This video was to hilarious, thanks for the laughs. Your accent used to mess with me but after watching you for so long (since you began) I understand what you’re saying now.
Thanks mate, it's good that you're doing so much travelling, we should do a bit more island hoping but we're lazy 😂. We might be heading up to Cebu for a visit in the not to distant, so hopefully if we do we could do an interview in person, instead of online. COYI Enjoy Palawan mate 👍
Hi mate, great video. Little tip from an older former Para, just do two or three weight workouts a week at our age, push, pull and legs split over the week and take 40-60 minute walks the other days and you'll put on muscle and lose weight without getting the injuries. Hope that helps!
A push pull and legs split , is as follows. Push is chest and triceps. Pull is biceps and upper back. Legs is leg workout. You do one each day and take one day off a week . @@KeepingupwiththeJoneses1999
@@KeepingupwiththeJoneses1999push pull in legs is a sequence of exercise where you push one day which is chest and triceps. You pull on another day which is upper back and biceps and then leg day and you take one day off a week
@MikeO8585 Solid advice mate, I'm sure you're right. Trouble is when I join the gym I get addicted, all or nothing kind of thing but like you wisely say we're not as young as we used to be and sadly the old body can't take it like it used to 😔
I live in Phoenix AZ USA. My total spend, every penny, over the past 21 months has been $592.04/mo USD. My house over the past 15 years has averaged $2000/mo appreciation. How much a person spends depends on the person and has little to do with the country. If you want to create some silly numbers you can compare the cost of having a 23 year-old Filipina living with you vs a 23 year-old Western woman living with you which is in the $10k/mo USD range. Kind of odd men comparing all these nonsense items while ignoring the entire reason for being in PH.
Don't over train. 6 days above 45 yrs is too much depending how you break down work outs. 3 days at 58 years old works for me to maintain weight and muscle. Monday: Push exercises, Wednesday: legs, Friday: Pulls, weekend, hike, bike, swim or walk in a fun/recreational manner. Be well Simon!
Oi Cheap Charlie! "We don't go out. We only go out 4 times a week." I'd call that going out out. Lol I never got one with varifocal specs. Bought online in the UK. They say give it time for your eyes to adjust, but I gave up after a week. Binned 'em. Varifocal contacts on the other hand are amazing. Bought on Lazarda. Why not bifocals? I've had no problems with the two pairs from Acebedo and Sunnies in Cebu. From a fellow Brit from the souf.
I got varifocals online in the UK too mate, they were great. Adjusted to them the second I put them on, these ones I got here are OK now, not great but OK. I didn't know you could get contacts on lazada though, I might have to give those a whirl, I've been thinking about trying contacts for a while now 👍
I'm coming from the US and was wondering about charging - say, my phone, electric razor, things like that. Do I need some kind of converter to charge in the Phil?
Sorry mate, I can't advise you on that. Coming from the UK I've never had any issues charging anything from the mains anywhere in Asia. I've never needed a converter but I've no idea if it's the same for US products in terms of different voltage etc
cell phones and laptops, tablets run on 110 or 220, so no issues there. The main issue i have found is the outlet, some places have the 2 pole (European) outlets and some have the regular western 2 prong ones. You would need a converter for any appliances you bring that wont run on 220v.
what your other expenditures like dining out, gasoline, online shopping, mobile phone plans, misc purchases. yes 10k for groceries is very little. We pay 25 to 30k for our groceries, meat and vegetables.
Spent around $1100 in total. $650 was on fixed costs and groceries so the remaining $450 was what everything else came to, eating out, gas, misc purchases etc
I was looking at staying in the ABC hotel in Angeles City next August 2025, but it's fully booked already! Is this right, does it really fully book so far in advance?
I've got no idea mate, never been to Angeles but a lot of arilines, hotels etc show no availabilty if you try and book very far in advance. I guess it because they're not sure what rates they are going to be charging that far in advance but whether that's the case with your booking I've no idea I'm afraid.
I’m wondering if having a Filipina live-in Girlfriend/Wife, is a net savings? Even with occasional support for her or her family, they will be able to better navigate the foibles of daily living and errors an expat might make that incur larger costs. I’d say, that even if it’s not a “savings”, the peace of mind and ease of life they add to the equation would be a service one would gladly pay anyway.
