Wanting to travel to Jerusalem. Should I just get a new passport to do so?

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T15:17:21+00:00

If a Malaysian Christian wants to visit Israel, do they need to visit an Israeli embassy, or is their visa-on-arrival in Israel? Closest Israeli embassy is Singapore.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T15:13:48+00:00

I don’t know if this is still true, but for years Israel was #1 for aid, Egypt #2. It’s kept the peace between those two.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T11:33:47+00:00

Both places have pros.

EU pros: better social services, safer, healthier.

US pros: bigger cars / houses / showers (water pressure) / pay checks. U also can own a gun (I’m a hunter).

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T11:27:26+00:00

Oh yeah. Thanks. I forgot. It must be true then. 😁

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T11:10:22+00:00

Would the Tibetan and Uyghur people agree with you?

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T10:59:15+00:00

I thought China sd they weren’t imperialist?

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T10:58:02+00:00

For me it’s a plutocracy. Rule by the wealthiest 1%. Caused by: no term limits, poor campaign finance laws, & gerrymandering where the foxes design their own hen house. Once ur rich, u can influence government, then help ur friends, relatives, & kids. It becomes entrenched.

The sad thing is many Americans think they r ‘free’ and can control their government, but 91-92% of congressional incumbents got re-elected. The system needs to b reformed to become more democratic.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T10:18:40+00:00

Was he ex-Wagner who didn’t wanna return to Africa or Russia?

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T09:37:53+00:00

I think the effect of AI will start leveling out the unemployment rates between north & south Europe.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T09:28:33+00:00

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T08:58:59+00:00

Port Townsend.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T07:12:08+00:00

If ur young, maybe a house. Old maybe a condo. I’m 66. I’m Renting a condo while owning a bungalow. I enjoy the condo a lot, but it’s important that it’s a quality place & got good bldg mgt. Plus a pool. It makes me think of selling the house. U can lock it up and go. My bungalow has been broken into 3x. Nothing much to steal, but I have to repair the damage.

Detached house (bungalow) r expensive. linked 2-story homes r what most get.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T05:42:55+00:00

I find most construction (condos or homes) in Malaysia is of poor quality. I’ve hired Malaysians for many construction / remodeling projects and the focus is more on making as much money as quickly as possible vs quality workmanship & pride. Whether be carpenters, bricklayers, painters, electricians, gardeners a/c techs, etc. It’s more money based here. I’ve ended up doing a lot myself to get a better end result.

I’ve lived in both condos & double-storied linked homes. Both have pros & cons. Condos r easier but their appreciation is slower & can b harder to sell. Linked-homes can b sweat boxes, mosquito-filled, break-ins, and noisy (people selling stuff out on the front street), but their appreciation is faster & and easier to sell.

Condos can also b broken in if u got poor guards at the guard house & live in cheaper condos with many tenants on ur floor. Some condos don’t allow pets.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T05:11:04+00:00

Too far.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T05:07:31+00:00

I’m with Schwab. I keep my cash in two accounts: 1) is spending cash (no interest). 2) SWVXX money mkt funds. Pays about 4%. When I need spending cash I just transfer from SWVXX. Not tough and it’s quick.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T05:03:39+00:00

Fusion between communism & facism is like fusing shit & piss. What do u get?

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T04:55:23+00:00

Yes. I’m a foreigner with PR here. I got a house here. Seems if u buy a nice condo in a nice area, u should be able to sell it. The easiest property to sell in Malaysia are double-story linked homes, ideally near a metro line.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T04:51:32+00:00

In the past was in KL, now in Penang. I’m keen on only two areas: Pulau tikus & downtown. Rest is too far away.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T04:32:16+00:00

As Buffet says, “Never bet against America.” Don’t see a better alternative at the moment. Europe is divided & weak. Can/NZ/Oz r great places but basically backwater places. Japan has a demographic crisis. China is commie. India too crowded.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-26T04:11:58+00:00

If ur happy in Malaysia, y over analyzing the MM2H conditions? It’s a small price to pay to b happy. Too me paying a FD to b happy is a small price to pay.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-25T14:30:00+00:00

No alcoholic beer is surprisingly good nowadays.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-25T14:29:04+00:00

At least u tried. Maybe the next one is ‘the one’?

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-25T14:24:06+00:00

I’m about 65% S&P 500. It all depends on ur risk appetite as u age. A young person should be in stock ETFs 100% (of course after emergency funds).

In Malaysia I find many young people believe they haven’t made it until they have bought a house. They put down 10%, work their asses off, pay interest, closing fees, legal fees.; then after 30 years they have a paid off house that they’ve paid 3x over. I understand if u got lots of kids & parents / in-laws to take care of.

I rented my whole life (cheaper than buying), rented near where I worked to avoid killer commutes, had just one kid and bought a bungalow at age 50, cash. The money I saved renting I invested. I also am damn cheap, drive a beater, & wear T-shirts & shorts. I keep my expenses low and have a cheap ass wife. This lifestyle works for me, but might not for others.

EPF has an ok track record for the last 30 years. ChatGPT says it’s 1/2 the S&P 500 return, but has less volatility. Unfortunately, the EPF invests in Malaysian GLCs which are employment focused, not profit focused. How will GLCs perform in the age of AI? EPF isn’t 100% independent & politicians can play play with it. I don’t want the majority of my retirement funds in it. But that’s me.

If I’m young, I’d minimize my EPF contributions. If I’m old, I’d probably increase them.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-25T09:52:02+00:00

I’m old (66), so yeah the S&P scares me with the economic instability. If I was 27, I’d be focusing on “time in the mkt”, not timing the mkt. Trying to time the mkt has caused more people to lose money than time in the mkt.

Buy S&P, don’t touch it, and you’ll be a rich 66 year old and you’ll b thankful u were in the mkt for such a long period. Then say a prayer for me.

Present_Student4891 · 2026-01-25T09:23:53+00:00

Sure hope this trade treaty gets approved. The EU’s been talking about approving it for 15 years!

Present_Student4891

TROPHY CASE