I'd Like Your Opinion Please

[Old55]

 

It seems to me you may have a good chance to find a woman there who would understand your condition and truly love you support you and nurture you.

 

I agree Old,,but what about her family? That's the 500 lbs gorilla that's in the room.

 

 

Very important point Scott. As we all know if you marry a Filipina you also marry her family and they must be cool with the "Rich Kano" or no one is gonna be happy.

I honestly think Paul would have a very good chance to find someone there and a family who would accept and support him issues and all.

The budget is my main concern but if you find the right gal she can defiantly save you money. The perception is that all Foreigners are well off and finding the right wife and family is key.

Edited September 28, 2014 by Old55

[Paul Dean]

Just wondering,,,,are you sure that SSDI is transferrable? Are we positive that you will be able to receive it if you live outside the states? Is there a requirement for periodic reexamination? If so where can it be done? I don't know that's why I ask. If you are not 125% positive PLEASE check on it. That is a priority in my book! One thing is for sure, having a guaranteed source of income is must.

There is a thing every three years where they review anyone on title 16 benefits, but social security has an office in manila: so I don't forsee any problems. If I was on title two bennefits, or SSI, then I can only collect that inside the states, excluding puerto rico, american samoa, and I think there's another territory too but I'm not sure the name. In short, I won't have any problems, social security doesn't just cut you off unless you start making more than substantial gainful activity for three months in a row SGA is currently $1040 a month

[Paul Dean]

 

 

It seems to me you may have a good chance to find a woman there who would understand your condition and truly love you support you and nurture you.

 

I agree Old,,but what about her family? That's the 500 lbs gorilla that's in the room.

 

 

Very important point Scott. As we all know if you marry a Filipina you also marry her family and they must be cool with the "Rich Kano" or no one is gonna be happy.

I honestly think Paul would have a very good chance to find someone there and a family who would accept and support him issues and all.

The budget is my main concern but if you find the right gal she can defiantly save you money. The perception is that all Foreigners are well off and finding the right wife and family is key.

 

I might get married, I don't know. I do know that I'll have no trouble finding a girl. I'm actually very attractive, young, and white. Besides 30k peso isn't rich, but it certainly isn't poor either, not there at least. I read that call center people make like 12-18k a month, and even with thirteenth month that is way less than what I have. So, if they can overlook my HUGE ego, I think I would be able to find a good girl, lol. My last girlfriend here stateside is actually a model. Not joking. Her head next to mine wouldn't fit in the same room though. But we had some fun while it lasted :) I may not be endowed with wealth, but my other endowment... well you get the idea. Anyways, I have an IQ that is over three standard deviations from the norm, and lots of positive qualities. Trust me when I say that finding a girl is the least of my worries. My biggest worry would be budget. But I am used to living frugally, $772 monthly in the Seattle area necessitates frugal living. I wouldn't mind everyone thinking I'm rich and that I just choose to live poor though, lol. Truth be told, I've never been able to afford an apartment since my highest earning year ever was $12,000, but I'm pretty damn sure I could afford one in Davao.

[Gator]

 

Just wondering,,,,are you sure that SSDI is transferrable? Are we positive that you will be able to receive it if you live outside the states? Is there a requirement for periodic reexamination? If so where can it be done? I don't know that's why I ask. If you are not 125% positive PLEASE check on it. That is a priority in my book! One thing is for sure, having a guaranteed source of income is must.

There is a thing every three years where they review anyone on title 16 benefits, but social security has an office in manila: so I don't forsee any problems. If I was on title two bennefits, or SSI, then I can only collect that inside the states, excluding puerto rico, american samoa, and I think there's another territory too but I'm not sure the name. In short, I won't have any problems, social security doesn't just cut you off unless you start making more than substantial gainful activity for three months in a row SGA is currently $1040 a month

 

My thoughts as well when I first started reading this thread were if you'd be able to continue receiving SSD while living in the Phils. I was always under the impression that to maintain your benefits you also had to be under the care of a physician. Do you currently receive any treatment? Take any meds that would require a visit to a doc's office to renew the script?

 

I have 2 family members who are both on SSD, one for mental health issues (yes, it runs in the family, lol) and the other for injury related issues. In addition to the periodic re-qualification they are required to see various specialists for treatment. If they don't go then they face losing their benefits. The one cousin who's receiving SSD for the injury related issue recently moved to another part of my home state (FL) and it took almost 5 months to transfer her to a different doctor.

 

You mentioned that you looked into it already, but if you haven't done so already then get it in writing.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I am living on a similar budget and it is tight!  I tell people I live on $800 a month but would recommend $1,200 ha ha.

 

It is doable if you are careful, and thrifty.  Welcome to the forum and good luck   :tiphat:

[davewe]

 

Just wondering,,,,are you sure that SSDI is transferrable? Are we positive that you will be able to receive it if you live outside the states? Is there a requirement for periodic reexamination? If so where can it be done? I don't know that's why I ask. If you are not 125% positive PLEASE check on it. That is a priority in my book! One thing is for sure, having a guaranteed source of income is must.

There is a thing every three years where they review anyone on title 16 benefits, but social security has an office in manila: so I don't forsee any problems. If I was on title two bennefits, or SSI, then I can only collect that inside the states, excluding puerto rico, american samoa, and I think there's another territory too but I'm not sure the name. In short, I won't have any problems, social security doesn't just cut you off unless you start making more than substantial gainful activity for three months in a row SGA is currently $1040 a month

 

Please double check but I think that SSDI is good. It's SSI where you cannot live outside the US.

 

As to your budget. I would normally think it's a very tight one. However, since you are already living on a small budget in the Northwest (where I live) I think you can do it in PI. Seems to me that where people get in trouble is where their budget radically changes: the guy makes 40k/year and then retires and moves to PI and tries to live on a small pension. In that case he has to make major adjustments. No offense meant, but in your case it sounds like you are already used to living a modest life.

[Methersgate]

In the Philippines, people do pay great attention to physical and verbal "clues". You are right in thinking that a foreigner is allowed some leeway with these, but the longer you stay and the better you are known the fewer allowances will be made. The particular problem is that you may be perceived as acting aggressively when that is not your intention.

[cebu rocks]

Sounds like a reasonable plan 800 a month can be done easy because your used to that budget in fact i think you will upgrade your life style .

 

The difference between the way people live their lives, and the the way they dream of living their lives, is a vast and frightening ocean.

[Mike J]

Paul - If you have not already done so, you may want to read the book "Culture Shock! Philippines", available at Amazon.com.  I have been living here for a year now and found much of the information to be spot on and very helpful in understanding the importance of interpersonal relationships.  You may also want to research the concept referred to as "SIR - Smooth Interpersonal Relationship".  As far as the budget goes, I concur with most others.  It is tight, but it sounds like you are very realistic in how you expect to live.  Best of luck!  

[John Mogusar]

Paul - If you have not already done so, you may want to read the book "Culture Shock! Philippines", available at Amazon.com.  I have been living here for a year now and found much of the information to be spot on and very helpful in understanding the importance of interpersonal relationships.  

I read this book as well before my first visit. There were still many things to learn, but I felt very comfortable with little or no culture shock when I did finally arrive. Highly recommended.

 

One thing you learn when in the Philippines...just take everything as it comes. Be easy-going and relaxed. I had foreigner acquaintances that got so worked up over the smallest things. I think half of their days were ruined by the time I met them at Jollibee for breakfast!