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Honestly, you don't want to be flashing around wealth anyhow. I sold two businesses just before covid (luckily). So I'm retired at 44. I could go over there permanently and live like a king but I don't think I would. You can only build walls so high, literally and figuratively. People will eventually understand your relative worth. I would rent or build a modest house (with a pool) and make the inside as Western as possible with all the creature comforts I have in the US. A condo in a bubble city or just outside it might be even better. Far fewer people will know your apparent wealth. Only people you invite in. Buy furnishings over time and not all at once. If you have a lot of stuff delivered all at once people notice. Especially the deliverymen. And tipping is also something to consider. It's one thing if you're out of town but if you tip well locally it gets around. And even if you have deliverymen who do a good job and you want to reward them, just be modest about it. I saw way too many Westerners not noticing when they took out tens of thousands of pesos from their crossbody bag and people started staring. It's just not good behavior on multiple levels.
Great information. I was stationed at Clark Air Base Philippines 🇵🇭 back in 1991 at age 28. Now age 61, a widower and my children are grown now. I plan to return and retire in the Philippines 🇵🇭. Side track, you estimate your Social Security will be $1,100 dollars 💸. You will also receive another $550 dollars for your child. My goal is to live in CEBU City, because of the hospitals 🏥 and they have VETERANS Administration there. I am currently saving for future move. About end of 2025 or beginning 2026. Thank you for this information.
David, you and I are on the same page - going to retire in 1.5 years in either Dumaguete or Cebu. My SSAN will be $3.6K/month, and I expect to live comfortably within that budget. I too am a Veteran and thats a big draw for PI. Good luck!
You can live on your social security in the states IF you have your house and car paid for by the time you retire. But if you must pay monthly rent or continue paying a monthly house payment, living on Social Security alone is almost impossible.
@MoralHazard-g1e I lived and was stationed in the Philippines for 3 years. If you can't live on 2K a month you don't need to move there. That just proves you're wreckless with your your money and should stay we're you are 🤨
@@frankellis9627 My advice after spending just under 6 months there for guys on early retirement or whatever that want to relocate there is have at very least $250k you can keep parked in a US savings account to keep some money coming in under the taxable threshold. And at least another $15k you can survive your first year on. Plenty of slightly better 'guaranteed' returns like CDs but it's not even really worth the trouble. $500k (with $25k to survive on your first year) is really where you want to be at but then you're starting to get hosed on income taxes. If you have a spouse or even a solid girlfriend you can open a US savings account in her name to split that $500k and avoid taxes. She doesn't need to have access to it unless you die and you've hopefully already set up a living trust to avoid probate if she's your wife. There is no reason you cannot live a comfortable life there on $25k/year in interest earned. Don't go out and party and throw your money away. Cook at home. $12.5k can work if you're single but you have to pick a very affordable place. And once you're there you can always look to get your wife/girlfriend into a line of online work to at least pay for food and utilities.
Hi Gary and Leah , timely encouragement from you both ,thank you. Its always comforting to see you two addressing what are important topics for people like me and others who are considering Dumaguete as a base . Im currently in town now for a couple of weeks in Claytown near City Mall and would love to buy you guys a lunch / coffee if you have a spare few mins. Im flexible on the time . Matt - UK If for whatever reason you dont have the time then i will fully understand . Bless you both.
Excellent video you're absolutely right it cost more to live in the United States but if you do it right it's not bad I live here with my wife and two children from the Philippines in the state of Florida for about $2,000 a month of course I own my house but with that 2000 that covers everything food clothing Insurance on cars Insurance on house taxes on house 100% All In. I have found my food cost is lower here than in the Philippines mainly because Florida is such a growing state we get fresh vegetables all year long at the local markets very cheap. I actually semi-retired at 47 I cut myself down to 20 hours a week at the most, I fully retired at 59 I have not collected Social Security yet (63 now) but when I do I will get about 2500 a month, one must remember Social Security was never meant to retire on it was always meant as a supplemental income for your retirement you are responsible for the majority of your own retirement in the United States not the government. Have a good day guys hope to see you in Florida one day.
Not sure which “Florida” you speak of as affordable. The car insurance is one of the HIGHEST in the U.S., and home insurance (if you can get it, has quadrupled to the point where people are selling their homes because they can’t afford the assessments or the insurance hikes. Can’t get out of Publix for less than $100…Glad it works for you, but for many of us, Florida sucks and I’m looking forward to going back to the Phil’s next year!
Great video! You are right about everything you said especially the part about foreign men spoiling the Filipina and setting themselves up for failure.
I thought about retiring in the Philippines in September 2023. My wife is Filipina. I have been to the Philippines 7 times the last time in 2010, at that time i thought the country had a future. What I saw I in 2023 in the Philippines was a country in a death spiral. My retirement before social security is $5,000 per month. I have not started taking social security yet. What the problem with Filipino culture is the relatives of the girl is they think the western man owes them a living. In the Philippines you can’t get decent beef and dairy. The housing sucks, the safety standards of building code is so low.
@@afather. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Live in Makati, BGC or in similar areas where you can buy high end meats and other Western products. If you are staying in the province don’t complain when it is not like America! I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and I was surprised to find out that the restaurants and even the night life in BGC and in Makati are so much better.
I agree on the building code. See videos where they have like wood straps holding the metal sheets to the roof. No 2x4 or better roof trusses. Of course the wind is going to blow the roof off.
We live on $1000 a month from S.S. comfortably with split aircon, big TV, even a new car but our secret was when in LDR during pendenic we built a house , have Permanent 13A Visa, and PhilHealth because I canceled my Part B Medicare ...😊😊😊
@@jeff-i7x Thank you for your reply Sir... I talked to many expats about this subject and 50% agrees with you and %50 agrees to cancel Part B for many reasons... 1. If have a serious illness, you will not be allowed to fly on airlines... in some cases you will need a medical assistant that will cost even more money. 2. Many of us trust well know high quality hospitals in Manila and Cebu ... 3. Medical treatment is far less exspensive compared to the states ... 4. Can replace Part B with other type of insurance ... 🙄
Thank you for the video. My brother and I visited the Philippines in Subu this past May and it was the greatest experience I’ve ever had in my life and I believe my brother and I both are going to retire to the Philippines so all the information I can get is greatly appreciated.
very open in communication, in my experience, it's not the cost of living or the girl, it's the family who you marry as well, that causes the friction! or other freeloaders. work for each other, and do not, listen to gossip! like how much do you get from your husband, or sent to your family. do not compete with others, there is more discrimination between the have and have not,s than black and white. in the Philippines.
