A common sense budget in the Philippines overview. Don't believe the hype! 

Put together a budget of how you see your lifestyle to be in the Philippines. Spend money on things that are important to you, live in an area where there are things you enjoy doing, think you will be good living in the provinces then go try it for a month before making the move because i hope you dont mind roosters at the crack of dawn, dogs barking all times of day, karaoke blasting out during a holiday, if you're not in the best of health dont be living an hour from the nearest hostipal also having an accident or health incident in the Philippines is costly so get good health insurance, learn the language, get involved with the local community. I plan to retire to the Philippines in 10 years and working on how I want to live my best life there.

I can't wait to move here! My passive income will be between the 5-6K range. And it's not for the girlfriend reason, it's for an actually comfortable life that the US can't provide with that range.

Good information Thank you sir

try canada , 1 bedroom will cost 4k per month compare to where you at its all peanuts lol

As we know, or soon find out, it takes time and effort to get that "just right" place. I did an AirBnb for a month at a time for closer to $600 US, then a longer term house for $400 per month, not bad, in a secured subdivision, but parking was always a hassle(I bought a used car), and it was not very green. Finally, my Filipino partner, who helped actively look, got us to a beautiful lot(1,000 sq meters) with a two bedroom house that needed work. I agreed to fix the roof, and recover the cost over the first year of the rental. The difference was to be prepared, with cash, to decide, right then, to snap it up. USD rent is $212! Great shaded yard with plants and trees, we host many family and friend gatherings. AND, I have a cost effective "home base" to return to from my other travels. Just got back from a month in Europe. The dream is indeed possible, once you put in the effort to achieve it.

Sorry but you just missing the boat big time

It's not a real relationship if your giving an allowance and she doesn't have employment

Been here 5 years. The $$ numbers in the video sound realistic.

Been living in PHL for 2 years now. Social Security check is $1300 but moved here with a little money in the bank. I do have a full-time, live-in GF and give her $10K php a month for an allowance. In Davao City I stayed in pretty nice condo units with gym/pool. Now in Siargao I have a fairly nice studio apartment for 21K/month. Have my own scooter (bought used for 40K).

I feel like I'm living pretty well on $1300/month. The key for me is not going out and spending a lot on food every night. Plus, I don't drink all that much anymore.

Chad is correct: $1500/month would be plenty of money. Those that claim that you need 2K/month to retire in the Philippines don't know what they're talking about.

Philippines, dumaguete is horrible, infrastructure is terrible, medical care is Stone Age. If you have a medical issue do not come to the Philippines.

Thanks for the video, my monthly budget is $1500 and I live in Tunasan, Muntinlupa City plus don't rely living pension to pension, you need extra savings and emergency funds. I'm very happy enough not paying any mortgage or rent. I know 5 farangs living there and all military veterans.

You can get all this stuff in pattaya for the same/ less price and have grab food delivery for 2$ a meal

❤

Too much talking; a picture speaks 1000 words!

I really don't get this. Philippines is supposed to be that 3rd world country where you should not complain about the bad infrastructure, brownouts, noise, slow boreaucracy and so on. I live in Canary Islands (Spain), where I enjoy 1st world infrastructure, fully online and cheap boreaucracy, 1.1 GB optic fiber internet, $4.7 per gallon gasoline, a 2 bedrooms apartment and garage and a sports car (155 mph). My budget is $1,200 and I eat at bar or restaurant every single day . Girls are gorgeous Latinas coming in from South America.

So, what, exactly, makes Philippines such a good place? Why should I lower my standard of life and swim in humidity if the price is same or higher than where I live right now?

Excellent video Chad! I have dated westernized two Filipinas here in Florida for the past 8 years and while I love them, I would much rather meet someone in the country that has not been tainted by western culture. I'm a 70 y/o widower, look and act 50 something, a sport pilot, motorcycle collector/rider, financially independent, in excellent shape, and have been looking closely at the Cebu area. I love being out in the country, I don't care for the city life at all. Hopefully if I get over there for a visit, Cebu is a good choice.

Looks like an apartment in Marpas. If so, we are just around the corner from you in a nice similar set up for 25K PHP. Might have a vacancy in a month or two. We spend around 1,800 to 2k per month. A week in Cebu last Christmas was an easy $1,200 for travel and hotel. Price that in too. I am from St. Pete too.

