Well ... how's THIS for an educational choice!! 
Allysia Finley: California Prison Academy?Better Than a Harvard Degree - WSJ.com
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Allysia Finley: California Prison Academy?Better Than a Harvard Degree - WSJ.com
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- Thread starter Criss Colon
- Start date
"LOOK OUT!" DR1ers,""IT's" Coming! What's Ahead In The 12 Months???????
When you say "{Most countries have an education system that allows graduates who want to work hard a chance to succeed}" you mean RICH developed countries?
Name all those countries that you are lauding here, I'll bet they are all in Europe, North American and Oceania and rich Asia countries.
But the full benefit to those with hard currency to exchange is not long lived, at least in places like the supermarket. Like when Mejia was president and the rate of exchange seemed headed for 100 to 1, in the early days your money went much further in the supermarket. But then, so that more stock could be purchased, the prices were raised, not only to be equal to the rate of exchange at that moment but more than that in anticipation of a further reduction in the value of the peso.
I have never been able to buy as much in the supermarket as I could when I arrived in the DR in mid-1980s and the rate of exchange was 1+ to 1.
What if the US dollar is no longer the international currency?
At this time the US dollar is still used as the main international currency and the DR peso versus the US dollar is all important here. I have a friend who retired to Chile and the Chilean peso is becoming much more valuable and he is starting to feel a crunch because his cash reserves are in US dollars. Chile is selling a lot of copper on the world market, which is his explanation for the appreciation in the Chlean peso.
Another person, Stansberry, has prepared a story that describes why we could see a change from the US dollar to another method. He describes the dire consequences to the US if and when this change away from the US dollar happens. Keep in mind that while I think he makes good points along the way, he is also trying to sell you something at the end of his narrative essay. Many of the same points are being made about the huge debt accrued by the DR government.
Stansberry's Investment Advisory
We have all heard it said how closely the DR and the US economies are tied. We have some very interesting times ahead.
At this time the US dollar is still used as the main international currency and the DR peso versus the US dollar is all important here. I have a friend who retired to Chile and the Chilean peso is becoming much more valuable and he is starting to feel a crunch because his cash reserves are in US dollars. Chile is selling a lot of copper on the world market, which is his explanation for the appreciation in the Chlean peso.
Another person, Stansberry, has prepared a story that describes why we could see a change from the US dollar to another method. He describes the dire consequences to the US if and when this change away from the US dollar happens. Keep in mind that while I think he makes good points along the way, he is also trying to sell you something at the end of his narrative essay. Many of the same points are being made about the huge debt accrued by the DR government.
Stansberry's Investment Advisory
We have all heard it said how closely the DR and the US economies are tied. We have some very interesting times ahead.
It is only the opinion of Criss Colon and I think it is quite wrong ,The Dominican economy is in very good shape with sovereign borrowings of less than 45% of GDP and a predicted growth rate of over 5.5% . As is usual , the loans will probably be rolled over and there will be no repayment , The exchange rate is not manipulated by the President and recently the IMF stated that its level with the dollar was about correct . The overwhelming percentage of borrowings has been used to fund much needed infrastructure which was neglected under previous Presidents , There is a strong argument that a greater percentage should go to education . The inflation figure is not correct in the original posting but is still the nymber one economic concern ..as it is world wide .
We have experienced a much better collection of taxes but there is still a long way to go to ensure what is owing is collected .
So , I see absolutely no need to worry ,,unless we are stupid enough to elect the PRD candidate
We have experienced a much better collection of taxes but there is still a long way to go to ensure what is owing is collected .
So , I see absolutely no need to worry ,,unless we are stupid enough to elect the PRD candidate
Through my business I get to speak to people from all walks of life & with varied educational backgrounds.
Recently it has struck me that those making a good living are those with trades. By way of example welders & diesel technicians are a sought-after commodity. Two guys I have met have annual six-figure US$ contracts working in the Middle East.
Ultimately all economies are based upon MANUFACTURING. Moving money around without making products creates money without true value, & devalues the overall money supply. Look at the Pacific Rim "tiger economies" of the 1990's & China & India in the last decade - massive growth & prosperity for the whole populace based upon manufacturing.
If you apply these criteria it's easy to spot the countries that are doomed & those that will rise to the top...