I am a single man don't drink or smoke. I live in Bacong and my total income is $1300/mo. For my housing, I live close to the water, nice bunglow with a backup generator, electric and internet and drinking water is less than 30k pesos per month (27k last month), food is about 15k per month, I cook at home and order Grab once a week. I own my motorbike, and only spend 200 per month on fuel. If I stay home I can live comfortably on less than 50k. I have $6000 in savings and it grows every month. I spend my days at the beach with my dogs. I would love to meet a Filipino but I don't think that I can afford her.
WoW ! Love your vids, I'm 80 yrs old, pretty good health, would love living in the PH, my social security is 1,550 per mo. So yes this vid was very helpful, thank you much. Just an observation; sir I'm very impressed with your blessings, please understand, I am not flirting w your lovely wife, (after all i am 80) but truth never fails me, Your Wife , Leah, is perhaps one the most beautiful ladies I've ever seen, her heart is very beautiful , which completes a wonderful package, and you are a handsome gentleman, Those 2 little Gifts God sent you from heaven , makes for a beautiful FAMILY, Both of you have much to be thankful for, God bless the 4 of you !!!🎉🎉🎉
@methemonkeyking I can understand why you are thinking like you do..but you just haven't met the right woman yet. I was feeling like you a bit til I met the Filipina I am with now..she is nothing like any of the American women I have met.
At the end of the day , it dependsnon your lifestyle. $1k a month is a very simple life probably in a small town in a province. In the US, you will be below poverty line with that but yiu get free health care, food stamps and at times free housing. You dont have those benefits in the Phils.
The average annual salary, more or less, is about a thousand dollars a month or so depending on the source of the information. Statistically speaking, I would get that this number gives off a skewed impression of relative wealth per family in The Philippines. There's wealthy by western standards and there are very wealthy by worldly standards and these few, relatively speaking, throw off the graph and bring that annual number up. A thousand a month is very easily done, and comfortably, if out of the big cities, no chemical addiction or gambling issues, eats at home most of the time, doesn't own a car etc. etc. etc. For most westerners, this type of budgeting is not what they want to be dealing with as we know.....but it can be done and one CAN live a better life on their limited retirement better than they could in the US, AUS, England, Germany, Sweden, etc. etc. etc. etc.
Interesting video thank you. People will have a vastly different budget depending on their needs, wants and circumstances…but this was a good guideline to work from and for people to adjust to themselves. Medical insurance is very expensive when you reach your antique years.
Some People Decided to Retired early and they Get Minimum of $800 but if you decided to retired Full it depends how much you contribute to your SSS Monthly, the Minimun $1500 to $2000 or more than that,...
My buddies live in the Philippines and recieve their military retirement over there. They are living like kings. A few are thinking about moving to Thailand, since medical and hospitals are better.
I retired from the USMC with 30 year's at the age of 47 and work at Northrop Grumman for 20 year's and retired but I must say my social security is more than 2 thousand a month i also have investment you must secure your future at a early age 😊
@@franciscofredericci4081for Americans, max out your Roth yearly contributions 7000/year for 2024 and put as much as you can afford after that in a 401k. Choose a s&p 500 fund and ride it out till your 62 and able to draw your social security. Thats what I’ve done for the last 20 years and I’ve saved over 1 million U.S. dollars already and I’m only 52.
Sounds like you should have three checks each month. Social security at minimum should be $1,300 then at in thee others plus if you're getting VA disability. You should be sitting very comfortable in the Philippines.
I'm not sure what a man can do here in the Philippines unless he buys a house for his wife. Then he can do whatever his wife's mother and sisters and aunts want him to do.
He can rent, and be a man. He can date, and be a man. Or… he can let others dictate his life and be something other than a man I guess. If his wife’s mother and sisters are calling the shots he married the wrong woman.
@snbi7959 In the US, divorce laws guarantee you lose. In the Philippines, land ownership laws guarantee your screwed. IN MARRIAGE They both give the power to control you to a woman whenever she feels like taking power over you, right? No ?
@todd7756 YA , BUT......... if you say no in the US, your wife takes everything you've got. In the Philippines, if you buy your wife a house, hoping she'll let you live in it , and you say no , out you go. MAYBE she's not like that , but she could have 20 family members influencing her because THEY want to live in the house ?
How does one make sure that they can deal with a reliable company that might introduce them to women who want to get married. I have seen so many things on TV that scare the dickens out of me. I don't want to get involved with people like that. I'm a twenty six year old male with conservative Christan values and find that women in the United States have different values now.
depends on entertainment, vehicles, insurance and rent massively. some can in some areas but in high rent areas double required let alone entertainment costs. have to make right decisions especially with your family. pina family demands and expectations let alone children's education.
What about inflation? Philippines economy is rapidly growing 7% a year SS is not gonna grow as fast as Philippine economy. I been married 30 years to Filipina- i remember prices much less than today's even out in the province. 20 years from now your $1100 SS may not meet your needs. Savings in retirement highly recommend even in Philippines
Thank you so much for the video! I WOULD like to take you up on your generous offer that you mentioned at the end to see a breakdown of your expenses if that's still OK, but I don't see an email address.
I think people ask about $1000 / month because that is the minimum amount required by the Philippines for a retirement Visa And as you say that coincides with a lot of SSA checks are for.
I think life in Dommagette would be better then the US. Peaceful and less expensive. Great video, ty for showing the pesos vs us dollar. Godbless you guys. ✝️ ❤
You must account for the money you need for visa extensions and ACR card. This is something that happens every 2 months. Please always try to save for medical because you will get sick and need to see a physician and get medication.
