Retiring Abroad Will NOT Work Out for Most - Here's Why

I run a channel about retiring abroad. I I run a channel about retiring abroad. I retired abroad myself. I obviously think retired abroad myself. I obviously think retired abroad myself. I obviously think it can be one of the best decisions a it can be one of the best decisions a it can be one of the best decisions a person makes, especially financially for person makes, especially financially for person makes, especially financially for their better years. For a lot of their better years. For a lot of their better years. For a lot of Americans, Canadians, Aussies, people Americans, Canadians, Aussies, people Americans, Canadians, Aussies, people from the UK, leaving home can be a from the UK, leaving home can be a from the UK, leaving home can be a game-changer for your cost of living and game-changer for your cost of living and game-changer for your cost of living and a literal lifesaver for the golden years a literal lifesaver for the golden years a literal lifesaver for the golden years of your retirement. So, it's a bit of your retirement. So, it's a bit of your retirement. So, it's a bit strange video for me to make cuz I'm strange video for me to make cuz I'm strange video for me to make cuz I'm going to spend basically the next 20 going to spend basically the next 20 going to spend basically the next 20 minutes telling you the five biggest minutes telling you the five biggest minutes telling you the five biggest reasons I think it's not going to work reasons I think it's not going to work reasons I think it's not going to work out for many of you, probably most of out for many of you, probably most of out for many of you, probably most of you, to retire abroad. Not because I you, to retire abroad. Not because I you, to retire abroad. Not because I don't want you to succeed, but because I don't want you to succeed, but because I don't want you to succeed, but because I want you to know all of the pitfalls and want you to know all of the pitfalls and want you to know all of the pitfalls and mistakes I see other Americans making mistakes I see other Americans making mistakes I see other Americans making when they move abroad. These are when they move abroad. These are when they move abroad. These are particular to now, 2026. They're the particular to now, 2026. They're the particular to now, 2026. They're the biggest, the stupidest, the most obvious biggest, the stupidest, the most obvious biggest, the stupidest, the most obvious ways that I've been watching people fail ways that I've been watching people fail ways that I've been watching people fail at expat life, you know, the five huge at expat life, you know, the five huge at expat life, you know, the five huge screw-ups that are real and common for screw-ups that are real and common for screw-ups that are real and common for retirees in Asia and, to be frank, are retirees in Asia and, to be frank, are retirees in Asia and, to be frank, are avoidable. So, this is the [ __ ] you avoidable. So, this is the [ __ ] you avoidable. So, this is the [ __ ] you don't think of until you're sick of it don't think of until you're sick of it don't think of until you're sick of it all and you're turning tail, return home all and you're turning tail, return home all and you're turning tail, return home from your new life abroad. And before I from your new life abroad. And before I from your new life abroad. And before I get to number five, let's be clear, I'm get to number five, let's be clear, I'm get to number five, let's be clear, I'm not being a downer. I'm making this list not being a downer. I'm making this list not being a downer. I'm making this list to help you retire abroad successfully to help you retire abroad successfully to help you retire abroad successfully cuz the truth is I don't want you to cuz the truth is I don't want you to cuz the truth is I don't want you to move abroad if you're not ready, right?

move abroad if you're not ready, right? move abroad if you're not ready, right? I want the right people to do this with I want the right people to do this with I want the right people to do this with their eyes open. I want the wrong people their eyes open. I want the wrong people their eyes open. I want the wrong people or the right people at the wrong time to or the right people at the wrong time to or the right people at the wrong time to not screw it up and not get hurt or not screw it up and not get hurt or not screw it up and not get hurt or waste all their money. A channel that waste all their money. A channel that waste all their money. A channel that only ever sells you the dream, honestly, only ever sells you the dream, honestly, only ever sells you the dream, honestly, is just not on your side. So, today I'm is just not on your side. So, today I'm is just not on your side. So, today I'm going to play the bad guy, which I kind going to play the bad guy, which I kind going to play the bad guy, which I kind of like, who tells you why people fail of like, who tells you why people fail of like, who tells you why people fail and, at the end of the day, if you still and, at the end of the day, if you still and, at the end of the day, if you still want to go, how to be better prepared want to go, how to be better prepared want to go, how to be better prepared uh than other people, ultimately. Okay, uh than other people, ultimately. Okay, uh than other people, ultimately. Okay, five reasons, in rough order of how five reasons, in rough order of how five reasons, in rough order of how often I actually see them sink people often I actually see them sink people often I actually see them sink people fail those dream-abroad, live-abroad fail those dream-abroad, live-abroad fail those dream-abroad, live-abroad lifestyles that we all want to have. lifestyles that we all want to have. lifestyles that we all want to have. Okay, number one, it's the one that Okay, number one, it's the one that Okay, number one, it's the one that sinks most people, you're running from sinks most people, you're running from sinks most people, you're running from something instead of towards something, something instead of towards something, something instead of towards something, right? Instead of being goal-based, right? Instead of being goal-based, right? Instead of being goal-based, you're being escape-based. This is the you're being escape-based. This is the you're being escape-based. This is the deepest one. It's least talked about. A deepest one. It's least talked about. A deepest one. It's least talked about. A lot of people who fantasize about lot of people who fantasize about lot of people who fantasize about retiring abroad are not actually excited retiring abroad are not actually excited retiring abroad are not actually excited about building a new life. They're about building a new life. They're about building a new life. They're exhausted by their current one. I get exhausted by their current one. I get exhausted by their current one. I get it. The job, the cost of living, the it. The job, the cost of living, the it. The job, the cost of living, the shitty politics back home, the sense shitty politics back home, the sense shitty politics back home, the sense that the deck is stacked, and move that the deck is stacked, and move that the deck is stacked, and move abroad becomes an escape hatch, the abroad becomes an escape hatch, the abroad becomes an escape hatch, the thing that will fix your feelings. I say thing that will fix your feelings. I say thing that will fix your feelings. I say it all the time, right? GTFO, don't look it all the time, right? GTFO, don't look it all the time, right? GTFO, don't look back. But, the brutal reality, the back. But, the brutal reality, the back. But, the brutal reality, the feeling of torment you want to escape feeling of torment you want to escape feeling of torment you want to escape always gets on the plane with you. If always gets on the plane with you. If always gets on the plane with you. If you're running from restlessness, you're running from restlessness, you're running from restlessness, emptiness, unhappiness that lives inside emptiness, unhappiness that lives inside emptiness, unhappiness that lives inside you, rather than in your zip code, you, rather than in your zip code, you, rather than in your zip code, you'll arrive in paradise and slowly you'll arrive in paradise and slowly you'll arrive in paradise and slowly discover you brought your torments with discover you brought your torments with discover you brought your torments with you. If you're full of inner turmoil, you. If you're full of inner turmoil, you. If you're full of inner turmoil, when you land in Da Nang and Chiang Mai, when you land in Da Nang and Chiang Mai, when you land in Da Nang and Chiang Mai, it'll come right back at you

