Virtually anybody reading this column who is American knows who Tim Russert was, and that he died last week. Tim Russert was just 58 years old when he suffered a massive heart attack and died almost instantly. In 1992 my father died under similar circumstances. It was totally unexpected, and just a few months prior to his death, my father had undergone a very thorough physical exam including a very strenuous stress test, which he passed with flying colors. Similar to Tim Russert, my dad was 56 when he passed away unexpectedly.
My dad, while he had traveled the world extensively, had never been to the Philippines. After I married Feyma in 1990, he talked about making a visit here, but it never happened.
As far as I know, Tim Russert also never visited the Philippines. Even so, I believe that Tim Russert, and my own father, can teach us all something about living in the Philippines.
Having never been here, what in the world could they teach us? Well, when we have a first hand example of people losing their lives at such a young age, I believe that we should learn the lesson that each of us should really pursue our dreams while we are still young enough to ensure that those dreams can happen, and that we can enjoy them.
I believe that my father’s death was part of the reason that I decided to come and live in the Philippines at the age of 38. Living in the Philippines was something that I really wanted to do, and waiting until retirement age would mean that it may never happen. We just don’t know how much time we will have on this earth, enjoying our family, enjoying life, and basically reveling in the things that make us happy. When I was 17 years old, I had a younger sister (15 years old) who was killed by a drunk driver, so this is a lesson that has been shown to me on more than one occasion.
So, my advice to you is this – if you have a desire to live in the Philippines, do it sooner rather than later! Don’t wait for your golden years – each year that we are alive is a “golden year” that we should cherish and put to the use that makes us most happy.
I have never regretted the fact that I moved to the Philippines. I believe that had I stayed in the USA, there would have been a lot of times that I would have regretted not having come here.
Figure out how to make it happen sooner. I don’t think you would ever regret having made that move!
I can't help, but think that Tim Russert worked himself to death, and it's tough to see how much praise he gets in our American culture for the amount of work that he's done. Sounds like the Philippines is a lot more laid back, and hopefully there aren't as many workaholics there.
Bob,
It's amazing to think that most people in the labor force are in the state of denial. They actually expect to live beyond 80 years of age when based on statistics, the odds are against it. It's just obvious that 65 years of age is a little too late to enjoy your life by doing what you really wanted to do. Surprisingly, ask most people what they'd do if they found out they'd only have six months to live. Most of them would not continue what they were currently doing, which usually involved being in a rat race.
Life isn't measured by the number of breathes you take,
But by the moments that take your breathe away.
Hi Bob (Hey, that's my name!!) – Yeah, when I heard of Russert's death, that is the first thing that I thought of! He not only was very active with Meet the Press, but he had many other jobs too, like Bureau Chief, a show on MSNBC, appearances on the Nightly News, etc. I really do think that he was a workaholic.
Hi Juan da best – I totally agree with you. We all need to slow down, smell the roses and spend more time on things we enjoy. Thanks for your comment!
Hi John – Wow, I like that statement. Did you come up with that yourself, or hear it over the years? It certainly is a nice sentiment!
kamusta bo
you know i live on a small island here northeastern usa,i grew up here went to school the works.i actually only traveled from canada to florida for most of my life,i never thought i would have started to travel to philippines let alone a different country.now i have circled the world 3 times,first to LA,then onto manila wow what culture shock for sure.then on to mindanao.the second trip from boston,mass to london england and onto singapore the connecting flight straight to davao.third trip i flew to detroit to nagoya japan to manila for over night stay then to davao once again.on my return im talkin to this chap and i told him oh no it snowed where im from.to my surprise he said it snowed where he was from also.i asked where he lived and said brewer maine.i said wow someone that i met in japan is like 2 hours drive from my home.small world huh lol.so anyone wanting to see new places in life just take my word for it philippines rocks.and im an island boy from maine usa.
