What did you arrive with?

[Jack Peterson]

 IN 2012  I had a stroke. Forced retirement with some 13 month before my UK pensions kicked in. My Severance from the Company (Not a legal thing in the UK ) was something like  655.000 peso, I had already paid for the Lot so it just needed the Build. Now my Wife works and Holds a good position so we had the Buffer. We built and as some others ran out of Money. Nada Problema I said, it will get right SO here we are some 5 years later sitting a little pretty. My reason for starting this Topic is for those that say can I do this, can I do that? For me anything is possible IF you have a Plan.  Then, Many that know me personally will know that I have other Interests in Europe that are my Failsafe (So to speak) But it is with an Open Mind I came and a good wife to help and back me up Success is achievable. So my Friends I say to you all especially those that want to make the transition, have a plan. A Plan that can and should work for you, You do not need a kings' ransom to live and be happy here Just a Budget that fits your Finance and not the other way round

So let me ask a question, What did you come with and has it worked for you?

[Dave Hounddriver]

I cam with buckets of money and, to be fair, I still have the buckets.

[Gratefuled]

I arrived with my sanity.

 I still have most of it.

[Jack Peterson]

Just now, Gratefuled said:

I arrived with my sanity.

 I still have most of it.

 

[stevewool]

That has surprised me Jack.

Only 5 years ago but that is not a great deal of cash even by todays standers .

Having the lot and your good lady working has made all the difference is my thinking.

The Philippines is not for everyone and there are many who still says "what are you gong there for ".but i say why not.

The plan we all may have is not for everyone but its got to be your own and then its down to you to see it through if thats what you are wanting.

As i am not there yet , but what i am planning to come with is as my pension does not kick in for 6 years is around 15 million peso , plus a income of 25.000 peso each month, this all depends on the exchange rate , so whether its the Philippines or where ever we may want to call home i am sure we will be ok money wise.

By the way we have our home too in Marikina  if that is what i am wanting to be, but for now its a base to call home just to make sure we done the right thing.

[BrettGC]

Ok, still not there yet, don't even have a significant other as we speak.  But my plan is to leave Aust with two suitcases, check-in luggage style, one bag over my shoulder.  All my sentimental type stuff will be with my eldest daughter to be shipped over once I've settled somewhere.  So far the plan involves Cebu/Mactan or maybe Bohol with a slight chance of Leyte/Tacloban area.  I'm a diver, so my next trip I'll be exploring more options in Palawan and Mindoro as well, never visited either place but want to check them out.   Have some really good friends in Luzon but it just doesn't appeal to me other than a place to visit.  

I'll arrive with the suitcase basics, enough money in the bank and my Navy pension to set myself up somewhere non-metropolitan more out of preference than budget.  I've always been a bit of a material minimalist, so not much outside the two suitcases I'll have with me matter to me. I'm single so I may or may not meet a lady that influences that decision.  

When that will be, who knows?  I've been "gonna" for the last 4 years but still not there.  The longest I've spent there is 4 months in one hit living on a budget that was less than I'll have now.  I have enough savings to buy a lot with a woman that may catch more than my passing interest or buy a condo outright.. Just have to see how things go.  

My only firm plan is I want to be there.  

[Snowy79]

I arrived with a couple of bags on my back containing clothes and a few personal items. One month later 8 boxes arrived containing tools,mountaineering gear and a couple of lap tops. I've got a military pension which is only about 46,000 php per month but enough money in savings to see me through until I'm well into retirement age in 15yrs. In 2 1/2 years my current pension should almost double touch wood.

I'm now in the process of moving on from my current relationship to pastures new and have taken enough things out of the boxes to enjoy life but in reality I'll be leaving about 5 boxes behind which my partner can sell if she wishes.

So as of next Tuesday I'll be down to about 4 back packs full of what I can carry and my pension with savings. Not bad considering just over 3 months ago I had a 4 bed house full of gear, car and a garage with probably another house full of stuff in it.

[Dave Hounddriver]

10 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

I came with buckets of money and, to be fair, I still have the buckets.

OK, humor aside, I came with my severance pay from my job which was enough to set me up with a used pick-up truck, a motorcycle, all the furniture and appliances I needed in my rental house, and throw some great parties for the first year.  Then I was living on a pension fund that has weakened with the Canadian dollar etc etc.

Physical belongings?  Whatever I could fit into 2 large suitcases and a shoulder bag that came on the plane with me.  One other large suitcase with mementos was left at Mum's back in Canada and everything else I owned was sold or given away.  Over the years I have gone back to Mum's from time to time and looked at those mementos and each time I throw a few more out as they are memories from a life long forgotten.  I don't live in the past, there is no longer a suitcase at Mum's.

[virginprune]

I came with one suitcase and a carry on bag. 2 Balikbayan boxes brought the rest. All I have and need is here with me. I have one suitcase with clothes stashed in my friends attic in uk, in case I have to visit there during winter.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I came with 4 suitcases, and shipped 11 BB boxes. Mostly my kitchen, a PC, and 2 laptops.  Since the housing market was still in the toilet I only came with $10,000 (USD) in savings, and less than $1,000 a month income.  Been here over 4 years and doing great! 

 

I figured I would be dead by now - but somehow my health improved after I quit working... still 2 years from my first retirement.