it'll come right back at you it'll come right back at you the first sniff of typhoon or smoky the first sniff of typhoon or smoky the first sniff of typhoon or smoky season, right? The first bad date with a season, right? The first bad date with a season, right? The first bad date with a local you met on Tinder in Colombia, the local you met on Tinder in Colombia, the local you met on Tinder in Colombia, the first time you drop a scooter first time you drop a scooter first time you drop a scooter in the Co To Zur and crack your ribs, in the Co To Zur and crack your ribs, in the Co To Zur and crack your ribs, and you need health insurance and and you need health insurance and and you need health insurance and doctors and all the infrastructure you doctors and all the infrastructure you doctors and all the infrastructure you complain about back home. I've seen it complain about back home. I've seen it complain about back home. I've seen it happen a thousand times. Someone lands happen a thousand times. Someone lands happen a thousand times. Someone lands in a gorgeous city, has three wonderful in a gorgeous city, has three wonderful in a gorgeous city, has three wonderful months on their first tourist visa, and months on their first tourist visa, and months on their first tourist visa, and then the same low-grade discontent then the same low-grade discontent then the same low-grade discontent creeps back in cuz it was never about creeps back in cuz it was never about creeps back in cuz it was never about location for them. You know, better location for them. You know, better location for them. You know, better weather, improved cost of living is weather, improved cost of living is weather, improved cost of living is real, but being sick of it all and real, but being sick of it all and real, but being sick of it all and leaving behind your angst or your leaving behind your angst or your leaving behind your angst or your depression, that's a tough sell. The depression, that's a tough sell. The depression, that's a tough sell. The people who thrive are the ones who move people who thrive are the ones who move people who thrive are the ones who move toward something specifically, a life toward something specifically, a life toward something specifically, a life they actually want that they can they actually want that they can they actually want that they can describe in detail, that they're excited describe in detail, that they're excited describe in detail, that they're excited to build. More sun, more outdoor to build. More sun, more outdoor to build. More sun, more outdoor activity, better health, better value activity, better health, better value activity, better health, better value for their money, you know, long slow for their money, you know, long slow for their money, you know, long slow walks along the beach and the greenery, walks along the beach and the greenery, walks along the beach and the greenery, enjoying a morning coffee and people enjoying a morning coffee and people enjoying a morning coffee and people watching on a sidewalk cafe, not having watching on a sidewalk cafe, not having watching on a sidewalk cafe, not having to pay eight bucks for a latte with tax to pay eight bucks for a latte with tax to pay eight bucks for a latte with tax and tip. The people who struggle are the and tip. The people who struggle are the and tip. The people who struggle are the ones who know knew what they were ones who know knew what they were ones who know knew what they were leaving. Before you go, you have to be leaving. Before you go, you have to be leaving. Before you go, you have to be able to answer what you're moving able to answer what you're moving able to answer what you're moving towards, though, right? In concrete towards, though, right? In concrete towards, though, right? In concrete terms, not just what you want to get terms, not just what you want to get terms, not just what you want to get away from. If the honest answer is only, away from. If the honest answer is only, away from. If the honest answer is only, "I want out, I want away." Fix that "I want out, I want away." Fix that "I want out, I want away." Fix that first, because geography won't fix it first, because geography won't fix it first, because geography won't fix it for you, right? Okay, don't stress, for you, right? Okay, don't stress, for you, right? Okay, don't stress, though. I'm not going to leave you high though. I'm not going to leave you high though. I'm not going to leave you high and dry. This isn't a gloom video.

and dry. This isn't a gloom video. and dry. This isn't a gloom video. There's a simple test that I give to There's a simple test that I give to There's a simple test that I give to people when I talk to them, right? When people when I talk to them, right? When people when I talk to them, right? When you're setting your goals, you're setting your goals, you're setting your goals, uh not just your dreams, you can build uh not just your dreams, you can build uh not just your dreams, you can build for a future and not just an escape from for a future and not just an escape from for a future and not just an escape from the past. So, imagine your home country the past. So, imagine your home country the past. So, imagine your home country magically fixed every problem you have magically fixed every problem you have magically fixed every problem you have with it tomorrow, right? The cost of with it tomorrow, right? The cost of with it tomorrow, right? The cost of living, the politics, the job, all of living, the politics, the job, all of living, the politics, the job, all of it, except of course maybe the bad it, except of course maybe the bad it, except of course maybe the bad weather and gray architecture of weather and gray architecture of weather and gray architecture of Toronto. But seriously, would you still Toronto. But seriously, would you still Toronto. But seriously, would you still want to leave if those problems were want to leave if those problems were want to leave if those problems were fixed? fixed? fixed? If the answer is yes, you're moving If the answer is yes, you're moving If the answer is yes, you're moving towards something, right? You're eager towards something, right? You're eager towards something, right? You're eager to explore, to broaden your horizons, to to explore, to broaden your horizons, to to explore, to broaden your horizons, to learn and grow in the second half of learn and grow in the second half of learn and grow in the second half of your life, and you'll probably thrive if your life, and you'll probably thrive if your life, and you'll probably thrive if you move abroad for your entire abroad. you move abroad for your entire abroad. you move abroad for your entire abroad. But if the answer is no, right? If all But if the answer is no, right? If all But if the answer is no, right? If all the problems the problems the problems with Toronto were fixed tomorrow, and with Toronto were fixed tomorrow, and with Toronto were fixed tomorrow, and then I was like, "Ah, [ __ ] it. No, I'll then I was like, "Ah, [ __ ] it. No, I'll then I was like, "Ah, [ __ ] it. No, I'll stay in Toronto." Right? If you'd stay in Toronto." Right? If you'd stay in Toronto." Right? If you'd happily stay in a fixed-up, patched-up, happily stay in a fixed-up, patched-up, happily stay in a fixed-up, patched-up, cobbled-together version of San cobbled-together version of San cobbled-together version of San Francisco, Nashville, Seattle, whatever, Francisco, Nashville, Seattle, whatever, Francisco, Nashville, Seattle, whatever, then what you actually want is not to then what you actually want is not to then what you actually want is not to move abroad, it's just for your life to move abroad, it's just for your life to move abroad, it's just for your life to feel different. And you're hoping a feel different. And you're hoping a feel different. And you're hoping a plane ticket will do the work that plane ticket will do the work that plane ticket will do the work that ultimately only you and the place you're ultimately only you and the place you're ultimately only you and the place you're living can do, right? Sadly, it will living can do, right? Sadly, it will living can do, right? Sadly, it will not. And $2,000 and 11-hour flight not. And $2,000 and 11-hour flight not. And $2,000 and 11-hour flight between you and everything familiar and between you and everything familiar and between you and everything familiar and dear probably won't change that answer.

