Moving to the Philippines? List of Some of the Things to do and Bring
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Moving to the Philippines? List of Some of the Things to do and Bring@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234 I review a few things you may want to handle before you board the plane and make your journey to the Philippines
/ jenniferterri
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My problem is what to do with my American wife before heading over there.
If you want to keep her, take her with you. If not, cut that tie completely FIRST. Most American women seem not worth it, IMO.
Is she good looking I’ll take her or we can trade I feel your pain
😂😂😂😂
I’m glad someone said it lol. Cause we’re all thinking it.
@@davidfisher5140 What a shameful comment about American women. Marriage is for life, for better or for worse was part of the vow.
Great points. One option is to send stuff you want to keep and clothes and shoes like you mentioned by a Balikbayan Box. The key is having an person in the area that you are headed that you trust. I sent about 15 pairs of sneakers/sandals because I am size 13. Same with 2XL shirts and large size shorts etc. A typical Balikbayan box is between $90-100 a box and will take average of 3 months to arrive dependent on location. Just a suggested alternative to carrying everything in luggage.
Another good point on banking, what I found out when I was there, was have your trusted filipina gf/fiancee,or wife, get a BDO (Banco de Oro) prepaid credit card. The card will be in their name, hence trusted. It took a lot of explaining to get it done for them to understand why and what I wanted it for, but they opened the account, in her name, she had a passport for id.You can use it like a prepaid, just add money at a BDO location,. They do charge to add money, but it works with Grab (why I wanted it) or anywhere they take a credit card. I used it the whole time I lived there with zero problems. Just another heads up.
Great info Paul. God bless you.
Hey Paul, your friend Reekay just did a good insurance video for Philippines on what they are requiring foreign travelers. Nice supplement to your information. Thank you!
Thank you Paul! Looking to move and appreciate all your counsel. First step is to annihilate any debt like Truck payments completely. After that it's win the lottery which must be close to happening!
Well said!
Big Thank You 😊 🙏 Paul. Very good Intel. A lot of very good comments from people with experience as well 👍. Getting everything ready, especially the banking. Stay ❤️ safe 🙏 ❤️.
Thanks for the great information
Thanks!
Thanks Paul. Great info on the money stuff and the trow away ticket. You and your circle are my main source of dependable info.
Many US banks have what they refer to as an Express Send which usually costs $4 to send money from your account to a Philippine bank account or to a person to pick it up in person at a BDO or other major bank in the Philippines. Much cheaper than Western Union or many of the transfer services. But I agree that it’s best to have multiple options in case of emergencies.
Thanks Paul, your vlog is informative.
Don't forget to pack a lot of patience.
THANK PAUL.
Thanks for the info at least I have some starting points to research
Glad it was helpful!
Just a thought, if you have on-line banking, and/or mobile app on your smart phone, many banks and credit unions have a feature where you can update credit and debit international country use with a click of a button.. you can also cancel and freeze your account if you lose or misplace your card.
Exactly! No need for a local bank account.
Thanks, Paul...
Thank You Paul
SRRV may not require a return disposable ticket. There are tickets available for $40 bucks USD to other places from there. A retirement visa is a resident visa. Then you can do dual citizenship.
Yea no return ticket required for SRRV or 13A spousal visa, Dual citizenship? You can only apply for citizenship after 10 years and if you are foreigner requires you no longer have citizen ship of your original country and cant reapply for it. So no Dual Citizenship available unless you are Filipino applying for USA green card for example but again you need to relinquish Filipino Citizenship on application for green card but can reapply for it after USA Green Card has been acquired. But USA will not recognise dual citizenship Philippines will.
Don’t you have to put side around $20,000 USD for an SRRV ? Renewable tourist visas are very easy and you only have to leave the country every 3 years to start the process again. It seems a lot of money to commit - what am I missing ?
@@Southeastasiantraveler the benefit of the SRRV visa and also 13A spousal visa is that even if PH locks down again you can still get into and out of the PH any time you want. Where a tourist visa would not allow this if borders locked down. Also SRRV and spousal Visa has other benefits like letting you work on PH. You cannot work in PH while in country with a tourist Visa.
