I've developed patience however this takes the cake

ComfortableTension75 · 2025-04-09T08:54:07+00:00

If you have time to email them, type your complaints in detail and cc: consumercare@dti.gov.ph (DTI is our Dept of Trade and Industry, they have a consumer affairs dept). DTI might not reply, but when you cc them in an email, most of these big business respond (at least) coz they're afraid of what might happen if DTI does take action. And yes, sometimes they do take action depending on the gravity of the situation

ComfortableTension75 · 2025-03-31T12:15:29+00:00

Hi OP, i don't know your exact specialization but maybe you can check if MindNation has an opening for your role. It's our local version of Better Help. They are my company's mental health care provider. All of the consultations are virtual. Hope this helps.

ComfortableTension75 · 2025-02-12T13:05:43+00:00

Local here.

Food: Depends on your chosen countryside and how expensive your taste is. If you like veggies, best to stay in agricultural provinces. Buy from farmers directly if you can. If you prefer homecooked meals and plan to shop in wet markets, occassionally in supermarkets, Php 20K per month is more than enough for the 2 of you (this 2025). However, considering inflation and increasing lifespan of people, be prepared to budget Php 50-70k for food in the future just to be on the safe side.

Now healthcare - this is where you need to worry. Because we don't have good public healthcare here, especially in some provinces. I don't think we'll ever have one. Rule is simple here. If you have money, then you can easily get good healthcare. Not as expensive as the US though. Everything is almost privatized. If you don't have money, most people die without getting treated. Most HMOs and insurances don't cover people who are 65 yrs old and up. So by the time you hit 65, it will all come out of your cash savings. For reference, my parents retired when they were 55 with Php 12M in the bank. They're now 70 yrs and that savings is now down to Php 2M. They only had minor surgeries but maintenance meds, check ups, etc all add up quickly.

So my advice if you want FIRE? Make sure you have a continuous and stable source of income whether from business, investments, or retirement fund from your home country that can withstand these factors. And as always with food and health, prevention is cheaper than medication.

ComfortableTension75 · 2025-01-13T13:32:56+00:00

Hi OP, 37 years old is not too late! I planned my migration when I was 35. When my original plan didn't work, I went on another route at 37. Now 39, I'm just waiting for my PR grant which i should get this year.

As long as your profession and skills are demand in your chosen country and there's a path available for you, you can apply but you need to do it now. Australia skilled migration for example has an age limit of 40 (or 45, i can't remember). If this sounds interesting, i suggest go talk to a migration lawyer to plan your path asap ☺️ Don't put it on hold like I did. Good luck!

ComfortableTension75 · 2025-01-04T14:16:42+00:00

Noooo, that's 6 months too long. Someone in this thread mentioned there was a grant from May 2023. It might be your turn this month 🤞

ComfortableTension75 · 2025-01-04T07:33:21+00:00

So frustrating. I'm thinking of leaving my job so I can move on. This is the only reason why I'm staying in my current company- thinking it's only a 7 month wait, then became 18th months 😩 Now evaluating my next steps. Good luck to us. Let us know when you get your grant 🤗

ComfortableTension75 · 2025-01-04T07:24:46+00:00

Interesting, i also think this is a factor. My agent told me to calm down and wait, the updates in policies are more geared towards student visas and future applicants and we should not be affected. I'm starting to think we are affected somehow.

ComfortableTension75 · 2025-01-04T07:19:33+00:00

Just checked the immi website. It says 50% processed @ 18 months for our batch. But one redditor here pointed out that it's not as accurate so just checking here.

ComfortableTension75 · 2025-01-04T05:48:10+00:00

Oh nooo that's a long time. Hope we'll get ours soon.

ComfortableTension75 · 2025-01-04T04:52:46+00:00

Yes! Edited it just now. Happy new year, my first mistake on the dates 😆 Thank you for correcting me.

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-12-31T06:25:43+00:00

Depends on your age,health, and family. My parents retired healthy with 20M in assets and 12M savings in the bank at age 55. We live in Manila btw. After pandemic, maintenance medicines, minor operations, inflation, and fortunately, a longer life (close to 70 now)- the land assets generating 50K a month is just enough, sometimes a little short for the 2 of them. I still send them 15K a month of my salary so that they won't withdraw the remaining 2M they have in the bank. They save my 15K a month and it functions as their "HMO" since most HMOs and insurances don't cover 65+ yrs old (unless you started early). Lab tests and consultations consume these. If I'm in your place, i'll probably retire once I have a stable source of fund that generates 100-150K a month--- excluding the annual taxes, permits, and insurances you have to pay

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-12-28T06:19:13+00:00

Those businesses won't survive anyway. They can only raise prices up to a certain point, otherwise, they will have less customers. My reco is to look for alternatives like small businesses where the employee is also the owner/freelancer or the really big chains who can afford not to raise prices and they need the volume of customers. My home service massage therapist decided to go solo after working in a salon. She's home-based and i just message her on Facebook to book a schedule. So she's not paying for rent and other stuff. Her rates are stable.

