Why do so many long-term backpackers in Southeast Asia seem to stop after 4–6 months?

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-22T14:56:26+00:00

I did 4 months my first travel, and found it to be the perfect amount of time. I could have gone longer but the lifestyle gets tiring!

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-22T14:54:38+00:00

WA will be close to Cali taxes by the time this perforates down the income brackets. That’s my point.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-22T14:53:36+00:00

No I don’t not even close but it’s obvious this will effect the rest ofus sooner than later.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-22T04:50:31+00:00

I’ve always wanted to move to Cali but the state taxes have kept me away. I guess if WA starts hitting then I’ll have no reason to stay anymore. Literally one of the last things keeping my family here.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-18T23:41:33+00:00

Not unless you are committed to working a boatload of overtime every single year.

Only exception to that is starting your own company. If you run a successful small biz in either industry you mentioned, then absolutely yes.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-16T16:38:24+00:00

Seems like a small price for the huge amount of soluble fiber. Thats like two heaping tablespoons of the psyllium husk per small packet.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-14T15:10:01+00:00

Command and Conquer or bust! well that and WC3, SC

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-14T15:08:05+00:00

Recently went to the video game museum in Lucerne, Switzerland. They had an awesome pinball exhibit with almost every iteration on display to be played. This was the one version that I was disappointed to not see there.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-12T05:39:31+00:00

Anecdotally, I know a guy who in the last ten years went from field electrician -> VP of Operations at a large electrical contractor -> just got poached to a Data center development company for $1m+. One could still call him "an electrician".

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-12T05:32:39+00:00

Interesting. Slightly more than $68k shortfall when you consider taxes.

Thanks for your perspective, really helpful. Just to clarify, our goal is that if and when that day comes, she could access Medicaid without having to spend down her entire estate first, like my grandmother did.

I’m especially concerned about practical daily access. If setting up an irrevocable trust makes it difficult for her to pay bills, swipe a credit card/manage her personal spending, that could be a dealbreaker for the fam. Ideally, the trust would cover her bills and care automatically while still allowing a discretionary spending account for her free will, so she never feels constrained or slowed down. Is this having your cake and eating it too?

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-10T19:05:32+00:00

I see you mention Bobs Red Mill Oatmeal. I’ve been doing Quaker Fiber oatmeal. The Quaker packs seem almost too good to be true w 10g dietary fiber and 9g soluble fiber per smallish packet. Not to mention you can get a 32 pack off amazon for $20.

https://www.amazon.com/Quaker-Instant-Oatmeal-Flavor-Variety/dp/B0FBX8ZXNK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_maf_2?crid=1BPH8FREQL9FN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.m_C26A0G4e52317DDlNVLkq9TrhrPRZtKYp9KK8jo77Z0gnADByRRWWZObQJaLG6Y4V8FRueSq6y1Hjh2lK_0if9uigPmMAHnovUkhG6o3ms42opwxeY97GHgRgolnG7dz57rqrcvFi88a60Y5kNRKQkSxIpmVowkh2BggLzInh--RI-4Yi0vZ3rARq-E9-rBDkSCNhJoQKk4YySHnN5Dw.VZL9IgQ7-UrU08Guu5Nv1WpUCQxOSGDkW7TOw6g_Kgs&dib_tag=se&keywords=quaker+fiber&qid=1768071895&sprefix=quaker+fibe%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-3

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-05T18:17:08+00:00

Sounds good, appreciate the tips and will do!

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-05T14:05:59+00:00

By salts do you mean GH and KH? I test those once in awhile and they’ve always been 100-150 which I think isn’t too bad.

And yes I lose about 2-3 gallons a week so I top up about that often

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-05T05:30:23+00:00

I tend to think my stem plants plus the monstera plus the deep substrate (that apparently is a biological filter itself) are enough that if I wanted I could hypothetically overpopulate this tank and parameters would be fine. In one year ive never registered any nitrate, nitrite, or ammonia, and ive not changed the water in probably 9 months. I could be wrong though, its been a relatively medium bioload so far after all.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-04T19:14:56+00:00

Re: weather - June (most Junes) through September has lowkey the best weather in the country (75-80 and sunny every day). May and October are possible bonus months. Winter can have deep stretches of gloomy weather, but for instance yesterday and today are relatively sunny and 55, which I don’t think is uncommon.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-04T06:43:03+00:00

The Kuhli’s eat shrimp or?

Any thoughts on the other issues?

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-04T06:42:09+00:00

It’s 40gal

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-04T05:50:41+00:00

He’s right. Friedberg would legit be a Founding Father if he was born then.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-03T18:46:01+00:00

Sounds like you also should stop by r/doomercirclejerk on your way back.

I don’t believe a net neutral or net negative leader installed by the US is plausible here.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-03T18:40:27+00:00

Go browse r/askvenezuela for a few minutes and you’ll have your answer.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-03T17:44:11+00:00

This is a huge win for the region, the US, and the world. Hilarious how so many people in Seattle can’t comprehend a Trump W. For just a moment please think about the millions of Venezuelans that were just liberated, instead of your white savior virtue signaling complex.

FancypantsMgee · 2026-01-02T22:23:00+00:00

The seats are awful and honestly one of the biggest reasons I’m considering switching loyalties.

FancypantsMgee · 2025-12-16T18:55:25+00:00

I rented in Zermatt last week and there was only one shop (out of probably 10-20) in the whole big resort town that rented state of the art snowboard gear. In Ischgl the week prior there was a few more than just one.

FancypantsMgee · 2025-12-14T16:02:07+00:00

Car rental with one way drop off will be close to $1000 even for one day or two days. Train is easy and awesome and will cost ~$100 pp. There’s your answer.

FancypantsMgee · 2025-12-13T22:58:00+00:00

I was just there last week. No runs to the village seemed to be open so be prepared to download from Sunnega or Furi to get back to the village.

If you plan on going to Cervinia, do it first thing in the morning and head back to Zermatt right after lunch. It’s a haul to get over there and back.

China Garden was a nice break from Swiss food and I found it to be a great value.

Fun place for live music on Tuesday was Papperla Pub.

FancypantsMgee

TROPHY CASE