dear probably won't change that answer. dear probably won't change that answer. So, you got to do the work. You got to So, you got to do the work. You got to So, you got to do the work. You got to know what you're looking for. Okay, know what you're looking for. Okay, know what you're looking for. Okay, reason number two. You underestimate the reason number two. You underestimate the reason number two. You underestimate the emotional and identity transition emotional and identity transition emotional and identity transition because you only plan the money aspect. because you only plan the money aspect. because you only plan the money aspect. I love guys who come to consult calls I love guys who come to consult calls I love guys who come to consult calls with me inside the membership with with me inside the membership with with me inside the membership with spreadsheets, with banking data, with spreadsheets, with banking data, with spreadsheets, with banking data, with all all numbers prepared, because I'm all all numbers prepared, because I'm all all numbers prepared, because I'm that guy, right? I way over plan, that guy, right? I way over plan, that guy, right? I way over plan, systematize, overthink my own budget systematize, overthink my own budget systematize, overthink my own budget expenses. I have so many backups for my expenses. I have so many backups for my expenses. I have so many backups for my backups that I end up not just with backups that I end up not just with backups that I end up not just with optionality, but with too many choices, optionality, but with too many choices, optionality, but with too many choices, with a dearth, right? I am a classic with a dearth, right? I am a classic with a dearth, right? I am a classic over planner as so many other teachers over planner as so many other teachers over planner as so many other teachers and, you know, FIRE expats are. So, this and, you know, FIRE expats are. So, this and, you know, FIRE expats are. So, this is the one that blindsided me is the one that blindsided me is the one that blindsided me personally. I say it with the authority personally. I say it with the authority personally. I say it with the authority of lived experience. You can get every of lived experience. You can get every of lived experience. You can get every number right, right? The portfolio, the number right, right? The portfolio, the number right, right? The portfolio, the burn rate, the visa, the health care, burn rate, the visa, the health care, burn rate, the visa, the health care, the admin stuff, and still have a hard the admin stuff, and still have a hard the admin stuff, and still have a hard landing because you didn't plan for landing because you didn't plan for landing because you didn't plan for what's going to happen inside your own what's going to happen inside your own what's going to happen inside your own head. For most of us, a huge part of our head. For most of us, a huge part of our head. For most of us, a huge part of our identity is quietly wired into our job identity is quietly wired into our job identity is quietly wired into our job and our place. So, who am I when I'm not and our place. So, who am I when I'm not and our place. So, who am I when I'm not at my work, right? Talked about this at my work, right? Talked about this at my work, right? Talked about this before, especially right after I before, especially right after I before, especially right after I retired. Who am I when I'm 10,000 miles retired. Who am I when I'm 10,000 miles retired. Who am I when I'm 10,000 miles from everyone who's known me for decades from everyone who's known me for decades from everyone who's known me for decades in a place where I'm starting from zero in a place where I'm starting from zero in a place where I'm starting from zero socially. I'm not great at making socially. I'm not great at making socially. I'm not great at making friends. It takes me a long time, you friends. It takes me a long time, you friends. It takes me a long time, you know. Who are you know. Who are you know. Who are you when strangers can't understand you, when strangers can't understand you, when strangers can't understand you, right? When you live in a town where you right? When you live in a town where you right? When you live in a town where you don't speak the language well well or at don't speak the language well well or at don't speak the language well well or at all, whatever. Do immigrants with all, whatever. Do immigrants with all, whatever. Do immigrants with accents bother you at home because, oh accents bother you at home because, oh accents bother you at home because, oh my god, brother, you're about to be one my god, brother, you're about to be one my god, brother, you're about to be one if you actually move to Southeast Asia, if you actually move to Southeast Asia, if you actually move to Southeast Asia, you know? Do you get pissed off at you know? Do you get pissed off at you know? Do you get pissed off at [ __ ] minorities and accents and stuff

[ __ ] minorities and accents and stuff [ __ ] minorities and accents and stuff because I promise, if you move to because I promise, if you move to because I promise, if you move to Vietnam, you're going to be the only guy Vietnam, you're going to be the only guy Vietnam, you're going to be the only guy in the room who isn't Vietnamese 99.9% in the room who isn't Vietnamese 99.9% in the room who isn't Vietnamese 99.9% of the time for the rest of your life. of the time for the rest of your life. of the time for the rest of your life. You know, do you really want that? That You know, do you really want that? That You know, do you really want that? That transition is real and it's heavier than transition is real and it's heavier than transition is real and it's heavier than most people expect. Not sugar coating most people expect. Not sugar coating most people expect. Not sugar coating it. I just took a trip home to Canada, it. I just took a trip home to Canada, it. I just took a trip home to Canada, right? I'd genuinely forgotten how easy right? I'd genuinely forgotten how easy right? I'd genuinely forgotten how easy and convenient life is here in the West, and convenient life is here in the West, and convenient life is here in the West, especially for the boomers who are set especially for the boomers who are set especially for the boomers who are set up financially. Why would they leave up financially. Why would they leave up financially. Why would they leave that, right? It is absolute easy street. that, right? It is absolute easy street. that, right? It is absolute easy street. If you own a house, have a pension, and If you own a house, have a pension, and If you own a house, have a pension, and your health care locked in for life, your health care locked in for life, your health care locked in for life, you're legit being taken care of by you're legit being taken care of by you're legit being taken care of by other taxpayers now. So, don't other taxpayers now. So, don't other taxpayers now. So, don't underestimate what you've got coming underestimate what you've got coming underestimate what you've got coming regardless of what's happening in the regardless of what's happening in the regardless of what's happening in the social security in 2032. Your new life social security in 2032. Your new life social security in 2032. Your new life abroad, while it is exciting, the first abroad, while it is exciting, the first abroad, while it is exciting, the first 6 months can be genuinely disorienting, 6 months can be genuinely disorienting, 6 months can be genuinely disorienting, even when the decision is completely even when the decision is completely even when the decision is completely right. I know that from firsthand, right. I know that from firsthand, right. I know that from firsthand, right? Having relocated and lived in right? Having relocated and lived in right? Having relocated and lived in over a dozen cities and countries over a dozen cities and countries over a dozen cities and countries throughout my life and career, the throughout my life and career, the throughout my life and career, the people who fail when they retire abroad people who fail when they retire abroad people who fail when they retire abroad are the ones who treated the move purely are the ones who treated the move purely are the ones who treated the move purely as a financial event and got ambushed by as a financial event and got ambushed by as a financial event and got ambushed by the emotional and the psychological the emotional and the psychological the emotional and the psychological baggage. The people who succeed treat baggage. The people who succeed treat baggage. The people who succeed treat the identity and the social rebuild as a the identity and the social rebuild as a the identity and the social rebuild as a project, as serious as the spreadsheet, project, as serious as the spreadsheet, project, as serious as the spreadsheet, as serious as the numbers. If you plan as serious as the numbers. If you plan as serious as the numbers. If you plan the money and not the life, the money the money and not the life, the money the money and not the life, the money will be fine and you will not be. I will be fine and you will not be. I will be fine and you will not be. I think that a huge reset in the second think that a huge reset in the second think that a huge reset in the second half of life can also be a equally huge half of life can also be a equally huge half of life can also be a equally huge reward. You have to be prepared, you reward. You have to be prepared, you reward. You have to be prepared, you know, open to learning, to changing know, open to learning, to changing know, open to learning, to changing yourself,

