🇵🇭 He lives cheap on 500 usd month in the Philippines

[@VagabondAwake]

☆★☆ Gio's KZbin Video, His Expenses and 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 ☆★☆ vagabondbuddha.com/can-you-really-retire-on-500-usd-month-in-the-philippines/ ☆★☆ Gio's Documentary on the Philippines ☆★☆ kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZfNfahso6t9e7c ☆★☆ 𝗗𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲☆★☆ vagabondbuddha.com/ ☆★☆ 𝗗𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗘-𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞→ 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 ☆★☆ vagabondbuddha.com/fire-your-boss-travel-world/ ☆★☆ 𝗗𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 $$$ 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗯𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲☆★☆ vagabondbuddha.com/courses/the-hobby-income-course/

[@gilbertbonifacio8975]

Gios KZbin

[@gloriatapel1333]

In the Phillipines especially in the provinces if you are already used to your neighbors they will start giving you home cooked foods & will invite you to eat with them in any occassions. They like sharing its in the culture.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Yes, indeed. This is one of the benefits of living in a community. I too have returned the favor many times, cooking for my neighbors and inviting them to my celebrations.

[@VagabondAwake]

They are very sweet people for sure. :-)

[@krisb-travel]

im 37 and been living here in the PH since i was 20, i would say the answer is YES to $500 a month being possible, even in Boracay. A regular studio room and home cooking... quite easily done.

[@VagabondAwake]

Hi Kris B, Would you like to be a guest start on one of my videos? Here is an example guest star video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4SwkGWgdqhnrJY Your interview could be just your voice or we could do a zoom call showing your face. If you would like to be a guest star and share your story please leave a personal message here: vagabondbuddha.com/contact/ Thank you for your comment. The detail of your comment makes this real for people. If you have a business, service, or KZbin channel, you could share that on the interview. Best, Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thanks for your comment Kris. I had lived in 4 different places in the Sogod/Bato area. One, a beautiful, large, modern studio cottage with running water and plumbing, a luxury in that area, for under $100 a month including electricity. A year later, I moved into a basement apartment for $40 a month. Then, back to Pamahawan into a large modern house for $100 a month. My cost of living increased to $500 a month when I hired help. Before that, it was cheaper. I just returned to the USA on 2/22/2022. I made a video of what I learned while living in the Philippines. It's on my channel if you're interested. I much prefered living in the countryside there than the city, but not all areas are alike, so one does need to be wary. I feel I was very lucky to land in such a safe and friendly area. I made awesome friends there that I will forever consider family. Before leaving the Philippines, I stayed in the Manila area for awhile. I loved that area, too.

[@JJason406]

How do you make money kris?

[@krisb-travel]

@@VagabondAwake hi vegabond thanks for the invite, im not sure i'd make a great pod guest but ill certainly consider your generous offer :) thanks.

[@krisb-travel]

@@JJason406 used to be e-commerce but nowadays online advertising.

[@CrisostomoIbarra1989]

To see Americans happy and contented in the Philippines makes me so happy. Can’t wait to go back home for good. Love this content 🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Jam.

[@thefilipinojoe]

I hope you get to go home soon, Jam. You might enjoy my movie Dancing WIth Bamboo, which caputures life in the countryside. I also just posted a video about what I learned in the Philippines, that's very popular. I filmed it before returning to the USA 6 days ago.

[@wmmseo]

When you stay single this is quite possible. Once you start paying for your girl's family everything falls apart.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Being single is a personal choice and one I take quite seriously, as I believe being single helps me be happier and better protects my happiness, which is of major importance to me and my life. In the Philippines, it's not so much that rich foreigners support a spouse and all their relatives, as much as it is that the people here are tribal in their lifestyle and thinking. It's kinda like you're marrying into a huge family and that can be a good thing or bad, depending on you. If you are the type of person to give people money everytime they ask, that can be a bad thing no matter where you live or who you marry. If however, you're the type to offer people work for pay everytime they ask for money, you'll probably do quite well. The thing to remember is that people don't typically appreciate anything they don't work for.

[@wmmseo]

@@thefilipinojoe Awesome! All so true.

[@erniemccracken5509]

I know a bunch of dudes who went broke supporting their new family.

[@VagabondAwake]

Great comments everyone. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Dan

[@kuyaboy1679]

sounds like a bunch of bunk

[@pinoivegas]

For a single person living on $200-$500/month is possible,I spent 4 months in Davao City rented a 2 bedroom apartment for $120 a month,power bill is around $6 and $2 water....I think my internet cost $10/month. If you’re going to live like a local $200 would be doable,so $300-$400/month I would say you could live there comfortably.

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello flippinvegas! Thank you for taking the time to share. Do you live in Davao now? KZbin channel grows when people like, comment, or subscribe. It is like you are giving us a pay raise every time! So we really appreciate your help! Best, Dan

[@pinoivegas]

@@VagabondAwake you’re welcome,I’m here in California but planning to live in Davao 6 months and 6 months here in US starting next year.I’m already looking for a place in Davao City to rent long term. Good luck with your YT channel and keep safe always.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thank you for verifying my story. A lot of comments have been from skeptics and I might have been skeptical too if I'd not moved here and experienced everything firsthand. Thank God I did! For those who still think my life sucks on such a low budget, they should check out our movie- Snapshots of Sogod- Falling in Love with the Philippines- (free to watch on our youtube channel). I think our movie shows that my life hardly sucks. In many ways, it is actually the best it's ever been and getting better every day. If that wasn't true, I wouldn't still be here. I'd be back in NYC making bank. Seeing that you're planning to live here half the year- I imagine you must love it here, too. I've not been to Davao City, but I've heard it's a nice place. There's a nice new modern bus line that travels regularly, about every hour, from there all the way down here to Sogod. I want to take the bus all the way up to Davao City sometime and check it out after the pandemic is over. I haven't traveled around the Philippines much, as I love it right where I'm at. This is my home and I've set myself up really nice here. I also got a lot going on here now, 2 more employees as of last month, so my cost of living just went up a hair. By the way, I also lived in California- the O.C. and San Diego. I was living in NYC before moving here in 2018. If I were you, I wouldn't rent a long term rental anywhere ahead of your arrival. Remember here in the Philippines we have cocks crowing, kareoke bars, loud music lovers, lack of cross breezes, loud traffic, (diesel) polution, crime, etc., that can make a place undesirable. You should be able to find an affordable hotel to stay in here until you find a good rental.

[@smith041958]

I've been in the Philippines since September 2019. I came here to basically retire, after living and teaching in China for 5 years. I was living in Hinundayan, Southern Leyte. I was renting a house right on the ocean. The water was 20 feet from my back door. I had travelled to Sogod, which Gio had mentioned, on a couple of occasions. A person can easily live in the provinces for $500 or less a month. I've been in Metro Manila now since January 2021.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you for your cost of living numbers smith041958! Have a great day! Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thanks for your comment. When I first moved to the Philippines, I lived on about as much as the Filipina Pea's video says she lived on, $220 a month. That's because I was saving money. That first year I lived in Pamahawan which is a countryside community on the border of Southern Leyte and Letye. I had a beautiful, large, modern studio cottage with running water and plumbing, a luxury in that area. Paid under a $100 a month for rent and electricity. Nothing else was expensive. A year later, I moved to Osmena, nextdoor, into a basement apartment for $40 a month. Then, back to Pamahawan into a large house for $100 a month. I hired help and my cost of living went up to about $500 a month. I've just recently returned to the USA. I made a video of my exit and what I learned in the Philippines. It's on my channel if you're interested. My documentry movie, Dancing With Bamboo, is a great flick to watch for anyone wondering what living in the Philippine countryside is really like. I much prefer the countryside there than the city, but not all areas are alike. I feel I was very lucky to land in such a safe and friendly area. I made awesome friends there that I will forever consider family. Before leaving the Philippines, I stayed in the Manila area for awhile. I loved that area, too. But the neighborhood I was in caged their dogs and never walked them. That made me very sad.

[@znzmanager]

@@thefilipinojoe When I visited the Philippines, the "dog situation" was the only thing I didn't like. In Manila, I offered some street food (chicken) to a momma dog with puppies. She was so used to being mistreated, that she ran away from me, AND her puppies. My girl didn't understand why that brought tears to my eyes. I love dogs, in general, more than most people. I can explain it, but if I need to, the people I'm explaining it to, cannot understand. I am in learning mode, personally, trying to learn all I need to do, to set myself up for a successful move to the Philippines. My fiance' (from the Philippines) is looking forward to come here, but that might take another 2 years, and by that time, I might move to the "pines". Any advice you have, on FB groups, etc., where I can meet/reach out to other expats, especially from the US, who are currently living there, I want to find out about. Your help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[@YUSUKESAIHA]

You are allowed by law to purchase residential lot. Just make sure that the land in question is clean and duly registered in the Registry of Deeds, a lawyer/notary public can help you with the documentation.

[@TheCashCure]

@@YUSUKESAIHA When did the Philippines change their national law that disallowed foreigners from owning property, unless inherited from your Filipino spouse or a Filipino parent? If no law change, (I have a real estate agent there, keeping me apprised of any changes), you are wrong, you CANNOT be a foreigner and purchase a residential lot, or any other real estate. You can lease, rent or purchase buildings, and can lease the land, but other than inheritance, that is the extent of it!