Depends on how you want to compare. Live-in partner vs solo then solo is cheaper of course. An expat can learn the ropes of getting Filipino prices. If you want to compare apples to apples you can compare a live-in Filipina partner to the same age, beauty woman in the West, I'd guess the cost to keep a Western 23 year-old attractive woman live with a 60+ year-old not very attractive guy would start at $10k/mo USD. If you want to compare a live-in Filipina partner to same level woman in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia then the Filipina would be about the same cost or a little more. Depends on the woman and guy of course. Many Filipinas given the chance will quickly become Westernized. They like AC more and more which results in more sitting around watching TV and eating snacks. Many guys love to provide all these comforts and create the same type of woman they said they didn't want in the West. It's weird.
@michaelmmcintyre I know a lot will disagree but Every where I've lived in Asia my living costs have dropped when I've been in a relationship. When, I'm single I go out more, sped more on socialising etc girlfriend = more time at home, home cooking etc In my experience 👍
Hi 👋 Simon and Ellen,.. great 👍 video. I completely agree 💯% with you on the living costs there in the Philippines. I also watched "other bloggers" saying that someone can't live there on $1,000 U.S. dollars or less. I agree 👍 with you in that, it's all about in..."how you live" with that amount of money and if you "want or not" to go out every single day for coffee and meals. Also I agree that the saying,.."living like a Filipino".. doesn't mean that you're living "poorly". I think that's all in how to make the "smart choices" and not to "overspend" in "useless" things that are not important. Thanks mate and...be lucky.
Wow this is 180 degrees shift from the previous video. We have the lovely Ellen in place of that deafening rooster. I think Ellen is similar to most Asian ladies in wanting to avoid the Sun. In Japan the Ladies (and even men) walk around with Sun umbrellas. Cost of living is useful but having Ellen on the show is even more useful (for your ratings).
Retired US Army SEAL front line combat veteran and Retired FBA SPECIAL AGENT. 65 yo , I still run 5 k every morning under 25 minutes, do one hundred sit-ups every single morning and finish off with one hundred pushups. I also do every second day 20 pullups on the pullup beam, when I was head instructor at the Special Forces Jump School all my men had to do 20 pull ups every morning and 20 pull ups before finishing duty, so 40 pull ups a day. I am also a purple belt in Kung foo and Karate. Before doing exercise make sure you warm up . Dan
Yes 500 is doable when you are not paying high rent 3 bed house 3 in family 2 multicabs 2 motorcycle only 1 aircon some veg from garden no skin tax as I got to know the stall holders at the markets so often the month is less than 500 my budget is way more
@@Dan-q6v1vlack of proper storage and lack of logistics. Philippines have more potential than anywhere... but they do not understand food hygenes, logistics, massproductuon, etc. They have the raw food vegetables... but due to lack of agriculture policies... a lot of the produce is even more expensive then some of european produces.
Im getting my wife a Bajaj for her first vehicle. At least with 3 wheels she can get used to getting around. After that, a four wheel vehicle. Parents of my son's 3rd grade classmate in Valencia, crashed their motorbike. The young mom is in heaven and young father is critically injured. The Philippines is an unforgiving Mad Max training ground to for newbie motorbike riders. 😢🎉
Ellen & Simon ( aka, Charlene n Charlie..lol...), Many thx for a down to earth, but spontaneous n interesting video, with pointers...lol... All in 30 minutes n 5 seconds..lol... Have the police arrived yet , or was the road too much for em... Happy flat hunting... Cheers Glenn
It’s interesting even travelling around and the flights are cheap. We didn’t like the city Dumaguete but there are some nice places just out of town. My wife and I will be back to have a good look around where looking for a place to retire. We have just seen most of the Phillipines. We have two weeks left here round march next year we will give it eight months. After 13 years coming here you’d think we had it sorted by now.
Guys are saying they plan to stay in PH for the rest of their life. And they point to their motorbike as part of the reason "it's cheap here". That's OK in your 60's. Think you'll be on a motorbike in your 70's, 80's, 90's? There are the medical expenses for motorbike wrecks too. I know, I know... everyone thinks they're be young forever and they would never get in a wreck.
