Living Alone in the Philippines!!! Be Prepared for the Worst !!!

[@danielhackney7806]

I was married for 22 years and that was enough of togetherness for me. I am VERY happy being alone now the past 15 years. Last year I had my first ever medical issue (GALLBLADDER) and my son helped me as he's only 20 miles away. I guess I'm an odd ball, as many people hate being alone. It's like a vacation for me everyday. No one asking me to do this and do that, I go where I please and do what I please. I don't have to answer to anyone in my retirement. No drama or hassles.

[@L4P-Monk]

Living alone is peaceful for me. It’s not for everyone. Not everyone wants to live like I do and I can respect that. At the same time people should respect my decision to live alone. Stress levels way down. Freedom way up. I’m alone and I like it that way. ✌️

[@manilamartin1001]

I live alone but have a housekeeper as well as a contact person who can get in touch with my relatives in the USA. One piece of advice is that I have an envelope taped to my front door with my emergency contact numbers, my insurance, my medical history and dr info. as well as my daily meds. My emergency contact person also has emergency money because hospitals require cash to enter. Unfortunately, I have been rushed to the hospital on a couple of occasions. I even have my burial information and a will.

[@xpusostomos]

LoL, have you checked that the money still exists lately?

[@mateor7302]

Great advice!

[@normatwater7419]

I was married to my Filipino wife for 40 years and i am retired military we lived part time in Cebu and part time in US . In 2019 we were living our 1/2 time in Cebu and my wife became sick . She had dual Citizenship and was covered in US with Medicare and my Military Tri Care for life and in the Philippines had Phil Health . She ended up having a tumor in her lung and it was Cancer and had also a Mini Stroke . I had her in the hospital in Cebu for 45 days and Phil health paid very little i had to first give them a deposit and every time the bill got to around 100,00 Pesos i had to go down and pay it . I ended up with a hospital bill of almost $ 35 thousand US dollars before she got well enough to get a Korean first class Flt back to Atlanta as she could not sit up for the long Flt and that cost me almost $8K . She was put on a Cancer drug (Tagrisso) in Cebu i had to buy and it cost $6K for 30 days . When we got back she was taken directly to the hospital in our home town and stayed another 10 days and then had to go to a rehab nursing home to learn how to walk again for 30 days and start Chemo and Radiation . At least when we got back to US our Medicare and my Military Tri Care for life took care of all the bills + the Drug plan now paid $15,800 for the cancer drug(Tagrisso) and i paid $23 a month . She did well till the Covid hit and in Sept 10, 2020 she passed at age 78 Now i am almost 80 Feb 2023 and not returning to the Philippines as i could not afford to get sick there . I did recoup about 50% of the medical bills from the Philippines from the Military but it took a long time to do the paper work . But all i can say you can get sick in Pi and go broke if you don’t have some kind of health insurance for over seas i almost did . My 3 children who 1 retired back to Cebu and 2 in the US have all our 2 homes there i am not goin back Thanks for alerting the the Foreigners who come to the Philippines on how there medical system works . Yes the hospitals are not as expensive in Pi as in US but it is CASH UP FRONT

[@johnseppi]

My condolences for your loss. A good wake up call for us over 70 to consider. That round trip ticket is a must. Thank you for sharing with us the story of your ordeal . It waits us all.

[@cecilwampler8733]

I'm a bit of a loner type myself living in Cambodia. When I got dengue fever, I definitely wished I had a support system in place. Great information.

[@buckytravelsplaces7581]

I have lived alone for a Decade, But I am Not Lonely at all......

[@paulthurson]

loneliness is the pain of being alone solitude is the joy of being alone many many people have great difficulty grasping that for some reason *altho none of that takes away from steve's prudent advice

[@bigjohnson7415]

@@paulthurson So true!

[@superbirden57]

I love being alone. So much more peace and quiet. Give me the inspiration and happiness, not the cautionary tales. I'm gonna die anyway, so I'd rather have 5 years of quiet happiness, than 10 years of worry, fear, and anxiety.