[@kevinmills2404]

Thanks Dan for yet another peak into a real life of others living in PH - your videos are so in depth and great facts. You and Quiang are my hero’s!

[@VagabondAwake]

I appreciate that!

[@hillroberts1311]

@@VagabondAwake Truth is, if you are not happy in the Philippines, LEAVE

[@BillGreenAZ]

It's hard to beat the people of the Philippines for friendliness.I can't wait to go back.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Indeed. Friendly people anywhere makes a place better. I've totally adapted to the friendliness of this country, which now makes it very unappealing to me to live anywhere else less friendly. Unfortunately friendliness is something a place either is or isn't. You can't hold a town meeting and have everyone vote on it. LOL.

[@VagabondAwake]

Me too Bill.

[@antoniettesaab1755]

Their being friendly is simply just part of their culture, and never to be understood of as "looking for wealthy foreigner!"..... People there in general, are truly friendly in nature, and we never welcome "pessimists!".... We're mostly optimists!

[@BillGreenAZ]

@@antoniettesaab1755 Yes, you are correct. And it's contagious so that so many of them get to be friendly. It's one of the reasons why so many Filipinas get jobs in service industries all over the world.

[@antoniettesaab1755]

@@BillGreenAZ : You're absolutely right, sir. And their being friendly is so real, so genuine. And this is the trait that most service industries are looking for.

[@howardthrongard640]

I’m an old Ameri-kano living in Camarines Sur. One can live very well here on $1000-1500 a month. As for Camarines Sur, one has to put up with the occasional typhoon (ha ha).

[@VagabondAwake]

Exactly. There is no perfect place. So we take the good with the bad.

[@selfless_single]

Too expensive Sir, btw it's Cam Sur... There are beautiful cities way cheaper. Thanks and Godbless! 📖

[@howardthrongard640]

@@selfless_single Well, actually I could live on less if I were single. However, I also take care of my wife, and she kinda likes living here in her hometown in Camarines Sur.

[@eddiemorrisdunn8741]

You can live cheaply in the Philippines l lived in SoGod my wife and I lived very good on $1,000 a month it was the other 300 to 400 a month that it cost me to take care of her family that was over the top no matter how much I gave her family they always need more so now I am in General Santos city living very happily without my wife and her family learn the rules pertaining to the Philippines and your girlfriend's family are wife whichever it may be if you disagree discuss that problem before you get deep into a relationship it is expected to help some but some to them is give me all you have in most cases

[@thefilipinojoe]

No one can make you do anything you don't want or feel comfortable doing. I’ve seen people who are very giving be used and abused in my own country. It’s important to realize wherever you go on this planet, there are opportunists who will gladly take advantage of you if you allow them to. I'm sorry that your introduction to the Philippines was a bad one. The world is full of both good and bad people and it’s difficult to protect ourselves in a new country until we learn the difference between good and bad people there. Unfortunately, we can't always tell the difference when we’re new, so we end up in bad relationships instead of good ones. Worse, are those relationships started online, especially with Filipino/Filipinas as most are looking for someone to support them or worse, someone to extort everything from till the sucker is drained dry. I learned the best way to protect myself overseas was to trust my gut a 100%. If my gut tells me something, I don’t question it. I live by the rule that it’s always right. Now, instead of giving people the benefit of the doubt, I use my gut for figuring out people and doing so has made my life more beautiful. The people in my life now are wonderful. But just like I chose who to be in my life, based on my gut feeling, I avoid letting others into my circle, based on having a bad feeling in my gut about them. It’s that simple, it just needs to be a rule always followed.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks for sharing Eddie. Here are my thoughts on how to handle the family problem. Listen to the part when I talk about how nt to become a bank for the whole neighborhood. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZeTZIOJpqyinNk Thanks for your comment. Dan

[@AndreAndre-yd5gw]

Living on 1k a month is not cheap living. People live on that in Europe and pensioners live on much less. Many Filipinos live on 350 a month.

[@man4YAWEH454]

​@@thefilipinojoel don't think he was framing ALL Filipino's. He only referred to his family and made a suggestion to resolve any money issues before you get deeply involved in a relationship.

[@thefilipinojoe]

@@man4YAWEH454 true.

[@yerfdoftongcua8264]

Thank you so much for Choosing the Philippines to live for your retiringg Sir Enjoy your stay here... God Bless...Take Care and Stay Safe Always! Good Luck...

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thank you. By your lovely comment, I know you are Filipino. I love Filipinos 💕

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you yerfdof tongcua! You are very kind. Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan

[@wasatchm]

I have not lived in the PH. but it sounds to me based on what I have read and heard, it's mostly about location. A/C can get pricey if you want to use it a lot. I think for me, the ideal place would be higher in the mountains where u don't need A/C that much. but u are still 30 minutes or less from a bigger city with good medical care. either that, or live near the beach somewhere but have solar panels on the roof of my house so help cut back on the electric bill (as I would be using the A/C a lot).

[@thefilipinojoe]

Unless you're from a naturally cold climate like Russia, Alaska, or Canada, you should be able to adapt to the tropical climate here- at least in my area- without needing air conditioning. It took me only about a year to adapt after moving here from New York City. You will definitely need a fan (or two) though as fans provide air movement here, as it isn't typically windy here at all. I lived in the valley (city) and moved to the mountains (countryside). It is definitely cooler here, but not ever cold. I'm always wearing sleeveless t-shirts, shorts, and sandles. It's super comfortable here year-round and the fans only get used occasionally. It's actually odd how the temperature or humidity changes here throughout the day. The warmer or cooler temperatures sneak up on you and you only realize it as you start getting cooler or warmer. That's when you get up and turn the fan on or off. This goes on throughout the day as the temperatures here rise or lower.

[@wasatchm]

I am from salt lake city. climate here is fine. but no humidity. I sweat real easily. so I am not sure about living in a hot humid part of the PH unless I have AC. if I like it there, I think I will give up living on the ocean and walking on the beach daily. think I would like it better in the cooler mountain area (hopefully the beach won't be more than a few hours drive away). I hear a lot of older expats (I am 50) complain about how hot it is where they live. but I would like to be near a big city where they have good hospitals. might be kind of hard to get everything I want.

[@metalguru5226]

@@wasatchm Philippines has several smaller cities in cooler mountain areas. These include Valencia, Mindanao and Valencia Negros, also, Malaybalay, La Trinidad and Baguio. Medical care is not great in those smaller cities though.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you wasatchm! Your interactions help our channel grow! Have a great day. :-) Dan

[@mela6046]

@@thefilipinojoe NYC is scary now in parts of Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bx

[@rogerbryan3023]

You come to the Philippines to live this way,absolutely love it 🥰

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thank you ❤️

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Roger Bryan! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan

[@davetherave4599]

Wow! This guy IS me. Or practically. Friendly. Easy going.Live and let live kinda' guy. Lived in NYC for awhile. Even down to his distrust for and avoidance of conventional allopathic medicine. Only difference is, I live in one of the most expensive, stressful, AND unfriendly places on planet Earth...Israel! Coming up on retirement and hoping to change that soon. Philippines sounds like a great place to live if your that type of guy. Someone who appreciates life's simple pleasures. Great interview. Thanks!

[@VagabondAwake]

Very cool!

[@titaeds5535]

The Philippines is a good place to retire, but of course there are still some factors to consider if it's your first time to come here. Adopt to our culture and you'll be fine but be aware that there is still no place that's 100% safe. In the suburb it's much cheaper to live in, the locals respect foreigners and strangers. It's in our dna that makes the Filipinos unique

[@VagabondAwake]

Well said Tita Eds! Thanks for adding value to the community. Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

I agree Tita. I always went with my gut instinct and never made friends with anyone that I didn't feel in my gut was someone trustworthy and worth being friends with. I now have a family of friends in the Philippines that I will love forever. It was such a wonderful four years of my life. If you want to see what I learned there, check out my latest video on my channel.. Why I'm Leaving The Philippines- My Forever Home No More.

[@jovitagibson5567]

That's so amazingly cheap to live. The owner of your rental place must be so nice & kind people to have you rent cheap. Sogod is a nice place. I used to live in Hindang, Leyte. I miss the Phils. so much. Hope this coronavirus will completely go away, & we definitely will visit the Philippines again.

[@thefilipinojoe]

The price I paid for the cute studio cottage is considered very high in my area. I didn't know that until after I moved in and started making friends in the community. One friend of mine rents a private house on a large lot nearby for P500 ($10 USD) not only a better price, but a bigger house on a big private lot where they do their farming. There are deals to be had but not so easy to get as a foreigner if you don't have friends here. Also if you want to live with the visual aesthetic and luxuries of modern America, that's gonna cost you. The secret to living at a lower cost is to do your best to do what the Filipinos are doing. If you work from there, you can create substantial savings. I now have three employees but live a lot cheaper than foreigners here because I have adopted a lot of the cost saving ways of the Filipinos. I now rent a large two bedroom house on a private lot which I am slowly fixing up in exchange for rent. My friend in Manila owns it. The exchange is based on P5000 a month.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Jovita Gibson! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan Thank you Jovita Gibson! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan Thank you Jovita Gibson! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan

[@markledesma2396]

I have a house in Bacolod, I rent an unfurnished room with a bathroom and a shared kitchen for a thousand pesos for a single guy, cheap because it leaks during rainy days, a couple pays 2800 pesos for 2 rooms with a shared kitchen, bathroom and atrium with a pond, my dogs run free, it's a 400 square meter lot with trees for shade, the house must be 200 square meter.

