Video

Nice to see he's so positive, but there is a limit to walking around CM talking to himself.

While I'm interested in your journey, the primary reason I watch your channel is for inside info on Chiang Mai. You've mentioned how viewers love the bank repossession videos. That's something that the typical travel vlogger who hangs out in Nimman for six weeks is not going to vlog about. Similarly, the videos covering your condo renovation and condo income are pure gold. Will I watch the Jon in Sri Lanka channel? Maybe. But is that why I subscribed? Nope. If it were up to me, you'd be doing more on Chiang Mai, not less. I'm not trying to rain on your parade. I'm just offering subscriber feedback.

Thai women don’t want any man that does have cashflow coming in regularly. There are plenty of men than do have it.

Not thinking about the future is not possible for us, it's in the blood. Our ancestors who lived like a Thai and only thought of today died during the winter a long time ago.

It's called the "Ramsey Plan." Dave Ramsey. You don't take vacations at all until you are completely out of debt. I did it and am quite happy. No debts (including my own house and land, car). It is freedom. Start watching the Ramsey Show every day. He's also on R. [other guys,not yt] It's baby steps to "Financial Peace." You DO need an income and long hours of WORK, however, and Thailand is not likely ever to give you that as a farang. Personally I would live a very spartan life in the UK and bank 60% of it. With heavy overtime, 60-to100 hour weeks, and no vacations. It's a TEMPORARY sacrifice -- delayed gratification -- for the reward of living Debt-Free. You undoubtedly know how to live that way in the UK ... or Saudi Aramco? (In Thailand, I knew a man who had retired from Royal Navy and then retired from Saudi Aramco! He had TWO pension checks coming in and lived free and comfortably.)

New subscriber here mate. I’ll be joining you next year 🎉

good advice, true words! i dont know about anyone else but i get sick of what im doing or where i live about every 5 years...hmm not everyone can be a digital nomad, is ready to retire or build CZcams channel for that matter. has to be other ways to make enough money in asia to have a home base and island hop a bit ? what your talking about makes SE asia interesting because can do on less money or without big nest egg. trying to think of good name for your CZcams channel, all i can think of is Basecamp Southeast Asia? i suppose word basecamp would grab climbers not expats or travelers, thanks for another great video!

The whole point is you are in a better position if you do your heavy earning in younger years if possible so the power of compounding interest can do some magic. Living for the moment is something I observed in SE Asia. Less economically developed countries are great for that, they live in the moment more. In UK it's red tape and tax for life

You can work hard all your life to accumulate money ,,but once you have accumulated it you cannot buy the time back.

Tomorrow is an other day. Which day are we today? oh today , that's the day i like the most.. The riverside where you started your video is so peacefull. I hope you didn't forger to enjoy it today. There is just one way : Your way. All the best.

your new channel name… maybe TheTravelDojo or just TravelDojo?

I had the same epiphany 6 months ago. I packed in my job, and have been living off savings ever since. It's the first summer I've been able to properly enjoy in years!

Hi, I love your channel. How can someone contact you? No Facebook and Instagram?

"Oh, no! It's Sunday!😭" Done that for 15 years, now finally retiring at 61. Annual visits to Thailand helped. I applaud your ideas and drive, Jon. Whatever happens, you are more flexible (and more valued in some situating) while you are younger as you are. Fighting!✊🏻

I'm glad you're having this realization young enough while you can still enjoy your life. I spent my early/mid 20s livng and working in Manhattan, but I had a job I loved and it allowed me to travel 15 days a month all over the world. From 27-36, I lived at the beach in Los Angeles, still traveling 15 days a month. *I regret ever leaving that job that allowed me to work half the month and live life half the month*. It was a huge mistake for me to give it up, and it's not an industry that, once you leave, you can easily jump back into it. There are no guarantees in life. We all need to be responsibile adults, but since there are no guarantees that any of us will make it to retirement age, or if we do, that we will make it there is excellent health to travel the world and enjoy life, we have to find a way to enjoy life while we are young, healthy, and physically able to do all the things we dream of doing. Wishing you well in this new endeavor! I'm glad to know you have the savings on hand to actually allow you to take the chance while you can.

Future earnings and income most certainly do exist. Mate it sounds like your desire for financial independence is inextricably linked to your Thai partner. Is 50,000 Baht passive income enough to sustain a retirement?

right on Jon, happy for ya. I know you'll do great

Are you my brother? Likes soul mate? hahah! I have the same mentality. I work only for 15-20 hours per week. I earn less than most, but I have more free time than others. I spend more time with my family and my dog and my mom. I also spend more time playing games, watching on CZcams, etc. 40 years old now, soon 41, and it has been my dream since I was 7. I didn't want work I want to live.

