BUHAY SA AMERIKA: Why are we retiring EARLY in the Philippines? 

Are Gi I can relate to you. I retired in the US at 56 after working for 30 yrs. But not really retired because here I started my own business. Now I’m 65 and I’m glad umuwi ako. Life in the Philippines is priceless!

I’m 36 years old nd living in Denmark but we are also moving to Philippines in 2 months and can’t wait for it. We really love being in the Philippines.

Love your video about retirement in our motherland. I’m 61 na but now I’m getting homesick every day just watching RU-vid videos of many foreigners blogging about our country. Last year I went back and stayed my longest for so many years: 1 month. Normally, 2 weeks lang and back to the US again. I realized how much I really missed on so many years of changes in our country, our city, our neighborhood. New restaurants every time I went home, new high rise condos, new gated community, new mall, new roads, new bridges, new high ways! Grabe Ang changes talaga. But the one thing I missed are my time spent in the provinces. The beaches, the breath of summer breeze, and the amazing sunsets. I thought of purchasing a condo in Manila but looking at the opportunity to purchase land and property in the provinces have also their pluses and benefits. My mom used to live here in the US but she opted to move back home where she is more happy now. I miss the Philippines sobra but I still have yet to decide if I really want to move back home for good. I’m actually wanting full retirement so I’m still enjoying work here sa US. Healthwise, kaya pa. I’m also in the Healthcare field so I find it enjoyable taking care of people. It keeps me busy and have a reason to wake up in the morning. Anyway, wish me luck, hope I get to go back again this year. That is how much I’m enjoying my time back home recently.

I will be retiring end of this year and I’m only 57. Im lucky that I can do it this early.I want to enjoy life while I’m strong.

Hello Ate Gi, nagretired kami ni Missis at 56.5 at 55 years old. Now we are living in Angeles City Pampanga. We had our little house build and trying life here in the Philippines. Like you, we just got overwhelmed with stress and realize life is too short. Now living simple life and looking forward to traveling. You mentioned about going to walked the 500 miles walked in Spain and I too is planning to do that next year.

Ate Gi, thanks that I got confirmation of my reasons why I retire at age 62 FROM MY WORK in Dubai. Before I am doubtful and regretful of my decision but now I am sure. Thank you and I pray for your happiness with your family and husband.

Hello, just like you I retired at 60 for the same reasons that you mentioned . It's been more than a year now and I never regretted my decision. Wishing you all the best as you enjoy your retirement years

You are an eye opener to many of us nurses here in the USA. Your perspectives about retirement in our native land are true and factual. I've been sharing your blogs with our colleagues who are ambivalent to retiring to our native land.

Miss Gi, nasa parehas ako ng sitwasyon at planu katulad sa nyo. Ofw naman ako sa SG for 16 yrs now balak ko na rin umuwi its about time na din. Philippines is calling me na. ❤ God Bless.

Thank you for all your contents Ma’am. 3months palang ako dito sa US pero I am planning na para sa pag uwi ko. Totoo yung “Life in the Philippines is Priceless”.

Good call Ate Gi. My husband and I retired at age 56 and are enjoying our life here in the US and in the Philippines. And when we get bored in these 2 places, we can travel anytime and anywhere we like. Good luck and best wishes on your retirement.

Hello Ate Gi, nakaka aliw po ang mga videos nyo. My husband I are in the same boat as you. Came here in 1999, now planning to go back to Pinas after 5 years, by the time our bunso finishes college. We have 3 kids. We are now in our mid 50s so we will be 60 when we go back. Thank you for your guiding videos. We love all of them.❤

Husband & I retired a year & half ago, went back home to PI after 45 years in US…. We’re enjoying it & no regrets. You can visit us in Alfonso, Cavite next to Tagaytay, anytime.

Ate Gi ang ganda ulit ng bago mong vlog! Love it! I shared it to my relatives and friends! Agree din naman ako sa mga sinabi mo!