[@AkilezNewEngland]

I like him. He is not Materialistic $200 or $500 a month is not bad. Thank you for the tip!

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thanks. I appreciate your comment. Our last movie (on my channel) and our next film will feature more about the low cost of living here in my area. People do have options and one is to save more money by living out in the countryside and reducing one's cost of living.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Akilez In Boston - New England! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan

[@danthadon87]

These shoestring budgets are very interesting and definitely for a different audience looking to simplify things, would love to see more in this particular niche. Thanks for the valuable content Dan! Hope you go to the moon with more subscribers.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks. I think it is great that choices we have in life.

[@thefilipinojoe]

The Philippines is not a place where anyone wanting to spend a lot of money should go. It's cheap, even if you want to hire help, which I did. Without employees, my cost of living would have been closer to $200 a month. Filipinos laugh at people who spend money there, for one simple reason, they don't need to. I loved learning and following the example of the Filipinos. I went there to enjoy the people and the country. Their way of life, not mine. An important thing, I think, for anyone who wants to live in a foreign country, is to adapt to the foreign way of life, get to know the locals, become part of their community. That's what I did and now I have a family of friends in the Philippines.

[@danthadon87]

@Giorge Leedy Cool, where do you live?

[@renecaintic6177]

I like this guys positive vibes and speaks clearly too! Now living in Southern Leyte , I am from Leyte too🙏 welcome to Leyte mate!

[@VagabondAwake]

I enjoyed learning about his story.

[@renecaintic6177]

@@VagabondAwake awesome, are you guys in Mexico for now🙏

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thank you. It's beautiful here.

[@kirbylogan2401]

Northern Leyte is where my wife’s family are from. Been there a few times but it seems that if there is ever a medical issue while living there you will be in a lot of trouble.

[@RameshKumar-zw1ch]

Watching Sir Raffy Tulfo is a best thing can happen to anyone before going to Philippines. He rescue stupid guys from scammers from every corner. His mission really help Filipinos reputation in the west. He sends a strong message that scammers won't be tolerated in Filipino community. Westerners have to understand, like I always say there is always bad apple everywhere so don't judge all Filipinos by few scammers. Please!! Most of the Filipinos are hard working honest people.

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello Ramesh Kumar! Thank you for taking the time to share. Our KZbin channel grows when people like, comment, or subscribe. It is like you are giving us a pay raise every time! So we really appreciate your help! Best, Dan

[@RameshKumar-zw1ch]

​@@VagabondAwake Dan , I am one of your follower for many months since Pandemic. I like your approach about people in Asian countries. I am a retired happily married College Professor and IT Manager for many years. I never like other channels talks about young woman in Asian countries like commodities. I like the way you present people and cost of living in Asian countries without touching woman as commodities. As a math professor in US, I worked with many British Professors in Asian countries , you are exactly like my English friends. Fantastic channel with good content and style, keep up the good work. I just subscribed to your channel.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Victims are not always stupid, sir. I am actually a very smart guy. It's the scammers and perpetrators of crimes who are stupid. Because when you go around intentionally hurting people, your life is plagued by bad karma. You're screwed everywhere you go. But when you treat people with love and a giving heart instead of a taking, needy heart, your blessed by good karma everywhere you go. Not every bad happenstance, such as being scammed by an internet scammer, is an unfortunate event. Some bad happenstances, I believe happen in order to create very fortunate outcomes for some people. Had I not been lied to and betrayed, I would have probably never been lured to the Philippines. And that, we know now, would have been a very unfortunate thing indeed. So many people are ready to label the events in their lives as good or bad without really considering what those events created. My question to God was not "Why me?" but "Oh, wow. I wonder why you want me here in the Philippines." Then I had to ask myself, "Are you going to be brave and stay and find out? Or are you going to run scared back to where you came from?" The secret to happiness I discovered is to never allow anyone to steal your happiness forever. If you do that, you've lost your most valuable possession.

[@dwingo8003]

You can live on most any budget..$300, 400, 500...depends on how much you like to suffer and how isolated you are willing to be....

[@timsretirementjourney8323]

Give me a city or at least a decent size town and nice accommodations as well as western style food. When I'm there permanently or at least for the colder Canadian months my wife and I would be lucky to get away with $1,500.00 - $2,000.00 a month. As you said it all depends on how much a person's willing to suffer. For me I want my Philippine experience to be at least as good as back in Canada.

[@thefilipinojoe]

I arrived here with a certain amount of money and needed to make that last until I found online work. Living on $200 a month at that time wasn't a choice. It was a necessity. Luckily, it was something that was possible. Did I suffer? Not financially. Not here. The only suffering I did was when it came to culture shock and having to learn to stop spending so much money. I don't know about you, but for me, spending money was part of my DNA. It was hard for me to stop spending so much money. One reason I moved to the countryside was to get myself away from all the places in the city where I was spending my money. On the $200 a month budget, I lived in a beautiful cottage in the country (under $100/month). Dan shows that cottage in the interview, the blue one, which is actually the most beautiful little house in my area. I was also able to afford a part-time maid cleaning my house and doing my laundry ($15/week). I had great Wi-Fi ($25/month) and plenty to eat ($20/week). I however, had to cook my own food, something I no longer have to do, and rely on public transportation, something I've gladly done for over a decade. My life was awesome even on $200/month here. Now that I have and spend more money here, my life is more wonderful. But that's probably not so much because I have more money, but because I have learned to be more frugal and spend my money more wisely. I'm super focused on spending money on the things that sustain or increase my happiness longterm, such as hiring domestic helpers to cook and clean for me. This, for me, has made my life awesome. The families around me live on about P8000 a month ($160/month) and do quite well for themselves on that small amount of money. I'm actually quite envious of their lifestyle, as I've never been able to match their level of frugality. I absolutely respect and envy their financial savviness and they as me, are certainly not suffering or isolated. We live in a big community in the countryside. I'm actually planning to make a documentary film about this subject, so the rest of the world could can learn from the Filipino frugal lifestyle. My first film, 'Snapshots of Sogod,' which is available on my KZbin channel, shows how wonderful my life is here. It's much cheaper and better than at any other time in my life. So many people in well-to-do countries believe all of their luxuries are must haves. A lot of people are seriously influenced by advertising, traditions, culture, and peer presure. I beleive a lot of people all over the world are brainwashed into being over active consumers and don't realize that they don't need many of the THINGS they've purchased in order to be happy and have a nice life. The bottom line is.... These frugal Filipino people I've come to know and love are some of the happiest and healthiest people I know in the entire world.

[@timsretirementjourney8323]

@@thefilipinojoe I admire the way that you can do that, because I've been to the Philippines several times over the past 10 year and I can't eat like the locals. I can stomach rice a few times but get sick of it real fast. In all honesty the Filipino diet isn't a healthy one. For the most part it's very high in salt and fat and white rice might fill the stomach but it's not exactly healthy either. Sure we go to some Filipino restaurants at times, ... even here in Vancouver (being married to a Filipina) we order or dine in at Max's of Manila, ... but quite honestly I'd prefer a roast beef dinner any day of the week. For the occasional person such as yourself living cheap over there may be quite possible, but for the big majority of expats we're used to a certain lifestyle and can still live better than back home on a little less money. I've seen some of the cheaper places in the Philippines with no flush toilets or maybe no tank on the toilet, ..... shower with a bucket and dipper while getting water all over the CR floor, ... or maybe just at a hand pump outside. Also no air con, or screens in the windows. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, just that for the big majority of people going over and hoping to live cheap they may be in for a big let down if they expect anything like back home. If I had to live like that I could, but it's not something I'd choose to do if I had more comfortable options. :)

[@VagabondAwake]

Isolated? Gio has people all around him. Did you see the video?

[@VagabondAwake]

The average meat diet in America is a heart attack waiting to happen. Rice with vegetables and fruit is much healthier. Hundreds of studies have confirmed this.

[@ayankinthephilippines1416]

i feel that when making a video about how cheaply you can live anywhere for that matter healthcare should always be included when talking about how cheaply you can live anywhere in the world!

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

@Ralph Furley or food

[@ayankinthephilippines1416]

@Ralph Furley i looked for health care and for me to get full coverage it would cost me around 400 plus per month and i am 59. currently lol .when i turn 60 it goes up.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you for your constructive criticism Anthony B. That is how we get better. And thanks for watching our videos and commenting. Commenting, liking, or subscribing causes KZbin to pay us more. So thank you for giving us a raise. Best, Dan

[@gowiththeflow777]

@@ayankinthephilippines1416 is that for health coverage in the Philippines? If so, do you need to be a citizen of the Philippines to obtain health insurance there? Or do you have a tourist visa?

[@garrylafferty100]

@Eamonn Hogan Medicare pretty good USA at 65 a reason some dont move Philippines

[@elizabethmetteer2772]

I can live on $600/ month but my husband preferred to live in $2600/ month American life in a one bedroom apartment.

