I was reading the other day that the cost of living in the U.S. is still ridiculously high even with the recession tapering off. When my daughter tells me how much her family is spending on basic necessities alone the prices are staggering. I'm sure this is pretty much the same in all of our home countries.
Here is a rough comparison between U.S. and Thailand:
In America, based on the average persons annual net income this is the percentage they spend on the following basic needs:
Housing = 36%
Transportation = 16%
Health Care = 13%
Food = 18%
As compared to my spending in Thailand:
Housing = 3% (annual condo maintenance fees)
Transportation = 1%
Health Care = 11% (just went up significantly last year when I turned the big 70).
Food = 12%
I'm 5 years into my retirement in Thailand (which I commonly refer to as the "Freedom Chapter") and I live a good quality life...never worry about paying bills...and save nearly 40% of my monthly income. Not to mention the ocean that's right outside my door or the cute Thai boy that's sitting next to me, both of which would just be pipe-dreams if I had retired in the U.S..
If you're getting close to retirement and not sure what to do...just stop thinking...sell the farm...say goodbye to that miserable city you call home...and give yourself the life of pure bliss that you deserve.