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[quote=”Scott”]Do you believe in UFOs?
Footage captured by a pilot over costa rico appears to show an unidentified flying object. The footage corresponds to a flight on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
In the video we see a rapidly moving object below the aircraft.
The video was captured by the commercial pilot Joseph Daniel Araya, who has more than 500 flight hours. Araya says he was recording with his cell phone when suddenly the camera screen saw the object moving, When he looked out of the aircraft there was nothing, said the pilot,
To find an answer to what happened we went to Jose Alberto Villalobos, astronomer and UFO researcher Alexis Astua.
Villalobos estimated that the object on the screen could have a length between 7 and 10 meters. Its speed could reach 3600 kilometers per hour, seven times more than the ship from which the footage was captured,
Meanwhile Astua does not rule out a UFO but also a secondary reflection theory. The sighting in the South is not strange, since in this region there are constant reports.
Do you believe in UFOs?
[/quote]How neat! Yes, I believe in UFOs. To think we are the only ones around in this vast universe seems a little silly. Did they say where this was spotted? From what I’ve read, it seems spottings take place in the Manuel Antonio as well as the Lake Arenal/Lake Cote regions. Very, very neat!
[quote=”critterhill”]It’s a very pretty area. I’m not a beach person at all, but I must admit I love Manual Antonio and Dominical.
When Herradura is mentioned, I think of the salt water crocs in the area. Or is that a myth? I really don’t keep up with it because I’m not a fish.
I would bet almost anyplace in CR is an improvement over LA.
Good luck and enjoy. We hope to make the move in 3 1/2 years when we retire. I envy you making the move at your age.
[/quote]I, too, love Manuel Antonio and points south. Have you looked at Estrillos Este/Oueste? I remember thinking that was a pretty area kind of sandwiched in between Jaco and Manuel Antonio. It’s all pretty through there… it gets VERY hot there, though. I remember originally looking in that area and a realtor we met cautioning me about the heat and the very high a/c costs.
[quote=”maravilla”]do NOT pay in US$ for anything here. you will get screwed on the exchange rate. Their currency is the Colon. Not US$. of course they are making money; everyone does when you do that.[/quote]
We don’t usually…it’s just when we first get there and in between before we have a chance to get back to the bank.
[quote=”kwhite1″]I may be stupid here, but paying with cash might have solved the issue? Until I am established in any foreign country, I always pay with cash.[/quote]
It’s interesting even paying in cash…well $$ that is. On several different occasions throughout the years, we’ve paid in US$ for gas. They had the conversion rate posted on the pump. Great. But when it came time to pay, some very interesting math took place. Oddly, this only happens to us at gas stations. Thankfully, I always carry a calculator with me. I would show it to them, and they’d just look at me, shrug their shoulders, and take the correct amount of cash. Imagine how much extra money they could make in a day taking and extra $5 or so from every unsuspecting person? Maybe I should give them the benefit of the doubt…maybe they just didn’t know how to convert???
[quote=”kwhite1″][quote=”beansandbooks”]The whole concept of estate taxes is just nuts-I think it’s a fair assumption that most of us will have been taxed one way or another while building up whatever nest egg we have, then when you croak, before your survivors can divvy up the surviving remains you have to pony up in absentia and make one final payment. What for? I fail to remember anyone from the government helping me add to the pile. Did I miss the memo?[/quote]
It gets pretty stupid at some point, you are taxed on the income that you used to build your nest, then taxed on the profits made from that, then in order to pass that on to your kids, taxed at 55%. Land of the free? I think not. It really pisses me off that the government feels entitled to 55% of what ever is left after I die. At what point do they raise it to 55% of what you have every year? I know in California, New York, and Hawaii they are at 52%, 51%, and 51% respectivley. Time to pack up my toys and go home I think.[/quote]
If they want, tax us through the nose on earned income only…let us be tax free on the unearned income whether it be from investments, real estate, estates, etc.
[quote=”critterhill”]Scott, to answer you question….no, there’s nothing “fair” about it. The middle class will be taking the brunt of this tax. Those in the financial league of Warren Buffet will not be paying these taxes as they have people on their payroll to ensure they don’t. And I say good for them. The poor don’t have the assets, which leaves the middle class.
