[Entropy4]

Yeah, I've met a number of them, and am almost there myself.

Internet businesses, web designers/programmers, poker players, traders/investors.

I've met a couple former Wall Street guys who checked out at the right time and just make smart moves while they travel while living humbly. One of them has lasted a almost a decade doing that and still has tons of money to spare.

[kindredspirit]

I know a guy who started a software business from his bedroom *while* living abroad and now pulls in about $250,000 - $300,000 USD per year, working about 20-30 hours per week. Still no office. Oh, and the business is recurring subscription-based, meaning he doesn't need new customers. Just keep the ones he has happy.

[Giovonny]

(07-04-2010 05:37 PM)Entropy4 Wrote:  

Yeah, I've met a number of them, and am almost there myself.

Internet businesses, web designers/programmers, poker players, traders/investors.

Entropy4,

You are almost there yourself. Congrats on doing what we all want to do. How have you done it? Is it mostly from your PUA products? Or do you have multiple businesses?

If you want to keep it private please PM me. Thanks.

Roosh,

I'm a shitty poker player. Can you give some examples of the types of Internet businesses that these guys are into? Affiliate Marketing? Porn? Ebay?

I just want to start building a Tim Ferris type of lifestyle. What are some ways/examples that I can follow? I need a mentor and some direction. I think I better start checking out the 4HWW blog/Forum.

[hydrogonian]

Giovanny,

You need an edge. In poker, this means being better than the people that you play. When selling products, it means that you have a tight control on distribution, or else you are better at selling than anyone else selling the product. Patents, domain names, and copyrights also protect your edge. Thats why coming up with your own product is a very good idea. Become an expert on something and write about it. To do anything worthwhile should probably take you several years. A year or three to become an expert, and a year or three to come out with a product.

The better the product, the better your edge is protected.

Some guys get good at affiliate marketing, but I think they are always switching up their products according to the edge that is quickly gained and lost due to low barriers of entry for other competitors selling the same products.

You could also become a distributor for specialized goods. Think commercial. This will be less of a mobile type of business, but maybe you could automate after a while.

[thegmanifesto]

Giovonny,

You should read Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk, to get your mind working in the right direction.

The book basically addresses your questions. Easy quick read as well.

I wrote a review and have given away a few copies as gifts.

http://www.thegmanifesto.com/2009/11/rev...rchuk.html

[Vacancier Permanent]

Lavinici,
At this time, it looks like SE Asia is where I'll be heading to. Thinking of staying 2 months in Thailand and 1 month in China and maybe 2-3 weeks in Japan. Schedule not finalised yet...

[clr]

I havent been but I am planning on Chaing Mai, just too many good things about it, I have been hearing a lot, away from the whores, supposed to be beautiful and Muay Thai.

I have friends that do it too (myself included) you HAVE to find something to keep you busy, I started really getting bored 6-9 months into retirement. Party too much, screw around on internet too much. T Ferris advice is golden IMO. I need to go read it again. I am starting something new now too. Find a product sell it, no over head you can sell cheaper then anyone else. I am also planning on importing diamonds with a friend as I have a security background.

[Giovonny]

(07-05-2010 12:47 PM)hydrogonian Wrote:  

Giovanny,

You need an edge. In poker, this means being better than the people that you play. When selling products, it means that you have a tight control on distribution, or else you are better at selling than anyone else selling the product. Patents, domain names, and copyrights also protect your edge. Thats why coming up with your own product is a very good idea. Become an expert on something and write about it. To do anything worthwhile should probably take you several years. A year or three to become an expert, and a year or three to come out with a product.

The better the product, the better your edge is protected.

Some guys get good at affiliate marketing, but I think they are always switching up their products according to the edge that is quickly gained and lost due to low barriers of entry for other competitors selling the same products.

You could also become a distributor for specialized goods. Think commercial. This will be less of a mobile type of business, but maybe you could automate after a while.

Thanks Hydro, I really like this. So much of this stuff is finding a competitive edge and capitalizing on it.

(07-05-2010 01:06 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

Giovonny,

You should read Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk, to get your mind working in the right direction.

The book basically addresses your questions. Easy quick read as well.

I wrote a review and have given away a few copies as gifts.

http://www.thegmanifesto.com/2009/11/rev...rchuk.html

I need to read that.

[hydrogonian]

(07-06-2010 02:37 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Lavinici,
At this time, it looks like SE Asia is where I'll be heading to. Thinking of staying 2 months in Thailand and 1 month in China and maybe 2-3 weeks in Japan. Schedule not finalised yet...

The Phillipines might be a very worthwhile consideration.

English is commonly spoken as a second language. Don't underestimate the rate of spoken English, in Asia, insofar as the effect it can have of your overall enjoyment of the destination.

7000+ Islands

Many more women than men. Very easy to hook up with non-pros, but also a very healthy p4p industry as well.