yourself, yourself, if you want to grow, if you want to be a if you want to grow, if you want to be a if you want to grow, if you want to be a better person. I had to like literally better person. I had to like literally better person. I had to like literally completely relearn to socialize when I completely relearn to socialize when I completely relearn to socialize when I couldn't do sports and I couldn't rock couldn't do sports and I couldn't rock couldn't do sports and I couldn't rock climb anymore cuz it's the only way I climb anymore cuz it's the only way I climb anymore cuz it's the only way I knew how to make friends. You know, go knew how to make friends. You know, go knew how to make friends. You know, go to climbing gym, go to climbing wall, to climbing gym, go to climbing wall, to climbing gym, go to climbing wall, join a beer league football team. What join a beer league football team. What join a beer league football team. What do you do when you can't do that, you do you do when you can't do that, you do you do when you can't do that, you know? I do want to offer a practical know? I do want to offer a practical know? I do want to offer a practical fix. As always, I don't just want to be fix. As always, I don't just want to be fix. As always, I don't just want to be a naysayer, not just a warning, um a naysayer, not just a warning, um a naysayer, not just a warning, um because this one's definitely solvable. because this one's definitely solvable. because this one's definitely solvable. Before you go, you just build the Before you go, you just build the Before you go, you just build the skeleton of a life on the other side, skeleton of a life on the other side, skeleton of a life on the other side, right? You know what your week is going right? You know what your week is going right? You know what your week is going to contain. You're going to have one or to contain. You're going to have one or to contain. You're going to have one or two things you're going to build, you're two things you're going to build, you're two things you're going to build, you're going to learn, you're going to join, going to learn, you're going to join, going to learn, you're going to join, you're going to create, even a thread of you're going to create, even a thread of you're going to create, even a thread of a social connection before you land, an a social connection before you land, an a social connection before you land, an expat group, a class, a gym, anything expat group, a class, a gym, anything expat group, a class, a gym, anything that gives you a reason to leave the that gives you a reason to leave the that gives you a reason to leave the apartment and spend time around other apartment and spend time around other apartment and spend time around other people and faces who will recognize you people and faces who will recognize you people and faces who will recognize you and become familiar. That's a huge win. and become familiar. That's a huge win. and become familiar. That's a huge win. People who land with a plan for their People who land with a plan for their People who land with a plan for their days, their friendships, uh community, days, their friendships, uh community, days, their friendships, uh community, they can adjust in weeks instead of they can adjust in weeks instead of they can adjust in weeks instead of months or years, right? People who land months or years, right? People who land months or years, right? People who land with only a bank balance and a view can with only a bank balance and a view can with only a bank balance and a view can spend months or years adrift. Same spend months or years adrift. Same spend months or years adrift. Same money, completely different experience.

money, completely different experience. money, completely different experience. The only difference is whether they The only difference is whether they The only difference is whether they planned the life as carefully planned the life as carefully planned the life as carefully ultimately as their finances. Number ultimately as their finances. Number ultimately as their finances. Number three, so you ignore the boring three, so you ignore the boring three, so you ignore the boring logistics until they become emergencies. logistics until they become emergencies. logistics until they become emergencies. Visas, taxes, health care, you're a Visas, taxes, health care, you're a Visas, taxes, health care, you're a procrastinator. This is you, right? It's procrastinator. This is you, right? It's procrastinator. This is you, right? It's an unglamorous one and it's unglamorous an unglamorous one and it's unglamorous an unglamorous one and it's unglamorous precisely because of the stuff nobody precisely because of the stuff nobody precisely because of the stuff nobody wants to film or talk about. So, let me wants to film or talk about. So, let me wants to film or talk about. So, let me name the three that actually cause this name the three that actually cause this name the three that actually cause this failure the most often. First up, visas. failure the most often. First up, visas. failure the most often. First up, visas. A lot of the best low-cost countries do A lot of the best low-cost countries do A lot of the best low-cost countries do not have a clean, simple retirement not have a clean, simple retirement not have a clean, simple retirement visa. Vietnam, where I lived, does not visa. Vietnam, where I lived, does not visa. Vietnam, where I lived, does not have a formal retirement visa. You have a formal retirement visa. You have a formal retirement visa. You manage your status through other means manage your status through other means manage your status through other means and it requires ongoing attention. and it requires ongoing attention. and it requires ongoing attention. People who move on a tourist mindset People who move on a tourist mindset People who move on a tourist mindset then hit a wall of long-term legal then hit a wall of long-term legal then hit a wall of long-term legal residency and panic. You have to go in residency and panic. You have to go in residency and panic. You have to go in understanding the actual visa pathway, understanding the actual visa pathway, understanding the actual visa pathway, not the fantasy version. You have to not the fantasy version. You have to not the fantasy version. You have to know your worst-case scenario, not just know your worst-case scenario, not just know your worst-case scenario, not just your best-case scenario. Next up, taxes. your best-case scenario. Next up, taxes. your best-case scenario. Next up, taxes. If you're an American, you owe US taxes If you're an American, you owe US taxes If you're an American, you owe US taxes for life, no matter where you live, full for life, no matter where you live, full for life, no matter where you live, full stop. There are reporting requirements stop. There are reporting requirements stop. There are reporting requirements with brutal penalties that people with brutal penalties that people with brutal penalties that people discover too late. If you're Canadian, discover too late. If you're Canadian, discover too late. If you're Canadian, severing residency is a real process and severing residency is a real process and severing residency is a real process and there can be a departure tax on your there can be a departure tax on your there can be a departure tax on your investment that ambushes people who do investment that ambushes people who do investment that ambushes people who do not plan for it accordingly. You know, not plan for it accordingly. You know, not plan for it accordingly. You know, getting the tax picture wrong before you getting the tax picture wrong before you getting the tax picture wrong before you move can cost easily five figures and move can cost easily five figures and move can cost easily five figures and worse, years of cleanup and pain in the worse, years of cleanup and pain in the worse, years of cleanup and pain in the ass. Health care, the one everyone's ass. Health care, the one everyone's ass. Health care, the one everyone's concerned about. You know, routine care concerned about. You know, routine care concerned about. You know, routine care in Ho Chi Minh City is excellent and in Ho Chi Minh City is excellent and in Ho Chi Minh City is excellent and cheap, but you need a real plan for the cheap, but you need a real plan for the cheap, but you need a real plan for the serious stuff. You know, good serious stuff. You know, good serious stuff. You know, good international insurance, a clear idea of international insurance, a clear idea of international insurance, a clear idea of where you go for a major medical event.

