Moving to Retire in the Philippines/How to Have A "Soft Landing"
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Moving to Retire in the Philippines/How to Have A "Soft Landing"@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234Welcome to my little RUclips channel! In this video, I will attempt to guide you through the transition of retiring in the beautiful Philippines. If you're considering relocating and starting a new chapter of your life in this tropical paradise, I will guide you through some of the do's and don'ts of making the move
I've traveled internationally quite a bit, and I would just add that it's very handy to have MULTIPLE clear paper and digital copies of your passport when you are in another country. Various entities/people will request your passport, and you should not give it to them. Instead, give them one of those paper copies. That should be more than adequate to meet their ID verification needs. Additionally, if your passport is lost or stolen, an excellent copy of same is very helpful to give to the embassy staff when you're applying for a replacement.
Does it need to be a certified copy?
@@robertgripton6692 Nope
@@robertgripton6692 But, they do need to be excellent copies and in color.
@@robertgripton6692 Does it need to be a certified copy?
Crash at Paul's place for your first month... after that you should be able to go out on your own!
I think that is a Excellent idea 💡. If Paul had a AirB&B, he would have a source of income plus helping new expats to acclimate to the new area before diving into getting a house or Condo.
Paul you need to get a AirBnB going. I know I would pay a fair price.
Hi Paul, this is one of your better videos in where you have condensed/summarized into point form the priorities when moving to Phils. Yes, by all means all those who are planning should start doing their homework as opposed to landing in the Phils unprepared.
Paul & Baby Mae, have a good day😊
You’ve come along way Paul . So Happy for you guys !
You can bring more than $10,000 cash, but you must declare the correct amount. And, you will probably have to show it. Also, do not bring a Cashier's Check, which is like cash in the US. In Indonesia (and I assume in the PH), no local bank will accept any foriegn check of any sort.
Very good advice for "New commers"......👍🏼✌️
Thanks. Paul
Great Tips
So much good advice. Thank you!!!!
I have to figure out a way to save this video in my account with RUclips, so I can refer back to it in a couple years. 2026 is my time to come check out the Philippines.
The guy you were talking about toward the end of the video that staying in a hotel sounds like a good smart way to go until you get settled in 👍
If I can find a place with a pool or even a place on the shoreline with a nice room, maybe even a little hot plate and Internet I could live there for 6-12 months.
Thanks Paul
Thank you for this. I hope that as the businesses you spoke of - the ones that help with driver's licenses, bank accounts, and VISAs - start-up you'll cover them.
Very good info,,thanks Paul
That clothing tip has such old guy vibes and I love it!
Lots of useful data that I never would have thought of
This is extremely helpful and practical advice thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great advise 😊
Great information Paul. Yup, our mind set is way different from Philippines . We’re used to move move and get going Philippines is like, don’t rush kind of thing. Yes !!! Great video and I can’t wait till next year around, mid year & pull the trigger. 🙏🇵🇭🇺🇸
Thanks for sharing
@@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234 you’re very welcome Paul and have a great night .
Nice prep checklist Paul! The hotel suggestion is something I never thought of because as you mentioned as Americans we like to start right away. The hotel gives one time and flexibility to get the lay of the land and be more discerning about an apartment or condo and getting transportation.
This is your best video. So helpful. Thank you
Glad you think so!
Hi Paul & Baby Mae,
I wouldn’t say that was one of “your” best blogs, I would say that is one of “THE” best blogs out there! You packed a lot of great information in this blog, and every single suggestion that you spoke of, was a really power packed, great tip. I especially liked, that you “summarized” everything at the end of your blog. There are a lot of great bloggers out there, that share great information, but then we have to search throughout the blog, to find that one particular tip, again. But because of the way you “summarized” at the end of “your” blog, it made it so much easier to write down a great list of things I need to do, before moving to the Philippines. Thanks again for a really great blog, keep them coming, 😎😉👍🏼.
A very nice recap and some new information. Thank you for taking the time.
