World War 3 isn’t coming…it’s been unfolding in front of our very eyes. From rising tensions in the Middle East and Europe, recent events are a reminder that, in many ways, we already are a world at war. 

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my co-host, Marc Clair, as we break down what is happening around the world. From ceasefires to movement restrictions, we discuss how these changes impact real people and the decisions they make.

Enjoy!

IN TODAY’S EPISODE

• Tune in as Marc and I break down the latest developments in the Middle East and why a “ceasefire” doesn’t necessarily mean stability
• Listen in as we discuss reports of UAE visa cancellations and what that reveals about how quickly your options can disappear
• Hear our thoughts on a shocking new rule in Germany and what it could mean for German citizens living there
• Marc and I discuss why having a Plan-B is no longer optional in today’s chaotic geopolitical environment

STAY IN TOUCH!

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The post 404: World War 3 Watch: A Fragile Ceasefire & Revoked Visas appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Jim Lennertz is an American-born entrepreneur and adventurer. Raised in a beach town during California’s “Golden Age,” he became a self-described “well-educated surfer” who gathered real-world experiences and realized that the prescribed life path was not for him. He currently lives with his wife in Southern Brazil, and he’s also an admin in our private Facebook group at ExpatMoneyForum.com.

In this conversation, Jim describes why he now calls Brazil home and gives tips for expats on assimilating into local culture.

TODAY’S CONVERSATION WITH JIM LENNERTZ

• Hear Jim recount his expat origin story! Find out how life events, a magazine article and an abundance of frequent flyer miles led him to Brazil.
• Jim and I reminisce about our first encounters online, where Jim would give me grief about my Portuguese. We had a blast catching up!
• Listen in as Jim breaks down why he believes it’s so important for expats to assimilate into the local culture and not just stay within the confines of the expat bubbles.
• Hear Jim and I discuss the importance of “breaking bread” in person, especially today when so many of our interactions are digital.
• We discuss why Jim feels more safe and secure with his current situation in Brazil than he would if had the same situation back in California, which he calls a “dead state walking.”
• Jim and I go back and forth a bit on the pros and cons of investing in agricultural land based on our slightly different outlooks. If you’ve thought about investing in agricultural land, you cannot miss this conversation!
• Listen to us discuss why learning the local language as an expat is not just a convenience; it’s a matter of personal responsibility.
• Lastly, Jim makes the by-the-numbers case for why Brazil is one of the safest places you could be in the event of World War Three.

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253: Where To Go If We Have World War Three

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CONCLUSION

I had such a great time speaking to Jim and getting his real-world perspective on integrating into a new culture as an expat. Having spoken with Jim plenty of times, both online and in person, over the last few years, I knew this conversation would be a blast, and Jim didn’t disappoint. So come on over to ExpatMoneyForum.com and join the conversation – and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to argue with Jim 🙂

The post 254: How To Assimilate To The Local Culture – Jim Lennertz appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Today Ernie is back to talk a bit about his work in law enforcement, specifically in Latin America, and some of the safety concerns, tips and tricks, and anything to do with safety and security in Latin America.

TODAY’S CONVERSATION WITH ERNIE BACA

• Listen to Ernie detail his extensive background in law enforcement, including working on HUGE cases that you’ve absolutely heard of, including John Gotti and Timothy McVeigh!
• Ernie explains what he means by the phrase “security is an illusion” – and how you can use that knowledge to understand your own security situation better.
• Hear Ernie unveils his security philosophy of mitigating risk. How can you find the balance to understand the reality of the situation best and assess your personal security situation? 
• Ernie describes how obtaining only partial information, whether from national news – or, in Ernie’s case, security reports – can lead to a skewed view of the security situation in a given area. 
• Ernie and I discuss the concept of situational awareness – how to use your knowledge and the knowledge of others to assess the level of security you need in any given time and place. 
• Ernie lays out some very simple rules for travelling, using the examples of Mexico and Brazil. Follow these tips, and you will more than likely be safe and sound wherever you go.
• Ernie and I discuss more of the little steps we take to “stack” security in our lives and turn situational awareness into a habit. Ultimately, it all comes down to taking personal responsibility.
• Ernie and I trade personal stories about various security-related situations and how situational awareness – or lack thereof – drastically altered the course of events.
• Ernie also reveals his ultimate trick for avoiding a bad situation – learning to trust your instinct. Learn from one of the absolute best in this episode.

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HOW TO FIND ERNIE BACA’S WORK

“Retired Life in Mexico NO BULL” on YouTube

CONCLUSION

Ernie has extensive experience with the security situation in a number of Latin American countries that are very popular with expats as well, so I had to have him back to dive deeper into the subject. Ernie and I have a lot in common when it comes to our approach to this issue,  so I know you’ll get a ton of value out of it as well.

See you all next Wednesday on the podcast!

The post 249: How Safe Is Latin America – Ernie Baca appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.