You're a compassionate, intelligent guy, Stephen. I subscribed to your channel last week, and it's a pleasure to listen to what you have to say. I was homeless in Sydney, Australia, a bit over 12 years ago. Lived out of my car for 3 months. And let me tell you, at night in my car, young guys especially knew I was vulnerable. They'd hit the car, give it a shake, yell threats and obscenities, but these guys were not thugs, they were from the middle class, on the hunt. I got my act together because I was not an alcoholic, or a gambler. I had a full-time 9-5 job and a gym membership for showers, etc, but there were too many people fighting for the same rental property. It taught me a valuable lesson - there are psychopaths out there like Patrick Bateman who just want to kill people. That's not an overstatement. I saw it up close. Very sorry to hear about the homeless guy. Thank you & all the best
Having worked at US embassies during my career, I had observed quite a few destitute American Passport Bros coming in for a repatriation loan. All the physical, mental and emotional problems you have at home go with you to the new country as 'baggage' to be carried about 24/7. To adapt and survive (much less thrive) in a new country and culture is extremely challenging even without the baggage.
After 9 years of marriage I was kicked out by my German now ex-wife. She drained our bank account, stole everything. So I moved into my garden allotment 1100m2, built a small cabin, a shower, eventually a bath, a cast stove for winter warmth, and lived their self sufficient offgrid for over 10 years. Survived by selling my organic produce. Except for the winters ( down to -13c, and grey for 2-3 months) it was wonderful. A long story...
If that was UK you wouldn't be allowed to live in your allotment. No freedom in UK unless you have a certain skin colour, ( none white ). You get away with everything then as you just claim racism.
Chances are before marriage you didn't have anything so what she "stole" belonged to her before marriage and nothing was mode during marriage. Men likes to pretend women are attacking mens wallets but you think once you get married what belongs to "her" becomes "his". Europe have strict ĺaws.
i make sure I do atleast 5 activities per day here. I work out, walk an hour, then shoot pool, ill go fish maybe take a motorcycle ride (not a scooter) maybe take my wife for a drink or lunch/dinner. Sometimes i will BBQ some ribs and make a nice nagroni. We love taking the car up to tagaytay or Cavinti lake. I have a lot of filipino friends here at the pool hall, all nice guys..
I almost lost everything in Davao... and just like you said... got the heck out of dodge as soon as the red flags started to smell. Worked back in Manila. Thanks for this story.
Been watching a few videos of yours during the night while working remotely. Really enjoy them. The video about the robbery, the video about living your best life. Great content. Wise words for a man who only came to the Philipines 3 months ago. Keep going!
agree 100%! Btw just got back from the USA Embassy, my wife got her tourist visa application approved.. stoked. Finally can show her my ole stomping grounds and also meet my 2 kids and 4 grand kids.
Thank you for the Video, You do not have your ducks in a row, you are screwed. I came in to the Philippines and retired on American SSA retirement. Before I decided to do that I applied for my SSA retirement about 3 months before I arrived. I was already receiving my benefits. Do not be stupid and not plan for what you are doing. That goes for all things in life.
Good information here! Always keep your nose clean in any foreign country, gotta be stupid to steal from anyone if you’re a foreigner! Thanks for this Visa stuff also stephen. I only overstayed 5 days in 2019 in Iloilo, was kinda shitting bricks when at the Airport. They charged me 4K pesos. Was relived. Have a good week and thanks
I thought that also Kyle. He was stealing from that same shop a number of times and warned if he did it again they would call the police. So maybe that's what he wanted
Had a uncle that would purposely do a petty crime like smash storefront window every winter to hibernate. He'd get out in summer all buff and in shape ready for a new round of drug addiction 🤦♂️ You couldn't help him either he would take anything not nailed down scam family every chance he got.