Hey Paul I love your blog and hopefully I can chat when Australia opens its borders keep up the good work
Electronics yes---and most electronics are dual voltage---but if they are 120 volt only American items, you will fry them---Philippines is 230-240 volts
I'd love to see a video on this topic
I make wire transfers from my Bank of America account to my Thai bank account. For verification I use a USB security key. No phone or email needed. My BofA wire transfers don’t have a fee but I am sure BofA gets their cut in the currency conversion. Anyway, it is easy and secure. I make transfers every couple of months to reduce whatever costs are involved.
Thanks again for your knowledge.
My pleasure!
All very useful info thank you....:-)
My pleasure!
Thank you so much for this advice Paul. I’m in England hoping to relocate to Leyte soon. Your information is priceless.
Hi Paul and Baby Mae great information
Thanks 👍
Pacsafe is another brand, common in the US, of travel security bags/luggage. I have one big enough to hold my laptop.
My US AT&T phone number has something called an international day pass. My US number is normally inactive on my phone but I still pay a monthly fee. If I activate my US number while overseas then they charge me $10 and I can make calls for 24 hrs. I am at the point where I might use this 1-2x a year.
It is a rip off-$10 USD daily u need to turn off roaming and use wifi-the $15 plan is from the USA to other countries
Hey Paul my dear friend, you have done it again. Another great video. Great information. I will definitely take heart to all of your great information. I have been to the Philippines a few times. But this time, I will be looking for a place to live. You are truly a rock star. I will do my own research, and look at everything. I am a subscriber to Jennifer Terri's channel. She also has great information. Thank you Paul my dear friend for sharing this awesome video. Please stay safe and healthy, and God bless you, Baby Mae, Riza, Jennifer, and the rest of your beautiful family.😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Thank You so much, Paul!!!
Welcome!
Really appreciate it
Brian from Philly in the Phillipines is diabetic and could answer those questions. That said, I just opened a Schwab account and was told I will be able to transfer money directly into a Phillipines bank. I will look further, and get a transfer account with someone if I need to. I still have 2 years (visiting for a month in November) but I want to be prepared. Keeps the anxiety down, you know?
I been to Philippines and next time is going bring pesos with money exchange from my credit Union.
Maybe he should give Thailand a try?
Hello Paul
Thanks Paul, lots of good advice. Just a couple of nuances. Get a cell phone with dual SIM card -- local and international. Rumor has it the airlines can check online for the validity of those 48 hour throw-away tickets. When getting extra prescriptions from your doctor, ask him for a list of alternatives, if you cannot find you usual medications. The VA overseas will not treat ALL existing conditions. It must be Service Connected. If you suffered liver damage due to chemical exposure while in the military, it is covered. But if you developed diabetes later in life, they will not treat it. If you have a service connected disability to get in the door, it is sort of up to the doctor's discretion whether to treat your other problems. That was my experience in Germany.
Good information
Even underwear- if you have a good sized….waste…FasF- good show Paulie..cheers n beerz Daz
I bought a one way from Manila to Saigon for $100. on Cebu Airlines or what ever their name is. I was never asked for the ticket in LA. Go figure. BTW. The $100 is refundable.
Thank you for the very informative video, Paul. I am planning to bring prescriptions from the USA for my meds. Will a US prescription be accepted at a drugstore in the Phil's or do I need to present the RX to a doctor in the Phil's and get a prescription for my meds from him/her.
yes Schwab refunds ATM fees even here in the US
What do you do if you loose your debt card ??
Thank you Paul, as always you have been a tremendous help. I look forward to meeting you when I get to the Philippines. Is there some way that I can contact you by phone or email
Yes, absolutely
Guam is an U.S. territoryo with U.S. hospitals. Why not fly there for treatments. It is closer and much cheaper to fly there.
I can say from personal experience that Paul is dead on with every topic he covered…except for one thing, and it’s a real important issue if you continue to use your American banks while living in the Philippines.
You need a VOIP (Google Voice/ Skype as examples). At first, I also didn’t understand the importance, but thanks to Gio (Gio in the Philippines), the light inside my head finally turned on. Don’t pay any attention to the weak or non- existent internet connections in the Philippines as being a deal breaker.
If you lose your Philippine phone with your Philippine #, you’re screwed. A VoIP provides you with a centralized phone # that the US banks still recognize when they send you a security pin.
