Which Of These Expat Budgets Will You Choose?

Retire in the Philippines with Reekay at LifeBeyondTheSea.

If you find my content helpful, I appreciate the support.

JOIN as a Member to get exclusive videos not shared on the main channel!

-- Subscribe For LifeBeyondTheSea articles, news & video updates;

#philippines #relationships #travel #cebu #vietnam #expatlife #reekay #lifebeyond #retirement #retired #expatlife
_____________________________________________________________________
This channel contains affiliate links that support the channel at no
extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Some music may be provided by;
Youtube Audio Library
Wondershare/Filmora Audio

[Lifebeyondthesea]

If you find my content helpful, I appreciate the support.

JOIN as a Member to get exclusive videos not shared on the main channel!


This channel contains affiliate links that support the channel at no
extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Some music may be provided by;
Youtube Audio Library
Wondershare/Filmora Audio

[brettsmith]

I have been living in the Philippines last 7 years . Few years on $800/mo. And now on $1200/mo. That's with gf and my daughter. And we go to resorts regularly and travel to many beautiful places. And we are cool and eat well. Have built 2 houses by myself on that budget. So no rent (even thugh it is very inexpensive here). Im a small town kind of guy. But always have lived where i have access to airport and hospitals. And i save half of my ss each month for emergencies. So i don't understand where some have this need for 2500- 4000 usd to live here. Happiest and best years of my life. 😄

[chrisj]

I’m at $1872 a month or 103, 000 pesos and that’s for two of us outside of Cebu City. We have two scooters and own our home, so not rent. I have a U.S. phone and a U.S. storage unit as I rent out my home there, and we have two PH phones. We eat out at least 2-3 times a week and travel at least one weekend a month somewhere within the Philippines. We give her mom 6000 pesos a month as every kid or kid and spouse helps their Mama out each month. I have basic health insurance through PAC Cross. Most of the budget surprisingly is on groceries and household items, then travel.

[paulsasianadventure]

When I left the Philippines in 2021 i was using roughly 16 - 1, 700 usd per month. That was for myself and my gf (now my wife). We had a good life eating out at least 2-3 times a week, and coffee outside daily. However I did not have health insurance as i self insured. So with inflation I think a more realistic budget now is 2k usd. Also remember as you get older the cost of medication will increase, so personally I would not retire there unless I had roughly 2, 500 usd a month.

[frankkluz]

Oh my ! - - - I see a '''significant''' difference between $800 and $1500 !!! - - ? - - Almost double is a lot if your being frugal watching your expenses ? -- I get $1500 and having a hard time deciding if it's enough for me by myself - to be better off over there than the US anywhere ? --- A few have told me I should be good (?) while a few others say I need a sweet spot budget of $2500 at least and 50K savings !

[jefflynch]

I think you gave a great realistic view of budgets. I live in CDO and would not live anywhere near Manila on a bet. Great to visit for a week of shopping and dining but that’s it. I have met, in expat groups online many of the $1, 200 to $1, 600 budget expats. That is shoestring in my estimation. I have a budget of $3, 000 a month for my wife and two daughters (including private school tuition). That said I must admit that we have a new car and a used truck and our condo (108sq meters) all of which are paid for. My wife and I have been married 18 years and our daughters are 12 yo and 4 yo. and we have accumulated 11 commercial and residential properties over that time. Putting the properties aside, we have our budget of $3, 000 which is 75% of my social security, small hospital pension and a meager military disability payment. We also have a cash reserve in the high 6 figure range. We sold everything in the US and moved here June 1st permanently.
So my point is, if you are coming here have a budget that will fit your lifestyle. If you want to live like the average Filipino the low end budget may work. If you want a few, not many of Western items you were accustomed to then you better have the middle budget and finally if you want a semi Western lifestyle the upper level budget will be needed. I am at the lower range of that upper budget but everything I own here condos, cars and real estate is all debt free. If not then the budget of $5, 000 is what you will need. Also a liquid reserve of $100, 000 minimum (for emergencies medical and otherwise),
I recommend as a minimum.
Also it is not prudent to think you will work here, there are a plethora of online English teachers and I know one fellow worked two weeks and was never paid. They just find replacements a dime a dozen, so they don’t care if they pay or not.
The Philippines is wonderful if you come prepared with realistic goals.

[keithrichard]

i like the fact that I can get a good full body massage each day--for like $4 or $5 US

[TheAnonymousNetwork-orde]

I'd watch Paul's videos on expat John guys. You do not want to be in a situation like the one he put himself in. He was incredibly naïve to put it politely.

[mlmontalvo]

Country living is the life for me. We bought a farm so I can stay active and have about 6k/mo to feed three mouths. We’re planning on setting up a business to keep my wife busy and leave something behind when I’m gone, and in case she decides to stay and not return to the US. Personally I would not make the move otherwise.

[Neal_only]

My budget as a retired US military vetern on a SRRV exspanded retirement visa.
These are rough rounded down figures:
Military monthly pension, includes 10% VA pension
$1, 200
My social security:
$1, 610
My minor daughters social security (until 18 yrs old)
$805
And my monthly DOD FERS pension:
$418. There you go all monthly retirement pension income

[leftyinhesperia]

I want to live 50/50 USA/PHIL. No real way for me to make good money in the Phil, so come back to USA every 6 months to refill my pockets and then head back. Since I have no rent or utils in the USA its just as cheap to live as the Phil. My GF has a sary sary and a ukay ukay store, so no need to support her. If we get married I want to buy a house right away because its only $200 a month payment.

[philippinefandango]

I'm right at $1600 per month living in Talisay City, Cebu. Still have to watch my budget. Good advice.

[danramsay]

kinda obvious u will need a pension of some sort..or a side hustle online gig ? P40.000 budget should be min

[chuck]

I’ll be coming in at around $8500 a month but damn sure not looking to spend that much. Maybe $5000 a month to include travel

[davidttower]

I've been watching these types of budget videos for 3 years now. Reekay, Gio & Paul have all done them along with many others. I'm not there yet, but will be this year. Considering that real inflation here in the states is probably 20% annually over these last 3 years (NOT JOKING), it has given me pause on my retirement planning budget. I used to plan for $1, 500-$1, 800 month. But after what I've just experienced in the states, I'm planning on the expectation of bumping that to $4000-$5000 after 10 years. It will adjust accordingly after living there and learning the true expense of living there. I also agree with Jeff Lynch said about a $100K in reserve is MINIMUM, given medical expenses, VISA, and other unforeseen issues arising over the years. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Thank you Reekay, for the updated video.

[davidkaiser]

I would be to nervous living on 800 to a 1000 dollar budget. What if something goes wrong and you don't have the money to leave?

[johnjolly]

I've enjoyed your vids for years and consider you my go to guy for good info. I have a question that I can't seem to get reliable info on though. Consider this a topic suggestion. How do you move a large amount of money from the U.S. to the Philippines without running into problems here or there. I'm talking land purchase/home build amounts of money. My long time wife is Filipina and it's about time we make the move but I feel overwhelmed with all the technical aspects of moving money. Many thanks and best wishes.

[silvercollector]

I’ve seen nice 1 bedroom apartments for $85-130 a month and these are nice ones

[TheFotoop]

This was a nice informative video, short and to the point the way I Like it.

[williamculbreath]

So $3200 a month for life you’re saying I can live pretty comfortable Cebu Providence And maybe a beach house as well