Semi-Retired at 27 - Living on and Island, Scuba Diving, and finally HAPPY

[johnnywolf]

Hey guys, I wanted to share with you my experience with the 4hww and how much it has positively influenced my life! I am happier than ever right now and never plan on going back to do a normal mundane life.

I am currently living on Koh Tao aka Turtle Island off the coast of Thailand. It is beautiful and amazing. I took up Scuba Diving and absolutely love it. I have three dogs that I rescued, and volunteer at the animal shelter just for fun.

I've been training Muay Thai Kickboxing, just so I can say I did it in Thailand.

I try a new restaurant everyday, and love the food there. You can check out my food blog to see what I'm talking about www.EatKohTao.com (http://www.EatKohTao.com)

How I did it:

I read the 4hrww - Got inspired
I started the low info diet, and freeing up my time.
I cut out voicemails and phone calls.
I cut out all time wasters and applied the 80/20 rule.
I saved up and bought a plane ticket to Thailand for a 3 week vacation - Turned out I loved it and became inspired to move there.
On the plane I read the 4hrww again and started to impliment it more.
I sold my car, and got rid of all the crap I didn't need (there was a lot)
Decided to move there for 3 months and do a mini retirement.
Read the 4hrww again while I was on the beach there, sitting next to a beautiful topless Swedish tourist. Decided to find a way to stay there forever.
Became a freelance article writer and received enough to live there and get by.
Decided to find my muse and have extra money to travel more.
Flew to San Francisco to visit my new baby niece.
Now i'm in Texas working on my muse.
In Three weeks I'll be going back to Koh Tao Island for another 3 month mini retirement.

Thank you Tim Ferris and the Four hour Work week team!

http://www.thesocialsecrets.com///mnt/w0000/d15/s21/b02a5771/www/thesocialsecrets.com///wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Shark%20Group.JPG

[David-Andrew]

Hahaha great fun!

Tell me about your muses some more, how did you get yout TMI etc?

[nghs22]

Nice work mate!!

[johnnywolf]

Hahaha great fun!

Tell me about your muses some more, how did you get yout TMI etc?

David,

The good news was that my TMI was surprisingly low. I only gave myself 3 weeks to prepare before leaving for paradise, and just sold everything I didn't need as well as my car before leaving to give me some seed money. I figured that once I got there, I'd figure it out, and I did. After spending 5 months in paradise, I decided to come back to the US for 6 weeks to bang out my muse so I could go back with some cashflow. My first muse was www.attractionspell.com which is a pheremone cologne, I'm currently working on another project as well.

FYI: Attraction Spell sells a few bottles a month, but wasn't enough to hit my TMI, so I moved on to easier to sell products. But it is a good example of private labeling, branding, and creating a very simple website using all free software to start bringing in semi-passive income right away.



Here is a breakdown that I made of my monthly expenses so you can see how cheap it actually is to live in paradise:



$=American Dollar
BAHT = Thai Curreny current 34:1

Johnny's Koh Tao Thailand Expenses BAHT US$ Notes

Rent – Bungalow 5000 $147 Sairee Beach – Prime Location
Utilities – Water/Electric 1000 $29

Student Loan – University $190 Eight more years

Gasoline/Petrol for Motorbike 250 $7 Three tanks per month
Motorbike Maintenance/Repairs 200 $6 Averaged

Mobile Phone 500 $15 Pay as you go

Breakfast Daily 3000 $88 30 meals at 100baht each
Lunch Daily 2400 $71 30 meals at 80 baht each
Mid-Afternoon Snack 1800 $53 30 snacks at 60 baht each
Dinner Daily 3600 $106 30 meals at 120baht each

Drinking Water 450 $13 Bottled and Home Jugs
Coconuts 100 $3 Ten Coconuts
Alcohol/Beer 640 $19 8 drinks at 80baht each

Chocolate 420 $12 12 chocolate bars per month
Snacks 200 $6 Ten snacks at 20 baht each
Fruit 300 $9 Ten shakes or pieces of fruit

Massages 3000 $88 Ten Massages per month
Yoga Classes 1200 $35 1 class per week
Muay Thai Classes 2500 $74 Three classes per week

