While this post has little or nothing to do with retirement, most people these days have a mobile phone, digital camera, pda and/or mp3 player. The removable memory cards which they contain can be problematic. Having had issues myself, I put up a MicroSD page on the R-A website a couple of years ago and it has been consistently one of the most popular, receiving some 150 hits every day – over 85,000 by May 2010 and 100,000 on Sept 8. So, if you do have an issue with an SD or microSD card, you are most certainly not alone and may find a solution there! Read on, if you’re interested.

There are quite a few different types of card and format on the market, but most cell phones now use the ‘micro SD‘ format with a capacity from 128 Mb to several gigabytes. 2 Gb is common and probably enough for most users. In addition to the phone’s built-in memory, this will be enough for hundreds of photos, music files and video clips. Cameras and players will use the standard format with greater memory capacity, up to 32Gb or more.

This flash memory card is held in a slot either inside the device or accessible under a small flap on the casing. When you want to download files to a PC or laptop, there are several ways to do it. One is via a USB cable supplied with the phone and used in conjunction with a software program also supplied by the manufacturer. e.g. Nokia Data Suite. Another method of file transfer is via Bluetooth – a wireless link between two compatible devices. Wireless LAN is yet another option for certain phones and network computers.

If you have the necessary connectivity hardware, removing the microSD card from the phone and connecting directly to a computer is easiest. Because the ‘micro’ SD is too small on its own, it needs to be placed in a standard SD card adapter (usually supplied with an SD card device). This can then be inserted into the card reader found on many computers and notebooks today. Both internal and external multi-format card readers are also available from computer stores.

If there is no built-in slot or external card reader available, then a small, inexpensive USB adapter can be purchased and plugged into any empty port on the computer. It normally includes the adapter for the microSD as well. These inexpensive USB adapters come in different shapes and sizes, but on the right is a typical example, with the tiny SD card protruding from the standard SD card size adapter. Amazon in the UK sells a similar one for £1.50.

When this combination is put in a USB port, the computer should recognise it as an extra external hard drive and it will be allocated a drive letter such as G: – as seen on the left. It depends on how many drives are already in the computer, including the CD or DVD drive. The files will be visible in a file manager such as Windows Explorer, and can be copied or moved (to release space on the card) by dragging and dropping them to a folder on another hard drive or perhaps burning a CD for archiving purposes.

Unfortunately, many people encounter problems of one sort or another when trying to move files between their card and a computer (perhaps to transfer them to a larger capacity one), as well as formatting errors.

As it’s a bit long and rambling – even more than this post! – especially for someone looking for a ‘quick fix’, I am sorting the information on the MicroSD page into sub topics and will incorporate it here on the blog, where issues will be easier to identify. Readers can also comment below and be given answers which hopefully help others with similar problems.

Footnote: After using SD and microSD cards myself for several years now without many problems, I recently ran into some with two Kingston 4 Gigabyte standard SD cards (not micro), trying to use them as an easy way to transfer files between my desktop and the netbook I use when away from home or coping with mains outages – and I have yet to solve them. I will be discussing this as well.

For anyone who has lost media files on a flash memory card, especially photos, you may like to try the CardRecovery program I recommend on the R-A web page. You can download an evaluation version. This scans the card for files and there is a preview feature that lets you view and check what can be recovered before you purchase the software. If you can’t find what you want, it costs you nothing. Otherwise it’s $39.95.

Read the comments below. Contributors have also found some solutions and fixes to flash card problems.

NOTE: If you are posting a comment about a card problem, give as many details as possible e.g. make and model of the phone (or other device) as well as the memory type and capacity.

Everybody wants to be financially secure, especially when they can’t work anymore. When you’re old and grey, or your health and mobility begin to deteriorate, it’s difficult getting a job. In fact today you could still be in your forties and be unable to get a decent, secure position in the business sector. You’re ‘over the hill’ already. It’s likely, with the rising cost of living and expensive health care of senior citizens, you might find it difficult to make ends meet with the money you have right now.

However, you can earn extra retirement income no matter how old you are. Are you nearing your retirement age and haven’t saved anything yet? Are you already a senior citizen receiving a paycheck that you won’t be able to live on indefinitely? Are you a young professional who wants to save for your retirement – starting now?