salamat bob
Morning Bob,
Absolutely right Bob! I've gone halfway already myself. I left the "bigsmoke" 14 years ago. I'm now 44. I live in a nice rural area near a large regional centre (pop20,000). I have a conventional job that pays quite well. I "retired" for a few years during this time and travelled all around Australia (same size as the US)in an RV. I think I have always had such a philosophy but it was reinforced by my brothers early death at 32 from malaria gained from visiting a tropical country. I like the Philippines and Davao and just because you leave the rat-race early does not mean you can't make a quid. You may in fact do better financially and have a much better quality of life. The "Jones's" can go to hell – why try and keep up with them?? Basically, we all need to be in a position where we can say that if we drop dead tomorrow that we have had the best time we could. Within a year or two I wil take a step closer again to being a permanant RV'er or an ex-patriate. Again, you are dead right Bob and I hope everybody reading this believes the both of us and works towards making the necessary changes in their lives!
Hi Bob,
No I wish I was a poet, my Nana had the greatest expressions like that one, others include if you want the honey don't kick the bee hive, Don't wait for the storm to pass…learn to dance in the rain 🙂 My move is on for July 10th for the big move to the Philippines, I'm so excited.
I met my wife in the Philippines in 1995 and lived there for a year. When we we were leaving I said "well, I guess it's back to the Rat Race". It didn't hit me at the time, but when I thought about it later, her ignorance of that phrase sums up the difference in lifestyle. Going to work so you can afford to go to work is really a race you can't win; and a race that is hard to leave.
Mark C.
Hi Ron W – You really have expanded your horizons, no doubt on that! It really is amazing, since living here, I have even met others who are from the same hometown where I am from. It kind of freaks you out, don't you think? 😆
Hi AussieLee – In my case, having left the rat-race, I found that I had a lot more time for myself, got to do the things I want to do, and actually made more money than I did when I had a real job! Living life to the fullest is a win-win situation! 😎
Hi John – Remembering the line and passing it along when appropriate still makes you part of the important chain!
Congratulations on your coming move! That is approaching quickly!
Hi Mark C – You summed it all up in one line there, Mark. When people like your wife and mine don't even know what the rat-race is, that is a good sign that you've found the right place to spend your life! 😆
HeadShrinker Bob
Mixed feelings on your "Advice".
Yes props to you for making the leap to the RP and living out YOUR dream.
Do you ever second guess yourself as if it was the best decision for your family and if your move afforded them the best opportunities the world has to offer THEM. Do you ever you compromised their future by the choice you made. Im not tryng to pry into your decisions, Im just looking for some input
because Im at a fork in the road myself.
I got a 21 yr old kid in last year college as a Biology major headed towards Genetic Research. If I took early retirement I would feel that I would be turning my back on him as to not be here to support hs decisions.
I have 10 more years to work until I get a full Fed Retirement appx 4k per month. I could probably retire early (next year) and settle with 2k per year retirement. So as you can see I am torn, on the other hand I could drop dead tomorrow. ❓ ❓
Hi again Bob,
I think "Neal in RI" has a real dilemma that is quite common in the west. 1. He has children (I don't) 2. He is in an impossible situation of being so close to a retirement that would make him wealthy as an ex patriate (I don't have any superannuation or the like of any significance to speak of-but are otherwise well off). Plus, I'm not married so again it is so much easier when you are "free" of these three important factors. Know any nice girls over there for me Bob?!! 😆
Hey Aussie
Im in a dilemma for sure mate!
Life was much more simple when all I needed was 20P for a SanMagoo and meat on a stick.
Sell the shirt off your back move to RP and settle down with a nice little brown wife, you will be happy for sure. Just find a genuine one, not some goldigger with a hidden agenda.
Hi Bob,
I met on old guy who had been in the British army during second world war he had been captured in Singapore by the Japanese and had spent time on the Burma railway, now anybody who does not know any history from that era, thousands of Australians,British,Dutch and Burmess soldiers and civilians where murdered, starved and worked to death building that railway. When he was finally released after the war he had lost 30% of his body weight. The doctor gave him a box of condoms, told to go and enjoy himself as he would be dead before is turns forty. He is now a very active 82 year old and very proudly says "I still bang like a bunny door" meaning he still has sex. I asked why he lived for so long and said I do not smoke or drink, I just enjoy life. That made my day because not once did he mention money or what he owned. Very few of us ever achieve what we want from life before we knock on deaths door.