Ate Gi!!!! I don't mind waiting for the next video if the quality is this good! The writing, voice over, the editing is on point! All your musings about life and retirement mirrors ours kaya relate na relate kami sayo! We are retiring in 2 yrs God willing, as soon as my husband turns 60. It will be difficult as we will be keeping our hous here. I am currently only 51 but has had a KT already for 6 yrs now. I am in relatively good health and trying my darnest to stay as healthy as i can for as long as i can, but you never know di ba? Kaya pinagmamadali ko na si hubs. We will be home in the Philippines in 2 weeks for a vacay and also to start preps for our future plans. Will be starting a business over there as well to help augment our retirement income na rin. I wish us luck ate Gi! Hope to be y'all's friend when we are both retirees in the motherland. We will be living in the Tagaytay area and hope to invite you pag may bahay na. hehehe looking forward to the next vlog!

I enjoy watching your videos I’m just blessed to retire at 40 years old due to military palagi kong yinayaya si misis na uwi nlang kami ng pinas pero di pa daw ready kaya puro gig job nlang ginagawa ko stress free at wala pang boss

Ate/Tita Gi I'm a big fan of your Channel. I'm 31 and turning 32 soon, my wife and I have been money Saavy the past 5 years and also planning on retiring a lot earlier than the norm. Pero for now, we'll travel as much as we can and work enough so we can sustain our lifestyle. Thank you po for making these videos kasi it opens up possibilities and shows realities in life. Hoping to see more videos tita once fully retired na kayo, I'll be looking forward to it. Regards po!

Ate Gi! Im 37 and been only living for 4years abroad. I want to retire sa Pinas din. I agree po with you from being able to agree the savings to being forever a foreigner kahit gano katagal sa isang bansa. Mganda po ang Video nio. Pls continue to make content ❤

Pinas will always be ❤. That's our end game as well, eventually. Like a finish line. For the moment, camping camping muna kame. All the best!

We share the same reasons for early retirement. As a nurse too, I work in Nursing facilities, it really open your eyes. They save money for retirement, wait at retirement age to enjoy their savings BUT they become sick, debilitated in their 50s and some in their 40s, never get the chance to enjoy what they've worked for. Then conflict arises between the children or next of kin, some court is involved fighting who gets the inheritance or the state/government will take it, or to pay for long term placement. It really sad to see these situations. It feels really good to hear people with the same outlook as ours.

Ate G you made an excellent decisions of retiring early while your physical body is strong more time to enjoy on your golden years.

Good decision. You can give God the remaining healthy years of life by serving others too!

You mentioned the Camino , we just got back from our first Camino , Im not retired yet but we did it The French way from SJPDP all the way to the end f the world and Muxia .The Camino is ideal for retired people , you can just walk forever and enjoy the countryside of France/Spain.Now we have the Camino bug , plan to return next year .i enjoy your video. Buen Camino

(US based) planning our early retirement as well (im 50, my wife 49), moving to spain in 2026…we are doing the camino ingles this coming spring 2025, we just came back from machu picchu inca trail in peru. 25 countries and counting, able to save and invest with the target amount allowing us to live for the next 10-12 years without working before our pension kicks in. enjoy life!

Hi Mam Gi! Grateful that I came across your channel. Been planning to retire at 50 kasi and I am turning 42 this year. Enjoy po and more power!

if you're getting a pension of around $2500 to $3500 a month then you'll be good in the Philippines.

Ate Gi, excited ako para sa early retirement nyo. Tumira kmi sa LA for 6 yrs din moved and stayed in Bay Area for 19 yrs. Nag work sa Kaiser for 19 yrs until last 2 yrs we decided to sell our house and move to the Philippines for good. We’re turning 54 this year and no regrets at all.

New subscriber here…I love how clearly you speak and the words you said were inspiring…watching from Texas

Same din po mindset ko. I’m 35 right now and plan ko mag retire in my 40s. Just came back from Pinas at ang masasabi ko mas masaya pa din sa atin.