where you go for a major medical event. where you go for a major medical event. People who wing this are one accident People who wing this are one accident People who wing this are one accident away from a crisis and failure. I use away from a crisis and failure. I use away from a crisis and failure. I use SafetyWing Nomad Complete Insurance, SafetyWing Nomad Complete Insurance, SafetyWing Nomad Complete Insurance, which is linked below or in the QR on which is linked below or in the QR on which is linked below or in the QR on screen. I definitely recommend price screen. I definitely recommend price screen. I definitely recommend price comparing it for your own coverage, but comparing it for your own coverage, but comparing it for your own coverage, but it depends on things like age, etc., it depends on things like age, etc., it depends on things like age, etc., past concerns. None of these ultimately past concerns. None of these ultimately past concerns. None of these ultimately are deal breakers. All of them are are deal breakers. All of them are are deal breakers. All of them are handleable, but they have to be handled handleable, but they have to be handled handleable, but they have to be handled before you go, deliberately. And the before you go, deliberately. And the before you go, deliberately. And the people who fail are the ones who treat people who fail are the ones who treat people who fail are the ones who treat these things as details to sort out these things as details to sort out these things as details to sort out later, tomorrow, right? The detail later, tomorrow, right? The detail later, tomorrow, right? The detail becomes the emergency if you ignore it. becomes the emergency if you ignore it. becomes the emergency if you ignore it. So, let me give you the single most So, let me give you the single most So, let me give you the single most common version of this I see. Someone common version of this I see. Someone common version of this I see. Someone moves on a tourist visa, fine, has a moves on a tourist visa, fine, has a moves on a tourist visa, fine, has a wonderful few months, great, and then wonderful few months, great, and then wonderful few months, great, and then starts seriously investigating how to starts seriously investigating how to starts seriously investigating how to stay long-term and discovers the pathway stay long-term and discovers the pathway stay long-term and discovers the pathway is more complicated or nuanced, more is more complicated or nuanced, more is more complicated or nuanced, more expensive, or more uncertain than they expensive, or more uncertain than they expensive, or more uncertain than they assumed, right as their initial entry is assumed, right as their initial entry is assumed, right as their initial entry is running out, of course, and they also running out, of course, and they also running out, of course, and they also overspent their original monthly overspent their original monthly overspent their original monthly expenses because of the lifestyle creep expenses because of the lifestyle creep expenses because of the lifestyle creep of a permanent vacation ate away a few of a permanent vacation ate away a few of a permanent vacation ate away a few extra thousand dollars. Now, extra thousand dollars. Now, extra thousand dollars. Now, you're stressed, you're making a you're stressed, you're making a you're stressed, you're making a high-stakes legal decision under time high-stakes legal decision under time high-stakes legal decision under time pressure in a country whose system you pressure in a country whose system you pressure in a country whose system you don't fully understand, you don't get don't fully understand, you don't get don't fully understand, you don't get the language, and this is the worst the language, and this is the worst the language, and this is the worst possible condition to make decisions, possible condition to make decisions, possible condition to make decisions, right? It's the exact same problem right? It's the exact same problem right? It's the exact same problem research calmly 6 months before the move research calmly 6 months before the move research calmly 6 months before the move turns into just a simple item on your turns into just a simple item on your turns into just a simple item on your checklist, right? Timing turns the checklist, right? Timing turns the checklist, right? Timing turns the identical issue from a checkbox into a identical issue from a checkbox into a identical issue from a checkbox into a crisis, and the only variable is whether crisis, and the only variable is whether crisis, and the only variable is whether you did the boring work early and you did the boring work early and you did the boring work early and prepared, had a plan, or procrastinated, prepared, had a plan, or procrastinated, prepared, had a plan, or procrastinated, were lazy, etc., etc. If you don't know,

were lazy, etc., etc. If you don't know, were lazy, etc., etc. If you don't know, that is actually honestly the best pitch that is actually honestly the best pitch that is actually honestly the best pitch for my membership, the consultation for my membership, the consultation for my membership, the consultation stuff I do, so let me restate it stuff I do, so let me restate it stuff I do, so let me restate it clearly. Everything I just described, clearly. Everything I just described, clearly. Everything I just described, the visa, the pathways, the tax plan, the visa, the pathways, the tax plan, the visa, the pathways, the tax plan, the healthcare setup, the the healthcare setup, the the healthcare setup, the country-by-country cost reality, is country-by-country cost reality, is country-by-country cost reality, is exactly what my field guides and the exactly what my field guides and the exactly what my field guides and the live Q&A sessions inside my cost of live Q&A sessions inside my cost of live Q&A sessions inside my cost of living abroad membership exist to living abroad membership exist to living abroad membership exist to de-risk for you, right? Not to sell you de-risk for you, right? Not to sell you de-risk for you, right? Not to sell you a dream, to keep the dream from failing a dream, to keep the dream from failing a dream, to keep the dream from failing on a logistical problem you didn't see on a logistical problem you didn't see on a logistical problem you didn't see coming. coming. coming. The DIY tier, you can do it yourself, The DIY tier, you can do it yourself, The DIY tier, you can do it yourself, research yourself, guided or full research yourself, guided or full research yourself, guided or full service tiers, if you want to put your service tiers, if you want to put your service tiers, if you want to put your specific situation in front of me in a specific situation in front of me in a specific situation in front of me in a live call, they all exist, they're live call, they all exist, they're live call, they all exist, they're linked in the video description, linked in the video description, linked in the video description, or accessible by QR code on screen. or accessible by QR code on screen. or accessible by QR code on screen. Okay. Next up is reason number four that Okay. Next up is reason number four that Okay. Next up is reason number four that retiring abroad won't work for you. retiring abroad won't work for you. retiring abroad won't work for you. You'll fail, you'll screw it up, you'll You'll fail, you'll screw it up, you'll You'll fail, you'll screw it up, you'll mess it up this year. Your family mess it up this year. Your family mess it up this year. Your family situation, okay? Genuinely does not situation, okay? Genuinely does not situation, okay? Genuinely does not allow it, but you push it, you force it, allow it, but you push it, you force it, allow it, but you push it, you force it, you try to do it anyways. I read this in you try to do it anyways. I read this in you try to do it anyways. I read this in emails all the time. I don't want to emails all the time. I don't want to emails all the time. I don't want to share everyone's personal story here. share everyone's personal story here. share everyone's personal story here. It's not a failure of planning or of It's not a failure of planning or of It's not a failure of planning or of nerve, right? Sometimes the honest nerve, right? Sometimes the honest nerve, right? Sometimes the honest answer is just no. And the people who answer is just no. And the people who answer is just no. And the people who get hurt are the ones who cannot accept get hurt are the ones who cannot accept get hurt are the ones who cannot accept a legitimate no. They just can't deal a legitimate no. They just can't deal a legitimate no. They just can't deal with the fact that it's not the right with the fact that it's not the right with the fact that it's not the right time for them. I've been spending the time for them. I've been spending the time for them. I've been spending the last couple weeks with my parents.

last couple weeks with my parents. last couple weeks with my parents. They're getting up there, right? We're They're getting up there, right? We're They're getting up there, right? We're entering new territory, over 80, aunts, entering new territory, over 80, aunts, entering new territory, over 80, aunts, uncles, everyone in their generation is uncles, everyone in their generation is uncles, everyone in their generation is losing mobility, losing functions, and losing mobility, losing functions, and losing mobility, losing functions, and soon will be ending their goes around soon will be ending their goes around soon will be ending their goes around the sun. For better or worse, it's going the sun. For better or worse, it's going the sun. For better or worse, it's going to happen. Trust me, I get it. If you to happen. Trust me, I get it. If you to happen. Trust me, I get it. If you have aging parents who need you have aging parents who need you have aging parents who need you physically present, being a day's travel physically present, being a day's travel physically present, being a day's travel away, 2 days is a real cost. For some away, 2 days is a real cost. For some away, 2 days is a real cost. For some people, it is simply too high. Full people, it is simply too high. Full people, it is simply too high. Full stop, you know? Likewise, if you're an stop, you know? Likewise, if you're an stop, you know? Likewise, if you're an empty nester, but have children and empty nester, but have children and empty nester, but have children and grandchildren whose daily lives you want grandchildren whose daily lives you want grandchildren whose daily lives you want to be in regularly, I get it. Distance to be in regularly, I get it. Distance to be in regularly, I get it. Distance is not a light item you can optimize is not a light item you can optimize is not a light item you can optimize away. I'm visiting nephews and nieces away. I'm visiting nephews and nieces away. I'm visiting nephews and nieces who are 5 years older, 10 years older who are 5 years older, 10 years older who are 5 years older, 10 years older than the last time I saw them. That's It than the last time I saw them. That's It than the last time I saw them. That's It sucks. It is what it is, right? It's a sucks. It is what it is, right? It's a sucks. It is what it is, right? It's a trade-off. Uh the third one I personally trade-off. Uh the third one I personally trade-off. Uh the third one I personally dealt with before my last major breakup dealt with before my last major breakup dealt with before my last major breakup a decade ago when I moved to Vietnam. If a decade ago when I moved to Vietnam. If a decade ago when I moved to Vietnam. If your spouse is genuinely not on board, your spouse is genuinely not on board, your spouse is genuinely not on board, and I man, I literally read an email and I man, I literally read an email and I man, I literally read an email about this this morning. I mean, like about this this morning. I mean, like about this this morning. I mean, like actually on board, not reluctantly actually on board, not reluctantly actually on board, not reluctantly tagging along on the ride of your tagging along on the ride of your tagging along on the ride of your adventure, moving abroad will put a adventure, moving abroad will put a adventure, moving abroad will put a strain on the relationship that nice strain on the relationship that nice strain on the relationship that nice weather is not going to fix. Trust me, weather is not going to fix. Trust me, weather is not going to fix. Trust me, you do not want to be dealing with a you do not want to be dealing with a you do not want to be dealing with a divorce and the fallout of a failed divorce and the fallout of a failed divorce and the fallout of a failed relationship via email and FaceTime. It relationship via email and FaceTime. It relationship via email and FaceTime. It sucks. It is slow. It is agonizing. It sucks. It is slow. It is agonizing. It sucks. It is slow. It is agonizing. It will, I promise, drag on for at least a will, I promise, drag on for at least a will, I promise, drag on for at least a year or two and put you through the year or two and put you through the year or two and put you through the wringer. So, I'm not going to sit here wringer. So, I'm not going to sit here wringer. So, I'm not going to sit here and tell the geo arbitrage math beats and tell the geo arbitrage math beats and tell the geo arbitrage math beats your family. It doesn't. It shouldn't.