[@richardblaine7419]

First time hearing your channel,. I am an expat and been living here on Luzon (Pampanga, near Floridablanca) since 2001. Before I left the US (still a citizen) I bought an international cremation policy. I was what you called a loner knowing full well that I would meet a wonderful Filipina. I took all precautions before I left the US and contacted a lawyer to get all my US legalities in order. I never looked back, even though I have property in northern Florida. I am married to a wonderful Filipina and we have 3 wonderful children. I totally agree with you about taking all precautions of health, financial means and setting up a financial plan for my family. Now I am just kicked back and relaxing. Your advice is spot on. Glad that I found you on YT. Salamat!

[@atelangs]

As far as I can remember the Philippine National Police in my hometown made a census for foreigners who lives in my hometown. They had a complete list of the foreigners in town and contact persons just in case bad things happens. If you are a foreigner and married to a filipina, obviously the police will take information about you and your wife. If you are a loner, they make sure that they get information like who to contact to in case of emergency. I just don't know if it is like that in the national level.

[@enjoylife4528]

Great advice, as usual Steve. Nobody thinks something bad will happen to them...until it does. Then it is too late to plan.

[@stephenduling5024]

We have seen all those problems you mentioned for the last 30 years here.. And that is why we planned from the beginning 30 years ago when we built our 2 houses here, when I retired at 57 that we would spend 12 years here. 12 good years of travel, diving, and more travel and my wife being with her family. When we moved here we sold everything we had and put all that money in the bank. Now we have $450.000 to pay cash for a condo or villa in South West Florida. And enjoy our golden years not worrying about all that stuff you mentioned and believe me we have seen some bad cases here of older foreigners. Now we have good insurance right now our blue cross / blue shield covers doctors & hospitals and buying meds here in the Philippines We just get reimbursed for cost. You can't beat it We don't have to deal with the BS here.. But like you said Steve as you age here more problems will happen to you. It's all in the planning.. You don't start planning for retirement at age 60 especially coming to a foreign country. It doesn't work out to good for you.. most guys don't even go inside a hospital here to check the conditions inside. Or check to see what kind of food they serve you.. I wouldn't feed my dog what they eat in some of the hospitals here.. You might have a fantastic hospital near you, but you do some traveling and have a health emergency that is when your trouble starts and that is what is scary about this country great hospitals are few and far between here..Not saying anything bad about the country but it's just a fact of life here..We have loved being here all these years. I love the people, the water, the diving here is fantastic it's been our passion here to explore the undersea world here..But by age 69 or 70 we will be sitting in that fla. Sunshine enjoying our golden years in comfort

[@trv16gel]

I had to laugh when you mentioned people getting sick and people tripping over. I've just returned from a 12 day holiday to the Philippines and both things happened to me. I rolled my ankle stepping between footpath levels in Dumaguete (ankle now in a cast) and tested positive for covid a day later. Somehow managed to avoid covid for two years in Australia and then got it while on holiday!! I had a blast in Moalboal before this happened but in all honesty I was glad to be home again.

[@JJJJ-gl2uf]

I'm just recovering from COVID here in Thailand. It's been a nine day ordeal and I'm glad I have my wife here to help. She had COVID at the same time, but at least one of us was able to help the other at various times . . . .

[@dovoso5685]

Very true and very important video . Actually, someone should start a business of helping single/lonely expats , either paid per service or kind of monthly services. You and your gf are already doing it for free , it might become a bigger operation of running errands for expats in need. I am sure many guys will appreciate it. Of course - no need to do it all by yourself, your gf can hire local girls for the actual leg work.

[@dennissalisbury496]

You have to be absolutely sure that anyone you befriend is trustworthy, most importantly, including family members.

[@gemox3225]

This was an important reminder for me. Though I live in a more developed country, Thailand, and do have some coverage, I need to get more on the ball.

[@Ffollies]

Good advice, a lot of this advice applies everywhere too. I live in the U.S but I'm pretty worried about my future since I'm mid 40s, not married, no kids, so I'm wondering what I'll do in old age. I have some family but not sure they'd take care of me.

