play in many parts of the world and be safe, low taxed, good health care, low cost of living and the opportunity to be productive long into your retirement years.

Thats all I have to say today. 

Good luck, be lucky  

More AI talk. And what kind of world its creating.

 

I was listening to the Acid Capitalist (Hugh Henry) 

Anyhow I probably spelled his name wrong, and even where he lives. (St. Barts) 

Anyhow hes pretty good at Macro Economics. 

Lately hes been talking alot about AI and how it will affect jobs going forward and the Wests Governments going forward. 

He seems to believe its possible AI will destroy a lot of white colar jobs and low income jobs.

I think hes right.

In the Philippines its already impacted the phone answering services many companies have their, with AI answering your questions, which I have already experienced. 

I could barely tell I was talking to a phone. 

He seems to think Governments will pay people for long periods of time without doing anything productive,  like they are already doing in the UK.

This is all inflationary. 

He points out the deflation that may come and the resulting inflation from all the money printing that will come to keep people from revolting in there old age 

It has caused him to think it maybe profitable to hold TLT, long duration US Treasury Bonds and Bitcoin. 

All this is interesting to think about and how men and women will react to all these changes.

I believe hes right, real estate in low tax jurisdictions in places like Switzerland,  St. Barts will become valuable.

He also points it will easier than ever tl live in political jurisdictions that will be affordable, safe and low tax, and easy to start small businesses and comply with all the worlds taxes.

This will cause high tax/regulatory States to either compete with lower tax/regulations or die a slow painful death. So far the UK is choosing death, but the recent election may have changed that.

This is why you see so many Brits making videos on there new lifein Asia, North America, and Eastern Europe, Middle East countries. 

For the most part these folks are surviving and prospering.

As the Chinese say, may you live in interesting times.

Im probably more optimistic for the future,  there is more wealth being created and more financial instruments to trade and invest in, and markets moving faster than Government policies.

So im not as bearish as others even though earning income from entry level jobs with or without college is getting more difficult to do.

I see more cottage industry businesses being created in North America, including Mexico, where people are surviving and prospering despite government policy. 

Time will tell in how things will unfold.

Good luch. Happy Hunting. 

Brainsupreme/review/my results

 

Brainsupreme, go here https://brainsupreme.co/ 

Its a company that sells basically ground up mushrooms and other ingredients that can help your brain function better.

While I was im Alaska, I was hurt on the job, I slips and fell on the concrete floor knocking myself unconscious. 

I dont remember anything from the incident including the ambulance ride, and hospital stay.

Incidentally I was reported to the proper government agency that I was hurt, and off the job but was paid nothing not even my last hospital bill which was over 10,000 dollars. 

Workmans comp was the agency, I might have to get a lawyer.

Anyhow my memory was affected, which could have come from the fall on my head and my age.

I had heard Chase  Hughes https://chasehughes.com/ talk about his brain injury and mentioned Brainsupreme products.

So I decided to try them.

I bought them a few weeks ago and tried them. 

The first thing I noticed in my body is when I sleeped I got up a little earlier and had less depression. 

My brain function seemed clearer and sharper. I noticed less depression, my dreams seemed to change but is hard to describe how it changed in words 

If you listen to the founder, he suggests after a week taking a few days off and letting the chemicals from the mushrooms leave your system, so I will stop for a few days and see what happens.

So far Im happy with the results.

And with all the bad chemicals in our food and bodies from all our new technologies, im glad to have found them and expect more products from them and there competitors. 

Thanks for reading  

The economy is changing faster than I can adjust.

 

The longer this current war lasts, and economic numbers come out like today's inflation numbers, the longer it takes me to readjust  

The inflation numbers were a bit higher than expected but not to surprising to most analysts.

Is seems inflation is ticking up, unemployment is going up but not a lot.

Unemployment for college educated kids is pretty high and unusual, its thought that AI is why more companies arent hiring young college graduates. 

While men and women are getting hired more to train people or learn new skills and pass on the information to either AI software or other people.

All this turmoil is causing anxiety in peoples lives as people believe they will have a lower standard of life as technology progresses.

At the same time we are seeing people dropping out of the workforce especially men of all ages, basically giving up, which means less men women want to marry causes a crisis in having children to carry on everything. 

We are seeing these trends all over the world.

I believe this will accelerate people starting cottage businesses like back in colonial times.

I believe as people are made redundant more people will earn income by becoming creative, or thus the creative classes. There has been many books on this, so I believe as traditional ways of earning a living decrease people will earn income in ways of doing things they enjoy 

I believe we are already seeing this with people who write online newsletters describing there lifestyle and how to live it, and then earn additional income consulting on it, selling reports on it and newsletters. 