You guys are lucky, because both of you doesn’t have a medical issue. My friends a husband and wife both retired in the Philippines. After 5 years a husband have medical issue . He died and cannot afford to pay the hospital bill. That’s was the scariest to live in the Philippines. 🙏🙏🙏
If you have a child, you can get about $300 per month per child until they are between 16 and19 years of age. at your current Social security retirement (USA) income $1,100 per month.
My Typhoon Proof Building 4.3 million, But We could live 700.00 with everything paid for, We have also 2 farms and Condo and Which amounts yo 1600 a month. But we also have Workers and Support family, During New Years We do not buy groceries for first two months of the year, So yes of course,
Thanks for the informative video guys. You have one of the best TH-cam channels about the Philippines. You have a great family and are an inspiration to those who want to make the move to the Philippines and start a new life. I am curious - what is the average cost to have a baby there - hospital stay, etc.? Here in the USA having a baby is quite expensive if you don't have good insurance. Take care always and God Bless!!
If planning going to retire in Philippines , it's a good choice for a single individuals . But if you plan to retire and into a Filipina relationship just be careful because not all Filipina knows how to cook lol. There are some are not satisfied to live simply like what you did. $1000 is not enough and impossible to build a family , and what if you have kids? What are their future? What if the foriegn guy die first because he is too old to the woman he is with kid? My Opinion, Possible and have good life if you are single and live in Philippines. It is impossible to live $1000 to build a family and retire in Philippine WITH NO SAVINGS.. Oldies need health INSURANCE .
It is absolutely easy to live off of $1,000 in the Philippines. As long as you do not bring your Western mentality with you. I have a family of FOUR in siquijor. Total monthly cost comes up to $390 per month. This was before I built a three bedroom one bath house. It is a hollow block House that cements floors. All for the low cost of a little over 7,,000 US dollars. It is solar. Which saves me about a 1,000 pesos a month. The majority of Filipinos do not make $1,000 (57,174ish P) per month. So your girlfriend should still be able to live comfortably off of your retirement of 1,100 per month. When I met my wife she and the kids were making under a thousand pesos per month. She had on her own house and none of them were starving. So she can do that with under a thousand pesos per month what do you think she can do with 57,000 Plus? For this same type of money in the United States you'll be considered homeless. Living in a tent or in your car which they have outlawed. Yes they have made being homeless in the United States a crime. While on the other hand making sure prices do not drop to affordable levels for people.
The Filipina I know in Mabalacat lives off of 300 pesos a day. That’s really only about $135 to $165 a month. Is it a struggle to live on that little amount. Yes it is and they are use to it. So to have $1,100 a month social security would be easy to live on there. Yes you’d have to make adjustments but you could still live a decent family life on that amount. Her rent is 3,000 pesos a month. Water and electric is minimal so the biggest expense is food and daily needs.
I just came back from Phil. Saw plenty of people sleeping on the footpath (sidewalk) I'm pretty sure they were living on less than $1000 per month. It's very doable so don't be scared. There's plenty of spare footpath.
I live in Hawaii and $1100/month here would allow you to live in a tent on the beach and eat canned tuna and chef boyardee and maybe splurge on McDonald's once a week
@@marcvivori1561 I live in Oahu. Renting a 1-bdrm in my neighborhood is $2,800/mo and getting a studio in a questionable neighborhood would run about $1,700/mo
@@chosen_one1602 my wife’s family in the Philippines thinks I owe them a living. I told my brother in law for his wife’s entitled and ungrateful attitude, since his number came up to immigrate to the USA 🇺🇸. I will not sign off on the paperwork, since he could not follow instructions
Your budget doesn’t double,…rent, electricity etc is the same. Only food, transport etc is double. A good Filipina will like to cook for her man, so eating out is less frequent. I’ve lived with my girl on Gary’s budget comfortably. The main factor in cost of living is where you choose to live. When you’re older…medical insurance is also a big expense.
So when you turn 62 the government will give you extra money on Social Security for is it just one child and how much is that? I thought you said 800 it takes a while to be able to receive that. I’m only asking because when I get over there. I will have an adopted child, and I’m sure it’s the same deal you can as long as you have all your paperwork until the age of 18 help with that…. Maybe when you apply for help from Social Security you could do videos on that as well as I’m sure it will draw a lot of interest as to what steps to take any amount that Social Security will increase some people say 50% but I don’t think that’s true.
You are a lucky man to have Leah but I am sure you know that!! I hope you and your family have years of happiness and you have the cutest little girls. I always love the videos with them being their goofy selves. Definitely I think it depends on where you are and what quality of life you expect. Dumaguete costs as much as America for a home to purchase so I would guess it is similar for rentals. Can you explain the costs in real life vs online? I am facebook friends with a realtor named Alma and she is always posting homes for sale there in Dumaghete and the costs are super high in comparison to how much people can make there. Often I am seeing homes that are $300k-$500k US that have smaller lot size than my home and about the same square footage. My home is only valued at $480k here in Montana and my payment is $1650 a month and I purchased in 2009 at only 200k. Can you give some ranges for what you can get a decent rental there? Are those prices that Alma posts on Facebook way higher than the average there? Thanks.
Youre a nice couple. Next time i'll visiting the Phillipines. First i will visit my Girlfriend in Manila an with her to dumaguette to find a Place i can live with her. I want to retire to the Phillipines
You can get much nicer modern housing in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam compared to Philippines. The rent is ridiculous in the Philippines. It’s unaffordable. My new home in a different Asian country is twice as nice, and cheaper, and I don’t need aircon. No dogs barking. No roaches. WiFi free. Parking free. Maid service free. Better dating scene, better nightlife, better infrastructure. Much better healthier food. I save a LOT of money leaving the Philippines and I’m so much happier and more comfortable. I spent almost 2 years in the Philippines and I won’t return. The two main reasons were unhealthy bland food and housing prices. Good luck to everyone.
@@HM-yh6ys that’s outdated news that keeps falsely recirculating on group chats and YT comments for many years. Everyone I speak to in Cambodia can speak English. Also a lot of the signs, menus, online ads, apps, service workers, locals at nightlife, it’s ALL in English. You know why? Because the youth for many years has been on TikTok and YT teaching themselves English to better their lives. I was surprised too! The Philippines is DEFINITELY not the only English speaking Asian country. Not anymore. And the next generation is learning faster with inexpensive smart phones. 👍🏻
@@HM-yh6ys Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong (not Mainland China) and many other places speak similar level or better English as the PI. I also agree about the OP observations and reasons for going to other countries. I am also married to pinay and have investments in PI, but have no desire to retire there, just keep a home base there.