All of your phone numbers are routed to your phone, whatever phone you are using. Lose your phone? No big deal - get a new phone with a new # and add the new # to your VOIP account.
Your phone works as normal so long as you have a load on your Globe or Smart phone…
Gio explains it better than I - check it out…
This is great advice. I hate to add a down note, but people should know that some financial institutions no longer accept VOIP numbers for security purposes. I've read one report to the effect that the U.S. Thrift Savings Plan recently joined this trend and now refuses to send security codes to VOIP numbers.
For the above reason, I have assumed that I would transfer my assets into an international Schwab account before moving overseas. If a U.S. investment firm discovers that customer is permanently living overseas, they can force-sell the person's holdings and send him a check for the proceeds, with disastrous tax results.
@@lawman3966 This is exactly right, I came here to mention this. I have been trying to set myself up for remote work. I have had some financial institutions reject my google voice number, even though I am paying the $10 for my one number, this was someone’s suggestion, it didn’t resolve the issue. Some companies are no problem, others are. So I had to keep my T-mobile number. Also with that, even though I had free Canada and Mexico service, I spent 6 months in Mexico, and T-Mobile complained after a few months and said they were going to turn off my phone number because I was using it too much in Mexico! LOL. That seemed to be resolved by using Wi-Fi calling when available, and not using the google maps feature over my cell connection, which sucked. Now I have a dual sim phone and will just buy a local sim for that.
Patriot act permanant residence address a whole other rabbit hole of problems he didn’t go into, but it’s a pain in the ass if you don’t have an actual physical residence address - not a digital mailbox service - with recent (within the last 30 days) utility bills and bank statements that show the actual physical address on the letter head that you can use for physical address verification purposes when setting up or having to do random verifications when doing some activities with these institutions that require it. Some people have no problem with their Credit Cards, or Banks, or other instititions some do, and you don’t want these kinds of roadblocks when you are out of the country. Some use friends and family residence, but that doesn’t solve the utility bill issue unless you put your name on their utilities.
3Words
Power of Attorney.
Find Someone you Trust with your Life. 1 Person . Set up a Power of Attorney so they can Access you Account to Send funds in case other Methods Fail.
This is used only as fall back when all other Efforts Fail to get your Funds to you.
Might Cost $100.00 to set up, but it's Permanent and If you've Chosen a Trustworthy Person, you always have that Backup.
@@lawman3966
3Words
Power of Attorney.
Find Someone you Trust with your Life. 1 Person . Set up a Power of Attorney so they can Access you Account to Send funds in case other Methods Fail.
This is used only as fall back when all other Efforts Fail to get your Funds to you.
Might Cost $100.00 to set up, but it's Permanent and If you've Chosen a Trustworthy Person, you always have that Backup.
@@dustbusterz There is nobody I trust that much. I'd find another way.
I found Jennifer Terri
Is the country open for tourists right now?
yes
thanks, bro. i love your details that many omit. when you said it was 15 bucks more for T Mobile International account, was that a one time fee of 15? or an added 15 per month? thanks, man. Oh, and do you have to pay blu shield or whatever to keep you medicaid/medicare current? thanks, man, cheers
So, knowing what you know after five years. How much cash would you bring?
I would bring enough to last at least a couple of months
@@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234 ty
Had a question: Lot of folks say they use Zoom or other to transfer money from their U.S. banks, but never say where it goes/ where they pick it up. Do you pick it up at a bank or some other place? Thanks for all the great vids.
Yes, you can use banks, and almost any money exchange
@@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234 Great, Thank you! Have noticed many "money changer" signs in videos. Starting my plan to move there, so trying to be as thorough as possible.
Question, what local ID did you get to open your bank account there in the Philippines? And how long did it take you to get the ID?
