Tingting

"Max prefers the ladies"

I know it's a bit inappropriate considering the topic and some of the comments, but that line still gave me a much-needed chuckle (it's been a rough day). So, thanks!

Have you tried the programs such as TurboTax? I know this isn't what you asked, but just a note...when we had our business, the first time we needed taxes done, we went to a local tax provider and ended up paying nearly $1k. I knew this wasn't right, but there wasn't much we could do. The next year, I got the program and it was user-friendly and walked me through every stage. I learned a lot, very quickly. What a difference! Even stocks were much easier to claim (buying/selling). It's not for everyone, but it sure was for us. 

Yeah, I'm not placing any bets on this one...

Love, love, LOVE lakeside services. The time and aggro that we save by using them is well worth the cost (low and very fair) of their services. Honest and pleasant folks who are filling an important niche. 

I have to add...the Google Earth is a very real possibility for outrageous increases. I've mentioned this before, but a couple of years ago it happened to us. I went in with a very recent survey and the guy who did the calculations couldn't have been more pleasant and cooperative. We were actually about to hire someone to help us report all of the changes with our property when this happened. I actually thanked him because he saved us money by the update coming directly from his office instead of having to use an attorney's services. 

FWIW, I do realize this isn't the US and comparing the tax systems is unfair, BUT it is a reality that it's less here. Yes, inflation is here and yes, it hurts, but the pain is a lot less here than there. JMHO.

On 1/6/2023 at 5:01 PM, ibarra said:

Translated by Google:

What to do if my employer or employers do not want to pay for my social security?
During the phase II pilot test, incorporation is voluntary.

It kind of makes you wonder if it's another "feel good" law that gets passed and then slowly forgotten like so many others.

Ok, please, please, please don't shoot me, but (there's always a but, isn't there?) aren't the taxes low enough for you? We've been here nearly 18 years and we STILL pay less for the year than we did for 1 month in Texas. I'm for taking all of the discounts you can, but I'm not going to get too worked up over the predial. This is apples to oranges, but many times when I purchase meds, I automatically get a discount even though I don't have a DIF card. They used to ask but now it's automatic.  I'd be insulted, but they're right

ETA:  I realize that not everyone is in the best of situations, so please go for it if you meet the requirements.

Wouldn't that be...grape juice?

First, I hope you get your puppy back. Please let us know if you do. Second (and you've probably already done this), put up as many flyers w/photo as you can. Be sure to offer a "recompensa." I wish both of you the very, very best.

Finally, for those reading this, please, please, please get tags for your furry friends. Ours have their name, a phone number and "recompensa" in the event they take a walk. I'm sure the local pet shops here do tags. If not, the Petco in Guad does. It's worth the time and expense. 

Oh, Chapalence, I'm so sorry to read this. I know how much work you two did to make your house a home and the difference always leaves me in awe when I pass by. It's really frustrating that the US government doesn't do more for its veterans who live out-of-country since the health costs here are so much less (and better IMHO). May you have "fair winds and following seas" on the next step of your journey.

Years ago, our maid started out at 400 pesos for 10 hours  (5 hours 2x/week) and now earns 700. Often, she'll stay longer until she feels satisfied the job is done. In return, we give her a snack and lunch. We also give her quite a few paid days off if we have an appointment and it falls on her cleaning day or she has a religious commitment, medical appointment, family obligation, etc. We never question it if she asks for a day off because she doesn't abuse it. We give a raise every January. While I really don't want to clean (ugh, ugh, and ugh!), if this law takes place, I may have to start. It's not because we can't pay, but I really don't want to get into the paperwork jungle that governments so love. JMHO

Or, go to http://www.rollybrook.com and you can do your own finquito. Don't try to take shortcuts. If you're not sure, use a pro. We had to "temporarily" terminate our maid (exact same hours/days as yours) when she needed hip replacement surgery. We did the calculations, paid her an extra couple of months to support her and were pretty liberal on the final amount. We had her sign a termination letter (in Spanish) and made sure she understood where the calculations came from. She got a copy of that, too. After a few months to recover, we rehired her. 

5 hours ago, RickS said:

These days this is the norm everywhere I shop, both in Colorado and also where I am in Florida. But I haven't run across any 'angry' staff. Just doing their job seems to me. 

I'm glad your experiences have been different, but mine have been about 50/50. A lot of the stockers get that "bored/disinterested/angsty-teen" look on their faces when you actually try to go down an aisle where they're stocking--always during business hours and always with crap spread out all over the place.  I'm polite. I say "excuse me," etc, but it doesn't matter. I get the impression that many are unhappy working there. Then again, it's Wally's World, so enough said. 

I will give WM one big "attaboy" for bringing in new items on test runs. There is a particular item that showed up one the shelves one day (four or five) and I bought them all. The next time I went, there were none, but just a few days later, the item was fully stocked and at a very competitive price. I've noticed this with a couple of other items. So, I have to be fair and say it's not all doom and gloom. 