I am married to a Filipina I thought about getting her close to her family, what I saw in September 2023 is a country in a death spiral. I told her I get dementia I will live in the Philippines. I can hire 24 hour nursing staff for about $5,000 per month. That would be round the 😢coverage. Of quality nurses who would love to be paid USD per shift not pesos
But if you want to live in the nice area no Makita or BGC you better have to about 2 3k and you'll ne fine most of us young men are not going to live province areas this is a double side answer got to look at the Young vs older people and who you date from were my GF from Makita lived her whole life there family house is hot on the market but they won't sale they were offering over 500k per square meters as of this year
My total retirement is $4,700 dollars a month ,im widowed, but my biggest problem is finding the right woman in the Philippines, but there's so many websites, and you don't know who's telling you the truth or they just want to use you.
Simple, do not take up with a Bargirl, a Street Girl, a woman with 10 freakin' siblings and parents who will be looking for you to support--screw that! Find a lady in a church, working at a retail store in a large mall, a medical professional, etc. A college graduate is a good choice also.... You'll be fine...
I moved here in July, got married to my Filipina sweetheart, and we bought a piece of land out in the province and are building the Bahay Kubo now and will start on the house after New years. We live quite comfortably in a rental (PHP 5000 per month) and the land is paid for and all expenses are cash. All together we live quite well on less than $500 USD per month. It really depends on where you live and how you eat. I eat all food from the Palengke and don't drink or smoke. We have internet and a Netflix account, and own two motorcycles for transportation. She saves me money by sparing me the "skin tax" if I send her to make purchases, and teaching me Bisaya. Once the savings are mostly exhausted, I will have a home (paid off)and its a small farm so it bring in money, so I expect a monthly budget of around $300 USD and I will eat fresh fish, chicken and pork, vegetables and fruit. Water through the Baranguay is only 50 cents per month and power is cheap here. I only run the air con for a couple hours in the evening to cool off the bedroom then use fans. Again it depends on WHERE you live and HOW
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SUCH AN AMAZING COUPLE YOU GUYS LOOK SO GOOD TOGETHER AND YOUR BOTH SO WELL SPOKEN GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY
Thank you so much! @@joeoak7090
BEWARE THERE ARE LOTS OF SCAMMERS ON THERE NOW. ALL THEY WANT IS YOUR MONEY AND YOUR BIG BANANA . JUST SEARCH FILIPINA SPIT OR SWALLOW TH-cam VIDEOS AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT THEY WANT.
What a gorgeous young bride ❤
Nice video!
It is special to see an honest and caring couple as you are.
Of course you can live on $1000 or less a month it depends on where you live and how you live. Me and my wife live on less than $700 a month
Larry what do you do for healthcare insurance, doctor, hospital and medications. Thank you
@ No healthcare. Just pay as you go like every one else.
@@LarryDolan-b7h my son broke his arm costed $2,000. There goes your budget.
Honestly, you don't want to be flashing around wealth anyhow. I sold two businesses just before covid (luckily). So I'm retired at 44. I could go over there permanently and live like a king but I don't think I would. You can only build walls so high, literally and figuratively. People will eventually understand your relative worth. I would rent or build a modest house (with a pool) and make the inside as Western as possible with all the creature comforts I have in the US. A condo in a bubble city or just outside it might be even better. Far fewer people will know your apparent wealth. Only people you invite in. Buy furnishings over time and not all at once. If you have a lot of stuff delivered all at once people notice. Especially the deliverymen. And tipping is also something to consider. It's one thing if you're out of town but if you tip well locally it gets around. And even if you have deliverymen who do a good job and you want to reward them, just be modest about it. I saw way too many Westerners not noticing when they took out tens of thousands of pesos from their crossbody bag and people started staring. It's just not good behavior on multiple levels.
Great information. I was stationed at Clark Air Base Philippines 🇵🇭 back in 1991 at age 28. Now age 61, a widower and my children are grown now. I plan to return and retire in the Philippines 🇵🇭. Side track, you estimate your Social Security will be $1,100 dollars 💸. You will also receive another $550 dollars for your child. My goal is to live in CEBU City, because of the hospitals 🏥 and they have VETERANS Administration there. I am currently saving for future move. About end of 2025 or beginning 2026. Thank you for this information.
David, you and I are on the same page - going to retire in 1.5 years in either Dumaguete or Cebu. My SSAN will be $3.6K/month, and I expect to live comfortably within that budget. I too am a Veteran and thats a big draw for PI. Good luck!
You can live on your social security in the states IF you have your house and car paid for by the time you retire. But if you must pay monthly rent or continue paying a monthly house payment, living on Social Security alone is almost impossible.
love your general kindness - it's heartwarming 😊🙏
Yes, you can live on 1K if you're single. I would still be a lot more comfortable at $1500. But I still believe 2K is the ideal budget 🤔
Ideal, but just for you.
@MoralHazard-g1e I lived and was stationed in the Philippines for 3 years. If you can't live on 2K a month you don't need to move there. That just proves you're wreckless with your your money and should stay we're you are 🤨
@@frankellis9627 My advice after spending just under 6 months there for guys on early retirement or whatever that want to relocate there is have at very least $250k you can keep parked in a US savings account to keep some money coming in under the taxable threshold. And at least another $15k you can survive your first year on. Plenty of slightly better 'guaranteed' returns like CDs but it's not even really worth the trouble. $500k (with $25k to survive on your first year) is really where you want to be at but then you're starting to get hosed on income taxes. If you have a spouse or even a solid girlfriend you can open a US savings account in her name to split that $500k and avoid taxes. She doesn't need to have access to it unless you die and you've hopefully already set up a living trust to avoid probate if she's your wife.
There is no reason you cannot live a comfortable life there on $25k/year in interest earned. Don't go out and party and throw your money away. Cook at home. $12.5k can work if you're single but you have to pick a very affordable place. And once you're there you can always look to get your wife/girlfriend into a line of online work to at least pay for food and utilities.
