I am John the interviewee. We have no car because we have NO PARKING. We have two spaces, but if I use them I block the coming and going of at least 3 to 4 neighbors. Not worth the hassle of people knocking on my door all the time asking me to move my car. I just sit on the porch and laugh at the parking lot shuffle. We put a lot down on the house and pay the rest off at $2k a month. In 18 months we own it free and clear. Then the travel starts.
Hey good interview. VA (4000) Social Security (1,200) is that your 5200? Can I ask you, not everyone has that VA cushion. If you only had the 1200 Social Security, would you still move here?
Lol grocery stores? Ph have endless natutes. Look outside your window. THERE is your primary grocery "store" ;) Not many countrues have so abundant of free food just growing everywhere. But ok, you want to go to a full grocery store. Understandable, but nlt something you need every day. One trip a week, then purchase bulks. And store in a freezer in your province house, with solar power, starlink, etc. Not that hard. Only big concern is traveltime to hospitals and medical urgent needs. Philippines are number1 country in nurses. But thailand is number1 in doctors.
Its eaay to live on 1k dollar/month in the ph. Unless you have big kedical needs. Or you want to live in Manila, BGC, makati, etc. Noone needs to go to bars every weekend, drinking away thrir money ;) And offcourse going to pay for walking girls is not in any sensible persons budget.
@@paulruano1903 agreed Paul , it's doable for sure. Like I always say, Some people need more creature comforts than others. If you need a more western lifestyle to be happy, it's definitely going to cost more.
More holes than this guys story than swiss cheese. 5200/month and they are holding back on buying a car or travelling?? Initially our house didn't even cost that and i put just over that amount into it. He is a very misinformed character as regarding angels city. Its a fantastic city. The red light is one street and you don't need to go down there. He says he can live comfortably on $2000/month and allocated 1000 for rent....... really bro? P58000/month rent? You living in a Palace or something? We live on $800/ month but we have no car/bike or house payment's and no rent. With 5200, wouldn't you think he would have at least secured a house outright? We are in a provincial municipality which has almost everything we need and yet 15 minutes from the nearest city with a hospital and supermarket's and 40 minutes from the airport and ferry terminal in the next city. I get a feeling (i could be very wrong) that this guy doesn't know where his money is going 😉
@@gerbourke1952 in the interview he mentioned briefly that before his pension kicked in he wasn't rolling in the dough. I think he put a big down payment on the house and then is making large monthly payments to pay it off quickly. Given that fact if he were to add a car payment right now it'd probably eat into his ability to stay completely comfortable. Not trying to speak for him but I think that's his logic on not having a car rn. I'm not super informed on Angeles city, so I can't really contribute to that discussion. I think it's probably similar to how ppl say "don't go to Mindanao" All they know is "the terrorists" And all ppl know about Angeles is the general stuff..like the red light district. I dunno
@@philippinesxtremes yes. I agree but you do know that care really does need to be taken in mindanao. There are even parts around my area that I need to be careful of. It's really not the free and easy place you portrayed. I have a friend one night (American) driving in bukidnon on his bike. Following his Google maps. Signal went down, he took a wrong turn and ended up on a dirt road on a mountain. He drive on until he found a kanderia. The lady was extremely nervous and put him and his bike around the back of the kanderia and told him to wait until daylight and do not take off his helmet or leave there before then. It is real. I have come face to face with rebels passing through the farm and although they were fairly pleasant to me and polite I'd still exercise care. The mistake people make is in believing its just in mindanao. The rebels are everywhere
@@gerbourke1952 bukidnon is more near illigan bro. Dipolog isn't anywhere near the Muslim areas. Dipolog is as safe as anywhere. More safe than where I was born that's a certainty. I agree, there's bad actors everywhere. I guess (even when it doesn't look like it) my head is always on a swivel. Probably when I get older I'll be more at risk.
@@gerbourke1952 i explained in a comment how and why we pay for our house. I know where every dime i have goes, thank you very much. But as the saying goes: Haters are going to hate. Have a nice day.
Condos are organized pyramidescheme. Condos are POLITICAL orchestrated zones for foreigners to get into ph But the prices are many times higher than real marketprices. Meaning you can afford divirces with 3 filipinas (loosing youur investment into a built house) and 150 years of life...... before condo makes economic sense. Unless the condo is for speculative investment, where gamble that the political inflated prices will remain high, so you can sell the overpriced condos for a profit etc to another western (fool) ;)
I am sure you will be rewarded in your next life for your charity. I told my wife and her family from the start not to look to me as a source of income. No problems with them once I st them straight. Seems like your Filipina family sure saw you coming.