[@Mjolnher9]

I am in my 30s and love being single but definitely when I am your age will want to be married and settled down. Going to a foreign country alone and being a longer at old age seems very sad.

[@carvercapitalequitypartner122]

Remember guys, especially you loners: you have to be a friend to have a friend. It's not a one-way street where people will just be helping you out. Choose carefully but we all need one or two reliable people in our lives that we keep in contact with. But be reliable yourself too or you will end up friendless in a bad situation and unable to help yourself.

[@bigjohnson7415]

Sadly, it's the same here in the US. I had to clean up both my dad and uncle's estates, and both were a mess. My uncle was in Tennessee and I live in Texas. Just no planning or organization. Can't imagine not having a mechanism of contact with relatives halfway around the world!

[@ericemslie9870]

Another good video Your the ONLY expat that goes in depth about the importance of insurance and the reality of what could and does happen overseas Everyone else either never talks about it or sugarcoats it Thanks

[@RichTravel1010]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@stevenwistort9903]

Insurance here in USA is ridiculous. $1,000 to $1,200 a month for a single guy like me. And with no medical conditions. I refuse to pay this. $1,000 a year in the Philippines, now we're talking.

[@reggyreginald8158]

My family, long term expats (30+ yrs) stopped paying and cancelled their insurance (Thailand) …..they put the same premiums in a savings account…..and it works for them. This was as a result of needing the insurances (international) and then getting all the excuses and policy change excuses, only to end up paying majority of the bills themselves). Beurocracy, and typical insurance companies 🤬 Just a suggestion. But if you’re not seriously I’ll……create your own account instead of paying the insurance company 🧐🤔 you’ll likely end up with more “emergency funds” than you need (and earn interest on it at the same time) Food for thought

[@stevew3196]

Practical and sendible advice that people will still choose to ignore. CHOOSE is the keyword in that statement. It's reasonable to assume that those who have planned and prepared will choose not to compromise their preparations by helping someone who hasn't prepared.

[@Matthew-gz4oh]

Great advice!! Insurance bill comes before bar bill.

[@brettandsamthailand]

Be very careful using Pacific Cross for insurance. Check their exclusions, when you try to claim they just disallow. Sometimes better to self insure.

[@andrewpipitone1572]

I have to get back on this but one meal a day and keto diet periodically fasting really boost you metabolically. I did it for six months went down to 197 lbs was getting stronger. It works have to go back on.

[@ph5915]

You always give great information! Yeah, I can't imagine not having emergency funds for every day and - for worst case - enough for a ticket back to the home country, and medical insurance since Medicare doesn't cover overseas residency. It's also important like you stress, about the will and directives, even living in home country. Quality advice.

[@andang9782]

Yes, its way better to be careful, documented and practical....this should be great reminder to everyone which ever part of the world they decide to be in..

[@scottramey4443]

Yep Steve. How spot on you are. Insurance may not be what we want, but what we need. Hope your day has been good

[@stanleybuchan4610]

Great advice again Steve. I'll be on vacation in the PI's starting 12th Oct, so I aim to look all this up while I'm there.

[@American_Mike]

You can get an attorney without a girlfriend. You can have a daily maid service, that is NOT someone you fool around with who can do some of those things like pay bills and check on you. That being said YES, make friends. You can LIVE alone but you cannot BE completely alone.

[@harleyryder7449]

Great advice. Saw the title of your topic and instantly got my attention and it was like a wake-up slap in the face. I just recently fully retired and plan on living in Cebu for six months out of the year (I leave in January) and although getting sick or injured never really entered my mind, your advice woke me up and I will definitely prepare. I do have some family support in Cebu so I'll at least have that and although I have Medicare and Tri-care for Life (TFL) Stateside - your local lawyering as well as giving heads-up notifications to next-of-kin advice is spot on. I too choose to live alone for now as my wife isn't of retirement age yet, but it never hurts to be prepared either. Thank you and you got yourself another subscriber.

[@RichTravel1010]

Thanks for the great comments

[@danielwykowski6069]

Steve This is sage advice regardless of where you live, alone or with someone, have instructions written out, use a lawyer.