I can tell she is so happy. I've seen both ends of age gap filipna relationships... the users and the genuine women. Good for you!
Lol... please, she's happy because he's taking care of her!
Hi Gary and Leah , timely encouragement from you both ,thank you. Its always comforting to see you two addressing what are important topics for people like me and others who are considering Dumaguete as a base . Im currently in town now for a couple of weeks in Claytown near City Mall and would love to buy you guys a lunch / coffee if you have a spare few mins. Im flexible on the time . Matt - UK If for whatever reason you dont have the time then i will fully understand . Bless you both.
Excellent video you're absolutely right it cost more to live in the United States but if you do it right it's not bad I live here with my wife and two children from the Philippines in the state of Florida for about $2,000 a month of course I own my house but with that 2000 that covers everything food clothing Insurance on cars Insurance on house taxes on house 100% All In. I have found my food cost is lower here than in the Philippines mainly because Florida is such a growing state we get fresh vegetables all year long at the local markets very cheap. I actually semi-retired at 47 I cut myself down to 20 hours a week at the most, I fully retired at 59 I have not collected Social Security yet (63 now) but when I do I will get about 2500 a month, one must remember Social Security was never meant to retire on it was always meant as a supplemental income for your retirement you are responsible for the majority of your own retirement in the United States not the government. Have a good day guys hope to see you in Florida one day.
Thank you Marty. We hope to visit Florida one day.
Not sure which “Florida” you speak of as affordable. The car insurance is one of the HIGHEST in the U.S., and home insurance (if you can get it, has quadrupled to the point where people are selling their homes because they can’t afford the assessments or the insurance hikes. Can’t get out of Publix for less than $100…Glad it works for you, but for many of us, Florida sucks and I’m looking forward to going back to the Phil’s next year!
@@adamsty1728Florida is expensive as hell.
My property tax is 8K a year and insurance cost 630 a month so yeah it cost a lot to live in the USA compare to the Philippines
Good video , me and my wife also live on a budget of 1000USD a month , only difference we have our own house , Take care from Davao city !!!
Thanks for the talk. You are very easy to watch and listen to.
Great video! You are right about everything you said especially the part about foreign men spoiling the Filipina and setting themselves up for failure.
I thought about retiring in the Philippines in September 2023. My wife is Filipina. I have been to the Philippines 7 times the last time in 2010, at that time i thought the country had a future. What I saw I in 2023 in the Philippines was a country in a death spiral. My retirement before social security is $5,000 per month. I have not started taking social security yet. What the problem with Filipino culture is the relatives of the girl is they think the western man owes them a living. In the Philippines you can’t get decent beef and dairy. The housing sucks, the safety standards of building code is so low.
@@afather. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Live in Makati, BGC or in similar areas where you can buy high end meats and other Western products. If you are staying in the province don’t complain when it is not like America!
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and I was surprised to find out that the restaurants and even the night life in BGC and in Makati are so much better.
I agree on the building code. See videos where they have like wood straps holding the metal sheets to the roof. No 2x4 or better roof trusses. Of course the wind is going to blow the roof off.
Gotta pay up front with quality houses with metal trusses.
A decent T-bone would be a deal maker
Have you ever been to the city's in manila lol BGC got you milk lmao 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for making this video. Very helpful. Be blessed.
We live on $1000 a month from S.S. comfortably with split aircon, big TV, even a new car but our secret was when in LDR during pendenic we built a house , have Permanent 13A Visa, and PhilHealth because I canceled my Part B Medicare ...😊😊😊
I would be afraid to do that if I had a serious illness. I would be on a plane to Guam or Hawaii getting treated
@@jeff-i7x Thank you for your reply Sir... I talked to many expats about this subject and 50% agrees with you and %50 agrees to cancel Part B for many reasons... 1. If have a serious illness, you will not be allowed to fly on airlines... in some cases you will need a medical assistant that will cost even more money. 2. Many of us trust well know high quality hospitals in Manila and Cebu ... 3. Medical treatment is far less exspensive compared to the states ... 4. Can replace Part B with other type of insurance ... 🙄
If you’re prior military, you can go to the VA in the USA and you don’t need the part B or you could even go to Guam
Guam has very few hospital beds @@jeff-i7x
@@nevergiveup-db6fp Actually I'm pretty sure that I heard that we have VA hospitals in the Philippines that prior American military can go to.
Thank you very much.... I'm coming for sure ☺️
Thank you for the video. My brother and I visited the Philippines in Subu this past May and it was the greatest experience I’ve ever had in my life and I believe my brother and I both are going to retire to the Philippines so all the information I can get is greatly appreciated.
Great video guys. I appreciate you sharing your experience in this area.
very open in communication, in my experience, it's not the cost of living or the girl, it's the family who you marry as well, that causes the friction! or other freeloaders. work for each other, and do not, listen to gossip! like how much do you get from your husband, or sent to your family. do not compete with others, there is more discrimination between the have and have not,s than black and white. in the Philippines.
I am a single man don't drink or smoke. I live in Bacong and my total income is $1300/mo. For my housing, I live close to the water, nice bunglow with a backup generator, electric and internet and drinking water is less than 30k pesos per month (27k last month), food is about 15k per month, I cook at home and order Grab once a week. I own my motorbike, and only spend 200 per month on fuel. If I stay home I can live comfortably on less than 50k. I have $6000 in savings and it grows every month. I spend my days at the beach with my dogs. I would love to meet a Filipino but I don't think that I can afford her.
@@1307scooter: You’ll get better loving from your dogs than any women in the world. Skip the women and live life.
WoW ! Love your vids, I'm 80 yrs old, pretty good health, would love living in the PH, my social security is 1,550 per mo. So yes this vid was very helpful, thank you much.
Just an observation; sir I'm very impressed with your blessings, please understand, I am not flirting w your lovely wife, (after all i am 80) but truth never fails me, Your Wife , Leah, is perhaps one the most beautiful ladies I've ever seen, her heart is very beautiful , which completes a wonderful package, and you are a handsome gentleman, Those 2 little Gifts God sent you from heaven , makes for a beautiful FAMILY, Both of you have much to be thankful for, God bless the 4 of you !!!🎉🎉🎉
@methemonkeyking I can understand why you are thinking like you do..but you just haven't met the right woman yet. I was feeling like you a bit til I met the Filipina I am with now..she is nothing like any of the American women I have met.
living respectfully yes.
