Rob, appreciate your transparency and vulnerability, I am certain you speak for many of us! We should live with no regrets, however, worry and uncertainty paralyze most of us. Enjoy a great day brother.
No, but I saw this on Boot Hill : _Remember me, for as you are, so once was I, and as I am, you soon will be. Remember me._ I want that on my tombstone too.
Another gem Rob! I like to say no one escapes this life unscathed. We all get our asses handed to us in one way shape, form, or another. For myself, I only know how to learn two ways: kicking and screaming and the hard way. You don't have to get up 10 times, just the next time. Appreciate the passion, care, and amazing insights. One month out to the PH!
Nice presentation Rob! Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda is weaved throughout this video and that’s good for those who are sitting on the fence. It’s a win+win situation if some of us pick, choose and apply your findings through your life learning experiences ie; exercising and simultaneously gaining knowledge, carefully choosing the right partner and knowing one’s compatibility to avoid a regretful full life It’s amazing how the “box” of loneliness can still exist if you choose the wrong partner. Keep up the great work Rob, I might take you up on your offer of a one hour session 😊.
Rob, thanks for dropping this candid, vulnerable video… it’s among the most relatable ones I’ve ever seen. I’m 15 years behind you, but with virtually identical life experiences to what you’ve shared. While I’ve been fortunate to have already seen much of the world🌏, I’m still based here in the US completing my devoted single dad tour of duty. I’m not one to need mentorship, per se, but I’d love to chat with you sometime to share and refine our life philosophies. I’ll try to reach out on my next visit to the beautiful 7,200 island archipelago! Cheers,🍻
Exceptional video Rob! So many nuggets of gold here! Hope this one breaks records! WOW what a turn around! Rob is absolutely living his best life! 🙏🙏❤️❤️
I divorced at age 51 and lost my job simultaneously. I had kids to support and found myself working for a greatly diminished income for the next seven years. Lucky for me, I made a lot of money during the pandemic which allowed me to retire two years early . My saga found me losing my social circle but I have compensated for it by moving into a front porch community. Next stop is a visit to The Philippines. I have been in a LDR for several months and it is time to take things to the next level.
great vid Rob. your experiences are very typical of many retirees in the west. the kids grow up and build their own lives. the working life ends. we find ourselves stuck with a partner-relationship that doesnt work anymore. most of us need a new gig. the people that succeed in retirement search for and find a new life. you have done that. i talked my son out of going into the real estate bizness. that is a cluster fart world. i wrote high end mortgages for a bank for 12 years. i speak from experience about the real estate headache. you should consult soon-to-be retirees what they can expect. tell them to have a plan. you do your best work when Chrissy brings the munney home to the fam in the province😁
You hit all the important retirement, personal, financial and relationship points. 😊😊😊keep up the great content. Lots of points to do more sole searching.
Very interesting video Rob. You relate with the lives of many more people than you could ever imagine. Your insight into one’s options are uplifting and profound. Thank you for opening your life up so publicly, that can’t be easy. May God not only continue to bless your RU-vid channel, but you life as well.
Thanks for the pep talk Rob. It was brave of you to share your hardships and inspirational to hear how far you have come.... and how we can do it too. Funny, I always took you to be in a fraternity. Proud to be a Phi. Peace and Love, B Goat
You said a mouthful! I am in the exact same situation you were when you were back in the US. My marriage has failed. My self esteem is gone. My savings are depleted from being forced into living in Hawaii for 8 years, and my Social security check is very low, so I worry every day. On top of that, I am having a hard time getting out of expensive Hawaii. In 2020 I got Covid, and that damaged my health. Now I am working on my health and looking for a purpose in life. Who would want to be with an old guy with wrinkles, hair loss, a negative attitude, poor health, and waining finances? No one in their right mind. Even I don't want to be with someone like that! LOL
A move to the Philippines or another low expense country could solve that. You will probably get healthier inside and out and that will set you up for finding a great partner. Don't rush it. Get in a better place first before pursuing a relationship. Then when the right one comes along it will be remarkable!