[@injanhoi1]

Looks like you need to have a good trustworthy friend if you don't have a gf or wife. No problems if you want to lead a quiet life with not much interaction with others but you need someone in case of an emergency. I have an been an expat in Japan for 20 years. I have a good friend just in case something goes wrong. In fact he is more than a friend. He is like a brother to me. He always helps if I have a problem.

[@utubenewb1265]

Well the worst that would actually bother me is being sick or in jail. Being dead would not bother me anymore.

[@glennhiggins5425]

Correct Steve, it's a rip-off until you need it. I'm preparing a diary, to jot down value information like you said. Appreciate. Keep up the great work.

[@Ian-iu2tl]

Excellent content. Just got back from an initial, one month mission to Philippines. I got sick with diarrhea for two weeks and I thought I'd end up in hospital. Fortunately I had a very good Filipina to care for me. I did have insurance and can't imagine living in the Philippines without it. The opportunity for illness, injury or death is more pronounced there.

[@wickman.r4662]

In 2017, Colombia had 20 of the top 49 clinics and hospitals in Latin America. And in 2018, Colombia had 23 of the top 58 hospitals. So, the count in 2019 has increased to 24 of the top 58 clinics and hospitals in Latin America for 2019. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Colombia’s healthcare system as #22 out of 191 countries it ranked. And no other countries in Latin America were ranked higher than Colombia. So, according to WHO, Colombia has the best healthcare system in Latin America. Also, Colombia’s healthcare system is ranked higher than many wealthier countries like the United States (#37), Germany (#25), Canada (#30) and Australia (#32). In Colombia, it is possible to have access to world-class healthcare at a fraction of the cost compared to the healthcare costs in North America or Europe. Furthermore, the costs for healthcare in Colombia can be significantly lower than the costs found in the U.S.

[@MadeNCda]

God bless ya Steve for doing your utmost to get through to folks. Health is your wealth. And this is coming from someone who fought breast cancer - the total cost of my treatment here in Canada was probably $100k Cdn if not more. Plus as you say, folks shouldn't be dumping their sickness and sadly deaths on to locals. That's just selfish IMO.

[@shauncooke9837]

I would 1,000,000% stay single and live my life with no stress

[@jeffreymonthy9935]

Hi steven! Your advice reverberated like a Canon ball in my ear. I w'll talk with you sometime this week. May God bless you! Thank you, Jeff

[@larrycastro4697]

Thank you for your videos I love your advice and all you do to help people

[@gordonj.wallis2826]

Dude, there are tons of people talking about living in the Philippines. Your channel is the most informative. Well done. I will be contacting you.

[@RichTravel1010]

I appreciate that!

[@techworld-kc6lt]

I have heard so many stories that most the country’s women you are residing now are very very street smarter compares to foreigners, especially guys

[@martinsmith6971]

A great video with very wise advice about medical insurance and other contingencies. Thank you so much for pointing out such important factors to take care of Marty

[@wickman.r4662]

In 2011, San Vicente opened a new health center in Rionegro located near the José María Córdova Medellín international airport. This new complex has a cardiopulmonary and vascular system center, a digestive disease center, an emergency center and an oncology center. In addition, it has a transplant and tissue center. It reportedly has 180 hospital beds. And a future planned expansion at this health center will add specialties for cancer, trauma, plastic surgery as well as 320 more beds. San Vicente is a general hospital but it is also very well known for performing transplants. Reportedly over 50 percent of all transplants in Colombia are done in Medellin. And a vast majority (nearly 90 percent) of those are performed at San Vicente. The transplant group in the hospital performed the first trachea transplant in the world and the first bone marrow transplant in Latin America. In addition, the hospital did several first transplants in Colombia: the first esophagus transplant, first kidney transplant, first liver transplant and first small intestine transplant. Also, it did the first larynx transplant in Colombia, which was the second in the world.

