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paumatomMember
I think I would be on the side of reducing your monthly expenses. At this point in life my monthly expenses are what I am most concerned with controlling. It seems you are not under any financial strain so I would use the 175K to pay down the mortgage. A 30yr. fixed for 250K is about $1,660/mo. so lets just say you’re 2 yrs. into the mortgage and your principal is now 245K use the 175K to pay it down to 70K, then for a flat fee ( probably around $250.00 ) you can then have your mortgage recast to 28yrs. and your payments would be around $475/mo. I’m assuming the 7% mortgage is from a bank in CR and you would be in the same neighborhood if you went through the time and expense of a re-fi.
paumatomMemberA nice bit of prose designed to incite a particular element of the voting public and at the end:
“DON’T LET OUR GOVERNMENT WASTE MILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE ALL LAW ABIDING CITIZENS AN EASY TARGET.”
What exactly is the legislation about to take effect that will make ” All LAW ABIDING CITIZENS AN EASY TARGET” ?
It’s also nice to know that a police force does not offer any protection for citizens, so I guess this is also an anti-police declaration.
Exactly how far back in time do we have to turn the clock before this author would be happy with the state of society.
paumatomMemberCrFinca- Thanks for your work and the review. During my visit last week I ran into a guy in Tamarindo who had one that he had just purchased. He said he paid $19,000. The link I posted shows 2 double cab models and one has a turbo diesel engine and larger tires etc. Anyway I’m still intrigued and I’ll look into it further on my next visit. Thanks again.
paumatomMemberTo 2BNCR & CRFinca- First of all thanks for the replies. I guess you could classify my interest in this as “most bang for the buck.” For not much money by CR cost standards, I’d be in something brand new, warranty etc. The double cab version seems to have a huge back seat, so picking up visitors at the airport, heading out to Xmas time fiesta etc. would not be a problem. ( CRFinca- I’m assuming you were talking about the single cab version )
It’s not for a commercial application, but there will be times I’m sure when the flatbed will come in handy. The key seems to be it is a commercial vehicle so I think the duty is much lower, thus the purchase price is under 20k. It is a 4×4 so I think you both know there are times on the Nicoya when that can come in handy. Now I know the ride and driving etc. won’t be the same as a new Hyundai, Toyota or even Kia SUV, but again for the money I’m thinking I’d have all the bases covered.
April 3, 2010 at 7:16 pm in reply to: If you HAVENT seen it, THIS is why the US. is in serious trouble – #199476paumatomMemberI’ve been reading this forum for about as long as it has been in existence. I do recognize this forum is about Costa Rica and the vast, vast ,vast majority of the time I read it to simply try and assimilate information for future use. I’ve posted what? 38 times in in about 9 years, I’m usually pretty true to my purpose. The first sentence of my post was a little joke about my feelings regarding how the original post tied to Costa Rica
I’ve been visiting Costa Rica for over 10 yrs. I am aware it not paradise, or an extension of the US populated solely by US expats. All that being said should I have taken a bye regarding a reply to the original post, yeah probably.
None of this is any big deal and I said what I had to say. Would it be best if this this board was all Costa Rica all the time? I guess, but things don’t always work out as intended 100% of the time. Sometimes one just can’t resist making a comment.
April 3, 2010 at 7:31 am in reply to: If you HAVENT seen it, THIS is why the US. is in serious trouble – #199469paumatomMemberIn the spirit that Guam occupies space, in the same ocean, where I usually occupy space while in Costa Rica I will reply.
First of all Rep. Johnson claims he was making a little joke. His quote:
“The subtle humour of this obviously metaphorical reference to a ship capsizing illustrated my concern about the impact of the planned military build-up on this small tropical island,” he said.
As an aside, Admiral Willard ( the other player in the video ) attended my high school and was good friends with one of my younger brothers. He also was involved with the Top Gun school at Miramar NAS and did much of the flying in the movie “Top Gun”. I know that’s not relevant but what the hell, most of what one reads and hears these days, lacks a certain amount of relevancy.