No water waterfall is everywhere, no electricity use solar panel no gas use firewood, no fishing eat vegetable kangkong it a living paradise there many are freebies😅😅😅😅😅😅
@Philippinedreaming you must be aware that foreigners in PH can't own even small portions of lands full business ownership & have very limited rights South American countries don't have such restrictions & are also cheap Why didn't you settle there?
He should have got his self in that position. I seen a video with a Local person from a village looking after him. He should get deported. This makes it bad for any other person living in the Philippines.
If you only have$150,OOO in savings and 10 years until you get some kind of pension, you have 15K a year to live on period if it wasn't earning any interest. Its really not rocket science and yet so many get it wrong. Low ish savings means you can't afford to risk starting a business.
150k is not enough... it is but it isnt.. if ya know what I mean. My wife and I take a few trips abroad every year, do weekend getaways, plus I fish and play pool alot.. Also car and motorcycle expenses. I have to say IF I had only 150k I would feel that would cramp my style of living which is travel, good food and drink, and billiards play...money games..
@@Parabola007 For sure its not enough, 15K a year is more "surviving" not living, but it is doable and people do it. My point was if you are on a tight budget you have to stick to it, as there is no other choice.
Steve you’ve done a lot for your wife’s family. They have to learn to accept no for an answer. Don’t worry about them as long as you and your wife are doing okay .
One of the biggest reasons that men dont move abroad is their children, or grandchildren. Family is a huge heavy anchor that keeps you docked in the area you grow up, or raise your kids. To break free from family guilt takes a huge amount of will power. I find that vloggers never really cover this subject, the guilt of leaving people behind in a crappy country, whilst you're living your best life.
ikr, but when I go back to visit my kids say I spend way more time with them now than when I was working. I stay about 21 days a year with each of my 2 kids. Thats a lot even if I lived there. I go back to visit once a year. NOW my wife got a tourist visa so we will both go to visit for a month each year. miracles ... And I might go back as a snow bird 6 months a year in about 5 years..
@Parabola007 I plan to snowbird starting in 2026. My youngest will be 18 by then and lives with her Mom. Fly her over for Xmas and New Year. March - Oct by the coast in the UK, then Oct - March in Thailand or Philippines
A great question. Also if one gets sick, cancer, a terminal illness. I have a terminal illness. I choose to come here. Always invisioned when I was too sick, that I'd put on some boots and go for one last swim. Have heard that it's very peaceful once over the initially intake of water. I am however considering heading home to a hospice... My incurable cancer is one that can take years....
Did you see the man get stab in the heart, almost out of knowhere, by a woman. It was fast, he died within minutes. Sometimes.....It's just not your day. We all go to the bank here. Even if one's watching there own back and aware, it can happen.
The process of getting kicked out for overstay- starts in immigration detention, the embassy will require you give them any contacts back home who can help financially. If these contacts can't or won't help, the embassy will usually offer a repatriation loan- your ticket home & taxi to social security. Your passport is suspended until the loan is repaid. You're barred from entering the Philippines without having paid back any outstanding fines & fees. The guys getting stranded for years have usually refused the terms of repatriation for some reason.
Some cannot go back home after they scammed,cause some men in other countries,feel ,Shame,because they lost everything and maybe other family members warned them before settling in poor countries to live with the women they love.At first age doesn’t matter,but it’s reality,why young women like older guys,of course,same answer,fooling and blind ourselves,it’s love.Want to live other countries to support families.I’m sorry for what happen to you.
Thanks for the update on the German guy. He must be out of his mind to even thinking about stealing. Would you consider go to make an interview with him? You could make him anonymous. Or u could just tell us his story if he doesnt wanna be on camera. Maybe something good would come out of it...
@@supernice4839 I can't now because he's already been arrested. That was the reason I was looking for him to ask of he would like to be interviewed. But now he's gone
It depends on where one lives, if one has bought land ( we can't buy land here, that needs to change. If filipinos can buy land in our country then the reciprocal must also be demanded), built an offgrid house. I lived 10 years offgrid in Germany, no power, living off the land and surplus food that I sold. Fortunately I had 6 massive cherry tress. Germans love there cherries.
