Happy New Years Don,you just telling like it is no BS,going back to Ecuador in March after 50 some years living in Beautiful New York keep it real like always
@@DonShader I believe the same. I have zero debt and wake up worry free. Live on my trawler at the Municiple marina for $485 a month, electrics included, for eight years now. Beautiful view of the bay from my sundeck in a gated marina. Monthly expenses run around $2600 including boat insurance, car insurance. Still researching Ecuador, Argentina, Mexico for my last move.
Loved seeing this approach. I have my own version of your spreadsheet that I created on excel. Maintaining it keeps my eye on our finances in a way that otherwise would be missed. Often it alerts/reminds me of the areas where we are getting gouged. I populate the current info into a projection budget and get a better view of what the ramifications of pending or future financial decisions will have. It started out as a project to better learn excel and then it became a habit. Our total spending tripled when we returned to the US with RENT alone representing damn near our entire spending while in Ecuador. Just like you, we wish we would have never sold our house and got rid of our things. At least not until such time we were very sure that the move was the right decision.
I could return to the states if I wanted to share a property with someone but I'm not ready for something like that.I'm going to wait it out and hope I don't die before I get the chance to make a better move for myself. Thanks for sharing.
@@DonShader I don't blame you at all. We have a couple unique loose ends here that need to be tied up otherwise we wouldn't be back at all. It can be maddening to watch the impact on the fixed assets we put in reserve to carry us onward into new adventures.
Thanks Don, your bookkeeping skills are outstanding! I don't think I've got the patience and acumen for such endeavor!! But we get the picture, living in Ecuador could be easily done for under $2,000 per month without being frugal and/or cutting corners 😂🎉😮😊.. Excellent news!!
Thanks, Don. This is helpful. I have been to Cuenca twice for several months each time and I was cold almost all the time. Especially at night. Sounds like Manta is too hot for my liking. I need a Goldilocks climate.
THERMAL socks and thick pants and t-shirts are keeping good enough, but rare in Ecuador, and therefore, put them into the process of getting the check baggage 🛄
Don, It would be interesting if you totaled not only each category for the year but rather all the categories for each month. It could be instructive to see how the total expenses can vary month to month during the course of a year in Manta - though as you point out, for the first three to four months of the year (at least for 2024) you were in the U.S. So if you were to devote one row of your spreadsheet to a monthly total (below the “Giving/Tips” category), and create a formula that calculates the sum for the cells in each column, that would be interesting too - although as I think about it, with Manta on the coast, perhaps there’s just not that much variation in expenses owing to the relatively consistent climate year-round. I appreciate these detailed videos of yours, and I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling this way. It’s very helpful to see expenses broken down in such specifics. PS: No beer? Is life still worth living? 😀
I bought it two years ago new. It's a 2023 SouEast, very similar to the Mazda sx3. It's a nice car with leather interior, sunroof, sound system. Paid $19,100. Currently has about10Kl on it. It has a Mistsibushi 1.5 gutless motor with a 5-speed manual transmission. Thats about it.
I believe it's $1275 but you would be better advised to consult with a local consolut or consult an immigration attorney to get the most accurate answer. There are many different requirements depending on the type of Visa you want.
@@DonShader Thanks for the response...I remember it used to be around $500 when you first started making videos and then it jumped up so was curious...
It's small. Two bedrooms, two baths and a kitchen too small for two people. Less than a thoudand sq feet I'm sure. It's certainly not anything to brag about but it's comfortable for me alone.
I'm not sure because the rules have changed many times since I came here. When I bought mine, I just needed my passport, an electric bill from where I lived, and two references. Like any of that really mattered. You'd be better off contacting the banks directly and ask them what the current requirements.
Hey Don how are you doing. My name is Claude I'm Canadian living in Colombia for 3 years now would like to know witch health company do you deal whit the price seams pretty good
Hi, how about the delinquency in Ecuador? Kidnapping, extortion, any other crime. It doesn't look very safe to move to the big cities. Particularly gringos are a target. I think the current president is not doing effective actions to end the problem. Your thoughts about that.
Exactly how does this comment on your part come to bear on the topic at hand? Don has touched on the issue of crime and public safety in several videos, and in my opinion your comment above belongs there - not here.
Don, I have seen many videos on the cost of living in Ecuador and I can say this was by far the best picture of what to expect for living expenses.
Very informative, thank you Don.
Thanks for the info, Don. Very helpful.
Thanks a lot for sharing Don!! And, happy 2025 which can only be better 🤗🌹
Happy New Years Don,you just telling like it is no BS,going back to Ecuador in March after 50 some years living in Beautiful New York keep it real like always
Thank you, Don. This is very helpful.
Thanks for sharing your budget, Don. I can't show my miscellaneous spending either! 😂
Very good information, thanks Don!
Thanks for the info. The key is not having long-term debt. I can relate living here in Corpus Christi. Tx.
I believe in no debt at all if possible.
@@DonShader I believe the same. I have zero debt and wake up worry free. Live on my trawler at the Municiple marina for $485 a month, electrics included, for eight years now. Beautiful view of the bay from my sundeck in a gated marina. Monthly expenses run around $2600 including boat insurance, car insurance.
Still researching Ecuador, Argentina, Mexico for my last move.
