I can't move home

My social security isn't enough to go My social security isn't enough to go home. I flew back to the United States, home. I flew back to the United States, home. I flew back to the United States, not for a vacation, not to visit family, not for a vacation, not to visit family, not for a vacation, not to visit family, just to do paperwork. I needed to red just to do paperwork. I needed to red just to do paperwork. I needed to red renew my driver's license. That's it. renew my driver's license. That's it. renew my driver's license. That's it. And this new real ID that's required, a And this new real ID that's required, a And this new real ID that's required, a piece of plastic with my face on it, and piece of plastic with my face on it, and piece of plastic with my face on it, and here's what that cost me. Round trip, here's what that cost me. Round trip, here's what that cost me. Round trip, $1,700 for airfare. hotel, the cheapest $1,700 for airfare. hotel, the cheapest $1,700 for airfare. hotel, the cheapest one I could find, not in a great part of one I could find, not in a great part of one I could find, not in a great part of the city, 900 bucks for 11 days. And the city, 900 bucks for 11 days. And the city, 900 bucks for 11 days. And while I was there, I looked up apartment while I was there, I looked up apartment while I was there, I looked up apartment rentals just out of curiosity. rentals just out of curiosity. rentals just out of curiosity. The going rate for apartments right now The going rate for apartments right now The going rate for apartments right now is $1,800 a month for one-bedroom is $1,800 a month for one-bedroom is $1,800 a month for one-bedroom apartments. Now, here's the number I apartments. Now, here's the number I apartments. Now, here's the number I want you to hold in your head. My social want you to hold in your head. My social want you to hold in your head. My social security check, if I took it today, security check, if I took it today, security check, if I took it today, which I'm not. I'm waiting until I'm 70 which I'm not. I'm waiting until I'm 70 which I'm not. I'm waiting until I'm 70 would be around $2,000 bucks. $2,000 a would be around $2,000 bucks. $2,000 a would be around $2,000 bucks. $2,000 a month. My entire check gone just on rent month. My entire check gone just on rent month. My entire check gone just on rent if I were in my home country before if I were in my home country before if I were in my home country before food, before utilities, before a car, food, before utilities, before a car, food, before utilities, before a car, before anything that makes life worth before anything that makes life worth before anything that makes life worth living in the United States. I couldn't living in the United States. I couldn't living in the United States. I couldn't do it. I literally could not afford to do it. I literally could not afford to do it. I literally could not afford to go home. And I'm one of the lucky ones go home. And I'm one of the lucky ones go home. And I'm one of the lucky ones because I knew that before I even tried.

because I knew that before I even tried. because I knew that before I even tried. My name is Dan. I left the United States My name is Dan. I left the United States My name is Dan. I left the United States 19 years ago and I've lived in 78 19 years ago and I've lived in 78 19 years ago and I've lived in 78 countries. I left the United States not countries. I left the United States not countries. I left the United States not because I didn't love it, but because I because I didn't love it, but because I because I didn't love it, but because I did the math, and the math just didn't did the math, and the math just didn't did the math, and the math just didn't work anymore. I've spent nearly two work anymore. I've spent nearly two work anymore. I've spent nearly two decades helping people retire overseas decades helping people retire overseas decades helping people retire overseas on budgets that would be considered on budgets that would be considered on budgets that would be considered poverty in America and live a better poverty in America and live a better poverty in America and live a better life than they ever did back home. I've life than they ever did back home. I've life than they ever did back home. I've written 313 reports about how and where written 313 reports about how and where written 313 reports about how and where to retire overseas. Those 78 countries I to retire overseas. Those 78 countries I to retire overseas. Those 78 countries I visited, specifically looking for places visited, specifically looking for places visited, specifically looking for places where your dollar goes further, where where your dollar goes further, where where your dollar goes further, where healthc care is affordable, where the healthc care is affordable, where the healthc care is affordable, where the cost of living doesn't slowly drain your cost of living doesn't slowly drain your cost of living doesn't slowly drain your dignity along with your savings. And I dignity along with your savings. And I dignity along with your savings. And I want to talk to you today about a trap want to talk to you today about a trap want to talk to you today about a trap that almost nobody sees coming until that almost nobody sees coming until that almost nobody sees