I love your channel. You're a good narrator. You have a soothing voice. Looking forwRd to your next videos.

Congrats for reaching that milestone. It is certainly a blessing to have that option. Iba parin talaga sa atin.

Totally agree po. Money not everything . Health very important , happiness.

Life’s too short! Enjoy now instead of later on. You never know what tomorrow brings.

We are in the same situation, Gi. We are packing up to go home. And visit our kids and grand children in Canada. They have their own lives now. They are young and able to visit us. Yes, the Philippines is going to be our home base.

New subscriber here! I also retired early and since then, life changed. I am now enjoying my time doing the things I was not able to do while raising my children. I actually admire your courage. God bless you and your husband!

It’s good that you have an open mind knowing what to expect in PH. For the same reasons that you mentioned, I also retired this year, quite early at 51 yo after years of corporate life/ stress as a Finance professional. I now enjoy slow living, taking care of my dogs, family, have more time for spiritual life, while I do active investing, stock market trading on the side. Travels abroad I need my kids to join us , and be our diy travel guides 😅

It is a win-win situation I believe. So really, nothing to worry on. Health what matters the most.

Ate Gi, thank you for the videos. I appreciate it so much. ❤

I cannot just like this episode Ate Gi.. I LOVE it!!❤

This indeed the way it should be! I started retiring when I turned 40 so at least half of my life is enjoyable.

Ate GI, I'm saving earnestly because they kept the price tag of aging hidden. What is enough, we'll never really know but I've decided that someday soon, I will no longer keep chasing it because while I can save money, time can run out. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. It hit me at the end of your video when you said, "Totoo 'yon"! I got all choked up and almost cried. 🥰

Thank you for this video. Such an eye opener. 😢

Great analogy on the frog that is placed in a cold water that is slowly heated! While I may think I am not stressed in my current work, I need to entertain the possibility that I may be and just not notice it. I am nearing 50 and I contemplate on early retirement to maximize the healthy years living life on my own terms. Having seen multiple early retirement channels and survey, financial insecurity may be top of mind but study suggests that this is often just a mental aspect. No amount is ever enough and we often just keep moving the bar once we hit a specific milestone. We then end up delaying retirement for "...another year".

Nakaka-inspire, sobra! Salamat po! ❤️

We exactly have the same values when in comes to retirement., Ate Gi.Watching you in this vlog, it’s like seeing my own self😆You just took the words out of my mouth.Sending you ❤ and best wishes 🙏

Hi Ate Gi Glad to hear your vlogg again Very inspirational talaga Every episode ninyo is very touching… God bless u all

We're with you Ate Gi! We retired to the Philippines 5 years ago at age 58, and have been enjoying early "retirement" life. We are not super rich but have more than enough. Yes, we could have stayed longer in the USA, but you know what? You realize Time is more important and valuable than money. If you have enough, why slave away to earn more? When is it enough? Everyone needs to answer that question for themselves. We have no regrets at all ... Just got back from Hawaii visiting relatives... After 3 weeks was already feeling homesick for the Philippines 😂

Thank again for sharing. Hope that when you’re back home…happily retired and enjoying life that you don’t stop vlogging. You’re my inspiration, for now I have a long way to go…I’m in my late 40’s. Work work po muna😊.

Ako dream ko makuha ko lahat ng pamilya ko sa Amerika! Yung sama sama pag holidays mag bbq sa backyard mag camping pag holidays may kanya kanyang bahay sa ibat ibang cities or states. Kaka inis ang systema sa Pinas ang daming abosado!! Mababa tingin ng mga tao sa mahihirap ang health system grabe at walang displina sa kalye!! Daming maruming lugar! Tingin ko mga taong nag eenjoy dun kadalasan mga may kaya sa buhay kasi nga mas respitado sila at pinag sisilbihan!