If you are any of the persons described above, then it isn’t too late. There are dozens of way you could earn a little (or quite  a lot!) of extra income, and they don’t all involve the internet, although working from home online is perhaps the easiest way. Men and women of all ages are doing this. Why not you?

Download a free report which shows you many different ways you could be making money from home and how to go about it. The good news is there are a lot of online business opportunities today that don’t require a lot of start-up capital, but they do require some time and effort on your part. But the rewards are worth it. You won’t want to attempt them all, but just find one or two that interest you and you can soon be on your way to another source of income once you’ve learned how.

There are several differences between conventional ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses and selling online. Marketing over the internet is not the same as selling ‘face-to-face’. It’s actually a lot easier and far cheaper to set up. Most people don’t like to be involved with business opportunities that require them to hound people who are not interested in their products. However, over the internet, that doesn’t need to be the case. People can choose to ignore your advice and delete your emails without embarrassment on either side!

One way of promoting yourself or your service or products (or those of others) is by having a blog or website full of interesting information on a topic that is popular. It’s not difficult to identify these ‘niches’. Provide readers not only with information, but solutions to their problems in the form of a service or a product they can buy indirectly through you, and for which you will earn a cash commission from the vendor – who takes care of the order and payment etc. You have no worries about that, and your commissions arrive regularly by check or in your bank account.

This way of doing business means customers coming to you instead of you trying to find them. Do this right and you really can make a lot of money. Affiliate marketing is possibly the easiest way to make money online. However, there is a learning curve and success doesn’t come overnight, in spite of what some slick internet marketers try to sell you!

Apart from blogs and websites, you can send emails to prospects and market your products to them that way, but you have to be careful about email marketing. You don’t want to be tagged as a spammer. How many spam emails in your Inbox each day does it take to make YOU angry? What you must do is build a list of potential customers and there are easy and legitimate ways of doing this without resorting to underhanded tactics such as spamming.

Whenever you promote your service, you have to be very wary about infringing on people’s personal privacy. It’s a fine line sometimes, but if you have their permission in the form of a confirmation that they will accept messages from you, then they cannot accuse you of being a spammer. You can also try to sell to family and friends, but it’s not a good idea as it puts obligations on people who may want to support you, but cannot really afford to.

There are many ways to attract business and custom from people whom you will never know or need to have direct contact with – if that’s what you prefer – but the more personal approach definitely has its advantages if you can establish a good online ‘persona’ and credibility. Learn more at Affiliate-Projects.com.

However, if you’re looking for something different, then download the free report I mentioned above. Even if the internet is not really ‘your thing’ except as a source of information, there are many different ways you can begin earning money from home, starting today.

The Tiger Woods saga may have not much relevance here at Retire-Asia, but it possibly  illustrates one of the many differences between East and West culture. Maybe he’s been expecting the ‘best of both worlds’ and being able to be with other women – and get away with it.

Well, he didn’t. On August 23rd, 2010 the Woods were divorced, with a settlement believed to be about $100 million. That’s a high price to pay even for the richest golfer in the world for his affairs with those multiple mistresses (not to mention the money he paid some of them for their silence). His game has suffered too. Poor old Tiger. Let’s hope he’ll learn from this and go on to further success.

Talent and exposure bring publicity and fame. Fame brings money. Money should buy ‘the perfect life’, right? Well, apparently not – and not while living in the USA and under the global media spotlight.

Tiger’s problems and his probable realisation by now that money doesn’t buy happiness or everything you want in life, may lie in his ethnic background.  As is well-known, his family background includes both Thai and Chinese connections on both parents’ sides.

While it’s not acceptable in the West, in Thailand and Laos at least, it’s quite common for a married man to take on a second wife known as a mia noi or small wife, although technically they cannot be married. Monogamy is the law in both countries. He may have more than one mia noi and father their children.

A Thai or Lao man cannot do this without the financial means to support both his spouses. Money is definitely part of the ‘arrangement’ which is usually with the knowledge and (not always) tacit acceptance of the man’s mia yai (big wife). Both women will expect compensation in some form or other.

They don’t usually all live under the same roof, but it can happen with the agreement of the first wife. She may be bored with taking care of her husband’s needs, both in and out of bed, and is happy for someone else to do that. She may even have a boyfriend, but that is usually not made public.

One advantage of this East-West cultural difference is that the children do not suffer unnecessarily from the upheaval of divorce and the loss of one parent – sometimes due to a single infidelity on the part of their father (usually) or mother.