@user-kd4pg8eb7z well…it’s a choice. Just like everything in life. If I have the money? I share it. If I’m broke. Well then others don’t get anything. I’d rather give it away to those that are in need than have a big fat bank account or stock portfolio. Ben there done that. Now I spend it all! Why? Because I see how people become evil and crazy and destroy themselves when there is a bid inheritance! 😊
Someone talking in absolutes again. I know guys that are unhappy on his $5200/month or more, and guys that are happy on $1500. $1000 a month is a very old benchmark, people have been tossing it around at least 12 years. Times change, I'd say $1500 is the new $1000 with the caveat that you have an emergency fund. I know guys that live very happily on their respective countries' age pensions which I suspect the old $1000/month comes from all those years ago and of course, those pensions have gone up as well. So many variables on top of that as well. Again, there's no absolutes. For the record, we live in "The Province" and we have both a Prince and Puregold supermarkets in town. Major mall an hour away. I suspect this guy hasn't got around much.
Ben, you need to interview this guy ^ he knows what’s up. We also like in “the province” of Bohol and my rent is 7k Php and we like the “fan life” no a/c (not for everyone) and our electricity cost 1.2k Php. We also have 2 larger grocery stores in town and a nice wet market, all within 5 minutes away. A “major city” 1 hour away with all the bells and whistles (and trappings) you would find in Cebu. I have lived in 2 other “major cities” and have lived on “budgets” ranging from $3700 all the way down to our current “budget” of $1700. I’ll say one last thing about this. Like another commenter said above me, get in where you fit in and be happy where you can afford to be happy. Pack three extra items when you come here 1. A fresh perspective 2. A bottle of patience 3. An open mind. These three things has allowed me to travel and find happiness in many places here in the Philippines and without them I would not be happy on any budget. Cheers Ben and thanks for the great video.
@@dresdyn100 I say it all the time. Everyone has their own specific needs and wants. If people can't be happy without their creature comforts...they need to have the cash to pay for them. Otherwise they'll be unhappy here. Disgruntled. In that headspace it's very easy to nit pick and blame the environment. Really though , it's the individuals inability to turn the lens upon themselves. I personally , make it on far less than 1k and am absolutely happy with my situation. To be fair..if crap hit the fan I'd be in a pickle for sure. But as long as I can skate on thin ice with out any catastrophes, until till I sell my house... All's good.
To gerbourke1952: out of respect for the channel owner, I am not going to get into it with you. You could have chosen to move on w/out commenting, but chose twice to troll and name call. I do not NEED $5,200 a month, that is just what God blessed me with. But you know what happens when you ASSume. As I said before, haters gonna hate, trolls are gonna troll. Have a nice day.
It's up to you guys if u want to debate. Hopefully you can do so in a way that you both can learn from each other. Me? I'm happy to have a discourse. And the comments help the algorithm push for more views 😆.
That rent to own deal the in-law found him seems a bit sketchy, sounds like he’s making hefty payments up front, hope that ends well. The fact that he relies so heavily on the wife adds another layer of concern.
No worries. It is a sale, not rent to own. $60k down-payment, 24, ( now 18) payments of $2k. All legal, all contracted, with an attorney on call. My wife is my partner in life and I trust her fully. Thank you for your concern.
In the video he literally says $1000 for essentials and another $1000 as a "safety net" for things like a car and entertainment. Right after that he says he doesn't have a car and doesn't spend much on entertainment. And those things are not a "safety net" anyway. At that point he has basically said you can live on $1000, right after saying people are unrealistic and misleading in claiming you can. The whole thing is just incoherent.
@@andyswan88 suggest you listen to it again. 1,000$ for rent, utilities, cable internet, health insurance. The remaining 1,000 for food and savings on a 2k budget. Is that coherent enough for you?
Everyone has a different budget with different needs, wants and expectations. To me 1k usd/month is far too low, for others maybe not. I agree with your guest, 2k is a minimum, but preferably more.
![I DIDN'T WAIT TO RETIRE, I WANTED TO LIVE LIFE NOW [Philippines saves a brother]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WDtjEHBZkns/mqdefault.jpg)
![I DIDN'T WAIT TO RETIRE, I WANTED TO LIVE LIFE NOW [Philippines saves a brother]](/img/tr.png)
I am John the interviewee. We have no car because we have NO PARKING. We have two spaces, but if I use them I block the coming and going of at least 3 to 4 neighbors. Not worth the hassle of people knocking on my door all the time asking me to move my car. I just sit on the porch and laugh at the parking lot shuffle. We put a lot down on the house and pay the rest off at $2k a month. In 18 months we own it free and clear. Then the travel starts.
Hey good interview. VA (4000) Social Security (1,200) is that your 5200? Can I ask you, not everyone has that VA cushion. If you only had the 1200 Social Security, would you still move here?