Those who have family businesses, ranches, or farms will, in many cases, lose their property/business just to pay the taxes. Having assets isn’t the same as having cash/wealth on hand.
[/quote]
Huh? Have you noticed the tax rates are changing across the board? From what I can tell, there will no longer be a 10% rate, and will all go up to the 15% which will affect poor people (I thought this wasn’t going to affect the poor). 25% is going to 28% and up and up for the others.
Rich or not, everyone’s taxes are going up. It’s all smoke and mirrors. Again, tax the wealthy (which i am not) and you get another $80+ billion…whoopee, which keeps the govt going a few days. Do you understand the concept of the Warren Buffets or anybody with investments (rich or not)? There is a different tax rate for capital gains as opposed to ordinary income. They were already taxed through the nose with earned income… once they invested it, it became unearned income. If you believe in that concept, then i would assume you would believe those who buy a house for 100k and sell it for 500k should also pay ordinary income tax on that, rather than capital gains rates, yes? There are tax rates for earned and unearned income. Be careful what you wish for…
[quote=”maravilla”]the secret millionaire concept has always been my motto. flashy wealth makes you a target for all kinds of unscrupulous people who would like to separate you from your assets. and it doesn’t matter where in the world you live. but you are right; wealth gives you those privileges. i guess the trick is to give it all away just before you croak so nobody has to pay taxes!!![/quote]
It’s funny the people who live under the radar and are living a simple lifestyle are the ones with the money. Those with the fancy cars and lots of jewelry–most of them are just a show–it’s all on credit cards, etc.
Living simply and under the radar is the best way to go!
The only tax advantage investment I see now and, for now, is the Roth IRA. I’ll pay today’s rate and know what I’m paying and get my money later tax free, rather than cashing in trad Ira’s and 401ks 10-20 years from now and, goodness knows, we’ll be really taxed to death at ordinary income tax rates.
Many people are just going to follow the herd mentality and lose their motivation to work hard and save money since it’s all going to those who don’t want to work or are simply surviving (doing the least amount possible) rather than thriving.
[quote=”davidd”][quote=”Scott”]In case you missed this….
Starting January 1st, 2013, the estate tax law will change dramatically!
Right now, the estate tax is 35% of any assets over $5.12M but on the 1st January 2013, the estate tax goes to 55% of any assets over $1M which is clearly a [b]GINORMOUS[/b] increase.
If you have these kinds of assets you have precious little time to ‘try’ and move them into a legitimate tax advantaged structure like an offshore trust or foundation.
You would still be liable for taxes on the income generated but, once the assets are inside, they can grow estate tax free forever.
Do you think the estate tax is far?
Would love to know ….
Scott
[/quote]oh yea.. like all the taxes in the U.S. they are fair and balanced.
a friend of mine just lost his job yesterday.
he makes $100,000 a year. they gave him 6 months severence, plus his year end bonus of $30,000
so he got one lump check today for [b]$80,000 [/b]
oh wait. that was his gross
lets break it down
that lump sump with all the fair and balanced taxes that the U.S. has
[b]40%[/b] was taken out all together ( round out numbers)
[b]-$32000[/b]
balance $48,000
his wife alimoney ( what the heck is this???)
25% of his gross after FICA
-$17,5000
balance $30,500
and this is what he is left for to fend for himself.
if you take in all the taxes you still have to pay after your net income
gas tax
property tax
school tax
homeland security tax
obama phone taxthe list goes on and on and on
etc etc etcyour left in a fetal position with your thumb in your mouth like in that movie the fly
help me… help me..
your probbaly paying 60% taxes by the time your done.
so the tax system is probably the most fair in the world :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
I would tell them to take the check and stick it up the buts and
go on welfare, foodstamps, disability..ooohoooo my back hurts.. obama phone and sell stuff on ebay for cash
[/quote]
Wow, 6 months severance and $30k? All I got was 2 weeks and ‘see ya later’.