I could never take myself abroad without being sure to set aside the money to return, but if you're stuck I'd imagine the embassy could help i know ours🇺🇸does. Learned my lesson in Peru🤦♂️when my bag was stolen along with the cash 💸 even with family and bank accounts it took me 2wks to get it all sorted
Thank you for telling these cautionary tales. Without them, too many foreigners would get swept up by all the unicorn-and-rainbow stories constantly being peddled by irresponsible vloggers. Whether they've been in the Philippines for 20 minutes or 20 years, every foreigner in the Philippines needs a backup plan for when thing go wrong. Because eventually, with great certainty, things will go wrong!
He had done plenty wrong. He embezzled a very large amount of money from hospitals. He was arrested and then fled to Thailand on a stolen passport. He was arrested and deported back to the US where he was convicted on felony charges and served years in prison. The Philippines have every right to protect their country and citizens. If you're considered an undesirable person then you're not welcome as a guest.
If he gets deported, to me that whould be great because I do not have to pay my ticket...and I should start all over again in Germany. If I were him....
So shameful to see broke Western expats in a poor country like Philippines. They failed in the West and come to a much cheaper country and fail again. And they beg for charity surrounded by generationally poor native people. And nowadays with the political rage against immigrants coming to Western countries, it's cringeworthy. At least these immigrants (legal or not) are working or trying like hell to work. I'm an emphatic guy but I can't muster any for these fools.
No good blaming others (Filipina women) for whatever 'pit' you fall into... The 'Risks' and 'Rewards' are understood in the realty of life and if living in a 'fantasy' then that person is no good to anybody, let alone a wife and children... There are no written guarantees and such are the "Facts of Life"... A good instruction manual (noun) is The Holy Bible... and the Psalms and Proverbs are good places to start reading...
I still think the risks are worth to get some sex, us white men cant get nothing in our countries. Its about enjoying life a bit before passing to the next dimension.
Australian guy "Garcia family" of Dipolog building and vlogging his house.. He ended up having a house but without a home.. Wife dumped him because of his western mentality... 😢..😅
You're a compassionate, intelligent guy, Stephen. I subscribed to your channel last week, and it's a pleasure to listen to what you have to say. I was homeless in Sydney, Australia, a bit over 12 years ago. Lived out of my car for 3 months. And let me tell you, at night in my car, young guys especially knew I was vulnerable. They'd hit the car, give it a shake, yell threats and obscenities, but these guys were not thugs, they were from the middle class, on the hunt. I got my act together because I was not an alcoholic, or a gambler. I had a full-time 9-5 job and a gym membership for showers, etc, but there were too many people fighting for the same rental property. It taught me a valuable lesson - there are psychopaths out there like Patrick Bateman who just want to kill people. That's not an overstatement. I saw it up close. Very sorry to hear about the homeless guy. Thank you & all the best
Having worked at US embassies during my career, I had observed quite a few destitute American Passport Bros coming in for a repatriation loan. All the physical, mental and emotional problems you have at home go with you to the new country as 'baggage' to be carried about 24/7. To adapt and survive (much less thrive) in a new country and culture is extremely challenging even without the baggage.
After 9 years of marriage I was kicked out by my German now ex-wife.
She drained our bank account, stole everything.
So I moved into my garden allotment 1100m2, built a small cabin, a shower, eventually a bath, a cast stove for winter warmth, and lived their self sufficient offgrid for over 10 years.
Survived by selling my organic produce.
Except for the winters ( down to -13c, and grey for 2-3 months) it was wonderful.
A long story...
Mate sounds good. Not the breakup but the way you dealt with it.
If that was UK you wouldn't be allowed to live in your allotment. No freedom in UK unless you have a certain skin colour, ( none white ). You get away with everything then as you just claim racism.