I think how long you live depends on what the big fella upstairs decides. The non believers is mankind a wonderfull thing, if we are not trying to kill each other through various means, up pops mother nature who wants her fair share of us as well. Nature does have first bite of the cherry, as you have get out of the womb first with being strangled.
Well that is enough waffle for the day, I am off for a walk down the beach to watch the whales swim past.
Have a good day Bob.
Steven
Hopefully less than 2 years before I make the big move. But every year I stay here I invest more so I have more to live off of when I do make the move. But all you need in the RP is a banana leaf as an umbrella and coconuts for your meals. 😉
Hi Neal in RI – thanks for stopping by Neal. No, I never feel that I made a wrong decision of coming here. I believe living here is also good for my kids, it teaches them values if they just would not learn in US. Yes, there are also things they would learn there but overall I feel they're better off here.
Having a 21-year-old son in the last year of college should not really affect your decision. He's old enough now that he's an adult, and it will do him good to do things on his own. That's just the way I see it.
I do understand your concern, though, about having a higher retirement value if you would no longer. I was not in such a position so that did not in her my own thoughts.
Marriage, and life in general, is nothing if it is not a series of compromises. Any big decision, such as moving to the Philippines, must be a family decision. I don't think anybody here wants to be a family dictator, and put their family in a bad circumstance. If I wanted to make the move now, I would sit down and make a list of the pros and cons. I would also ask my wife to make a list of the pros and cons of moving. Then I would sit down and have a rational discussion. If we could still not agree, then one of us would have to give in.
Obviously your situation in your home country will be a big factor. If you have a job you love, and you are doing well financially, it would be much more difficult to move, than if you have a job you hate, and are looking for new opportunities. Neal, I don't think Bob was suggesting that you pack up and leave if it is going to be detremental to your family. I think he was saying if you have a dream to do it, and the circumstances are right, then do it now because you may not be able to do it later.
A very appropriate column, Bob. A huge influence on my life was a man who became a very close friend of mine, also (coincidentally) named Tim. Tim's father died young and Tim and his partner built a business together … actually that's how I met them, I used to be their client.
I was in that federal retirement treadmill, hanging on to make more for 'my family'. I stayed years beyond my earliest retirement time, because all the 'wise men' and security experts told me to.
Bottom line is my freind Tim dropped dead at 46 … like others, with all kinds of medical attention, health care lifestle changes, anticolesterol drugs, etc., No warning at all … one day happy, next day in an urn.
I retired less than a year later. My only mistake? Waiting longer than I needed to and dedicating my life to the shibboleth of 'security'.
More than one wise man has said we are all pretty much where we want to be. If where you are is not where you feel want to be, then change it. You may not believe it, but the choice is yours. Time is short.
Hi there AussieLee – yes indeed, Neal does have a predicament there. We all have personal choices to make and only Neal can decide what is best in his situation. Thanks for adding your two cents!
Hi Steven – Wow! That's quite a story about the old warrior. I hope he did get some fun in, but I'm glad he lived to the ripe old age that he is today.
You have a great day too, Stephen!
Hi Larry – hey, 2 years is not very long! If you start planning now and get everything prepared that time will come before you even know it. Hope to see you soon!
Hi Joe Parisi – you are exactly right, none of us can decide what other people dreams are. I am encouraging everybody to follow your dream, figure out a way to do it and do it. It's something you'll never regret in my opinion.
Hi Dave – absolutely, my friend! I've seen a lot of people die at young ages, too many. When my dad died in 1992. He was still working hard, too hard, to make a buck. When he got a chance to live his dream, which only happen on weekends and vacation time, it was a totally different person, doing things completely different than what he would've been doing on the job. I can only imagine how much he would've enjoyed retirement if he had ever gotten there.
Thanks for stopping by Dave!
Bob
Already checking into container shipping to get our things over to the RP.