coming until it's too late to do anything about it. it's too late to do anything about it. it's too late to do anything about it. Here's the trap. Most people who move Here's the trap. Most people who move Here's the trap. Most people who move overseas do it because they run the overseas do it because they run the overseas do it because they run the numbers and realize they simply cannot numbers and realize they simply cannot numbers and realize they simply cannot afford to retire comfortably in America afford to retire comfortably in America afford to retire comfortably in America on social security alone. And why should on social security alone. And why should on social security alone. And why should they when they can live a better life they when they can live a better life they when they can live a better life overseas on the same money? The average overseas on the same money? The average overseas on the same money? The average social security check right now is social security check right now is social security check right now is around 1,900 bucks. The maximum if around 1,900 bucks. The maximum if around 1,900 bucks. The maximum if you've paid in your whole life on a high you've paid in your whole life on a high you've paid in your whole life on a high salary is about 4,000 a month. Most salary is about 4,000 a month. Most salary is about 4,000 a month. Most people get something in between and most people get something in between and most people get something in between and most people find out it's not enough. So they people find out it's not enough. So they people find out it's not enough. So they make a smart decision. They find a

make a smart decision. They find a make a smart decision. They find a country where 1,500 country where 1,500 country where 1,500 2,2500 a month buys a genuinely good 2,2500 a month buys a genuinely good 2,2500 a month buys a genuinely good life. Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, life. Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, life. Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Albania, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Albania, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Albania, Guatemala, Panama. I cover about 40 such Guatemala, Panama. I cover about 40 such Guatemala, Panama. I cover about 40 such countries in my written reports. places countries in my written reports. places countries in my written reports. places where the same check covers a nice where the same check covers a nice where the same check covers a nice apartment, good food, transportation, apartment, good food, transportation, apartment, good food, transportation, and still a little more for and still a little more for and still a little more for entertainment. And for a while, it works entertainment. And for a while, it works entertainment. And for a while, it works beautifully. They feel free. They feel beautifully. They feel free. They feel beautifully. They feel free. They feel smart. They feel like they're finally smart. They feel like they're finally smart. They feel like they're finally cracked the code. But here's what they cracked the code. But here's what they cracked the code. But here's what they don't account for. Inflation back home don't account for. Inflation back home don't account for. Inflation back home doesn't just stop because you left. The doesn't just stop because you left. The doesn't just stop because you left. The cost of living in America keeps cost of living in America keeps cost of living in America keeps climbing. Every year you're gone. The climbing. Every year you're gone. The climbing. Every year you're gone. The gap between what your social security gap between what your social security gap between what your social security pays and what it costs to live back home pays and what it costs to live back home pays and what it costs to live back home gets wider. A city that was barely gets wider. A city that was barely gets wider. A city that was barely affordable when you left becomes affordable when you left becomes affordable when you left becomes completely out of reach 5 years later. I completely out of reach 5 years later. I completely out of reach 5 years later. I know this personally. I watched it know this personally. I watched it know this personally. I watched it happen. What felt tight in 2007 when I happen. What felt tight in 2007 when I happen. What felt tight in 2007 when I left the US feels impossible now in left the US feels impossible now in left the US feels impossible now in 2026. And here's the cruel twist. The 2026. And here's the cruel twist. The 2026. And here's the cruel twist. The overseas countries you've been living overseas countries you've been living overseas countries you've been living in, many of them inflate slower. So your in, many of them inflate slower. So your in, many of them inflate slower. So your dollar actually goes further over time dollar actually goes further over time dollar actually goes further over time in a lot of these places, not less. So in a lot of these places, not less. So in a lot of these places, not less. So the longer you stay overseas, the more the longer you stay overseas, the more the longer you stay overseas, the more the math works in your favor and the the math works in your favor and the the math works in your favor and the more impossible going home becomes.