30,000 for water, you are being robbed.
You guys are very cute family . Bless you all . Wish you all many happiness and thank you for sharing this information.
At the end of the day , it dependsnon your lifestyle. $1k a month is a very simple life probably in a small town in a province. In the US, you will be below poverty line with that but yiu get free health care, food stamps and at times free housing. You dont have those benefits in the Phils.
1k living in the Phil is ok as long as you have your own place already
The average annual salary, more or less, is about a thousand dollars a month or so depending on the source of the information. Statistically speaking, I would get that this number gives off a skewed impression of relative wealth per family in The Philippines. There's wealthy by western standards and there are very wealthy by worldly standards and these few, relatively speaking, throw off the graph and bring that annual number up.
A thousand a month is very easily done, and comfortably, if out of the big cities, no chemical addiction or gambling issues, eats at home most of the time, doesn't own a car etc. etc. etc. For most westerners, this type of budgeting is not what they want to be dealing with as we know.....but it can be done and one CAN live a better life on their limited retirement better than they could in the US, AUS, England, Germany, Sweden, etc. etc. etc. etc.
IMO if I were guna live on 1k usd/55k php I wouldn't be spending 20k, almost 40% on rent.
I think she is very honest and Iloilo girls is beautiful🙏
Thanks for the cost estimates..."good to know for those thinking about moving to the Philippines..."
Thank you!
Interesting video thank you. People will have a vastly different budget depending on their needs, wants and circumstances…but this was a good guideline to work from and for people to adjust to themselves. Medical insurance is very expensive when you reach your antique years.
$1920 is average U.S. monthly social security benefit.
Sad that's why we need illegals to work in us Americans are lazy now @Bawang-k5z
Yeah but for early retirement probably not so much
Some People Decided to Retired early and they Get Minimum of $800 but if you decided to retired Full it depends how much you contribute to your SSS Monthly, the Minimun $1500 to $2000 or more than that,...
@Bawang-k5z that's harsh bro
Yes that's approximately what their website shows mine will be
My buddies live in the Philippines and recieve their military retirement over there. They are living like kings. A few are thinking about moving to Thailand, since medical and hospitals are better.
I retired from the USMC with 30 year's at the age of 47 and work at Northrop Grumman for 20 year's and retired but I must say my social security is more than 2 thousand a month i also have investment you must secure your future at a early age 😊
How do you recommend investing? :)
Ervin Alexander - Ever seen UFOs at Northrop Grumman? ;)
@@franciscofredericci4081for Americans, max out your Roth yearly contributions 7000/year for 2024 and put as much as you can afford after that in a 401k. Choose a s&p 500 fund and ride it out till your 62 and able to draw your social security. Thats what I’ve done for the last 20 years and I’ve saved over 1 million U.S. dollars already and I’m only 52.
Sounds like you should have three checks each month.
Social security at minimum should be $1,300 then at in thee others plus if you're getting VA disability. You should be sitting very comfortable in the Philippines.
I'm not sure what a man can do here in the Philippines unless he buys a house for his wife.
Then he can do whatever his wife's mother and sisters and aunts want him to do.
He can rent, and be a man. He can date, and be a man. Or… he can let others dictate his life and be something other than a man I guess. If his wife’s mother and sisters are calling the shots he married the wrong woman.
@snbi7959
In the US, divorce laws guarantee you lose. In the Philippines, land ownership laws guarantee your screwed.
IN MARRIAGE
They both give the power to control you to a woman whenever she feels like taking power over you, right? No ?
Just be a man....use the word no.
@todd7756
YA , BUT.........
if you say no in the US, your wife takes everything you've got.
In the Philippines, if you buy your wife a house, hoping she'll let you live in it , and you say no , out you go.
MAYBE she's not like that , but she could have 20 family members influencing her because THEY want to live in the house ?
@@wasblindbutnowsee
"Why this 70 y/o American expat with 8 gfs says he is NEVER leaving the Philippines" 😂
Awesome video. Would it be possible to make a video on Healthcare and Health Insurance for foreigners? I would really appreciate it 🙏 💯
Great advice ,all of it very important and encouraging coming from a guy that fits most of your scenarios...Thanks!
Excellent work, thank you!
GREAT INFO, AND YES ELECTRICITY IS THE MOST U WILL SPEND MONEY ON....Z
How does one make sure that they can deal with a reliable company that might introduce them to women who want to get married. I have seen so many things on TV that scare the dickens out of me. I don't want to get involved with people like that. I'm a twenty six year old male with conservative Christan values and find that women in the United States have different values now.
You don't. Just wait till you get to the philippines and talk to a few expats
Although, I would never, ever live in the Dumaguete area I appreciate your honest perspective on this vlog!
depends on entertainment, vehicles, insurance and rent massively. some can in some areas but in high rent areas double required let alone entertainment costs. have to make right decisions especially with your family. pina family demands and expectations let alone children's education.
Good job guys! Thx
Social Security was never meant to be the only source of income in retirement. It should only be a supplement to your other income.
Yes it was meant for that
Social security/ pension was supposed to support you without worries :)
Yes. That's what my Uncle was always taught when he graduated in the 1970's.
@@franciscofredericci4081 It was never meant to support you but was only to be a supplement. That's just a fact.
@@jamesthomas7505
No it's not, you are just making that up
What about inflation? Philippines economy is rapidly growing 7% a year SS is not gonna grow as fast as Philippine economy. I been married 30 years to Filipina- i remember prices much less than today's even out in the province. 20 years from now your $1100 SS may not meet your needs. Savings in retirement highly recommend even in Philippines
Thank you so much for the video! I WOULD like to take you up on your generous offer that you mentioned at the end to see a breakdown of your expenses if that's still OK, but I don't see an email address.
I think people ask about $1000 / month because that is the minimum amount required by the Philippines for a retirement Visa
And as you say that coincides with a lot of SSA checks are for.