If I were in your position i will also do the same, tulad nga ng madalas nating marinig, life is too short at dagdagan ko na rin ng kasabihan na, " we work to and not live to work". Siguro para ma-enjoy natin ang retirement years natin, dapat ay alagaan natin yung kalusugan natin, health is wealth ika nga. Congratulations!

This is the reason why I'm advocating for Geriatric Care Management sa Pinas and Dementia advocacy on the right language and approach. Pasno Kung tumanda na tayo? Kaya ba tayong alagaan? Me pera nga tayo pero walang enough infrastructure for Geriatric Care sa atin. Hindi pa portable ang Medicare. Yung naipon natin mauubos sa medical Care. I like your video. Maybe we could collaborate in the future. Beautiful soothing voice, too. 😊

I wish I can do the same retiring in the Phil. Kaya lang we are all here in the US. I am single & I'm taking meds for hbp & cholesterol. Thank God, everything is in control & I'm an active person. I've accepted it. Kaya siguro pasyal na lang sa Pinas.

depende sa tao. wifey and i retired in our 60s kaya full ang tanggap namin plus medicare/supplement. we left RP in the 80s as an ofw sa africa. like u wifey is an rn for more than 40 years sa africa canada at us. myself worked in various jobs ending as fed. worker. we travelled a lot since in the 80s sa pinas at mundo. nuong bata pa kami our plan is to retire sa pinas pero sa ngayon ay dito na lang kami sa us kapiling ang mga anak namin at mga apo.

Salamat Gi. I admire & agree with your POV. Mabuhay kayo & may the Lord continue to bless you & yours 🙏🏽🫶🏽🫰🏽

Hello po! I love following your site and watching your video, I am far from retiring (40yrs old now), but just planning ahead because time goes by so fast. You made such a great point na our "goal keeps changing" as time passes. and we will always want "more savings/money" to prepare us for retirement. But in reality if parang we have enough naman...and bayad na ang mga dapat bayaran...ok na talaga mag retire hehe... Thanks for this enlightening video. I look forward for more to watch. Enjoy retirement & stay healthy po❤

Ate G, The only Problem i will face in the Philippines is Sobrang Init nya na ngayon due to Global Warming, parang ang Hirap Huminga pag Sobra Humid at Mainit….other than that, All Good nMan in the Hood..

As much as ones financial stability upon retirement is a must, retiree also have to account for 8 hours a day 5 days a week. People, regardless of where they retire, feel isolation and loss of worth. Its great you are addressing some of these things because retirement can also add a different type of stress and the feeling of "what to do". There is a difference between having 3 months off of employment work than being off and retired...

It’s a scary move to retire for we don’t know how much we need but it depends on our lifestyle and where to live. Prepare to be financially stable and track your retirement savings. It’s hard but try to understand how to make them grow. I retired at 60 and enjoying travel and helping my daughter with her kids once in a while. Glory to God for He is the source of everything. 🙌🙏

Thank you for sharing , would love to retire early in the Philippines too ❤

I love all your videos but this one is probably my favorite! Can so relate! I'm so happy for you, Ate Gi! Hope we can meet someday in BGC!

My younger sister COOKED POT ROAST at our cousins in the Philippines. The entire recipe costs over PH peso 1,500 at SM Groceries. Basic meat (2 lbs.), potatoes, celery, and carrots. My cousins and their kids were astonished! they could not stop eating. Although they regularly eat beef, they prefer having pork as main dish. My sister loves choice fish only. Before her vacation ended, she made spaghetti with out of this world meat sauce, which my cousins confessed they never had before.

I love Philippines there’s no place like home yan din po dream namin ng mister ko pag retire nya at age 62 mag early retirement sya, sa ngayon po 53years old p lang sya waiting 9 more years, yan rin po gusto ko rin makasama mga kapatid ko, nanay ko at life is too short..nice video po watching SF CA.