more impossible going home becomes. more impossible going home becomes. That's not a warning. That's a one-way That's not a warning. That's a one-way That's not a warning. That's a one-way door. I want you to sit with something door. I want you to sit with something door. I want you to sit with something for a moment. Imagine you've been living for a moment. Imagine you've been living for a moment. Imagine you've been living in Vietnam or Thailand. You have a life in Vietnam or Thailand. You have a life in Vietnam or Thailand. You have a life there, a routine, friends, a cafe where there, a routine, friends, a cafe where there, a routine, friends, a cafe where they know your order. You found a doctor they know your order. You found a doctor they know your order. You found a doctor you trust, a neighborhood you love, a you trust, a neighborhood you love, a you trust, a neighborhood you love, a version of yourself you actually like. version of yourself you actually like. version of yourself you actually like. And then something happens. A family And then something happens. A family And then something happens. A family member gets sick. A political situation member gets sick. A political situation member gets sick. A political situation makes you nervous. You start wondering, makes you nervous. You start wondering, makes you nervous. You start wondering, could I go back if I had to? You run the could I go back if I had to? You run the could I go back if I had to? You run the numbers and the answer is no. For me, numbers and the answer is no. For me, numbers and the answer is no. For me, it's not even close. Not it would be it's not even close. Not it would be it's not even close. Not it would be tight. Not I I'd have to make some tight. Not I I'd have to make some tight. Not I I'd have to make some adjustments. No, as in the rent alone adjustments. No, as in the rent alone adjustments. No, as in the rent alone would eat my entire social security would eat my entire social security would eat my entire social security check. As in I would need to get a job check. As in I would need to get a job check. As in I would need to get a job at 70 or 72 if social security were my at 70 or 72 if social security were my at 70 or 72 if social security were my only source of income. as in the country only source of income. as in the country only source of income. as in the country I was born in, the country I paid into I was born in, the country I paid into I was born in, the country I paid into my entire life is gone for me. That's my entire life is gone for me. That's my entire life is gone for me. That's not an abstract fear. That's what I not an abstract fear. That's what I not an abstract fear. That's what I experienced standing in a hotel room experienced standing in a hotel room experienced standing in a hotel room that cost me $900 for 11 days in a that cost me $900 for 11 days in a that cost me $900 for 11 days in a neighborhood I wouldn't have chosen if I neighborhood I wouldn't have chosen if I neighborhood I wouldn't have chosen if I had had more options. The trap doesn't had had more options. The trap doesn't had had more options. The trap doesn't announce itself. It closes slowly. And announce itself. It closes slowly. And announce itself. It closes slowly. And most people don't realize it's closed most people don't realize it's closed most people don't realize it's closed until they're already inside. Now, let until they're already inside. Now, let until they're already inside. Now, let me show you the other side of the math.