💯for this video A+
Great well-thought-out and common sense video 💯% for sure! About driving a motorcycle in the Philippines: I drove an XRM 125 Honda for 10 years, one of the most popular and reliable motorcycles there. No accidents or close calls. I don't think it was so much because I was lucky. Rather, it is all about being a defensive driver, always expecting the worst to happen because it almost always does. And speed? No matter what, keep your speed to 50 - 60 Km/h at the most, no kidding!
ALWAYS GREAT INFORMATION 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Great video paul i have been watching you for three years now and just counting down the days till i finally get to move there i get to take one step forward to my dream this month as social security allows u to sign up 4 months prior to your birthday and thats what i plan to do then pay off a few bills and i hope after few months of getting out of debt im on way there hope to meet you and all the other guys there thanks agian for giving guys like myself a education on moving to the Philippines
I’ve been over a few times, a month or two at a time. I’ve always used airb&b to rent a condo. I like the guarantees in the airb&b system. I’d rather spend $1000/month for an airb&b than for a hotel. Just my observation.
I’d tell the bank before I left what I was doing. Was you to go to the ATM after you get there it’s going to automatically be declined. Having the ability to call your bank is a plus but still if you tell them prior to going you won’t need to it will work just fine. You can either walk into your bank and tell them or call the number on the back of your card either way do that before coming. There has been people who came and found they had zero access to their money. Let that be you and you’ll have a good story to pass on to your grandchildren .
Thank you, Excellent "Advice"!
Great video
One of the most useful videos I have ever watched. Actually your advice is not only for there, but I am using it for my relocation to Italy. Well done. Your advice to keeping money in the states and having a USA cell phone number is right on.
Can you please do a video once your 'friends' are open for business regarding helping newbies get situated? Also, any personal advice on owning vs renting in the Philippines?
Very well said. my hat off to you.
Paul, you always say you dont like to give advice. are you serious? this vid was loaded with great advice😂 thank you and keep up the good work. Glenn in East Lansing, Michigan
Google voice works fine. I have my old number and I've had every company that will either call me or text me to verify my identity. Never had any problem
At some point could you do a video about the things that can go sideways when renting an apartment that you alluded to? I am just curious as to what be be so bad to make you want to break the lease.
Yes, I'd also interested in this.
Great info, as always!
To your point about your friend going from an apartment to a hotel, when I initially started giving thought to spending 4 months a year there I was watching a number of vlogs about expats talking about how they were renting apartments/houses for $250-$400 per month. I figured great, I'll be able to do the same for the short period of time that I'll be there. What I soon found out is that that wouldn't be quite true for me. Those numbers applied primarily to the folks who were living there and on annual leases, and, many times, were paying electricity/water on top of that.
The more I looked the more I realized I was going to have to increase my lodging costs 2-3 times the amount I originally thought I could get away with. The more I thought about this the more I started to realize the same thing your friend had come to know, and that was that it might be almost as inexpensive, and far more convenient, to simply rent a hotel room. So, I am now down to airbnb and hotels and looking in the $900/month range.
In the future, Paul, if you can fit it in somewhere that makes sense, do you think you can touch on the things one can, but should NOT, use credit cards for. You mentioned credit cards but I thought it might be interesting to go into a bit more detail as it might help to narrow down the utilization of cash over credit, or vice versa.
As always, thanks much.
You should interview @ Regular Guy
I would bring Cambell’s Vegetable Beef Soup. All they seem to have in the Philippines is Cream of Mushroom.
Great info! But. A Rolex? 😂 Just ditch the Rolex! Nothing spells trouble better than gross displays of wealth 😃👍
Suggestion if you need to buy a high ticket item like a car and don't want to use money in bank if you have a whole life insurance policy you can borrow against tge policy say you have 60k life insurance and been paying it say 30yrs you should be able to borrow most likely about 20 0r 30 k. You really don't have to pay it back just pay the yearly interest each year
So if you died what ever was borrowed and not paid back would be deducted off the 60k
So you can use this as your personal finance dept for stuff like a car at a low interest rate and you pay back what you want monthly if you want to pay it back at all
But may be good idea to do so if in 5 or 8 yrs need new car again can repeat process again
paul i wished you gave your thoughts about the muticabs in this video too.
27:40 What's Name of his great hotel? Underground parking during Monsoon ?