your family. It doesn't. It shouldn't. your family. It doesn't. It shouldn't. Uh the math's really powerful. The Uh the math's really powerful. The Uh the math's really powerful. The financial stuff is true, but it's an financial stuff is true, but it's an financial stuff is true, but it's an input in your decision. It's not the input in your decision. It's not the input in your decision. It's not the whole decision, right? The people who whole decision, right? The people who whole decision, right? The people who fail when they move abroad are the ones fail when they move abroad are the ones fail when they move abroad are the ones who often let the seductive numbers who often let the seductive numbers who often let the seductive numbers override and deafen out a family reality override and deafen out a family reality override and deafen out a family reality that's telling them the truth, right? If that's telling them the truth, right? If that's telling them the truth, right? If your life genuinely requires you to your life genuinely requires you to your life genuinely requires you to stay, staying isn't losing. Forcing a stay, staying isn't losing. Forcing a stay, staying isn't losing. Forcing a move your life cannot absorb is actually move your life cannot absorb is actually move your life cannot absorb is actually a loss cuz it'll come back and get you. a loss cuz it'll come back and get you. a loss cuz it'll come back and get you. Uh and I want to add some honest nuance Uh and I want to add some honest nuance Uh and I want to add some honest nuance here because family is not always a hard here because family is not always a hard here because family is not always a hard no. Sometimes it's a negotiation into a no. Sometimes it's a negotiation into a no. Sometimes it's a negotiation into a mini retirement distance that can be mini retirement distance that can be mini retirement distance that can be managed with enough intentional flights managed with enough intentional flights managed with enough intentional flights home, enough video calls, enough home, enough video calls, enough home, enough video calls, enough planning to be present for the planning to be present for the planning to be present for the moments that actually matter. Some moments that actually matter. Some moments that actually matter. Some families are genuinely fine with a families are genuinely fine with a families are genuinely fine with a parent living abroad parent living abroad parent living abroad who visits often and is a call away. You who visits often and is a call away. You who visits often and is a call away. You know, for some of you this might mean know, for some of you this might mean know, for some of you this might mean Panama is the better choice than Panama is the better choice than Panama is the better choice than Vietnam. You know, it's up to you. Vietnam. You know, it's up to you. Vietnam. You know, it's up to you. Honestly, I would not ever rule out Honestly, I would not ever rule out Honestly, I would not ever rule out moving back to Mexico or going to moving back to Mexico or going to moving back to Mexico or going to somewhere somewhere somewhere that was a shorter flight abroad from that was a shorter flight abroad from that was a shorter flight abroad from home if someone back home needed my home if someone back home needed my home if someone back home needed my care. You know, it could happen. Uh it care. You know, it could happen. Uh it care. You know, it could happen. Uh it can hurt though. I spent five to six can hurt though. I spent five to six can hurt though. I spent five to six months' worth of my living expenses months' worth of my living expenses months' worth of my living expenses budgeting for a single month-long visit budgeting for a single month-long visit budgeting for a single month-long visit home to family and friends this year.

home to family and friends this year. home to family and friends this year. It's a huge trade-off for our family, It's a huge trade-off for our family, It's a huge trade-off for our family, but I want my kids to remember their but I want my kids to remember their but I want my kids to remember their grandparents. So, it's a non-negotiable grandparents. So, it's a non-negotiable grandparents. So, it's a non-negotiable for me, right? We make it work. Not for me, right? We make it work. Not for me, right? We make it work. Not three times a year at Thanksgiving, three times a year at Thanksgiving, three times a year at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer holidays, Christmas, and summer holidays, Christmas, and summer holidays, uh but once every two or three years, uh but once every two or three years, uh but once every two or three years, we're going to visit. we're going to visit. we're going to visit. My parents, my in-laws are going to fly My parents, my in-laws are going to fly My parents, my in-laws are going to fly out to Vietnam, etc., right? The failure out to Vietnam, etc., right? The failure out to Vietnam, etc., right? The failure is like not I have a family. The failure is like not I have a family. The failure is like not I have a family. The failure is not having the honest conversation, is not having the honest conversation, is not having the honest conversation, not planning, assuming everyone is just not planning, assuming everyone is just not planning, assuming everyone is just fine when they're not or overriding a fine when they're not or overriding a fine when they're not or overriding a partner or a parent who's quietly partner or a parent who's quietly partner or a parent who's quietly telling you this will cost too much for telling you this will cost too much for telling you this will cost too much for you and them emotionally. So, you got to you and them emotionally. So, you got to you and them emotionally. So, you got to have the real conversation out loud have the real conversation out loud have the real conversation out loud before you go. before you go. before you go. The answer might be yes, but with The answer might be yes, but with The answer might be yes, but with conditions, right? It might be not yet. conditions, right? It might be not yet. conditions, right? It might be not yet. It might be no. All three of them are It might be no. All three of them are It might be no. All three of them are survivable. The unsurvivable one is survivable. The unsurvivable one is survivable. The unsurvivable one is finding out after you've already gone or finding out after you've already gone or finding out after you've already gone or losing trust and love and relationship losing trust and love and relationship losing trust and love and relationship because you didn't ultimately listen to because you didn't ultimately listen to because you didn't ultimately listen to each other. Number five, this one sounds each other. Number five, this one sounds each other. Number five, this one sounds way more simple, but there are a lot of way more simple, but there are a lot of way more simple, but there are a lot of you who are totally clueless [snorts] you who are totally clueless [snorts] you who are totally clueless [snorts] when it comes to finances. It's not your when it comes to finances. It's not your when it comes to finances. It's not your fault, they don't teach this stuff in fault, they don't teach this stuff in fault, they don't teach this stuff in school, God knows why, but you know, I school, God knows why, but you know, I school, God knows why, but you know, I was a teacher for nearly two decades and was a teacher for nearly two decades and was a teacher for nearly two decades and most of this financial know-how and good most of this financial know-how and good most of this financial know-how and good money math just isn't in the curriculum.

