Rickschoppers in Retiring to Thailand

[Phuketrichard]

to build a house in Thailand and not be there every single day, ( i have bult one house here and NEVER again ) is in my opinion fucking crazy

I will stick my neck out a bit here
I will bet u even money the house WILL NOT be what you thought u were getting an it will cost u more than they told you.

[rickschoppers]

Every 6 months I will be taking two weeks off and heading to Thailand to make sure the house is being finished to my liking.

I'm not trying to be funny, Rick, but having built a few houses here, I wouldn't feel comfortable not checking the progress for six days, let alone six months- you need to hire a good, trustworthy foreman/personal assistant not connected with the construction company to keep an eye on things- he'll need to both know his stuff and be willing to be an asshole if necessary- a 'greng jai' guy ain't gonna work.

I know exactly what you mean and agree. Since the house structure has been completed, there is mostly finish work, electrical with windows and doors to be done. It will be completed by a fellow I know personally and he does good work. It will be slow and not like a regular build. There still needs to be a brick fence and gate built which will be done by the BIL and a steel worker I have used in the past. My wife and BIL will be overseeing everything.

I know it is not the ideal situation, but better than most building situations where someone is trying to cut corners. They will be lucky to have the fence and gate done along with some electrical by my first visit. I appreciate both your guys comments and will show the build results on my building thread.

[phinik]

Rick, I'm hoping for the best for you especially since I am in a somewhat similar situation. I live in the U.S. and met my wife in Thailand about 10 yrs ago. After about 2 yrs and a lot of phone calls, e-mails and trips to Thailand, I got her here and we were married. The next year we brought her (3) kids here. The kids are great and we all have a good relationship so no problems there. About a year ago I decided to have a house built by her home in Issan, so when I'm no longer around (I'm 66) she would have a house that was paid for. After the building started, I decided to go there and retire since I could live so much better on soc security. Well, the time is coming closer and I've been a little apprehensive, so reading your post today has helped me. My wife has become very "Americanized", so she wasn't sure that she still wants to go, but we will, and now I'm looking forward to it. We agreed to give it 6 mos to be sure we're happy, but I think that's where I want to be.

[nigelandjan]

Good luck with it all Phinik ,, hope your house has turned out ok for you all ,, kudos for anyone like you adopting another family and making it your own

[rickschoppers]

I guess I should update everyone on what has happened since I last posted. After a slow start with the hospital, I have now been working as Director of Pharmacy for a little over 3 months and have actually been enjoying it. Being busy suits me and the money is very good as well.

I am not really sure how long I will keep doing this, but it will be at least until the house is pretty well finished. Having money to send back for the work makes things much brighter. The salmon fishing has been the best I have seen in California for decades and my freezer is now full with a couple of more weeks until the season ends.

Having been retired for 18 months has put a whole new perspective on things. I am not is a big hurry like I was the last time I was working. I know what living in Thailand is like and my feelings are that it can wait until I am ready to head back for good. My wife understands my working and being away from her and my son and that also helps my mental state.

If I have learned anything from this experience, it is to not be in a hurry to retire. As long as you are able and willing to work, that might be better than sitting in Thailand wishing you were still in your homeland making decent cash and enjoying the things you are used to. When the time comes to retire, I think everyone will realize it as long as one is not forced to retire. I am not quite ready and am glad I made the difficult decision to come back and bolster my bank account.

My perspective is probably different than most, and each person will need to decide what works for them. My only advice is DON'T BE IN A HURRY!!

[nigelandjan]

True Rick ,, allthough has to be said its horses for courses , also has to be said what level of crap your work is at.

I,m afraid in my case and many others to now in the UK ,, its work here for ni on the minimum wage £6.20p per hour and be spied on and tracked like we are like little children all day having every gear change + everything else recorded , including having our legal 46 minute break monitored ,,,,,,,, na ,,,,,, I cant wait to be able to get in a financially stable enough position , to wave goodbye to the crap for good .

Plus I have so many other interests + enjoy life as it comes to be working

As I say its not for all , but I know which way I,m going when able

[rickschoppers]

Understood Nige, and as I said, everyone's perspective will be different and I respect that. Good luck to you reaching your goal.

[Stumpy]

Good points RC and some of them many should heed before retiring and even more so if they plan on being an expat. Most the people I have known who retired just walked off the cliff into it. More out of reaction then a plan then felt trapped or got trapped. Retirement can be extremely rewarding when you planned it and get to live it but you have to do your homework like anything else.