me show you the other side of the math. me show you the other side of the math. 2,000 a month in Vietnam, Thailand, 2,000 a month in Vietnam, Thailand, 2,000 a month in Vietnam, Thailand, Albania, Cambodia, Guatemala, Panama, Albania, Cambodia, Guatemala, Panama, Albania, Cambodia, Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, Brazil gets you a clean, Colombia, Brazil gets you a clean, Colombia, Brazil gets you a clean, modern apartment and a good modern apartment and a good modern apartment and a good neighborhood. It covers your food, which neighborhood. It covers your food, which neighborhood. It covers your food, which is generally good and genuinely is generally good and genuinely is generally good and genuinely affordable. It covers transportation, affordable. It covers transportation, affordable. It covers transportation, entertainment, even a social life. entertainment, even a social life. entertainment, even a social life. Cambodia 2,000 a month in Ponampen or CM Cambodia 2,000 a month in Ponampen or CM Cambodia 2,000 a month in Ponampen or CM Reap will get you more space than you've Reap will get you more space than you've Reap will get you more space than you've probably had in years. In a country that probably had in years. In a country that probably had in years. In a country that is genuinely welcoming to foreigners is genuinely welcoming to foreigners is genuinely welcoming to foreigners with a cost of living that stayed with a cost of living that stayed with a cost of living that stayed remarkably stable. Ecuador Kinka remarkably stable. Ecuador Kinka remarkably stable. Ecuador Kinka specifically one of the most livable specifically one of the most livable specifically one of the most livable cities in South America has been a cities in South America has been a cities in South America has been a retirement haven for Americans for two retirement haven for Americans for two retirement haven for Americans for two decades. 2,000 a month there is decades. 2,000 a month there is decades. 2,000 a month there is comfortable middle class life. Bolivia, comfortable middle class life. Bolivia, comfortable middle class life. Bolivia, Brazil, Thailand, Brazil, Thailand, Brazil, Thailand, Colombia, outside of Medí. There are Colombia, outside of Medí. There are Colombia, outside of Medí. There are dozens of places where that number dozens of places where that number dozens of places where that number works. And here's the thing nobody says works. And here's the thing nobody says works. And here's the thing nobody says out loud. In most of these countries, out loud. In most of these countries, out loud. In most of these countries, inflation has been lower than the US for inflation has been lower than the US for inflation has been lower than the US for years. Your purchasing power doesn't years. Your purchasing power doesn't years. Your purchasing power doesn't erode the same way. In some cases, it erode the same way. In some cases, it erode the same way. In some cases, it actually improves. Meanwhile, back home, actually improves. Meanwhile, back home, actually improves. Meanwhile, back home, that same 2,000 every single month gets that same 2,000 every single month gets that same 2,000 every single month gets eaten by rent before you've bought a eaten by rent before you've bought a eaten by rent before you've bought a single meal. The math isn't complicated, single meal. The math isn't complicated, single meal. The math isn't complicated, but most people don't do it until but most people don't do it until but most people don't do it until they're already backed into a corner.

they're already backed into a corner. they're already backed into a corner. But here's the secret, and it's good But here's the secret, and it's good But here's the secret, and it's good news. Believe me, I go back every 2 or 3 news. Believe me, I go back every 2 or 3 news. Believe me, I go back every 2 or 3 years to visit the United States, and I years to visit the United States, and I years to visit the United States, and I don't miss it at all. I love my family. don't miss it at all. I love my family. don't miss it at all. I love my family. I love my friends. But notice only 9 I love my friends. But notice only 9 I love my friends. But notice only 9 days in the US. It just doesn't feel the days in the US. It just doesn't feel the days in the US. It just doesn't feel the same anymore. Everyone's angry about same anymore. Everyone's angry about same anymore. Everyone's angry about something. So, I'm happy I left the something. So, I'm happy I left the something. So, I'm happy I left the United States 19 years ago. Here's the United States 19 years ago. Here's the United States 19 years ago. Here's the part I really want you to hear. This part I really want you to hear. This part I really want you to hear. This isn't just about where things stand isn't just about where things stand isn't just about where things stand today. It's about where they'll stand in today. It's about where they'll stand in today. It's about where they'll stand in 5 years. If US inflation averages 3% a 5 years. If US inflation averages 3% a 5 years. If US inflation averages 3% a year, the cost of living you'd face year, the cost of living you'd face year, the cost of living you'd face going home in 2031, going home in 2031, going home in 2031, it's going to be s