I love how you got your gf to pose in the thumbnail.
The Hotel: I've read about a guy that wished he'd just stayed in a hotel as by trying to get cheaper, he spent more.
Very good information. I would add also to have a medical checkup and get shots for Tetanus, AB hepatitis, flue shot. watch out for any small electrical gadgets, some don't run on the 220 here. I had an old computer that I brought from the states and it fried on me when I plugged it in. Had a electric shaver, did the same thing, fried. If you do get set up with a Philippine bank, you can deposit any old, folded dollars with them. Most Philippine banks will take them, at least mine let me deposit the couple of 100 dollars bills that had pin holes in them to my dollar account. Just ask.
Thank You Paul I plan to make the jump in '25, I really want to have a car (hybrid Corolla) but I think I'll find an Acty once I settle in and might get a car if I'd need to Cebu is my destination I'd like to distance myself from expat communities for obvious reasons
I wouldn't go electric. Just sayin.
No, Corolla and Prius have 2.0 gas/hybrid 50-60 mpg
BECAUSE OF YOU, PAUL, I've drank the kool-aid. I'm not going to move there [yet], BUT I am going to try to marry an angelic pinay living in Cebu City. I talk to the Visa people Monday [8/7].
Many thanks for this needed information. Keep up the great work, best wishes to you and Mae.
Hey Paul my wife and me were just in dumaguete in march and I maybe coming out in September or October can you recommend any good restaurants thanks Bobby
Hello Paul,
I always enjoy your content and you are my favorite You Tuber in the Phils.
Have you considered opening a Charles Schwab account with an ATM card? They do refund all of your fees at the end of the month, and would be easier than transferring funds.
Also, can you do another interview with Mia? She is very sweet and you two have good chemistry together.
Thanks Old Dog
Just wanted to know how the mosquito situation is there? Since I live in Canada we travel to Cuba and Mexico a lot but the mosquitos are a problem. I seem to be affected more the older I get.
We have them
What's the downside to bringing more than 10k in cash? What's involved in "declaring" excess?
Fools rush in is my personality. No way to learn but the hard way! Lol
What about visa's? Which ones, how long they last etc..
Can you get a Safety Deposit Box at a bank? I couldn't seem to find one in Thailand.
I really hate to ask Paul....but this video hit home and I'm SERIOUS about coming over to Dumagatee.....Can we correspond via email or phone?
I'm waiting to see what happens in the 2024 election. If things go south, in my view, PI here I come!
I wish I could get out of here in 2024, but have to weight until 2028 when I qualify for full pension as I will not be old enough for SS yet. I am thinking the same as you! Got to get out as soon as possible with this crazy political climate!
I don’t know how things can go further south than they are now!! I can give a list if you like!
I just found out that there might not be a election 😳.
@@51dbail I don't know what you mean. My 401 k and stocks are doing good, I am a female not confined to only work and live in my home and I have a great job and pension coming. I think it could get a lot worse.
@@karilalonde6806 you mean 201k? My stocks tanked went from a high of $61 to now $32. Please list the stocks you have that went UP?
I to have a pension that I’m drawing on. I just pray that it’s not hooked to China, no way to really know. Yeah you can lose a pension it’s invested money
I have 1.2 Million dollars liquid with 1,800 a month from social security. I still don’t know to process of going to the Philippines for a month or two to find out if I want to live there. I would want a nice place with a live-in made/cook. I’m single and don’t think I’m bound by anything. Just looking for a quiet, peaceful life close to fresh markets and restaurants ?
Regarding riding a scooter. My advice to two friends who moved here but had little riding experience.... Take a DMV rider safety course before you leave the USA. Usually taught at a local community college or technical college. They usually have 125 - 150 cc bikes for you to learn on. You can take the DMV motorcycle certificate test with the school's bikes. Then it'll be on your USA driver's license so there is no argument with the PI police. The instructor will teach you about counter-steering, rear brake first, situational awareness, quick stop, how to swerve safely, etc, etc, etc. So important for new riders. A very good value for the money/time.
ABATE offers the training for $200 in the states and They provide the motorcycle so you don't even need to bring one
I took a motorcycle riding course in the USA back in 2007 and it was very useful.