I have enjoyed my return to the Calif but really look forward to getting on with my retirement plan. So much to go off and do. Beats the hell out of work any day. While as you said RC the money is good, you are still a slave to the day to day grind and cramming your life into weekends. I feel that here a lot. I always felt that retirement is not about "Not Working" but doing what you want on your own terms.

Enjoy your return trip back to TL

[rickschoppers]

JP, you know my situation more than most and have made your own plans which are well thought out. You are taking your time to set things up BEFORE you retire and that will pay many dividends.

It definitely helps when you have a significant other that is a Thai national who understands and participates in that plan.

[Stumpy]

I agree on all accounts RC. I was afforded a quick glance into retirement life at 48 through 51 and have made some adjustments based on that. Meeting a Thai woman along the way who has the same goals helps a ton as she has a vested interest in it all working.

As you stated, everybody has different plans and timelines. I do like working as I am contributing to the companies growth but the minute I am just a cubicle person and meeting clown then I am out. I have WAY better things I want to do. I think the only reason I have stayed this long is I am enjoying what I do and the missus is not pressing the return to TL as she knows I am having fun(of course the salary helps with that alot ). The other positive thing being here is she is working and saving her own money and sending some back home on her own terms. That is a big plus. She is thankful she is able to do this while here

I look forward to meeting up with you here or there soon. either way works well.

Keep us updated on the house progress.

[nigelandjan]

'" The missus JP ? " you gone and done it ?

All the best if you have

[rickschoppers]

Been back working a little over 4 months and the honeymoon is pretty much over. Too many regulatory agencies in California and they are smothering health care trying to make money for themselves. The hospital just went through the 3 year accreditation process and did well. Next pharmacy will have a MERP survey which is about medication error reduction and they have been giving out 30 page deficiencies to collect money from hospitals. CDPH (California Department of Public Health) is the worst and they have been to the hospital no less than 10 times since I started. They are also looking to fine hospitals to pay their salaries which is counterproductive IMO. I could talk more on this topic, but that would be an entirely different thread.

I am getting the old feeling back of wanting to retire. I could walk away tomorrow and not feel bad, but I would like to work for at least a few more months to add to my coffers. Even with all the negatives in Thailand, there are plenty of positives to counterbalance them. Just being able to wake up every morning knowing you don't have to go in to work and answer 20 million questions and address staffing issues makes me not want to go in this morning.

Is the grass always greener?

[Stumpy]

^ I feel ya RC. I left the start up company I originally joined because the founders were clueless idiots. Now at another company I am actually enjoying what I do however what I miss the most is my personal freedom to do what I want when I want.

Is the grass always greener???..Hmmmm. I think its all about balance. No one place has it all. Having options always makes it better. Just bounce back and forth where you can find a change in scenery and relax. Sure gives you a new perspective.

I am enjoying my return here(Glad I brought the missus with me) but it is wearing thin on me. Can't believe Halloween and Thanksgiving have not even happened yet and the Christmas consumerism shit is already out there in stores and on shelves. Time to line the sheeple up in herds again. I say just combine them all and Santa Claus can dress up as the Devil.

[rickschoppers]

Well, I have pulled the plug on working here in the US and will be returning to Thailand next month. Now that I am in retirement mode, the stress has diminished and the aggravation that goes along with getting up every morning to a mundane existence is gone. Even though I have walked away from a job that pays $175,000+ a year, I feel rich knowing the BS that comes with work has ended.

I still have some personal property that I will need to sell when I come back to the US in about three months, but I will take my time and not just give it away. I did enjoy my time outside of work partaking in those things I missed in Thailand. A great salmon fishing season really helped the time tick by, but work is not where it is at for me.

Do I have as much money I would have liked to have before returning? Probably not, but fuck the money and fuck going to work every day. It feels good to say that again, and I am hoping this is the final time. I have learned to never say never, but I never want to work a regular job again.

For those thinking about retirement and waiting until they have the amount of money saved that your accountant tells you should have, forget about it. You do not need more than what it takes to rent an apartment and put food and drink in your mouth. Everything else is fluff and buying "stuff" is something we are conditioned and brainwashed to do. Take a look at how much money the Thais can live on. They seem happy, for the most part, and do not require all the possessions westerners think they need.

I look forward to sitting on the porch with a cold Singha and watching the world go by.

[Marmite the Dog]

For those thinking about retirement and waiting until they have the amount of money saved that your accountant tells you should have, forget about it. You do not need more than what it takes to rent an apartment and put food and drink in your mouth. Everything else is fluff and buying "stuff" is something we are conditioned and brainwashed to do. Take a look at how much money the Thais can live on. They seem happy, for the most part, and do not require all the possessions westerners think they need.

Totally agree. You won't need to come a test ride my bike then...

