Tech Jobs to India, Asia, and yes, South America.

[hollis]

McCain mentioned that his homeland, Ireland, has a lower tax on IT companies during the debate. A lot of jobs have migrated back to my (and McCain's) homeland.

[imbasile]

dinah - I am in the same boat, but have tried to find "other" things to do.
It doesn't help. (not picking on you, I'm 52)
If you find something that you like you will not make any money.
If you find something that you like "they" will not hire you, you are too old and experienced.
Once you realize that the powers that be have you surrounded you will understand the problems that are now coming for this planet.
The very reason that this is happening is to spread America's wealth the to rest of the planet.
That means that we now have to compete with those that will work for less than minimum wage here.
They are not as experienced, this is why you see all the problems with computer systems and all the crashes, leaks, hacking etc... that has been allowed.
The only way I have seen that you might get somewhere is to start your own business.
This means your money up front or venture capitalists that want your first born.
I already lost my business because it required people here in America to have money to spend on their business, they, as I, have been losing for some time now.
What to do? Start the war.

[Caligastia Lanonandek]

Ireland is not a particularly business friendly environment. Remember the DeLorian? The unions made incessant demands - so many he was unable to produce his cars and eventually went broke.

As for computer tech. Voice over IP has made it practical. Symantec uses Indian services 'and' they do a fine job of it. Your government has forced American business to search off shore for workers.

If you have a small business, you'll find that on day one of operation you'll have AT LEAST 11 taxing agencies in your pocket and they are all cued off of one thing - payroll. Remove the payroll and contract for services, you lose most of these taxes. 20 years ago, I started a new business and structured it so I could work it without having to hire an employee. On the rare occasion I need something done I can't do myself - I contract for it with another business.

There was a time when my efforts supported 10 employees. Today (thanks to the gov), I support none.

Dinah - the only thing I can suggest is to adapt, change or start your own business. I learned a long time ago that when you work for someone else, you make a living. When you work for yourself - you have the opportunity for making money. However, I've always been willing to take the risks involved and to live without a safety net under me. Most people aren't.
In my world - if I don't work - I don't eat and there's no unemployment insurance in the equation but I've never been so sick I couldn't drag it to my desk.

[Caligastia Lanonandek]

Here's an idea for you

www.cohud.com/dyn/CO/igate/cohud//search.html

Hud posts lists like this for various states. This is the one for Colorado.

There are a lot of people who acquire houses for less than market value pursuing the idea of a 'fix and flip'. Fix it up, and then resell it quickly at less than its real value.

There is another side to the coin, those who buy with the idea of fixing it up and renting it out.

Now, we are going into a depression and we're just at the beginning of it. So things are going to get worse before they get better and when people are losing their jobs - the issue of whether or not you'll be able to sell quickly is a concern OR will you have people needing rentals who have jobs.

Here in Canon, we have 11 prisons. This means that the bulk of the local economy is supported by taxes 'and' you know they aren't going to close the prisons. Getting a rental ad on the DOC bulletin board is a way of farming for prospective tenants. As it happens, the woman living next door to me works for the department of corrections. (Its what gave me the idea).

Stephen Thorburn tells me that things are so bad in Las Vegas, there 30-40 pages of foreclosure notices. 4 dollar gas killed their local economy. If people don't travel there, no business, no gambling no zip. People lose their jobs and then their houses.

However, in the case of Vegas, what good is it to have a piece of property you can't sell or rent? None. For him, the time to buy is when it bottoms out and 'then' starts moving up again. If gas gets into the one dollar range again - that would do it for me.

Another variation of this here in Podunk Colorado circles around mobile homes. Oddly, you can get as much in rentals for a decent mobile as you can a house BUT it costs a lot less. They don't appreciate (but the land will) however, you have a nice positive cash flow from day one. Also, hovering around the bottom of the food chain (money wise) means its easier to sell. The catch here is that mobile home parks don't allow people to rent their units. So, you have to have one where you own the land also.

There are many areas in Colorado that are trailer friendly and, contrary to the trailer trash prejudice, some of these are quite nice and highly affordable. The one thing about these is to buy cheap and not to buy new. The second you drive one of these off the dealer's lot - it drops in value 50 percent. So, buy used.

[hollis]

Dinah

I live in the United States, but I have traveled to Ireland and I am giving serious thought to moving back there, since that is where my family is from.

[Caligastia Lanonandek]

Hollis

No matter where u go - there u are

[hollis]

I think I've heard that song before...

[hollis]

Having never visited Ireland before, when my wife and I went a few months ago it felt like home to me. I am happy enough living where I do now, but if things ever got bad enough in the US, I would have no problem whatsoever about picking up and moving there.

[Caligastia Lanonandek]

I'd fight and die before I abandon my country.

[hollis]

Well, if you end up being right, you'll have just that chance!