Good video and hilarious thumbnail. 😂 much easier to live like a king single or maybe 1 girl you need a big budget for 5+ haha

I agree with your budget assessment me and my wife go through about $1300 a month but we own a vehicle and our home with no rent so essentially our budgets equal to guys that have 1800 the $2,000 budget but I know a lot of couples that live on far less than 2000 and they live pretty decent having a partner doesn't cost you that much extra

Surprised this wasn't sponsored by QuickBooks

I've tried the cheap holidays in cheap accommodations and I don't like it. So many seem to go there and it's about how cheap a beer is and the bar girls. Rarely seems to be about much healthy or things you might want to tell your family about back in your home country.

200$ rent a house in my city that was a good house with 2 to 3 rooms and the bills like electric and water maybe just 150$ soo 1000$ is big amount

Live like a King until your money runs out.

So with $2962 social security, $2729 pension, and $3737 veterans disability, I could do ok over there. I own my home outright and have other investments that generates quite a bit too. As you can see, finances aren’t my problem. At 67, I’m not really interested in finding a partner even to just see exclusivity and not be under the same roof together. I’m just tired of everyone’s attitude and all of the division and just want to see happy smiling faces every day, even if those smiles are sometimes not genuine and there’s thoughts of dollar signs behind the smile. I have always had the ability to just say no and mean it. I was fortunate to retire very comfortably at 53 and after 14 years of retirement and before my health goes south I need more meaning to my life for the remainder of my time above ground.
Every time I think I’m ready to pull the plug I let two things stop me. First is kids and grandkids and second is the humidity more than the heat. I just don’t know how to get past the feeling of abandonment if I were to make the jump. I’m sure I’d eventually adjust to the weather so I’m really left with one impediment. How do others get past the guilt of leaving loved ones behind?

Great video bro, are these budgets if you do long term rentals or Airbnb? I feel if youre doing airbnb it will cost more.

As far as finances:
Family of 3 , a foreigner his Filipina wife and a child living in their own house will need 30 000 php per month.
If they add a car, AC unit, travel in the Philippines 4 x per year, go out for dinner or to visit friends 4x per month, they will need 60 000php net monthly income .
If they were renting the budget would be 100 000 php per month.
Unexpected extra expenses, medication, unplanned dental, add 10000php per month.
Now, if you are close with your inlaws, her siblings, add 20000 php per month.

So, 130k to 140 000 php per month is safe, 3 500 Cad p.m., 2650 USD p.m.
It was cheaper 24 mths ago....😅

Chad, you are correct in guarding your freedom and independence. Before you commit to a woman - your life partner, make sure you will accept the following:
She will truly love you but not before she loves her child, her parents, her lolo and lola, siblings, tito, tita, then you.
of course she is honest but no illusions. She loves you on a balance between your old body and the monthly income, mixture like this is potable. But, it is natural and understandable that she would love to have a Pinoy guy close to her age or even a foreigner but close to her age.
There is no fairytale in the Philippines, but practicality of some Filipinas who are willing to take the foreigner with his age plus monthly income. We better our lives, they better theirs.😂❤

Nice video, am glad to see your keeping busy. Thanks, Chad...Jim

I really love these budget videos, and I watched a ton before coming here. It is so very subjective though as to where you live, and what kind of lifestyle you want. I live on food from the palengke that my Asawa cooks for us, and we rent a 4 bdm 2 bath house for about $88 per month but have just bought land. Our total budget for the month is around $500 barring luxury items and travel. I live in a small village in the province on a less popular island away from tourists and foreigners. I love it here!

You can live for $1000 a month very easily if all the dumb ass expats stopped over paying in the Philippines. Stop driving up the GD prices. An asking price is a rip off price. Learn the art of negotiation and make sure you have a Filipina go between to do that bargaining for you. My god people are dumb as fuck for paying those high prices. Cheers!

Videos like this honestly aren't that helpful, sorry dude. the reason is because you are just throwing out numbers that reflect certain peoples lifestyles with no context on HOW they are spending their money. There's another vlogger that lives on negros that has a nice house paid for and their monthly expenses are 800 bucks a month and they travel alot and do a ton of house work. Without a breakdown on what these people are spending their money on....that's the reason it's not helpful as anyone can say XXXX amount of money a month...but if you are spending all your funds on stuff other people wouldn't it doesn't give a really great idea of what it does actually cost and where that money goes. Like if you are buying all your food at the grocery store or one of those expat stores....of course your food bill will be high. You really gotta give more context on how the money is being spent.

