Johnny announces his next one-week Latin American Insider seminar in Guatemala and El Salvador (November 14–20, 2026). Go to Expatplanb.com for signup details: · The difference between kilowatts (power rate) and kilowatt-hours (energy used or stored), a common source of confusion for people considering solar systems. · A Panama listener mixed up the terms (calling a 5 kW inverter “5 kWh” and a 40 […] […]

 Be sure to pick up my newly updated, “2026 – LATIN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE REPORT”: The new edition for 2026 (and beyond) is available now, including the latest “Stem Cell Clinic” info and data and my top picks for the best treatment centers for expats and gringos. Just go to www.ExpatPlanB.com                 […]

·  Johnny announces his next one-week Latin American Insider seminar in Guatemala and El Salvador (November 14–20, 2026). ·  He observes that most small tiendas, mini-marts, and wholesale businesses across Latin America are owned by Chinese and Koreans. ·  Large chain stores like La Torre, Costco, and Walmart are owned by wealthy Latino families, while smaller scruffier shops […] […]

·  Avoid Facebook expat groups — they create a dependency bubble full of know-it-alls, sellers, and political ranting. ·  WhatsApp is essential in Latin America; without it you’re basically cut off from daily life. ·  Machetes are common and rarely used for crime except crimes of passion. ·  Cleaning staff often salvage useful items from your trash and may […] […]

#1- More on that crazy Guatemalan Jade mining story: #2- Proof why Latin American governments can never be trusted: Oh, and the US govt is even worse…. #3- The problem with Miami mailbox forwarding services: #4- What you never knew about your Latin American electric bill: #5- Why buying a hybrid car is NEVER recommended: […] […]

#1- DYK that severe Air B&B restrictions are in the works in most all Latin American countries? So, as govts. crack down, Gringos and expats must be aware that owning an Airbnb is NOT a long term good or sure investment anymore…   #2- DYK Costa Rica has double the minimum wage of most all other […] […]

#1- Dumb and dumber in Latin America: #2- A word about physical books and bookstores in Latin America: #3- What you really need to know about phone and internet plans in Latin America: #4- What the Narcoculture influence has done to women in Mexico: #5- Emotional support animals and their wimpy owners in Argentina: #6- […] […]

#1- To be fat or obese in Latin America: #2- Ozempic and GLP-1’s have arrived in Latin America: Is that a good or bad thing? Do the locals even understand it? #3- Brownouts, blackouts and power outages in Latin America AND the USA: Are you prepared to suffer or will you just put up with […] […]

Descriptions –  #1- When your rudimentary Spanish suddenly allows you to hear things you are not supposed to hear: #2- Living super cheap in the Latin American boonies: #3- The govt in Ecuador is more corrupt than you can imagine: #4- So many little daily irritations have such simple solutions that are never addressed: #5- […] […]

#1- What about becoming an Expat in Portugal? Yes, if you’ve noticed, in the last few years expat rags and social media have been promoting Portugal as a great Plan B. Well, sorry to say, unless you have a nice fat nest- egg or great pension above and beyond social security you will never make […] […]

#1- When Gringo Expats in Latin America exhibit stupid and asinine behavior: #2- TDS- Trump Derangement Syndrome in Latin America: Funny how Latinos don’t seem to exhibit it, but a certain percentage of Gringo Expats and tourists certainly do… #3- How to instantly confirm that you have been stupid about your tattoos: #4- The huge, […] […]

Hey Guys, use this audio attached please, the one I sent earlier today was missing the intro and exit bit.. but this one is complete.. sorry about that but I’m on vacation in the Mediterranean and the connections and circumstances are a bit crude………………….  Descriptions – THE EXPAT FILES SHOW #1509, FRI, MAY 29 (05-29-26):  #1- A word […] […]

Descriptions – EXPAT FILES SHOW #1490, FRI, JAN 16 (01-16-26):  #1- What Latin American Spanish rags are saying about the Maduro capture: Here’s what 1st world captured media won’t tell you… #2- The “macho” culture restaurant effect- in reverse: Why does the lone gringo at the table so often get guilted into picking up the check? #3- Crazy Latin […] […]

Descriptions – EXPAT FILES SHOW #1488, FRI, JAN 02 (01-02-26):  #1- What expats need to know about Chat GPT and other AI platforms: #2- Expat Insider seminar stories that will amaze you: #3- When the will to “get out of dodge” diminishes with time: #4- Will your wife or significant other thwarts your Plan B efforts:   #5- […] […]

#1- 3rd world optimism versus reality: #2- Why 3rd world countries remain 3rd world as 1st world countries slwly slip into 3rd world status: #3- How Latinos score on the big 5 personality traits as compared to gringos and expats:   #4- Getting the Nobel piece (of shit) prize:   #5- Latin Americans have a certain idea of what […] […]

#1- The downside of being bilingual: Yes, it’s true, some people say there is a downside… #2- The 3rd world inferiority complex: #3- The “not so obvious’ signs that you are experiencing a 3rd world country: By the way, the USA is moving along on that fast track path… #4- Driving self-defense tips when on the road […] […]

#1- DYK there groups of expat gringos holding no kings protesters in Latin America? WTF? #2- Travel… the best education in the world: #3- The things your cleaning lady gets away with behind your back:   #4- No one likes a gringo “know it all”:   #5- Why is it so many fakebook expat groups […] […]

#1- Guilty pleasures: I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours… #2- The dark side of love and romance in Latin America: #3- TEN more good reasons to get the hell out of Dodge:   #4- Do Latina women lie when they openly compliment average gringo men on their looks and tell them that […] […]

#1- Nagging tax problems certain expats have long after they get out of dodge: #2- The real cost of being middle class in Latin America: #3- Why gringoized enclaves in Latin America can often be so disappointing to certain types of expats:   #4- Living in Latin America means you eventually will get passed counterfeit […] […]

#1- When your taxi or uber driver smells like booze.. what then?  #2- A listener reports on his first robo-taxi trip: Is it even possible for them to transition to Latin America? #3- TEN more good reasons NOT to sign on to a Latin American national healthcare plan:  #4- You need to know about a […] […]

#1- Why I don’t recommend Nicaragua- PART 3:  #2- What you need to know about Latin American banks:  #3- The odd and strange sentences and fines Latin American courts hand down to guilty parties:  #4- The best and worst airlines for you to fly: According to me, my retired air traffic controller relative and simple […] […]