When Things Go Very Wrong in the Philippines/Retirement Fails! 

Best advice is use common sense when you travel and NEVER ever let go of your hard earned money! Rent and DON'T get into any mortgage as a foreigner, walk away in times of trouble, and ALWAYS have backup money to ESCAPE any situation!

I recently had a pretty bad motorbike accident in the Philippines where I broke my collarbone and had multiple rib contusions. Plus, some nerve and muscle damage to my shoulder and back. The surgery involved 2 doctors, plus anesthesiologist, multiple x-rays, EKG specialist, blood and urine, iv and pain med drips, antibodies drip, 3 night's stay at a private hospital, etc, etc. Total cost was just under $2,500 USD. My BCBS insurance was not accepted. No pay...No services. Dropped a 60k advance and things got moving really quickly. I am 55 years old, I had written bikes since the age of 14 and never had an accident. Anything can happen so be prepared.

Everything is temporary in life. Always have a plan B. Help the one you love as long as they are trying to solve their own problems, but don't take on their problems. Live within what you can afford. Leave your white knight behind.

Ah yes, when I began a relationship with a Filipina in Bohol 16 years ago (2007), a British ex-pat and business owner there took me aside and told me that I should be aware that, when you begin a relationship with a Filipina, there is an unwritten rule that you will be expected to support her family, even her extended family. I struggled so hard to keep this business at arm's length but, in the end, I returned to Canada 6 years ago (2017), bringing her with me - so demoralized, distraught and depressed over the never-ending expectations and demands! (Well, at least I survived it relatively unscathed while many other foreigners ended up bankrupt) Now, back in my home country for 6 years, I am unhappy that the Canada I knew and loved as a young man seems to have disappeared; overtaken by a culture of greed and dog-eat-doggedness. It's as if there is no room for a senior citizen with a very modest pension to enjoy life, even a little bit. And so now, your videos have got me thinking of returning to the Philippines. A scary and unsettling thought! Still though, you are quite a character and I really enjoy your videos. It's like having an old friend I can relate to. Thank you, Paul, old dog!👍

Paul, this is the most amazing discussion you and Dan have had on your channel. Plus, your humor, sarcasm, and puns are second to none. I never miss a podcast and always look forward to more. For that I say thank you!

Less planning means less goals, means less stress in achieving goals 😆🍻

Hi mate, Many thanks for sharing another great video. Hope you are well.

These two are best voices of reason for life in the Phillipines.

When all this started. 99% of the 'vloggers', where painting a paradise place with angels..... and many lonely men, gulp it down like a dying man in a desert. It is nice to see that the truth and reality is being spoken lately, but fools and desperate lonely people, will always exist. Hopefully videos like this one, will help many from destroying themselves.

Thanks Paul! That was fun. :-)

Great conversation! Loved it

This was great! Just a couple of great episodes. Thank you both!

Another great video sir and looking forward to seeing the next one

Great interview guys,thank you both for your info.

Thank you so much fellas as usual awesome info muchly appreciated)

Best video : )

Good advice.

Good interview. Thanks.

2 of the best sharing there knowledge. Thanks Paul and Dan

Thanks!

I really enjoyed listening to these two gentlemen! They seem like two guys you can hang out with and "shoot the breeze" in a casual atmosphere.

Great advice guys ,

Enjoyed the video. Entertaining and informative.

Hi Paul, One of your Best, if not your Best tube casts ever. Very smooth and extremely Informative. Lucky Ace Las Vegas re met you again at the water front Diner.

As a "foreigner" it's wise (and best) to not buy or invest n anything, as your rights are "thin", things can change without warning, there can be serious "surprises" (of many kinds) which can leave you at/with a loss, and you're always at a disadvantage compared to the citizens. Stay "mobile" to an extent, a 1 year lease is the limit, and do nothing to expose your assets to being vulnerable; there are "traps" all around and keep yourself secure. Be skeptical, be suspicious, trust with extreme caution and research, get everything in writing. Be kind, be respectful, be "generous" (within reason) but be "ruthless" in your dealings with people when money is involved. My "emergency fund" will be 13,000,000 Pesos (to start), I'll have a premiere, private health plan, I'll have a 100,000 Peso monthly budget and I'll save 1.5 million Pesos every year.

Sad but truth! perfectly said. Great information for everyone 👍

Dan is a legend in the travel space ……

Great video guys. Some very useful advice.

Paul you are the man. Your so down to earth.