[@VagabondAwake]

I have it in my video Q to make a video about how to convince your partner to live this life. Stay tuned. :-)

[@thefilipinojoe]

Elizabeth, for what you two are paying there monthly, you could live here in my neighborhood for an entire year. Here where I live, the average family lives very happily and healthily on about $160 a month. Warren Buffet's lifestyle is a lot more appealing to me than the Kardashian's. One of the richest men in the world, Warren Buffet would much rather impress people with his financial portfolio and success than impress them with his choice of restaurants, automobile, house, office, etc. Some people laugh at frugal people for spending so little money, thinking they must be poor or cheap, but the laugh is on them for spending so much needlessly and saving so little.

[@jenniferdavis2110]

@ Elizabeth Metteer ...that's so inexpensive..I had been living in Manhattan for years and my rent was $2200 on a 1 bedroom apartment so at least less than $5000. for food, dogs food, vets bill, dogs grooming, electric , misc, subway fares, cable, etc...a kababayan from.NY 🇺🇸

[@MikeSmith-frog]

Dan, according to the internet regarding Starlink, the monthly fee is $99.00 per month. However, you must Put upfront another $499.00 to order the Starlink kit.

[@metalguru5226]

That's really expensive. Typical of internet in the Phil. Thanks for the info.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Good to know. Interesting that the Starlink website took my deposit without informing me of any additional costs (for the satelite dish, etc.) Makes sense though that one would need a dish. I guess I don't mind the additional cost, as I do want to experience the best internet possible, so I'll have to save up for that. The service starts next year, unless they make me a beta customer.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks for sharing Mike.

[@hillbillyintheasia6122]

@@VagabondAwake get 1,500 usd in ssdi easy get starlink.

[@nindyaniiamjoy6718]

Starlink? but we don't have that kind of internet company here yet in The Philippines. My family are paying the internet for $20/month..

[@keith9454]

Dan, Gio hesitated on the question about health Insurance. If Gio needed emergency care such as a heart attack, appendicitis, how will he be able to travel to the U.S.?

[@keith9454]

Gio, you did not mention your age? I never need a Doctor or surgery until after the age of 57. Gio, you still did not mention the cost of health Insurance or the cost of and overnight stay at the Hospital. Here in the U.S. it is $20,000.00 a night and I do know. Gio, what health Ins do you have here n the U.S.?

[@skeptical_sorcerer]

Living in a remote village in Southern Leyte, if he had a medical emergency he would die for sure.....would never make it to a hospital and without PhilHealth or Blue Shield, they wouldn't treate him anyway.

[@truthhurtsalways4u]

@@keith9454 i was charged 14k for a 3 hr stay in the ER here in the USA and no surgery was done ,just dx tests. i was able to have it reduced by contacting Consumer Advocate ,but still in the thousands .

[@keith9454]

@@truthhurtsalways4u Thanks for the Info about Consumer Advocate.

[@VagabondAwake]

He said he doesn't have insurance in the video.

[@TakashiNippon]

Wow the way his living is so impressive, the most simple foreigner u can find in the Philippines :)

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thanks. I do see a lot of people spending more money around me, but I don't really think I'm all that simple. And my neighbors who live well on only about $160 a month think I'm a big rich dude. Check out my movie 'Snapshots of Sogod' (on my channel) to see more about my lifestyle. I could live a lot cheaper and hopefully there are some Westerners here doing so. I'm spending a lot of money by Philippine standards.

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello Takashi! Thank you for taking the time to share. Most Americans report spending two to three times as much as Gio. So it is refreshing to hear life in the Philippines is available for much less if you live like Gio says, "I learned how to live from the locals." Our KZbin channel grows when people like, comment, or subscribe. It is like you are giving us a pay raise every time! So we really appreciate your help! Best, Dan

[@nanbolz2238]

@@thefilipinojoe Smart! Very smart!

[@JohnSmith-bz9be]

Fascinating interview. Thank you for posting :)

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamescupp3]

Loved this segment...informative and I have a better feeling about Philippines as a possible retirement location...thanks!

[@thefilipinojoe]

I first came here in 1983, shortly after bootcamp, to meet up with my ship, the USS Ranger. I got to spend about three months here then. When I saw the older men living here amongst the natives, I was enamored and thought 'Wow, that could be me someday." It was just a passing thought.. but here I am.

[@truthhurtsalways4u]

Im a Filipino,living here in Texas,next to the border of Mexico .im palnning to retire in 2-3 yrs, from now .Was thinking of retiring in the Philippines ,but Im having second thought .I may retire in Mexico ,instead ,close to the USA . My siblings are in the Philippines and I have a condo there uninhabited . I love Mexico and Latino men ,since Im gay . I have been travelling to different parts of Mexico in search of my future retirement place .Just got back home from Merida yesterday . If I decide to live in the Philippines ,it needs to be close to the ocean, not frequented by typhoon and far away from my relatives.

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@b.baggins8893]

It's true, even now i only spend 200$ monthly. My GF also pays the same, that will do for all our expenses. However we are saving big time to be prepared for unexpected spending. A friend was 2 weeks in intensive care to be charged about 20.000 US $. So pls don't come here and think 500 $ will do.

[@VagabondAwake]

Wow. That is cheap. Do you know how much intensive care for 2 weeks in the USA would be? It could easily reach $100k, 5 times as much!

[@b.baggins8893]

@@VagabondAwake sure, for me as a german i would be totally covered by health insurance. My comment is just to give false impressions to those guys, who think, with 500 US$ you are all set. Over the years i heard sad stories from guys, who ended up here without money. That's not a pretty sight.

[@thefilipinojoe]

A lot of people think everyone's cost of living is a reflection of their wealth or income because they themselves are living paycheck to paycheck spending all of their income to survive and pay their bills. That was my reality in NYC. But it's not my reality here. I chose to move here and live at a much cheaper cost of living in order to save money and build wealth. Moving here was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.

[@sabrinawanderer7560]

Yes, avoid dating people here on online dating apps. It is better to come here and get to know people face-to-face..

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Sabrina Wanderer! Thanks for watching and commenting. I met Qiang on Tinder. :-) Dan Do you have my free eBook yet? That is here: vagabondbuddha.com/fire-your-boss-travel-world/

[@edgregory1]

$500 is a nurse's salary in the PI and they'll raise a family and hire a maid.

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello Gregory Kosins! Thank you for taking the time to share. You are so right. It cracks me up when people say it is impossible to live on $500 per month when millions of people are doing it in the Philippines every day. They are called Filipinos. Our KZbin channel grows when people like, comment, or subscribe. It is like you are giving us a pay raise every time! So we really appreciate your help! Best, Dan

[@mikejones5364]

Nurse make about half that, at least in the province, it around $8 per day. Sales lady in mall make more

[@thefilipinojoe]

Indeed. $500 spent intelligently adds up to a very very nice life where I'm at.

[@mikejones5364]

@@thefilipinojoe No way could I make it on 500 per month in the Philippines, that would be like living poor over there.

[@aidaninspire8381]

@@mikejones5364 .... your a very special person thats why

[@vhoy7899]

I love this video. It gives hope that those who can live way beneath their means can survive. 100$ for rent...super awesome!! I wish this man all the best...

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thanks. I appreciate your comment. Our last movie (on my channel) and our next film will feature more about the low cost of living here in my area. People do have options and one is to save more money by reducing one's cost of living.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you v hoy! Thanks for watching and commenting. Attitude is everything in life. You are golden. :-) Dan

[@vhoy7899]

@@VagabondAwake thanks Dan... you deliver great content and you are making a difference...keep traveling

[@vhoy7899]

@@thefilipinojoe I saw the movie and liked it... thank you for the content

[@bennieboi27]

Question: Can I already reserve a Starlink in the Philippines? Answer: While there are no exact dates yet for when Starlink will come to the country, you can already pre-order and reserve your Starlink so you can be one of the first ones to test the service when it finally arrives. You can reserve your spot by placing a fully refundable deposit of $99 (around Php5,000) via the Starlink website. Once the service becomes available in the Philippines (targeted in 2022), you will then be able to order for your Starlink. The Starlink kit (the satellite dish, WiFi router, among others) is available for $499 (around Php25,350), plus taxes and shipping fee. The monthly service then costs $99. Although the future of Starlink rollout here in the Philippines is still uncertain, we are anticipating that when it launches, millions of people, even in the most far-flung areas, will benefit from the satellite internet service.

[@VagabondAwake]

Well said bennieboi27! Thanks for adding value to the community. Dan Have you seen our KZbin country playlists yet? kzbin.infoplaylists

[@Retired-jr3qs]

I don't think I can live that cheaply. Hats off to him.

[@wmmseo]

Expenses are a very personal thing. I used to spend more on vitamins per month than this guy lives on. I tend to spend on quality food now and sometimes that costs some money.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thanks. But, there is such a huge difference between western prices and here that it is very difficult to fathom. I knew it was cheaper here, but I didn't really know how cheaply I could actually live here until I actually moved here and did it. I hadn't ever heard of anyone living this cheaply and if I had, I would have been highly skeptical. Granted if you live a caviar lifestyle, that's gonna cost you some dough no matter where you go, but for a frugal penny pincher like myself, this is paradise. I am living better here and cheaper here than anywhere I've lived in my life.