Extramarital affairs of the rich and famous are always hot news.  Tiger may have been forgiven for ‘just doing it’ once maybe, but apparently there are now SEVEN women with stories to tell (or sell).

He’s left himself wide open for derision and food for the tabloids and TV talk shows.

Will he ever live this down, one wonders? Not yet, by all accounts.

A word of warning for the foreigner or expat – farang – living in Thailand and especially the Lao PDR and married to a local woman. You will definitely not get away with this type of behaviour. Someone, perhaps in authority, is likely see it an opportunity for making trouble and/or money.

I’m the administrator of a new message board set up for the purpose of advising Australians living on the Disability Support Pension who spend time overseas.

Many of us have lived in Asia for years, most with wives and families, and we find it a more comfortable lifestyle than struggling to make ends meet in Australia.

Prior to 2003 we were required to return to Australia (portability) every twenty-six weeks but the Social Security Act was changed to make this thirteen weeks. Life accordingly became more difficult with money needing to be saved for three to four return airfares a year.

Now the legislation is about to change again; to what we don’t know, the politicians and public servants we have written to aren’t forthcoming with this information.

I’d like to encourage potentially affected people to join our group and try to make our voices heard.

The Disability Support Pension is not some sort of welfare payment handed out to the undeserving. Most of us have paid high taxes all our working lives. In Australia, taxpayers expect a decent Government pension on retirement, and people who retire early due to illness or injury should be entitled to the same thing.

Those who support Government cost-cutting should consider the result of thousands of us returning permanently to Australia, accompanied by wives and children, all whom are currently living on a single pension

I invite all people worried about changes to the pension to view our website. For those of you on the Age Pension, who knows, you may be next in line.

http://dspoverseas.proboards.com/index.cgi

Banjo

1. #1 for government debt and deficits
2. #1 for unfunded liabilities, most importantly Medicare and Social Security
3. #1 for building and maintaining the biggest WMD stockpile in the world
4. #1 for weapon sales to foreign governments
5. #1 for bombs dropped and missiles fired on other nations
6. #1 for causing civilian casualties and property destruction
7. #1 for “defense” spending – about as much as all other countries combined
8. #1 for lawyers per capita, with over 1.1 million total
9. #1 for law suits filed – millions and millions every year
10. #1 for political lobbyists, special interest groups and campaign donations
11. #1 for taxpayer bailouts of the politically connected “too big to fail” corporations
12. #1 for people imprisoned.

Is there a way a law-abiding, tax-paying US citizen can avoid the cost of all this and stop paying taxes every year to the IRS – no matter what country he or she is living or earning money in?

Only by formally giving up US citizenship and living in another country with a non-US passport.

Is this possible and practical? It certainly is, and even if you’re not considering such a drastic step, you should at least be aware that not only is it possible, there are hundreds of former US residents that do this each year (a threefold increase in 2009 on 2008) by becoming citizens of other countries. Admittedly the number is a fraction of the estimated 7 million Americans already living abroad, but it is rising. Most do it for tax purposes as US citizens, even resident outside the US for years, can never escape the clutches of the IRS – unlike those of most other countries.

A former US citizen has just published a 26-page report which details exactly how he went about renouncing his US citizenship and why it might be the right move for you, depending on several factors, including your net worth. It will probably surprise you.

However, there are other, less drastic ways to preserve your wealth and pay less taxes – and remain a proud American citizen.

Download the report free here and share it with your friends. It’s well worth reading.

Airlines usually do not allow you to board a flight to a destination country that requires a visa before arrival. The reason for this is that if you are refused entry, they are obliged to fly you back to where you came from at their own cost. It may be inconvenient and even embarrassing (not to mention the cost of canceling bookings) if you cannot get past the check-in desk, but that’s better than spending hours flying to a country, only to be turned back!

All countries, via their respective embassies and diplomatic missions abroad, publish requirements for entry that apply to citizens of different countries. The information is freely available elsewhere too. Although it’s not always easy to find, there’s really no excuse for not knowing the requirements for visiting a particular country or region before you complete other travel arrangement.

See below the easiest ways to get that information and also apply for multiple visas before you book your ticket.

It’s not all ‘doom and gloom’, either. Some popular tourist destination countries offer a free entry stamp or a visa-on-arrival which may require payment of a fee. Others, depending on your nationality, will require visa application before you travel.

