Dying to Retire Podcast

In this episode, Doug is finally at Casa Douglas outside Antigua — mini-fridge living, an F9 AC error the community office will not fix, a half-painted fountain, and an appliance tech who walked off the job. Salesman Miguel had to come back that night and finish the install. No car, bad roadwork, Uber drivers who want extra quetzales, and furniture shopping with a wife who does not budget like a d...

In this episode, Doug gives us an update on why he’s stuck in Maryland instead of setting up Casa Douglas in Guatemala. He details the absolute nightmare of dealing with bank and insurance bureaucracy — from insurance and mortgage companies taking weeks to cross-check paperwork for a main line repair to waiting nearly a month for an adjuster to look at a leaking sunroof. He drops a practical tip f...

In this episode, Doug gives us the real deal on shipping boxes to Guatemala — playing Tetris with beach towels, childhood afghans, and his wife's mysterious collection of cleaning supplies that apparently don't exist at the Walmart down there. He shares a volcano eruption update from Fuego and calls out the Facebook warriors who wanted Mother Nature to reschedule her eruption around their vacation...

In this episode, Doug gives an update from the Casa Douglas front — the appliance walkthrough mess, the never-ending "two weeks" countdown, and the insurance check disaster back in Maryland that has him rethinking whether just to pay off the mortgage for good. He takes his car-buying video one step further, laying out why he thinks American automakers are setting themselves up for trouble overseas...

In this episode, I dig into car shopping ahead of our move to Guatemala — comparing gas, EV, and plug-in hybrid maintenance, and calling out the double standard in how the government treats Chinese car data tracking. I also review two expat guidebooks by Rico Unchained and share why retirement is the time to stop putting things off, plus an unfiltered look at how Spanish-language media and misinfo...

In this episode, I give an update on retiring to Guatemala — the four-phase plan for furnishing Casa Douglas, and why State Department travel warnings after the Santiago Atitlán unrest matter for anyone living or traveling there. I also dig into the backlash from a video about hiring household help, my take on traditional gender roles in retirement, and the widening gap between America's legal tax...

In this episode, we look at how divisive identity politics crash head-first into the real world. I share a story about my brother-in-law getting a dose of workplace karma as a new manager, and draw on my thirty years of management experience to contrast today's manufactured divisions with the unshakeable bonds forged in the 1980s military. True solidarity isn't based on skin color or checklists—it...

In this episode, I skip the usual Casa Douglas construction update and talk about what's happening back in Maryland instead. The house decided it wasn't getting enough attention, so the main sewer line failed, followed by the outside drain line needing replacement. Thousands of dollars later, I'm still waiting on the county inspector so they can finally approve the work and let the contractor fill...

In this episode of 'Dying to Retire,' I share updates on his upcoming move to Guatemala, where his new home, Casa Douglas, is nearly ready. He discusses the logistical challenges of settling into a new country, from furnishing the house to navigating local traffic. I also tackle the contentious issue of aging drivers and the rise of self-driving technology, questioning whether these advancements a...

In this episode, I walk you through my actual residency appointment at Guatemalan immigration — start to finish, what it looked like on the ground, how long it took, and what happened when RENAP put the wrong birthday on my DPI. Then I get into Uber in Guatemala, what most Westerners need to get over before they get in one of those cars, and one driver who used a 45-minute rush-hour ride to explai...

In this episode, I discuss my niece's reaction to both the house being built and the community of the gated community outside of Antigua, Guatemala. Then I get into the Bank of Mom and Dad problem for retirees, a state-by-state retirement cost breakdown that explains why the expat conversation is growing on both sides of the aisle, and a take on a study claiming the best aphrodisiac for women is w...

In this episode, I cover a construction update on Casa Douglas — the retirement home going up outside Antigua, Guatemala — a Covey-based tool I built to help those thinking about retiring abroad stop wasting time on the wrong videos and online content, and the Social Security proposal that has me rethinking when to file. Plus: a family event, a Gen Z teacher, and a Wicked reference that should con...

Can your U.S.-born child get Guatemalan citizenship? The answer is YES—and in this episode of *Dying to Retire*, I walk you through the process step by step. This video was inspired by a viewer’s question and my own family’s situation. My wife’s nieces and nephews were born in the United States, but their parents are Guatemalan. Like many families, they wanted to know if their kids could claim Gua...