The cost of having a car is not so bad your reg and insurance for the year would be around P6k depends on car and gas depends how much you use the car It's the cost of the car philippines is not cheap to buy as heavy import tax puts price up
There is no secret, basically you must live a very boring routine lifestyle no trips no alcohol no smoking no girlfriend no this no that. I’d rather stay home in the USA 🇺🇸 if I’m going to live a boring live in a developing country
Why do they have so many brown outs?? They know they have this problem but there is no improvement??? In the US when there is a problem everyone gets together and tries to find solutions.
I am an old man, I must be. When I live in Philippines I only spent $400. per month and all our needs were met. I had plenty of money in the bank but did not spend it. 1970 was my first visit and I fell in lust 😉
@@SpeakingofAsia I reckon you more bothered with it than the viewer. Viewers like the atmosphere of somewhere exotic. I’m currently away from Asia in the UK. I’d have no problem hearing some wind or a motor bike going past rather that the echo’s of a white room.
My wife and I own property in the Philippines, around USD1M. We have a decent income, c PP100,000 pcm. Our kids are at school/university . Our income exceeds our outgoings. I don''t live cheaply but I live well. The missus pushes it a wee bit because she comes from shit so I accept her appreciation of a better life.
In me experience that's a very common theme in Asia. In Thailand it's huge, whitening lotions, soaps etc are big business. Sadly it seems to be a class/wealth thing. The darker someone is the poorer they are assumed to be. If they're dark they must have a low paying job working in the sun all day as a labourer on a farm etc if your skin is lighter you must have more money a better job etc. I found this to be the attitude in Cambodia, Thailand and now in the Philippines too. Sad but true.
@@SpeakingofAsia not so much as to the job more to do with dark skin being related to the girl coming from the mountains Though you are right it is a class thing
Your Ellen is too sweet. She seems sincerely happy and content.
Some times 😂😂
I like the cost of living video because everyone different thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching 👍
This video was to hilarious, thanks for the laughs. Your accent used to mess with me but after watching you for so long (since you began) I understand what you’re saying now.
Thanks for sticking with the channel mate. Much appreciated 👍
Good viewing, I am back from UK, checking out Palawan.COYI
Thanks mate, it's good that you're doing so much travelling, we should do a bit more island hoping but we're lazy 😂. We might be heading up to Cebu for a visit in the not to distant, so hopefully if we do we could do an interview in person, instead of online. COYI Enjoy Palawan mate 👍
Hi mate, great video. Little tip from an older former Para, just do two or three weight workouts a week at our age, push, pull and legs split over the week and take 40-60 minute walks the other days and you'll put on muscle and lose weight without getting the injuries. Hope that helps!
Oh and plenty of yoga 😂
What is push, pull and legs split
A push pull and legs split , is as follows. Push is chest and triceps. Pull is biceps and upper back. Legs is leg workout. You do one each day and take one day off a week . @@KeepingupwiththeJoneses1999
@@KeepingupwiththeJoneses1999push pull in legs is a sequence of exercise where you push one day which is chest and triceps. You pull on another day which is upper back and biceps and then leg day and you take one day off a week
@MikeO8585 Solid advice mate, I'm sure you're right. Trouble is when I join the gym I get addicted, all or nothing kind of thing but like you wisely say we're not as young as we used to be and sadly the old body can't take it like it used to 😔
Loved the video Simon great interaction between you and Ellen which makes it super entertaining
Take care Jim
Thanks Jim, be lucky mate. It will soon be November 👍
I live in Phoenix AZ USA. My total spend, every penny, over the past 21 months has been $592.04/mo USD. My house over the past 15 years has averaged $2000/mo appreciation.
How much a person spends depends on the person and has little to do with the country.
If you want to create some silly numbers you can compare the cost of having a 23 year-old Filipina living with you vs a 23 year-old Western woman living with you which is in the $10k/mo USD range. Kind of odd men comparing all these nonsense items while ignoring the entire reason for being in PH.
Glad you have the channel.
Thanks mate, appreciate you watching 👍
Don't over train. 6 days above 45 yrs is too much depending how you break down work outs. 3 days at 58 years old works for me to maintain weight and muscle. Monday: Push exercises, Wednesday: legs, Friday: Pulls, weekend, hike, bike, swim or walk in a fun/recreational manner. Be well Simon!