Funny thing is my wife came over from the RP 4 years ago with everything she owned in 2 suitcases. Now it would take 2 suite cases for her shoes. 😯
Hi Larry – Been there, done that! I know the feeling! 😆
I agree totally with you Bob, is another reason I have decided to move to the Philippines. While trying to decide what to do and thinking about my family here…and what I talk about my family..is my parents. They are getting up in age…and I know for sure..that once I am in the Philippines, I wouldn't be able to travel back and forth right away to visit them in the USA. I also know that my father would not be able and well enough to visit me in the Philippines.
But when I told them that I was going to the Philippines…my father was so supportive, now my mother..is a different story. But she just doesn't understand too much about it and still thinks very old fashioned.
But when I was making the decision, trying to get all of my affairs in place and taken care of here, and just planning the whole thing out…seeing if it will be possible…I just came to the conclusion, that I am really not happy here in the USA anymore, plus I have fallen in love with such a great woman there in Philippines. So I didn't give it another thought…I said to myself, I am going and that is that…so if all goes well…I will be there by December of this year. And yes, I am so excited to get there and start my new life there.
So yes…I agree with Bob..100%…as long as your are responsible about it.
Take care and thanks,
Danny
to treat people with respect & courtesy no matter their beliefs. i know this is not the same message you were implying, but this is what i learned. russert was a classy guy who never talked down to his guests (an unfortunate trend nowadays, it seems).
this is why the good words said about him in his memorial were sincere (not always the case in many memorials).
Hi Bob,
I've been reading and enjoying your articles for a long time.
Retiring early and pursuing your dreams is, I am sure, what's on everybody's mind. I am pretty sure that everyone(except very few workaholics?) hates to work for the 'man' 9 to 5 in a rat race, and given a chance and means to do it, they will all want to retire early into the sunset.
However, it's just way too hard to retire early, mainly because of financial issues. I think I once read in your article that said PI is the last place to be when you are out of money. The average people just can't retire early to enjoy their life while they are young. I am 42 years old living in the states and work in the IT industry making reasonably good money but I am nowhere close to retiring and becoming financially independent. I am not married and I always wanted to retire early at some places like PI but I just could not do it because I will not have any fixed income like pension after retirement.
I have the goal and will but seriously lack the means to do it. 🙁
There is no denying that PI is a third world country. I've never been to PI but am pretty sure that they don't have social infrastructures like the US. This will cause a lot of inconveniences like power outages, water outages, major flooding etc., like you mentioned in your articles. The pollution is probably a lot worse than the US not to mention the danger factors like kidnappings and muggings against the foreigners. Despite all these, what are the things that make this country an attractive place for foreigners to live ? Beautiful nature ? Cheap cost of living ?(is this still true?), or the beautiful women(for men I guess).
Hello Bob,
Your article is so true. Life is all about making choices. I feel very luck being able to retire at 54, but that choice is not without consessions.
I could continue to work and retire with more savings and a greater monthly retirement, but the added years to me are not worth it. We will be able to live well with what we now have and look forward to my other early retirement when I turn 62.
I have always felt an attraction to the Philippines. My father fought on Iwo Jima with the 5th Marines. While in Hawaii he fell in love with a Filipina but was shipped back to the States as the war ended. Back then, the distance was too great for the relationship to continue. My father died at 36 and I have often thought of what might have been.
I did marry a beautiful Filipina and will be arriving for my retirement in the Philippines on July 17th.
I really believe life is about choices and limiting your chances for regrets.
Hello Bob – your story inspires me …… congratulations for a decision that made you what you are right now… 😉
It's too bad that Tim Russert died before the US Presidential Elections start in November, as I'm sure he was eagerly looking forward to it. They used to show 'Meet the Press' in local cable years back (around 2000), and I would eagerly look forward to it, as it gave me an insight to US Politics. In that show, Russert had a very thorough interview technique, which made you feel that he really got to the bottom of the most important issues.