FWIW, I prefer to go to Soriana's whenever possible. The biggest downside is that the selection is so much less. The upside is the folks there are friendly. 

And let's not even get into the fact that they stock the shelves during normal business hours...  Is there ever a time when you don't have to dodge the staff who are blocking the aisles and seem angry that you actually want to shop?

And the verdict is...

I'm not sure.

I've gone to LLCh twice. The first time was with a friend and it was phenomenal. The food was great, the prices were reasonable, and the service was good. I liked it so much that I decided to bring hubs to try it. Well, it wasn't good. While it wasn't exactly bad, if it had been my first time, I would never have returned. The waiter tried, but he seemed flustered. There weren't so many patrons that he couldn't keep up; he just couldn't handle our order. Why? I have no idea. It wasn't complicated. Our soup was barely lukewarm. Hubs's meat dish was tough and he had to really saw to cut it up. My dish arrived with fries when I asked for a salad. The fries that they brought were a mix of fresh and refried -- a major no-no (the refrieds always make me wonder if they were taken off of someone else's plate, recooked, and then tossed onto ours). My order was clearly forgotten as hubs got his and mine didn't show up for another 10 mins or so and the waiter couldn't look at me as he delivered it. He knew he screwed up and forgot to put my order in. It was a basic dish, nothing special, but our meals should have been together. FWIW, mine was actually quite tasty. I had ordered a dish for takeaway and that never came. There were other problems, but these were the worst.

I'm keeping the specifics a bit vague because I'd like to give the place another chance without it being too obvious. Hopefully, our experience just happened on an off day, but if my next visit is as bad, then I'll know my first amazing meal was a miracle, not the norm.

Gringal, I don't know if this will help, but if the dry cleaning place can't do it, we have a very large outdoor clothes tree that could handle it. Just DM me if you would like to use it.

Rick, I'm not trying to argue with you, but all websites, especially MEDICARE's, say exactly the same thing. I know exactly what this guy is advocating because it's nothing new and has been used in this area. It doesn't matter how the question is asked, it doesn't change the answer. Anytime someone tells you to "pick" a US address when you're not a resident....

1 hour ago, RickS said:

Yes, I know that "we/I" have forever stated that that would be fraudulent, but I for one have never verified with Medicare or my Advantage insurance company as to the issue. Have you? Incidentally all MA policies are issued by private companies, not Medicare themselves. As such they get to have some different "rules" from/than Medicare. Maybe this is one that they "allow" but just don't advertise to the masses.

I am asking Jeff Goble to provide me with some "proof" that what he is saying has been vetted by MA company (s) or is he just winging it and just hasn't been caught....yet!?

 

Through the magic that is the internet, I took 5 seconds and found this:  https://www.medicareinsurance.com/can-i-use-my-medicare-coverage-overseas/#:~:text=Just the Essentials… 1 Original Medicare plans (Parts,allow you to use your Medicare coverage overseas

Obviously, nothing is set in stone, but it still appears that you can only use Medicare overseas in special instances. Anything else still appears to be fraud. If you're so sure that this guy is the answer, then why not go straight to a Medicare rep (phone call or online chat) and get it straight from the source? Everything I've seen so far, whether Medicare, Medicare Advantage or a gap coverage says the same thing:  it may be possible for an emergency WHILE TRAVELING. It doesn't say you can live overseas and collect. 

If anyone has proof otherwise, I'd love to be proven wrong. We pay for it; we should be able to use it.

ETA:  QUOTE:  

But those retiring overseas -- or travelers enrolled in the traditional Medicare program or whose Medicare Advantage plan does not cover foreign travel -- will need to purchase health insurance from another source.

Medicare beneficiaries who are traveling and who have no other coverage must either buy short-term travel insurance or a Medigap policy that covers foreign emergencies. Medigap plans C through J offer travel emergency coverage, but the benefit applies only during the first 60 days of any trip.  UNQUOTE

QUOTE:  Retirees who are moving to a foreign country cannot use Medicare to pay for health care while they are living overseas. The options for retirees are to buy private coverage, to pay into a government-sponsored system in their new country of residence, or to go without coverage. If the retiree is moving to a country with a strong national plan, he or she may be able to pay into the plan and receive coverage similar to that accorded residents of the country. If national insurance isn't an option, many companies offer "expatriate" health insurance plans. Choosing the right plan depends on where the retiree is moving. For example, if a retiree is traveling somewhere remote or with poor local health care, evacuation coverage may be important. Another country may offer excellent health care, but each doctor visit may cost a lot of money, so a plan that covers outpatient doctor visits may be necessary there. No matter where the retiree is moving, another consideration is whether the plan covers pre-existing conditions. UNQUOTE

Both of these were taken from the site http://www.elderlawanswers.com

You're absolutely right. I unintentionally tied two posts together. Hopefully, everyone got the main gist of my posting. At the end of the day, I know that SuperDavid is just a very, very bitter old man whose life didn't turn out the way he expected it would. 