Like Dennis Miller says…if you’re making less than 45k per year, might as well not work, collect all the freebies
and stay home. Eh…doesn’t quite work that easily. If you aren’t a female with small kids, most of these entitlements are not offered to you. That’s where the money is going…why do you suppose the unwed birthrate for minorities is over 70%? Life is going to get really interesting in the next 4 years![quote=”davidd”][quote=”VictoriaLST”][quote=”maravilla”]they don’t like us in the first place, so if they can blame us for anything, they will!![/quote]
[/quote]
Victoria
let me ask yo a question.
if you have never been robbed. would that mean there is no crime???
we all live in this bubble of life
which is a good thing by the way if it makes you happy and you pursue your passions
but being also aware of whats going on around is also good as this gives you the ability to make rational decisions.
your success in your interactions with ticos here are based on alot of factors. where you live, your ability to communicate in the language, your ability to re evaluate your assumptions and be open and friendly.
a whole bunch of nuances that you may not even be aware of or somone in similiar situations may not have those life experiences that enable them to adapt.
me personally. I don’t like people
and if I had my way I would avoid people since they are a big pain in then ass.
BUT
I also understand that nothing gets done without people SO I adapt and put on my happy “hey!!! how’s your coin collection”face on .:D:D:D:D
[/quote]
How sad. I do know some who don’t like people but they confide that only to their friends, but to tell total strangers? Maybe you would enjoy your life more if you tried to get to know people and realize we are all more alike than different.
I think we gravitate more toward people who share our values and are most like ourselves, regardless of whether they are American, Costa Rican, white, black, Catholic or Jewish, etc.
To put on a happy face just to keep peace with the neighbors sounds like a lot of work.
[quote=”davidd”][quote=”maravilla”]everything david said is absolutely true. this is not a welfare state where people can live like kings on a pauper’s income. and it does take discipline to not fall into the trap of living beyond one’s means. i went 7 years without a car, not because i couldn’t afford to buy one, but because i just didn’t want to get into that trap and then spending a fortune on gas because i stopped being organized about my shopping trips. even now, i only go to town 3 times a week because my budget for gas is $20 a week and i refuse to go over that unless it’s absolutely necessary. we eat well, live well, have everything we need and want, and i still save more each month than we spend. that was my goal, and i’m sticking to it. but i know others who can’t live well on any amount of money and that will do you in here.[/quote]
Maravilla
thats great that you stick to your goal which requires a certain discipline.
everyone has different $$ thresholds that would feel comfortable with but the key would be as my dad would also say to me ( I love you dad)
live below your means.
you can spend alot of money in this country and I have done both here.
you find your own balance of items and where you get them that will help you live comfortably
[/quote]
Absolutely…that is the best advice regardless of where you live. Live below you means but within your needs. It’s a simple concept that many cannot follow.
I overheard a couple of Americans talking in town recently about how one of the Ticos was telling one of them how the Americans have ruined it for everybody there (I am assuming it was in that particular town) driving the prices up on everything. I hope that wasn’t totally true. But it is a thought as more and more foreigners with more money to spend ‘invade’ the country and, little by little, will change the local economies.
Perfect example…went to b’fast one day because it was close. Because prices weren’t listed and it is a tourist bus stop, we were charged $10 for breakfast–as good as it was, that was insane and a one time only stop for us. We’ll stick with our quiet little place with tons of food for $3 each. A bakery in town (another tourist spot) had pastries nearly $3 a piece. Live and learn! We were later told, “Everyone gets ‘taken’ once there.” We later found the much cheaper (and better) place.
[quote=”ddspell12″]Someone i have been getting info on Costa Rica just recently made the move. They did a through investigation talking with many people before and did much research before making this move.
Even paid an attorney $1400 dollars to start the residency process.
Arriving around 2 weeks ago they were very dissapointed at the cost there. They are in the Grecia area and even stated that the Feria’s were not cheap. They met with other expats who recently made the move and most felt they should not have not move.
They felt like they were misled by many people and or organizations. I have a very good retirement and was planning on settling in The Grecia area also.
Although it not affect my plans it does throw re flags up about the information you receive.
[/quote]I guess it depends on where you live in CR. While I don’t live there, I do have land on Lake Arenal. We just got back and I can tell you, other than eating at American type restaurants and buying gasoline, prices are cheaper. We ate breakfast everyday at a local soda, had a ton of food/drink/fruit, for never more than $3 per person. and a big lunch with meat and drink, was never more than $5. I commented on it being cheaper to eat breakfast out than making it yourself.