Very fond of westerners.

Some say the best beaches in SE Asia.

Cheaper than almost any of the other commonly traveled countries in all of Asia, save perhaps for Cambodia.

I would certainly consider it over China as a vacation destination, unless you have a Chinese cultural fascination to satisfy, or otherwise want to check out Hong Kong. I haven't been to Hong Kong, but my friends who have been there enjoyed it.

Japan is worth it, though. But mostly for cultural fascination reasons mixed with witnessing the most polite, efficient and orderly first world society on the planet. Actually, Japan has a lot to offer all around if you have the cash. I plan on returning, but only with plenty of cash.

[Vacancier Permanent]

Hydro,
Thanks for the feedback on the UPI. Yes, the Philippines have been on my to do/go list for a while now. For some odd reason, I still can't seem to get exciteda about the Philippines. Maybe it has to do with the way below average Philippinas I see on a daily basis in my town. Would you guys (those who've been to the UPI) say that the talent of non pros in the Phillipines is a lot higher as to what can be found in a major North American city?

Totally agree with you about Japan. This is THE place in Asia that I've been totally psyched about wanting to visit for a long time. However, the long ass flight from the East coast has been my main obstacle. Guess once in Asia, I can't miss it. Now, would you suggest Japan in the beginning or the end of the trip to Thailand? I've heard others suggest to go to Japan at the end as it'd be easier on the wallet than in the beginning of the trip. Anyone agrees with this?

China, the main reason I'd want to visit it is for business reasons. I want to make some solid contacts there for my existing businesses as well as potential future ones.

But thanks a bunch for your feedback Hydro and everyone else who has contributed on this thread.

Cheers guys.

[hydrogonian]

Your welcome. In case you guys haven't noticed, I live vicariously through your trips.

I would say save Japan for the end, as you'll have gotten a lot out of your system in Thailand, and may be able to relax better in the more uptight Japanese society (not that you'll be stressed, but you may not be breaking your neck as much for some Asian poontang). Also, Id rather have to go cheap in Japan, because I spent too much money in Thailand, then have to go cheap in Thailand because I spent too much money in Japan.

Japans exterior is harder to crack, and therefore you will do more standard tourist stuff that you would do anywhere, then explore its seedy underbelly as you can do very easily in Thailand, where the underbelly is largely facing up. Therefore don't save all of your cash just to do tourist stuff in Japan. Stay in the cheap hotel in Japan, and splurge in Thailand. You can splurge even cheaper in the Philippines, where there are many less tourists than anywhere else in SE Asia and a more local and normal economy to match.

In Japan, make sure you don't get stuck in Tokyo. Tokyo is quite inaccessible to the casual tourist, due to its sheer size and purpose as a top tier international business city and financial center, and the good stuff isn't even that great. Tokyo is almost too large to be truly enjoyable, past a few days, to a short time tourist. There are a few parks and temples, and some excellent restaurants, but nothing that warrants spending all or even most of your time there. Remember, you can hit on girls anywhere. Your lack of fluency in the local language will keep you out of the most exciting stuff that city has to offer.

My best experiences were when I was exploring the parks, temples, and nature in general in Japan. Go to where those things are more abundant and accessible than in Tokyo. Also, try to make some local friends, perhaps through couchsurfing or just being overly outgoing and friendly with strangers. That would probably greatly enhance your time there.

You chose three locations. If I were also to choose three, for pure enjoyment purposes, it would be
1. Thailand
2. Either the Philippines or Indonesia
3. Japan. To round out the trip with a different experience than the tropical third/second world party scene.

If you do go to China, I already recommended Hong Kong, but also look into Taiwan as an alternative to the mainland. Although, I wouldn't choose it over the Philippines or Indonesia.

[kingkong]

(07-03-2010 12:52 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  

location independant job where they make a decent living (50-60k+). Is this even realistic? What did Tim Ferris do??

Tim Ferris sold snake oil to morons to make a pile of cash, working 90 hour weeks to do it. Then he switched over to being a professional self promoter with a very mediocre book, still working 90 hour weeks.

People talking about doing ok financially with minimal hours are selling you something. I've known a couple guys who made a basic living playing poker. They worked long hours, much longer than at a normal job. Anyone telling you it's realistic to found a successful and durable business, online or otherwise, with less than a year of hard work is full of it. Ignore the tiny handful of fluke counter examples.

Working very, very hard for five years to land a payday that will allow travel and leisure is attainable. Quitting your mcjob right now to sell shirts on the internet from a beach chair? That's funny.

[exe]

(07-16-2010 05:52 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Hydro,
Thanks for the feedback on the UPI. Yes, the Philippines have been on my to do/go list for a while now. For some odd reason, I still can't seem to get exciteda about the Philippines. Maybe it has to do with the way below average Philippinas I see on a daily basis in my town. Would you guys (those who've been to the UPI) say that the talent of non pros in the Phillipines is a lot higher as to what can be found in a major North American city?