Chances are before marriage you didn't have anything so what she "stole" belonged to her before marriage and nothing was mode during marriage. Men likes to pretend women are attacking mens wallets but you think once you get married what belongs to "her" becomes "his". Europe have strict ĺaws.
Take care of your mental health people ❤
i make sure I do atleast 5 activities per day here. I work out, walk an hour, then shoot pool, ill go fish maybe take a motorcycle ride (not a scooter) maybe take my wife for a drink or lunch/dinner. Sometimes i will BBQ some ribs and make a nice nagroni. We love taking the car up to tagaytay or Cavinti lake. I have a lot of filipino friends here at the pool hall, all nice guys..
I almost lost everything in Davao... and just like you said... got the heck out of dodge as soon as the red flags started to smell. Worked back in Manila.
Thanks for this story.
Been watching a few videos of yours during the night while working remotely. Really enjoy them. The video about the robbery, the video about living your best life. Great content. Wise words for a man who only came to the Philipines 3 months ago. Keep going!
Hello Andy, Thank you for watching. I've been here now for almost 8 years for my sins hahaha
agree 100%! Btw just got back from the USA Embassy, my wife got her tourist visa application approved.. stoked. Finally can show her my ole stomping grounds and also meet my 2 kids and 4 grand kids.
Could happen to anyone in any country. Stay vigilant and do your due diligence. Thanks for the upload.
Thank you for the Video, You do not have your ducks in a row, you are screwed. I came in to the Philippines and retired on American SSA retirement. Before I decided to do that I applied for my SSA retirement about 3 months before I arrived. I was already receiving my benefits. Do not be stupid and not plan for what you are doing. That goes for all things in life.
Good information here! Always keep your nose clean in any foreign country, gotta be stupid to steal from anyone if you’re a foreigner! Thanks for this Visa stuff also stephen. I only overstayed 5 days in 2019 in Iloilo, was kinda shitting bricks when at the Airport. They charged me 4K pesos. Was relived. Have a good week and thanks
Maybe he wanted to be arrested, for a place to have shelter. He just looses his freedom.
I thought that also Kyle. He was stealing from that same shop a number of times and warned if he did it again they would call the police. So maybe that's what he wanted
Had a uncle that would purposely do a petty crime like smash storefront window every winter to hibernate. He'd get out in summer all buff and in shape ready for a new round of drug addiction 🤦♂️ You couldn't help him either he would take anything not nailed down scam family every chance he got.
Being homeless in the Philippines is better than being in jail in the Philippines.
"LOSES" NOT LOOSES!
@@kyleesteban467 A Philippine jail cell is not the shelter you want.
No water waterfall is everywhere, no electricity use solar panel no gas use firewood, no fishing eat vegetable kangkong it a living paradise there many are freebies😅😅😅😅😅😅
The worst part is no toilet.
I like your Vlogs - reason
You are one of us
Not a superstar or rich dude
Just one of us !!!
Well im a rock star and i am like him to though I get out and go more often.
🤣
True. I like watching people who are relatable to my situation.
@Philippinedreaming you must be aware that foreigners in PH can't own even small portions of lands full business ownership & have very limited rights South American countries don't have such restrictions & are also cheap Why didn't you settle there?
How long?
Does it take to get a 13A visa.I just found your channel and subbed
yes
He should have got his self in that position. I seen a video with a Local person from a village looking after him. He should get deported. This makes it bad for any other person living in the Philippines.
Yes Des true my friend
Real talks mate thanks...
Off topic as usual. At 7:27, the wires behind you at head height. Are they power lines? I may have been worrying about the wrong things. 🙂
Thats the guys washing line living in the nipa hut. He used all power cable haha
Careful touching power poles here/in Asia.
One foreigner was, dare I say it, fried recently.
