Wednesday, January 27, 2016

What Living Simple in the Philippines Means to Me

whatsimplemeans.jpg
Jack Northrap is a 67 year old retired American that living in the Philippines since 2012, and explains that you can live a simple life on $600, but it all comes down to your definition of simple.
He explains that living simply for around $600 means either living alone or with the right partner that shares the same aspiration for a simple life. He say having dependent children would blow the budget. He also suggests that If you have health problems then the $600 simple life style is already out of the question.
His definition of simple means eating locally, buying local furnishings, using local transport. Jack takes a very philosophical view point of life and loves to immerse himself in the local culture. It would be fair to say that his definition means living a Filipino life style. This is certainly not for everyone.
His advice to everyone is to take your time to avoid making mistakes.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Best Philippines Retirement Idea

How about a property that you can own a 100% of in the Philippines and even take it away with you when you leave the Philippines?

NEWLY LIST BOAT FOR SALE IN CEBU
Starboard fwd

Ever thought of a boat? A very unique boat has just been added that has features seldom seen in this combination that make it a great opportunity for a range of purposes including:

How about a luxury apartment by the sea (well in it actually).

luxurarybedroom
While staying in Cebu you can dock at the prestigious Cebu Yacht Club. The thing about Yacht Clubs is they are almost always in a great location in close proximity to all the action. This boat would make an excellent house boat that you could travel around the Philippines in.

Create Cebu’s first real party boat

boatpartygroup
Charter regular party trips or provide a venue for private parties or functions. Run a party boat. Cebu is waiting for this!

Cebu’s first real boat restaurant

happypeopleeating
Want to start a restaurant in the Philippines? The vessel could easily be converted into a restaurant with two dinning areas and an out door area.  This would still leave the current spa room untouched and just adds another unique features to the dining experience. You could even relocate the entire businesses easily to another location later.

WHAT THE VIDEO

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj22C-1CnOE]

Low Cost Refurbishment

The cost of converting this vessel into your desired purpose will be minimal as there really is nothing to spend on the Rumi mechanically or structurally. Its a turn key drive away.
You need only decide what you want and then get refurbished, then how lavish you go is up to you.

Need Help Getting the Boat Refurbished
and licensed to operate?

We are located at the Cebu Yacht club. Visit our office and ask for David (American) can arrange every aspect of the refurbishment to you specifications. If you need help with all the red tape related to getting permits and licenses etc he can also help you.

This boat will not last – Secure it now

Call David Poley on now on: +63 (0)917 311 6836

or leave a message here


Corruption in the Phlippines

We really do not need any translation to understand the basic meaning of this image. One point to make is that Filipinos understand the problem of corruption. The expression is universal.
So it only the degree and extent of corruption that shocks foreigners? I think its more the resignation and acceptance by the general population that bothers most of us. The fact that there often is no consequence or recourse even when fully exposed.


Friday, January 22, 2016

The Truth Cost of Living In The Philippines

Jay Stillman with a friend from Real Deal discuss and question the viability of claims of living in the Philippines for around $500. He does not say its impossible but says it would not be easy and questions why anyone from a first would country would want to move to a third world country like the Philippines and live like a local.
One of the main points he makes is about the security of living in the type of place you can rent for a few thousand pesos a month. Its a very casual chat very much like you might be sitting with them at a bar having a drink. Good basic advice especially regarding security of your possessions.
I would add that while there may be a greater risk of theft the more local you live, being in a more expensive place does not really guarantee you will not be robbed.

Watch video here:



Thursday, January 21, 2016

Cost Of Living in the Philippines – Single Foreigner Living in the Philippines




This is a short and concise video from Brian Jodalyn that describes a budget for living inexpensively in Cebu.  He is American and says his G.I. Bill is $1,550 USD per month and comfortable supports his big family (wife and 3 kids) on that. He quotes most prices in USD which many will find helpful. He provides a good example of a budget of around $800 USD which includes about $200 discretionary spending.  He says you can live on $800 but would not recommend it in case you got sick. He says he personally recommends a minimum of $1000 USD.