3700 and change VA. 1570 ssdi. If I only had the ssdi, I would have been very hesitant to move here
My budget is 1400 Canadian, living quite comfy thanks.
@@1951Ford what part of the Philippines are you in bro?
Absolutely right.
Lol grocery stores? Ph have endless natutes.
Look outside your window. THERE is your primary grocery "store" ;)
Not many countrues have so abundant of free food just growing everywhere.
But ok, you want to go to a full grocery store. Understandable, but nlt something you need every day.
One trip a week, then purchase bulks. And store in a freezer in your province house, with solar power, starlink, etc.
Not that hard.
Only big concern is traveltime to hospitals and medical urgent needs.
Philippines are number1 country in nurses.
But thailand is number1 in doctors.
Its eaay to live on 1k dollar/month in the ph.
Unless you have big kedical needs.
Or you want to live in Manila, BGC, makati, etc.
Noone needs to go to bars every weekend, drinking away thrir money ;)
And offcourse going to pay for walking girls is not in any sensible persons budget.
@@paulruano1903 agreed Paul , it's doable for sure. Like I always say, Some people need more creature comforts than others. If you need a more western lifestyle to be happy, it's definitely going to cost more.
Did John say what his line of work was? $5200 a month is quite a bit.
@@billwill1337 I think he said he got an injury while serving in the military and that's why his pension is higher
More holes than this guys story than swiss cheese.
5200/month and they are holding back on buying a car or travelling??
Initially our house didn't even cost that and i put just over that amount into it.
He is a very misinformed character as regarding angels city. Its a fantastic city. The red light is one street and you don't need to go down there.
He says he can live comfortably on $2000/month and allocated 1000 for rent....... really bro? P58000/month rent? You living in a Palace or something?
We live on $800/ month but we have no car/bike or house payment's and no rent.
With 5200, wouldn't you think he would have at least secured a house outright?
We are in a provincial municipality which has almost everything we need and yet 15 minutes from the nearest city with a hospital and supermarket's and 40 minutes from the airport and ferry terminal in the next city.
I get a feeling (i could be very wrong) that this guy doesn't know where his money is going 😉
@@gerbourke1952 in the interview he mentioned briefly that before his pension kicked in he wasn't rolling in the dough.
I think he put a big down payment on the house and then is making large monthly payments to pay it off quickly.
Given that fact if he were to add a car payment right now it'd probably eat into his ability to stay completely comfortable.
Not trying to speak for him but I think that's his logic on not having a car rn.
I'm not super informed on Angeles city, so I can't really contribute to that discussion.
I think it's probably similar to how ppl say "don't go to Mindanao"
All they know is "the terrorists"
And all ppl know about Angeles is the general stuff..like the red light district. I dunno
@@philippinesxtremes yes. I agree but you do know that care really does need to be taken in mindanao.
There are even parts around my area that I need to be careful of.
It's really not the free and easy place you portrayed.
I have a friend one night (American) driving in bukidnon on his bike. Following his Google maps.
Signal went down, he took a wrong turn and ended up on a dirt road on a mountain. He drive on until he found a kanderia.
The lady was extremely nervous and put him and his bike around the back of the kanderia and told him to wait until daylight and do not take off his helmet or leave there before then.
It is real.
I have come face to face with rebels passing through the farm and although they were fairly pleasant to me and polite I'd still exercise care.
The mistake people make is in believing its just in mindanao.
The rebels are everywhere
I agree with the swiss cheese.
@@gerbourke1952 bukidnon is more near illigan bro. Dipolog isn't anywhere near the Muslim areas.
Dipolog is as safe as anywhere. More safe than where I was born that's a certainty.
I agree, there's bad actors everywhere. I guess (even when it doesn't look like it) my head is always on a swivel.
Probably when I get older I'll be more at risk.
@@gerbourke1952 i explained in a comment how and why we pay for our house. I know where every dime i have goes, thank you very much. But as the saying goes: Haters are going to hate. Have a nice day.
Condos are organized pyramidescheme.
Condos are POLITICAL orchestrated zones for foreigners to get into ph
But the prices are many times higher than real marketprices.
Meaning you can afford divirces with 3 filipinas (loosing youur investment into a built house) and 150 years of life...... before condo makes economic sense.
Unless the condo is for speculative investment, where gamble that the political inflated prices will remain high, so you can sell the overpriced condos for a profit etc to another western (fool) ;)
Holy Crap! This guy gets $5,200 per month! I only get $1,900 per month and I support 10 people in my house and I feel I live very well!
I am sure you will be rewarded in your next life for your charity. I told my wife and her family from the start not to look to me as a source of income. No problems with them once I st them straight. Seems like your Filipina family sure saw you coming.