Depending upon your area, you may not need heating or A/C…this, to me, is huge coming from very cold/hot central NY.
Property taxes are very cheap…anything would be cheap compared to NY!
We bought some tools…much cheaper there. I bought minutes for my data card/stick, for my laptop, for the internet from ICE. $6 for 9000 minutes plus 1000 free minutes. I was quite stunned! Pastries were $.60 each at the local bakery store. And the best…plants and small trees were such a bargain–I felt like a kid in a candy shop at the local vivero.
Fruit/vegs are delicious and cheap. An apple here at home is $1. A pepper here is $1. A pineapple is $4. You can eat healthy food for very cheaply in CR. If you’re looking for Oreos, Cheerios, 6 pks of beer, etc., yes, it is VERY expensive. If you can live like a local, it is much cheaper than in the US.
How do the locals do it on their smaller incomes and survive??? I think you might have to change your mindset and way of living.
[quote=”maravilla”]Rush IS part of the problem, as are all the crazy right-wingers who listen to him. He wouldn’t last 5 days in Costa Rica. This place would chew him up and spit him out, and I for one, would love to watch that process. Truly, he is one of the most despicable mouth-breathers on the planet. He wouldn’t be able to get his oxycontin here either. These kinds of people bring nothing to a community — oh yeah, you’re all gonna say he will employ people and spend money. And spew poison the entire time. UGH![/quote]
He has a lot of money to spend and it would be great for the local economy. IMO, there are far more left wing loons than far right wingers…
[quote=”maravilla”]i pay my gardner C3000 – C3500/hr for using a weed whacker. otherwise he gets C1200 an hour.[/quote]
So, that’s about $6-$7 per hour for weed whacker and $2.50 for other manual labor. Would chain saws be in the same group as weed whackers? I’m assuming they are using their own tools, gas, etc., yes? Are these wages regional or pretty much all over?
Yes, I understand the rules about trees, but it seems everyone out here in the country kind of does their own thing. We’re cutting down scrubby trees, dead/dying trees.
Thanks so much!
[quote=”camby”]Down in teh dumps that cannot purchase even a small plot,,,,,have the money, wife will not commit to it at all, in part, due to some legal/financial issues we are having to deal with here….
Yes I would come back and would consider moving to CR. I had a good time, she too, but will not budge on finances right now 🙁
ALso, she is too imbued with the “america will bounce back, its God’s paradise and it will be fine”, so, not sure about her wanting to move or not….would not say, only say she would not give oup US Citizenship, which not sure what that means to her, nor why it came up, as I did not ask nor bring that up.
I think, for my mental,physical and financial health, I feel I have to get out of the USA ASAP…..that and we are close to collapse and anarchy, anyways…..
Sad I had to leave, sorry cannot come back, nor invest and cannot continue to live in this sewer, yet right now, cornered and powerless to act……
Addendum-she did have good time, was remarking how happy people were, even in poverty (comapred to average USA) and how laid back life is….her a heart patient like her, wold be a positive improvement
[/quote]Why does she think she would have to give up US citizenship? One can have dual citizenship. As far as the US, I really don’t think life is as horrible as you say. Regardless of how bad the economy is now, it’s still a far better place to live than the rest of the world. Everyone on this board loves Costa Rica, but I would bet there isn’t one that would ever give up their US citizenship.
[quote=”salamander”]We are moving to CR with 2 dogs and want to charter a plane to do this. We know its very expensive but are looking for people who would like to share the cost either for a vacation or their own move. Our dates are very flexible, thinking April through June as move dates. Don’t care where the charter originates, FLorida or Texas would be the least expensive I would think, but just looking for ideas and extra passengers. All advice, suggestions, etc. greatly appreciated![/quote]
I know nothing about sending animals other than from a friend who used to work for an airline some years ago and he said he would never fly his animals…he saw bad things happen too many times.
I don’t know if it’s possible, but what about a cruise from FL that has a stop in CR? You could take a one way cruise and it would certainly be cheaper than chartering a plane. I don’t know if a cruise lines accepts animals but, if I were transporting animals, I would contact a couple of cruise lines to ask.
Good luck. I know how important our animals are.