Thank you for sharing ,Rob . Your story resonates with mine so strongly.Listening to how you have survived the isolation and are now thriving gives me hope I can make sense of my life again. The misery is real and a box as you say. Thank you. Doug Stewart
I retired a year ago and moved to a small village in the countryside. I’ve never been happier took up tennis and golf. I’m single but lucky to meet a great bunch of people and have made some great friends
Rob, you’re a thinker and probably have a lot of inner dialogue conversations just like myself. I had a large photography business that didn’t make it through that great resession. A lot of teeth-nashing days. But, we all have to adapt to the new landscape and get something great going on. I have all the same concerns you have and you made it! Thanks, Patrick.
Thanks for sharing more about your background. Now I totally understand why you are so good at your videos. I really like the idea you had regarding having conversations about your three favorite topics: history, philosophy, and politics. Those are all right up there with my favorites too.
I was in the Photography, Wedding Planning business in Hawaii. Great job, but I worked 7 days a week 16 hour days. If I had kept it up I would be dead from a heart attack now.
I have been medically retired from the military since 2002, married twice and divorced for over 20 years. Raised my three kids on my own and now that they are grown and on their own my life is great. I have tons of hobbies and a lot of peace in my life. Not one time since my last divorce 2o plus years ago have I ever felt lonely. I love my life and after my dog passes I will be traveling to SE Asia, not to find a woman but because I love to travel and the only place I haven't been is Asia.
Boredom is something that I am concerned about myself. That's one reason why I don't want to retire as long as I enjoy my work and I am healthy enough to keep on going. And moving to the PH won't fix that, even if I will have a loving devoted partner (she will have to work FT while I would be alone at home).
Rob, I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and I always been interested in your background. I now can see that you are a thinker and broad minded person like me who is interested in history, politics, economics, philosophy, culture, the arts, real estate, business, psychology, science, almost everything. I think you have found the key to the secret of happiness in life. I am in my late 70’s and have had very similar life experiences as you. I have had two troubled marriages in the past and am currently recently married. I think we could have endless conversations about everything and just sharing our knowledge and experiences. Science and math was the love of my life in high school, but I majored in philosophy in college and anthropology in graduate school. I got married soon after and was forced to support a family. I went into real estate finance and had to learn all about business to survive and support my family. But business was never my true love, it was just easy for me because I was good at math and science. I’ve had my up and downs in business, too. I live in Hawaii and I hope that I can meet you in person one day.
Glad you can afford to live in Hawaii. It's the best place for the weather. But you must have a good income and for that reason, it's long past time for me to leave.
Rob..great video...I am not alone...and I don't have a wife or a girlfriend...My job keeps me busy and most women don't like being in a relationship with Airline Pilots..Cause we are always gone and busy working...But I do get the jus of what you are saying...hope to meet you and Crissy when I visit next year..You two are my kind of people to get to know..
Excellent video. As far as loneliness goes, if you’ve already turned over every rock in the USA, and still are relatively lonely, there is not much risk in pulling up roots and going overseas. it’s an asymmetric trade / risk. Little downside, lots of upside.
True story. I had a relationship with a Filipina who is now married in England, but I’m still friends with her mom. And I always felt bad for her mom because she was married to this retired guy who had a bad heart he was out of shape and she didn’t know how to drive so she was kind of stuck in the apartment with him. But she was part of the local Filipino political/committee and they had an annual Christmas gala event, Which she invited me to. As for myself I’m an NYer living in NC, post divorce etc. basically I have zero local friends. So At this gala Xmas party which has roughly 400 ppl, she knows a LOT of them. She’s one of the 3 highest ranking ppl on the committee. She introduces me to a crap ton of ppl, including a state senator. And all along I’m feeling sorry for her being lonely. incredible.
Taking a shot each time you said "epidemic" would be one hell of a drinking game! Props to you my friend. Many guys would have packed it in after take a kick to the cojones like that. Way to pick yourself back up!
Where would you recommend to go for some snorkeling and possibly learn to Scuba Dive someplace? Thanks. My late Filipina wife said one of her biggest regrets was not travelling as much. She wished she had travelled more.
