Shilo

FYI seems to be working ... except, that I think it's spelled "hello"

Thanks for all of the comments and thanks again for not dwelling on the "assumptions", as I said the assumptions are just a starting point and as Owen mentioned the numbers crunched out so that if there is an error in judgement then there is enough play (read: excess) to allow for a miscalulation. Some mentioned that I (we) should consider the issue of leaving the property to my love ones after I die... I guess that this is valid but for (in my case) two possible problems. First, I simply don't give much of a rats ass to what I leave behind. My parents left me some old photos and little el

I got to thinking about this and decided to put pen to paper and crunch the numbers. What I learned is that there seems to be a good case for not buying a Condo in Pattaya. I'd be interested in getting a few comments. Assumptions: My numbers are based on an exchange of 40 baht to the US dollar. Partly because that's been the average for the past several years even though it's somewhat lower at the moment. And it makes for easier math. A decent double unit will sell for about 3.6 million baht. The rent on a comparable property would be about 20K baht per month. The money tha

I've said it before, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll keep on saying it again and again. The amount of money needed to live comfortably in Thailand is the same amount that it would take to "get by" back at home. I know that it's not what most guys want to hear but I believe that you have to have an exit stragey before making the big move. It's important to remember that LOS is a third world country (or at least second world, if there is such a thing) and there is no way of knowing that a move to Thailand will work out in the long run. I could waste a little time c

2 questions: What is meant by "double unit"... 2 bedrooms? And what is anyones best quess on the monthly rental rate for a simular condo? Thanks

My best arguement for asset allocation: It's common sence that 100% stocks in a bull market will make more money and 100% cash in a bear market will get you a gain and avoid the loss. But what most people don't seem to understand is that in a "choppy" market a balance mix will beat both the aggressive and convervative approches... A simple math exercise: You have a $100 investment and in one year it goes up 50%, at the end of the year you'll have $150. Now let's say that you leave it alone and the next year it drops 50%. You won't go back to $100.... you'll drop to $75. Or say

It must be true....great minds do tend to think alike. I'm sitting at 55% equities and 45% cash. But I only have about 30% in the US, 25% International, and I'm chosing to be in cash over bonds because of the flat yield curve. A money market yields you 4.57% while an Investment grade bond fund is 4.88% To much added risk for to little added yield in bonds. The 800 days referrence was something I caught on CNBC this past Friday. The longest period without a 10% correction was over 1000 days (can't remember the exact number) and I am sure it would have been in the late 90's, while the second

Owen, I tend to agree with about 90% of what you say but I think with the following: you're making a common error.... your numbers are based on the S&P 500 which many people use to "index" the market. I think a better index is the Wilshire 5000 which still gives an over weighting to the large caps but also captures the mid and small caps. If you buy in to the "4 year market cycle" then we are seeing a classic cycle. This theory says that the first year is the strongest, followed by a strong (yet weaker) second year, the third year is weaker yet and the fourth is a common year

Actually, with the 2 million, you would find it very easy to retire and the penalty wouldn't be an issue. Just roll all of the funds into an ira and set up "substantially equal periodic payments". The down side is that once you start taking the payments you would have to keep taking them till you reached 59.5 But the upside is that with 2 mill you would get a monthly check of about $10,645 which is $127,740 a year US and a monthly budget in Pattaya of about 425K baht. I think most of us could get by on that.... PS: at the end of the process when you hit 59.5 you would still have about

There might be at least 2 or 3 other things to keep in mind before picking a new state home... How does the state choose their legal jury pools? I think that here in my current home state they pull for the voter registrations. It would suck to have to come "home" for jury duty and I don't think that it's a given that the court would give you a pass. How does the new state treat common law marriages? I know that this might be a long shot of turning into a problem, but what if you get a longterm live-in, bring her back to the states, things turn to crap and she ends up talking to the wro

WC, Just like the EPL, sometimes different teams play on different days. There was only one game on Thursday and the scores you see were for those guys who had players in that game. All hell will break loose tomorrow (Sunday) when the rest of the league starts their season (except for the last game of the 1st week which will be played on Monday night). By Tuesday morning we should know how everyone did. That is also when you'll have a chance to make any changes to your team. Actually, you have a pretty good set of picks for a rookie. Remember that in this league (unlike the EPL) there

Ahh... but it's a new year, so we all start out tied for 1st I'll have to keep a closer eye on who is who this year, but I'll do my best to avoid a repeat of last year... Humm, I know it wasn't Winston (he has enough trouble with his own brand of football) and I know it wasn't Hammer (or I'd still be hearing about it).... Oh well, no problem, as I see it the only thing that is left unsettled is 2nd place Supreme commander of the as yet undefeated Prowlers, Shilo

