The Real Situation
I’m 40. Good job. Good money. I’m doing everything right. So why am I completely trapped?
Because I can’t afford to stay in California when I retire at 55.
And I’m not willing to work until I’m 65 or 70 just to keep living here. So I’m building my exit.
And that exit is the Philippines.
Why the Philippines Isn’t a Backup Plan
I’m Filipino-American. Got my dual citizenship a couple years ago through my dad. I’ve got family scattered throughout the Philippines—most in the province, some in Manila. And yeah, I visit every 1-2 years. That’s not gonna stop.
This isn’t me running away from America. It’s me actually running toward something real—toward family, and toward a place where my money means something.
So here’s why I’m documenting all of this:
Why I’m Documenting This Now
Time moves fast. I’m 40 now, and 55 will be here before I know it. I need to write this down and actually think through the decisions instead of just hoping it works out.
And I think there are people like me out there. Filipino-Americans wondering if the Philippines is actually doable. People in the Bay Area making good money but knowing they can’t retire here. People who love their jobs but hate that California costs around $100K+ a year to live in comfortably. People who get that retirement planning isn’t Instagram-perfect—it’s mortgages, rentals, and hard math.
I’m also hoping this becomes something bigger eventually. A community. Maybe income. Definitely conversations that matter. But first, I gotta figure it out for myself.
So here’s what you’re getting:
What This Blog Actually Is
It’s NOT:
- Some get-rich-quick thing
- Me living on $15K a year and telling you to do the same
- A flex (I’m definitely not rich)
- Me saying my way is the only way
It IS:
- My actual story. Real numbers. Real decisions.
- Money Diaries showing exactly where my paycheck goes
- Concrete stuff about geographic arbitrage, taxes, healthcare, real estate
- Honest talk about the non-money parts of retiring early (who am I without work?)
- A real example of how a regular person can actually build a different life
That’s the blog. And here’s what it’s really about:
The Bottom Line
I’m not waiting until I’m 70 to actually live my life.
Retiring at 55 to Manila, where I can actually travel, where $50K/year means something? That’s the life I want.
This blog is me building that plan in public. Not because I have it all figured out, but because I’m actually figuring it out right now.
If you’re thinking the same way—about leaving the US grind, about geographic arbitrage, about real estate in two countries, about whether the Philippines could actually work—then yeah, this is for you.
But here’s the thing: your exit doesn’t have to look like mine.
Let’s Build This Together
Maybe you’re 35 or 50. Maybe your exit is Mexico, or Portugal, or just moving to a cheaper state and staying put.
Doesn’t matter. The point is there’s no one right answer. Your exit should actually look like you.
Hit me up if you want to share your story. Or just stick around and see if this resonates.
Last updated: June 2026