If you chose to believe Rep. Johnson thinks Guam will tip over go for it. I hesitate to open the following can of worms, but again, what the hell. There are any number of current members in the House and Senate who believe the Earth is 6,000 years old and the End of Times is rapidly approaching, with a final battle scheduled for the area currently known as the Middle East. (Maybe they can get Jerry Bruckheimer to produce, I’m sure it would be a hit.) On a state level, the Texas Board of Education just voted to remove Thomas Jefferson from the curriculum in a world history section of great political thinkers. Evidently Jefferson was lacking the right kind of enlightenment.
Now, truly, I don’t care what people chose to believe, but I do expect elected officials to act in the national interest of our country. So relating to our country being in trouble, let me ask the following. Do you think, say something like our Mideast policy, might be endangered by having the line between national interest and personal belief blurred? Would that qualify as trouble?
paumatomMember[quote=”jdocop”]
Incidentally, I liked the Abraham Lincoln quote, and thought it was not only appropriate, but well placed, coming as it did, after the posters personal statement, and not before, as his attacker stated.
Well, I’ll make the assumption that I’m the “attacker” in this little scenario and obviously I should have been more precise in my statement. So just to set the record straight.
I would say that the following are the words of Lincoln and they are at the beginning of the entire quote attributed to Lincoln:
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.”The rest of the quote, aka the end, I would say is not the work or words of Lincoln. That part is as follows.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence.. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them,
what they could and should do for themselves.I apologize for not be clearer in my initial post.
paumatomMember“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence.. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them,
what they could and should do for themselves.”Abraham Lincoln
Yeah right. Start with a quote from Lincoln, then tack whatever you want on the end and attribute the whole thing to Lincoln. Having a problem with history and reality? Just create your own.
paumatomMemberIt may be right in front of me, but I fail to see what Costa Rica would gain by granting a tax break to expats to bring a car into the country. If you’re already declared you’re coming to the country the sale has been made, and the old saying is ” once the sale has been made you ( the salesperson ) should stop talking”
Now if a program was instituted to maybe have a six month window where one could get a tax break on a car purchased in Costa Rica that would be different. I could see more of a win/win scenario from that type of program.. Even that’s not perfect, but I can at least see the possibility that more expats might buy cars while providing an economic boost to Costa Rica.
In the 10+ yrs. I’ve been going to Costa Rica it has evolved from somewhat of a secret to no secret at all. All the measures passed in the last few years are designed to get more expat money into the Costa Rica economy and I don’t have a problem with that. The sale has been made and the country should benefit.
paumatomMemberThanks Scott, It’s not so much as I missed the article, this just seemed to be more current and from the person in charge.
Upon further consideration It’s not that big a deal. I had forgotten that investor status does not cover a spouse, so pensionado is still the best option. If the house qualified both it would be worth thinking about as I think it might be easier in the long run. Less record keeping etc.paumatomMemberThe one that caught my eye is investor status for owning a home valued at 200K. This would expose you to the new tax , but it seems like you would not have to bring $1,000.00 in each month, so if you’re going to have a house anyway and only spend 6-9 months here…?? Well something else to think about.
Article:
What you should know about the immigration law
By Chrissie Long
Tico Times Staff | clong@ticotimes.netFrequently asked: Immigration Administration Director Mario Zamora explains what foreigners living in Costa Rica need to know about the new immigration law, which goes into effect Monday.
Pablo Franceschi | Tico Times
A new immigration law will enter into effect on Monday, March 1, which will bring information relevant to every foreigner residing in Costa Rica. According to Immigration Administration Director Mario Zamora, the intent of the law is to move the approximately 600,000 foreigners living in Costa Rica into a status that reflects their situation.
We’ve compiled a short list of “Things You Should Know,” which follows. We are in the process of updating this list to answer more questions in greater depth that our readers might have.
Please keep in mind we can only offer general information; we cannot provide advice regarding individual situations.