significantly higher it's going to be s significantly higher it's going to be s significantly higher than it is right now. The apartment that than it is right now. The apartment that than it is right now. The apartment that costs 1,800 today will cost over 2,000. costs 1,800 today will cost over 2,000. costs 1,800 today will cost over 2,000. The groceries, the utilities, the The groceries, the utilities, the The groceries, the utilities, the healthcare, all of it compounds. healthcare, all of it compounds. healthcare, all of it compounds. Meanwhile, if you're living in a country Meanwhile, if you're living in a country Meanwhile, if you're living in a country with lower inflation with lower inflation with lower inflation and most of the Southeast Asia and Latin and most of the Southeast Asia and Latin and most of the Southeast Asia and Latin American qualifies, your costs are American qualifies, your costs are American qualifies, your costs are rising more slowly. Some years they rising more slowly. Some years they rising more slowly. Some years they barely move at all. The gap widens every barely move at all. The gap widens every barely move at all. The gap widens every year. The one-way door gets heavier. If year. The one-way door gets heavier. If year. The one-way door gets heavier. If you're considering moving overseas, even you're considering moving overseas, even you're considering moving overseas, even just exploring the idea, the time to do just exploring the idea, the time to do just exploring the idea, the time to do it is not when you're desperate. The it is not when you're desperate. The it is not when you're desperate. The time is to do it is now while you still time is to do it is now while you still time is to do it is now while you still have options. while you can do it on have options. while you can do it on have options. while you can do it on your terms, while the door is still open your terms, while the door is still open your terms, while the door is still open from both sides. I flew back to renew a

from both sides. I flew back to renew a from both sides. I flew back to renew a driver's license and spent 2600 for 9 driver's license and spent 2600 for 9 driver's license and spent 2600 for 9 days. That's before my first meal, my days. That's before my first meal, my days. That's before my first meal, my first movie, my first cup of coffee. first movie, my first cup of coffee. first movie, my first cup of coffee. That's just airfare in the hotel. And I That's just airfare in the hotel. And I That's just airfare in the hotel. And I was reminded viscerally, physically, why was reminded viscerally, physically, why was reminded viscerally, physically, why I left. Not because America isn't worth I left. Not because America isn't worth I left. Not because America isn't worth loving. It is. But because love doesn't loving. It is. But because love doesn't loving. It is. But because love doesn't pay rent. I spent 19 years finding the pay rent. I spent 19 years finding the pay rent. I spent 19 years finding the best places where your money works for best places where your money works for best places where your money works for you instead of against you. Where 2,000 you instead of against you. Where 2,000 you instead of against you. Where 2,000 a month isn't a poverty sentence. It's a month isn't a poverty sentence. It's a month isn't a poverty sentence. It's genuinely a good life. Where the gap genuinely a good life. Where the gap genuinely a good life. Where the gap between what social security pays and between what social security pays and between what social security pays and what life costs isn't a canyon you can't what life costs isn't a canyon you can't what life costs isn't a canyon you can't cross. I've put everything I've learned cross. I've put everything I've learned cross. I've put everything I've learned into my reports at vagabombbuda.com. into my reports at vagabombbuda.com. into my reports at vagabombbuda.com. real costs, real neighborhoods, real real costs, real neighborhoods, real real costs, real neighborhoods, real health care, real visa situations, not health care, real visa situations, not health care, real visa situations, not travel blog fantasies, but the actual travel blog fantasies, but the actual travel blog fantasies, but the actual numbers from someone who's lived it. numbers from someone who's lived it. numbers from someone who's lived it. Come to vagabba.com and get a free copy Come to vagabba.com and get a free copy Come to vagabba.com and get a free copy of my ebook that will teach you the 10 of my ebook that will teach you the 10 of my ebook that will teach you the 10 things you need to do to start exploring things you need to do to start exploring things you need to do to start exploring the world and what to do before you the world and what to do before you the world and what to do before you leave your home country. and watch the leave your home country. and watch the leave your home country. and watch the video in the upper right hand corner of video in the upper right hand corner of video in the upper right hand corner of your screen right now to find out all your screen right now to find out all your screen right now to find out all the resources we have to help give you a the resources we have to help give you a the resources we have to help give you a soft landing overseas.