Acr card from immigration and a local driver's license, took me about 3 months
@@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234 3 months before you could open a bank account
Hey Paul, thank you for the great video. I’ve been doing some checking on which USA banks have branches in the Philippines. Yes, HSBC is one of them, but they are chinese owned and not a place that I want to put my money. (Politics in the Philippine Sea, etc), the one that I chose was Citibank. They have a branch in Manila. I went in had a nice long chat with the manager and found out that my USA Citibank accounts are valid in the Philippines. It is recommended that I give them 2 weeks notice before traveling so that I will have immediate access at the Manila Citibank branch. They also recommended that I keep the account in US dollars and not Philippine pesos. I was curious and asked why. The dollar holds it’s value and the peso doesn’t. Because of the exchange rate, our dollar continues to be worth more. It’s up around 1USD = 51 PHP right now. I have to check on the debit, (ATM), card issue though to see if there is a special tax, fee, bribe, whatever they want to call it. Some businesses here are even charging you a special fee to use the ATM.
HSBC is a British multi-national investment bank and financial services company
Hey Paul, HSBC = HONG kong SHANGHAI BANK CORPORATION. FYI only so that your readers don’t get misled by chinese trolls.
Not only is HSBC British-owned, but in the last year or two, HSBC’s board very wisely - and specifically - rejected a proposal to relocate to Hong Kong.
@@SoutheastasiantravelerBritish should fend for themselves , obnoxious , self important alcoholics. Confrontation with red coats always ends in disaster
as a suggestion, after 20 plus trips to the Philippines, I pack light and take a backpack. airlines have lost my luggage before. its very easy to find someone to wash your clothes and its cheap! a pair of jeans, few tees/underwear, flip flops/ sneakers, shorts and hat/cap.. all I need... if you want to dress nicer? polos.. everything else? not needed imho
Thanks!
Thank you Linda 😊
Good afternoon Paul.....I've been waiting for this info from a US vlogger in Philippines WOW! thank you Paul, you made my day! along with my future move to Lapu Lapu, Philippines this summer 2022. I have been putting together moving Info since October 2020 about what to do and now this all-in-one Info vid is what the doctor ordered lol. Your amazing Paul and the timing is perfect. God bless you my friend!
Three years ago I had to prove to myself that I could still cycle with bags at 61 years. I cycled from Singapore to Chiang Mai,Thailand. It was still full of smog so I flew to the Philippines in late March. I got off the plane and my Debit Card wouldn’t work!!! It worked fine in Singapore…… Malaysia……..Thailand. I didn’t know it but the only ATM that would give me money was the Philippine National Bank. Always always have extra cash on you!!!!
Paul...U gave Clyde Creel a heart/kiss. Please remove that heart. He's a democRAT Trump-hater.
i promised my fiancé and our 7 kids that i would return home as soon as possible. leaving my place on the 10th and arriving on the 12th. it has been 2.5 yrs without my family. i am sure there are many expats in the same position as i am. i am looking forward to a big breath of fresh air.
7 kids and ur not even married and u goin the place home😂😂
Thanks for the info Paul. Guys At&t phone users can get the international plan added for $15 mo . Then cancel it whenever you want. Also I accidentally bought $50K travel health insurance for my Nicaragua trip through the Airline. It was $45 US for 30 days and covered covid. The PI is requiring only $35k of 30 day travel insurance so it should be cheaper and it must cover covid treatment. Just FYI. Keep watching the vlogs and comments in the next month or so because the guys leaving in Feb will have more info to share I'm sure. God Bless!
IMO it's cheaper to buy a cheap phone and pay local access. I was paying less than 10 bucks a month in Mexico. Where were you in Nica? I'm heading to San Juan Del Sur in a couple of weeks. I'll just stay there (maybe) until I can get to the Phils.
@@TheBuddyShowWorldwide I was in SJDS too. If I had been staying longer than a month I would've gotten a phone there too.
@@TheBuddyShowWorldwide I was going back to SJDS in March but may skip it and go to the PI instead.
I'll make up my mind this month
Just for info get the pre-paid Mint Mobile SIM card in the states and when you are overseas you can use it when you need to get texts on your U.S. number…
I have lived in several countries and used to have Verizon, but switched to mint… You can keep your same number and it’s way better…
They mail the some to your U.S. address and give you instructions how to keep your number and how to register it…
Anyways for you guys traveling I am telling you it’s by far cheaper than keeping those monthly plans and Mint uses the same carrier as T-Mobile anyways
@@TheBuddyShowWorldwide I think getting an international calling plan is so you can respond to confirmation texts and calls. To some it may be important to keep thier phone number and be able to receive the calls. I agree you are better off money wise to just get a cheaper phone there or to bring an unlocked phone and pick up a sim card there. That is much cheaper especially if we don't need the terrabytes for watching RUclips anymore because we will be there! 😁
If you use VA, EVEN IN PI, they only will treat you for service related conditions. Not just anything or even existing conditions. Your service related conditions will be determined when you apply for VA benefits/disabilities. Every Vet already knows what he can get treated for.