Hey VP, I'd say the quality is about the same, maybe even a bit worse. There are some fine top shelf women but these are far & few. Here are some images from Google of current Phil. models & socialites to give you a rough idea:

http://www.google.com/images?q=rogue+mag...66&bih=641

[kindredspirit]

I hear pollution in Manila and the major cities in the Philippines are off the charts bad and that petty crime/theft has left people with money holed up in "gated communities" accessible only by car.

That's a huge turn-off for me being that I only enjoy pedestrian-friendly cities.

I also saw some photos of some of these "upper class communities" and they look like......some kind of Palm Springs retirement community in the far suburbs of California. I don't know if it's all like this (probably not) but this pervasive American urban design / suburban hell influence really turns me off a place faster than anything else.

[Vacancier Permanent]

As usual, you make some excellent points Hydro. I shall certainly keep them in mind when the D-Day rolls around!
Btw, you mention Indonesia, and I am very intrigued about it. Care to elaborte a bit more about this place?

Exe, the link you posted looks good, but what I'm interested is how the local normal girls in the UPI fare? Of course, the models and socialites will usually tend to be the best of the lot.

Keep'em coming those excellent points and feedbacks guys!

Cheers.

[exe]

(07-21-2010 02:12 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Exe, the link you posted looks good, but what I'm interested is how the local normal girls in the UPI fare? Of course, the models and socialites will usually tend to be the best of the lot.

What I meant was that the pics of the models & socialites will give you an idea of what the better looking girls will look like but not that only models & socialites will be the only better looking girls. I actually think that there are girls who are better looking than the models & socialites in those pics (just like there are girls in the U.S. who are prettier than Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, or Paris Hilton), but again they are not so abundant. If you want the most accurate way to gauge for yourself, I'd check out nightclub websites' photo galleries or FB.

[Vacancier Permanent]

Exe,
Agreed with you about girls looking better than the socialites at times. Good point too about checking FB and clubs' sites. Will do that. You seem to be familiar with the scene in the UPI. I'll be in SEA mainly in Thailand but will intend on visiting also China and Japan and possibly the UPI when there. Is the timing good to viist the UPI during that time (Oct-Dec) weather wise? And what would be the best place to start for a first timer to the UPI?
Thanks man.

[gringoed]

Hey Hydro,

I've just been reading your posts on SEA. Good stuff man keep it coming. I think your advice on going big in Thailand and spending whatever is leftover on Japan makes sense. I'm also planning my next mini-retirement for SEA.

[Kona]

(07-22-2010 01:48 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Is the timing good to viist the UPI during that time (Oct-Dec) weather wise? And what would be the best place to start for a first timer to the UPI?

The rainy time is called tagulan and it's going on now until usually the end of November. Tagulan is whe all the deadly mudslides happen. It cools off and is drier from the end of tagulan until about February or earl March. That seasons called taglamig.

Even though it's tagulan, they're out of water in Manila right now:
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/break...riots.html. Notice how they lose 50% of their water to leaking pipes.

A real good place for a PI first timer is Batangas City. It's touristy without the whores.

Aloha!

[Vacancier Permanent]

Thanks Kona for the very helpful and insightful post about the weather timing to visit the UPI!

Cheers man.

[exe]

(07-22-2010 01:48 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Exe,
Agreed with you about girls looking better than the socialites at times. Good point too about checking FB and clubs' sites. Will do that. You seem to be familiar with the scene in the UPI. I'll be in SEA mainly in Thailand but will intend on visiting also China and Japan and possibly the UPI when there. Is the timing good to viist the UPI during that time (Oct-Dec) weather wise? And what would be the best place to start for a first timer to the UPI?
Thanks man.

VP,

I haven't been to the PI in many years so I'm not as up to date as the other guys here who've been there recently. Anyway, in general, May to Nov is rainy season and is hotter & more humid. This is also when typhoons (similar to hurricanes) hit. As for best place, just depends on what you're into. The short list might include Tagaytay/Taal, Batangas (good diving), Baguio City (elevated location in the mountains gives it a cool temp), and of course Boracay.

[Vacancier Permanent]

So Thailand is the place I'll be spending most of my time during my first Mini Retirement starting this mid September to mid Feb before returning home for a couple of weeks to recharge batteries and catch up with family before flying again to the Lala Land aka Brasil just before Carnaval. Now, before getting to Thailand, I have been thinking of either spending 2 weeks in Europe (London to meet with a business partner and Amsterdam and Germany where I have relatives there). Now, Europe is fine and all but it's no big deal for me as that's where I grew up (France). However, one place that has been increasingly growing up on me is Japan. Man, I just can't wait to go there. So at this time, it looks like 99.99% Tokyo for a week before hitting Bangkok and the 0.001% is Europe. LOL

So what I'd like to know is some tips from those who have been to Tokyo before and get the run down of it. Specially some pointers on what part/section/"bairro" of Tokyo to base myself to discover this humongous city (the biggest in the world!). And I'd appreciate also some pointers about cheap places to stay in Tokyo would be highly appreciated.

