Are you dreaming of living in the Philippines, a tropical paradise with friendly people, beautiful beaches, and low cost of living? If so, you might be wondering what you need to prepare before you make the big move. You might think that you need a lot of money, a hot girl, or a predetermined place to live. Well, you’re wrong. The most important thing you need if you want to live here is INCOME. Notice I said ‘income’ –not just money. In this blog post, I will explain why income is the key to a successful and enjoyable life in the Philippines, and how you can earn it.
But A Vlogger Said I Can Live Like a King for $500 a Month!
You might think that having a lot of money saved up is enough to live comfortably in the Philippines. After all, you’ve probably seen those vloggers who claim you can live like a king on $500 a month. But don’t be fooled by their lies. What they don’t tell you is that they spent $3,000+ to get their place established, they live in a less-than-optimal area, they’re home all day, don’t have a car or scooter, and can never eat out at a Western restaurant. That’s not living, that’s surviving.
Here’s a modest budget for a single man living in the two largest cities Manila & Cebu City:
Manila:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent | $600 |
| Utilities | $150 |
| Food | $250 |
| Transportation | $50 |
| Entertainment | $90 |
| Health care | $27 |
| Miscellaneous | $27 |
| Total | $1,194 |
Cebu:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent | $500 |
| Utilities | $100 |
| Food | $250 |
| Transportation | $40 |
| Entertainment | $100 |
| Health care | $30 |
| Miscellaneous | $23 |
| Total | $1,043 |
Your Nest Egg Can Vanish in Less Than a Month
Money can run out quickly in the Philippines, especially if you’re not careful with your spending habits. I’ve seen too many guys come here with 10k, 20k, 30k+ and wind up being charity cases in less than a year. They thought they could live the high life, but they soon realized that the Philippines is not as cheap as they thought. They had to pay for rent, utilities, food, transportation, entertainment, health care, and other expenses. They also had to deal with inflation, currency fluctuations, and unexpected emergencies.
Another thing that can drain your money fast is the wrong girl. If you meet a girl who knows the right things to say, she can make you fall in love with her in no time. After a few nights of the best passionate nights you’ve had in decades, the subtle requests for a new roof for her family’s house or paying her Lola’s hospital bill will start coming. Before you know it, you’re spending thousands of dollars on her and her relatives, and you have nothing left for yourself.
Unlike the rest of Asia, you can’t fall back on teaching English if you get in a jam. That’s why you need income, not just money. Income is money that you earn on a regular basis, from a job, a business, or an investment. Income is what gives you financial security and stability. Income is what allows you to live comfortably and enjoyably in the Philippines, without worrying about running out of money or being scammed by a girl. Income is what makes you independent and confident, not dependent and desperate.
How You Can Earn Income in the Philippines
Now that you know why you need income, you might be wondering how you can earn it in the Philippines. There are many ways to earn income in the Philippines, depending on your skills, interests, and goals. Here are some of the most common and popular ways:
- Online work: This is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to earn income in the Philippines. You can work from anywhere, as long as you have a laptop and a reliable internet connection. You can also choose your own hours and clients, and set your own rates. There are many types of online work available, such as writing, editing, graphic design, web development, virtual assistance, teaching, and more. You can find online work on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and others.
- Online business: This is another way to earn income in the Philippines using the internet. You can create and sell your own products or services, such as e-books, courses, software, coaching, consulting, and more. You can also sell other people’s products or services, such as affiliate marketing, dropshipping, e-commerce, and more. You can use platforms like Shopify, WordPress, ClickFunnels, and others to create and manage your online business.
- Offline work: This is a more traditional way to earn income in the Philippines, but it can also be rewarding and fulfilling. You can work for a local or foreign company, either as an employee or a contractor. You can also work for yourself, as a freelancer or a consultant. There are many types of offline work available, such as teaching, tourism, hospitality, health care, engineering, and more. You can find offline work on platforms like JobStreet, Indeed, LinkedIn, and others. Be careful though there are restrictions on foreigners working in the Philippines. If you want a job you need a special skill, like management experience, you can speak another language besides English, or science and mathematics.
Conclusion
The most important thing you need if you’re planning on coming to the Philippines is income. Income is what will make your life in the Philippines enjoyable and sustainable. Income is what will protect you from running out of money or being scammed by a girl. Income is what will give you freedom and happiness in the Philippines.
So, before you pack your bags and book your flight, make sure you have a source of income that you can rely on. Whether it’s online or offline, work or business, find something that suits your skills, interests, and goals. And don’t forget to do your research, plan ahead, and budget wisely.
Please don’t come here without income. Trust me, you’ll regret it. But if you do have income, you’ll love it here. The Philippines is a wonderful place to live, with so much to offer and enjoy. I hope to see you here soon.