BTW, you gave me my first belly laugh of the day with your comment about your dog! 

29 minutes ago, RickS said:

Well the jury is still out (for me!) on whether or not the info he is espousing is false or not. Plan C (Medicare Advantage) DOES cover emergency and urgent care situations outside of the US. On a repayment basis.  

There are two things that he is saying that I am not personally sure are true... but I intend on finding out. One is whether or not one can actually live outside the US but then 'pick' a location in the US to 'call your residence' for Plan C coverage. The second thing is if it is true that Plan C coverages have NO 60-day limit as does Original Medicare. 

Below is a link to video where a Panamanian hyper  has Jeff Goble on to discuss this use of  Medicare Plan C if one resides outside of the US. I don't know how 'old' the video is but it does have his phone # and email address given. 

https://panamarelocationtours.com/how-to-use-medicare-in-panama

 

Unless you have an actual US residence and live there, you would be committing fraud. Whether or not you're caught is probably a roll of the dice. There is a group that did that here (and may be continuing to do so). Their billing is nearly the same as the US. Would you want to be responsible for those costs when/if they were investigated for fraud? 

Mod-2,

I read what you wrote at the end of David's last posting and thought about it. I can't speak for others, but I can honestly say it's how I feel. So, here is my response:

It's great to tell us not to respond to the trolls, but that's a bit simplistic. I can only speak for myself, but I see the damage he causes each and every time he posts about Chapala Haciendas. It's not perfect. We have good folks and bad folks, but each and every time he writes/posts, he goes on another rant about the rampant corruption/violations of Mexican law/fill-in-your-own-description that takes place  under our very noses and how no one, absolutely no one else except SuperDavid, sees it and is willing to fix it. If he only did this within our community, well, okay, every neighborhood has its Grinch, but he spews on this site where our words have real consequences. Telling us not to react is like telling the river not to flow. You can only dam so much. (yes, deliberate play on words)

Even though I'm a technodino, I know how easy it is to just sign up with another name and continue on. Heck, Sr. Pedro had many over the years, but his "Snork!" always gave him away (not trying to compare the two). Obviously, it's your call whether or not to permanently ban him, but please don't dismiss our real concerns when we respond. 

ETA:  I apologize if this comes across as a criticism as that is not my intention.

On 12/15/2022 at 4:48 PM, Lou Quillio said:

Frankly, you needn't come to Mexico to find many entitled gringas imposing their darling, ornamental child-proxies on strangers, nervily daring someone to object, spleens ready to vent.

Naturally, the same doesn't apply to my emotional-support gerbil Ernie, who mostly stays in my pocket. Mostly.

LQ

 

Sadly, I'd rather deal with someone's proxy-child than most of the actual children whose parents seem to think their precious little num-nums is just so cutesy running around screaming at the top of hims widdle lungs.

OK, that was MAINLY a joke, but yeah, as much of an animal lover as I am (and I am a HUGE one), there are just some places that a non-service animal shouldn't go. Except gerbils. Emotional support gerbils are welcome everywhere.

Oh, I'm so happy to read this! Please don't give me the credit...it was the good folks at the Oxxo who kept it safe. Isn't it great to know that there are still more good folks out there than bad?

9 hours ago, Eric Blair said:

Just to put the record straight, I do not owe one peso to anyone in Mexico. 

I believe that you are confusing me with an insurance company that pays for losses caused by the negligence and incompetence of some people. 

Within the next 48 hours, I will be putting a page up on Facebook that will both inform and educate people with regard to not only  my thoughts, but the Mexican laws that apply to Chapala Haciendas.

 So before you decide to point fingers as someone, know the facts in the applicable laws and in a way common sense. With all due respect of course.

I do have one final request, and that is directed to the moderator. Dear moderator:

If you believe that I am a troll, and/or my posts have no merit or value, please do your job and ban me from this board. If you don't feel these ways, then why don't you say something to the people that are continually hijacking threads and being nasty. Do you know the impression that a lot of people get about what many people Lakeside are like? This board is a great place for getting information, it is also a showcase for people that I believe are a vocal minority, and that I would want to have nothing to do with them just as they would not want to have anything to do with me.

Happy, healthy, and safe holidays and may God bless each and every one of you.

Just to put the record straight, I once served on the board of Chapala Haciendas. Many good people are (and have been) trying to make things work as smoothly as possible for the benefit of the residents. You, on the other hand...

I started to write more in-depth about this issue, but realized that I'd be sinking to your level. All I will say is that I can smile at my reflection in the mirror, imperfect though it is. I genuinely wonder how you face yours.

Unfortunately, I don't use Facebook or TOB. Hopefully, someone will recognize his name and get word to him.