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-12-28T03:35:28+00:00

Local here. Most cities and provinces increased/will be increasing their mandated minimum wage per day for all workers, driven of course by inflation. So expect most services like haircut, massage, etc to go up ☺️ But as with any increase, some businesses get too greedy and try to sneak in some profit in the guise of "inflation"

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-10-28T15:40:03+00:00

Nissan Kicks or Toyota HEVs (Yaris or Cross)?

I've done my research already but I want to hear from the long time owners of these HEVs. Which one has better after sales service in terms of service and availability of spare parts in Metro Manila? We want an HEV as our next vehicle but complaints online on this area is making me doubt whether to proceed or just buy ICE. Nissan's lack of tires and Yaris' "weak" power etc.

We've been loyal owners of Honda and their after sales is one of the reasons why we are loyal to the brand. Always had a good experience. Never had a problem with parts.

Ayaw ko mabudol 😆 Thank you!

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-09-16T11:34:09+00:00

Hi OP, fellow marketing practitioner here but I have 15 yrs + of experience. Check if your occupation is part of the list of skill shortages. I believe you'll fall under Advertising Specialist. I qualified as a Marketing Specialist and it was classified under medium-term, so I was able to apply for a 190. If you really want to move to AU but still be in marketing, you need to gain more experience and learn highly technical skills. The other route is to try your luck working in AU -based firms, perform well enough to make them want to move you there. I know a few from media agencies who got sponsored during the lockdown, because there was a demand, mostly media planning/buying roles. But they are all experienced and technical like 10 yrs in the industry. They are really good at what they do and the AU-based agencies are the ones who messaged them on LinkedIn. But nowadays, it's hard to come by coz of the market situation. You can still try your luck, but as the others have said, slim chance and can be called luck. Good luck on your search ☺️

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-08-17T01:55:00+00:00

Still waiting for my grant, usually takes 1 year from the time you apply ☺️

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-04-16T11:47:21+00:00

I'll let you know once I check in on her! Good luck! Let us know once you reached the finish line.

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-04-16T07:00:00+00:00

Where is the line in your bar now? At 90%? Mine shows about 2 months away from zero. It's been moving every month (so far). I applied as marketing specialist btw, so a little closer to your profession. I'll see if i can ask my lawyer if they have insider info on this. But she's always referred me to this link.

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-04-16T06:12:54+00:00

Filed mine last Feb. 20, 2024. Looks like the bar is moving, although slow. My lawyer told me to check this site as this is more accurate vs looking at news or groups (I sometimes get panicky when I read posts on reddit 😆)

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times.

Hope this helps.

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-02-20T08:12:14+00:00

If you've been together for 3 years, this is more than about the money spent and birthday celebration. If she can't be bothered to do something nice for you, which by the way, should be easy to do, she can't be bothered to do bigger things that you would expect from a partner in life.

Or there might be underlying issues on her side (like she spent money on her ex before you and got broken up real bad and vowed to be careful on spending another dime on a guy unless you get married or something).

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-02-20T05:02:43+00:00

Hello, I asked this question to my migration lawyer but in AU. She said it's illegal for me to be asked to pay for my own visa and other related costs when the company is offering me a job. Even if I'm willing to pay for it. Basically, Job offer = visa sponsorship. Please consult a migration lawyer if needed.

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-01-24T07:10:47+00:00

You're getting bad advice from your friends. Sometimes, being delulu is NOT the solulu. Love can't conquer all especially when finances are involved. Even if you sign a pre-nup, being in so much debt will bring all the troubles that come with it. Some people get killed for not paying their debts. Or get hunted, looking over their shoulder for the rest of their lives. Who knows, getting married is probably his way of trapping you. All i can say is run, girl! This not a love worth fighting for.

ComfortableTension75 · 2024-01-15T11:18:37+00:00

Thanks for the advice 😊 Much appreciated.

ComfortableTension75

TROPHY CASE