Scuba Diving Free Free Included in Divemaster – Initial investment $2,000US
Snorkeling Free Free Equipment already purchased – Initial investment $100US
Hiking/Trekking Free Free No added expense

Toothpaste/Soap/Shampoo/Etc 300 $9
Mosquito Repellent 360 $11 Two bottles a month
Sunblock 300 $9
Tiger Balm 200 $6

DAN – Diving Insurance 300 $9 Averaged

Clothes – New 600 $18 One to two items a month

Travel – Visa Run or Fun 900 $26 Round trip ferry tickets
Random Hotel Rooms 1000 $29 2-4 nights

Laundry 350 $10

Books 500 $15 2 books a month
DVDs 400 $12 1 movie per week
Dog Food 550 $16 1 large bag a month

Visa Cost – Monthly 1000 $29 Averaged

Baht Dollars
Total Monthly Expenses $39,780 $1,170

Without Student Loan $33,320 $980

[dvdwlsh]

There's something about Thailand that inspires massive action and creates an insatiable desire for the lifestyle you're representing. Let's face it, the incredible diversity of women on these islands has a lot to do with it ;) Spending time on Koh Samet was my original motivator so I know exactly where you're coming from.

I'm going to emphasize your actual cost of living: $1,170 USD You simply do not need many thousands per month to live in absolute paradise. It costs less to live an extraordinary lifestyle than it does to suffer in a mundane one.

Carpe diem, and enjoy the scenery. I may have to come visit, it's been too long and Thailand is calling my name. :D

[David-Andrew]

Good stuff! Just got back from my mini retirement in Curacao, which is almost as expensive as the Netherlands. Would love to give Thailand a try end of the year!

Can you PM me the contact details for the place where you rent your apartment? That would be great thanks!

Oh, and this is my story:
http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=2948

[jetpacklife]

Wow, that's pretty cool. I just got back from a quick vacation in Costa Rica.
I just don't know how I could spend significant time in a resort type place with out enough to do and enough friends to talk to.

Biggest problems with me doing a long trip like that:
- Being outgoing enough to meet people there
- closing down my life here (home care, pets, things that pop up)
- worries of language barriers, crime, and handling of all the new details of
life (which no doubt are different than here)

Luckily, I have saved up enough for a mini retirement like this and have mostly automated my muse for such adventures.... It's just that I haven't enjoyed previous trips as much as I'd like because of all these problems...

[Stallion]

That's an awesome breakdown dude. Thanks for that. I've been working on my muses trying to get them up to a respectable level, just takes time. I found a service I can provide over the internet and make as much as a regular job. Since it's over the internet, I can do it anywhere there is an internet connection.

Is there internet on that Island you're in. Access to the internet would allow me to do my work. If so, I'm going to have to come out there and join you lol. Your food blog has made me hungry!!

[Frank]

That's an awesome breakdown dude. Thanks for that. I've been working on my muses trying to get them up to a respectable level, just takes time. I found a service I can provide over the internet and make as much as a regular job. Since it's over the internet, I can do it anywhere there is an internet connection.

Is there internet on that Island you're in. Access to the internet would allow me to do my work. If so, I'm going to have to come out there and join you lol. Your food blog has made me hungry!!

I was just reading his food blog and there's a special page devoted to 2 island restaurants that have free internet - check out http://eatkohtao.blogspot.com/search/label/free%20internet.

Pack your bags!

[DaveCraige.com]

wow, very inspiring.

thanks for sharing this!

[xvx]

Awesome, important point for me, you've got your time sorted with activities. But are there any bars, clubs, social life to meet ladies?!! (not just your activites or thai women I mean)

[placeshifter]

thailand gets assorted tourist girls out for a fling.

primarily, this means aussies, brits, and swedes -- swedes generally being the most attractive of the bunch -- but youll also get a smattering of other european girls.

quite a few of the non-anglophone european girls (e.g. swedes or french) will hook with up the local thai guys (the ones working the bars) as theyre there to do something totally different than what they find at home.

not really a place where youll find busloads of non-thai girls putting down roots long-term though.

[johnnywolf]

Hey guys,to answer some of your questions.