money math just isn't in the curriculum. money math just isn't in the curriculum. So, number five is is simple but very So, number five is is simple but very So, number five is is simple but very costly. You do your money math wrong. costly. You do your money math wrong. costly. You do your money math wrong. People do it all the time, right? People do it all the time, right? People do it all the time, right? They're being too optimistic on They're being too optimistic on They're being too optimistic on budgeting their monthly expenses, too budgeting their monthly expenses, too budgeting their monthly expenses, too casual on currency slippage, long-term casual on currency slippage, long-term casual on currency slippage, long-term savings and investment rates that they savings and investment rates that they savings and investment rates that they don't quite understand, too high risk. don't quite understand, too high risk. don't quite understand, too high risk. After all the emotional and family After all the emotional and family After all the emotional and family reasons, let me end on the financial one reasons, let me end on the financial one reasons, let me end on the financial one because it does sink people. Just less because it does sink people. Just less because it does sink people. Just less often than others. There are a few often than others. There are a few often than others. There are a few specific ways that I see the math going specific ways that I see the math going specific ways that I see the math going wrong usually. The big one is just wrong usually. The big one is just wrong usually. The big one is just lifestyle inflation. lifestyle inflation. lifestyle inflation. You spend too much. People move You spend too much. People move You spend too much. People move somewhere cheap and then slowly recreate somewhere cheap and then slowly recreate somewhere cheap and then slowly recreate an expensive Western lifestyle inside an expensive Western lifestyle inside an expensive Western lifestyle inside it, right? Imported groceries, Western it, right? Imported groceries, Western it, right? Imported groceries, Western restaurants every night, drinking restaurants every night, drinking restaurants every night, drinking non-stop, luxury expat apartments, the non-stop, luxury expat apartments, the non-stop, luxury expat apartments, the constant travel, and they're shocked constant travel, and they're shocked constant travel, and they're shocked when their cheap country isn't cheap when their cheap country isn't cheap when their cheap country isn't cheap anymore, right? I know there's plenty of anymore, right? I know there's plenty of anymore, right? I know there's plenty of people still doing Thailand cheap AF. people still doing Thailand cheap AF. people still doing Thailand cheap AF. You know those guys who've been out You know those guys who've been out You know those guys who've been out there for decades? I see you. there for decades? I see you. there for decades? I see you. But there's also plenty of people who But there's also plenty of people who But there's also plenty of people who show up now and spend thousands more a show up now and spend thousands more a show up now and spend thousands more a month than they thought they would. month than they thought they would. month than they thought they would. Latin America, Southeast Asia, parts of Latin America, Southeast Asia, parts of Latin America, Southeast Asia, parts of Eastern Europe, they're all cheap if you Eastern Europe, they're all cheap if you Eastern Europe, they're all cheap if you live the way the math assumes, but live the way the math assumes, but live the way the math assumes, but nowhere isn't cheap if you import your nowhere isn't cheap if you import your nowhere isn't cheap if you import your old cost structure and you overspend and old cost structure and you overspend and old cost structure and you overspend and you're reckless, right? I have a whole you're reckless, right? I have a whole you're reckless, right? I have a whole video on how the budget quietly doubles video on how the budget quietly doubles video on how the budget quietly doubles if you're not paying attention, which I if you're not paying attention, which I if you're not paying attention, which I can link at the end, but the mechanism can link at the end, but the mechanism can link at the end, but the mechanism is sneaky because every individual is sneaky because every individual is sneaky because every individual decision feels reasonable along the way, decision feels reasonable along the way, decision feels reasonable along the way, right? The nicer apartment, only a right? The nicer apartment, only a right? The nicer apartment, only a couple hundred bucks, that's nothing.

couple hundred bucks, that's nothing. couple hundred bucks, that's nothing. Western brunch is only $12, again, Western brunch is only $12, again, Western brunch is only $12, again, nothing. Car service instead of nothing. Car service instead of nothing. Car service instead of motorbike, only a few dollars a ride, motorbike, only a few dollars a ride, motorbike, only a few dollars a ride, nothing. None of them feel like nothing. None of them feel like nothing. None of them feel like overspending in the actual moment cuz overspending in the actual moment cuz overspending in the actual moment cuz you're comparing each one to what it you're comparing each one to what it you're comparing each one to what it would cost back home, where it would would cost back home, where it would would cost back home, where it would still be a bargain, but you're not still be a bargain, but you're not still be a bargain, but you're not living back home anymore, right? You're living back home anymore, right? You're living back home anymore, right? You're living against a local budget. And five living against a local budget. And five living against a local budget. And five reasonable upgrades stacked into a burn reasonable upgrades stacked into a burn reasonable upgrades stacked into a burn rate that can be double what you rate that can be double what you rate that can be double what you planned. Now, the cheap country you move planned. Now, the cheap country you move planned. Now, the cheap country you move to is not solving the problem you moved to is not solving the problem you moved to is not solving the problem you moved to solve, i.e., getting better value for to solve, i.e., getting better value for to solve, i.e., getting better value for your dollar and increasing your your dollar and increasing your your dollar and increasing your purchasing power through geoarbitrage. purchasing power through geoarbitrage. purchasing power through geoarbitrage. It's very simple, right? You budget for It's very simple, right? You budget for It's very simple, right? You budget for 1,200 a month, you spend 2,400. The 1,200 a month, you spend 2,400. The 1,200 a month, you spend 2,400. The discipline is not about deprivation, it discipline is not about deprivation, it discipline is not about deprivation, it is about comparing your spending to your is about comparing your spending to your is about comparing your spending to your monthly budget instead of to the prices monthly budget instead of to the prices monthly budget instead of to the prices you left behind, okay? Currency is the you left behind, okay? Currency is the you left behind, okay? Currency is the second one. People don't think about second one. People don't think about second one. People don't think about this at all. If your home currency this at all. If your home currency this at all. If your home currency weakens against local currency over a weakens against local currency over a weakens against local currency over a long retirement, your purchasing power long retirement, your purchasing power long retirement, your purchasing power shifts. That's a real risk, especially shifts. That's a real risk, especially shifts. That's a real risk, especially for Canadians and Australians.

