Philippines Living: Big Budget Secret

[@cherryjohnson513]

Thank you for keeping it real. I cringe everytime I listen to bloggers saying they can live for cheap (< $1000/month) in the Philippines and still have a relatively quality of life particularly when one is getting older with more and more medical issues. My husband refuses to even visit the Philippines (he was there once when my Mom passed away and he said never again and it was in Manila). He is retired Army military (and CA State worker for his 2nd career). I just retired after 25 years in the Information Technology field here in CA. I grew up in Iloilo and left soon after college. I’ve been back to Iloilo twice for a HS reunion and that’s it, I can only live vicariously through KZbin videos like yours so please keep it up! We live and retired here at the Central Coast of CA - hubby and I met in LA (he was with the District Corp of Engineers). Hoping we can be virtual friends. Cheers!

[@stoicfreediver]

Instantly subbed 👍

[@faronray5765]

I think $1500 dollars a month is doable even with a girlfriend. You just have to watch your budget more closely. Most people forget to think about health insurance, medical savings account, emergency fund and some type of savings plan. Most don't think about inflation running hot or the exchange rate if the dollar were to fall. I think $1500 would allow you to travel a little, have coffee from time to time and eat out a little bit more. An $800 dollar budget would be cutting it too close but still a single guy would be able to exist if he could get his rent cheap. Before I retired to the Philippines in 2020, I enjoyed watching budget videos and if you pick a vlogger close to your situation and lifestyle, it really helped getting a feel for your expenses before coming to the Philippines. Thanks for putting in the time to do the video.

[@GallivantingKendall]

Thank you for watching and thank you for your input.

[@ScottsPhillippinesAdventures]

I support my wife in a 3 bedroom apt until I retire that is pretty nice…all expenses to support a family of 3 in a medium Philippines income bracket lifestyle only cost me 30k pesos monthly. This is in Panabo City. When I retire, it’s only gonna be me and my wife left in the household so I know damn well it could be done for under $1500.. The trick is let the girlfriend or wife handle the money and learn to love the food. Western lifestyle is great, but you are escaping that for something more fulfilling so embracing the Philippine lifestyle is key to staying way underneath your budget.

[@GallivantingKendall]

@ScottsPhilippinesAd… That’s awesome! Most guys have told me NEVER let the girlfriend or wife handle the money! Hahaha! Sounds like you have a ton more experience being here as well as living with a Filipina than I do. I really needed to hear from a guy like you. I mean that. Thank you! And thanks you for watching!😀

[@ScottsPhillippinesAdventures]

@@GallivantingKendall let me clarify, handling the money meaning she pays the bills, she buys the groceries, and she does the majority of the cooking. When I first came out to the Philippines, looking for a wife, the number one thing I was looking for was that I needed a soldier not just a partner. I needed someone who I can trust with finances that would have both our best interest at heart. If you find one of those, I guarantee you, you will live your best life and stay way under budget.

[@1307scooter]

I live in Bacong, close to the beach very comfortably on $1300 I have a Honda Click 160, shipped all my stuff here and have about $10k in savings. I don't drink, smoke or have a GF. I am still able to bank a couple of hundred a month into my medical savings.

[@GallivantingKendall]

I rent a click. No girlfriend and also don’t drink. Hahaha! Thanks for your comment.

[@jamesnichols2511]

what the heck. 1500 per month and only rent for 200. I take it you rent an empty place and buy your own furniture. I plan on living on 1500 per month and that's with a furnished 1 bdrm condo for 25k pesos per month. I even have a contingency plan if things go wrong, and I need to get back to the states. I originally considered Cebu, now it's Iloilo city due to the better infrastructure, cleanliness, less traffic, esplanades to enjoy, and bike lanes for safety. I agree with you whole heartedly, "location, location, location". who knows what 6 months, or a year will bring me, may stay in Iloilo city or move to another location. I'm 74, so I'm pretty set in my ways and moving all the time isn't in my itinerary.

[@GallivantingKendall]

Currently, I'm living in a house in Naga that's about 1200sqft or 120sqm. My rent here is 20k a month. My budget isn't $1500. I was making a cautious suggestion for anyone who was planning on coming here on $1500. Hahaha! 😀 IloIlo is NICE! I have a friend in IloIlo. He loves it. It is everything you say it is, better infrastructure, clean, etc. Thanks for watching!😀

[@cherryjohnson513]

Thank you for writing good things about Iloilo. The current mayor’s wife was a classmate of mine.

[@bayareatanders]

Thanks for this important info👍Watching from Northern California.

[@GallivantingKendall]

Welcome Joe!

[@frankkirkpatrick4452]

You're right on point me and my wife live 3 hours south of Cebu beautiful province known bloggers need to learn from you

[@GallivantingKendall]

Hahaha! Thank you, Frank! That's really nice.

[@joshuarizalforeman816]

My Filipina wife and family have lived in the Philippines for the past 5 years after relocating from HK. We own property, run a business, have investments and a decent income. Our budget never exceeds our income. The kids are at school/university. Low budget? Not a chance. I retired to live comfortably.

[@GallivantingKendall]

Everybody's different. People do what they can. Sounds like you have a good life, Josh!🙂

[@tedjohnson4451]

17 Work/ + 21 Vacation/ 52 Calendar Days until CalPers Retirement. Cebu City by Mid-October 2024. After "Startup Costs" My Trial IT Park Budget looks like $1800 Monthly... That gives me a Comfortable Cushion to go in to Savings every month.

[@GallivantingKendall]

Sounds good, Ted! Counting the days. It'll be here before you know it.

[@tedjohnson4451]

@@GallivantingKendall Good Scary!

[@chesterscott5017]

i have a question do you have to pay taxes on investments i know you still have to file

[@GallivantingKendall]

For that, I’m gonna have to refer you to your tax professional. Hahaha! I do still pay my US taxes. I maintain my state residency in California. 😊

[@bayareatanders]

I still file my annual taxes to the IRS before the deadline online. Also my US residence is in California.

[@chesterscott5017]

@@GallivantingKendall i asked a lady that works for a tax office she told me that if i lived outside the us that i only had to file but you still pay usa taxes even though you dont live here i will be living in the phillpines when i leave i will not own anything here when i go but ty

[@cherryjohnson513]

One has to declare one’s income whether they live in the US or not as long as you keep your American citizenship. This is an issue to some foreign spouses married to Americans. Why does the US need to know what the foreign spouse earns or owns? But IRS rules are IRS rules. 🤷‍♀️