You see similiar on YouTube, where people earn income selling there books or earning from Adsense, or from a Partrian account or something similiar. 

Now you can have a YouTube account where people pay to see private videos, or they can direct you to an Forum thats pay to play where they give investment advice or things like that.

I believe these trends will continue as demand for unskilled labour trends down, even white collar workers will be affected.

I have heard good articles on robots taking awsy jobs from skilled people tradesmen. My understanding is we are five years away from that. 

I believe others will save capital and invest in these new technologies through business development companies and just live off the dividends. 

We already see Covered Call ETFs that can pay 10% to 15% dividends monthly where people invest in them or use margin accounts to buy them and just use dividends to pay margin and use the rest to pay the bills.

I think these trends will continue and change over time because so much capital will be created withthese trends.

Ss tax go up to pay government pensions and universal income, people will leave. As people leave government will have to change tax and how its collected, probably leading to lower income tax and higher tax on capital so consider that. 

I still believe it will be tough for governments to stop wealthy people from leaving high tax states and countries to lower tax places but they will try, fail and markets will readjust .

Look at St. Barts inthe Caribbean. One of the safest places for wealthy people to live, easy to buy clean food, surf, meet other people in your social class.

I believe a place like that for lower income people will be Asia, I prefer Philippines but its not as developed as say Thailand,  but tax is low, regulation not to enforced, safe if you live in the right places, easy to fly to nearby countries, so easy to do business with other locals and expats in nearby countries. 

I like the weather their. One downside is healthcare but its constantly changing and getting better in the Capital. 

You can fly to Malaysia to get testing done easily and cheaply and see doctors there who maybe better.

If you live in Philippines you sometimes just have to accept things as they are in exchange for the liw cost lifestyle costs.

Even with the inflation their costs in dollar terms are still low.

Thats it for now, I think its better not to live in fear and to embrace the change and uncertainty and accept things as they are. Its getting better all the time despite the current events of war in Europe and Middle East, and slowing economy. 

Thanks for reading.

What to do when things dont go your way

 

Sometimes things dont go your way.

Sometimes the best thing to do is accept where things are and do the best you can, even if your behind the eight ball.

Life isnt fair and the ealier you accept that the sooner you can stop digging the hole your in.

Easy to say but difficult to do.

Not much to say but keep moving forward despite the setbacks and work twice as hard.

Thanks for reading.

Dont do what I did, unemployment/Alaska

 

I worked in Alaska last year for about six months, a fish processing plant, Seward, Alaska. 

It was a small place maybe 25 to 35 people. We processed Halibut and Black Cod and some other fish. Over all it was a learning experience and im glad I did it.

Anyway as the season ended, I was sent home, and laid off. So I signed up for unemployment, in Iowa. I used the library for internet to sign up for my benefits  

All went well until they said my IP adress from the library said I was in MN which was not the case 

So I now owe 3000,00USD 2000 for the unemployment and 1000 for the fine, which is 50%. 

Anyhow i am disputing this, I may not be able to prove anything so may owe the money back 

The upshot is I can pay in installments i tel its paid off. Which is nice. I can pay as little as 50 bucks maybe less.

Anyways things are changing fast in America. More and more people are moving to escape the Matrix so to speak. 

I wont leave until i get more clarity on my medical bill I recieved from getting hurt on the job in Alaska,  its over 10K so its a pain in the neck 

As of today I dont have a job to make any kind of payments  

This situation is common in North America so not that uncommon. 

Anyway thanks for reading. 

Gold update/ Delfation

 

Whats going on in gold in 2026?

Gold prices are off there all time highs, and as I write this I believe gold is 4700,00 dollars an ounce 

I believe gold prices could fall 20% but I dont think gold prices would stay down long 

I believe even if we see deflation gold prices woulnt stay low for to long because most market participants believe governments will inflate the money supply and inflate the debts away 

My opinion is we will see an deflation or disinflation event first then an government reaction to inflate away problems and then we will see if theres an economic collapse  

I believe most governments and people will assume its to dangerous to own US Dollar assets that can be siezed by the US Government and thats why there appears to be a bid under gold and possibly silver.

Its why in an inflation/deflation event many people will prefer a portion of there wealth in gold coins in there own possession in there home country or maybe a neutral country like Switzerland or Singapore or for others China or the Middle East, possibly Russia.

This is why I think despite high gold prices and silver prices could go higher and an sell off woulnt be like in the 1980s. Only time will tell.