[@michaelbingley4321]

70 years old & happily living alone in Phil. Not for everyone but I know many older expats prefer 👍

[@Anglophile2012]

Keep emergency phone numbers in your wallet and on the refrigerator door including your attorney’s contact information Your attorney needs to be able to coordinate your affairs If needed do not retire unless you can afford a live in nurse (not a romantic partner)

[@freedomnsurvival8472]

Be very careful trusting others to ne there in your time of need , they are seldom there.

[@reggyreginald8158]

Don’t worry about the negative people mate. I totally agree with your vlog. Excellent advice. Trolls are just insecure or jealous people😂 Stay well mate 👍 I enjoy your vlogs

[@argopunk]

My brother has lived in parts of Asia for 20 years. He says most guys that head over there specifically to find a woman get chewed up and spit out. If you can't get a woman in the US and Canada or just have had bad experiences with rad feminism, family law etc, it doesn't mean you'll avoid that over there. He went there to work and likes the places he's lived, and women came and went along the way for him. Just a word of warning much like this video. Good luck.

[@daviddarden1915]

This is great information: You are on point with this. Some of us guys will be slow on finding personal relationships. So, your information on getting health care, laminated card with your information is so great. I would for me try to stay tune with the church there to help with issues of hospital stays in having a reliable person do things for you. Also, find a great, reliable house keeper too. If you have not met that special person in your life yet. I believe maintaining friendships with mainly the locals is a must there too. Because, wherever you live, they will know that American who lives near them. They just watch him and let him be but, sometimes you do need a associate if you do not have a spouse relationship. That medical insurance is a must there with Phil health and other programs that will save your life and money too. Thank you so much for your great information. From a military veteran who was stationed at Clark Air Base, Philippines back in the day and contemplating retiring in Philippines in the future.

[@michaelheater1969]

Hello from Real Quezon province. Thanks for the info and advice. I'm definitely going to check into the insurance cuz my medical bills really affect my budget too often

[@rockyalvarez520]

What are the critical steps for expats to do a very very few ever do it when you arrive in the Philippines or in any foreign country it is highly advisable that you register with your embassy and let them know that you are in the country they would take your name and contact information where are you gonna be staying emergency contact information ETC that way something does happen to you and one of the locals called the embassy they will have a record of you and can then assist this is one of the reasons does embassy even exist to aid and assist their citizens in foreign countries

[@DHarri9977]

Hey Steve, good talk, very wise, I agree this would need to be a part of your financial planning.

[@elliottschertzer876]

Excellent Steve what you say here is common sense, unfortunately it’s not as common as it ought to be.

[@dukelopez8988]

Great Post BROTHER. U are the first Blogger who ever posted anything like this. Fourtenitly I am am covered by the VA Hospital in Manila.

[@tony9305]

This is a great point and very valuable advice. Thank you

[@secretagent86]

with substantial assets you can self insure... but most people going to the phillipines are not that fortunate... I have not been there...but have enough assets that while i would not NEED insurance, i always get it

[@jurgschupbach3059]

the best advice is to pay your cleaning lady and foster nurse a good salary, pointing out that you are drawing a pension and have no other money....believe me they will take loving care of you so that you stay alive as long as possible. 🍌

[@andreasjohnson9041]

Great information you really put things in perspective. Keep up the great work. I really enjoy your videos! I have 5 more years to go before I can retire!

[@Abelius]

There's a reason why we feel so alive in a foreign land...: the stakes are higher. We're on our own. It's thrilling, yes, but definitely not a kid's game.

[@freedomnsurvival8472]

10,000 insurance for 300 , I would rather save the 10,000 and keep it to one side and get the interest, rates sare going up,

[@Sammiinthephilippines]

True thanks for sharing this kuya. God bless

[@jeromehenry4484]

This is sage advice regardless of where you live, whether single or married. I've always been surprised/baffled by married couples (with children) that I personally knew that did not have Life Insurance Policies on both parents, did not have Will, Medical Directive, etc. nothing written down. Their explanation was they didn't have time for that (but plenty of time for TV sports or video games) or they believed it brought on bad luck. Most of these people had college degrees! Delusion runs strong in some people thinking they will never have problems in life, it will always be the other guy, not them.