I really like the new sofa cover..I see Gaylord is rocking it also.... Like you...I have gone somewhat low carb and passed on a half-priced cheesecake....I thought about celebrating with some icecream-not. Mike WA State uSa
I brought my tower computer with me but my philippine girl friend plug it in to the 220 and all i heard from downstairs was BANG...i immediately knew what had happened
Well damn sorry to hear that😕 getting PC parts or a computer in general in the Philippines is usually not cheap
Glad I opened a Schwab account based on your advice a couple of years ago.
Hail The Chicken !!!
Excellent video Paul. Yes, it was not advice ... it is a recommendation with a caveat to do your own due diligence. I totally agree, if you are moving to another country you MUST investigate all the angles. I hope these fellows do ask the different government agencies both at State side and Phils. Good stuff Paul.
How often you come on RUclips?
Don't skip ads . He's a great caring person. He helps alot of people
I was stationed at Clark Air Base 72 73 74 love the country love the food love the people bar finds were $5 by the way
I wonder how those who need what might be a difficult medication to find in the Philippines can get through that obstacle? I REALLY hope I can go to the Philippines in 11 years when I reach 62 haha!
FYI. you now need Covid insurance. If you have travel insurance MAKE SURE it says it will cover covid. Or they might stop you at the gate. ( it needs to be a policy that will cover $35k coverage) should cost $100+ per month. Give or take.
Only after February 10th
Scam
Yes Wise do the same thing now you have to confirm its you before any transaction, i have keot my UK phone with its provider and i have another phone which i will use in the Philippines just get a sim card on arrival, so its a must you do what the old dog says they are still using the text system now so get another phone or sort out with your provider.
Two tips for U.S viewers: #1 Get T-Mobile's international calling plan. I found it to be cheaper than Verizon's or AT&T's. #2. Perhaps I misunderstood how carriers and SIMs/eSIMs work in the Philippines, but I seem to recall getting an eSIM from a carrier (Global maybe?) that would only allow me to call other mobile numbers but not landline numbers. When you get a SIM, ask the salesperson if the SIM or eSIM you're purchasing can call both types of numbers.
Hi Paul. Citibanks the one. No fees whatsoever on withdrawal. You draw 100, you get 100, or its equivalent.
Good information
The throw away ticket is just proof of your return 30 days even though like me i will extend at immigration so for eg_ UK to Cebu booked one way, Return Ticket Cebu to Taiwan booked 29 days later to show im leaving the Country, its as simple as that. you do not have to show a return back to your own Country just a ticket to say you are leaving the Philippines.
paul,it is my understanding that v a medical in manila is for "service" related only...
They have RUclips videos of people cutting Loctote bags and they cut through them like butter. The best thing to do with cash is get a money belt. When I'm in the Philippines I carry one. I also carry a throw down wallet. I have a cheap wallet filled with cards that look like credit cards and put a couple of 20 peso bills in it. If someone tries to rob me I make it appear that I fumble the wallet and let it drop to the ground and then run. If you're married to a Filipina you don't need travel insurance if you both enter the country at the same time.
Thanks!
Welcome!, Thank you!
my information from the Philippine embassy in Washington is that tourist visa's are not extendable at this time, you must leave the country, why do you comment on things you know absolutely nothing about, I know it's not intentional it's ignorance but please provide accurate info, do YOUR DO DILIGENCE or do nothing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really great info. Thanks Paul
Warning !!!Be careful, criminal element knows you may have $10k on you, easy pickings
So why bring so much cash? I understand the reason for the crisp bills, but why so much? Don't you have to convert it all anyway? What would the difference be if you were to just get money at an ATM? Especially if you have Schwab or any other one that refunds the fees? I have watched numerous vlogs about other countries and most say DON'T bring large amounts of US dollars. Would you have done it differently knowing what you know now?
