FIRE

Jordan Peterson has helped me understand how FIRE – Financially Independent / Retire Early fits into the world. I have gone from debt collectors hassling me to being just a few years away from financial independence. During that journey, my world-view changed dramatically and became more balanced.

Here are the five most important steps you need to follow to ensure financial success while living and working in Thailand.

A group of Thai teachers is threatening to stop paying back loans to protest increasing interest rates. Many are barely able to make their minimum payments at current rates and any increase could force them to default. Thai teachers can make over 75,000B (2,260 USD) per month, so how did they get into this situation?

What would you do if you only had a few years to live? Would you travel and visit the great wonders of the world? Would you spend as much time as possible with your family? Or would you live your life normally until you couldn’t? What about moving to Thailand to enjoy your last dying days?

I recently read an article on Bloomberg about the downfall of Sweden’s cradle-to-grave welfare system. It made me think about what I would do if I was in Sweden, and it dawned on me I had considered the same question a few years ago while living through the political protests in Thailand. Only this time I found the answer – FIRE (Financially Independent / Retire Early).

“Liquor, ladies, and leverage” are often quoted by Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger as the only three ways a smart person can go broke. Let’s add a 4th L-word: Lodging. I am about to do the unthinkable –

“Hello handsome man, where you go?” Expats and tourists in Thailand have heard that compliment countless times. In the past, bar girls easily charmed unsuspecting guys into parting with their hard-earned money. Nowadays, most guys just laugh and keep walking. Like it or not, Thailand is changing.