...and then follow it! =)
Have to totally disagree nn22. By modulating trail braking, you can keep power on for the exit, turn in later & a bunch of other uses.
Pads are cheap, rehab not so much lol. Most bikes/scoots will have 3x calipers front & a single at the rear anyway. I truly hate Honda's dual braking system, using one front caliper every time I just wanted to trail brake. Now I ride Suzuki lol.
Anyway, just my take, cheers. @nobodynothing282
Yup, agreed. It's not really: rear brake, then pause, then front brake, but more like: apply rear break for a half second to load up the front tire and then brake both evenly. At least that is the way my instructor explained it. I'm no expert.
Very grateful Paul. I’ve been there. You are exactly right. I never sought an apartment. I like to keep it simple. I stayed in apartment for 3 months and enjoyed my experience. I like to introduce things very very slowly when I go abroad especially living situations. It works like a champ. I spend my energy on exploring rather than creating chaos for myself. I too practiced “slowing down” and it’s the best advice. It takes real time to do but it is very important. LOWER EXPECTATIONS is very important. That helped me as well. Thank you Paul. I hope to meet you one day once I leave permanently in 3 months. Best to you and Mae 🙏🏼
For what it's worth, I disagree with Paul's advice to use money transfer services. I went to Philippine National Bank in Manhattan and I opened a dollar passbook savings account and a peso savings account with a debit card. This allows me to make SWIFT transfers in dollars directly to my account in the Philippines. By having dollars in the Philippines I get a superior exchange rate here and I don't pay any currency conversion fees or other fees. I can also write myself a check from my US credit union and deposit it in my account here. There is a 25-30 day clearing period, but there are never any problems. Philippine National Bank has branches in Manhattan and California and it is much easier to open an account in America than in the Philippines.
It’s only a declaration, for money laundering prevention. You can bring any amount of cash you want you just have to declare. Border officials may want to see the source of the cash so if you took it out from your bank account keep the receipt.
Exactly. Providing you have proof of the origin of the cash you will have no problems.
If you are going to the Philippines don't buy anything when you arrive. Not a motorbike, furniture, house, apt, NOTHING! Travel to PI with 1 suitcase and rent a cheap,, clean,, 1 bedroom apt, and ALWAYS be ready to move on! Keep your passport, docs and cc cards locked up.. Additionally, IF you do fall in love and decide to marry her,, DO NOT TAKE HER TO THE STATES. Go to Mexico or another 3d world to live cheap where she doesn't have the courts on her side. PI & USA ALWAYS rule for the woman! IF she doesn't work out, you can put her on a plane to the PI (back to her family) and it won't cost you 1/2 your assets and/or pension.
Be nimble and not a bunch of stuff so 1 suitcase and a Backpack as even local laundries will wash and fold and only thing is Electronics and power tools are so much more expensive.
absolutely... barking dogs all night, loud-ass neighbors and traffic noise are nearly a constant everywhere in the PH in my travels so far. DO NOT do a long term lease ANYWHERE until you know the environment in which you will reside. All it takes is one filipino family with a new karaoke machine to drive you fkn bananas. Unfortunately, the friendliest people on earth are absent of common courtesy... just being honest.
Two rules I follow that have been good to me.
Anything that will impact my life for the long term requires at least two years of time before I believe it is worth doing. Time will advance no matter what I do, so if it is going to impact my life in a meaningful way, why be in a hurry?
During the first two years, never commit to anything that I can’t walk away from at any time. This applies especially to women.
Whether a man wants to accept it or not, a lot of women will look at him as an opportunity to advance her life. If he will go slow, and wait for her to show her true self/intentions, she will reveal it in due time. It is one thing to hide things for 3-6 months, while it is quiet another to do it after one year.
@@GBU61
Especially if you live together. The truth will reveal.
THATS RIGHT! All of that AND follow the example of @Regular_guy. Talk a poor game. Even though he’s LOADED, he pretends he’s poor and says he has no pension. Thats the best way. No one will suspect you as a pot pf gold.