- Being outgoing enough to meet people there
- closing down my life here (home care, pets, things that pop up)
- worries of language barriers, crime, and handling of all the new details of
life (which no doubt are different than here)


Social Life, Women, Bars, and Stuff:

-Tourists are friendly, 80% of the people on Koh Tao are traveling so everyone's there to make new friends, party and have fun.

-Sign up for scuba diving classes, and you'll meet some really good friends on the boat and during class. Whenever you share a common hobby or interest it's easy to be social.

-The beach is filled with bars and parties at night. Koh Tao is a more laid back island, but the next island over ($15 ferry ride) is Koh Phagan which hosts a monthly WILD full moon party. I go every month and it's enough partying in one night to satisfy my appetite for a month.


Worries: Language Barrier, Crime, etc:


Don't stress out so much man. There will always be things to worry about, but Koh Tao for example, is 100% English speaking.

There is hardly any crime here, just don't leave valuables in your shoe when you go swimming and other common sense. There is FAR less crime there than in any U.S. city.

Packing up and go:

If you want it bad enough, you'll figure it out.
Follow the advice in the book and in my original post. You'll figure it out all. Everything is just an excuse.

Is it really paradise:

Yes. =)
I'm in Texas right for another 2 weeks working on another muse so I'll have more cash to travel to other places as well. I can't wait to go back.


-Johnny

[Lachlan]

I have a similar recent history. I just returned to the US after spending 4 months visiting 11 countries in Asia plus Australia, including 3 weeks in Thailand.

I did some diving down at Koh Doc Mai, Hin Muang and Racha Noi. Also visited Surat Thani, Samui, Phangan(FMP :)), Bangkok, Na Kloe and Chiang Mai.

My number one priority now is to begin generating some income from a muse so that I can move there year-round. In the meantime I may enroll in the MBA program at Sasin and just head over there to live a while from savings.

My financial estimations are fairly similar, only about US$1,500/mo to live comfortably in Bangkok.

[maxpr]

Geez. Everyone is looking for the ladies. What about us guys just looking for a "cultural" experience :)

Sorry for the worthless post but the "aawww man these European chicks" talk is entertaining!

Just remember European gals are looking for something different than the "typical" American, just do not go for German girls...I know...my gf is German, man oh man...

Kiiiiidding...or am I?

One last FYI; Australian girls can be quite fun and entertaining!

[xvx]

Get a latina there is no competition.

[FrozenCanuck]

Someone here wrote how they are not sure if they would be "outgoing" enough to meet people on a mini retirement, etc.

This is my first ever muse: self hypnosis CDs (http://mikemandelhypnosis.com). It is NOT my product (I am the exclusive online vendor). I have shared details on how I launched this in other posts. In any case, the Peak Performance CD teaches you the tools you need to adopt the beliefs that you need, make the changes you need, etc. It's necessary "food" for any 4HWWer.

[Dubserve]

Thailand is great. I have been there for 6 months got some of my best friends in the world there, i am gonna make a few online muses and go there for living that is for sure. But as my ex girlfriend is a thai, you start to get some insider knowledge which you also have to consider, which i have.

Good Luck To All Of You.
Thomas

[Stallion]

I heard that Thailand has been cracking down on tourists and it's hard to get visas that extend over a month. I heard in the past that you could easily get 3 month one and you leave the country for a few days and you can get another, but they don't do that anymore.

What's the deal with visas now?

[johnnywolf]

VISAS:

By Plane: If you fly into Thailand you get a free, automatic 30 Day Visa.

By Land: If you go to a neighboring county by bus, to "extend" your visa. You'll now only get 14 days instead of 30.

Before you go: Just apply for a multiple entry 60 day Tourist Visa. Which gives you two months when you arrive, while you're there, you can go to the consulate and get a 30 day extension which gives you a total for 90 days, or 3 months. (the multiple entry, allows you to get two 60 day tourist visas, which you can use back to back)


Courage and Action:

I would recommend signing up for an Improv acting class to get over your fears. There are also "boot camps" you can take to jump start your social skills, search for "PUA Bootcamp"

Or you can just bite the bullet, go backpacking and figure it out. The fact that you'll have enough courage to pack up and go, talking to other tourists will be easy.