Recently it has struck me that those making a good living are those with trades. By way of example welders & diesel technicians are a sought-after commodity. Two guys I have met have annual six-figure US$ contracts working in the Middle East.
Ultimately all economies are based upon MANUFACTURING. Moving money around without making products creates money without true value, & devalues the overall money supply. Look at the Pacific Rim "tiger economies" of the 1990's & China & India in the last decade - massive growth & prosperity for the whole populace based upon manufacturing.
If you apply these criteria it's easy to spot the countries that are doomed & those that will rise to the top...
It's still cheaper to live here than in the US by at least a fourth but thanks for the positive comments as usual.
Only if you're getting your money from the US.
Because of the wage differential, the local purchasing power in Santo Domingo is almost 70% lower than it is in Albuquerque, NM.
Cost Of Living Comparison Between Albuquerque, NM, United States And Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Anyone from the US who needs to work for a living shouldn't even consider living in the DR unless they can find a way to maintain their US income level.
I couldn't disagree more. Brazil, the DR and the US all have GDP's which are between 21% - 26% "Industry" dependent and around 65% "Services" dependent yet the 2010 GDP growth rate for the US was 2.7%, 4.5% for DR and 7.5% for Brazil. Never discount natural resources, how those resources are managed and most importantly What the government of each country spends it's money on and how much they borrow.
There are also geopolitical and ecological factors in play which demand consideration. The recent natural disasters followed by their current ecological disaster in Japan threatens to cripple their economy and that's if nothing else bad happens to them for the next few years. Likewise, S. Korea's economy is a madman's whim away from total devastation. It's only easy in hindsight. There are just too many variables.
Do you actually live here in the DR to make that statement?
It is untrue to say the least. One only needs to make a third of what they did in the States to be able to live here in the DR. I made US16k last year compared to US70k in the US but I have no house payment. Still my estimate is low.
The problem I see from people opining about the cost of living here in the DR is many don't live here or have spent enough time, they live in the tourist areas, don't speak the language and can't get good deals, can't live without their expensive imported foods and habits like eating out at fine restaurants or they spend all their money on hookers and drinking.
I wanna be like you when I grow up. I have budgeted $2000 per month but it could be less but I am very particular about housing and I have no self-discipline. I have to break up the meat, rice, and beans routine at least once a week with TGIFridays, Marisco Central, Pizza Hut, etc. and with the kids the bill is usually hefty. I also will nor compromise on housing, I have certain tastes and the houses I usually like are usually between 15,000rd - 25,000rd per month.
SHALENA
Your situation is different because you have much more costs associated with travel and also taking care of your kids not to mention you are single and can't expect to stay home all the time.
I'm happy at home with the kids around and the wife(when in a good mood ) and my xbox, the kids are happy with eachother and the wife I have to take her to the family and out once and a while so as to not feel the repercussions.Your situation is different because you have much more costs associated with travel and also taking care of your kids not to mention you are single and can't expect to stay home all the time.
I guess it comes down to personal wants. I, like Shalena, have certain requirements when it comes to housing that I just won't drop below, and if that means my "eating out and socializing" budget takes a hit, then so be it. That said, if I'm reducing to pinching pesos by the middle of the month because the cost of a middle-class lifestyle (by US, not Dominican standards) is so high, the allure to move is substantially reduced.
The attraction to DR (other than the nice climate and very pretty women) is the challenge of experiencing a new culture, and hopefully expanding one's perspective. Learning the lingo, participating in the community, all that stuff is essential, not terribly expensive, and quite fulfilling.
Did you even bother to look at the cost of living comparison or did you have your mind already set in attack mode, regardless of the facts as usual?
This information is not based on a scientifically accepted survey procedure but on input directly from residents of the areas in the comparison.
That whole "do you actually live here" argumant is horse puckey and you know it. I don't have to be standing in Ghaddafi Square in Tripoli to understand that it would be a dumb place for me to be right now.
Please tell us sometime how you use your impressive Spanish language skills to pay almost twice as much for gasoline there as you would in the US.
The biggest difference (which I thought I had clearly pointed out) was the effect that the income disparity has on the overall purchasing power and thusly the quality of living there vs. a moderate income/ expense US location such as ABQ.
