You hear a lot from potential tourists, expats and other foreigners about safety when it comes to the Philippines. People who are coming here for a visit, or considering the Philippines as a retirement destination voice the “safety issue” often. They fear being murdered. They fear kidnapping. They fear getting mugged. They fear being ripped […]
You can’t win
Since I’m one of the last few hundred smokers left on earth, and I still use a Zippo lighter, as I have since 1964. As a matter of fact, it’s the reason I smoke, the sound and smell of a Zippo is beyond compare. I have a collection of Zippo’s, more than a hundred I’ve […]
Off to Renew My U.S. Passport
My passport expires on 25 December, 2010, I know the guy in Hawaii who issued that to me, got a real big laugh out of that, but since it was ten years down the road I blew it off. Here in the Subic Area the Embassy has an outreach Program, and every 90 days they […]
$$$ Check-Up Time
Well, dear readers, it’s that time of year, again. Time for a little health check-up of your finances, year-to-date income, and – gulp – your estimated income taxes for 2010. Readers who’ve kept up with my articles know that I’m a CPA and I love my work. Helping others do “battle against the beast” is […]
Updated: Warranties in the Philippines
When buying a major item like a car, a new PC or an appliance, most of us always consider what kind of warranty is being offered. The longer the warranty, the more likely we are to consider buying the item if it meets our needs. In my time living in the Philippines, more than a […]
Exclude Me? Pt III
In Part I and Part II of this series, I introduced you to the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Housing Exclusion and Deduction, a list of definitions, the “mechanics” of the exclusions and deduction , explained how they reduce the income tax liability of qualified taxpayers, and discussed IRS Form 2555-EZ. Now for the heart of […]