[Caesar_X]

I would recommend signing up for an Improv acting class to get over your fears.

Agreed about improv classes. Many cities will have a free introductory class you can take. And a 6-8 week session of one class a week isn't too expensive.

It really helps you to learn things that are relevant to developing a muse lifestyle. Like "paying attention to your partner (i.e. customer)" and "running towards your failures".

Highly recommended, especially if you feel you are shy or introverted.

[boxmanboxman]

Thank you for writing this. You are an inspiration.

[Bradinator]

Yes, it is an inspiration. An update would be nice ifyou have the time

[codymckibb]

Yo man, hit me up if you ever come through Bangkok. I'm living here this year and doing the digital nomad thing. Would be cool to grab a beer and trade stories. I'd love to interview you sometime for my site ThrillingHeroics.com too… Cheers

[birdman]

yessssssssssssssssss my man. very inspiring.

hehe i used to do infield coaching in the PU community!!! was kind of inner game bootcamps. teaching people how to gt over there fears in a bar, talk to woman and talk to people and being unafraid of being themselves. then for extensive outer game coaching my friend who coaches on VA bootcamps takes over. I left it though, not my thing to do for the long term. so cool to see a PUA on here.

it's wierd because i'm incredibly confidenct now with a lot of mens biggest fear, but my confidence with money is low!! i'm working on it though.

never knew there was PUA cologne hehe. fantastic muse! how many orders do you roughly take a week??? if you don't mind me asking.

i'm going to be where you're at soon :).

[johnnywolf]

Hey guys, I didn't realize how popular this thread is still.

Here's the update....

The problem with leaving the world and moving to paradise is that you won't even want to work 4 hours a week while you're out here...you'll want to work zero.

But the problem with getting everything perfect before you come out here, and having an automated source of income that is enough is that you'll never end up leaving.

While I've been out here in Koh Tao I got my dive master certification and started working full time as a DM. The money is good enough to live and eat, but not enough to save or travel...but at the same time, I'm finally doing something that I really enjoy for work. Most people don't even consider taking tourists out to fun dive, work.

Ideally I would like to spend two solid months working on my muse to generate enough money passively where I wouldn't have to work at all. I have the resources, the know-how, and the ability to set it up, I've just gotten really lazy being out here.

I've been thinking about recruiting a business partner.

Basically you'd move out here to Thailand, but promise not to become lazy for at least two months. During that time, I'll help you set up your muse, and you can help me maximize mine. You'll get access to everything I learned, and all of the resources I have. But for two months, you'll have to sit in the hotel room as it was your office 4 hours a day, a couple days a week until we're all set up and ready. Anyone up for it? (I'm only partially joking)

[clanshrapnel]

Maybe you can move to my apt in NYC and work for me to 'maximize my muse' for 8 hours a day while I am out and about.

Sound like a good deal? :)

[birdman]

i could work ten hours a day, if you could pay for my flights and food my friend.

[codymckibb]

I've noticed that tendency in a few of my good friends who've spent a little too much time living in Krabi—they get lazy just like the Thais! Anyway, I was serious about discussing ideas over a beer. I'd be interested to learn more about possibly JVing on some sort of muse idea… ;)

Have you seen what David Walsh is up to at muselife.com btw? Good stuff…

[ItsuNaneo79]

Awesome stuff!

Thailand is on my short list.

But, how did you end up all the way in thailand posing with american girls? :D

[Voyagner]

This would have to be one of the best posts on here in a while, inspiring.

I think a few people would be interested to hear how you found a product to find PLR for as yours is a physical product and not a digital one as so many are.

[indieviewTV]

Johnny Wolf, aren't you in the PUA community? I think I may have heard of you. I use to teach dudes through my business Nightlife Serenade with my handle as mybirthdaypony.

Anyway, it's good to see chubby bros kickin it with skinny chicks in the oceans. Kudos!

[clanshrapnel]

Johnny Wolf, aren't you in the PUA community? I think I may have heard of you. I use to teach dudes through my business Nightlife Serenade with my handle as mybirthdaypony.