Excellent advise.

Great interview, packed with great stories and information. Thank you. 👍👍👍

This was a very good collaboration video Paul. 2 of my favorite vloggers.

In Costa Rica a can of Campbell's Tomato Soup from the US is $4. Meanwhile a can of Maggio's Tomato Soup from Mexico is 55 cents and twice the size, better and without all the preservatives that will embalm you Pre Mortem. Glad you brought that one up.

Great video and thanks for the advice

This conversation is very helpful and right on !! Love the two person format.

Another great video Paul.

Good advise 👍

Great video!

Wonderful video

Thanks for sharing I want to be like you when I grow up 😁👍

“ultra sound” was the word you were looking for. Great vid! 👍

Paul, great interview. Both of you guts provide honest information, and it's much appreciated.

If you do buy property in the Philippines, it's best (in my opinion) to buy in a subdivision. These places are usually developed by wealthy (and connected) Filipinos who will not let the value decline. You also should not have a problem reselling them since they're usually in good areas and are a symbol of high status among Filipinos.

Two great youtubers....best info ever

Good info.

Very great points! Agreed completely! Rent and stay fluid.😊

Paul! Thank you and Dan for your very informative channels. Just subscribed to both!

I enjoy watching you separately but together you guys are great! ☺

Paul- This was a very well presented humanly video that many already know but all in one video and presentation in this world is everything. Great job to you both.

This is another really great video on a really important topic. You are my hero!

Lots of good simple common sense advice 👍

Very sane and sensible advice Paul and Dan❤❤❤ more power to both your channels guys, stay safe and God bless 🙌 🙏 👍 🍀

Great interview 👍

Good job👍

Excellant advise

Old Dog and World Traveler: Tks. much.

Very refreshing Paul, like always. Thanks for a great time and cheers from Panama

Great advice

Hi Paul enjoyed this video like all you do... I messaged you told you I just physically got engaged 1 week ago in Manila and sent some photos.... I've known Jen 2.5 years and things are great, the only down side is the heart condition she has but will have corrected at Mayo Clinic here in Rochester MN.... she actually gets mad at me when I spend money on her... wanted to take her shopping for her birthday to get a new outfit.... she flatly said no because she likes thrift stores.... for her birthday dinner wanted to take her to Viking Buffet and even though her meal was free.... mine wasn't so she wanted left over pizza in our room... the 3 biggest things we did was get matching T-shirts from Hard Rock Cafe... but didn't let her see the price till it was to late to say no... but when she found out all she would say is that is 2 sacks of rice.... a Gondola ride at The grand canal mall and saw 2 movies.... as mentioned she has a heart we want to get corrected after marriage... and I can hear people rolling their eyes thinking she's using him she's probably not even sick... I wish with all of my heart and soul they was right... she sends me receipts for her meds and doctor visits as well as test results and most recently a letter from her Doctor... Jen had Rheumatic fever as a child and parents didn't take her to a doctor so Now Mitral Valve Damage his most recent letter said hoping the Doctor in the US who will do her surgery can do a mitral valve repair rather than replacement, but what made my jaw hit the floor its the first time he said she is in heart failure.... scared the Hell out of me.... im gonna do what ever I can to expedite her visa so she can hopefully have successful surgery and complete recovery anyone who would like to offer a prayer for her to God appreciated.... she's a beautiful woman inside and out and I really don't want to lose her this close to finally getting married

Interesting video. 👍

Excellent

You guys do make a great video together .. funny and on point !!

You two on video just a blast 💥

Very good video

Great Video!!! I enjoy so much watching the videos of you and Dan talking together like this. It was nice this was done inside a house where it's quiet - lol

“Know what you are walking into” That is a hard one, many timesI thought I knew what I was walking into…..

Great great video! I subscribe to Dan’s channel also. Great couple. A lot of wisdom here. Thank you Paul.

What could go wrong? Very good interview guys.

Hello gentlemen. With all the firsthand life experiences on the ground with respect to this podcast, it’s very educational and informative specially viewers from the U.S.. Yes, i am a U.S. citizen, 63 years old, married to a professional Filipina for 25 years until she passed away five years ago. I am pretty much aware with the local culture, customs and traditions; including real estate, businesses, health services and other areas of concerns. Absolutely agreed to avoid using fishing rod to catch fish online, 99 % you end up a line without a hook. Great job gentlemen. Stay safe.