@@Philippinedreamingso do I.....holding up my hammock etc 😮😅😂
@@kiwioffgrid2437 Oh, like the ones in the middle of sidewalks? fun stuff
If you only have$150,OOO in savings and 10 years until you get some kind of pension, you have 15K a year to live on period if it wasn't earning any interest. Its really not rocket science and yet so many get it wrong. Low ish savings means you can't afford to risk starting a business.
150k is not enough... it is but it isnt.. if ya know what I mean. My wife and I take a few trips abroad every year, do weekend getaways, plus I fish and play pool alot.. Also car and motorcycle expenses. I have to say IF I had only 150k I would feel that would cramp my style of living which is travel, good food and drink, and billiards play...money games..
@@Parabola007 For sure its not enough, 15K a year is more "surviving" not living, but it is doable and people do it. My point was if you are on a tight budget you have to stick to it, as there is no other choice.
Steve you’ve done a lot for your wife’s family. They have to learn to accept no for an answer. Don’t worry about them as long as you and your wife are doing okay .
JRC, and they do great immigration assistance! I used them for my 13a visa.
Thank you ,this is priceless information good job pal
One of the biggest reasons that men dont move abroad is their children, or grandchildren. Family is a huge heavy anchor that keeps you docked in the area you grow up, or raise your kids. To break free from family guilt takes a huge amount of will power. I find that vloggers never really cover this subject, the guilt of leaving people behind in a crappy country, whilst you're living your best life.
Not sure about that.
The majority of the expats here I understand have children abroad.
ikr, but when I go back to visit my kids say I spend way more time with them now than when I was working. I stay about 21 days a year with each of my 2 kids. Thats a lot even if I lived there. I go back to visit once a year. NOW my wife got a tourist visa so we will both go to visit for a month each year. miracles ... And I might go back as a snow bird 6 months a year in about 5 years..
@Parabola007 I plan to snowbird starting in 2026. My youngest will be 18 by then and lives with her Mom. Fly her over for Xmas and New Year. March - Oct by the coast in the UK, then Oct - March in Thailand or Philippines
I'm just asking what happens when you are both old and can't make it to immigration just putting it out there great video THANKS
A great question.
Also if one gets sick, cancer, a terminal illness.
I have a terminal illness.
I choose to come here.
Always invisioned when I was too sick, that I'd put on some boots and go for one last swim.
Have heard that it's very peaceful once over the initially intake of water.
I am however considering heading home to a hospice...
My incurable cancer is one that can take years....
@kiwioffgrid2437 I am really sorry about your situation but I hope there's something they can do for you
You can use an agency
Just take care of urself!!!
Did you see the man get stab in the heart, almost out of knowhere, by a woman.
It was fast, he died within minutes.
Sometimes.....It's just not your day.
We all go to the bank here.
Even if one's watching there own back and aware, it can happen.
The process of getting kicked out for overstay- starts in immigration detention, the embassy will require you give them any contacts back home who can help financially. If these contacts can't or won't help, the embassy will usually offer a repatriation loan- your ticket home & taxi to social security. Your passport is suspended until the loan is repaid. You're barred from entering the Philippines without having paid back any outstanding fines & fees. The guys getting stranded for years have usually refused the terms of repatriation for some reason.
Childsupport other things
Some cannot go back home after they scammed,cause some men in other countries,feel ,Shame,because they lost everything and maybe other family members warned them before settling in poor countries to live with the women they love.At first age doesn’t matter,but it’s reality,why young women like older guys,of course,same answer,fooling and blind ourselves,it’s love.Want to live other countries to support families.I’m sorry for what happen to you.
@@blossomclock never been kicked out of anywhere just saying how it is
Thanks for the update on the German guy. He must be out of his mind to even thinking about stealing. Would you consider go to make an interview with him? You could make him anonymous. Or u could just tell us his story if he doesnt wanna be on camera. Maybe something good would come out of it...
