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America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

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Re: America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

#441

Post by arolihas »

danny_codes wrote: post #354
arolihas wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The bottom quintile gets everything handed to them and it's still not enough. We all live at the mercy of them and their dysfunction.

How are you at the mercy of a group with no money or power? Genuinely curious how you logic-ed your way into this tenuous and seemingly ludicrous position

They have money. It’s taken from the rest of us and given to them. The rules you follow in life will be based on the behavior of the bottom quintile, the taxes you pay are to support the bottom quintile, the greatest risks to your life and property will come from the bottom quintile, the dearth of comfortable public spaces is because you have to allow the bottom quintile to be there, our zoning laws are developed for fear of the bottom quintile.

Re: America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

#442

Post by ii41 »

SV_BubbleTime wrote: post #270
FredFS456 wrote: post #248

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with you that the migrant workers are effectively a serf class. However, I think it's fine that the SG government severely discourages owning a car. It's a small island with lots of people, there would be gridlock if everyone wanted their own car. The public transportation system is amazing and works well.

I promise you do not need to explain scarcity to me :) the issue is that the disparity between I can’t afford a car, and I will never be able to afford a car is vast. The slave class exist to do nothing but serve (be on the street at 2300, it’s poor people running power washers everywhere you go). The entire country runs on Chinese goods in shipping containers going to the US. It’s a tax state. Don’t get me wrong, un…

> disparity between I can’t afford a car, and I will never be able to afford a car is vast

There's no disparity. Either way you're not going to own a car any time soon.

You're not freer when the legal system prevents you to do something because you don't have enough money than when the legal system prevents you from doing that thing for other reasons.

Re: America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

#443

Post by dbetteridge »

oblio wrote: post #431
SV_BubbleTime wrote: post #237

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I worked with a guy from sg. He gave me tips for when I went to visit. He hooked me up with a family member that showed me the backend a bit. The country effectively runs on a slave class. You must drive a new vehicle under 5 years old, and the license just to buy a car was $90,000 or so. This means an entire class of people that will be taking the bus to do your laundry and clean your house for the rest of their liv…

> You must drive a new vehicle under 5 years old, and the license just to buy a car was $90,000 or so. I don't understand this. At all. Are people forced to buy cars every 5 years?

No, the majority of people use something a lot of Americans struggle with "Public transport".

The MRT and bus system in Singapore is great for getting around to the point that you don't need a car, but if you Want one it must be new and you have to pay for a license as road space and parking space are physically limited.

Re: America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

#444

Post by raw_anon_1111 »

snayan wrote: post #423
raw_anon_1111 wrote: post #234

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No one is doubting that it is possible to save enough to retire by the time you’re 50 - as long as the ACA and the open market is viable.

Just leave the US, problem solved.

I said in another reply, that’s actually a real Plan B. We are going to stay in Costa Rica for 5 weeks starting next week and my wife and I are both learning Spanish now. I’m at around an A2 CEFR level.

I’ve already researched the residency requirements for both there and Panama

Re: America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

#445

Post by salesynerd »

itemize123 wrote: post #393
salesynerd wrote: post #370

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The "gotcha" here is that the home is, legally and technically, on a 99-year lease from the government. So, the government is free to take it back once the lease expires. This happened a couple of years back with an old enclave - the "owners" had to vacate their units as their lease had expired and the government needed the land for developmental purposes. In fact, this had become a hot button issue in the elections.…

this is almost entirely orthogonal. you can use cpf for private, non-99year lease housing too.

Thanks for correcting me; I accept that CPF can be used for both the cases you have mentioned.

My comment came from two observations: 1. The majority of Singapore citizens live in HDB. 2. The vast majority of non-landed residential properties (private condos and HDBs) are on 99-year leases.

Re: America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

#446

Post by mathgladiator »

raw_anon_1111 wrote: post #369
mathgladiator wrote: post #362

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. I will not let fear rule my life.

That’s monumentally not a good idea https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html 90% of adults will have a chronic condition by the time they are 65. https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/most-commo...

That data alone invalidates any idea of insurance being sustainable, it's a sinking ship.

I, on the other hand, only eat beef, butter, bacon, and eggs and everything is getting better. BUT, I may be in a cult, but this cult has benefits.

Re: America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

#447

Post by mathgladiator »

com2kid wrote: post #395
mathgladiator wrote: post #341

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For the chronic stuff, yes. For acute accidents, who knows! With carnivore: I'm off almost all meds, my mobility and flexibility are amazing these days (I am sitting on the floor right now with crossed legs).

Dude, cancer is an RNG roll away for anyone. Doesn't matter how well you take care of yourself if a random cell decides to divide in just the wrong way.

Cancer happens all the time and your immune system deals with it. Look into the recent evidence of how keto deals with cancer. I'm telling you, I live in a world without fear and it is awesome.

Re: America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

#448

Post by mathgladiator »

snayan wrote: post #422
mathgladiator wrote: post #331

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I retired on my 40th birthday, and it is AWESOME. The thing is... no one has anything that I want to buy. I don't mean this in an elitist way, but more of a monk way. Like, I don't understand status and keeping up with people.

This is the way. Like good meals, but I don't really understand the allure of owning a bunch of things. The ego, when left to it's own devices, is a hell of a drug.

Ego is truly wild. I had one last bastion of ego that echoes a bit. It was my ability to code the machine. Im that guy that really loves to code. It fills me with joy in ways that I cant describe. It was the only status I really had... until AI.

AI has freed me.

I am free to fully enjoy life as a nut case. Its fantastic as im living a second childhood right now.

Re: America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

#449

Post by oblio »

dbetteridge wrote: post #443
oblio wrote: post #431

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> You must drive a new vehicle under 5 years old, and the license just to buy a car was $90,000 or so. I don't understand this. At all. Are people forced to buy cars every 5 years?

No, the majority of people use something a lot of Americans struggle with "Public transport". The MRT and bus system in Singapore is great for getting around to the point that you don't need a car, but if you Want one it must be new and you have to pay for a license as road space and parking space are physically limited.

Ah, then that comment is just silly.

Singapore is a small and dense island, poor people fare better without cars there. Cars are very expensive, even old, beat up cars. They're either expensive for the owner or for society or both.

Re: America vs. Singapore: You can't save your way out of economic shocks

#450

Post by Spooky23 »

hn_acc1 wrote: post #348
kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #344

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I reentered the US from Windsor a few months ago and the Nexus line was backed up but could just sail through the regular line once they inched enough past the tunnel.

Sure, all bets are off as of January 2025. In the past, it wasn't a big deal.

It varies depending on where and when you cross.

TBH, I’ve gotten a lot more shit over the years from Canadian authorities at the border. The Canadians are tough about foreigners with convictions entering the country, and if you share a name with someone with a DUI, sometimes you get flagged. All border police do random tit for tit enforcement or look for specific things for reasons.

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