Just bringing this thread back up to the top of the page.... 1st game of the new NFL season is this Thursday so if your interested in the Gridiron Challenge, there's still time to join Shilo

You can add me to the camp with the guys who will pick a bar that is showing the games. Hell, this morning I was even looking at the schedule and realized that I'll have to book my July trip next year to leave a day earlier so I'll be in Pattaya for the semi final games. But I'll try to be a little selective about which bar I choose to watch the game at. I go to bars to enjoy myself. Cold beers, warm girls, and a good game sounds like a great mixture. But if the other guys are more interested in causing a ruckus just for the sake of being an ass then I'll move on down the road.

I got the same error message....league full.

I had the same problem when I first started the league. Once you have signed up, select your team and then click on your current team name. There is an "edit" button where you can change it to whatever you want... That must have been what some of the guys in England did last year after they kicked the asses of us Yanks. Suddenly their team name changed to something like England 3 US 0 Ah, but it's a new year and we're all currently tied for first

Sorry guys, I just realized from a post on another board that the links I put in the orginal posts weren't working. I corrected the link and it should be good now. Shilo

OK Guys, Here's the deal. I have started a private league on the ESPN Gridiron Challenge and plan to post the info on several LOS boards including the FLB, Nanaplaza, Ajarn, OFB, and perhaps a few others. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join. We are just looking for guys you have a common interest in LOS and playing Fanasty Football. For those who don't know, the Gridiron works in a simular way to the EPL football system. You start with a bankroll of $50 million. You'll need to choose 2 QB's, 2 RB's, 2 WR's, 2 Kickers, and a defence while staying under budget. You can change (transf

Congrats Zaphodbeeblebrox It was kind of you to omit my team form the rankings you posted. No need to broadcast to the whole board that my beloved Prowlers are off to a miserable start and are currently sitting in 14th.... about 50 points behind you I don't think that the other fellas would get that bent to learn that I suggested that you consider your striker (one of the top 3 or 4 players in the world) for your captain instead of a middle of the road goalie... but what they would get pissed at is if they learn that your pronouncing his name as "Hen-rey" instead of "On-ray". Havin

Isn't that how they award the EPL trophy at the end of the year? Works for me Shilo

Looks like we are going to have a VERY competitive league this year. Can't say that I'm happy with my start but there is still a chance that I might gain a little ground when the bonus points are given on Tuesday for this past weekends games. Suggestion for the other owners in the league: we'll want to keep this thread open so we can raze each other, claim our victories, and make excuses for our mistakes. And someone will always be putting in the names and scores so we can show the rest of the board how we're doing... if you don't want your name to show on the board, go to the EPL site, lo

Well, we're now into the first week of the season. We have had a chance to see our teams out there on the pitch. And we have also had a chance to see everyone else's team. Several of us have offered to back up our squads with a friendly wager of 1000 baht each to be held by Hammer and I guess there is still some question as to how we'll split the winnings. But I for one am having a hard time figuring out who is in the pool. In many cases the names in the league don't match our handles here on the board. So here is a simple thread to sign up for the pool. Simple really, just list your E

zaphodbeeblebrox If ever a guy was crying out for a "nickname" this is a prime example. Buddy, either you pick it or over time one of us will do it for you What's it going to be: zap, beeble, brox, or might I suggest Bud Welcome to the league and thanks for the extra 1000. Go to the link that "templekid" posted and just sign up. You can pick your own team or let the computer do it for you. Hint: in the transfer section use the sort drop down box and select "Teams selected by %". This will show you who most of the 366,000 other owners picked for their teams. It's handy for

So Ben, are you the new team I see in the league? Walking St Rovers If so, then it's going to be a real pleasure to have a chance to kick you butt this season Welcome buddy, it's about time that we added a (very) little class to this league That's another 1000 baht in the kitty.... any more takers? Shilo

Well, with just 3 1/2 days (actually 86 hours as of this post) before the kick off of the first game.... can you tell I'm ready for some damn football ... We now have an even "dirty" dozen signed up in the league. A 1000 baht bet? Sure, I'm game. I suggest that we ask Hammer if he is willing to hold the bets for us and we can each give him our share on our next visit. If I'm reading the thread right, I think Barrington, Pieman, W. Churchboy, and me are looking to start the pool. Let's see if anyone else has a little faith in their teams Shilo