[rickschoppers]

^
I would still like to say hello and at least see your new ride. Maybe we can race for green books.

[FailSafe]

For those thinking about retirement and waiting until they have the amount of money saved that your accountant tells you should have, forget about it. You do not need more than what it takes to rent an apartment and put food and drink in your mouth. Everything else is fluff and buying "stuff" is something we are conditioned and brainwashed to do. Take a look at how much money the Thais can live on. They seem happy, for the most part, and do not require all the possessions westerners think they need.

This wouldn't work for me- I need my toys and and a nice home-base- I guess I'm brain-washed, because I like my stuff.

I would also like to race for green books.

[rickschoppers]

^
I understand and if I had the money, you know I would buy a bigger bike. It is not that we need these things, but we want them to feel better. It is a western thing for sure and we all suffer from the same brainwashing. That is how our government collects taxes to pay for our excellent political system.

We could have a race course at Marmites and invite any takers but I have to tell you I have several 1st place trophies on my mantle for winning motorcycle road races.

[palexxxx]

^ Now, I could be wrong but, I don't think it is a western thing. I have heard tales of Thai women getting the sulks if the farang husband suggests that he will buy a Nissan or a Ford when only a Toyota or Honda will do to out-trump what the neighbours have just bought, and heaven forbid if it's a two door and not a four door.

[FailSafe]

^^

Of course it's a about 'wanting' over 'needing'- what else are you supposed to do with your money (if you have it) after all your basic needs and a reasonable amount of savings are taken care of? Disposable income can offer a lot of fun- that's not to say there aren't simple (free) pleasures to be enjoyed as well, but I don't think enjoying the fruits of your labor by dropping some money on pricey toys is 'brain washing'- I just found what you posted to be a bit judgmental, especially after you headed back to take a $175,000+ job and ended up a bit disillusioned by it.

I'll come up and ride/race with anybody, though.

[Marmite the Dog]

I'm sure the back would love to hand over my green book.

[rickschoppers]

^ Now, I could be wrong but, I don't think it is a western thing. I have heard tales of Thai women getting the sulks if the farang husband suggests that he will buy a Nissan or a Ford when only a Toyota or Honda will do to out-trump what the neighbours have just bought, and heaven forbid if it's a two door and not a four door.

That is only because there is a western "bank" involved. If Thais do not have a western sponsor, they seem to be pretty happy with what they have. Not to say they would like more, but they do not lust for things like westerners.

[rickschoppers]

^^

Of course it's a about 'wanting' over 'needing'- what else are you supposed to do with your money (if you have it) after all your basic needs and a reasonable amount of savings are taken care of? Disposable income can offer a lot of fun- that's not to say there aren't simple (free) pleasures to be enjoyed as well, but I don't think enjoying the fruits of your labor by dropping some money on pricey toys is 'brain washing'- I just found what you posted to be a bit judgmental, especially after you headed back to take a $175,000+ job and ended up a bit disillusioned by it.

I'll come up and ride/race with anybody, though.

Maybe a bit judgemental, yes. I came back to make some money to finish the house, not to buy more stuff. It was not my wish to work again since I thought I was retired, but I did not see an easier way. I could easily work until I die, but I prefer not to.

I was joking about the racing trophies and you would probably easily beat me in a motorcycle race since I have slowed my riding down with age.

[FailSafe]

No trophies, huh? Well, you'd probably still beat Marmite like a gong.

I'm gradually working toward a point where I'll be semi-retired in a few years (if everything goes to plan, of course- there are never any guarantees in that) where I'll hopefully still be able to buy the occasional nice toy- my happiness isn't dependent on that, but there are a couple things I like doing that can't really be done (at a certain level) cheaply. I'll admit I do get caught up in it a bit, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

[rickschoppers]

I think if you are working at something you really enjoy, that changes the entire debate. If I could find something I enjoy and can make money at it, I would probably work as long as I physically can. My profession is a good one, but does not hold my interest and I always worked to live.

When my boys were growing up, I always told them to try and find jobs that dealt with what they had an aptitude in and what they really enjoyed doing. Most do not have this choice, but if you do, it makes working much more pleasant. My oldest boy was a computer nerd when he was young and is now a programmer. My next oldest boy loved toy cars, trucks or anything with an engine and he is now a mechanical engineer working for Haliburton. My daughter is married and a house wife, which is what she enjoys. I will try and teach my youngest son the same thing when he is old enough and hope he gets into a vocation he has a talent for and enjoys doing as well.

I chose pharmacy to be my own boss, which never happened. If I had been my own boss, I probably would be more likely to work longer. As it is now, I am retired again and have no regrets.