Anyway, it's good to see chubby bros kickin it with skinny chicks in the oceans. Kudos!

same name, different person. I think the PUA Johnny Wolf has tattoos that are easily visible.

[luiscongdon@msn.com]

Agreed about improv classes. Many cities will have a free introductory class you can take. And a 6-8 week session of one class a week isn't too expensive.

It really helps you to learn things that are relevant to developing a muse lifestyle. Like "paying attention to your partner (i.e. customer)" and "running towards your failures".

Highly recommended, especially if you feel you are shy or introverted.

I was thinking about taking an improv class, it really helps huh? How would you compare that to taking NLP or a boot camp?

[webgal]

I love improv. I did it for years. And as for NLP, I love that, too. It's absolutely fascinating. The NLP helps when working with clients, too. I can figure out how they think and cut to the chase in meetings and presentations.

[johnnywolf]

Here's the 1 year update.
I'm now 28, still semi-retired, living on a different, but still beautiful tropical island, scuba diving and still happy. =)



Update: I just got back from a month in the U.S. and am living on Koh Lanta now, on the west coast of Thailand.

Money - Using the 4HWW I leaned out my expenses to less than $750 a month while still living the life I want in Thailand. Doing that allows me to stress less and preserve my savings. It's been a year now, and although I'm not rich, I have more money in my savings account as I did when I first arrived a year ago.

Products - I had a physical product (seminars) that I turned into a digital one (ebooks and audio books) I got rid of the physical products that needed shipping (cologne). Also I started affiliate marketing and selling other people's digital products.

Future - I'm planning on finding a motivated partner and once and for all, create and market a passive income digital product to make more money.

Lessons Learned - Having one year to get a taste of the lifestyle of traveling and living on a tropical island, I'm hooked and never want to work a 8-5 job again. I've also learned that it's too easy to become lazy and content once you get here. At least it saved me from stressing out completely and exploding.

Just one month back in the U.S. doing what I used to do, built up all the tension and stress again, at the end of the trip I got sick, gained weight, grew pale and physically weak, and it wasn't good for me at all.

My advice to you all: All the answers are in the 4-hour work week, trust it, trust yourself, and make the leap. Cut out all of your expenses, pay off your debt, sell your car and just go for it even if you only have enough money to pay for a return flight and three months of living. You won't regret it, the experience is worth it in itself.

If anyone wants to come to Koh Lanta and hang out, consider this an open invitation, it'll be great to sit down with some like minded people.

Warm Regards,

Johnny

[dru-man]

Thailand seems to be a key location for the New Rich. I've been out here for a year and 3 months now. I don't have freedom of time now--although I probably could if I was into keeping it simple, which I never have been--but I definitely have freedom of location.

I did the divemaster thing like Johnny Wolf talks about in his thread--absolutely amazing, but I ran out of money. I still didn't leave Thailand. I had nothing to go back to--the Fourhour Workweek was one of the only things I stuffed into my backpack when I got rid of all my belongings and headed off to see the world. It has been a source of inspiration all along the way.

I've always been the type of person who felt like if I put myself in a bad situation I'd find a way to claw out of it, and have used this as a source of motivation throughout my life. I don't reccommend it, but it has worked for me, as well caused me to have grey hairs at 23 and salt n' pepper hair now at 28. But I was at a point in my life where I had lost everything and decided rather than take the easy route I would make it harder on myself and force myself to build the lifestlye I wanted out of the the rubble.

Hence I found myself in a foreign country with a limited amount of cash and no income.

I decided internet marketing was where it was for me, and I committed to learning. After seeing how easy it was to get lost, I started paying someone to mentor me. It began to pay off immediately, and its been uphill but forward movement ever since. Now I'm free to live anywhere in the world. My next step is freeing up my time more and more while ramping up my income, and I've been building a small team of online employees to do just that.

Thailand is the place to make your dreams happen. I don't get the whole mentality in moving here after you've retired. Why not move here when you're young and trying to make it so you can save thousands on living expenses and yet still live the ultimate lifestyle along the way?

Don't give up guys. You can make it happen if you put your mind to it. For me, the International lifestyle is where it's at. If any other people with similar mindsets who have already acquired the lifestyle are already out here in Thailand--I'd love to meet up for some beers/ wine and exchange ideas or just have a good time. Drop me a pm.