for Canadians and Australians. for Canadians and Australians. This has happened to some people in This has happened to some people in This has happened to some people in Thailand, whose currency swung more than Thailand, whose currency swung more than Thailand, whose currency swung more than the US dollar. It is manageable, but you the US dollar. It is manageable, but you the US dollar. It is manageable, but you just have to have some boring habits, just have to have some boring habits, just have to have some boring habits, right? People who never think about it right? People who never think about it right? People who never think about it can get squeezed years down the line. can get squeezed years down the line. can get squeezed years down the line. The long-term here is the third issue. The long-term here is the third issue. The long-term here is the third issue. Costs in these countries will rise over Costs in these countries will rise over Costs in these countries will rise over the decades. They have a very long way the decades. They have a very long way the decades. They have a very long way to go before they catch the West, but a to go before they catch the West, but a to go before they catch the West, but a 30-year plan that assumes today's prices 30-year plan that assumes today's prices 30-year plan that assumes today's prices forever is a plan with no margin. You forever is a plan with no margin. You forever is a plan with no margin. You have to build in a cushion, right? You have to build in a cushion, right? You have to build in a cushion, right? You have to know where your income and your have to know where your income and your have to know where your income and your growth comes from and how to prevent growth comes from and how to prevent growth comes from and how to prevent inflation slowly and deadly creeping up inflation slowly and deadly creeping up inflation slowly and deadly creeping up on your cash and killing your on your cash and killing your on your cash and killing your retirement. None of these break my core retirement. None of these break my core retirement. None of these break my core thesis of moving abroad and retiring thesis of moving abroad and retiring thesis of moving abroad and retiring abroad early to improve your quality of abroad early to improve your quality of abroad early to improve your quality of life. life. life. A low-cost country still dramatically A low-cost country still dramatically A low-cost country still dramatically lowers your retirement number, but lowers your retirement number, but lowers your retirement number, but ultimately, these last three money ultimately, these last three money ultimately, these last three money mistakes can break the retirements of mistakes can break the retirements of mistakes can break the retirements of people who did the math too people who did the math too people who did the math too optimistically and left themselves no optimistically and left themselves no optimistically and left themselves no wiggle room. Think about 2032 again and wiggle room. Think about 2032 again and wiggle room. Think about 2032 again and the cuts that might be coming to social the cuts that might be coming to social the cuts that might be coming to social security. The fix isn't to abandon the security. The fix isn't to abandon the security. The fix isn't to abandon the plan, it is to run the numbers honestly plan, it is to run the numbers honestly plan, it is to run the numbers honestly and conservatively with a buffer instead and conservatively with a buffer instead and conservatively with a buffer instead of using the rosiest possible number to of using the rosiest possible number to of using the rosiest possible number to figure out everything, right? Use the figure out everything, right? Use the figure out everything, right? Use the higher end of every cost estimate, higher end of every cost estimate, higher end of every cost estimate, assume some currency movement against assume some currency movement against assume some currency movement against you, look at worst-case scenarios, you, look at worst-case scenarios, you, look at worst-case scenarios, assume prices rise over decades, build assume prices rise over decades, build assume prices rise over decades, build your plans so it works even if several your plans so it works even if several your plans so it works even if several things go mildly wrong at once.

things go mildly wrong at once. things go mildly wrong at once. Give over a 30-year retirement, several Give over a 30-year retirement, several Give over a 30-year retirement, several things going mildly wrong at once is not things going mildly wrong at once is not things going mildly wrong at once is not a worst-case scenario, it's just a a worst-case scenario, it's just a a worst-case scenario, it's just a Tuesday you planned for, bro. And a plan Tuesday you planned for, bro. And a plan Tuesday you planned for, bro. And a plan that only works if everything breaks in that only works if everything breaks in that only works if everything breaks in your favor isn't a plan, it's a hope, your favor isn't a plan, it's a hope, your favor isn't a plan, it's a hope, it's a prayer, it's a dream, right? The it's a prayer, it's a dream, right? The it's a prayer, it's a dream, right? The beautiful part is that even after you beautiful part is that even after you beautiful part is that even after you pad every number pessimistically, the pad every number pessimistically, the pad every number pessimistically, the low-cost country math still wins by a low-cost country math still wins by a low-cost country math still wins by a mile compared to a Florida retirement. mile compared to a Florida retirement. mile compared to a Florida retirement. You just need to stop betting your You just need to stop betting your You just need to stop betting your retirement and start planning your retirement and start planning your retirement and start planning your retirement. Five biggest reasons not to retirement. Five biggest reasons not to retirement. Five biggest reasons not to FIRE abroad in 2026. Five, you're FIRE abroad in 2026. Five, you're FIRE abroad in 2026. Five, you're running from something instead of moving running from something instead of moving running from something instead of moving toward it. Four, you planned the money toward it. Four, you planned the money toward it. Four, you planned the money and not the identity part. Three, you and not the identity part. Three, you and not the identity part. Three, you ignored the boring logistics until they ignored the boring logistics until they ignored the boring logistics until they became emergencies. Two, your family became emergencies. Two, your family became emergencies. Two, your family situation genuinely said no and you situation genuinely said no and you situation genuinely said no and you forced it anyways. Or one, the math forced it anyways. Or one, the math forced it anyways. Or one, the math wrong with your rose-colored glasses and wrong with your rose-colored glasses and wrong with your rose-colored glasses and not with a calculator. Every one of not with a calculator. Every one of not with a calculator. Every one of these is real. Every one of these is a these is real. Every one of these is a these is real. Every one of these is a way I've watched new expats failed and way I've watched new expats failed and way I've watched new expats failed and [ __ ] it up myself. And notice what [ __ ] it up myself. And notice what [ __ ] it up myself. And notice what they all have in common. Not one of them they all have in common. Not one of them they all have in common. Not one of them is the whole idea is a scam or it never is the whole idea is a scam or it never is the whole idea is a scam or it never works. They're all just failures of works. They're all just failures of works. They're all just failures of preparation, honesty, or social and preparation, honesty, or social and preparation, honesty, or social and emotional fit, which means they're emotional fit, which means they're emotional fit, which means they're almost all avoidable by the specific almost all avoidable by the specific almost all avoidable by the specific person who does the real work honestly person who does the real work honestly person who does the real work honestly in advance. That is the actual message in advance. That is the actual message in advance. That is the actual message of this video. Retiring abroad is not a of this video. Retiring abroad is not a of this video. Retiring abroad is not a fantasy and it's not a scam. It is a fantasy and it's not a scam. It is a fantasy and it's not a scam. It is a real geoarbitrage strategy and life real geoarbitrage strategy and life real geoarbitrage strategy and life reset in your second half that works reset in your second half that works reset in your second half that works extraordinarily well for the right extraordinarily well for the right extraordinarily well for the right person who prepares properly and fails person who prepares properly and fails person who prepares properly and fails predictably for the wrong person who

predictably for the wrong person who predictably for the wrong person who comes unprepared. I'm not here to talk comes unprepared. I'm not here to talk comes unprepared. I'm not here to talk you into it, but I can honestly help you you into it, but I can honestly help you you into it, but I can honestly help you figure it out and which one of these figure it out and which one of these figure it out and which one of these people you are. If you're the right people you are. If you're the right people you are. If you're the right person, I can help you. If you're the person, I can help you. If you're the person, I can help you. If you're the wrong person, I might be able to warn wrong person, I might be able to warn wrong person, I might be able to warn you. Regardless, comment news if you you. Regardless, comment news if you you. Regardless, comment news if you want to get involved. I'll send you the want to get involved. I'll send you the want to get involved. I'll send you the newsletter where I keep everything newsletter where I keep everything newsletter where I keep everything straight, send you weekly updates, straight, send you weekly updates, straight, send you weekly updates, what's going on in the membership, what's going on in the membership, what's going on in the membership, guides, consultations, etc. It's also guides, consultations, etc. It's also guides, consultations, etc. It's also linked below in the video description. linked below in the video description. linked below in the video description. I'm having a retired early in Vietnam. I'm having a retired early in Vietnam. I'm having a retired early in Vietnam. You watch this video on my portfolio, You watch this video on my portfolio, You watch this video on my portfolio, the dividends, etc., my financial plan, the dividends, etc., my financial plan, the dividends, etc., my financial plan, or you can watch this video or you can watch this video or you can watch this video on some of the best places to retire on some of the best places to retire on some of the best places to retire early abroad right now.