I may not in your situation or someone's situation yet when it comes to age with more experience and wisdom but just a friendly advice, I think you had mentioned or suggested this already in one of your videos but for the purpose of some viewers here who are also interested to move back to the Phils. for good, I would say before deciding for the big one, try to live in the Philippines first or any place where you prefer to stay for retirement, for 1 to 2 years before you do the move. I know for most of us who were born and pretty much were raised in the Philippines will probably find it a little easier just to think about it but try to consider the possible factors that might concern you in the long run (health access, emergency needs, safety, travel time, people, gov't leadership, calamity and disaster response, living situation, etc.) and the overall aspects. Most esp if you had lived abroad and got used to your current living situation. Fully immersed yourself again to see and assess if this will work for you long term. After you did all of that, planning and saving up for your future retirement home and other business to venture out for extra income will be a plus! It is indeed fun in the Philippines not until you experience the said factors I just mentioned above. God forbid.🙏 But, those are just realities we have to face tho.😔 Again, this is a case to case basis. This may not apply to everyone so you can disregard this if you think this is not applicable to you for any reason. Whatever works with you are still your ultimate decision. Good luck!

Same here, stress sa job, night shift, may hypertension, may maintenance, early 40s and planning for early retirement. maybe 45yrs old or before 50s. Need ko pa kumuha health/hospital/medical insurance. 😢

Yes po.. life is too short… enjoy while you can… nothing is enough…. Happy retirement… kmi din sa Thailand naman… ♥️

Finally another video from you ! I totally agree with you . Been in Cali for 22 years! But with what’s going on the government… I have to wait a while… soon we will be home

Sabi nga LIFE is a JOURNEY NOT a destination…enjoy it while we but of course we have to make sure na solid din ang finances natin para sa atin and our kids. We also like to retire in our early 50s. My wife and I did the right thing with our finances and we deserve to enjoy the fruit of our labor.

Thanks for sharing part of your goal Ate Gi. We have same goal as you, to retire early.. Pinoy in Michigan, your kabayan.

I'll be right behind you ;) 3 more years!

Thanks for an inspiring narrative about early retirement. I stopped working about 2 years ago and I’m now 55 and my husband as well. As for me stopped working mainly because I was diagnosed w/ SLE seven years ago. Luckily I worked as a nurse in a county hospital in the US for years which entitled me to retire as early as 50(CALPERS).Although I applied for retirement at 53. Currently doing a European trip and heading to Spain soon. Thank God with medication I am currently doing fine and trying to live life to the fullest as long as I can. We already have a place in Batangas where we will settle after our European tour.

Discovered your YT channel today, and enjoyed it! We are in the same boat Gi, planning our retirement and trying to decide whether we stay here in Australia, or retire in the Philippines. Financially it make sense, but we have our daughters here which makes us want to stay. Ahh decisions, decisions! I'll watch some more of your video to gain insights. cheers!

Life is short... enjoy your early retirement. I've retired 6 months ago at 55 and moved to the Philippines 4 months ago. No regrets whatsoever.

I’m 52 and getting retired in December 2024. Enough na sa akin ang pension ko para makapag enjoy ng konte sa retirement ko. Sobrang stress na ko sa work, anhin ko naman ang maraming pera kung hindi ko din naman ma enjoy pag tanda ko.

Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing. 🙏

Thank you for this insight 😊❤. I'm a 70yo lola here in PHILIPPINES 🇵🇭 and I'm thinking if mgbbakasyon pb ako s Italy 🇮🇹 and Japan 🤔. Well, I hope 🙏 that I'll have the strength and capacity to do so. I must say I'm still healthy enough to do all those travelling 😊 ❤, God willing 🙌 🙏 . We welcome you back here in the Philippines 🇵🇭, stay safe, and God bless 🙌 🙏

Mainit lang all the time. 😅 Adjustment..adjustment! Pero...walang stress! Konteng stress is good for your heart😮😊

Hi Ate Gi, I love watching your videos. Feeling ko nagkkwentuhan lang tayo. My husband and I are far from retirement age, our kids are still little so kelangan pa kumayod, but I love hearing your stories! Regards from Canada ❤

Spot on Ate Gi!