Most of the speculation is that Russert died as a result of overwork, and I would agree with that assertion. Workaholism is very prevalent in the IT Industry in the Philippines (as it also is in the US). It's funny that we are praised by family and peers when we work a lot of hours, and are looked at as 'lazy' when we don't work as much. When you look at it from the big perspective, work is only a small part of life, which instead should be enjoyed and savored while we have it.
The challenge is overcoming our cultural conditioning towards workaholism, and putting more significance on things that are more important to us.
Hi Everyone..Well Bob you did it ! Wrote a great common sense article..YES …..Your SO right…… I am one of the ones that accidently met a woman on the internet ..Well you know what happened! Shes from Davao and is a another Feyma (Good People)…… I have been a mans man all my life ….a people person..So i know you and you and you. I moved from Los Angeles for the very same reason you described your move to the Philliphines when i was 26 years old and a manager of a Large Auto Sales Dealership … i said to myself..WHY?… Do I have to live here in this Rat Race when i know people are living in the Beautiful Moutains of,, Idaho,,,,, Montana …South Dakota ,,, Etc… Everyday ! Happy !! Right at this minute! So I told my wife… Lets Go .. Lets get out of here .. I had been to where I moved to, before. when i was a Younger boy. because my Mothers family came from there and she was born there,,,,,, Loved the tranquility.,,,the rivers, mountains, nature….. So we moved and had a wonderful life and a nice business and life was great… After some years though …we moved to Reno. Nevada,,,, Because alot of our kids moved there and I thought, well its not LA and its nested under the mountains is clean and nice ,,,So we moved…I did it mostly for her, my heart was not 100% in it.. ..Anyway, after about 4 years moving there … I lost her to cancer ……I knew I was powerless to do anything, losing the girl i met in Junior High and married at 14 1/2 ( I was 18 ) .. it was a true love story..Before she died she told me,,,,,, "I know you won't stay here you'll go back",,,,, How right she was, I was packing the next week and mad at God. I knew …thinking about it ….dwelling on it…. would just make me sick also…… So I just went on (And yes of course it hurt… but you have to gut up to the fact theres nothing you can do ….only to be stronger than ever and thats what i did)…. Well , Now its 5 years later and I have been looking all over the Philliphines for a place to live..In looking,, I have run into Places……. Urbanized Cities….. Volcanoes …Earthquakes Typhoons.. Rebels,,,,,But found that… Bohol Territory… Davao ,,, and a place called Dumaquete…. Seem to be the top choices I have found….Since the Girl I met was from Davao, at the start, I thought thats where I end up …. Your articles had a hand in that because of what you write about Davao,,,, But could not find a place off the internet working with Lea and Diana of local real estates firms there or from anywhere on the internet …Its amazing !…one million people there in Davao…. and nothing hardly at all on the internet for rent , as far as a furnished house in the 12000P – 15000P range. But, in many other places there are some to choose from ??….So. as i looked , I settled on Dumaguete ….Yes ..I am going to come to the Philliphines for All the "Right" reasons …..Now hear this … I am 58 now and found this woman of 26 and for 1 year now, we have been together and….No… she has never asked me for a dime.. And I have not sent her over $200.00 in all this time.. She will fly to Manila…. Leave her family behind…As I will.. She said she wants what i want…. and thats all that matters…. Shes something else and very religious also…… but never gets into my face about it….. So it all comes down to this …..Stay young …Think young… I have never "Hung out with people my age… I am into.. Music …..Play Poker Professionally and still hit the clubs with the guys every so often…You have to think that way to stay young …..and always remember…. "Lightning can STRIKE at any time" There are some things you can't control and your completely powerless in life about …..But you only live once….And you can do something WITH your life…. Don't let money ever rule your short life!! I remember a passage from the Bible,, "As the sun rises and the sun sets … one day you'll come to realize…. How similar that is to the time of your life on Earth"
hi bob,
my father died at the age of 60, he once told me and i can never forget it.
"Nagtatrabajo tayo para mabuhay, hindi tayo nabubuhay para mag-trabajo"..