Visa application used to (and may still) involve a personal visit to the local Embassy or Consular Office of one or more countries, located in capitals and some major cities. Postal applications are sometimes possible too. However, due to the internet and digital communications, some countries now offer electronic online entry application – the quickest and most convenient way of obtaining entry authorization e.g. Australia (ETA). Visit www.eta.immi.gov.au and see how to apply.

The USA (ESTA) for UK citizens wishing to enter the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (not an actual US Visa) has been compulsory since January 2009. It is currently free and valid for two years. However, from September 9, an ESTA will cost £9 in the UK – $14. Those who already have them are not affected, but new applicants can still get them free (and valid for 2 years) by applying before Sept 9. Visit www.esta-uk.org.

In some countries there are also specialist agencies that provide passport and visa services for citizens and those of other countries. In the case of Europe and most of the EU, it’s possible to apply for a Schengen Visa – a single visa which can cover up to 25 countries. See more below.

You can avoid potential problems and delays by doing your visa research at the same time as you are planning your trip or vacation.

Here are some easy ways, not only to obtain visa information, but to get them issued in good time. You can choose whether to apply yourself or have the process done for you for a modest service charge. This is especially useful if you intend visiting several countries, as it will save a considerable amount of time and inconvenience.

For United States, Canadian or United Kingdom (British) residents wishing to travel anywhere, VisaHQ.com provides a full service; they can also process applications for the initial issue or renewal of a US Passport for those who are entitled to one.

On the VisaHQ website, select the country you are in now, your passport nationality or citizenship, and the country or countries you want to visit – either as a tourist or on business (there are different visas) to get a quick answer.

Travelers anywhere can apply for a Schengen Visa to enter one or more of 25 countries in the European region, but not the whole of the EU as the Schengen Zone excludes the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania.

There’s more detail about passports and visas for different countries within and outside Asia on the Retire-Asia Passport & Visa Page.

Laos has been a bit of a late starter in technological and industrial terms compared to neighbours like Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore – not to mention ‘Big Brother’ China. However, in terms of digital communications, the country (or parts of it) is reasonably well serviced by mobile phone operators and internet providers, with both government-owned, private enterprise and joint venture operators.

ADSL, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSPA and WiFi broadband service coverage, although currently in the capital Vientiane and main town centres only, will be extended during the rest of this year to more areas, and even in outlying provinces.

Although Lao Telecom‘s ADSL service is being reduced in price by nearly 50% and Planet Online Laos has doubled the bandwidth allowance for its broadband subscribers, internet access is still expensive in Laos in terms of cost and speed, but it is definitely improving.

Read more on the  Retire-Asia.com Lao Communications page, updated for August 2010.

A related topic is electronic banking.  Cashpoints or ATMs have been around Laos for several years and are seen in a growing number of locations, not only in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, but now in several other provincial town centres.  See Retire-Asia’s Lao banking page for more detail of banking facilities available in the Lao PDR. Exchange rates for main currencies are updated every other day.

*****

If you’ve been paying attention to world events, you will already know that something serious is brewing. A crisis is emerging that involves the entire global financial system, markets, and even the stability of nations themselves. But there’s much more to this continuously developing story and many would say, worsening rather than improving global financial situation.

It all started back in 2008, when the sub-prime mortgage crisis hit the news. Governments around the world immediately panicked and spent billions of dollars on bailing out banks and other financial institutions – in the hope of restoring confidence and avoiding a systemic (or even systematic) collapse of the entire system.

They also embarked on massive financial stimulus programs, in a vain attempt to ‘reflate’ the sagging economy and to try and get the credit markets working again.

However, nothing has worked as expected. The bailout money has simply vanished down a bottomless black hole – money that will eventually have to be paid back by taxpayers.

To learn about protecting your assets, financial privacy, offshore banking , investing in gold and more, continue reading this free report.

By the way, I am in almost complete agreement with the author, David MacGregor, a well-respected colleague of mine. I recommend you read his report dossier. David provides invaluable insight and details ways you can avoid the worst of the crisis and secure you and your family’s financial future.

***

The only problem is, they can’t afford to do it yet. They still need to earn money. Many will think they can simply move and open some sort of business: a shop, restaurant, bar, guest house, even hotel. However, there’s quite a bit more to it than that. I know. I write from experience!