I think life in Dommagette would be better then the US. Peaceful and less expensive. Great video, ty for showing the pesos vs us dollar. Godbless you guys. ✝️ ❤
Living in Dumaguete is like living in the States; too many freakin' Americans there; think about elsewhere.
She said she was making $9,000 pesos. It was never clarified whether that was monthly or weekly. Please clarify!
You must account for the money you need for visa extensions and ACR card. This is something that happens every 2 months. Please always try to save for medical because you will get sick and need to see a physician and get medication.
You guys are lucky, because both of you doesn’t have a medical issue. My friends a husband and wife both retired in the Philippines. After 5 years a husband have medical issue . He died and cannot afford to pay the hospital bill. That’s was the scariest to live in the Philippines. 🙏🙏🙏
If you have a child, you can get about $300 per month per child until they are between 16 and19 years of age. at your current Social security retirement (USA) income $1,100 per month.
Flight schedules are terrible compared to Bangkok and KL
My Typhoon Proof Building 4.3 million, But We could live 700.00 with everything paid for, We have also 2 farms and Condo and Which amounts yo 1600 a month. But we also have Workers and Support family, During New Years We do not buy groceries for first two months of the year,
So yes of course,
What was the three wheeler vehicle mention? 14:10
Very informative thank you for sharing
Thanks for the informative video guys. You have one of the best TH-cam channels about the Philippines. You have a great family and are an inspiration to those who want to make the move to the Philippines and start a new life. I am curious - what is the average cost to have a baby there - hospital stay, etc.? Here in the USA having a baby is quite expensive if you don't have good insurance. Take care always and God Bless!!
How are you doing Michael? Thank you for the nice comment.
If planning going to retire in Philippines , it's a good choice for a single individuals . But if you plan to retire and into a Filipina relationship just be careful because not all Filipina knows how to cook lol. There are some are not satisfied to live simply like what you did.
$1000 is not enough and impossible to build a family , and what if you have kids? What are their future? What if the foriegn guy die first because he is too old to the woman he is with kid?
My Opinion,
Possible and have good life if you are single and live in Philippines. It is impossible to live $1000 to build a family and retire in Philippine WITH NO SAVINGS.. Oldies need health INSURANCE .
I agree.
For every year you wait up to age 70 you get an additional 13%.
When you say out to dinner, I assume you don't mean street food?
It is absolutely easy to live off of $1,000 in the Philippines. As long as you do not bring your Western mentality with you. I have a family of FOUR in siquijor. Total monthly cost comes up to $390 per month. This was before I built a three bedroom one bath house. It is a hollow block House that cements floors. All for the low cost of a little over 7,,000 US dollars. It is solar. Which saves me about a 1,000 pesos a month.
The majority of Filipinos do not make $1,000 (57,174ish P) per month. So your girlfriend should still be able to live comfortably off of your retirement of 1,100 per month. When I met my wife she and the kids were making under a thousand pesos per month. She had on her own house and none of them were starving. So she can do that with under a thousand pesos per month what do you think she can do with 57,000 Plus?
For this same type of money in the United States you'll be considered homeless. Living in a tent or in your car which they have outlawed. Yes they have made being homeless in the United States a crime. While on the other hand making sure prices do not drop to affordable levels for people.
I'am a wise spender so I believe 1000$ is more than enough for 1 month especially if you own a house here in the Philippines.
Garry sounds like he from
England
He is
If you get sick there, i cannot imagine how are you going to pay the hospital. Praying here for you man.
Insurance or go home for treatment
Same as here.
The Filipina I know in Mabalacat lives off of 300 pesos a day. That’s really only about $135 to $165 a month. Is it a struggle to live on that little amount. Yes it is and they are use to it. So to have $1,100 a month social security would be easy to live on there. Yes you’d have to make adjustments but you could still live a decent family life on that amount. Her rent is 3,000 pesos a month. Water and electric is minimal so the biggest expense is food and daily needs.
I just came back from Phil. Saw plenty of people sleeping on the footpath (sidewalk) I'm pretty sure they were living on less than $1000 per month. It's very doable so don't be scared. There's plenty of spare footpath.
wow god bless you guys
I live in Hawaii and $1100/month here would allow you to live in a tent on the beach and eat canned tuna and chef boyardee and maybe splurge on McDonald's once a week
How? Where do you live? Housing cost?
@@marcvivori1561 I live in Oahu. Renting a 1-bdrm in my neighborhood is $2,800/mo and getting a studio in a questionable neighborhood would run about $1,700/mo
Thanks good info
I can live good off of 1200usd in the Philippines. If you have a Filipina, you might as well double that. 2000usd is the bare minimum.
Don’t forget her relatives that will think they are entitled to your assets.
My situation is unique. I'm not married nor does she live with me. So for the most part, her family never contacts me. I think I'm just a side piece.
@@chosen_one1602 my wife’s family in the Philippines thinks I owe them a living. I told my brother in law for his wife’s entitled and ungrateful attitude, since his number came up to immigrate to the USA 🇺🇸. I will not sign off on the paperwork, since he could not follow instructions
Your budget doesn’t double,…rent, electricity etc is the same. Only food, transport etc is double. A good Filipina will like to cook for her man, so eating out is less frequent. I’ve lived with my girl on Gary’s budget comfortably. The main factor in cost of living is where you choose to live. When you’re older…medical insurance is also a big expense.
LEAH, YOU ARE GORGEOUS LOOKING.
Thank you for the information.
I don't see your email anywhere.
Did I overlook it somewhere?
Email is linked in the description
Is an international driver's license issued in the US accepted, is a Philippines driver's license required? Or do the scooters even require a license?
I have a question i have AT&T cell service does it work in the philipines? Will i have signal clear calls and data?
So when you turn 62 the government will give you extra money on Social Security for is it just one child and how much is that? I thought you said 800 it takes a while to be able to receive that. I’m only asking because when I get over there. I will have an adopted child, and I’m sure it’s the same deal you can as long as you have all your paperwork until the age of 18 help with that…. Maybe when you apply for help from Social Security you could do videos on that as well as I’m sure it will draw a lot of interest as to what steps to take any amount that Social Security will increase some people say 50% but I don’t think that’s true.
