Well put, though I think your point would escape a lot of the fools in the "expat" groups on Fakebook. I roll my eyes every time someone asks if an income of 5000 per month would be enough to survive here. Or similar nonsense. When I realized 12 years ago that a long day of work would net me enough to live on for a month, I realized I could go back to a life I missed from a similar situation in the 90s, and "enough" was all the riches I needed.
Perhaps when those people ask if 5000/month is enough to live on, we should tell them it's not enough 😉 They may be looking for something else in life.
I hardly look at those groups. Too many idiots and vultures. I tried to ask a simple question about experience with an insurance provider (Mayfair) and gor deluged with idiots wanting to sell me insurance. I'm not in the market for it. I get on fine with the SNS; my companheira was a surgeon of the highest grade in the system for decades, so with her help I get anything I need. But with all the shite pulled by Muskrat and his incels, I'm afraid of losing my pension, so I decided to work again until the midterm elections (if they happen), and the employer is making a big deal out of giving me an insurance I'm unlikely to need.
The usual "let's soak the estrangeiro" circus. It's amusing when I'm caught up on sleep.
Kristin I was reading a post the other day from someone talking about the American tendency to over-inflate everything. We always need more of everything it seems--space, money, amenities, etc. I think that contrasts well with what you were talking about here. Gosh, I love your artwork!!
Hey Thomas, thank you so very much! Yes, I agree that Americans can be very acquisitive 😀 It's funny, but I've realized it can actually be kind of a high to live with fewer things – the more I let go of, or give to others, the happier I am. But that's part of why you and I live in other countries, right?
Always such a pleasure to hear from you, thank you!
The biggest surprise since moving to Portugal a year ago is how very little we need. Consumerism and capitalism are dangerous bedfellows. I'm relieved to live in a place where "things" are far less important than personal connections.
Swedes have a word for this, it is lagom, meaning just the right amount, not too much not too little. [An expression lagom är bäst is translated as “less is more”, “enough is as good as a feast” or “there is virtue in moderation".] Sounds like you've got yourself a perfectly lagom life. Que boa, enjoy!
Having spent a good amount of time in Finland and have good friends there, I’ve always admired that idea of being grateful for having “just enough”. And for the many years I lived in a “just enough” sized apartment, I was always grateful. Looking forward to experiencing Portugal soon. Maybe we’ll fall in love with the country and look for our own “just enough” space.
I'm seriously considering second thoughts about moving to Portugal because of this Pimba situation 🙉🙉🙉😆😆😆😆( my daughter & gdaughter live there...) we're Venezuelans. We also have Ferias and our own Pimba versions in our pueblitos 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Oh, what a great experience for him. Though I would have trouble with the dark winters. Our good friends came to visit us in NYC one brutally cold winter. I had to laugh as we were being blown about in the top of the Empire State Building. Only Nordic folks would consider NYC a good winter vacation. ❤️ (p.s. love your paintings! They exude what I am imagining the warmth and color of Portugal to be)
This is perfect, and you know I feel the same way. I would add one thing that Dane's add to their "enough." They feel like they have enough if there is enough to share. I'm sure Finns are the same way. I was actually going to write an article about that here. I don't know how many times with friends and family in Denmark someone has said, "I'd give MORE in taxes if it would get us even better schools." "I like that my taxes help others." "We're all the same here. The rich and the poor all get the same good things."
Well put, though I think your point would escape a lot of the fools in the "expat" groups on Fakebook. I roll my eyes every time someone asks if an income of 5000 per month would be enough to survive here. Or similar nonsense. When I realized 12 years ago that a long day of work would net me enough to live on for a month, I realized I could go back to a life I missed from a similar situation in the 90s, and "enough" was all the riches I needed.
Yes, exactly this, Kevin!
Perhaps when those people ask if 5000/month is enough to live on, we should tell them it's not enough 😉 They may be looking for something else in life.
Don't tempt me. I do enough trolling of stupid questions already, like "Do the Portuguese have a pet culture?" Sure. Mostly traditional recipes.