Translation:
" We are working to live… We are not living just to work,"
I don't know what is the best translation for this, maybe this is a better one
Translation:
" We work to have a living… and we dont' live just to work,"
pick your choice. 😉
Hi Danny – I also had a similar experience with my mom would we decided to move here. Unfortunately she could only see what she would be missing by us not being there. Not the benefits that we would be gaining by living here. Now that we've been here eight years, and she's visited several times, she can see the benefits of us having moved here.
Thanks for your comment!
Hi macky – one thing I found interesting about Tim Russert is that he once said it was his job to find out the position of his potential guest. Then for him to take the other side, no matter what his personal feelings. Yes, indeed, he really was an interesting guy and always fair. I believe part of his fairness was by not letting his personal opinions get in his way. We can all learn from that!
Hi Mike – keep one thing in mind, I never said anything about retiring. I moved here when I was 38 years old, way too young to retire. You don't have to retire to move to the Philippines, you can come here and still earn money. You might notice, I recently came out with a new book. 49 ways to make a living in the Philippines. Believe it or not, I earn more money here than I ever did in the US. So, don't let money be your deciding factor. If there's something you really want to do you'll figure out how to do it, regardless of money.
Hi Lon – Congratulations! You've almost met your goal already. It's something I bet you'll never regret. I wish you the best of luck.
Hi Maryg – thanks for your kind words. Reading your comment makes me feel very good.
Hi rob – thanks for stopping by and commenting. I believe you're right that Tim Russert was really looking forward to the elections this year. And I think many of us were looking forward to watching Tim cover the elections.
It's sad to see that overwork is also becoming a problem in the Philippines to. The workaholic syndrome has been a fixture in the states for decades.
hi bob – i forgot to add (and maybe connect with your message) that, if possible, seek the job that brings you most joy. he may have died at a fairly young age, but it's fair to say that he didn't have any regrets about the livelihood he chose.
not everyone can do this, but i think you & i are one of those that fit this description. life's too short, seek happiness before you look back & ask yourself "what if…?"
Hi Lenny – just a pointer, when shopping for real estate in the Philippines, it is much better to do it in person, not over the Internet. Firstly, most real estate in the Philippines is not listed on the Internet. Secondly, when real estate is listed on the Internet it is generally overpriced, because they're looking for foreigners who don't know better. There are exceptions to this rule, for instance, Lea Walker has a great website, and I trust her implicitly. But as a general rule the Internet is not a place to shop for real estate in the Philippines.
Good luck on your pending move!
Hi dans – your father was a very wise man! We can all learn a thing or two from him.
Hi macky – Absolutely! You know, I have a saying that I often use when giving advice to people who ask how to make money. Always follow your passion. When you do something that you're passionate about the money will follow. I have no doubt that Tim Russert was passionate about everything he did!
I believe you and I have that same passion. I know I do, and I'm nearly certain about you as well.
Bob
Whats the Lea Walker website?
Hi Bob. It's indeed a value call.
I can subscribe to the idea of avoiding being a workaholic. Human body is designed for the 'hunting' way of life…you look for the food for the day or two. The rest of the time you do other things. Somebody said we are using our more than 10,000 years old body design for 21st century living. It's like running a Model T in the 2008 Grand Prix.
Philosophically and on the other side of the coin I also believe that you ought to do what you like most. The Philippines may not be the one for a lot of people especially those that can't sit and need to do something all the time. The Philippines will be hell for them. For most, the Philippines is a place to visit and vacation to but not to live there. There is a reason why more than 10,000,000 Filipinos choose to live outside the country…but that's another story.
It is sad indeed that Tim Russert died in such an early age. But he was a lucky man. He died quick and at the top of his game. I agree with some here that he died doing the thing that he loved the most (Just like Jesus Christ, Ferdinand Magellan, Ernest Shackleton, Jose Rizal, Che Guevarra, etc)…majority of us won't have that privelege.