[@Preview43]

I've been to the Philippines 7 times and I was sick every bloody time no matter how hard I tried to avoid it. All it takes is a random mosquito, a glass of water, a block of ice, some dodgy food or dodgy company if you're that way inclined - and before you know it, you're sick as a dog and looking for a *real* doctor instead the town witch-doctor treating you for a hug from a dwende.

[@geraldgolden2723]

Great info! I will live alone and set up what you advise to do. Oorah

[@TropicalOceanCleanup]

Excellent video, I have lived here 15 years. Always have a life insurance policy in force for immediate funds, takes too long to sell my asset's off in USA to help. I have a close family here and my daughter in USA who will take care of matters with a living will. You have a new sub, great advice

[@ningayeti]

Steve, Is it true that insurance overseas becomes prohibitively expensive or even impossible to find after about age 70

[@richardarel9673]

Your videos always make sense. Need to have some kind of safety net when living abroad.

[@pierrebernard719]

Just saved this video! Great advice about insurance. Thanks for making this one.

[@RichTravel1010]

Thanks for watching 🙏🏻✌️

[@patrickturner2788]

I'm 66 and been living in Jamaica for the last 9 years. Public hospitals are free here. Spent 3 days in Port Antonio hospital thought I was having a heart attack but it was my arthritis flairing up. Never signed a piece of paper. Nursing care was excellent. This is not the story for other hospitals here. Going back to USA for hip replacement surgery then off to Philippines or Thailand. Looking more like Thailand after god knows how many videos I've watched of both countries. Jamaica has second highest murder rate in the world. I'm done here. But weed is cheap and excellent so is cost of living. Most freedom in the world if you don't mind the crime. Great video many thanks.

[@grahamedwinpearce1]

Im 68 and insurance is impossible to get. If you can get it its 10 times what you pay. Make the most of your cheap insurance while you can.

[@larryjackson6075]

I didn't choose to come or leave this world. I'm just here for the ride.

[@philrose7716]

An amazing dad just making his son so very happy ❤️

[@simonbaillieu7976]

thanks for really excellent advice - useful in cambodia too

[@RobertSimmons143]

Thanks for sharing this with us brother 🙏

[@adad1270]

*** Steve, premium dollar amounts in this video seem wrong (see 7:30-8:30); pls check, and change if necessary. Otherwise, excellent advice! I've been looking for this info for a long time.

[@RichTravel1010]

It’s correct for Pacific Cross

[@sky5jump]

When you're dead none of that is a problem. Trust me on that one.

[@ormsolomon2122]

Very good advice thank you so much,it got me thinking

[@christophermeaney5485]

Yes Steve I just saw your video 20 minutes ago about time for yourself you stayed home with Justin today kicking back I watched it on my TV but I can't find it on my phone that's why I'm putting this comment here I thought you knew that bloggers don't get days off and blockers are rich from all the money they make on their channel hahaha all right brother keep them coming tell Justin he did a hell of a job the other night...

[@christophermeaney5485]

Oh yeah Steve I just watched the the one about budgets and how your old lady gets burned by a few extra want her to do this and that and this and that and then you said rent a car and showing them around that's b******* those are people I wouldn't even want in my country even if your family your blood you still pay for the rental car because they're the ones that are saving you the headaches and they get headaches you and your old lady trying to make these people happy if it was me I would have definitely said something not around my old lady but I'd definitely said something to those people that is beyond rude or maybe I'm just a dick later.....

[@raceinrick]

I lived in palawan port of princess had motorcycle crash luckily I had money to pay for a six week stay Get the insurance the best thing you could do for you9

[@marcrichard7251]

Hi Steve this is a good talk I like how you are like a coach. I have a girlfriend already but I hope I can meet you someday when I get back to the Philippines. I’m just waiting for my Social Security to go through….Speaking of which this month as you talk about we will see what the COLA will be. I hope you talk about the COLA after the 13 th. I’m lucky to have about $3,000 from Social Security and also my retirement from Detroit Edison Company and my daughter is a Realtor and told me I can get $1,500 a month if I rent my home out. Anyway God bless 😊

[@georgeklein5764]

Thanks for putting this info out there. It’s no laughing matter to watch someone die because they have no money at the moment.

