General Reports

[CenTexCrash]

When I walk across from San Ysidro into Tijuana at initial pedestrian Migracion building, not the airport, and request a 5 day FMM permit and be as vague as possible, will they be cool and hand it over or are they going to press for exact details and call me out for abusing a loophole (which I am but that's aside the point) and demand immediate full payment?

If they see I'm from TX not CA am I pretty much SOL? When trip ends I'm flying Tijuana to Monterrey then same day bus back to Texas.

[MmaufcFan]

I applied for SENTRI Feb 25th 2021 and still waiting. Called today in Arizona and found out the wait is a Year at this point anyone else been waiting longer than me?

[Phordphan]

On new TX felon law for johns maybe is a silver lining in that they sense our progressive Govt. will legalize it nationally? A few months back I was considering visiting some AMPs but now oh hell no!

Are you kidding? It's the "progressives" that are behind this nonsense. Conservatives may be opposed to prostitution, but it's the left, led by the feminists, who are absolute death on it. This "Nordic model" type of law is the brainchild of radical feminists, and directly targets men. Women are always the victims in any sex-for-money situation. Texas, in general, may be pretty conservative, but Austin (where the laws are made) makes Sacramento look like a Barry Goldwater convention.

[Jackie888]

In my opinion, use pesos if you are regular that go to Tijuana at least once a week. If you are not a weekly regular, use dollars because you are going to fuck it up and over pay when you use money that feels like monopoly money.

[Turgid]

Yes we are unfortunately.

I bought some PMs (precious metals) earlier in the year and adding some more slowly. Going to start buying some Crypto too. Not that complicated but as explained to me need buy a hardware cold storage wallet (like a USB) that only the holder can access since on-line accounts are at risk due to hacking or Coinbase locking accounts when they see fit. Not getting real extravagant with it but plan on buying some Bitcoin, Ether and some XRP when I see dips and not a large percentage of my holdings. My full time job could be pursuing and manning my investments every day but my portfolio not that relatively large and still need work a regular job for 1-3 more years +/-. Is fun for me like another hobby that helps feed my lady habit which I don't spend that much on cause I don't date in the USA (and now won't even consider hobbying in Texas).

On new TX felon law for johns maybe is a silver lining in that they sense our progressive Govt. will legalize it nationally? A few months back I was considering visiting some AMPs but now oh hell no!

The US is indeed headed towards Weimar. However, I do not think anyone knows exactly when that will happen. When it does occur we will not be as civilized as Germany was, there will be hordes of individuals with guns in the streets, neighborhoods and rural areas roaming and searching out anyone with precious metals and especially food, in houses, groceries, supermarkets, cars and other means of transportation. You ask about the police? They will be led by police.

[KC Questor]

With the exchange rate being about 19.5 pesos per dollar, you can often find sellers rounding their price up to 20:1. In that case, you'll get a bit better deal buying with dollars.

You are right. With the exchange rate just below 20:1, you are losing out if you use quick mental math to figure a price. It's a small amount, but can add up.

The bars in the zona peg their prices to the dollar. What that means is that when the exchange rate changes, they change the PESO price, not the DOLLAR price. At 18:1, a beer is $4 or 72 p. If the rate moves to 19:1, the beer is $4 or 76 p. So if you give the guy a $20, he is going to bring you back $16 and you can tip him $1. If you give him a 200 p note he'll bring back 124 p or maybe 128 p or maybe 120 p. If you are lucky. The waiters know that Americans are not as familiar with the money. He may offer you a 50 p note and a small pile of change. If you can look at it and know that it is 74 p in coins, that's great. A lot of guys will pick up the single 50 p bill and leave the change as a tip, not knowing they tipped almost the full price of the beer. Best would be to pick up all the coins and then leave 10 p as the tip.

Bottom line, if you are not perfectly comfortable translating prices in your head and recognizing foreign money in a dark, noisy bar after having a few drinks, stick with dollars. Use pesos on the street.

[Cocr Brotheler]

Yes we are unfortunately.

I bought some PMs (precious metals) earlier in the year and adding some more slowly. Going to start buying some Crypto too. Not that complicated but as explained to me need buy a hardware cold storage wallet (like a USB) that only the holder can access since on-line accounts are at risk due to hacking or Coinbase locking accounts when they see fit. Not getting real extravagant with it but plan on buying some Bitcoin, Ether and some XRP when I see dips and not a large percentage of my holdings. My full time job could be pursuing and manning my investments every day but my portfolio not that relatively large and still need work a regular job for 1-3 more years +/-. Is fun for me like another hobby that helps feed my lady habit which I don't spend that much on cause I don't date in the USA (and now won't even consider hobbying in Texas).

On new TX felon law for johns maybe is a silver lining in that they sense our progressive Govt. will legalize it nationally? A few months back I was considering visiting some AMPs but now oh hell no!