Living with IBS or Crohn’s can make bathroom visits tough, but a simple upgrade can bring real relief. A bidet, like the Kohler model, offers a gentle, effective solution to enhance your comfort and health. I’m just a retired guy on the exciting journey to Guatemala residency, and like many expats and slow travelers, I’m hunting for the perfect dream retirement home in Central America. But trust m...

Are you, like me, fed up with America’s “B” fatigue and blame game? In this no-BS episode of Dying to Retire, I tackle the exhaustion from generational blame, calling out elite individuals, not Boomers or the Silent Generation, for ongoing economic chaos. Beyond “B” fatigue, Americans are drained by the reparations grift pushed by millionaires and politicians on the left and their useful idiots th...

Join me as I navigate the intricacies of securing permanent residency in Guatemala, sharing insights on the immigration process. I break down the cost of obtaining apostilles, certifications, and notaries that your Latin lawyer will submit to the Guatemalan government, as well as the timelines involved, providing valuable insights for anyone considering a similar move to Guatemala. You can explore...

f you're a federal retiree looking for the best retirement activities, then this video is for you! From travel to hobbies to financial planning, we'll cover it all. Start living your best retirement life today! #federalworkers #retirementactivities #retiredlife #FederalRetirees #RetirementActivities #DOGERetirements

Uncover 5 brutal life lessons every man must know to not just survive, but truly thrive! Passed down from man to man, brother to brother, father to son, Boomer Doug shares invaluable wisdom gained from years of hard work, overcoming cancer battles, and his incredible expat journey to Guatemala. From the dangers of burnout to the truth that fun doesn’t equal happiness, these lessons resonate whethe...

Unpacking Maryland’s proposed soda tax chaos! HB 1469—a 2-cent-per-ounce hit on Coke, Gatorade, even Diet Pepsi. Lawmakers swear it’s for kids and a $3 billion budget mess, but with Fed layoffs piling up and grocery bills soaring, something stinks. This nanny-state tax grab could break Marylanders’ backs, from lost restaurant jobs to business flights and residents bolting. Seattle’s tax flopped, P...

Shocking Maryland utility bills revealed! Have you ever wondered how a staggering nearly $600 Pepco and Washington Gas charges add up to over $7,000 a year while concealing a dirty little secret? In this episode, discover why half your bill isn't for power or gas—it's packed with hidden fees, taxes, and EMPOWER Maryland charges you don't even use or benefit from! Maryland ranks as the third worst...

Uncover the shocking truth about Social Security and dive into retirement planning. Explore what your Social Security benefits could have been if government spending, taxpayer dollars, and mismanagement by elected officials, bureaucrats, and non-profits hadn't derailed them for decades. Shocking revelations from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) expose fundamentally flawed federal gov...

Welcome to "Dying To Retire," where we eliminate the stress of retiring overseas, kicking off our journey in Guatemala with Part 1 of our residency paperwork adventure! If you're a conservative boomer or someone with dreams of living abroad, hit that bookmark before this video disappears faster than your retirement funds! Relocating to Guatemala or anywhere else isn’t a quick decision, despite wha...

Join me in my car as we dive into the Trump Administration's unique offer for federal employees to opt for early separation with pay until September 30, 2025. This video discusses why this could be a golden opportunity for those in their late 50s or 60s, particularly if you're eligible for retirement and have a solid investment in TSP or other retirement plans. Here's why you should consider Trump...

Embark on a journey with me to discover the best retirement homes in Antigua, Guatemala! I dive into the real estate world, focusing on preparing for my upcoming seminar trip to meet real estate companies, explore gated communities, and assess the towns for the perfect retirement spot. This video is your essential guide if you're contemplating a reverse green card strategy for retirement. Learn ab...

Explore the hidden truths behind H1B visas in my latest video on Dying To Retire. I delve into how tech companies, Congress, and lobbyists manipulate data to promote the H1B visa program, focusing on how they use aggregated data to mask the real impact. This isn't about wage suppression or racial biases but a critical analysis of how data can be presented to deceive. Perfect for those concerned wi...