From another board - sound advice!!

[Del]

I am living in XXXX and married to a lady in XXXX.
I am sure you will enjoy your trip as a tourist here, but keep in mind things change dramatically when you are no longer a tourist.
How many values you share is a great question, and ask your self why do they all love you so much,(family and friends I mean).
If you want to check something, just make her believe that you don't have any money and want to live in XXXX.
You'll soon see what is real!!!

[Zink]

... in response to From another board - sound advice!!, posted by Del on Nov 23, 2001

Interesting advice. But I doubt you can really make them believe that it's true. I probably make less money than 99% of the guys here. But I worked my @ss off and made a few dollars and went to Russia. They all figured I was masquerading as a poor cowboy. After all I could afford to travel so that means I have money.

The people I was with seemed skeptical when I told them how expensive life here is. They would say, "yes, you can buy expensive things in Russia too". But I was talking about bare minimums. A friend of mine in Russia just about choked when I told her that right now I'm paying $3000 Canadian to get the transmission replaced in my truck. I could buy a new car in Russia for that. And when it's done I'll still have a crappy old truck.

The stereotypes and misconceptions bite both ways. Many people in other countries think we are all like LP with our own jets(no offence LP). But it ain't true. I know a few "poor" Russians that live better than I do. And they aren't the ultra rich mafia types either. Just ordinary hard working people who managed to find an employer that actually pays his workers.

[LP]

... in response to Re: From another board - sound advice!!, posted by Zink on Nov 23, 2001

.....I never said I owned a jet, I do not. I have access to a small one from a side job and I must pay something for it's use. I do own other aircraft but turbine equipment would drain anyone, the insurance costs alone are simply staggering.

Believe it or not, I have always been quite careful to avoid "money talk" with any of the women I have dealt with. (I'm not *that* stupid.) Like most here, I downplay that aspect because it may taint the process. All the women think I'm a normal guy with a normal job. (In fact, pilots are so poorly paid in the FSU it counts for very little.)

I too have tried again and again to make them understand how expensive living in the West can be. (Living in urban California, where a 30 year old shack cost $700K doesn't help). They all say it's the same strain where they live but I doubt they really understand. Many claim to understand that the West isn't the Hollywood depiction they've seen, but I still get the impression some really don't understand much at all.

Then again, I can't say I blame them. After all, was Ukraine or Russia really anything like what you imagined before you went there?

KenC, your wife is dead on about "freedoms". One thing that struck me about the FSU was how free they are on a "lower level" (for lack of a better word). We have freedom on a higher level (constitutional, ect) but they enjoy far greater freedoms on the everday level where it effects normal life. (For example, the lack of tax enforcement in some FSU countries is taken for granted.)

California is worse than any state, the laws here are amazing. (The gun laws alone will stupify anyone.) Add in the local ordinances and it'll make you wonder if it's even America. (We're not even mentioning the demographics :-) Most Californians don't understand this until they study the state codes, then they realize they've been breaking laws every day.

High cost of living, cost of doing business, taxes, on and on. (But hey, at least the weather is nice.) Cross the border into Oregon, Nevada or Arizona and it's a different legal world altogether.  lol..Don't get me started...

I agree Zink. Until they actually live in the US (or the Great White North :-), they will never understand. Kinda like us, until we go there, and even then it takes a long time to gain some true insight.

[Zink]

... in response to None comprehended......, posted by LP on Nov 23, 2001

Ya, the world's a mess. But it's the only place we have to live. Even with all the faults North America I suppose is a lot better than many places. I found that Russia wasn't nearly as bad as many people here think it is. Oh, it can get ugly there real fast. But I've seen some pretty nasty stuff here at times too. It's the small differences that are really overwhelming.

I don't even want to get started on what a mess our legal and "justice" systems are. It's sad when you need years of legal training to understand even the simple laws. And every year we lose a few more of our freedoms. But at least there is a system to work with. Beats arguing with @-hole militsia when they try to take your money because they haven't got paid in awhile.

I would go to Russia to live right now if I knew I could make a decent wage. Anyone know where I can send my resume?

[DE]

... in response to None comprehended......, posted by LP on Nov 23, 2001

But you gotta admit, them real estate prices sure went up nicely in CA this last year or two!  Always said, great place to make your fortune, but retire somewhere else (Kiev in the spring thru fall, Costa Rica in the fall thru spring keeping your assests off shore but invested in US companies).  Just a side note!

[DE]

... in response to Re: None comprehended......, posted by DE on Nov 23, 2001

I'll mention the words FSU women just to keep it minimally on topic....but, on behalf of your FSU women, and your ability to spend more on her this coming summer, check out cotton coming of a thiry something year low and currently channelling.  Personally, I plan to purchase at least 2 May contracts. One above the channel and watch it pay for my summer trip holding it into March!  And with a slightly more risk level tolerance, attempt to purchase another long with a limit order about .250 above the bottom of the channel with a stop about .750 below the bottom (risk $500).  Hoping it will touch near the bottom again before breaking out of the top.  Upside potential, 2 contracts held into March +$4000-$7,000 profits on a $1600 investment risk, 90%+ probability (just my guess).  Downside (-$500) 5% probability (just my guess) if it breaks out the bottom of the channel.  Buy one for your FSU lady's family as a Christmas gift and teach them how to make (or lose:)) money without having to work for peanuts.  Just a WARNING-Commodities are EXTREMELY RISKY for the inexperienced, underfunded, and faint at heart!  But the upside of cotton coming off a thirty something year low is phenominal!  Just for those not familiar with cotton, it typically peaks about 80.00 and typically lows at about 50.00.  The late Oct. low for May contract was 30.90, currently channeling around 36-39.  Every gain of 1.00 in price = $500 and obviously, drop of 1.00 = (-$500).  Record lows seem to offer the greatest probability of success with the least risk.  JMHO and experience.  Yours may vary.

I realize this is off topic slightly Patrick, but just trying to help the guys look at alternatives to help their FSU families get out of poverty by learning how the free market system works.

P.S.  I'm not a broker so this is only my speculative investment strategy with May cotton.

[Del]

... in response to Re: From another board - sound advice!!, posted by Zink on Nov 23, 2001

like Santa Barbara!
I even went so far as to prepare a 'paper' on North American financial circumstances for an 'average person' (I believe I sent you a copy), and Dan had it translated into Russian.
Many were not able to grasp the fact that it is sometimes as difficult (if not moreso) to "live" here.
The fact that we 'lose' a significant portion of our wages before we even get them is hard for them to understand, and the fact that if we don't pay our power and heating bills, the services are cut-off is VERY hard for them to understand.

[KenC]

... in response to Agree - they'll never believe it's not a..., posted by Del on Nov 23, 2001

Del,
I LOL when I read your Santa Barbara comment!  The economics of living in America is something that R/W will have to adjust to for sure.  Although our lifestyles are much better and our disposable income is higher, it isn't always a bowl of cherries here either.  My wife had a bigger problem with our "freedoms" here.  She questioned how free we are with sooooo many rules and laws.  
Your original post in this thread was right on.  My wife would start packing right now if I agreed to move to Russia.  She has suggested that offering to move to a FSU country would be a great way to test the sincerity of the FSU woman too.
KenC