Q: Regarding the “perpetual tourist,” who enters on a tourist visa and leaves the country every 90 days, I heard that after two times renewing tourist status by remaining outside of the country for 72 hours, you must remain out of the country for 15 days. Is that true?
A: No. It’s not true. The situation of the perpetual tourist will remain as it has been. Under current rules, tourists are allowed to stay 90 days in Costa Rica, at which point they must leave for 72 hours. If they don’t leave, they are here illegally.
I also heard you must go to a different country to renew visa status. If you went to Nicaragua for 72 hours the first time, you must go to a different country the next time. Did I get that right?
No. As long as you remain outside the country for 72 hours, it doesn’t matter where you spend it.
What if I don’t want to leave Costa Rica ?
Under the new immigration law, there is an option for you. Beginning March 1, you can submit a petition at the Immigration Administration in La Uruca, which is to the west of San José, pay $100 and you can remain another 90 days.
Is this a complicated process?
According to the director of the Immigration Administration, it is not. You must submit a copy of your passport, a letter addressed to the head of the Immigration Administration explaining your situation and proof that you have financial solvency. You must also pay $100.
Is the immigration administration the only place I can renew my tourist status?
For the moment, the immigration administration is the only place you can renew your tourist status. In six weeks, the Immigration Administration hopes to make the process available in post offices throughout the country. Renewing status at the Immigration Administration is permitted only two times, at which point you must leave Costa Rica.
What if I miss this 90 day deadline?
If you miss the 90 day deadline, you have two options. You can pay $100 for every month you’ve remained in Costa Rica “irregularly” or you can leave the country. If you decide to leave Costa Rica without paying, immigrations officials can refuse re-admission to the country, or you will be allowed to return only after a period outside the country three times longer than the time you were illegal in Costa Rica.
I would like to upgrade my tourist status and become a resident. What do I need to know about this process?
Thanks to the new immigration law, you can initiate the process without leaving the country. Before, paperwork had to be submitted to consulate offices in the home country of the foreigner. Today, paperwork (such as the necessary birth certificate and police record) can be submitted and approved at the Costa Rican Immigration Administration. One of Immigration Director Mario Zamora’s objectives is to make the process possible without the need to hire a lawyer. Unfortunately, it will require a good command of the Spanish language, but Zamora is hoping that he’ll have all immigration material translated into English in the coming months. Lastly, you need to qualify for resident status as a retiree, investor, family member of a Costa Rican, or an employer-sponsored worker.
Is it possible to get residency as a homeowner?
Yes. You must demonstrate your home is valued at more than $200,000 in order to get investor status on your home.
I heard that I will need to show proof that I contribute to the Costa Rican Social Security system (Caja) in order to renew my residency. How do I contribute?
Under the new immigration law, foreigners must show evidence that they contribute to the social security system (public health care system) in order to renew his or her residency. You can do this at any of the Caja offices throughout the country, who will present you with a menu of options on how you can begin contributions. According to the immigration director Zamora, the Caja is prepared to receive foreigners in order to meet this requirement.
Check the March 5 Tico Times for more information about the immigration law.
paumatomMembertwinzor1- We might be building in the general area of Playa Junquillal in the future. As your house in Paraiso is completed, did you use a local builder? and would you recommend that builder?.
Thanks for any information you might share.
paumatomMemberDavid – See Norovirus:
paumatomMemberThree years ago I took my XM radio with me on a trip to Costa Rica. I was on the Nicoya at Playa Negra. The radio worked in my rent a car when I was right at the beach. The signal was ok, not great but it pull in a signal with just the small magnetic antenna. Once away from the beach the signal faded quickly.
paumatomMemberFrom your reference, the President said “You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done”. The President went to the hill to invite the GOP to assist in crafting a recovery package and what he got in return was a proposal from house republicans comprised entirely of tax cuts. It was not a serious proposal, but one meant to obstruct and try and make political points during a time of national crisis. That’s what he was referring to and you go off the deep end suggesting the President wants to eliminate free speech. It’s hard to believe one could take that comment and end up where you did.
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