'How to live in the Philippines with no money' might seem like a ridiculous title for an article, but it's something that people are searching for on Google almost every day. From time to time, I take a look at the statistics for this site and like to see how people are finding us. Most of the search terms are pretty obvious and are not too surprising, but when I see … [Read more...]
American Pie
Several years back, I recall a foreigner's plan for his restaurant in the Philippines. He was going to cater only to the foreign crowd and he just knew they would pack out his restaurant morning, noon and night. It didn't happen and not even close. He lost many Filipino customers, who would come in, sit down, read the menu and then leave without ordering. The restaurant was … [Read more...]
Green Onions
Are you considering opening your own restaurant when you retire to the Philippines? There are probably not many places around the world where you can accomplish your dream with less money. I am referring to the place as right here in some areas of the Philippines. I personally know several foreigners who have successful restaurants in the Bacolod area. I am not telling you that … [Read more...]
The Bright Future Requires Sunglasses At Night
We hear more often from the guys who lost their shirts trying to do business in the Philippines. Most discourage others from even trying because they failed and they don't want to see another foreigner succeed. I'm sorry about their bad luck but it hasn't rubbed off on me. I am successful. My wife and I have not made a fortune but make enough to live comfortably every month. … [Read more...]
Love That Chicken From Popeye’s
I love that chicken from Popeye's. That is what I told my brother in Florida earlier this evening and he was amazed. He didn't know there were Popeye's Louisiana Kitchens in the Philippines. There's not. We make Popeye's Chicken in our home kitchen. I got the original recipe from the internet and I can make Popeye's chicken from all locally sourced ingredients... at local … [Read more...]
Positive Vibrations in 2014
2014 was a very good year in the Philippines. It was a very good year for my family and I and it was a very good year for the country. There were a number of economic and cultural advances made this past year. Some foreigners are still wearing their same crap colored glasses and one foreigner recently referred to the Philippines as a failed state. As always, some writers are … [Read more...]
How To Have More Money For Fun!
From what I have gathered from many conversations and discussions over the last several years, many people around the world are looking for ways to save money and cut their cost of living expenses. In the Philippines, there are a number of ways you can cut the cost of living and I am not referring to just tightening belts and dropping down in your quality of lifestyle! Rather, … [Read more...]
Nothing Rough About This Guide
One of my favorite activities since retiring to the Philippines is sharing about this fabulous country, the wonderful Filipino people and their vibrant culture. As one friend told another friend when we had gotten together one day, "Don't get Gary started!" I think that pretty much sums it up, as I love writing and actually talking about the Philippines! The best cities, the … [Read more...]
Seeds For Life
I have told you before that 1 hectare of land in the Philippines can feed a family of 4 for the entire year! This hectare will produce more than enough fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat for your family. You will even have a surplus to sell in the market or for storing. It is up to you or you can be generous and give some of the produce away to needy families in the … [Read more...]
Sweet Home Philippines!
I just returned this week from a several week visit to Florida, USA, to lend family support to a very ill relative, and I have a very fresh perspective about life in the USA, as opposed to life in the Philippines. It is fabulous being back in Sweet Home Philippines! For those who say they can live as cheaply in the USA as in the Philippines, this certainly isn't true … [Read more...]
El Groupo Gougers
During the past two weeks, I made a very amazing discovery about the price of imported food and drinks in Bacolod City! Some of the stores have really jacked the prices up on a lot of food items that many foreigners enjoy buying. Can we get real here? If Walmart in Florida USA can sell a plastic bottle of mustard for only 68 cents US, and you know they are still making money, … [Read more...]
Working On The Building
One of the major concerns an expat has when considering retiring to the Philippines is the housing question! This was a concern 28 years ago in the Philippines and it remains a frequently asked question in 2014. Most expats are not interested in living in a native nipa or bamboo house but believe it or not, some expats embrace that adventure! I know a couple of Americans who … [Read more...]