Hi Chad, you echo my thoughts about living in affordable accommodation and getting help to live a healthy and productive lifestlye. Expats want to save money, but decide to live in places and squalor that they would never dream of back home. Can I ask why if you can budget $22-30,000 a year, men are not trying to mix in professional circles and meet women of a higher income and class bracket. Why are most happy with nice, but lower class uneducated ladies instead of professionals as they would at home?

Very well done, Chad. Thank you for an honest budgetary overview.
Currently enjoying our LDR with my unbelievably wonderful Filipina sweetheart. I am arriving in person next month, returning to the Philippines for the first time since a '72 visit for USAF jungle survival school and a brief '73 visit on the way home from my government sponsored all-expenses paid vacation in Vietnam.
~ Alaska Dave

Watching this video has let me know I'll be just fine enjoying the Philippines on 6k usd per month. Thank you for the insight, Chad. It's appreciated.

Hi Chad! I’m a 61 native Torontonian (go leafs go!). I’ve been watching your videos and I appreciate your content. I cannot afford Canada anymore! I’m seriously considering a move to a more affordable country and the Philippines is definitely on my list. My budget would be $2,000 - $2,500/month CDN. Is there a Canadian expat in the Philippines who works in real estate you can refer me to? Thanks 🙏

Philippines is No Longer a Cheap Charlie Paradise‼

Absolutely no question that $2/mo is the new $1k/mo. IMO it is foolish to think < $2k/mo will suffice especially if that cash flow is not keeping up with inflation that is really affecting SE Asia. I don't know how the locals do it on the tiny wages they are making. Good luck to everyone I am staying 1yr in Thailand for 2025, but might try out 1yr in Philippines to compare/contrast the two experiences.

Chad is your rates usd $2,000 a month or Cad $2,000 a month since it is a big difference, I know your from Canada but also living in the usa, and usa is the reserve currency, so just asking.. so you are saying about $1,500 usd for you to live comfortably in Philippines Chad? thank you sir.

I agree Chad ,another way to look at is what ever you have in the west you can do here with at least 50% off I came to Cebu back in March not intending to stay because I had not sold my house and still had bills in US and still haven't witch is good because its forced me to be more careful I say take your time shop around what ever your buying or renting I started in a 40k condo now in a 13k 4 bed house still intend to sell out because it frees up monthly income and puts money in the bank but this learning experience is priceless I can do simple life I've proved that but like you say want more from retirement

Have you met any people who have families? I have a wife and 4 kids and would love to live outside the states. We have about 5 years left before we can leave the states and are considering the Philippines.

"You can live like a king..." Yeah, more like Lord of the Flies. 🤣

Chad, another home run. Info without flaming other folks' opinions.

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You can rent a decent hotel for around 30 bucks a night. So figure 840 a month and eat street food every day. 10 dollars a month cell phone. 30 bucks for a visa. 1000 is doable. Or rent a studio apartment in a province for around 200 to 400 bucks a month plus water and electric around 150 tops. And buy food from the market and cook yourself. There are plenty of options for budgeting to save 100 to 200 per month and travel twice a year to check out other locations. Sure it’s good to have extra but Filipinos live on 2-300 usd per month. 1000 is 3x that.

Thanks for this video Chad. I’m sure you noticed I caught a lot of shit talk for saying I was going to retire early there on 1000 a month. It’s definitely doable especially in the province. I’m a guy who has worked full time since 13. I hate cities. And I’ve lived in a shitty little cabin in the woods for the past 5 years. I don’t need much. There will always be haters. Probably that guy whom is a bit older than us and is actually entitled to social security that we will never get in USA or Canada because the left ruined it for us.

It also depends where you come from i find you Americans want to bring your lifestyles with you and its going to cost where a lot of us say from Europe dont need the high end lifestyles you guys are used to and happy to go semi native and embrace the culture iv been a minimalist for years when i lived in Thailand the less i had the more i had if you know what iam saying

i married to a usc and since im a pinay i did bouhgt a land and build a house while we are still working, so when we retired in the future we dont need to rent, and we can also put up a small restaurant, everything has to be plan before you retired

$1500 with a GF?