[LivinLOS]

12 % is very aggressive.. Of course there are many returns like that in a rising market and the past fwe boom years have let people think thats the norm.. Historically safe investments are much lower (say 5 or 6 max) and more speculative but relatively still safe 8 - 10 in funds.. Of course if your intending to manage these actively and have some skills this can be much higher also.

The USD has lost 7% against the Euro this year.. I see the dollar tanking much further much faster.. Say the USD moves down by 30 or 40% in the next few years against asian currencies ??

CPI and other inflation numbers have become hopelessly twisted by politicians who want to report strong growth numbers and pay inflation adjusted rises to social contributions.. Real inflation is perhaps 8% in the US currently and I can see a lot more down the pipe.. Also developing nations are more volatile and the % rises in inflation may be worse..

500 grand IF everything goes according to plan.. Yeah ok.. 500 grand as a safe margin and cushion to live indefinately (not drawing down as you retire and intend to spend it) then I wouldnt risk it.

Also that doesnt take into account any form of house purchase.. A villa on phuket can easily run to the whole lump sum of that in one go.. You want to live in a rental apartment or Thai bungalow all your life ??