[@thefilipinojoe]

@@wmmseo you're right, all personal expenses are individual and no one spends their money like another person. One lady I knew in the US spent all of her money (and everyone else's money that would loan her any) at the casino. That was her choice. Small families in my neighborhood here in the Philippines live comfortably on about P8000 ($160) a month. Their diet is very healthy, better than mine ever was.

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello Retired 2019! Thank you for taking the time to share. I could do it I bet, but I love traveling too much so my budget is higher. But I admire that he was able to do what he needed to do to live the life he wanted to live. That is personal power in my book. Our KZbin channel grows when people like, comment, or subscribe. It is like you are giving us a pay raise every time! So we really appreciate your help! Best, Dan

[@Retired-jr3qs]

@@VagabondAwake I am lifetime member and I enjoy your reports.

[@sabrinawanderer7560]

It's better to have a Filipino trusted friend when coming here so that when you go buy foods or things in the market, you let your Filipino friend do the purchasing instead of you so they can buy with the original price or if they are patient enough, they can look for cheaper prices around the market where they are familiar. Because if you are a foreigner and you buy directly, there's a tendency you will be charged double. Though many are honest here, expect that some are dishonest here too. So be wise and be smart to have trusted Filipino friends who can help you live well here.. Thank you for loving my country. God bless..

[@VagabondAwake]

Great advice Sabrina. :-)

[@laurencegoldman4639]

I live for $600/mo in India: clean finished 1 bedroom flat with balcony above trees, unlimited fiber optic internet, AC, scooter rental, organic local food 3 minutes away, 3KM from beach, good air quality, Western quality 3rd wave specialty coffee 5 minutes away, 300 Rs medical visit (4 bucks). Restaurant meals 1-4 USD, loaf fresh bread 50 cents. Half locals, half Western expats, boutique Western businesses, local crafts, maid service $4.50. Small French colonial city 15 minutes away. Spiritual everything if that's your thing.

[@VagabondAwake]

Hi Laurence Goldman, Would you like to be a guest start on one of my videos? Here is an example guest star video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4SwkGWgdqhnrJY Your interview could be just your voice or we could do a zoom call showing your face. If you would like to be a guest star and share your story please leave a personal message here: vagabondbuddha.com/contact/ Thank you for your comment. The detail of your comment makes this real for people. If you have a business, service, or KZbin channel, you could share that on the interview. Best, Dan

[@concerncitizen8988]

Gio is a wonderful man. 👍 I wish him all the best in his endeavor as a film maker. However this has been another good interview by the vagabond, thanks for sharing. 👍 Keep it up.

[@pauljones3557]

visa extensions ? Medical insurance ? Southern Leyte Sogod city. Nearest immigration office tacloban. Rent 100 usd = 5000 pesos. Power 16 usd =800 pesos. Food 80 usd =4000 pesos.

[@thefilipinojoe]

FYI... some of Dan's questions were related to my expenses and budget at the time he was interviewing me, not my previous expenses and budget back when I arrived here in 2018. Back then, I had to be careful with my spending and lived on about $200 a month so I wouldn't run out of savings before getting work online. I know that can be confusing. If you watch the interview again, it might make more sense to you. If you wanna know more about how I live now, check out my movie on my channel- Snapshots of Sogod. Thanks.

[@VagabondAwake]

Here is the video he is talking about Paul: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZfNfahso6t9e7c

[@michaelmitchell5125]

Thank you so much for the fantastic amount of great information. I was looking for a place to retire and your video gave me so much information I think I'm going to check Dumaguete and not bother with Mexico. Have to sell my rental property and I'm on my way, GREAT JOB

[@VagabondAwake]

Hi Michael, You are so welcome! I decided to keep my property in the USA and live off the income and just rent when I am outside my home country. More details on that here: vagabondbuddha.com/why-retired-expats-should-not-buy-real-estate-overseas/ Thanks for being part of the community, Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

Good luck in Dumaguete. Living overseas has it's unique pluses and minuses. Make sure you do thorough research on everything such as retirement options, fees, benefits, restrictions, tax filing requirements of your home country, etc. It's not as simple as I thought, and after four years living in the Philippines, I figured I could fare better in the USA, even with the prices so high on everything. Good luck!

[@shermanhenry5733]

Very interesting video. Thanks, Dan

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RippleAffect]

I've been to the Philippines many times and I can't imagine living there on $500 a month even in the province it would be a very rough life 😕😕😕😕😕😕

[@VagabondAwake]

Yes, probably less than 10% of the expats live on so little money. But if it is all you have, it might be better than being homeless in an even more expensive country depending upon the social services and health care available where you currently live?

[@ariefraiser140]

Depending on his work history in the US his social security checks will have him living very well relative to his current budget.

[@thefilipinojoe]

I actually hope to never stop working, filmmaking, and saving money by living so affordably.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Arie Fraiser! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan Thank you Arie Fraiser! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan

[@orangeguy3314]

No, you can't live on that amount unless you want to live without a health care policy. Most countries now in southeast asia are passing new immigration law. Which in turn are kicking out foreigners that are a stress on their economy.

[@orangeguy3314]

@@thefilipinojoe no way am I upset or you upset. Most of those living in southeast asia are living without a health care policy or very little of a policy. I've been going to these southeast countries for over 25 years. So, it's pretty standard for me to hear from them how little coverage they get if any. Most of the advance countries of the world. Give their citizens a health care plan and when they reach retirement age. They have a retirement fund and health care for them. Can you list which countries in southeast asia have a retirement fund and a health care plan for their citizens once they hit retirement age?. I do know that japan and taiwan have these plans in place for their citizens, but I classify them as advance countries of the world.

[@thefilipinojoe]

I have really good healthcare, as well as savings, and employ three Filipinos. This economy has always benefited from my presence here, now more than ever, and will benefit even more and more as I continue increasing my wealth by saving money instead of spending it foolishly. I have never been a strain on this or any other economy. I am a man who served his country twice, worked hard to achieve the American Dream, but gave up on achieving it when the man looking back at me in the mirror looked old and tired. As far as me being a strain on this economy, that would actually be impossible. As far as I know, they do not have welfare or anything like that here, especially for foreigners. If you run out of money here and no one helps you out, you will probably be homeless and living on the streets. I don't know. I've never seen that or been in that situation. I have friends and family with deep pockets. When you have the right people in your life, you can take bigger risks. You should not judge others based on your own circumstances. Mine, I assure you, are completely different than yours. And no, I'm not going to share more personal information, so don't ask. Sorry, you are so upset by the interview, but possibly you misunderstood something I said. I cannot give out all of my personal information. That would be dangerous and foolish for me to do. I arrived here in 2018. It is now 2021 and my life is very very different. Much much improved. If you need more details, use your imagination. My only motive to share what it cost me to live here was to share the truth, because so many foreigners inflate the numbers on KZbin saying what they're spending (living in major cities) instead of what Filipinos are spending in the countryside. If I wanted to know the cost of living in America, I would ask Americans, not rich Arabs living in Los Angeles and New York City penthouses. In our first debut film, Snapshots of Sogod- Falling in Love with the Philippines- we show a lot of the costs here as well as a little about my life. Our next film will dive deeper into the true costs of living here- not asking foreigners for their costs (as they're almost always super inflated,) but asking the Filipinos who truly got living here inexpensively down to a science. These are the people we can all learn from, and implement their strategies no matter where we live, but not if we are disrespectful towards them and their way of life or aren't just a little curious and open minded.

[@orangeguy3314]

@@thefilipinojoe I was hoping you would give me the countries in southeast asia that have retirement and health care plans for their citizens. When they hit retirement age. Is that a too personal question for you?. By the way I am a american living and retired in america. I live in city in america that called the entrainment capital of the world. American is a vast country and not 2 major cities that you pick out. A large number of Filipinos living in america live in a city called National City, but you knew that right.

[@VagabondAwake]

I am excited about your next movie Giorge. Sounds like a very interesting topic.

[@auroraalmeida3184]

I like your videos, they’re very informative and seeing the beautiful places in the Phill.

[@mikemikie8312]

Hi Dan and Gio , Thank you so much Gio for sharing your story just goes to show if you want to live inexspensively live outside or a fair distance from major cities plus live like the native you can eat very well without all the fancy trimmings , so many foreigners waste a lot of money from spending on higher prices in cities and tend to eat more junk food which can cost more . plenty of veg/fruit and meats much cheaper in the province . Cities are the same all over this world ,they cost more . thanks again Dan in bringing Gio to your channel allowing folk to hear his story .

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thanks Mike Mikie for your comments. You are right. So many foreigners never become culturally adapted to the Philippines and try to live here like they are still in their own countries. I didn't do that. I see no reason to move to another country if you want to live like you live in your own country. If you want to do that, you should stay in your home country, not move. I have always been an adventurous and curious guy who loves learning and I have learned how well the Filipino people live life. And love life. And I am happy to have that knowledge now. It is serving me very well.

[@mikemikie8312]

@@thefilipinojoe your welcome , best wishes always .

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello Mike Mikie, thank you for your encouragement. It really does make a difference for us when we know people appreciate what we are doing. Thank you, Dan

[@mikemikie8312]

@@VagabondAwake Dan you have a very good channel and I thank you .

[@simeonparafina536]

@@thefilipinojoe as the saying goes” when you are in Rome, do what the Romans do”.