@user-kd4pg8eb7z well…it’s a choice. Just like everything in life. If I have the money? I share it. If I’m broke. Well then others don’t get anything. I’d rather give it away to those that are in need than have a big fat bank account or stock portfolio. Ben there done that. Now I spend it all! Why? Because I see how people become evil and crazy and destroy themselves when there is a bid inheritance! 😊
I’m just laughing about the comments! You could live a whole year on what this guy brings in a month $5200😮
True. I Dang near could. I might need another 1k but I could probably make it work without.
Someone talking in absolutes again. I know guys that are unhappy on his $5200/month or more, and guys that are happy on $1500. $1000 a month is a very old benchmark, people have been tossing it around at least 12 years. Times change, I'd say $1500 is the new $1000 with the caveat that you have an emergency fund. I know guys that live very happily on their respective countries' age pensions which I suspect the old $1000/month comes from all those years ago and of course, those pensions have gone up as well. So many variables on top of that as well. Again, there's no absolutes.
For the record, we live in "The Province" and we have both a Prince and Puregold supermarkets in town. Major mall an hour away. I suspect this guy hasn't got around much.
So true about people being unhappy or happy at all budget ranges! Well said!
Ben, you need to interview this guy ^ he knows what’s up.
We also like in “the province” of Bohol and my rent is 7k Php and we like the “fan life” no a/c (not for everyone) and our electricity cost 1.2k Php. We also have 2 larger grocery stores in town and a nice wet market, all within 5 minutes away. A “major city” 1 hour away with all the bells and whistles (and trappings) you would find in Cebu. I have lived in 2 other “major cities” and have lived on “budgets” ranging from $3700 all the way down to our current “budget” of $1700. I’ll say one last thing about this. Like another commenter said above me, get in where you fit in and be happy where you can afford to be happy. Pack three extra items when you come here 1. A fresh perspective 2. A bottle of patience 3. An open mind. These three things has allowed me to travel and find happiness in many places here in the Philippines and without them I would not be happy on any budget. Cheers Ben and thanks for the great video.
I forgot to mention Shopee, Lazada, S&R etc all deliver everywhere in Philippines for the things you can't get locally.
@@dresdyn100 I can't use Shopee because for some reason they don't like my CC, but Lazada loves me haah.
@@dresdyn100 I say it all the time. Everyone has their own specific needs and wants. If people can't be happy without their creature comforts...they need to have the cash to pay for them. Otherwise they'll be unhappy here. Disgruntled. In that headspace it's very easy to nit pick and blame the environment.
Really though , it's the individuals inability to turn the lens upon themselves.
I personally , make it on far less than 1k and am absolutely happy with my situation.
To be fair..if crap hit the fan I'd be in a pickle for sure. But as long as I can skate on thin ice with out any catastrophes, until till I sell my house... All's good.
To gerbourke1952: out of respect for the channel owner, I am not going to get into it with you. You could have chosen to move on w/out commenting, but chose twice to troll and name call. I do not NEED $5,200 a month, that is just what God blessed me with. But you know what happens when you ASSume. As I said before, haters gonna hate, trolls are gonna troll. Have a nice day.
It's up to you guys if u want to debate. Hopefully you can do so in a way that you both can learn from each other. Me? I'm happy to have a discourse. And the comments help the algorithm push for more views 😆.
That rent to own deal the in-law found him seems a bit sketchy, sounds like he’s making hefty payments up front, hope that ends well. The fact that he relies so heavily on the wife adds another layer of concern.
No worries. It is a sale, not rent to own. $60k down-payment, 24, ( now 18) payments of $2k. All legal, all contracted, with an attorney on call. My wife is my partner in life and I trust her fully. Thank you for your concern.
In the video he literally says $1000 for essentials and another $1000 as a "safety net" for things like a car and entertainment. Right after that he says he doesn't have a car and doesn't spend much on entertainment. And those things are not a "safety net" anyway. At that point he has basically said you can live on $1000, right after saying people are unrealistic and misleading in claiming you can. The whole thing is just incoherent.
@@andyswan88 suggest you listen to it again. 1,000$ for rent, utilities, cable internet, health insurance. The remaining 1,000 for food and savings on a 2k budget. Is that coherent enough for you?
20000p rent, 15000p food, 5000p entertainment 10000p travel misc expenses.
2k dollar/month?
That would be like expecting more than 20k/dollar salary in usa.
Unrealistic expectations.
Not unrealistic to me.
Everyone has a different budget with different needs, wants and expectations. To me 1k usd/month is far too low, for others maybe not. I agree with your guest, 2k is a minimum, but preferably more.
5200 a month lol. Poor guy lives in a bubble
Explain? Or just trolling?
$1000 a month you need to live in the jungle.
@@KennyInSubic I live in Cordova Cebu. Right outside Cebu city. On the edge of Lapulapu. I rarely ever spend over $500