😂🥲
Perhaps it's time to stop the trolling, I had to walk away from that myself.
I'm so happy they never accepted me. 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Methinks Kevin and I should friend up on Facebook. What do you think? :D
I hardly look at those groups. Too many idiots and vultures. I tried to ask a simple question about experience with an insurance provider (Mayfair) and gor deluged with idiots wanting to sell me insurance. I'm not in the market for it. I get on fine with the SNS; my companheira was a surgeon of the highest grade in the system for decades, so with her help I get anything I need. But with all the shite pulled by Muskrat and his incels, I'm afraid of losing my pension, so I decided to work again until the midterm elections (if they happen), and the employer is making a big deal out of giving me an insurance I'm unlikely to need.
The usual "let's soak the estrangeiro" circus. It's amusing when I'm caught up on sleep.
So interesting you mention the pension issue, I have similar concerns and just took on a few more projects, too, just in case 🤞
😜😜😜😜😜
Remember my reply to that? I said, "I could feed and house the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on $5000/month here in Portugal.
Kristin I was reading a post the other day from someone talking about the American tendency to over-inflate everything. We always need more of everything it seems--space, money, amenities, etc. I think that contrasts well with what you were talking about here. Gosh, I love your artwork!!
Hey Thomas, thank you so very much! Yes, I agree that Americans can be very acquisitive 😀 It's funny, but I've realized it can actually be kind of a high to live with fewer things – the more I let go of, or give to others, the happier I am. But that's part of why you and I live in other countries, right?
Always such a pleasure to hear from you, thank you!
The biggest surprise since moving to Portugal a year ago is how very little we need. Consumerism and capitalism are dangerous bedfellows. I'm relieved to live in a place where "things" are far less important than personal connections.
Me, too!
Swedes have a word for this, it is lagom, meaning just the right amount, not too much not too little. [An expression lagom är bäst is translated as “less is more”, “enough is as good as a feast” or “there is virtue in moderation".] Sounds like you've got yourself a perfectly lagom life. Que boa, enjoy!
Obrigada, Liza ~ you, too!
Having spent a good amount of time in Finland and have good friends there, I’ve always admired that idea of being grateful for having “just enough”. And for the many years I lived in a “just enough” sized apartment, I was always grateful. Looking forward to experiencing Portugal soon. Maybe we’ll fall in love with the country and look for our own “just enough” space.
I hear you, Polly — my son lived in Finland for 4+ years.
I never forget the one about the Pimba Torture. 🙉🙉🙉🙉
Hahahaha, that’s my most viewed post ever! Thousands of reads 😂
I'm seriously considering second thoughts about moving to Portugal because of this Pimba situation 🙉🙉🙉😆😆😆😆( my daughter & gdaughter live there...) we're Venezuelans. We also have Ferias and our own Pimba versions in our pueblitos 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I don't blame you! 🤣
But no worries, it's only a few days of the year in each town. Portugal is great, the trick is just to arrange a little mini-break during that time 😉
"Escape the Pimba" you made me laugh. Love your posts, humour and descriptions.
Oh, what a great experience for him. Though I would have trouble with the dark winters. Our good friends came to visit us in NYC one brutally cold winter. I had to laugh as we were being blown about in the top of the Empire State Building. Only Nordic folks would consider NYC a good winter vacation. ❤️ (p.s. love your paintings! They exude what I am imagining the warmth and color of Portugal to be)
It was a good experience, he went to university there ☺️
Thanks for the kind words about my illustrations, I appreciate it!
Wonderful story Kristen I could live there !
I bet you could! Thanks Rose ☺️
This is perfect, and you know I feel the same way. I would add one thing that Dane's add to their "enough." They feel like they have enough if there is enough to share. I'm sure Finns are the same way. I was actually going to write an article about that here. I don't know how many times with friends and family in Denmark someone has said, "I'd give MORE in taxes if it would get us even better schools." "I like that my taxes help others." "We're all the same here. The rich and the poor all get the same good things."