[@armunro]

Great interesting video. Good that you mix some of your video to keep it visually interesting. Glad to see foreigners going a bit native and deriving benefits from that. I have similar experiences in Thailand with my wife and her family where I have been adopted by the extended family and community in a rural setting.

[@VagabondAwake]

Great story Alastair Munro. Thank you for sharing it with us. I think that is the key to really having meaningful travel and life experiences. Your interaction with our channel helps us get subscribers and views, so we really appreciate it. Best, Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

I have been blessed immensely by moving here. So much so, I hope to live here the rest of my life.

[@bettybloch3025]

PNB - Philippine National Bank / Western Union / ...on Manila / Philippines, to make transactions, and have transfer of US dollars.

[@VagabondAwake]

Here is how I handle money when I am outside the USA in any other country: vagabondbuddha.com/top-banking-mistakes-i-learned-living-internationally/ Thanks for commenting Betty! Dan

[@bigacellc8802]

Great video Dan. I'm almost ready to make my move across seas so I will be calling on you for your experience & expertise to help guide me & my fiancé on our journey's. I'm be purchasing your programs in a few months.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks for watching and commenting Big Ace.

[@MultiOpaco]

I like also this lifestyle. Simple, but i like more comfotable. I have a caregiver ( not married) only the problem are their children. Always looking for money, while they have work. I only help here w brothers, whyle they may n ot work. Covid19. Stay strong and thanks. Wilhelm, Dutchman.

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello wilhelm kolk! Thank you for taking the time to share. Our KZbin channel grows when people like, comment, or subscribe. It is like you are giving us a pay raise every time! So we really appreciate your help! Best, Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

My life here is very nice, always improving. I have a nice home, three employees now, and well, you can see it in the documentary on my channel. These cost of living videos on KZbin only show you what is possible. No two people anywhere in the world have the same cost of living. We all spend, save, and give away our money differently. So, we can pretty much guess our costs somewhere new based on our current spending habits and what things cost wherever we want to live.

[@musicman6759]

Wonderful to live so simply and peacefully. Good content video.

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@thefilipinojoe]

Happiness is my number one goal in life and here I have that in plenty.

[@lynabell9464]

When I wrote my first comment earlier, I actually did not finished watching the vlog. But then come back and completed watching it again realized my question was partially answered about health care. It’s something that may probably deter me from retiring in the Philippines. Unless I find an affordable health insurance. Thanks again for some helpful info.

[@VagabondAwake]

Great question Lyn Abell, I have one report where I explain what I do about health care and another where I show you how I search for health insurance. What I do about health care: vagabondbuddha.com/two-biggest-risks-of-retiring-early-overseas/ Report where I search for health insurance: vagabondbuddha.com/best-health-insurance-for-ex-pats-in-philippines/ By the way, once you search for health care you will start seeing more offers for health insurance and travelers insurance when you are online. Health insurance is one of the most dynamic or changing industries in the travel world because so many people around the world are deciding to live or retire outside their home country. So do a search every year before you renew to make sure you have the best available for your personal circumstances because new ones come out every few months. Thanks for asking so I could answer this for many people! Dan

[@nihalattanayake2515]

Beautiful story, my best wishes. I have been living in the Philippines since 1988.

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you enjoyed it Hi Nihal Attanayake, Would you like to be a guest start on one of my videos? Here is an example guest star video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4SwkGWgdqhnrJY Your interview could be just your voice or we could do a zoom call showing your face. If you would like to be a guest star and share your story please leave a personal message here: vagabondbuddha.com/contact/ Thank you for your comment. The detail of your comment makes this real for people. If you have a business, service, or KZbin channel, you could share that on the interview. Best, Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

I'm glad you are loving it there. My first time in the Philippines was in 1983. I was there for about 3 months. I saw Americanos living there and thought someday I might retire there. Well, I didn't retire there, but I did love the 4 years I lived there. I just returned to the USA 2/22/2022. It's very expensive here. In just four years, it seems prices have doubled. Oh well. Life goes on. Ha Ha.

[@sirvicemanone]

Amazing discussion thank you guys !

[@meditationmusicmix3931]

Most Westerners will not be happy and comfortable on such a low budget in the Philippines. A more realistic budget for an average Expat is $1500/mo.

[@theuergGermain]

Exactly. Who wants to live like that and one hospital trip and you are in trouble since you can't live on $500 and pay health insurance. They demand cash in advance if you are not insured and sometimes even when you are insured.

[@thefilipinojoe]

We all definitely have different needs and I agree that not everyone will be happy with my lifestyle. If you watch my movie, 'Snapshots of Sogod,' on my channel, it will show you more about how I live now. It's not bad. It's actually the best I've ever lived. Loving life.

[@edgregory1]

Rooster and boonie dog serenade comes with that 500 dollar budget.

[@VagabondAwake]

Yes, the average expat reports between $1000 and $2000 per month, but most do not live in the provinces like Gio does. And most spend at least 25% of their budget in bars which Gio doesn't And most hang out with other expats and Gio hangs out and learns from locals.

[@meditationmusicmix3931]

@@VagabondAwake It would be more helpful to point out these differences in your videos, otherwise too many expats get a false sense of reality and expectations.

[@jeromefelizardo61478]

$500 is already a big amount of money in peso it is 25k pesos. You can have a business already in 25k pesos like a small karinderia, sarisari store or a barbershop and many more business. Me when I go back home in Philippines I earned working abroad in middle east is just only $3k, it is already a big amount of money in Philippines, so what I did is I invest $1000 in building a small business of computershop in my home, so I have remaining $2000 and I invest it to other business to make it grow more. Me I just earned only $3k working abroad, what else if you have a big amount of dollars if you've stayed in Philippines and do a much greater business... That's why chinese and Japanese love to do business in Philippines because their money they earned in there country, if they go to Philippines they investing in business.. thats why their are so many chinese getting rich in my country.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you for your numbers Jerome Felizardo! Have a great day! Dan

[@jpfitzgerald4840]

Great video bro thanks for sharing

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks for watching

[@robertdowney9482]

Wow this should inspire lots of Pilipino who are afraid to go back in the Philippines because of their poor life before coming to the U.S.

[@yuanshuan7099]

Very impressive. 100 dollars per month for the rent. I live now in Guadalajara downtown. For a room with a private bathroom costs me 3,500 pesos per month. It is about 200 US dollars per month. I think I will spend 400 dollars per month eating out. Tuition for the Spanish school is 540 dollars for four weeks.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Yuan Shuan! Thanks for sharing your numbers with people. That helps other travelers. Plus, Your interactions help our channel grow! Have a great day. :-) Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

That's a lot of money. I've lived here long enough and immersed myself enough into the culture that I naturally spend a lot less and require a lot less money than I did living in the USA. That alone makes ever moving back to the USA seem ridiculously expensive to me now.

[@yuanshuan7099]

The monthly tuition is 670 dollars before the discount. I have 130 dollars discount per month because of the pandemic. Not many foreigners are studying Spanish now here in Guadalajara. I eat out only because I don’t have a kitchen in my condo, food is about four dollars per meal, I drink a lot. One beer is about 1.3 dollars at the bar. It is about 20% of the price in Hawaii. Very reasonable. You can find 50 cents beer in Cambodia, not here in Mexico.

[@microtrader540]

@@yuanshuan7099 How’s your Spanish coming along?Seems expensive. How much instruction are you getting? Thanks!

[@yuanshuan7099]

My Spanish is not improving much. Maybe I am not working hard enough.

[@scottpitzer4156]

I have a friend that lives in Marong Rizal area outside of Manila. I plan on going there, I hope in the next 2 year’s. Sooner actually. His birthday is in August and he will turn 30. I would actually love to celebrate his birthday with him and his family.

[@VagabondAwake]

Great story Scott Pitzer. Thank you for sharing it with us. Your interaction with our channel helps us get subscribers and views, so we really appreciate it. Best, Dan

[@asianinvestor15]

Starlink is the future for a great internet connection. When I am still in the Philippines I live for 100-200 usd a month. For sure when I get old Philippines is my place to retire just need to settle my stock dividends investments so when I get retire there I will live my life comfortable.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Indeed, you can live here comfortably on very little money. Keep your money well invested and paying you money as you need it. It doesn't take much money to live here. I live as much like the regular people here as I can, because I know to do otherwise would not be good. I love my life here.

[@VagabondAwake]

Great story MoneyLady. Thank you for sharing it with us. Your interaction with our channel helps us get subscribers and views, so we really appreciate it. Best, Dan

[@OMGWUNSIU]

one of your best videos. Nice to hear from other people living here

[@VagabondAwake]

Yes, Gio is Mr. enthisiasm.

[@ronniefradejas2340]

You should not forget that Filipinos are very generous, helpful, and very hospitable, you too must do the same..

[@VagabondAwake]

Hey Ronnie Fradejas, thanks for sharing this idea. Thanks for commenting too. When people comment, our videos are suggested to more people. So thank you so much! Best, Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

True to an extent, in that not all Filipinos are created equal. One should use their smarts and their gut instinct and avoid anyone they don't completely trust. Living overseas has lots of dangers one needs to avoid. I made a video 6 days ago about what I learned living there and why I just returned to the United States.