There's no place like home ... iba pa rin ang saya sa Pinas. I live permanently in other country for 9 years now, but I already acquired properties in the Philippines balak sana namin ibenta kaso we decided wag nalang because we are still considering retiring in the Philippines in the future ☺

Ate Gi, I am waiting for my 62-year-old and retiring in the Philippines. All what you said were true.

I am 49 yrs old now and I will be retiring in March 2025 at the age of 50 yrs. I have friends who are already retired and enjoying their retirement. You are right hindi natin alam kung hanggang kailan tayo dito at kung hanggang kailan ang ating magandang health. I am looking forward also on the day I retire.

I agree it's more fun in the Philippines

Ang ganda ng advises Mo!Godbless !And thank you!

You are so lucky ate gi; retiring early is my goal too; i cant see myself working as a nurse at bedside until 67 yo. Stress na nga ako ngayon😂.

Beautiful show. Thank you.

Good luck for your early retirement ...good decision....god bless..

Nakakatuwa naman po ang vlog ninyo, Lagi po ako nanunuod. :) Nakatira po ako sa San Jose, Bay Area. Minsan nag ppunta kami SF. God Bless po ^^ ingat po kayo lagi.

Totoo po lahat ng sinabi nyo. Bukod na mas magandang mag retire early dapat din ine-enjoy natin ang life kahit malayo pa ang retirement dahil kung work lang ng work para mag save up sa retirement, pano pag di tayo umabot dun. Sa Pilipinas nga po, may mga kakilala ako na right after mag retire nag kasakit ng Malala at lahat ng naipundar nya napunta sa pag papahospital nya. Kailangan balance talaga, mag prepare sa future pero mag enjoy din sa present ❤😊

Planning to retire at age 43 while I can still swim, dive, run, hike, and climb.

Kapag born ka nang pinas , it’s true na mas masaya sa ating bayan.

I like it when you said you could never feel at home in the US. This is very true but Filipinos don’t say it. Seems like you always try to fit yourself to the culture.good luck for your plans. Me IM too far yet but already planning to retire by 59 1/2 or earlier if i can.

I love your positivity and views in life Ate Gi...For me, as we grow old, what really matters at the end is not how we look and what we have, but enjoying our life with loved ones and friends is what we really cherish the most....stay healthy!

That’s my plan too to retire at 60. I’m still in the US yet still young to retire. I’m still saving up for my retirement din.

Ako at 54 usapan na namin ni misis isagad napo sa 65 sa ph govt pero at this time niready ko na pang retirement ko i got 4 rice fields and a unfinished apartment planning for more para na din sa support sc kidz ko na 3. Medyo nag slow na ako sa office na parang pina early retirement ka na dahil sa office politics but at least di ako mabigla na busy sa work then bigla wala ka na ginagawa leaving a feeling of being un important. Sa office kasi average 5 yrs patay na, dad ko nga 7yrs uncle ko 4yrs. Busy at masipag pag nagtrabaho ka then biglang tigil maybe contribute why they die within 5yrs. Kaya nag eenjoy na ako while working na parang semi retired.

I’m 47 right now , my husband is 57 plan nya mag tetired sya ng 62 sa pinas din kami for good 😌

YOLO. and Life is too short 🙏🙏🙏

Wow im 23 years in the USA but still needs 10years until 62 and i will retire as a nurse. America is where i retire kasi uutangan lang ako sa mga family at kaibigan ko. Kung wala maibigay ako pa masama. Alam nila meron ako pension from america at hihingi sila ng pera.

A lot of wisdom in this video!

enjoy po your retirement in pinas 😊 kami madmi pang kaning kakainin hehe bago magretire

Ate Gi, I just retired also and my husband and I are preparing to move to San Juan, Batangas. My american husband is 58 and I’m 53. Saan po kayo mag reretire sa pilipinas?