Retired abroad? Get ready for FATCA - Oct. 18, 2013

  With huge deficits, governments the world over are looking at ways to generate more revenue. No doubt that they are leaving no stone unturned. For Americans living or retired abroad (which is a growing trend), this means preparing for FATCA.

 What is FATCA you may ask? According to Americansabroad.org, "The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, better known as FATCA, was passed in 2010 as part of the HIRE act. Starting in 2014 foreign financial institutions (FFI) will be required by the U.S. government, under FATCA, to report information regarding accounts of U.S. citizens, U.S. persons, Green Card holders and individuals holding certain U.S. investments to the IRS. ...If these non-U.S. accounts had a cumulative balance on any given one day of the year of more than $10,000, filing is mandatory." ...read more: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/retired-abroad-get-ready-for-fatca-2013-10-18

The REAL Fukushima Danger ~Move south of the Equator - ECUADOR~

The REAL Fukushima Danger

Posted on September 14, 2013 by WashingtonsBlog

 

{Nuclear expert Arnie Gundersen and physician Helen Caldicott have both said that people should evacuate the Northern Hemisphere if one of the Fukushima fuel pools collapses. Gundersen said: Move south of the equator if that ever happened, I think that’s probably the lesson there.} 

The Real Problem …

The fact that the Fukushima reactors have been leaking huge amounts of radioactive water ever since the 2011 earthquake is certainly newsworthy.  As are the facts that:

• Tepco doesn’t know how to stop the leaks

• Scientists have no idea where the cores of the nuclear reactors are

• Radiation could hit Korea, China and the West Coast of North America fairly hard

But the real problem is that the idiots who caused this mess are probably about to cause a much bigger problem.
Specifically, the greatest short-term threat to humanity is from the fuel pools at Fukushima.
If one of the pools collapsed or caught fire, it could have severe adverse impacts not only on Japan … but the rest of the world, including the United States.   Indeed, a Senator called it a national security concern for the U.S.:

The radiation caused by the failure of the spent fuel pools in the event of another earthquake could reach the West Coast within days. That absolutely makes the safe containment and protection of this spent fuel a security issue for the United States.

Nuclear expert Arnie Gundersen and physician Helen Caldicott have both said that people should evacuate the Northern Hemisphere if one of the Fukushima fuel pools collapses. Gundersen said:

Move south of the equator if that ever happened, I think that’s probably the lesson there....read more: http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2013/09/the-real-fukushima-danger.html

Life at Latitude Zero: Ridiculously Beautiful

Life at Latitude Zero: Ridiculously Beautiful: Some days in Ecuador are ridiculously beautiful--way over the top.   Not every day.  And thankfully so. Otherwise I would never get any writing done--or cooking or cleaning or cat grooming.  In fact, if every day were like the one in these photos, I would simply be swallowed up by the beauty, never to be heard from again.
But my writing life is safe.  Truth is, Ecuador is famous for clouds--friendly clouds I might add, not...

Triangle of Life: Earthquake Tips - Where to Go During an Earthquake

Might I Add: As a pre-statement, before you read this post, I want you to know that this article was written by someone else. I am not advocating that it is the only way to avoid danger during an earthquake, but I certainly think it is important to be aware of all possible actions to take to keep yourself safe. Keep your Intuitive Abilities sharp, so you can use them when in a dangerous situation. Please read an expanded version of this thought here:
New Post — Triangle of Life, Earthquakes, and Your Intuition

In light of the earthquake in New Zealand and Japan, we should be aware of the escape route when earthquake happens.

Save your life with “The Triangle of Life”
If you live in an area that does not normally have earthquakes, then you should read this whole article and share it with your children, friends and family.

“Triangle of Life”:  Simply by looking at the following self-explanatory photos, you can learn more than in a thousand words about how to protect yourself during a major earthquake. In light of the earthquake in New Zealand and Japan, we should be aware of the escape route when earthquake happens.

Where to Go During an Earthquake.... read more: http://thegobetween.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/triangle-of-life-earthquake-tips/

Fitch Upgrades Ecuador to 'B'; Outlook Stable Fri, Oct 18, 2013

Press Release: Fitch Ratings – 7 hours ago

  NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Ecuador's long-term foreign Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) to 'B' from 'B-'. The Rating Outlook has been revised to Stable from Positive. Fitch has affirmed the country's short-term foreign currency IDR at 'B'. Fitch has also upgraded the Country Ceiling to 'B' from 'B-'. 

KEY RATING DRIVERS 

  Ecuador's upgrade reflects the country's continued healthy growth performance, monetary and financial stability underpinned by dollarization and a steady easing of external and fiscal financing risks as a result of still favorable international oil prices, improved prospects in the oil sector and continued availability of bilateral financing from China and multilaterals. 

  Fitch forecasts that growth could reach 3.8% in 2013 and 4.2% in 2014-2015, broadly in line with rating peers. Public expenditure, especially investment, is likely to remain as the driver of growth over the forecast period..read more: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fitch-upgrades-ecuador-b-outlook-190600083.html

20 Things I Learned From Traveling Around the World

#2) Most places are as safe (or safer) than home.

....In over 365 days on the road, staying mostly in dormitory-style hostels and traveling through several countries considered 'high-risk,' the only incident I had was an iPhone stolen out of my pocket on the metro in Medellin, Colombia. I didn't even notice and deserved it for waiving the damn thing around in the wrong part of town. Most people think that in a place like Colombia you'll still get kidnapped or knocked off by a motorcycle assassin, but that's not true. According to the locals I talked to (who grew up there), things have been safer there for at least 10 years.

Caveat: This doesn't give you a license to be stupid, and some places really warrant respect. Guatemala and Honduras, where there are major drug wars going on (and the Peace Corps recently pulled all of their volunteers), or Quito, Ecuador, where everyone I talked to had been robbed, are reasonably dangerous (I had no trouble in any of them).

In reality, based on the sort of mindless binge-drinking that happens in most travel hot spots, you'd expect travelers to get knocked off a lot more often. But if you pay attention and don't do anything stupid, you'll be fine...read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clayton-b-cornell/traveling-around-the-world_b_4065797.html

Retire in Ecuador and Survive Like a Champ

Can You Retire in Ecuador and Survive?

Ecuador George | October 14, 2013 | 64 Replies

Retire in Ecuador….
Easy enough.
Sell everything, get on a plane, get your visa, rent an apartment, go get some food, find a nice park to sit in, live happily ever after….

Boy, that is just what I’m looking for.
So what the hell happened?
How did something so simple become such a challenge.
And I’m not even living in Ecuador yet!

It has been a while since I have written anything.
A lot has happened in the last three months.

Don’t make me come over there…

A couple of endorsements before I go.

Casa Ordonez

 

 
Stay at Casa Ordonez when you are traveling to Cuenca. Tell Alberto that Ecuadorgeorge sent you and he might give you a little discount.

Mio Tours

 

Use Mio Tours, they are a great value and a great tour company.

Are you going to retire in Ecuador? My friend Nicholas Crowder has a great book that is a must read. Pick it up here.


I do not get kick backs or money for these recommendations, I like these people because they gave me great service.


Oh ya, I will talk about my diet pills and how crazy they made me in my next blog. Just another funny story…

Thank you to everyone who wrote me to see if I was alright. I can not believe all the nice notes I received.

Have a great week everyone. Hope to post more often from now on.

Don’t forget to say hi in the comments and you should subscribe now.
You know you want to. This could be that first small thing you do to make life a little better.


..read more: http://www.ecuadorgeorge.com/retire-in-ecuador-2/#.UlvE1birQ-V.facebook