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From: Dwight Yachuk (no email)
Date: Mon Dec 13 2004 - 13:15:09 EST
Hello Lynn,
That's quite a list of concerns.
Here are a few comments from a Canadian.
The USD is in delcine. The last refuge of the scoundrel king is to debase his currency in which his debts must be paid. After that no one will lend him money anymore.
The USD once was the world currency. Many nations held USD's as it was as secure and more liquid than gold. The Euro is fast overtaking the USD. The Chinese yuan will also become a world currency, abet that is 20+ years off.
When will the USD decline reverse itself? It will not. Yes there will be currency flucuations over the years but the USD is in a state of decline that will see it reach par and then fall below the value of the $Cdn.
What does this mean for US cruisers? Nothing if you cruise in the US. Also, probably not much in the caribbeans where USD's are accepted. Some price increases possibly, but the USD won't be replaced by the $Cdn although the euro could make some inroads.
Move to a different country? Unless you have some professional skills in great demand. Moving and starting over at that age is very stressful. Economically you'd never gain it back.
My suggestion is to consider retiring in a third world country (on your boat). You can live quite comfortably in the islands on $1000US a month. Many people live for three months on that amount. Pick up a skill like servicing engines, or mending sails or cutting hair and you'll always have someone in need of your services.
Good luck
dwight
Having said all that, the US is the greatest nation on this planet. Once government spending is under control the US dollar could make a comeback. But I don't think it'll be in our lifetimes.
-----Original Message-----
From: lynn stone [mailto:]
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 12:57 PM
To:
Subject: [world-cruising] Declining value of the USD & effects on
cruising?
This last weekend I think I heard that the USD is now
converting at the rate of $2.00USD to 1 Pound and
$1.40USD to 1 Euro. It wasn't so very long ago that
the Euro cost $.86USD when it came into being (as I
remember) and the Pound was about $1.50USD. People in
the US are no longer said to be going to Europe or
buying goods from there as they once were (unless they
are independently wealthy). I can only think that the
rapidly declining USD is also having a similar effect
in the Carribean, Central America, South America, the
South Pacific, and just about every other place in the
world.
Certaily _not_ everyone on this list is U.S. american
and certainly some of you U.S. americans are cruising
in other parts of the world than the U.S. My question
is: how has/is the rapidly decling USD effected(ing)
your cruise and cruising plans? How are you coping?
Only anchoring and just taking in those
businesses/sights immediately available on shore or
what?
Another question is: where can USD wielding cruisers
cruise without being independently wealthy? Also, some
of you may be U.S. citizens who are living outside the
U.S. due to work or retirement reasons. How does the
rate effect you and how are you coping?
Still another question is: for those out cruising
under a U.S. flag, have you found any problems
clearing into or out of other countries given the
current state of the world and how our government is
perceived in many places in the world?
Anyone have a "crystal ball" and have some idea of
when the decline will end and start to reverse?
Failing that, anyone know how we in the U.S. can get
meaningful, well paying work in Europe, etc. where we
can afford to cruise? Anyone out there thinking of or
have immigrated to another country from the U.S.
either as a "resident alien" or actually taking out
citizenship? I hear that Canada is giving classes in
various places in the U.S. toward that end but I find
it difficult to think about going to a land of snow
and ice much of the year. And, for those of middle to
somewhat greater age, how does that effect moving to
another country? I've heard, for example, that
Australia doesn't allow people to move there if you
are over about age 54.
I'm serious here. The state of the USD seems to be
putting an end to all our plans for our "golden years"
and we're not taking it lightly. These questions may
have all have been asked and answered in the past but
with the changing situations, perhaps there are better
answers now or perhaps they have not been asked at all
before? Or perhaps I didn't pay any attention since I
didn't recognize that it was having an effect on me
and mine.
TIA for all your answers. Where can we go?
=====
Lynn
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