[Member #4730]

California RE uptick is unrelated to any $3.5 T bill being discussed and not passed. People pay for RE what they feel like. If there are others that want to pay more, the price will go to that amount. Supply and demand. One thing I know is that there is such a wealth gap especially after the $3 T tax cut in 2017 for mainly already rich people, so those people drive up prices. RE is cyclical. Back in the day, RE never went down. Now it's like a stock but has hard assets. None of it has to do with a bill in Congress that hasn't passed.

All I know is that I'm enjoying the bubble forming in my investment portfolio, RE holdings, and money printing to infinity and beyond. They are handing it out like it will never end. It isn't sustainable was my point. Hope everyone has alternative investments as we are going Weimar.

[DrinkItDown1]

They are passing that infrastructure bill on the way to $3. 5 T. I wonder how high prices are going to skyrocket? Hopefully my assets follow suit as the banks definitely don't pay you enough interest on your money to keep it with them. SoCal RE jumped 25% in 1 year on a median of $700 k so $175 k in equity built in one year on each property that someone owns. Cash is flowing in SoCal. Enjoy while it lasts. If the markets dump, then there goes the neighborhood and parents pension plans and retirement acct. Tied to the equity markets.

California RE uptick is unrelated to any $3.5 T bill being discussed and not passed. People pay for RE what they feel like. If there are others that want to pay more, the price will go to that amount. Supply and demand. One thing I know is that there is such a wealth gap especially after the $3 T tax cut in 2017 for mainly already rich people, so those people drive up prices. RE is cyclical. Back in the day, RE never went down. Now it's like a stock but has hard assets. None of it has to do with a bill in Congress that hasn't passed.

[WombatEd2]

Which is better to spend in Tijuana? Both with the restaurants and women. Also how bad are ATM fees?

With the exchange rate being about 19.5 pesos per dollar, you can often find sellers rounding their price up to 20:1. In that case, you'll get a bit better deal buying with dollars.

(Looking over my shoulder for ClammySlammy to incorrect my math.).

ATM fees can be reasonable, or not, depending upon which network your ATM is on. The real killer is the exchange rates the ATMs are starting to charge.

I used to use my Schwab ATM card all the time, because they refunded my fees. But now I just go to money-changers. And apparently, the best money-changer rates are from those located just north of the border.

[Jackie888]

I believe that plays a small part in the scenario. In the US the so called religious right is mainly responsible for the repressed sexuality in the country. The religious right are the most perverted people in the US but are repressed with respect to normal sexuality (i.e. between consenting adult men and women). Repressed sexuality produces hate. The status of the US today.

Yeah. But I think it's all tied to money rather than just trying to save my poor soul. Evangelizing is a big business in the Bible Belt, especially Texas. Cannot have sinners spending their hard earnings on themselves, when they can be donating it to the church. Send them to jail on felony charges if they are going to Sin and not make their weekly donations.

Pastor Ken needs a new indoor swimming pool for his church owned $6 million house, because $700 million net worth is tied up under Covid times. Same with Pastor Tom whose net worth have shrunk to $150 million. Pastor Pat is literally starving and his net worth is now down to $100 million. Pastor Joel is almost homeless as his assets have dropped to $40 million. He may have to fly first class with peasants instead of using his personal leer jet.

https://moneyinc.com/richest-pastors-in-the-world/

[Hargow20]

It is better to use peso's. You get a better price. When you use dollars you always pay more. The other problem people tend to round up to the higher price.

Which is better to spend in Tijuana? Both with the restaurants and women. Also how bad are ATM fees?

[Captain Solo]

Pesos is always better in Tijuana.

Restaurants will give you bills in both pesos and dollars but their exchange rate is lower than cambios'.

Both bar girls and street girls will quote lower rates in pesos as they think you are not stupid noobs. You will be surprised how low HK and Chavelas girls would be happy to go with pesos. Street girls will quote 400 pesos for sexo sin ropa, or about $22, but if paid in dollar it becomes $30 or 600 pesos since they cannot convert quickly.

ATMs inside HK and hotel Cascada charge 90 pesos terminal fee plus whatever your cards charge you for transaction and international fees. Schwab refunds all fees, terminal and transaction. Schwab's exchange rate is about the same or better than cambios.

HSBC ATMs charge 190 pesos terminal fee plus their exchange rate is about 7% lower than street cambios. All credit cards assess a $10 cash advance fee before all other fees.

There is very high probability your ATM cards will be hacked at any machine in Tijuana. Happened to me and my wingmen again and again. It may be better to buy Amex traveler checks and cash them at banks as needed.

[ZeroDc4213]

Which is better to spend in Tijuana? Both with the restaurants and women. Also how bad are ATM fees?

[Turgid]

Texas pioneered the big business private prisons. Big business implies lobbying (buying) your favorite politician so that he can pass that vote to get you more business. Nothing to do with hate. Everything to do with money and corruption. Just my 2 cents.

I believe that plays a small part in the scenario. In the US the so called religious right is mainly responsible for the repressed sexuality in the country. The religious right are the most perverted people in the US but are repressed with respect to normal sexuality (i.e. between consenting adult men and women). Repressed sexuality produces hate. The status of the US today.