[@eu7435]

I know this is in response to a video made two years, but the advice still holds. Think long and hard about living that far from solid medical care, especially as you get into older years. Leyte is not a main island and even the provincial capital has rudimentary care. Yes, you can take a ferry to Cebu, but its not a place to have a heart attack or stroke. Leyte is at the center of cyclone/hurricane/typhoon yearly track. There is a reason it is one of the poorest places in the Philippines.

[@tonyjtaps18]

This might help, don't act like a tourist, act like you've been here in the Philippines for quite a long time, and that you know the culture, the people and that you cannot be tricked. With that attitude, they'll think your not new and you are player. But be friendly all the time.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you for the wise thought Tony Tapalla. This channel is all about new ways of looking at things. Plus, comments, subscriptions, and likes, cause KZbin to grow our channel which also grows our income. So, thank you, :-) Dan Do you have my free eBook yet? vagabondbuddha.com/fire-your-boss-travel-world/

[@AdventuresofaFilipina20]

If you live in province don't pay power, water,harvesting your own food $500 is enough.

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello Adventures of a Filipina! Thank you for taking the time to share your numbers. Our KZbin channel grows when people like, comment, or subscribe. It is like you are giving us a pay raise every time! So we really appreciate your help! Best, Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

Families around me live comfortably on about P8000 $160 a month. I'm laughing about how some people think I'm suffering. It just shows the huge difference between the cost of living here and elsewhere.

[@Saguaro215]

Hi to both of you there. I'm a filipino american from arizona and i'll be 60 this coming feb. I'm moving back home for my early retirement, I can't really wait to move back. Back here in the U.S everything is pretty much over and over and over again. Everything now here pretty much going up. Well' You guys enjoy and hopefully, be back there soon. Thanks for this video and you guy's are awesome.

[@VagabondAwake]

Well said Henry Soriano /BISIKLETA ARIZONA U.S.A! Many conversations in the USA are just complaints now. Rich or poor doesn't seem to matter anymore. Some people are just a long string of complaints. It is not joyful energy to be around. The glasses are all half or completely empty. They all have justifications, right and left, for why they are right and their life sucks now. They can't see how the finger needs to be pointing at themselves. No matter how the world is governed, we never have control; over other people. We can only spend our energy making our own life better and helping others along the way. By complaining about others, they take the focus off the only person that can make their life better. Thanks for adding value to the community. Dan

[@charlesscinta7377]

Good for him but couldn’t live this cheap. I need to live closer to a city. I live on my SS but need more modern.

[@thefilipinojoe]

We all definitely have different needs and I don't think everyone will be happy with my lifestyle. My movie, 'Snapshots of Sogod,' on my channel, shows more about how I live. It's not so bad. It's actually the best I've ever lived.

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello Charles Scinta! Good for you. Knowing what you want. Thank you for taking the time to share. Our KZbin channel grows when people like, comment, or subscribe. It is like you are giving us a pay raise every time! So we really appreciate your help! Best, Dan

[@frankmazzie4855]

Its amazing way to live ,you have found what works for you in your life,spiritual connection is a beautiful thing,once you understand it..personel journey...ONWARD ON THE JOURNEY!👍

[@tmangeles7575]

Standard technique for living economically: copy those who have to/are good/successful at living economically.

[@fazbell]

If that's all it takes to make you happy, then well done. I would need four times that amount to have a life worth living.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Indeed, everyone has different needs. One of my friends needed over $2000 a month to live successfully in Seattle, Washington. When she didn't have enough money to pay her rent, she borrowed it from me, her sister, etc. Soon, we discovered that my friend was spending all of her money, including her rent, at the casinos. So, in reality, my friend needed very little money to live on, but lots of money to play at the casinos. I have come to understand that much of our spending in Western society is like that- we spend a lot of our money foolishly on things we don't really need and could surely make better choices if we wanted to live on less. I have learned from the Filipino people how to live on less by making better choices. While I live on more money now than I did when I first arrived here, I now spend my money more wisely, such as on the bills, true necesities, and on THINGS that truly enrich my life and don't just hang around and collect dust... or worse- things that are here today and gone tomorrow. If interested in knowing more, my documentary movie, 'Snapshots of Sogod,' which is on my channel, will show you more about my lifestyle and beautiful life here in the Philippines. Certainly not suffering or doing without.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks Paul and Gio, well done. :-) I got a reply once from a guy that said that he couldn't live on $2000 month in the Philippines. He said he spends 4 times that amount. Luckily there is a world for everyone including the millions of Filipinos that raise families on less than $500 month. Best, Dan

[@aidaninspire8381]

yeah fred ......hope you work hard for your money....sweat it up old boy

[@fazbell]

@@aidaninspire8381 What a sad attitude. It guarantees failure and misery.

[@fazbell]

2000 dollars a month MINIMUM for the P.I. (2500 is better) Anything less is existing, not living.

[@captaindrew3061]

Thanks for a very good interview

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joylight9167]

YES IT SHOULD BE ABOUT PEACE, LOVE AND RESPECTING EACH OTHER

[@amenze1038]

Watching here The City of Love Iloilo City.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Hello from Pamahawan 🙌

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Araceli Fernandez! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan

[@yuanshuan7099]

I have moved to antigua Guatemala. My rent is 100 dollars per week, and the Spanish school is 70 dollars per week, food is about 100 dollars per month.

[@VagabondAwake]

Wow. Can I interview you Yuan? People need to understand how simple life can be. vagabondbuddha.com/contact/

[@nelsonbanez6172]

Thats my Town Bohol watching from Dammam Saudi Arabia keep safe and God bless.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Hello from Pamahawan 🙌 Stay safe and healthy.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks for watching

[@sabrinawanderer7560]

You can live well here in Philippines if you can adapt to living in non-aircon apartments.. It's better to live in a small house but cozy and save money than to live in an overpriced condo and you can't even have nature around it for you to rewind...being practical is advisable..

[@VagabondAwake]

Yes, we lived in a little cottage that had lots of plants around us. Very nice.

[@waynewilliams7127]

A very smart man. I can't wait for the borders to open.

[@VagabondAwake]

I couldn't agree more Wayne Williams. Thanks for commenting. KZbin grows our channel faster when people comment! So we really appreciate it! Best, Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

thank you

[@MrJrweir]

This guy I envy, lovely lifestyle

[@VagabondAwake]

He has a great life for pennies on the dollar for sure.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thank you Junior. The four years I lived in the Philippines was truly amazing and I learned so much. If you want to see more about this lifestyle, check out my movie Dancing With Bamboo. As far as why I decided to move back to America, I made a video about that too. Thanks again for your comment.

[@domenojo5989]

When you want to leave in my country you have two option etheir by normal life or by extravagant .if you choose normal life you are very happy with local people around you.but if stay in the city ofcourse extra money you must have..and don't forget to be kind all the time to local and im sure they are also your true friend.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Indeed, one can live extravagantly anywhere in the world and spend a lot of their hard earned money to do so. If that's what makes them happy, then I believe that's exactly what they should do. But if saving money is what makes them happy, then they might not want to spend all of their money on things that they can get for a lot less. My hero is Warren Buffet- one of the richest men in America. He lives in a normal house, drives a normal car, works out of a normal office, and doesn't live an extravagant lifestyle even though he has billions, which makes it very easy for him to do so. He is a lot like me, I think, the type to want to surround himself with the highest quality of people possible. I live here in the countryside to live amongst the warmest, friendliest people, who welcome everyone, and have lots of love to share. The fact that it's inexpensive here is just the way it is. My cost of living is much higher then the average Filipino in my neighborhood. To them, I am overspending and I guess I am.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Dom Enojo! Your information is helpful to new visitors and your interactions help our channel grow! Have a great day. :-) Dan

[@doug7781]

Hello Dan 👋🏻 Great video! I almost skipped this one when I saw "Gio" in the title...thought it was about the "other" Gio 😂

[@thefilipinojoe]

Indeed, there is more than one of us 'Gio in the Philippines.' Ha Ha.

[@VagabondAwake]

The other Gio lives in a larger city on a budget of about $1400 USD Month. He is also a great guy.

[@kimtoftjohannsen9099]

Where in leyte are you? My wife is from an hour outside Polompon, and yes you are right, people are so friendly there ❤

[@thefilipinojoe]

Sogod. Our debut movie (on our channel) is about this city, the countryside where I live and the people who live here.

[@kimtoftjohannsen9099]

@@thefilipinojoe cantuhaon is the village, maybe you know it ✌

[@VagabondAwake]

Here is Gio's movie: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZfNfahso6t9e7c

[@kimtoftjohannsen9099]

Cheers guys, nice to see how you have really integritet into it maybe more than i ever could, my Philippine wife and I live here in Denmark, integration is going well, she works hard learning the language and with her education, we won't be living in the Philippines other than visiting 🙂

[@jesslocsin3542]

That’s far better than being a homeless back home and live on sidewalks. Over there you can have a woman who can teach you to live like the locals and having a good life on the beach with very small Pension.

[@joylight9167]

YES, I AGREE ABOUT 'NEGATIVE MENTALITY'...ITS OLD AND TIRING! PEOPLE NEED TO TUNE IN TO THE'PHILLIPINES CULTURAL! I WORKED IN THE "INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM"...AND WE FELL IN LOVE WITH EACH OTHER...IT WAS "LOVE AND KINDNESS!

