Can I Really Live On $1000 A Month In The Philippines

[Jack Peterson]

Just like Tuka I plan on doing a lot of nothing,well that is after I find a house to buy and buy a fridge so I can put some beer in it.

 

 

lyno, if my retirement is anything to go by, you will need a Good PC and get the best Connection you can , either it is Too Hot or Too Wet to go out, most days, you will be like me and many others, Spending, a lot of time in front of the screen   :3_8_14[1]: :th_unfair:  :wt-hell:  :th_thimage_265775:        Of course when this happens then we ALL, go to the Fridge

 

:thumbsup:  :tiphat:  :cheers:

[lyno 47]

Thanks Jack I plan on buying a new laptop just before I  leave oz ,as for the heat I love it the hotter the better[must have some reptile in me] maybe when  out and it rains I will just take a bar of  soap with me .Cheers mate.

[Dave Hounddriver]

Since my first post on this topic there has been a few life changes and setbacks but I am still on track for retirement to the Philippines in 2015. I really appreciate all the replys and information. I have been doing extensive research on living in the Philippines and I have heard all the good and the bad but I know it is still the place for me.

 

I will still be living on $1000 a month with a cash reserve for emergencies. I have already changed to a minimalist lifestyle here and even though it doesnt really show me how it is to live in the Philippines it has helped me realize how much I can really live without.

 

I am not looking for an easy life but I'm looking for a simpler life and I know that the right Pinay will make the transition much better.

 

Now the difficult part is finding where to live when I get there. I figure on starting out in Cebu and traveling to other islands to see where it is best suted for me and of course A Filipina will have to be considered in my place of residence.

 

Anyway Thanks again to all those that have replied - I am envious of those that are already living the life there but I am not far behind.

Since I posted on this forum I have had lifestyle changes too.  Mainly a change in live-in partners.  I found that my budget depends, to a HUGE extent, on my partner and what is required to keep her (us) happy.  I also found that the longer I live with a girl, the higher her expectations get.  Kind of like everything you do this month/year has to be beat by bigger expenditures next month/year.  I notice this behavior among other of my friends too.  I think it a behavioral issue that we can all address if we see it and adjust for it.

 

Bottom line, with a new gf who is used to the simple life I can get by on $1,000 a month, but as soon as she gets to know my friends and starts wanting to 'keep up with the Joneses' then the budget quickly goes up to whatever you have.  As a side note, I took great pains to not disclose my income to my new gf.  BUT, She watches my spending patterns and learns.  Inside of 6 months she knew EXACTLY how much disposable income I had.  I am not saying that is a bad thing, just a true thing.

[stevewool]

I have nothing but free time - and I love it!  I have always said I was never meant to work.  But I can sit and do nothing, quite well.   I was doing nothing yesterday but did not finish so I am going to do some more nothing today!  (doing nothing saves a lot of money)   If I get bored I could go outside and watch the banana trees grow...   :tiphat:

 

 

Your mileage may vary.

your my sort of man, Tim, made me smile

[stevewool]

makes me think my £500 budget a month wont go far, but with my Ems and my deep pockets it will go as far as i want it to go, roll on when my feet touch down in the Phils

[Thomas]

It is all well and good to live a minimal lifestyle. However, I often wonder what all my expat brothers do everyday to stay entertained. I get bored easily, and always have to have something constructive to do, otherwise I go nuts :).

Anyone, who are short of hobbies, can get some from me    :)

(Equipment can cost some, but cost (almost) nothing to use, so in the long run it's almost free per month.  Beside the above mensioned computer, e g canoe, table tennis, read and write books, play some music instrument, cards, chess... Study Filipin culture, nature and language,,,)

 

I will surely get SHORT of time for my hobbies   :boohoo;  because I plan to start a family and business     :dance:

[sandwichmaker]

makes me think my £500 budget a month wont go far, but with my Ems and my deep pockets it will go as far as i want it to go, roll on when my feet touch down in the Phils

 

Steve, I take my hat off to you for sharing that! Finally I found someone with less to spend than me. 

[Methersgate]

I certainly won't miss driving or spending an average of 2 to 3 hrs a day in my car.

 

That is a sentiment that I can relate to!

[stevewool]

Truth be known boys and girls, we will have a bigger budget then that but thats for the just in case,

I am sure that we shall live on a lot less then the £500 per month, this does not include rent , but just day to day living and doing what i think we would want to do each day

[i am bob]

I am going to be doing a little traveling and, after when I decide to settle down !(and where... Hehe!), I will be living on a budget of P40,000 a month. Actually I am going to try and make do with even less! Why not? I am living in Canada on $1000 a month comfortably and P40k is about the same, so why not?

Edited August 15, 2014 by I am bob