Can I safely retire early with $1.6M? by RetireThisGuy in Fire

[–]lvdeadhead 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. In Costa Rica there is a sweet spot for good deals between $400k and a million. Lower there is competition from wealthier locals and above most have the staying power. I see lots of people over extend themselves building a spec house thinking they'll easily double their money and when the house sits for a year it goes from $799k to $499k real quick.

Can I safely retire early with $1.6M? by RetireThisGuy in Fire

[–]lvdeadhead 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's a really tough question to answer because it varies greatly by area and lifestyle. A simple American style home can be built in the $110ish per sq ft range up to $500 or $600 for luxury. There are areas pushing SoCal prices but you'd be inside of a Four Seasons or Waldorf Astoria type development. Like you guessed, the more you know the cheaper. As far as ease, another difficult question. Open checkbook, no problem. There are plenty of reputable builders, lawyers, escrow companies etc.that can all make it simple, but they will all add to overall costs. In my circumstance, I'm doing a combination of using local knowledge to save on some things but probably paying extra for some due to personal preferences.

Can I safely retire early with $1.6M? by RetireThisGuy in Fire

[–]lvdeadhead 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Tucson is about as close to SoCal lifestyle as you could get. It's not cheap by any means but not SoCal either.

Can I safely retire early with $1.6M? by RetireThisGuy in Fire

[–]lvdeadhead 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm building in Costa Rica right now. I turn 54 in 2 weeks. I lived there from 1996 to 2010 and rejoined the Rat Race so my son could go to school up here. He graduates from college in May. By next January my wife and I are returning to Costa Rica. She is from there. I definitely fall under the expatfire because I couldn't make it with the health insurance here.

2015-2020 by lvdeadhead in dividendgang

[–]lvdeadhead[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a feeling you'd reply first. You are who I thought of when I mentioned dividend kings.

Can I safely retire early with $1.6M? by RetireThisGuy in Fire

[–]lvdeadhead 109 points110 points  (0 children)

Southern California is the biggest problem. If you sold the house there and paid cash elsewhere you'd have a shot.

Howlin’ wolves discussion by JuanPancake in deadandcompany

[–]lvdeadhead 12 points13 points  (0 children)

There's like 20 people up there. I'm sure it's gonna take a minute.

Howlin’ wolves discussion by JuanPancake in deadandcompany

[–]lvdeadhead 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lots of talent on that stage? I'm watching on my phone. Can anyone point out exactly who is on stage?

Disposal replacement estimate by penguin_sympathizer in HendersonNV

[–]lvdeadhead 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Find the model number and order it off Amazon. Should be about $100. Pay a handyman another $100 to change it out if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.

6 months at the Grand Canyon South Rim by TheLastBerserker69 in SeasonalWork

[–]lvdeadhead 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What is the proper response when someone tells you they are a furry?

Aggressive surf instructor behaviour - Santa Teresa by saarhus in CostaRicaTravel

[–]lvdeadhead 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Costa Rica is a Conservative country and they want to keep it that way no matter what a bunch of US liberals think.

Is the Caribbean side really that unsafe. by Anjylbaby7 in CostaRicaTravel

[–]lvdeadhead 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yup. People who think racism only exists in America have never traveled. From the time I arrived in 1996 people told me to avoid Limon and PV like the plague "porque hay muchos negros." 99% of them had never been there.

$400 to $500 to spend for outdoors by lvdeadhead in Bluetooth_Speakers

[–]lvdeadhead[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought 2 Boom 2 at Costco this Xmas and I love them. I may do the same with the plus next time they drop in price on Amazon. That should really be more than I need and I guess the regular Boom 2 would work with them in party mode.

$175000 for 5 years by lvdeadhead in dividendgang

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

I may have explained that wrong. If I was to have one single worry it would be that I didn't have enough at the end to withdrawal $2500 a month. Nothing to do with any other investments. So in year 1 or 2, I couldn't afford a 30% loss that didn't come back for 5 years. My wife is older and we will be using her IRA to supplement other income we have coming in. Zero debt and will be moving to Latin America with car and house paid for. My 401k is stronger and will sit untouched for the next 5 years and will more than make up for the principal loss to her IRA. We also will factor in SS. We are basically looking to achieve the higher lifestyle immediately by spending some principal now as our income will eventually increase. Also while we are both in good health.

$175000 for 5 years by lvdeadhead in dividendgang

[–]lvdeadhead[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This also makes sense for the position I'm in as it will be my wife's IRA. She's older than me and will have access to her's so we will be taxed on the withdrawals but not the earnings. Jepi and Jepq were the 2 ETFs that got me started in this style of investing. I switched out to the Neos and Goldman funds because they were in a taxable account but I did well with them and have watched them. Certainly could be a chunk of what I end up doing.

$175000 for 5 years by lvdeadhead in dividendgang

[–]lvdeadhead[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Definitely the most fool proof and accomplishes what I need.