Good advice Paul. Especially about the hotel room for a few months. Also, just so you know, cell phone rates have actually dropped here in the US since you left. I pay $30 a month for an unlimited plan on T-Mobile. They said add $50 for an unlimited international plan. So, $80 total. I think that's pretty reasonable.
If you have ATT, they automatically enroll you in the international plan once it is detected you are out of the U.S. Then it's $10 for every text or call you send or receive (open).
Why does not anyone mention bicycles as a form of transportation? Haven't owned a car in 15 years. Best thing that I have done for my health besides watching my diet more closely. You will have to tbink about where you go and how often though.
I’ve been dating a Filipino here in the North Carolina. She was raised about a 4 hour fairy ride from Dumaghetti, and went to University in Manila. I’m about 7 years from retirement, and she’s 20 years younger than me. We’ve talked about moving to Dumaghetti when I retire. She’s getting herMasters in accounting, works for American company, and thins she can work remotely. She told me that if we move there, she will need to do the purchasing to avoid the American premium. She said they charge more rent for foreigners.
Sounds like a very good plan
I hate to be that guy but...spell check. *ferry*, *Dumaguete*. Even with the age gap hopefully you have enough in common to have a stable connection.
I don’t think you’re making suggestions or advice Paul when you list the options available to us? We really appreciate the names of services, etc or, what you use. That’s not advice that’s just general knowledge otherwise your viewers would have no idea half the time 👍🏻
I CONCUR
If you have a Charles Schwab account that you get reimbursed for ATM fees...what would be the advantage of bringing 10k in cash?
Many companies including Social Security make your 1099s available online. Simply print it out, take a photo of it, and forward it via PDF file on your phone to whoever prepares your taxes annually.
Good video Paul. I had to send several $100 bills back to the states with friends because they had a crease or slight discoloration. Getting fresh crisp new bills is key for sure. Also keeping an American phone is key until everything is settled. Magic Jack works as long as you have a VPN but my bank won’t send a text to the magic Jack number for some reason
Bank's don't trust VPN.
@@jamesballard6564 my online American bank does not work unless I have my VPN turned on
I think they will work with Google Voice
Mr. Paul, when you file your taxes in the USA, can you use your Traveling Mailbox address on your tax return?
Can anyone tell me if Bitcoin can be used in the Philippines? It would alleviate many problems with money transfers as well as mitigate any entanglements. The nice thing about it, one can travel with just the seed phrase embedded in your memory, can't get more secure than that. Any wisdom regarding Bitcoin would be much appreciated, thank you.
Loved this video. Im not even living in the Phillipines but I apply many things you say to my life as an expat in Bogota, Colombia. Thanks for your great content 🎉
Hi Paul, can you make a video of how and why you got started doing RUclips videos and did you ever make RUclips videos before? Also, can you tell us about the wireless microphones and camera you use to make your videos. You certainly seem to be very natural making these videos. How do you prepare to make your videos with the locals in the area? Does your preparation take long before you put out your videos and what kind of software you use? Thank You in advance Paul!!!!!
One way of looking at retiring in a foreign country is like you landing on a different planet. Some people speak your language but almost everything your used to back home doesn’t apply here. You have to adjust to your new surroundings. Its that simple. Is it challenging? Yes. But depending on the type of person you are will be the deciding factor whether you make it or not. Learn from RUclips channels like this. You’ll be glad you did.
dumageti sucks haha too small of a town to do anything there why most left there.
But Paul is 100% Correct on what he said.
I've been in the Philippines for 5 weeks now and I have to go back to the US in a month. Everything he is saying is great advice. I'm going to use it all for my return to the Philippines in December for my permanent move here. I'm from a small town and we are slow but it's even slower in the Philippines. The hotel advice is good but a thousand dollars USD a month is crazy in the PI. Crazy high. One persons personal experience doesn't make it every experience. So yes I agree a month or two in a hotel but you should be able to get a nice place for a third of 1k USD a month.
AIRBNB will save you so much money vs a hotel. Plus you get a kitchen which saves you even more money
Someone is loaded a grand a month for a hoter.
Not sure your thumbnail is appropriate to topic.