@@supernice4839 I can't now because he's already been arrested. That was the reason I was looking for him to ask of he would like to be interviewed. But now he's gone
@@Philippinedreaming Oh I thought he may be just in a temporary police jail. While waiting transport to Manila. Man thats a terrible situation.
That's a way. To flying home
Yes Lyn true.
If your girlfriend kick you out your house with no money no ATM card..........
How much is your budget a month?
It depends on where one lives, if one has bought land ( we can't buy land here, that needs to change. If filipinos can buy land in our country then the reciprocal must also be demanded), built an offgrid house.
I lived 10 years offgrid in Germany, no power, living off the land and surplus food that I sold.
Fortunately I had 6 massive cherry tress.
Germans love there cherries.
Those xpats that might have family or friends can't rely on them why ? They burnt that bridge ...
Yes my friend thats true.
PDF file
What is the reason
you will have rights in PI of you know people😂😂 you know what I mean...🤑🤑
I could never take myself abroad without being sure to set aside the money to return, but if you're stuck I'd imagine the embassy could help i know ours🇺🇸does. Learned my lesson in Peru🤦♂️when my bag was stolen along with the cash 💸 even with family and bank accounts it took me 2wks to get it all sorted
Thank you for telling these cautionary tales. Without them, too many foreigners would get swept up by all the unicorn-and-rainbow stories constantly being peddled by irresponsible vloggers. Whether they've been in the Philippines for 20 minutes or 20 years, every foreigner in the Philippines needs a backup plan for when thing go wrong. Because eventually, with great certainty, things will go wrong!
It more fun you choose your own destiny
Hello Stefen, save urself first if life goes were live is no longer worth to live. U save ur own family later in case😊.
Always smart your money, specially if ur old you can't go back to work again.
Yep, Just did report, We do it right away, You have to have some kind of passive, Even small, God Bless
How about the Belgium guy live there in remote forestry mountain for 3 decades and don’t come in Europe anymore. I saw him interviewed in UA-cam.
is really not fun! but reality.
I remember watching the videos on the Word Zoom channel about his time in Philippines prison and he supposedly had done nothing wrong.
He had done plenty wrong. He embezzled a very large amount of money from hospitals. He was arrested and then fled to Thailand on a stolen passport. He was arrested and deported back to the US where he was convicted on felony charges and served years in prison. The Philippines have every right to protect their country and citizens. If you're considered an undesirable person then you're not welcome as a guest.
If he gets deported, to me that whould be great because I do not have to pay my ticket...and I should start all over again in Germany. If I were him....
Phillipines doesn't sound very nice. You'd be better off moving back to Ireland.
Pete Tong lol Haven't heard that in a while.
So shameful to see broke Western expats in a poor country like Philippines. They failed in the West and come to a much cheaper country and fail again. And they beg for charity surrounded by generationally poor native people. And nowadays with the political rage against immigrants coming to Western countries, it's cringeworthy. At least these immigrants (legal or not) are working or trying like hell to work. I'm an emphatic guy but I can't muster any for these fools.
No good blaming others (Filipina women) for whatever 'pit' you fall into... The 'Risks' and 'Rewards' are understood in the realty of life and if living in a 'fantasy' then that person is no good to anybody, let alone a wife and children... There are no written guarantees and such are the "Facts of Life"... A good instruction manual (noun) is The Holy Bible... and the Psalms and Proverbs are good places to start reading...
I still think the risks are worth to get some sex, us white men cant get nothing in our countries. Its about enjoying life a bit before passing to the next dimension.
Australian guy "Garcia family" of Dipolog building and vlogging his house.. He ended up having a house but without a home.. Wife dumped him because of his western mentality... 😢..😅
Subscribedoverstay road
It more fun there homeless may do camping so no big issue and for food go fishing so it really fun 😅😅😅😅
@amazing1018…Your stupidity is astounding
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Low life
@@JohnDoran-e7o who?