Mighty nice of those grandparents to give their house to the grounds’ keepers❤

Thanks Paul for a great insight into the common mistakes people do when relocating abroad to live a better life. Love your personality, simplicity and words of wisdom. I’ve watched part one of this conversation on Dan’s channel.

Great vids

Great video, guys! We have friends that had a house built in Minglanilla Cebu about 6 years ago. He is retired American she a Cebuana. Apparently, the neighborhood had to sue the developer to finish the project he hadn't proved the amenities on the original plan. The house cost them probably 250k US..The problem is real estate is not like in USA. The values are all over the board. So, getting you ROI may never happen. I M lucky because my wife already had a house and property when I met her. Any improvements she has made she has paid for. I would say for a foreigner tread very carefully buying in the Philippines. Cebu city condo prices are absolutely ridiculous. Renting is definitely the best option. 👌

One of your best talks

Paul if everyone in the world was like you, this world would be a great place to live.

Great video.!!! Thats what its about

Hallarious but great information and advice.

Good that this video is giving us reality that we don't know about.❤

Thank you for the genuine words of wisdom fellas priceless guidance and advice for living and loving through life anywhere greatly appreciated

Hey Paul , Great video and info . Dan’s a good guy .

Great info from both of you, I am now 72 and have lived here in the Philippines for 32 years and have gone thru many of the issues you both talked about and I learned many lessons over the years living here. I agree with both of you about renting a place to live instead of buying, but like you stated Paul I also bought a house here for my wife's future because she had a bad stroke back in 2005 and I wanted her to be set for life when I am gone to the stars. You both have great RU-vid channels but together your even better. Thanks for great info here

Preach! But I understand....

Paul you are comedy gold and informative and interesting with your channel a great source of entertainment 😎😇🎯

It's amazing how many similarities there are iin many of less fortunate Countries... Again, good show gentlemen...

hello from Algarve Portugal. very good advice about property and relationships, vacation mode.

I came to see you from Dan's channel Paul!!! I'm retiring in under 2 yrs !!!! Plan on touring around a bit I love the crash and burn stories !!!

Hi Paul from Panorama city California good followup interview

Great video Paul! I think that the throwing money at problems is usually part of that "instant gratification" culture here in the USA. You remember the rat race yourself, and I can tell you that the rats are slowly creeping ahead! We are already running as fast as we can and can't take on another issue, so it's much easier to pay someone to take care of that issue for us. It's costly and wasteful, but if we can save our psyche from another hit, we often consider it money well spent. Now for the thing we can't see (I hope you make it this far to this comment). It's something you've tried to share with us over years on your videos. It's that we don't need keep up with the rats once we are in the PI. It's that we will be able to take a deep breath and decompress even though life in the PI is different from the USA. You are sharing your views of "peace of mind" and what that can look like for you in the Philippines! I look forward to being able to throw off my burden and just take a deep breath and be in the moment! I think that's the most important lesson you've shared/taught us!

Good to see you and Dan together. I’ve followed you both for a while now. You’re my go to guys for retirement over seas. Keep it up. 😊

Great video, great advise!

Great chat Paul. Alot of good things to be aware of everywhere in the world.

I rode my bicycle across India I ran into an American who was retired in India. He inherited $150k and moved to India. I stayed in touch with him for a few years. Last time I talked to him he said he’s running out of money. Drinking alcohol everyday

Hey Paul, great channel! I've watched dozens of your videos (and others) and I don't think I've heard anyone talk much about financial support for the wife or girlfriends family. Perhaps a lot of guys have no idea about that or what they should consider giving the family when they are in a relationship or married. That might be a helpful video to watch. Thanks for all your fantastic info. I'm going to Thailand in November for a vacation and check out retirement options there.

You're lookin good there, Paul. Marriage agrees with you. Good information. Great video! Thanks for sharing it.

They are two of my favorite people!

Great information for the geezers contemplating living in the Philippines!

Great video by the way help People in deciding. To move abroad

Great advice Paul! That's my plan to rent and so I can be mobile and move as I please. However, I do own a townhouse in Suburb of Manila. But I don't plan to live there. Foreigners should consider just rent.

Hey Paul. I might never live in the Philippines but I love the people. Also, I love your videos they usually make me break out into a big smile. Thanks.

I will definitely not be in vacation mode 24 seven. Even though I can afford it, that kind of shit doesn’t interest me . This was a great discussion. Glad you guys got together for this and collaborated very helpful information. 👍