Tuesday, January 19, 2016

US Marine found guilty of killing transgender Filipino

We just had the verdict handed down for the case of the Marine killing the the transgender Filipino.

These transgender Filipinos (Ladyboys) put themselves at risk by not identifying themselves as such. I have observed this many time.

I am not trying to absolve the responsibility of the death for the Marine but I would say that the Ladyboy contributed to his own death through deceit.

As I understand it the marine never intended to kill the ladyboy but was upset to discover that he had just engaged in intermit relations with another male.

This case became very political and Pinoy pride went into overdrive


OLONGAPO, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine court on Tuesday convicted a U.S. Marine of killing a Filipino last year after he discovered she was a transgender woman in a hotel while he was on a break after participating in joint military exercises in the country.
Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton was convicted of homicide by first strangling Jennifer Laude and then dunking her head into a toilet bowl in the hotel they had checked into after meeting in a disco bar in October 2014 in Olongapo, a city northwest of Manila. He was sentenced to 6-12 years in jail and credited with time already spent in detention, said court clerk Gerry Gruspe.
The court also ordered Pemberton, who has been detained at a Philippine military camp for about a year, to pay Laude's family 4.6 million pesos ($98,000) in damages.
Laude's mother, Julita, said that while she was happy the verdict detailed everything that had transpired, she was not pleased with the length of the jail term because she had hoped Pemberton would be found guilty of murder, a more serious crime than homicide.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Free Retirement Guide for the Philippines

Who would like a free retirement guide that will help you take the first steps in checking your options? The guide is written by Perry Gamsby who is a specialist on the Philippines.

For a free copy join our Philippines Retirement Planning Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/retiretophilippinesplanning/




Saturday, January 9, 2016

Philippines Scams & Warnings

I have created another Facebook group I think will be a great resource and potentially save some people some grief and maybe more.

Philippines Scams & Warnings


Join today

Sunday, January 3, 2016

The Restobar Business



One of the most popular businesses started by many expats is a small bar and restaurant, usually targeting foreigners. The main focus is to provide a place for other foreigners to meet and hang out. Most of these types of establishments aim to provide simple and affordable western style foods. Sometimes providing food is very secondary to the business.
Read more here:

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Plan to build your dream home in the Philippines?

The first thing you need to be aware of is that foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines.

However, you can own a condo or a townhouse as long as the complex is 60% owned by Filipinos. The problem is not all of us want to living in a condo or townhouse.
A foreigner can own a building, and this makes it possible to lease land for specified period and build their dream house. A lease period is typically 20 or 50 years but can even be 99 years. More than enough for someone that just wants to build a retirement home. You need to get a lease agreement drawn up by an attorney.
If you have a Filipino partner then you have the option of buying land in their name. There are ways to maintain control over the property even if you cannot legally own it. This usually involves setting up a corporation and again requires drawing up a legal agreement.
You can also buy land in a child’s name. This might be better than entrusting the title to a partner. If put in a child’s name it can be protected against other family members that might want to misappropriate it. This type of situation happens a lot. Again you need an attorney.
If you 100% trust your partner or really do not care about the possibility of losing the property one day you can just purchase the land in their name.
Building your brand new retirement dream home in the Philippines is exciting but this is not something I would jump into. The process can be a highly stressful and frustrating one, or even worse.
If you have not spent a lot of time in the Philippines my advice is not to jump into purchasing anything. The dream location you have in mind might not be where you really want to be after you have spent some time and explored other locations. Renting to start with is always the best option.
See my video about Noise Considerations as an example of the types of things to investigate before deciding where to live.
For an in depth book on Philippines property you can’t go past the Philippines Property Primer by Perry Gamsby.



Send money to Philippines


I had problems with Western Union refusing to deposit money more than once. Money laundering provisions I am told. Called them and end up talking to some idiot in India who asks the same question. What are the fund for. You tell them they are living expenses such as food, the IDIOT just repeats the question. AND talking about a few hundred dollars.
I use and recommend this service.
Cleared the next day related for bank transfers and deposits.

Not sure about the send money for collection service.

Thing is with orbit it can all be done online.








Disclosure - I do get a free transfer if others join up via this link.

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