Appreciate your practical suggestions. Guys are so eager to make the trip that they may not have thought things out. You and BM stay safe and healthy.
Paul, a little insulin help. I'm type 1. My Filipina is immigrating here (Florida) in a couple of months. After a few years we may retire in The Philippines. I've been doing a little homework with her.
Last week I sent her to her local drug store (Cagayan De Oro) to check on insulin. The pharmacist told her Lantus and Novalog is readily available. Lantus, 800 PHP plus, Humalog, 500 PHP plus for 30 day supply. Hope that helps someone.
You are stealing my speech. I have 2 phones, 2 laptops. 2 routers... Everything I need that I can only get in the U.S. -- I have back.
My Global Health Insurance covers repatriation so if I get seriously ill it will pay for my evacuation. I highly recommend you get health insurance. I was hospitalized from an accident for 3 months and it cost me a house, because I had no health insurance before.. I didn't think I'd need it because medical care was so cheap, mistake.
Before you travel make an Amazon account and add $1000.00 Amazon charges @500 pesos ($10.00)usd per package delivered to the Philippines.
As Far As Medicare & Medicaid, here , you need to go in like once Per Year and Requalify, ( Simply That means showing Paperwork that Nothing has Changed this year over Last year) so then your Medicare and or Medicaid will Continue without interruptions.
Now, once out there, do you have to Do the Same thing? Do you go the The American Counsel to get Requalified???
Cause aI'm thinking 🤔 what if you are in the Phil's and your Medicare gets Cancelled???
Also those using The VA here in the US,if you Don't go see your Assigned Doctor at least Once Per Year, they Cancel you.
So what happens if you move to the Phil's?
VA Hospital & clinic. Manila (H) & Cebu city (C)... Some type 2 diabetic take insulin.. Why couldn't you open a banking account?!
SM Seaside in Dumuguete should have MAXXwear...large sizes. I wear a 3XXX T-shirt and our SM Santa Rosa has Maxxwear.
A reason to have it deposited in US is that bank accounts there are government insured for $100,000 while I understand most Philippine Banks insure for only $10,000
Where do you go to “pick up money” that you had Zoomed to the Philippines? Never heard anybody talk about that transaction/process. Thanks.
VA covers service connected medical problems only. In the US they covered everything 100% including medicine, test, eyes, ears, dental (because I'm 100% SC).
Here they only cover things directly related to disability.
For cholesterol and high blood pressure meds, lotions for psoriasis, shampoos, anything else, I need to see a Filipino doctor.
The good news is the doctor's visit is $10 or less. The meds cost is a little cheaper here too but not dramatically lower.
Sleeping pills, like Ambien, are hard to get either through the VA or a Filipino doctor. In fact, the VA is no longer going to prescribe the stronger hypnotic-type sleep meds here in the PI.
Paul, i am in UK 🇬🇧 .... what kind of money i need to take with me to Philippines, because you said in dollars and they need to be new and in hundred of value, no 10, 20 ....
In england it is not popular to use big value money, even not £50 , or £100 .... usually we use 20, 10, 5 .... so do I need to take at least papers in £50 ? .... thanks
Hi Paul, new subscriber. outstanding video, all excellent information.
It is $10 per day to call or use data from the Philippines to the USA on At & t-the $15 monthly plan is calling from the USA to other countries! Or turn off roaming and use free wifi-I was recently charged $10 daily to use data from T Land to the USA on at &t as I did not turn off roaming
bring frozen beef fillet steaks ect plus real corned beef, bacon, cheeses, real chocolate and lamb chops..........
*If you have a heart attack or a TBI or get in a traffic crash, then you won't be in any shape to travel to USA for yr Medicaid. Will Mae have to cover yr Phil medical bills legally?*
It takes a foreigner about 2 months to open up an account from the moment you get there. So dont waste time
Yo daddy O great info glad to see Gaylord and the new set. Always a pleasure to see you! In and out is waiting for you. Lol love you guys God bless y'all peace out brother!!
Google Voice also is an excellent way to maintain a U.S. based phone number that’s also SMS (text messaging) capable.
*I'm curious why are there so many white men traveling and living in South East Asia? I know the low cost of living and the women are some of the factors, but you can also find that in places like Africa for example.*