What did you arrive with?

[intrepid]

18 hours ago, Jack Peterson said:

 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?

I came with a plan and stuck with it.  You are so right Jack about a plan.  I believe also it is the most important thing to have and you must follow it.  After high school I had nothing but two part time jobs.  Paid myself through college.  Got married to the wrong one before age 21 and started that life with a few hundred dollars.  Worked hard and raised that family without financial help from my wife.  Kept working and doing some small but steady saving and bought some investment rental properties.  Married the right one twelve years ago and about 10 years ago we started on THE PLAN.  Although I could have retired early I kept forcing myself to continue and ended up with 35 years service at age 55.  Built a good retirement and savings.  I'd have to admit if not for my wife I would have retired somewhere between 45-50 years old. I would have then bought a yacht and lived a lonely life between Florida and Maryland.  So with our PLAN, we arrive here in the Philippines just over a year ago with enough cash to buy a vehicle, buy land and build our dream home.  Cost for that about thirteen million pesos.   Although I have health insurance I reserved five million pesos for health emergencies.  Also arrived with a 20' container of household goods which included mostly tools followed by kitchen stuff and personal belongings.  Similar to Jack, I still have investments and properties back in the home country.  I look at these as PLAN "B".  A just in case for the next ??? years.  After that I plan to sell off everything and really enjoy life and travel if I still feel the need.  So far the PLAN is working and we have stuck with it.  This is the advise I always gave my co-workers and friends.  Save and save more than you can afford to save.  Suffer a little now to have that easier life after retirement.  

[jon1]

As others have already said, 2 suitcases plus a backpack with laptop inside.  Everything else I purchased locally. Stuff I couldn't find I purchased online and shipped via balikbayan box.

 

The first year is the costliest; purchase/rent a place, furnishings, etc.

 

After being in the PI for 7 years, I had set up my retirement household, plus purchased a unit for rent (provides supplemental income in local currency) and am now making my final push for full retirement (did a 1 year sabbatical to see if I had chosen the right place for me). 

[AlwaysRt]

Sorta the same story to start with as many. Two suitcases and backpack with laptop some $ in savings and closer to 6 digits per month income (pesos, not $ unfortunately. lol). Will get a good bump when finally done paying child support, and another bump when social security kicks in.

Originally I had an estate sale and got rid of everything that way. My intent was to travel, staying in places/countries 3 months or so and moving on to wherever next. Perpetual travel. Did 5 months traveling the US camping in Federal parks or near friends, hopped to Guatemala, then Hong Kong, then came here where I inadvertently met she who is now my wife. Put the brakes on most of the travel plans but that's ok, the actual travel part is a pain in the butt anyway. Looking forward to the future and seeing things again for the first time through her eyes. Future plans are - 'Don't worry, be Happy'.

[bigpearl]

3 hours ago, intrepid said:

I came with a plan and stuck with it.  You are so right Jack about a plan.  I believe also it is the most important thing to have and you must follow it.  After high school I had nothing but two part time jobs.  Paid myself through college.  Got married to the wrong one before age 21 and started that life with a few hundred dollars.  Worked hard and raised that family without financial help from my wife.  Kept working and doing some small but steady saving and bought some investment rental properties.  Married the right one twelve years ago and about 10 years ago we started on THE PLAN.  Although I could have retired early I kept forcing myself to continue and ended up with 35 years service at age 55.  Built a good retirement and savings.  I'd have to admit if not for my wife I would have retired somewhere between 45-50 years old. I would have then bought a yacht and lived a lonely life between Florida and Maryland.  So with our PLAN, we arrive here in the Philippines just over a year ago with enough cash to buy a vehicle, buy land and build our dream home.  Cost for that about thirteen million pesos.   Although I have health insurance I reserved five million pesos for health emergencies.  Also arrived with a 20' container of household goods which included mostly tools followed by kitchen stuff and personal belongings.  Similar to Jack, I still have investments and properties back in the home country.  I look at these as PLAN "B".  A just in case for the next ??? years.  After that I plan to sell off everything and really enjoy life and travel if I still feel the need.  So far the PLAN is working and we have stuck with it.  This is the advise I always gave my co-workers and friends.  Save and save more than you can afford to save.  Suffer a little now to have that easier life after retirement.  

I know this is off topic Intrepid but if you have the time and would like to share your knowledge on moving a shipping container to PH I and probably other members would be grateful. Perhaps a new topic?

Cheers, Steve.

[intrepid]

16 minutes ago, bigpearl said:

I know this is off topic Intrepid but if you have the time and would like to share your knowledge on moving a shipping container to PH I and probably other members would be grateful. Perhaps a new topic?

Cheers, Steve.

Okay Steve.  I think you are right.  I would have liked more first hand info when I was considering it.  I did do some writing in the past but I'll start a new topic for it after some brain rest.

[bigpearl]

2 minutes ago, intrepid said:

Okay Steve.  I think you are right.  I would have liked more first hand info when I was considering it.  I did do some writing in the past but I'll start a new topic for it after some brain rest.

LOL, I too have researched on and off for 2 years, combed sites, asked this question on other sites and probably this one also, had phone calls to the PRA (SRRV) Customs, BIR and still frustrated and without simple answers. Looking fwd to hearing from you and your experiences, eagerly.

Cheers, Steve.

[Jack Peterson]

1 hour ago, bigpearl said:

I know this is off topic Intrepid but if you have the time and would like to share your knowledge on moving a shipping container to PH I and probably other members would be grateful. Perhaps a new topic?

 Well yes it is rather, as many times topics get pissed on and we never really find out what others want/need to say

 For me as a member, it can put many others off Starting Topics when this happens  having as laugh at things within a Topic is one thing but Changing the Topic into something else is "Just Not Cricket"

 Sorry Boss But 

Edited May 7, 2017 by Jack Peterson

[Dave Hounddriver]

1 hour ago, Jack Peterson said:

many times topics get pissed on and we never really find out what others want/need to say

I thought about putting on my moderator's hat and splitting this topic but then I realized, the topic says what did you arrive with and a couple of members are discussing a guy who arrived with a shipping container.  So if they want to start a thread about personal experience with shipping containers then I think that is great, but so far the posts are just about a guy who arrived with a shipping container so I'll let it be.

 

[Gas]

Thanks Jack, i enjoyed reading your original post and agree with what you said.

A girlfriend of 3 years, 11 month old child, 2 suitcases of clothes and some pesos to survive for a year or two.

That was in 1998 and i/we have never really regretted the decision to move here/back to the Philippines. The first few years where difficult financially, but if i had arrived here with a large sum of money the chances are it would have been blown and we would be back in the UK dreaming of retiring to the Philippines.

[davewe]

Well as most know I'm not there yet though close. As I type this I am looking at the 9 packed balikbayan boxes: guitar making tools, household items, clothing. 4 suitcases (2 people, after all) a guitar and a computer. Don't ask me how I'm gonna schlep all this stuff in the airport but it'll happen.

Officially retired last Monday! Social Security kicks in in a month. A decent retirement fund to pull from; small by US standards but pretty good by PI standards.

The house is on sale as of this week; contact me just in case someone wants to come back to the Left Coast . The proceeds from that sale will make up our fund for eventually purchasing a home in PI + an emergency fund.

I agree with the others; I've planned and re-planned for years. I also agree that without the support of my wife the plan would not have come together as well as it has.

Fingers crossed will be joining you all in July-August timeframe.

Edited May 7, 2017 by davewe