I moved to Bangkok three months ago I was on 49k a year in uk the cost of living and sky high food costs done it for me I used to love uk but I grew to hate it so glad I left it takes guts to leave your job and country but it was so worth it now I am living my dream Thailand is amazing

I love the energy. You've figured it out!

Most people retire in their 60’s. Most might retire early if they could, but life tends to get in the way.

Absolutely nailed it! The future and past do not exist. All that exists is the present moment and if you can’t be happy in the present moment you will never be happy and you will continue to be a simple cog in the gears of life.

That's what I'm always advocating. I'd rather have small happiness now than working hard for the unknown happiness tomorrow. Saving for the future is one thing, but you gotta live today. Who knows when you could actually enjoy your life if you don't enjoy it while you can.

You’re absolutely right! We must plan for the future but 98% of your focus must always be in the present. I’m from USA and I can’t tell you how many of my friends back there ( I live in Bangkok) tell me things like “ I hate my job and my situation but in 5 years I can do ….” It’s like they don’t even know how short this life will be. All the best!!

Was it really a job? Doing what?

Oh shit, sorry mate. I thought you had more of a scandinavian accent, didnt know u were from the uk. But im canadian so i dont know

Not thinking long term is extremely careless. It’s ok to live in the present but you must invest for your later years. I live for the now but have made sure I have enough investments for when I decide to retire. If things don’t work out can you see yourself returning to the UK? You are throwing away the best years of your life to hopefully bring in 50k Baht per month. Inflation will destroy your quality of life in say 20 years.

Just building social media platforms to start connecting with the world

Get away from the 9 to 5 job

Hi Jon. Jon-Marc here. US Citizen. I don’t know if we/I make twice as much as folks in the UK; however, I believe we keep more of our paycheck. Not to worry, our path is crashing towards the end of meritocracy of which will result in blossoming socialism. Presently, I’ve grown weary of Western thinking. Climb, reach, gather, continually cultivate success in the pursuit of a destination or the collection of things. The “have and have not” divide. Others mileage may vary. Your discovering (IMHO) Eastern thinking. Another comment said that you’ve reached “Expat Level 7”. I believe this to be true. Anyway, watching your awakening through this medium is quite refreshing. Take care, JM

Good luck...

Enjoy life and make youtube live life now when young

So you need to ask yourself who and what is most important. You or your family? You have to do what's best for them not what YOUR dream is. If your single then go for it but if you have a family then man up and do what's best for them. I have as many subs as you and was making 1,000 USD per month and then YT pulled the plug. This is not a job! Your thinking is way off. You are being selfish. People here on YT will tell you to go for it so they can watch you crash and burn. Stop dreaming and start thinking. Fail you will and not with style just killing your family's dreams.

Important to put yourself in a relative position of strength, IE fully understand your fixed costs and ensure you have savings, emergency fund to cover those unplanned events. Its really quite empowering if you can get to that stage..... Its no fun being abroad and broke...

He still doesnt say what is Job in Thailand was, shrouded in secrecy for some weird reason known only to him., and his new venture he wants you to wait months before he is willing to disclose that, what A Tool. 😂😂

All we actually have is now my friend 🙏

It is better to have tried and failed then to have never tried at all.

Teach English

I = EGO Want =Selfish

men are worried about loosing money they don’t have 😂😂

Look people I’ve read most comments and it’s great having these ideas about living your best life now today. But if you don’t have sufficient funds then you are going nowhere , I personally don’t care how cheap you may think Thailand is without money your nackered

Hardly the first to think about this 😁

Jon, why not sell realestate? Speak to your mates at various agencies & market & sell realestate. Commission adds up. You’d be great at it too, a natural!

Never have a mortgage

I think you just reached Thai Expat Level 7. 😊 Thailand offers more than just nice weather and an affordable lifestyle. It offers a chance to think and live differently. In a new mindset. I believe this is related to Buddhist thought. The concept of impermanence. No past. No future. Just now. The Thais may plan too little , but most of us plan too much. There is something to be learned from their outlook on life. They often try to explain it to us as ‘you think too much’. Losing your job may turn out to be the best thing that could have happened to you. Good luck with your new venture. 😊