Hi Neal in RI – Lea is a real estate agent in Davao. She regularly comments on this site, and you can click on her name when she comments to go to her site. Here is a link to the site:
http://www.davaoproperties.com/
Hi Dr. Long – I believe that we should all do the thing we enjoy most, as much as possible. As for the 10 Million Filipinos who choose to live overseas, that is primarily for economic reasons, and really has no bearing on what I am talking about here. That said, if their dream is to go out of the country, I believe that they should!
Hi Bob- Your absolutely correct never put of till tomorrow what can be done today. Like you I lost my father when he was 60 from a heart attack and I was only 11years old. Some years ago whilst on holidays in Greece we visited Athens on a short 3 day excursion. Amoungst the party was an older gentleman and his wife and the tour guide would insist on rushing around at 100mph.The enevitable was we had to keep stopping for the old gentleman to catch up. I told the tour guide to take her time so he could keep up with us and not be embarassed. The upshot was Marilou said to me lets do all the things we want to do whilst we are still able rather than when we become like the old gentleman and his wife.Thats why we will be living in the the Philippines from the end of November just as you have suggested Bob.
hello Jim – if living in the Philippines is something that you want to do, I believe you made the right choice! Congratulations. If you're ever in Davao, please let me know.
Hi Bob,
Howdy!
I'll miss Tim. He was one of my favorites…
Again, let me quote the great Abraham Lincoln. "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." This has been and will always be my mantra. I wonder how much living Tim did? Some people can't help themselves, though, their work is their life. I know someone who's got all the money that she can ever need, yet she doesn't seem to know how to relax and enjoy what life has to offer! I feel bad for her but, yet, it's what makes her happy… I guess Tim was the same way. They thrive under stress until their bodies just give up! I don't want to die that way, but this is me.
As the old saying goes, "Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today for tomorrow may never come…" so whether it's moving to the Philippines or doing something else, just follow your dream. Life is too short to be sitting on a fence!
Right now, we're in our backyard, enjoying a cool summer night, watching the moon rise, with our margaritas and nachos! What more can you ask for, eh? Talk about living!!! 😆
Take care and say hello to Feyma.
Hi Tina – nice to hear from you! It sounds like you and Ken are enjoying a good evening, watching the moon rise!
I kind of have mixed feelings, although it was his work, I feel that Tim was also doing what he loved. So, when your work is what you love, what can you do? I guess we all have to decide for ourselves.
Keep enjoying those nachos!
The Philippines.
Great country, i have visited only two times, but fell in love with the way of life in the philippines.
i am only 33, and my wife is a filipina
i myself am half korean, half italian, but grew up in the states.
filipina wives are the best. they are beautiful both on the outside and inside. just be good to them, and they will take care of the rest.
It is not feasable for me to live in the philippines as of now, but would i love to make the move now. life is short, and we never know what the future might hold. waiting until normal retirement 65 is ridiculous. it should be 50 or 55. i believe it is harder to enjoy life the older one gets. but this is just my opinion.
i live in chicago, illinois and many filipino's live here. i go to many filipino parties, drink like a fish and sing karoeke. filipino people are very warm hospitable and welcoming people as a whole. even if you are a stranger, they will welcome you in, as if you are their family, or close friend. its amazing.
many americans, as well as other people in the world are waiting to retire somewhere tropical like the philippines. Lets face it, these moves require a substantial amount of money. we all know the social security crisis affecting the states, as well as pensions shrinking or becoming extinct, and the wild stock market swings, that are shrinking people's 401k accounts etc. the future is uncertain, and it is my belief that waiting until retirement age, might be a nightmare when that time arrives. Maybe just having the guts to make the move when young is better. i guess their is always a way, if one is willing.
Hi John Lanzillotti – If living in the Philippines is something you really want to do, there's no reason you can't do it now. For me, I moved here 38, my only wish is that I have done it younger. You can too!
Hi Bob,
Thank you for the words of inspiration and encouragement
I think your website is awesome. I admire you for making the move at 38. I will talk to my wife and her family in the philippines (Dipolog City) and get more insight and recommendations. Keep up the Great Work.
Thanks,
John
Hi John Lanzillotti – Thanks to you! And, good luck on your potential move!