Thanks for the pointers my friend. Be lucky 👍
There are men where I come from playing Rugby 🏉 at 69 years of age it depends how you have lived your life .
Oi Cheap Charlie!
"We don't go out. We only go out 4 times a week." I'd call that going out out. Lol
I never got one with varifocal specs. Bought online in the UK. They say give it time for your eyes to adjust, but I gave up after a week. Binned 'em. Varifocal contacts on the other hand are amazing. Bought on Lazarda.
Why not bifocals? I've had no problems with the two pairs from Acebedo and Sunnies in Cebu.
From a fellow Brit from the souf.
I got varifocals online in the UK too mate, they were great. Adjusted to them the second I put them on, these ones I got here are OK now, not great but OK. I didn't know you could get contacts on lazada though, I might have to give those a whirl, I've been thinking about trying contacts for a while now 👍
great vid
Are you being held hostage statement made me laugh out so loud my wife hollered down stairs and asked what was going on lol
😂😂😂
I'm coming from the US and was wondering about charging - say, my phone, electric razor, things like that. Do I need some kind of converter to charge in the Phil?
You only need a charger bought locally, similar to what you have. Both would regulate the voltage. Very cheap to buy ...
Sorry mate, I can't advise you on that. Coming from the UK I've never had any issues charging anything from the mains anywhere in Asia. I've never needed a converter but I've no idea if it's the same for US products in terms of different voltage etc
Hi yes you would need a converter they are cheap many places sell them
USA is 110v. Philippines is 220v
cell phones and laptops, tablets run on 110 or 220, so no issues there. The main issue i have found is the outlet, some places have the 2 pole (European) outlets and some have the regular western 2 prong ones. You would need a converter for any appliances you bring that wont run on 220v.
You probably have to get a universal adapter to fit the local power point. The actual voltage is fine.
Which city ? I’m considering reallocating there it sounds very inexpensive
We're in Bacong mate, very close to Dumaguete City
Thsnk you
what your other expenditures like dining out, gasoline, online shopping, mobile phone plans, misc purchases. yes 10k for groceries is very little. We pay 25 to 30k for our groceries, meat and vegetables.
Spent around $1100 in total. $650 was on fixed costs and groceries so the remaining $450 was what everything else came to, eating out, gas, misc purchases etc
I was looking at staying in the ABC hotel in Angeles City next August 2025, but it's fully booked already! Is this right, does it really fully book so far in advance?
I've got no idea mate, never been to Angeles but a lot of arilines, hotels etc show no availabilty if you try and book very far in advance. I guess it because they're not sure what rates they are going to be charging that far in advance but whether that's the case with your booking I've no idea I'm afraid.
@@SpeakingofAsiaok Simon, thanks for the reply 👍
I’m wondering if having a Filipina live-in Girlfriend/Wife, is a net savings? Even with occasional support for her or her family, they will be able to better navigate the foibles of daily living and errors an expat might make that incur larger costs. I’d say, that even if it’s not a “savings”, the peace of mind and ease of life they add to the equation would be a service one would gladly pay anyway.
Depends on how you want to compare. Live-in partner vs solo then solo is cheaper of course. An expat can learn the ropes of getting Filipino prices.
If you want to compare apples to apples you can compare a live-in Filipina partner to the same age, beauty woman in the West, I'd guess the cost to keep a Western 23 year-old attractive woman live with a 60+ year-old not very attractive guy would start at $10k/mo USD.
If you want to compare a live-in Filipina partner to same level woman in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia then the Filipina would be about the same cost or a little more. Depends on the woman and guy of course. Many Filipinas given the chance will quickly become Westernized. They like AC more and more which results in more sitting around watching TV and eating snacks. Many guys love to provide all these comforts and create the same type of woman they said they didn't want in the West. It's weird.
I think you are probably right. Plus she can avoid the skin tax when shopping.
@michaelmmcintyre I know a lot will disagree but Every where I've lived in Asia my living costs have dropped when I've been in a relationship. When, I'm single I go out more, sped more on socialising etc girlfriend = more time at home, home cooking etc In my experience 👍
Colors are very important Ellen!! Stand your ground! 😂. Good video Simon! 😂
Cheers mate 👍
Or even colours...lol...