Can you explain why you would have to adopt a child?
oo naman. ako nga eh nabubuhay..sarap buhay pa
You are a lucky man to have Leah but I am sure you know that!! I hope you and your family have years of happiness and you have the cutest little girls. I always love the videos with them being their goofy selves. Definitely I think it depends on where you are and what quality of life you expect. Dumaguete costs as much as America for a home to purchase so I would guess it is similar for rentals. Can you explain the costs in real life vs online? I am facebook friends with a realtor named Alma and she is always posting homes for sale there in Dumaghete and the costs are super high in comparison to how much people can make there. Often I am seeing homes that are $300k-$500k US that have smaller lot size than my home and about the same square footage. My home is only valued at $480k here in Montana and my payment is $1650 a month and I purchased in 2009 at only 200k. Can you give some ranges for what you can get a decent rental there? Are those prices that Alma posts on Facebook way higher than the average there? Thanks.
Youre a nice couple. Next time i'll visiting the Phillipines. First i will visit my Girlfriend in Manila an with her to dumaguette to find a Place i can live with her. I want to retire to the Phillipines
I will retire with 2000 Euro, in Bohol (province, no PANGLAO): I think it will be enough for house, wife, we'll have two children
it just depends how high the standards are of the person's
the white elephant in the room is that inflation exceeds the social security cola, so every year your budget needs to decrease.
That leaves you nothing for travel or entertainment and medical expenses I would not do it i been in dumagette and 2000 is a realistic cost
You can get much nicer modern housing in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam compared to Philippines. The rent is ridiculous in the Philippines. It’s unaffordable. My new home in a different Asian country is twice as nice, and cheaper, and I don’t need aircon. No dogs barking. No roaches. WiFi free. Parking free. Maid service free. Better dating scene, better nightlife, better infrastructure. Much better healthier food. I save a LOT of money leaving the Philippines and I’m so much happier and more comfortable. I spent almost 2 years in the Philippines and I won’t return. The two main reasons were unhealthy bland food and housing prices. Good luck to everyone.
So in which country is your new home? The majority of the people in the Philippines speak English. This can't be said about any other country in Asia.
@@HM-yh6ys that’s outdated news that keeps falsely recirculating on group chats and YT comments for many years. Everyone I speak to in Cambodia can speak English. Also a lot of the signs, menus, online ads, apps, service workers, locals at nightlife, it’s ALL in English. You know why? Because the youth for many years has been on TikTok and YT teaching themselves English to better their lives. I was surprised too! The Philippines is DEFINITELY not the only English speaking Asian country. Not anymore. And the next generation is learning faster with inexpensive smart phones. 👍🏻
@@HM-yh6ys Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong (not Mainland China) and many other places speak similar level or better English as the PI. I also agree about the OP observations and reasons for going to other countries. I am also married to pinay and have investments in PI, but have no desire to retire there, just keep a home base there.
Well go there no one is twisting your arm to go to Philippines hong kong has the most rudeness of any country you could not pay me to go back there
I'm calling bull
I JUST WANT A LOYAL WIFE THAT BELIEVES IN JESUS
Lot of them are Catholic
i want a beautiful atheist without any of that religious bologna and stupid dogma.
@@yadaydada123 U MIGHT WANNA CHECK OUT BRAZILIAN MY FRIEND
One thing is certain the lady doesn't have to worry about bills...we know who will be paying to hear 'i will love you long time'..
$1,100 is that USA dollars
Yes, not much is it but at least you can survive.
I am married to a Filipina I thought about getting her close to her family, what I saw in September 2023 is a country in a death spiral. I told her I get dementia I will live in the Philippines. I can hire 24 hour nursing staff for about $5,000 per month. That would be round the 😢coverage. Of quality nurses who would love to be paid USD per shift not pesos
You can hire 24 hour nursing care for $1000
I don't plan on spending over 25% of my budget on housing.
That's the rule of thumb I go by
Yes a filipina will cost a lot. If you are on a limited budget forget about a filipina. They will not work outside the home.
You are a lucky man she is gorgous
you get more social security if you have a kid?
Great video
Your living off cost of
1 bedroom apartment rent in north NJ USA
How young is that gentleman?
But if you want to live in the nice area no Makita or BGC you better have to about 2 3k and you'll ne fine most of us young men are not going to live province areas this is a double side answer got to look at the Young vs older people and who you date from were my GF from Makita lived her whole life there family house is hot on the market but they won't sale they were offering over 500k per square meters as of this year
My total retirement is $4,700 dollars a month ,im widowed, but my biggest problem is finding the right woman in the Philippines, but there's so many websites, and you don't know who's telling you the truth or they just want to use you.
Simple, do not take up with a Bargirl, a Street Girl, a woman with 10 freakin' siblings and parents who will be looking for you to support--screw that! Find a lady in a church, working at a retail store in a large mall, a medical professional, etc. A college graduate is a good choice also.... You'll be fine...
How
About children ? 1k is not enough ?
If you dont get sick.
Get insurance the best health insurance you can get there.
1k a month is a huge amount compared to what they earn ...
I moved here in July, got married to my Filipina sweetheart, and we bought a piece of land out in the province and are building the Bahay Kubo now and will start on the house after New years. We live quite comfortably in a rental (PHP 5000 per month) and the land is paid for and all expenses are cash. All together we live quite well on less than $500 USD per month. It really depends on where you live and how you eat. I eat all food from the Palengke and don't drink or smoke. We have internet and a Netflix account, and own two motorcycles for transportation. She saves me money by sparing me the "skin tax" if I send her to make purchases, and teaching me Bisaya. Once the savings are mostly exhausted, I will have a home (paid off)and its a small farm so it bring in money, so I expect a monthly budget of around $300 USD and I will eat fresh fish, chicken and pork, vegetables and fruit. Water through the Baranguay is only 50 cents per month and power is cheap here. I only run the air con for a couple hours in the evening to cool off the bedroom then use fans. Again it depends on WHERE you live and HOW
I wish to both of you all the best and happy retirement!
@@nickjejeran1065 Thank you
You use motorcycles for transportation? Good luck on a long retirement.
Gary, are you getting UK pension as well as US social security?
I wish, I left UK in 1989 and don't qualify.