Alright time to clear the confusion. Some maybe my fault and some of what I said taken out of context.
Forget what anyone said about what I said or didn't say. This is what I posted, straight from the horse's mouth.
It'll probably more of a coast or barista FIRE/retirement, where I won't be completely retired, but working part time and doing getting into freelance. As is I probably have enough to maintain a single, simple life, but things could change and I don't want to be caught off guard. And no matter what I always will want to be doing something that keeps me focused, more than relaxing or binging or the like.
But truth is I have a plan. And truth is it won't be quick, and it won't be quick(ETA meant to say "rich probably"), and it won't be easy, but it will be freedom. Good part is I will have both a bridge job and bridge savings to carry over until it takes over. That's just plan A. Plan B is return to states for seasonal job. Plan C puckering up and doing full time.
I'm not going to pretend I have all the answers but will always have options should one go sideways. Who knows what's going where tomorrow. Better to be adaptable than stuck on your forever setting.
Completely agree with your assessment
@ben I posted about that on my X many times. Most guys on X are pikers. They are lazy. They don't want to work. They are quitting in their 30's or 40's. Hell, I could have retired when I was 33. But it's one thing to retire when you have enough money and another when you are practically broke and can't even support a family.
It boggles my mind why a guy would lose out on his most productive years of his life and losing the power of compound interest. The truth remains the vast majority of people out there (especially men that plan on retiring to Latin America) aren't making nearly enough to fund the rest of their lives. Most don't take account meeting someone else, having kids, getting sick, etc. I've been traveling, living and working in Latin America for many decades and I have honestly NEVER seen it work out for younger guys that "retire early". Over the long run usually some life event trips them up and they all tell me they regret not working harder when they were younger
I agree that retiring early is not for everyone. I'd also say sometimes you should downshift and/or bridge into something else if you have the means, desires, and dedication to do so. Hell, take yourself for example. I believe you said you co-owned or were an executive for a healthcare company doing very well before you shifted to the real estate empire in BA. I'm sure most told you it wasn't the wisest decision and why give up what you already had going, but yet you still did it. And correct me if I'm wrong you did it when you were single, had quite a nest egg, and a long enough run way where you make sure it would work. IE timing was right, funding was right, and opportunity was right.
I'm nowhere near the level you're at, but it's more than being broke while I find my footing.
I am still amazed
@Johnny at how well your place does. I checked that location and indeed it is very very good. I love that area! I rented another unit in Mike's building. It's not the Penthouse but it will have to do! It seems like all of those units are renting very well.
Very true! That is the best line ever. You will be using that line until the end of time
@CraigM! I told that to my wife and kids and even my wife's family at the last Asado were all laughing about that and agreed with your friend. They are great because they are able to laugh at themselves. My kids are 50% American and 50% Argentine and now after I told them about what your friend said, any time they don't to do something they tell me 'Dad but I'm a lazy person from a lazy country!'
🤣🤣🤣
Wait it's not about working hard? What is smart about not being able to afford to have kids? I like your posts and I can tell you are a great guy. But as a father of kids if someone told me that they were working smart and then they told me they can't afford to have kids if they met the perfect woman then I would say you didn't work too smart after all. Do you have enough for emergencies or if you got sick? How much you retiring with? There is a long time from 40's until you die. Life is only getting more expensive. What is going on with prices should shock the hell out of you. Inflation is going to eat whatever little money you think you have saved up.
I like your posts
@FuturoBA because you come across as genuine and honest. I am honestly scared for you if you tell me you are working smart and then in the same thread you tell me you can't afford to have kids and you want to not work much in your 40s.
I was responding tongue-in-cheek to what I took as Craig cheekily saying how presumably I'd blend in - to say it in a way that would at least make me look good. AKA jokingly responding.
If I fully retired and never made another dime then yes I wouldn't be able to afford kids. But that's not I'm doing. Downshifting plus coasting or barista FIRING probably describes it better. My personal FIRE amount could cover me and downshift and barista aka 2nd likely lower paying, but more liberating job would cover the costs of anything else.
You sound like you will fit in perfectly in my country! You young, capable of work but want to stay home and want Netflix and play all day. You sound like what we call here noqui. You will fit in perfectly here
@FuturoBA! All the people want to do what you do. Be in 40s and no work. You sound like my ex boyfriend. He no want to work. He want to play online all day.
He can't afford to take me to Osaka or all the nice places. We only used my aunt's inheritance to travel. Finally I tell him to get lost!
What this mean? Barista means people that work at coffee shop. Wait. You don't want to work hard now in USA. You American right? You want to not work hard now and you want to be barista you whole life? Is right? Maybe my English is not good. I don't understand. You want to be working in coffee shop all your life?
I agree Jenn! Guys living in fantasy world! They can't afford to take care of themselves or have kids. They have no money. They want to be barista when they old man. And they think they can be picky! What kind of crazy world we live in?
@FuturoBA sound like my ex boyfriend I just got rid of. He have no money and do not want to work!
Barista FIRE is just a term, doesn't literally have to be coffee shop. Usually it's a second job, after quitting or my case downshifting, that goes towards your goal at slower pace and lower pay. The trade off is it would be a job you enjoy.
@CraigM your joke is the gift that keeps on giving! I saw your post on X! Funny! I mentioned it the other night at a party and they said that American is right. We ARE lazy! At least they can laugh about it.
@FuturoBA. Good news bad news. Good news is maybe you can come to Buenos Aires. Bad news, don't expect to date any females on ExpatsBA as they know you can't afford to take them out to a nice dinner. Ha.
Awww shucks. Don't tell Che but I kinda had a crush on her and that pretty bigote in her profile pic and I mustache her if I really sound like ex haha.
I have a daughter that is going off to college. I am scared that this generation is ruined. No one wants to work how I worked when I was young. Very depressing.
@CraigM we have to meet up. I just went to lunch with Mike in Tijuana. He showed me you and your brothers texts about Canadians coming first in line. No way! We duke it out. I can't wait to meet you in person!
But if you can afford to have a wife and kids in the USA why wouldn't you afford to have it in Argentina? Am I missing something? I admit I don't know too much about Argentina but IIRC you said you couldn't afford kids here?
But couldn't you just suck it up and work hard like most of us and retire once you can afford it? I see a lot of guys on X lately. I am somewhat new to X but I got sucked into it reading Mike's posts. I didn't realize how many losers there are out there that don't want to work and still young. Strange times.
You're right I could probably play it safe and suck it up, save and invest for the next 10 years and have enough to feel comfortable to include covering a family in BA - assuming inflation doesn't get crazy and dollar doesn't fall. It's the conservative play and I agree the logical play, but that's not for me.