Hi 👋 Simon and Ellen,.. great 👍 video.
I completely agree 💯% with you on the living costs there in the Philippines.
I also watched "other bloggers" saying that someone can't live there on $1,000 U.S. dollars or less.
I agree 👍 with you in that, it's all about in..."how you live" with that amount of money and if you "want or not" to go out every single day for coffee and meals.
Also I agree that the saying,.."living like a Filipino".. doesn't mean that you're living "poorly".
I think that's all in how to make the "smart choices" and not to "overspend" in "useless" things that are not important.
Thanks mate and...be lucky.
Thanks mate, always appreciate your comments 👍
You got there mate 👍 I'd rather have 3 beers than a coffee at a coffee shop .
It took me a while 😂
Carenderia..good food. Great savings.
Wow this is 180 degrees shift from the previous video. We have the lovely Ellen in place of that deafening rooster. I think Ellen is similar to most Asian ladies in wanting to avoid the Sun. In Japan the Ladies (and even men) walk around with Sun umbrellas. Cost of living is useful but having Ellen on the show is even more useful (for your ratings).
Hello mate, it's good to have you back in the comments 👍
Definitely do a video on Ellem buying a bike. It would be fun and gives an idea of how much they cost. 👍
Planning to do that mate 👍
Ellen,
Why not try a used fazzio, or even rent one for a while....
Just an intended helpful suggestion...?
Cheers
Glenn
that's what I've done Glenn, I'm riding one now and I hate it, worse than I thought it would be. Trouble is she still wants one 😂
@SpeakingofAsia - oh dear, well what more can you do, happy ....., happy life etc...lol..
Retired US Army SEAL front line combat veteran and Retired FBA SPECIAL AGENT. 65 yo , I still run 5 k every morning under 25 minutes, do one hundred sit-ups every single morning and finish off with one hundred pushups. I also do every second day 20 pullups on the pullup beam, when I was head instructor at the Special Forces Jump School all my men had to do 20 pull ups every morning and 20 pull ups before finishing duty, so 40 pull ups a day. I am also a purple belt in Kung foo and Karate. Before doing exercise make sure you warm up . Dan
Where I come from in Wales there are some men 69 years old still playing Rugby 🏉
Good video I just did 500 budget last month easy
Wow, that really is cheap living 👍
Yes 500 is doable when you are not paying high rent
3 bed house 3 in family 2 multicabs 2 motorcycle only 1 aircon some veg from garden no skin tax as I got to know the stall holders at the markets so often the month is less than 500 my budget is way more
The fresh food in the Philippines is shit, particularly the vegetables.
You need to hit Salad Stop for some nice fresh veges but it's expensive.
Why? It is all farm produce. I thought one could get fresh vegetables there as it is all grown on small farms near by.
@@Dan-q6v1vlack of proper storage and lack of logistics.
Philippines have more potential than anywhere... but they do not understand food hygenes, logistics, massproductuon, etc.
They have the raw food vegetables... but due to lack of agriculture policies... a lot of the produce is even more expensive then some of european produces.
I'm always annoyed that people think if I'm not eating out everyday somehow I'm not living life.
Agreed 👍
Im getting my wife a Bajaj for her first vehicle. At least with 3 wheels she can get used to getting around. After that, a four wheel vehicle. Parents of my son's 3rd grade classmate in Valencia, crashed their motorbike. The young mom is in heaven and young father is critically injured. The Philippines is an unforgiving Mad Max training ground to for newbie motorbike riders. 😢🎉
Ellen & Simon ( aka, Charlene n Charlie..lol...),
Many thx for a down to earth, but spontaneous n interesting video, with pointers...lol...
All in 30 minutes n 5 seconds..lol...
Have the police arrived yet , or was the road too much for em...
Happy flat hunting...
Cheers
Glenn
I think the road must have beaten them, they never showed up mate. At least not yet 😂
Looks like the Stockholm syndrome has kicked in anyways, so no evidence...lol..
Rent and food is the biggest items
She didn’t give away a secret, we knew you were trying to hold on until 30 minutes.