Paul, one of your best videos! Would you be kind enough to tell us why you do not like your forwarding service so that we know what to be on the lookout for?
Great information, Paul, and although it is primarily aimed at people coming from the USA, most of it also applies to those of us coming from Europe. I fully support your suggestion to check into a hotel first, although a short-lease Airbnb may also do the job. Last time I went to Ormoc I only stayed there for two weeks and had booked a wonderful Airbnb. If it's free next time I visit, I will book it again.
If you need wide shoes you won’t find any that will fit.
Sir Paul, i watched your videos 2 years prior to my arrival last September. Your info then was spot on. And still is. My immigration extension experience was an eye opener (I worked for US immigration- big difference).
Amazon is awesome!
Thanks again!
Paul. That’s bad advice, putting cash in a hotel room safe don’t ever put cash in a hotel room safe. Go to a bank and get a safety deposit box if they’re available otherwise hold onto your cash 100% of the time!!!
I doubt the banks in the Philippines would have a safety deposit box available for Tourists without an ACR (Alien Certificate of Residence) card, which one can't get until they are in the country for over 2 months. I don't think a tourist can even open a bank in the Philippines without having an ACR card, so having some security (hotel safe in the room) is better than having no security (money in a dresser drawer) and it's not secure to carry all that cash with you wherever you go (i.e. swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, waterfall hiking, etc.). However, IF the Philippine banks would allow a tourist without an ACR card to have a safety deposit box (for a fee per week or month, etc.), that would be a great idea and worthwhile consideration--maybe someone who lives in the Philippines could comment on this possibility of getting a safe deposit box at a local bank for us tourist without an ACR card?
My wife and I bought our first property, for 6M Pesos while we were still living in Hong Kong. A couple of years later we sold up in HK and relocated to the Philippines. We bought another property in the Philippines, established a business, which affords us a decent income, and then bought another property. I transferred quite a lot of cash - around USD 800,000 - from HK and was, justifiably, investigated since the money could have been the proceeds of dodgy dealings. I was subjected to an interview with the authorities but I had the paperwork to prove that everything was legitimate, so we had no problems. My advice is simply to have the relevant documentation. Then, employ a decent lawyer to dot the i's and cross the t's - it's worth the cost. My point? Prepare before you come.
You living a life men dream about Thanks for the advice
I will be very happy if they allow foreigners to purchase land one day! I am female and older, so finding a PI spouse is not in the cards. It will be renting or buying a condo for me.
@@karilalonde6806 It depends upon how far you see being 'older' as a disadvantage. My wife was in her mid 30s when I met her - I was 12 years older than her. I also have a couple of friends, an Australian and a South African, who met their wives when the ladies were in their late 30s and who now live in the Philippines. We don't care about age. We care about companionship and about a comfortable domestic life. You can't get that with a younger woman.
How do you transfer large amounts of money? I'll be building a house plus what I've seen with Wise and Remitley is that there is a limit on how much you can transfer.
@@JerryKime hope you their to watch the work I know alot of guys sent money to build a house and their money was used to finance other properties to cover materials
Thanks Paul. I am planning my move and this information is priceless. A big big thank you
Paul are there any storage facilities in Dumagete?
Why do I need to register with the US embassy? How could I change the address on a driver's license to a state where the e.g., "Traveling Mailbox" address is? I'm in DE... I don't think the DE DMV is going to let me change my address to e.g., Utah... If that were to happen, I'd assume I'd need a UTAH driver's license. Am I missing something? If I buy a car when I get there, can my US license suffice until I get a PH license? Thanks!
So you're admitting that your wife wears the pants in the family. 🤣🤣🤣 All good suggestions, Paul. I'm moving there at the end of the month (though not to Dumaguete) and I've got every thing lined up as you mentioned. The one thing I hadn't thought about is registering with the embassy before I go. Good thought. The only other thing I would add, if you have an address there already, is to send personal items in a balikbayan box. Cheaper and less hassle than trying to bring them by plane. Thanks for all you do.
Great info in this one, thanks. I'm coming to Duma for a few months, do you know the name of the hotel your friend is staying in or could you recommend one please?
