How's everyone hanging in there with the cost of living these days?

[LuckyLuke]

$2.000.000 for a family of 4 is hardly middle class here in Neuquen. Rents on a 3 bedroom start at $1.000.000. Swiss Medical for 4 is $500.000. Forget private school, daycare costs, vacations, after school activities, gym fees, etc.

 

[jantango]

True but not many expats will be willing to adopt your frugal lifestyle.

I admit that my middle name is frugal. I learned early from my dad, so it is a lifelong habit controlling how much and on what I spend.

I couldn't believe the prices for shoes and clothing in the shops on Avenida Santa Fe in Recoleta. My favorite resale shop in that area has what I need for a lot less. I bought a pair of used leather walking shoes for much less than new ones. They were a bargain I could afford.

 

[DK72]

It was the "Pacto de Olivos", info here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pact_of_Olivos and here https://www-ambito-com.translate.go...=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

And certainly, yes, the basic outlines and limits of the city were established long ago, but administratively it's a different story.

Thank you for your explanation. I must say it is a complicated for someone that is not native in english to follow all this. I always though gerry mandering was to change the boundaries of an electoral disctrict in order to get a majority. But in this case it seems to be a lot trickier as it was not geographically gerry mandered, but administratively. Even more remarkable that this treaty (i.e. to provide the stable non-peronist voting base in CABA) was signed by a Peronist president at a time when the Peronists were in complete control (I believe they even had the majority in the Diputados at that time). But that probably has to do with lawfare?

 

[Ruta Otto]

I hope that Milei is thinking hard about what Argentina can offer to the United States prior to his meeting with Trump this week in return for Trump leaning on the IMF. Yerba, beef, Messi and lithium won't cut it.

All products will be subject to a tariff. Milei better get his knee pads reupholstered, it's Ji time.

 

[Ruta Otto]

So how long before the default and collapse. Maybe the expats will hang on until then.

I believe the collapse will come much sooner than last time. The blanqueo of dollars that helped the bottom line will dry up and then nothing.

 

[devilclam]

I didn't get alerts on this thread, but very interesting discussion everyone!

 

[Redpossum]

I believe the collapse will come much sooner than last time. The blanqueo of dollars that helped the bottom line will dry up and then nothing.

From your lips to God's ear.

 

[sergio]

From your lips to God's ear.

What about the much hoped for IMF loan?

 

[Rich One]

What about the much hoped for IMF loan?

IMF fresh dollars will be given once they devalue and remove the cepo..?

 

[Murray Rothbard]

Hi all,

I've been in Buenos Aires for almost two years now—I love it, and I have no intention of leaving anytime soon. But oof, the dollar's purchasing power has certainly gone down under Milei.

Just curious for those of you who have been here for a while... how ya hangin' in there? What do you expect to happen in the coming months/years (especially for those who have experienced these up-and-down cycles before)?

I'm no economist and probably grossly underinformed, but if the peso is more or less holding value these days, why are the costs of goods still going up week to week? Are businesses just 'making hay while the sun shines' and keeping the profits? Are employees still receiving regular salary adjustments?

I'm very fortunate and privileged to be financially stable, but I imagine this past year has decimated what was left of the middle class. It's visible that the number of people living in poverty is growing by the day.

Curious to hear other folks' thoughts and experiences!

President Biden controls the purchasing power of the US dollar. Along with Jerome Powell chair of the central bank. Blame them for the 20% devaluation in the USD since 2021..Milei has nothing to do with it.