“How to Start a Business in Bali” is a well- researched and written business guide by Bali entrepreneur Mike Henry. It’s 100 pages of fact without any attempt to disguise the truth. The reality is not all ‘doom and gloom’, however, as Mike has included in-depth interviews with several other successful Bali expat business owners, each from a different field of endeavour. This gives added invaluable insight into the topic. He also provides a list of resources essential for anyone planning on living and working in Bali.

Having lived on the exotic Indonesian island myself, about five years ago now, and trying to do just this, I also know the potential pitfalls. I wish I had had a  guide to work from at the time, as not a lot has changed regarding bureaucracy – something SE Asia has a wealth of, especially when foreigners try to start a business in Bali or, for that matter, somewhere else.

Quite simply, you need to know the rules and follow them. It’s not only about starting and running a business, it’s interacting with the local population, even if your customers are likely to be other expats and tourists.

Published at the beginning of June 2010, I would say this is the de facto (if not the only!) guide to opening a foreign-owned business in Bali or other location in Indonesia. This inexpensive pdf ebook is a ‘no-brainer’ for anyone thinking of going into business anywhere in Southeast Asia.

Learn more about “How to Start a Business in Bali” and living on the island on Mike Henry’s Bali Expat website.

Instant download upon payment of USD25.00 by PayPal or credit card.

Free users can choose from many features, while paid subscriptions will open up endless opportunities for businesses and professionals. Messenger includes and combines the best features of chat and messaging programs, free or cheap phone calls, audio/video conferencing, file, photo album, desktop sharing, working and playing together with friends, colleagues, customers…the list goes on and on. Get free membership for Greenwin Messenger.

Here are just some of the features built into Greenwin Messenger:

• Start a simple chat session with one or more members, then with a single click be surfing the web together, visiting the same websites, making a presentation or holding a webinar for a whole group.
• Messenger has the tools for holding a live presentation or webinar, then recording the whole session for your ‘Video on Demand’ list that you can make available later in your Messenger Room. You can allow access to your Room to anyone – even if they don’t have Messenger installed.
• Secure password protected entry and fee-based entry, linked to an e-wallet is included. Send and receive money instantly when Messenger is linked to your e-wallet.
• Let others see your screen and for example, show an open document in real time; then activate and share the ‘edit’ function allowing anyone to contribute or edit the text.
• No need to try and explain things or describe problems when you can ‘show and share’ in real time, whether it’s for fun or serious business. Need help with something on your computer? Just ‘ping’ a friend on Messenger, give remote access to your screen and mouse pointer and let your friend (or technical support staff from the company) help you out.
• Meet and work together during a video conference while creating or editing any kind of document or file – with anyone online anywhere in the world. Transfer files even when other users are offline.
• Surfing the web together allows, for example, a group of friends who decide they want to play at an online gaming site. It just takes one person to login then broadcast the screen to the group… giving remote control of the mouse and keyboard to allow the group to play the game together – remotely.
• Messenger is more than a simple scheduler. There’s even a personal assistant who will set up conference calls for you. You can also call international mobile phones at local rates using the MobiGate feature; secure virtual web spaces. Present your site within the space for any purpose.
• Upload or import photos. Share, edit, make an album and ‘live wire’ it to your contacts.
• Messenger can be open on your desktop or made invisible while you listen to your favorite music; files from radio, tv or video; you can download and live wire videos to your contacts list. Watch videos directly in the Messenger media browser; download to playlists or live wire to friends. Messenger lets you manage your audio files and share them too.
• Relax with a game of chess or other online games with your contacts; there’s also a multi-player feature that can be activated.

These are just some of the features and possibilities that have been built into Greenwin Messenger, just released this month.

Get more information here and sign up with Greenwin for free. Avoid the stampede that is about to be caused in the social media world. According to Greenwin, Messenger outclasses and outperforms all other programs from Skype, Microsoft, Yahoo, MySpace, FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Buzz… you name it.

The best part? You can get your friends to sign up under you; there are several ways that you (and they) can start earning income from the service’s revenue through their account membership. This will incorporate paid advertising too and is expecting a huge demand for their professional services.

Visit the Greenwin site and check out all the other facilities and income-earning possibilities – but Greenwin Messenger is an absolute must for anyone, young or old! There are screenshots of all the main facilities already on the site.