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

Great advice as always Steve,you the best .

[@carloslazu1855]

Hey Steve. As always, great informative video. I don't plan to be alone if I ever get to live there, but really important information. We all need to have good medical insurance, especially Inna foreign country. I for one, certainly don't wanna be caught with my pants down in a situation where I'd need medical attention, and can't get it because of not preparing beforehand. Again great tips, thank yoy, and God bless 🙏😊

[@andrewwong2605]

Your advice is really good. It's worth it having a good hospitalization insurance. I'm in M'sia. It's a lot cheaper than Australia, US or EU.

[@raceinrick]

Lived in the Philippines for two years had a motorcycle accident guy pulled out in front of me busted my lung cost of that was about 6000 bucks I didn't have insurance but I had the cash insurance is cheap so get it

[@mackbolan6263]

You should set up an organization like the American Legion used to do for Americans in the Philippines. My parents were very strong supporters of the American Legion when it was still active in Cavite City.

[@2centsworth766]

Dorothy said it best," there is no place like home".

[@lawrencemartinez7549]

Hi STEVEN, do you have any info., on prior Military and what the prosses is to file for eligibility at the US Embassy in Manila? I've been in Davao City since July 2022.

[@michaelholmes5150]

The thing that gets me is the lure of filipinas, cheap living and cheap booze and cigarettes coupled with fantasy of paradise. Some idiots save up a small sum of money, no back up or emergency fund and intend on being frugal and stretching it or so they hope. But life happens, meet a girl, get injured, prices go up or you are sick. Now its reality kicking in. I know its hard to stick to a budget sometimes, but emergencies happen and it can wipe you out. You need to plan how much you need monthly and find a definite income stream from home, whether its investments with dividends, pensions, rental income. An amount that you just save up and slowly cash in is risky business as there will be a time when the money runs out. How far will you go until you have to book a flight home? Some guys run themselves broke then beg on the street. Its pathetic and they should be ashamed.

[@JamesHickman-g5c]

I don't know about others, but this can be an exceedingly difficult country to adapt to without an advocate (partner or friend), especially if you're a retiree and not a world traveler. There is just so much that is different than back in your home country. Everything from getting around, shopping for food, and even paying bills. Here, I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but please don't come if you find these things challenging, or are on a low income.

[@iant8842]

Insurance is a rip off until you need it - very sage words Steven especially when it relates to aging and health insurance. I believe there are some westerners settling in PI that will stay alone for some time as they have been so burnt in the west and by western women. Hopefully they will eventually let down their guard and relise the benefits of having a Filipino as a life partner. God Bless.

[@Robert-xn5ck]

Planning needs to start before you leave home most men do not and what you need to bring with you . only one thing good information but need to do do before you leave have copies of everything in both counties

[@dirtwhisperer658]

I would also be very cautious of the actual care you receive. I am married to a Filipina but we live in FL. My brother in law died a couple of years ago in the hospital in Manila. He had retired from the US Air Force and decided to live in Mabalacat near Angeles where he built a house. He was only 46 and was having health problems like breathing and asthma. He got pneumonia but didn't really know it and waited too long to go the hospital. They ended up airlifting him to Manila but he died in the hospital there. I'm not going into all the details but the medical staff didn't seem like they knew how to save him. The hospitals are not like in the USA or Australia or Canada. That's just the reality.

[@jamesbank833]

Great advice, I really enjoy your content!!

[@JohnnieV]

Can you make a video showing tne best places to live on a map?? To know where these places are located. Which island, closer To manila or cebu etc

[@Rens-NL]

Thanks for nice video ,how is the saftey wings insurane?is that oke ?

[@dobspatto4830]

How safe is the Philippines and how hard is it to find a genuine relationship with a nice older lady. Cheers Neil. Dobspato Newcastle Upon Tyne England.

[@RichTravel1010]

It’s very safe and not hard if you look and are careful.