I'm not looking to hook up in Tokyo, or rather, I'll be going there mainly to do touristy stuffs as I've been fascinated by Tokyo for as long as I can remember but if I do get the opportunity to taste some fine Japa dish , that'd be awesome. So I'm looking mainly for tips on things to do, places to visit. I'd be basically just aimlessly wandering in each different section of Tokyo the entire day/night. Then, when I do get to Bangkok, that's when I'll splurge in a nice 5 star hotel as well as partying like a beast. So guys, I'm all ears for all your Tokyo tips, suggestions and advices.

Here's an avant gout of IMO the most fascinating city on Earth, Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjC72RIDt...re=channel

Cheers.

[Badstuber]

Are you rich?

[Vacancier Permanent]

Badstuber,
I don't know what your definition of "being rich" is but my online businesses allow me not to have had a J.O.B. for over a year now and make quite a confortable living online working at most 1-2 hours a day. (I don't know if answering emails and talking to people who call me regarding my ads can be called working, but I do enjoy it specially the time freedom it grants me and after having made money online (specially after having had $2K and $3K days) I'll never ever go back to a J.O.B. ever again in my e entire life. And as a result of this, I'm able to live the Internet Lifestyle and have my first mini retirement in a about 45 days from now. So to answer your question, yes I am rich in the most valuable commodity on earth and that is time rich.

[Vacancier Permanent]

Finally arrived in BKK and so far, it looks like a place I can definitely spend some serious time in here. Very developped city, great for business both to start a biz than to get your existing biz to the South East Asian, Aussie/NZ and even Euro markets from here. Things are not very expensive in here. After arriving on saturday and after a quick nap, went out, getting a feel of the place and the started partying the whole night. Spent the evening at Soi Cowboy, the street lined with gogos. Didn't bar fine any girl no need for that in BKK. But it's fun way to spend the night and see sexy chicks trying to pick you up. Then went clubbing to a club Climax, which is located on the basement of the Ambassador hotel, a nice club with a live band where I picked up a sexy little thing. The whole time, starting from the early evening, I spent about $200 on drinks and all, the same amount of booze would have cost me at least 3-4 times in Canada/US. All in all, life is good in BKK. Only downside so far from my 1st day days is some of the horrendous smells coming from some of the street vendors. At one time, I almost puked on the street because of the feaking smell. First time this has ever happened to me.

Never happened in Brasil. Speaking of Brasil, in a lot of ways, BKK reminds of Rio. Big city with a huge disparity of wealth. You see beautiful hotel and condo buildings, some sick cars and people dressed classy (Thai people as the farangs in general look trash for the most part) and homeless people on the street. Chaos and order almost everywhere or as they say in Brasil, a chaotic order. It's sure fun to be in such an environment. Feels and is like the wild wild east for sure. There's a real energy that emanates from the city that I only felt in Rio. This place is live, and jumping. The only thing missing is the sheer amount of stunners one would encounter on a daily basis almost every where in Rio. Asian girls are not really my thing and I'm hoping by being here in BKK and Asia, that I'll start to like them and even catch the so mystical yellow fever about Asian girls.

I'm also seriously considering going to Abu Dhabi for the F1 Grand Prix in 2 weeks time. Any F1 fans in here? If anyone from here is as crazy about F1 as I'm and considering going to the Yas Marina F1 GP, let me know, perhaps we could meet there. I know quite a long shot but would be fun to meet with others from here at the GP.

Btw, anyone considering going to Asia, give Etihad Airways a shot, they're great having just flown with them on my way to BKK. Top notch service, very punctual and reliable airline. Delicious food served generously. Had a succulent couscous with lamb on my Toronto-Abu Dhab leg and a fine fish steak on my Abu-Dhabi-BKK leg. Snacks served before and after each meal. Flights attendants among the nicest I've seen both in looks than in personality and friendliness. In flight entertainment had one of the biggest selections of films and shows on an airline I can remember. Eithad also has one of the most generous frequent flyer point programme anywhere. With my retrun trip to BKK, I already have 20K points and at 40K, I can redeem them for a free long haul flight or use them to get upgraded to first class. Yes it may not be the cheapest option out there, but quality is the name of the game as far I'm concerned and Etihad are all about quality. Beats the crap out of any north American carriers save Air Canada.

Btw, if anyone's in BKK, pm me or post here so we can meet for drinks, hanging out and clubbing together. I'll be in Thailand until mid feb 2011.

Cheers guys.