You made $16k (US) and that's about double the median there. The fact that you have no house payment is a big plus and you are ahead of the curve because of it. Most Dominicans are not.
The comparison which I offered also showed the relative costs of "fine dining" at expensive restaraunts" like McDonald's and beer/ wine/ liquor and I would imagine that anyone who lived their lives spending "all their money on hookers and drinking" is going to either end up broke or dead, regardless of their income. You see, the subject encompasses the expenses of living in a place and NOT about vacationing there. Albuquerque also has casinos, night clubs, bars, restaraunts, strip clubs and hookers to attract tourists. That's not how the locals live so why would you bring it up in either case....unless whatever point you're trying to make has nothing at all to do with the topic which is being discussed here?
Yeah, given your lifestyle it would actually be just as easy (assuming you owned the house you live in, outright) for you to get by on $16k (US) in Jackson MS. At least you'd be able to treat the family out for some good Bar-B-Que once in awhile.
"C'mon" Chip,If I wanted to live like a Monk,I would have joined the Jesuits!!!
Well,maybe not the "Jesuits",they spend too much on "Booze"!:knockedou
When I was growing up in Illinois,we ate fried bologna sandwiches!(I STILL like them!)
But I don't HAVE to eat them now!
My oldest son grew up to become an economist.I taught him the value of money.
Money allows one to have,and make,CHOICES!
If you have money,you live where you want,eat what you want,run the airconditioning when you want,have the education you want,drive the car that you want,have the medical care that you want.I think you get my point??????
Telling people that they can live the life they want in the DR for 17,000 a year does them a disservice.
I spend 4 times that much.We don't go out to fancy restaurants,we don't "drink",and I have been celibate for 3 years,as of 12 August 2011,at 2 pm!
I tell people that they need to think about having the same amount of money in the DR as they had in the USA.
Just like they used to tell people that they can live the same lifestyle they had while working with less money when they retire.Now they are advised to have 20% more!More freetime means more time to enjoy life,with the associated expense.
I didn't come here to lower my standard of living.
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Well,maybe not the "Jesuits",they spend too much on "Booze"!:knockedou
When I was growing up in Illinois,we ate fried bologna sandwiches!(I STILL like them!)
But I don't HAVE to eat them now!
My oldest son grew up to become an economist.I taught him the value of money.
Money allows one to have,and make,CHOICES!
If you have money,you live where you want,eat what you want,run the airconditioning when you want,have the education you want,drive the car that you want,have the medical care that you want.I think you get my point??????
Telling people that they can live the life they want in the DR for 17,000 a year does them a disservice.
I spend 4 times that much.We don't go out to fancy restaurants,we don't "drink",and I have been celibate for 3 years,as of 12 August 2011,at 2 pm!
I tell people that they need to think about having the same amount of money in the DR as they had in the USA.
Just like they used to tell people that they can live the same lifestyle they had while working with less money when they retire.Now they are advised to have 20% more!More freetime means more time to enjoy life,with the associated expense.
I didn't come here to lower my standard of living.
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Well Criss we're still going around in circles!!!!!
I've already said I had an advantage in that I don't have a house payment but then again said the cost of living is a third of what it is in the States which would be US23,333 a year which is 40%+ more than I am currently making.
Also, Santiago is cheaper than SD and cooler! I don't need AC but then again I'm a skinny little guy.
I also don't need to go out to have fun! I am not celibate and I drink everyday and play the xbox and with the kids. What the heck else do I need?????????????????
elllllllllll piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipppppooo
I've already said I had an advantage in that I don't have a house payment but then again said the cost of living is a third of what it is in the States which would be US23,333 a year which is 40%+ more than I am currently making.
Also, Santiago is cheaper than SD and cooler! I don't need AC but then again I'm a skinny little guy.
I also don't need to go out to have fun! I am not celibate and I drink everyday and play the xbox and with the kids. What the heck else do I need?????????????????
elllllllllll piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipppppooo
Chip,it's not about what you want,but about what your kids need!
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Kids need lots of love, attention, a safe place to live and a decent education. I'm not raising my daughters to be doctors or lawyers but good Christian people. Titles and degrees won't get anyone into heaven even though I'm not necessarily opposed to them as I have both.
Ing. Chi