Language can be a real game-changer when it comes to choosing your retirement haven. I was just browsing this index called the EF English Proficiency Index the other day. It ranks countries based on their English skills! Here’s a link if you’re curious: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EF_English_Proficiency_Index

Singapore’s absolutely smashing it at number 2, but Indonesia’s a bit further down the list at 79. The Philippines (#20) and Malaysia (#25) might also be worth a peek if you’re set on Southeast Asia and decent English is a priority.

Definitely wise visiting a place before you commit to retiring there. You get a feel for the vibe, the pace of life, and whether it truly feels like home. I always use this guide when planning trips: https://gowithguide.com/blog/how-to-plan-a-trip-5-essential-steps-5730. It breaks down everything from budgeting to finding the best local experiences.

@slmkhoo said in Newbie setting up a website for the first time:

@coolcat Thanks, but I’ve already done a simple one on Wix. Still battling with fine-tuning it, and I know it’s very amateurish! But I need something by next Sat. If it grows, I’ll hire someone to work on it!

I see various sites which say Wix is easier to use than Wordpress - it Wix is easy, I really don’t want to try anything else! It’s been a struggle.

Building a website in Wix is much easier now that they have an AI https://www.wix.com/ai-website-builder

@slmkhoo said in Downloading Baidu app on Android phone:

@ScienceDan How does that work? How to access it? Totally ignorant of many of these things!

Any idea if Softonic is safe?

I found this link to download the Baidu Android app from the Baidu website: https://mo.baidu.com/wuxian/?from=pass
I’m afraid I have not used Softonic, so I cannot say if it is safe or not.

Those third-party app stores can be hit or miss with safety. Personally, I’d be wary of downloading from unknown sources. Have you thought about using Baidu’s mobile website instead? It’s not as slick as the app, but it’s safer.

@Kadenn For me, nothing beats traveling with our kid. Those road trips and vacations are where we make the best memories. But I gotta say, our family dinners are pretty special too. We always end up laughing about something or other.

Oh, and house parties! They’re a blast. The kids love helping set up, and it’s great seeing them interact with different people.

@Kadenn said in What are the sports you want your kids to play?:

Do you have any specific sports in your mind which you would like your kids to play?

Getting kids into sports can be real hard these days. I’ve tried to get my little guy interested in a bunch of stuff but so far, nothing’s really stuck.

I enjoy my alone time in the early mornings because my wife typically doesn’t wake up that early.

Without a doubt, Japan is my top choice for a family holiday.

The tips on visiting Paris by staying in Chantilly and catching the train to save money inspired me to share this tip when visiting Portugal. Choosing off-peak time to visit such as during Spring and Autumn offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Steering clear of large events, which sometimes causes prices to go up. I also take time in reading blogs and watching videos on YouTube for travel tips in how to avoid tourist traps, saving money. If you’re going to travel for a few days in Lisbon, getting the Lisboa Card provides either free or reduced admission to the majority of Lisbon’s attractions. The card also offers unlimited rides on public transport within Lisbon with an added bonus of 10% to 70% on accommodation in Lisbon https://www.lisbonportugaltourism.com/lisboa-card.html. Another bonus of this card is that trains from to Cascais and Sintra are also free.


What’s your take on hiring a local guide when traveling to a new country? It will cost more than exploring on your own, but you’ll save time, get insider information, avoid the boring stuff, and you’ll feel safe. Still unsure if hiring a local guide is for you? Check out this article https://gowithguide.com/blog/hiring-a-guide-in-lisbon-pros-cons-5358

Recovering Google account is also hard these days. I also used yahoo and Gmail in the past, but the one I am currently using is ProtonMail which also comes with a free Proton Pass for those like me that forgets password easily.