Just a heads up, most large banks have what is called an express send option which you can get online and send directly to a local Philippine bank account or to a person for a cost of only $4. I have been using that service for years and the money is there within minutes. In our case we send to a BDO account.
I mean good evening. I just got up 🆙. Always good information. I’ll be there in 6 1/2 years be looking for me !!
This is great, thank you so much...I've been back and forth based on other videos that say you should first visit for a month and then go home to see if you like it in the Philippines. I am a chameleon, not in a lizard like way, but by being very adaptable and easy going. Everything I've seen why expats are not happy there are the things that I just except here...lines, bureaucracy, dietary needs, lack of instant purchasing of what I might want or need, brownouts, blackouts, etc....when I leave here it will not be a scouting mission. I've already checked with my banks and they say that it's fine to still use their debit cards where my SS is being deposited.
I have to save your and Mark’s videos for my long drives to work. I am a psych provider and see geriatric patients in long term care facilities all over the place. I love what I do, but the drive can be a bit much. Your videos certainly make it easier.
Wouldn't it be better to set up your money transfer with Wise or whatever before you go to the Philippines?
That is what i suggested
Thats what i do exclusively. Exceptionally lower fees. I used wise to buy my house etcm
Yes, much, much better/easier. As Paul mentioned. I also use both Xoom and Wise for the past 7 years. Wise is a lot cheaper overall (fees and FX rate), so I use that the most. However, Xoom does have some features that are handy that Wise doesn't offer, so I keep my Xoom account active and open for those instances.
Also, bear in mind, every technology platform goes down sooner or later. Sometimes for an hour, sometimes for a day. That's why I have both Xoom and Wise active. Good to have a backup money transfer platform when one goes down.
Some really useful information that in general applies no matter where in the Philippines you go. (Cash, Money Transfer, ID & other documents apartments hoyels etc) Clothes sizes. I'm planning a trip lasting 2 or 3 months that may get extended further so a lot of the tips you gave are still useful.
I've extended one credit card ooened another account with CHASE.
My Son & Daughter in Law will handle mail and money transfers and have access to one of my accounts.I will set up facilities to do my own transfers too.
I got a copy of my medical records from my doctor.I'm having a full physical before I come. Doctor is gumiving me a 3 month supply of medication and I checked that everything I take for diabetes is available in the Philippines if I decide to extend my stay.😊
Pault you said to leave your money in your american bank, get a service that can transfer your money and "move to my budget" ... I do not understand what budget means... please enlighten me?
Paul ...XE working for me here in Cebu city Lapu Lapu.. cash pickup.. Cebuana...etc .. Don't want my debit card eaten by the ATM.. take care. Smitty
Paul, I'm Australian & lived/worked on Luzon for 10yrs until 2014. I studied Pilipino at UP Diliman & Taglish at DLSU Manila, so I can get by in English/Tagalog speakers. I'm moving back in 2024 [I hope], I'm 56 & semi-retd. Tbh, Manila won't suit me now & I don't want to live in Pampanga again.
Bantayan Island has always been my escape, but it's pretty remote from anything. I've visited Dumaguete & Siquijor, I liked them but I can't speak any Cebuano. Is there any reason you chose Dumaguete? Do you guys have a tight circle of expats there? I worked 4yrs in Call Centres in Balibage & did not hang with many of those expats. I'd love to get in touch. Thanks, UJ
Would you recommend bringing all your paperwork in Digital Format? Or do you recommend actual paper copies??????
Hey... everyone a VPN has been very beneficial since my arrival.
Banking and stateside programs etc.
Salamat.... Smitty
Hey Paul, I just arrived in Cebu from the US this week. I am enjoying a short vacation. For the past couple of days I have been hopping on a motorcycle cab for about 80 peso’s for what would have been an hour walk. I road motorcycles for years, but that was over a decade ago. Being on the back is getting my training and balance back. Next step is to get mine out of mothballs in the US and drive it around. I have a few more years before I can retire with health insurance so I can do this planing ahead.
Really good information, thanks so much, Paul.
About bringing cash - could we bring $9,900.00 in travelers checks? I've heard that taking cash into airports is dangerous because of civil asset forfeiture.