I've never been bored a day in my life. Being in business I was always busy. The day I sold my business I was retired at 49. Then I moved to the Philippines. I've never been bored. I enjoy my life. Travel is a big part of it. Can you sell my house? I'm joking. Planning my next trip. Do you invest in growth or dividend portfolio? Come on let the rat out of the trap. Hey your honesty, openness is great. Someday your in cebu let's meet for lunch my treat.
You really speak for so many of us, I was sucker punched getting served with divorce papers when I was out at the supermarket, now a year passed, I’m trying to financially recover!! I’m trying so hard to put together money to come there, BUT living here in N.Y. State is keeping me down just to get by on my pension & S.S. If I could just get there I’d be golden I have a good amount of $$ to live well there BUT Not here, with the Alimony, and crazy living bills!! I feel trapped here, and don’t own anything or have any family here, just can’t save enough for the plane ticket, hotel and have money to live on when I first get there until I start receiving my next payment after I’m there, then I’d be great! I just can’t get out of here !!!???!!?! I don’t even rent an apartment, I’m living in my Truck which isn’t payed off yet ether, and have to pay for storage unit that just has my personal property, no furniture she got it all !!! I stuck between a rock and a hard place as they say!! I could let Them repo the the truck & storage unit to save a months worth of. $$ for the expensive to get there, But what do I do for that month?? Live under a tree ???? Any suggestions 🤔🫤🤯🤷🏻♂️
John, sorry to hear about your situation, but as you put together your strategy don't forget... there are no safety nets in PH and you must have an emergency fund of some sort to fall back on. They won't even let you IN the hospital without demonstrating the ability to pay up front. Good Luck. B Goat
John- Don't come to the Philippines without at least $20,000 in an emergency fund. Minimum. AS Rob notes- There is NO safety net for foreigners. Zippo, zero, nada. One operation can set you back $5,000 and they won't let you leave the hospital untill you pay. There are videos all over RU-vid about older guys that went broke in the Philippines and living under terrible circumstances. It's low cost, but its not paradise and there is no safety net. Seek out help from your local county health and human services. Get food from foodbanks. Don't be proud, get the help you need. Local legal aid may be able to help you to lower the alimony amount. Sell the truck if you can and buy a beater car (I drive a 12 year old car that works great). You may want to consider going back to work even if part-time, even if your health sucks. That's how you save some money and come to the Philippines.. After full retirement age they don't reduce your social security for other income you earn. I would guess the alimony has a termination date on it. Set your ex-wife up with a wealthier guy to marry and I think "Cha-ching" no more alimony.
The plight of many men at this age.... no fun at all. Only regret I'd likely have is to not take a risk and try someplace like the Philippines. Pretty much covered everything else but the loneliness.
Me thinketh an interesting story which reminds me of something Warren Buffet said which was., when the tide goes out we all see.........who's swimming naked!@!?😃😉
You exposed the idea of "True friendship", that you didn't have in the US. True friendship is similar to "True Love". It is NOT based on common interests, similar likes, the material world, or physical attraction. All of those end. A true connection is spiritual in nature...ie you are attracted to the qualities of God such as loving kindness, trustworthiness, sincerity, honesty, care and service to make others happy, care of the elderly, the sick and the poor, and gentleness to children. These qualities are spiritual in nature making the true connection a spiritual connection. "We are the flowers of one garden, the leaves of one tree...the waves of one sea". If there is only one God, then all of the religions have come from the same God, and all of humanity from the same God.
Rather than depressing, it gives us something of reality to think about and deal with. Sometimes dealing with it is difficult, but you never get to the other side of the dark tunnel until you deal with it.
I respect your opinion, but I found a lot of value in it. Depressing... yes. But that is how many of us have live, and maybe are living right now, trying to find a way out. To have joy in our lives once again. I'm glad that you don't need that which means you are already in a good place.
Excellent video. As far as loneliness goes, if you’ve already turned over every rock in the USA, and still are relatively lonely, there is not much risk in pulling up roots and going overseas. it’s an asymmetric trade / risk. Little downside, lots of upside.