[@mrdave22]

i'd like to go there, good vid

[@thefilipinojoe]

We are creating movies of the area on my channel. It's beautiful here in the countryside. The beauty and the people have spoiled me so much I don't think I will ever live anywhere else.

[@VagabondAwake]

Arriving at that awareness is as good as it gets.

[@ferdinandpio9535]

500USD/ month must be s beautiful appartment or house.

[@VagabondAwake]

Check out his documentary on his home and neighborhood to get a real view into his life and home.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Indeed, my life here is very nice. My house is under construction.

[@magnoliahampton7298]

old women here 65 in Mississippi. enjoy your videos. love the young lady, she is very pretty. make me think of when i was young. however, I thank GOD for every year i am old. was diagnosed with gastritis and must eat organic and am wanting to know is food there organic and locally grown? Got some good news for all who reads this or watch your channel. Learn investing. Invest in gasoline, gold and electric cars. Can't go it alone invite family, church, neighbors. Got info from friend who got info directly from Jesus Christ. God wants you to have this money. Key verse: 1 Peter 5:7 - KJV

[@VagabondAwake]

I don't see them in grocery stores. But I found this on a quick search: primer.com.ph/blog/2019/11/03/5-online-delivery-services-for-fresh-organic-vegetables-in-the-ph/

[@magnoliahampton7298]

Thank you.

[@oyvind5490]

This is the most valuable video in a long time 😊

[@aliceangeles9255]

As long as you are single and not picky why not.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Alice Angeles! Your interactions help our channel grow! Have a great day. :-) Dan

[@themysticsupreme5946]

Very insightful comments on here.

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gloriadavid6596]

Love your video

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello Gloria David, thank you for your personal note of encouragement. It really does make a difference for us when we know people appreciate what we are doing. Your comments also cause KZbin to show our video to more people so your note is like paying us a small tip $$ for our time. Thank you, Dan

[@coiledsteel8344]

Then there is the Additional 'Tax for Foreigners' - IF you Dont have a Good Lady to 'Translate' What Prices SHOULD BE!

[@rosheleu]

There may be a few who up charge you, like perhaps a taxi driver, but it’s very rare. Most are honest and they don’t have a different price for foreigners. Still, it’s good to be careful and wise and always ask around. Most everyone there are very willing to help in any way without anything in return.

[@thefilipinojoe]

We call that the skin tax and I do run into that sometimes with people I don't know. I actually have three employees now, so if there's ever a questionable situation, I just let them handle it. Having employees here is smart. Smarter maybe than getting into a relationship which could easily cost one a whole lot more money.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks for sharing ways around this you guys!

[@351yt]

Why are wearing a (totally ineffective) mask outside?

[@VagabondAwake]

Every country gets to make their won rules. If you follow them you won't get hassled by the police. This is not a political channel.

[@thefilipinojoe]

Masks are required here in the city, on public transportation, etc., unless you're eating or drinking. It doesn't matter what the mask is made of. I find the law is not very strict, probably because the virus has only shown up randomly around here. If it should ever start spreading rapidly, I'm sure they'd tighten the law.

[@mikejones5364]

$500 per month is not for me, I would think around 1500 per month to live normal, 2000 to live a nice lifestyle

[@VagabondAwake]

Hello Mike Jones! Thank you for taking the time to share your numbers. Your numbers are more typical for the average American moving to the Philippines that live in more expat-friendly larger cities rather than the provinces. Our KZbin channel grows when people like, comment, or subscribe. It is like you are giving us a pay raise every time! So we really appreciate your help! Best, Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

Everyone has their own specific wants and needs. Most people can't comprehend the low cost of living here. For me, it would be very wasteful to spend a lot of money here. Most families here live nicely on about $160 a month. I'm just a single guy, so they see me and the way I live as being rich.

[@Jona29]

News subscriber here watxhin in phil

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you 🇵🇭Sweety Filipina Vlogs PH 👩‍🍳! Your interactions help our channel grow! Have a great day. :-) Dan

[@thefilipinojoe]

That's awesome Yunikas. This is a great channel. Be sure to check out ours too. We film new movies here in the Philippines and upload them on our youtube channel. Be sure to watch the one we just finished and uploaded. It's title is Dancing with Bamboo. We think you're going to love it. 💕

[@GK-wx6xo]

I’m sure you could but the question is why would you want to?

[@thefilipinojoe]

Do whatever makes you happy. That's what I do.

[@VagabondAwake]

Why would you want to? Interesting question. if you can arrange your life so you retirement expenses are lower than your retirement income, you are now in charge of your time. You are free. You do it for freedom. Your number might be different, maybe $1000, $2000, $3000, or $10,000 per month. But when it happens you are free. So I have a question for you GK. If you could retire on $3000 per month at 50, or wait until you are 80 to retire on $10,000 per month, would you work the extra 30 years? Not me. I prefer the 30 years of freedom. Thanks for sharing. Dan

[@harryclarke3217]

If you have to live on $500 a month ....that is existing not living

[@thefilipinojoe]

Everyone's cost of living will be unique to them just as mine is unique to me. To know more about what a foreign country will cost you to live in, you should really vacation there and do your research. You need to know the costs based on you and your lifestyle, wants, and needs-- not based on mine or anyone else's. I did this interview with Dan because it makes me mad everytime I hear someone on KZbin claiming that the cost of living here in the Philippines is a lot higher than it actually is. They usually do that because they're basing their numbers on their own personal cost of living, not the true cost of living of the Philippine people. Would you decide what the cost of living in America is based on Middle Eastern billionaires living in New York City and Los Angeles? Of course not. You'd base it on Americans and realize their costs of living differ all over the country depending on where they live, their income, and how they spend their money. In my area here in the Philippines, happy and healthy Filipino families live on about P8000 ($160 USD) a month. How can this be? Well, the Filipinos I know are modest and seem to have very little concern for acquiring lots of flashy possessions. Their cost of living is not so much based on their income, but rather their culture, who they are as a people, and what they want and need to lead happy, healthy, and productive lives. What many Western people see as poverty here, is actually an amazingly frugal, simple, minimalistic, and interdependent lifestyle that works like clockwork; dependably and flawlessly within very loving, happy and healthy tribal communities. I'm not saying life is perfect here or like it is here everywhere else in the Philippines. I only know about the people where I live. It would be risky, dangerous, and foolish for anyone to base their decision to move anywhere overseas on anything other than firsthand knowledge. People should take their time. Research everything and realize that moving overseas is serious. If you don't check everything out first by going there for a few visits, then you only have yourself to blame if you fail. I came here first and found out everything I needed to know before I decided to move here. I didn't rely on secondhand information from anyone. I had good firsthand knowledge of what my cost of living would be before I ever moved here. The savings I moved here on was small by American standards, but not by Filipino standards. It was more than enough to allow me to eventually succeed and increase my savings. Medical costs here in the Philippines are cheap and affordable, so I know if I ever run into an emergency where I can't get back to the USA fast enough for medical care, I can get care here. That's not a problem for me at all. But as a healthy guy, medical care here is of little concern to me. If someone is really worried about their healthcare, suffering from an ongoing illness and requiring ongoing medical care, I do not advise moving overseas. To me, that would seem very foolish. Traveling the world and living overseas is best left to the healthy. Having a low cost of living is about saving money instead of spending all of it. It's not a sign of poverty in many cases, but rather the opposite. I believe if one really wants more wealth, they're best to emulate the likes of Warren Buffet, not the Kardashians. My financial situation today does not reflect what it was when I arrived here in 2018. Today, my life is the best it's ever been and it's getting better. My cost of living increased from 2018 to 2021 and has increased a little more in the past month (since hiring another employee and getting deeper into filmmaking). I moved to the Philippines to live with the Filipinos as best I could. I've never been the type to want to live in a castle and have everyone admire me and my wealth from a distance. I am a people person who is happiest living with the people. You can see this to be true in our movie, Snapshots of Sogod- Falling in Love with the Philippines.

[@VagabondAwake]

Watch Gio's video. I have known many foreigners living in the Philippines and most are very happy. He is spending less money than 95% of them but he doesn't look any less happy. In fact, he looks happier because he is in touch with the salt of the earth. Checkl out his video and you'll see what I mean.

[@rlukinn]

Thanks. Very useful video.

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad it was helpful!

[@clydebumanglag8679]

As an expat there with your banking in the US utilizing the International access is it a problem? Then paying taxes on your income or retirement from Philippines?

[@VagabondAwake]

Here is my report on banking Clyde: vagabondbuddha.com/top-banking-mistakes-i-learned-living-internationally/

[@thefilipinojoe]

Big questions. Everyone's situation is different. Make sure you do proper research and get answers before making any big decisions that could land you in a bad state of affairs.

[@mikefranks4528]

Great interview, Dan. Good questions!

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Mike Franks! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan Do you have my free eBook yet? That is here: vagabondbuddha.com/fire-your-boss-travel-world/

[@catalinaortega4573]

Yes very yes!!!!! 500 dollar equals 24,000.00 .....you are really can li e here in the philippines🇵🇭

[@VagabondAwake]

Do you live in the Philippines Catalina?

[@thefilipinojoe]

Thank you. Not only live here nicely on so little but hire a domestic helper. This is the best of the best.