😂😂
It’s interesting even travelling around and the flights are cheap. We didn’t like the city Dumaguete but there are some nice places just out of town. My wife and I will be back to have a good look around where looking for a place to retire. We have just seen most of the Phillipines. We have two weeks left here round march next year we will give it eight months. After 13 years coming here you’d think we had it sorted by now.
Best of luck with your search mate 👍
A car would really add to the costs. Having a motorbike is dirt cheap which I assume you have.
Guys are saying they plan to stay in PH for the rest of their life. And they point to their motorbike as part of the reason "it's cheap here". That's OK in your 60's. Think you'll be on a motorbike in your 70's, 80's, 90's? There are the medical expenses for motorbike wrecks too.
I know, I know... everyone thinks they're be young forever and they would never get in a wreck.
Yep, I'm on a bike at the moment but if I stayed here longer term I would get a car and yes, my living costs would go up 👍
The cost of having a car is not so bad your reg and insurance for the year would be around P6k depends on car and gas depends how much you use the car
It's the cost of the car philippines is not cheap to buy as heavy import tax puts price up
There is no secret, basically you must live a very boring routine lifestyle no trips no alcohol no smoking no girlfriend no this no that. I’d rather stay home in the USA 🇺🇸 if I’m going to live a boring live in a developing country
Excellent point. The Philippines is a toilet bowl.
Why do they have so many brown outs?? They know they have this problem but there is no improvement??? In the US when there is a problem everyone gets together and tries to find solutions.
I think about living like a local as not constantly spending like a two week millionare on holiday, everyday! 😂
😂😂
I am an old man, I must be. When I live in Philippines I only spent $400. per month and all our needs were met. I had plenty of money in the bank but did not spend it. 1970 was my first visit and I fell in lust 😉
I THINK $1,000 A MONTH PENSION IS NOT ENOUGH TO LIVE IN THE CITY OF MAKATI. YOU NEED A MONTHLY PENSION OF $2,000 A MONTH.
Nearly 30 minutes exactly!! 😂
I try 😂😂
ARE YOU BRITISH?
yes he is
Yes, I am
BRITISH, WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE PHILIPPINES? IS UK HARD TO LIVE AND SURVIVED?
@@Fausto-q5n I just prefer living in Asia more than I do living in the UK. I haven't lived in Britain for 10 years now
SO UK IS NOT A NICE PLACE TO LIVE SINCE YOU TOLD ME YOU'VE BEEN LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR 10 YEARS.
How to live on a 1000 dollers a month spend 999 dollers simples
Solid advice 👍
😂😂@@SpeakingofAsia
wife or GF? man, i LOVE how she just sit there and don't compete/ be super opinionated, if you know what i mean.
GF 👍
Man that girl is cute as a button... she's a gem
Why are you sitting in a box room when you’re in the Philippines.
NOISE
@@SpeakingofAsia
I reckon you more bothered with it than the viewer. Viewers like the atmosphere of somewhere exotic. I’m currently away from Asia in the UK. I’d have no problem hearing some wind or a motor bike going past rather that the echo’s of a white room.
@@Steveuploads You might be right 👍
Hehe smart woman,😅
My wife and I own property in the Philippines, around USD1M. We have a decent income, c PP100,000 pcm. Our kids are at school/university . Our income exceeds our outgoings. I don''t live cheaply but I live well. The missus pushes it a wee bit because she comes from shit so I accept her appreciation of a better life.
$1000 in NOT cheap for fhilipinnes by any means
Ask that chick next to you, they are making 200/mo
Yes, I get that mate. When I say cheap, I mean by Western expat standards. People keep telling me I'm living like a cheap Charlie in the comments 😂
@@SpeakingofAsia You are 100% right mate
Hot gf, marry her she seems sweet
😉
She does not want to get dark🤔
In me experience that's a very common theme in Asia. In Thailand it's huge, whitening lotions, soaps etc are big business. Sadly it seems to be a class/wealth thing. The darker someone is the poorer they are assumed to be. If they're dark they must have a low paying job working in the sun all day as a labourer on a farm etc if your skin is lighter you must have more money a better job etc. I found this to be the attitude in Cambodia, Thailand and now in the Philippines too. Sad but true.
@@SpeakingofAsia not so much as to the job more to do with dark skin being related to the girl coming from the mountains
Though you are right it is a class thing