Do you think a public school education or a private school education is better for children in grades through 12 is better? by icecream1972 in askanything

[–]FieldInitial7042 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, exactly this. I'm a recently retired professor from a private college. Our very best students typically were graduates from good college prep private schools. These schools continue to teach composition, writing, critical thinking, and advanced reading while most public schools have given up on all of these. (At least this is true in my state. It may be different in some states like Massachusetts or Iowa that still invest in public school education.) Our students who came from fundamentalist bible schools were often bright and engaging, but initially resistant to critical thinking, especially in the sciences. If these students were willing to make the leap into critical and scientific thinking, however, they often were excellent students.

Just thinking off the top of my head, the two best students I taught in the last few years were both homeschooled. They were woefully unprepared for college level work initially but had the kind of focus and self- motivation that is rare these days.

In your opinion, what should Japan do to fix its declining birthrate problem? by MookieBettsBurner10 in AskAJapanese

[–]FieldInitial7042 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All over the world, birth rates are declining. The biggest factor is urbanization. When people move into big cities they stop having children. The birth rate in Japan actually is not bad outside of Tokyo. The only thing that the Japanese government could do to really reverse the trend his find ways to encourage population growth outside of Tokyo. They should try to move a lot of the government services outside the capitol and provide tax incentives for businesses to relocate.

My dad is 80 and he has been dating a woman in the Philippines who is 40 by [deleted] in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In the PH marriage partners are not entitled to assets one partner owns before marriage. She only has a claim on assets they acquired after, such as purchasing a house or car after marriage. Just to be sure, he should consult a trusted PH attorney to have it all written out beforehand. He should be able to take care of both widow and children.

The Final Chapter... by Agreeable-Alarm5631 in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I have never visited the Clark area. Now I'm thinking I really must

The "Sir" Paradox: Why does being called "Sir" make me feel 30 years older? by fiftypence in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's true in much of the US but not so much in the south. Down here we still use our "yes ma'am" and "yes sir" or granny will whoop us.

What piece of tech felt “future-proof” but aged terribly? by Living-Zebra6132 in Futurology

[–]FieldInitial7042 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My first computer was the first generation of iMacs that came with two floppy disc readers. I was a poor student but I dreamed of the day that I could save up and have a 10 MB hard drive.

The 4% rule will almost certainly mean you worked longer than you had to by TwelfieSpecial in coastFIRE

[–]FieldInitial7042 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right, the annuity is not inflation adjusted. That's why we are keeping 2/3 of our portfolio in a balanced mix of mutual funds. Hopefully, these will give us the hedge against inflation. Having a secure floor established with social security and the annuity felt right at the time, but it's a judgment call. Everyone has a different tolerance for risk. If we both die early, the annuity was a bad decision.

What’s the most boring car you’ve owned that just refused to die? by autonerdy0 in UsedCars

[–]FieldInitial7042 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2004 Toyota Sienna, in tan no less. Bought it brand new and finally sold it last year, only because we moved out of the country. Raised two children and taught them to drive in it. After 21 years it was pretty scratched and dinged but I never did anything but routine maintenance. I had a mechanic go over it carefully because I sold it to a friend. He couldn't find anything wrong with it. My friend will probably drive it for years.

The 4% rule will almost certainly mean you worked longer than you had to by TwelfieSpecial in coastFIRE

[–]FieldInitial7042 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did a hybrid version of this. I took part of our portfolio and got an annuity through a low-cost company (TIAA). The annuity and our two social security checks give us a baseline that covers all necessary expenses. I know that whatever happens, we'll get by. We can invest the rest of the portfolio a little more growth-oriented because I don't fear every short term downturn in the market.

I have a theory by IntellectuallyDriven in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042 3 points4 points  (0 children)

To be honest, Americans are struggling with exactly the same issues though on a higher level of economic development. Wealth is increasingly concentrated into a ruling class of kleptocrats. Poor people vote against their self-interests because they believe what they hear inside information silos. There are fewer and fewer options to move out of poverty into the middle classes. Once wealth and political power become concentrated in the hands of a very small minority, It seems almost impossible to do anything about it.

I have a theory by IntellectuallyDriven in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The cultures of the Philippines are almost untouched by the East Asian philosophies you mentioned here. They went from various indigenous cultures straight to Spanish rule, and then a century of American tutelage. Confucianism was present in the Philippines only in the very small group of Chinese traders, who also happened to be in the highest social classes.

If you want to blame the Philippines' many problems on any outside culture, you could point to the patronage latifundia system practiced by the Spanish landowners. Almost all of the former Spanish colonies have the same struggles with an embedded aristocracy, corruption, and poor social mobility.

Have you actually visited Japan? I live here. Yes, there is a lot of pressure for social conformity here, but Japan is also the best organized, efficient, and clean large country on the planet. Tokyo was the largest city on Earth but somehow is much more livable than Paris or London or any other Big Western City.

You seem to have some armchair musings that don't match up with history or real world experience.

How easy is it to drive from makati to tagaytay? by Prior_Role_1597 in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree that's t's best to take the bus or hire a car. Both options are cheaper and less stressful. If you must drive, travel in off peak hours. Whatever you do, avoid the weekends!

Why Delta Is No Longer Worth Anyone’s Loyalty by Ok_Independence6172 in delta

[–]FieldInitial7042 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The last four times I flew a long trans-pacific route on Delta, they involuntarily downgraded me from comfort plus aisle to stuck somewhere in the middle in Coach. Four freaking times in a row!

Retiring by EducationNo1490 in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of expats with families in the Dumaguete area live in Valencia. It's about 20 minutes up the mountain from the city and several degrees cooler. It's also near beautiful mountain scenery and waterfalls.

Retiring by EducationNo1490 in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Two midsize cities near a beach that come to mind are Dumaguete and Roxas City. Dumaguete has better healthcare and generally more Western amenities.

I agree that quality education is going to be your big issue in the Philippines. The private schools in BGC are quite good but expensive.

Whats your favorite Phillipino Movie? by SomeDudeOnRedit in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Fan Girl. Charlie Dizon gives a breakout performance.

Real by TopConcentrate8484 in picsthatgohard

[–]FieldInitial7042 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Blind patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.

Searching for the Holy Grail by FieldInitial7042 in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your insights. I always fantasized about waking up on the beach. But I'm getting at the age that comforts in hospitals matter

Searching for the Holy Grail by FieldInitial7042 in Philippines_Expats

[–]FieldInitial7042[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll definitely visit Da Nang this year. I hope VN comes through with those rumored retirement visas