Loved seeing this approach. I have my own version of your spreadsheet that I created on excel. Maintaining it keeps my eye on our finances in a way that otherwise would be missed. Often it alerts/reminds me of the areas where we are getting gouged. I populate the current info into a projection budget and get a better view of what the ramifications of pending or future financial decisions will have. It started out as a project to better learn excel and then it became a habit. Our total spending tripled when we returned to the US with RENT alone representing damn near our entire spending while in Ecuador. Just like you, we wish we would have never sold our house and got rid of our things. At least not until such time we were very sure that the move was the right decision.
I could return to the states if I wanted to share a property with someone but I'm not ready for something like that.I'm going to wait it out and hope I don't die before I get the chance to make a better move for myself.
Thanks for sharing.
@@DonShader I don't blame you at all. We have a couple unique loose ends here that need to be tied up otherwise we wouldn't be back at all. It can be maddening to watch the impact on the fixed assets we put in reserve to carry us onward into new adventures.
Don, happy new year
Thanks Don, your bookkeeping skills are outstanding! I don't think I've got the patience and acumen for such endeavor!! But we get the picture, living in Ecuador could be easily done for under $2,000 per month without being frugal and/or cutting corners 😂🎉😮😊.. Excellent news!!
thanks for sharing Don
Wow, Don......you do great on groceries, and your internet bill is super low! I wish I had those bills that low. Nice job! 👍
The electric is probably mainly air conditioning. When I don't use air conditioning I am below $20 in a month.
Sharing is Caring !! Don please devulge all your info🤣🤣 I took a glance at your Alcoholic expenditures your quite a BOOZER ,,which is awesome 🙏🙏
No, that's actually not true at all. There is NO bargain in booze here at all. And don't forget, I share with another person.
Thanks, Don. This is helpful. I have been to Cuenca twice for several months each time and I was cold almost all the time. Especially at night. Sounds like Manta is too hot for my liking. I need a Goldilocks climate.
THERMAL socks and thick pants and t-shirts are keeping good enough, but rare in Ecuador, and therefore, put them into the process of getting the check baggage 🛄
Hello from Phoenix
I spend $3k a month in Quito. Main difference is that this includes my car costs and I am younger and dating so my entertainment costs are higher.
Well done as always brother, glad to see another video. Not sure if it’s the same over there but it is HOT over here right now. 🫠
Don, It would be interesting if you totaled not only each category for the year but rather all the categories for each month. It could be instructive to see how the total expenses can vary month to month during the course of a year in Manta - though as you point out, for the first three to four months of the year (at least for 2024) you were in the U.S.
So if you were to devote one row of your spreadsheet to a monthly total (below the “Giving/Tips” category), and create a formula that calculates the sum for the cells in each column, that would be interesting too - although as I think about it, with Manta on the coast, perhaps there’s just not that much variation in expenses owing to the relatively consistent climate year-round.
I appreciate these detailed videos of yours, and I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling this way. It’s very helpful to see expenses broken down in such specifics.
PS: No beer? Is life still worth living? 😀
No carbs in scotch.
Thanks pal still cheap not perfect but the right price... now for more morning walks sunrises
can you give more info about your car, please. new? used? local buy or shipped?
I bought it two years ago new. It's a 2023 SouEast, very similar to the Mazda sx3. It's a nice car with leather interior, sunroof, sound system. Paid $19,100. Currently has about10Kl on it. It has a Mistsibushi 1.5 gutless motor with a 5-speed manual transmission. Thats about it.
What is the current income requirement to live there and do you know if it will change any time soon?
I believe it's $1275 but you would be better advised to consult with a local consolut or consult an immigration attorney to get the most accurate answer. There are many different requirements depending on the type of Visa you want.
@@DonShader Thanks for the response...I remember it used to be around $500 when you first started making videos and then it jumped up so was curious...
Good one brother, how are things going with the hearing issues, you said some hearing aids were helping, PEACE!!!
Thanks man, still dealing with it but they are helping a lot.
How do I contact you and and Stella
My email is on my channel home page.
Hey Don....your apartment at $700 a month. How many bedrooms and bath . Square footage? Thanks
It's small. Two bedrooms, two baths and a kitchen too small for two people. Less than a thoudand sq feet I'm sure.
It's certainly not anything to brag about but it's comfortable for me alone.
Don, you've stated that you have CDs in an Ecuadorian bank there. Do you have to be a resident of Ecuador to do that?
I'm not sure because the rules have changed many times since I came here. When I bought mine, I just needed my passport, an electric bill from where I lived, and two references. Like any of that really mattered.
You'd be better off contacting the banks directly and ask them what the current requirements.
Hey Don how are you doing. My name is Claude I'm Canadian living in Colombia for 3 years now would like to know witch health company do you deal whit the price seams pretty good
Health company? Not sure what you mean here.
Ecuador needs to invest in alternate power sources. Until that happens, wouldn't consider it as a retirement destination.
Hi, how about the delinquency in Ecuador? Kidnapping, extortion, any other crime. It doesn't look very safe to move to the big cities. Particularly gringos are a target. I think the current president is not doing effective actions to end the problem. Your thoughts about that.
Exactly how does this comment on your part come to bear on the topic at hand? Don has touched on the issue of crime and public safety in several videos, and in my opinion your comment above belongs there - not here.
Thanks Jeff, I couldn't have said that any better myself.
@@RJMincey I totally agree with your well "a propos" remark. This guy is just trying to stir a mayhem and irritate all of us, including Don! 🙄
cheap and stupid are a dangerous combination.