I'm also game for answering any Thailand questions if anyone is thinking of making a similar move. Johnny's living expenses he outlines in this thread are quite realistic. You can live really comfortably here for about $1K a month (I've lived on much, much less), very very well for $2K a month, and like a rockstar for $3K a month. If you've got some money to sustain your self, what better place to build your muse?

Cheers

[johnnywolf]

Here's an update of my monthly living expenses now that I moved to Koh Lanta.
Food is cheaper here, but I spend more on gas since it's a bigger island, and the Muay Thai Gym is more expensive as well. I'm also paying a lot for wireless internet at my bungalow now, which makes things much easier.

I thought that overall I'd be spending more money, but my expenses have actually gone down after the move.

Here is the actual amount of money I spend last month October 2009 in Koh Lanta, Thailand.



Johnny's Thailand Expenses BAHT US$ Notes
(34 baht = $1 Dollar)
Rent – Bungalow 5000 $147 Long Beach – Prime Location
Utilities – Water/Electric 0 $0 Included
Wireless Internet 1500 $44

Student Loan – University $190

Gasoline/Petrol for Motorbike 400 $12 Four tanks per month
Motorbike Maintenance/Repairs 100 $3 Averaged

Mobile Phone 500 $15 Pay as you go
Skype 400 $12 International Calling

Breakfast Daily 1200 $35 30 meals at 40 baht each
Lunch Daily 1200 $35 30 meals at 40 baht each
Snacks 1200 $35 30 snacks at 40 baht each
Dinner Daily 1200 $35 30 meals at 40 baht each

Drinking Water 400 $12 Bottled and Home Jugs
Alcohol/Beer 640 $19 15 Beers at 60 baht each


Massages 1000 $29 Four Massages per month
Muay Thai Classes 5000 $147 Montly One On One Training

Scuba Diving Free Free Included in Divemaster – Initial investment $2,000US
Snorkeling Free Free Equipment already purchased – Initial investment $100US
Hiking/Trekking Free Free No added expense

Toothpaste/Soap/Shampoo/Etc 100 $3
Mosquito Repellent 160 $5 Two bottles a month
Sunblock 0 $0
Tiger Balm 60 $2

DAN – Diving Insurance 300 $9 Averaged

Clothes – New 200 $6 Averaged

Travel – Visa Run or Fun 900 $26 Round trip ferry tickets
Random Hotel Rooms 1000 $29 2-4 nights

Laundry 160 $5 30 baht a Kilo

Books 250 $7 1 book a month
Cat Food 140 $4 2 small bags

Visa Cost – Monthly 800 $24 Averaged

Baht Dollars
Total Monthly Expenses 30,270 baht $890 USD

Without Student Loan 23,810 baht $700 USD

[scotland]

Think I'm going to get my sh*t sorted and get to Thailand,
What writing web site do you use JohnnyWolf.
Umm do you need any sort of visa being there for 6 months?

[phil]

^ For NZ residents, you can stay 30 days without a visa. For longer stays you'd need a visa. Or you can do a "visa run" across the border each time you want to extend.

http://thailand.visahq.com/requirements/new_zealand/resident-united_states/?a_aid=0

[johnnywolf]

The best thing to do as far as Visa's are concerned to Thailand is to get a 3 entry Tourist Visa before you come.

Check out http://www.ThaiVisa.com under community for all the info. It's actually decently complicated and doesn't get easier while you're here.

If you're in America send your application to Houston, TX, and if you're in the UK send it to Hull. Those are the easiest to work with. Check out the website for more details and DO NOT show up with just the free 30 day visa if you think you're going to stay longer. Visa runs are not easy unless you have the money to take mini vacations via plane monthly.

[a1archie]

Dude that is inspiring! Thank you for sharing that with us!

[TruthOrDarius]

Great Story J' Wolf. makes me wanna sell my car for real.

[TruthOrDarius]

same name, different person. I think the PUA Johnny Wolf has tattoos that are easily visible.

I was actually wondering the same thing too because I heard about 4hww from a PUA(ish) interview.