So far it doesn't appear World Governments will not cut social spending or defense spending. It appears to be the opposite Governments will inflate and borrow and raise tax if they can to smooth over these problems. 

Just as an recent example UK has tried raising tax and I believe wants wealth tax, and people from all social classes of chosen to immigrate and the same for there capital and so far the government hasnt enacted exchange controls. 

I think people will choose to leave and continue to live in freer societys and theres little most Governments can do about it but time will tell 

This is why weather gold goes up or down money will continue to go into it and silver and BTC and even some co commodities. 

Good luck.

What are people doing to survive and prosper in these difficult times.

 

As JC would say, theres always an option. 

JC being from Retire cheap Asia, now Escape to Thailand. 

He was famous for his living on a 300 to 500 USD budget series which he got a lot of hell fot 

What I see more and more North Americans doing is living in their cars, vans and sometimes trucks. You can see there videos on YouTube on how they do it, how much they spend and how they earn income. Some even save for their (retirement abroad) and give process reports. 

I see others living off grid and doing it on there properties or wild camping,  I e en see people doing it in the UK.

Usually they live within there budget have no rent or morgage if its there property,  and then follow local regulations or not and build out a homestead or small farm, I see them doing it in AZ and im sure in other States. 

Some of these guys and gals run online business selling there products like tea or whatever they produce and usually its enough to live on and stress free.

If there business or YouTube channel takes off they save a lot and have more opportunities to do what they want onshore or off and dont have the stress of working and complying with all the rules and regulations of car ownership, healthcare costs that are rising ect.

Others like me, are living overseas in cheap locations. In the past I lived in Guatemala, Xela is where I lived. Ive also spent a lot of time in San Cristobal Delas Casas in Mexico. 

In those places I lived for between 500 to 1,000 USD a month. The costs their are cheap rents arent bad and in all prices ranges, food at the stores or markets are cheap, for fruits and vegetables and nuts fish ect 

My favorite place to live is Philippines, and probably Cambodia, with vacations to Thailand or Malaysia. 

Rents are as low as 50 bucks although i choice the 250 a month places in Cambodia. In Philippines ive paid 80 to 120 from the province to outskirts of Manila, and despite what you hear prices havent changed much in USD terms.

There was  German kid living in the Philippines for 300 a month, I think he turned his channel off but I loved watching his videos. He was disciplined and spend money on three meals a day, and rent and the rest of the time with his girlfriend having adventures. 

Not hanging out in bars drinking and supporting the families of the women he met.

What I like about the lifestyle is now theres so many ways to earn i come from Patrion or commission sales jobs to just selling covered calls or puts.

I prefer writing and consulting work and collecting monthly dividends and similiar with so called junk bond funds and ETFs with limited covered call overlays and last but not least consulting calls. 

Now with all the payments apps its easy to transfer money pay bills or collect fees from clients.

Once you leave the US a lot of your problems go away with being sued, same with taxes, Saipan a protectorate of the US i come tax is half 

A simple offshore bank account cant be easily sued or sanctionted by creditors, obviously these accounts need to be reported to uncle sam and taxes paid if owed.

Similiar with owning gold coins overseas hard for creditors to attach.  Nowdays theres many people in the US who can sue you and attach wages bank accounts ect.

All these things make living in North America difficult and expensive and more and more people are just leaving,  look at the UK .

People of all ages income and assets are leaving the UKs high cost of living and rising tax and regulations and crime which is sad to see and hear about 

Now these things are happening in Canada and the US. Luckily for us Mexico is easy to transition to same for the Philippines. 

Anyways thanks for reading and good luck. 

One way to get cheap basic health-care, in America

 

What I did in New Mexico. 

I applied to yhe cash price reduced, sliding scale baised on your income or la k of income 

All I did was give them my W2 from my last job in Alaska, which was 19K, and checked the box where I havent worked in six months. 

My visit to the clinic is 40 dollars, where as the other clinics cash price is 200, and 200 for tests, blood work ect.

So far I havent got a bill for blood work so dont know what it will be if anything, same with a urine test.

Forty dollars for a doctor's visit is reasonable at least until I run out of money.

It also feels good, to have a clinic I can go to and get basic healthcare and medication prescriptions. Nowthere many programs to get cheap prescriptions  and get it mailed to you.

If you can get on medicaid thats another way and more middle income people are doing that.

There is no easy solution for everyone but one I use when I am in North America. Its much easier and cheaper just paying cash in Asia, even Japan and Malaysia is affordable and good, not to mention Bangkok, and Manila. 

Thanks for reading.