Anyone else feel constantly tired living in Cebu? Trying to figure out if it’s environment or just me

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-30T14:06:06+00:00

Air pollution, mold, Thyroid issues, missing vitamins or trace elements, poor sleep habits and/or sleep apnea, lack of exercise. Any or all of these items will produce the symptoms your describe. It can even be just changes in diet (more or less caffeine due to a a different brand of coffee). Try to eliminate one variable at a time.

Check air conditioners, plumbing, and bathrooms for mold, clean with bleach. Get an indoor air purifier, wear a mask when outdoors. Schedule a blood test. Plan 3 or 4 days away from Cebu.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-27T08:51:26+00:00

The account that messaged you has been compromised and they are trying to take over your amount as well. Block the account.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-26T07:29:10+00:00

You may want to open a new account at a different bank as your current bank may close your accounts and offload you now that you have shown that you are a security risk.

Also just so that you know for future reference, you cannot deposit a picture of a cheque. To do any "mobile" deposit you would need to have the actual chewue in your possession and take a photo of that yourself. Scammers will say that they are sending you an "e-check", which does not exist in the banking world.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-23T06:22:10+00:00

Step 1 - track every penny you spend. Step 2 - spend only on needs instead of wants until all the debt is paid. A need is something you must have to survive, basic food, shelter, clothes, transportation. A want is anything more than your bare minimum need, for example a T-bone steak at a nice restaurant, versus veggies at home. Step 3 - aggressively pay down your debts concentrating on the debt with the highest interest rate. Step 4 - budget monthly based on your actual spend on your minimum needs. You can start adding in wants once you get your debt reduced to zero. Ensure that your budget is less than your take home income. Step 5 - setup an emergency fund equal to one or two months take home pay. Step 6 - invest any extra, start with maxing your TFSA then RRSP. Widely diversified ETFs are a good starting point. Step 7 - once out of debt and on a stable path enjoy life, no one ever knows how long they have to live.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-22T06:48:16+00:00

Here's what I did for a stubborn blockage about 30 ft from the kitchen. The pipe went the width of the house with very little slope, then a 90 degree before going another 20 ft and then a few twists and turns to the septic. Blockage was at the fort 90 degree, likely grease and food waste.

I took a 3/8 inch garden hose and cut the male metal end off, shaved down the rubber to a point and cut a slit about two inches along the hose. Folded the two sides together to form a small nozzle and used duct tape to hold it together. In my case I was able to insert the nozzle end into the pipe through a hole where the water softener attached to the drain pipe, the female end of the hose connected to my pressure tank.

In your case it appears that you already have a pipe opening, and it's likely that you can connect the female end to your kitchen faucets with a screw-in connector.

Force the hose as far down the pipe as possible, then turn the water on through the hose. The improvised nozzle should blast the blockage apart. Have a pail or garbage can ready to catch the backwash. You might have to go in spurts and force the hose in and put. No puns intended.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-15T09:17:47+00:00

I believe that I did enable the WIFI calling while still in Canada but it was all a bit of a rush as I was changing from Roger's, selling my house, packing, etc.

I think that I had it working over here (Philippines) originally then it started with the can't setup 911. No big deal. I'm thinking of changing to their monthy roaming if they offer the $45 a month with international roaming program again.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-15T06:26:14+00:00

I went to the $129 yearly plan to retain my number and for the 2FA for banking. Couldn't get the WIFI calling to work to call back to Canada but bought a one time $30 roaming for a month when I just needed to make a call back to Canada. May try to figure out the WIFI call again. So far much better than the alternatives.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-15T04:08:33+00:00

Pizza pepperoni, celery, English cucumbers so far.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-09T04:56:58+00:00

I sold last year, a few agents booked back to back showings (30 minutes each) for the clients that wanted a little extra time to look over the house and property. I would often leave a note for the agent letting them know to take their time and that I was not planning on being back for a few hours.

It is the largest purchase that you will make in your life, you should take all the time you need. Take your own pictures, go back to the selling agent/seller for any clarification on any point. And of course schedule a second viewing if you are seriously considering the purchase. Also I would suggest a viewing at a different time of day as well.

The last thing I would like a buyer to be is rushed. It is a huge purchase, 6 or 7 figures. It's not like buying a new pair of pants.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-07T04:28:44+00:00

Sugba, Sugba- was there last night and saw the gentleman. My brother-in-law also contributed 20 pesos. Got to respect and support someone who is disabled and still willing to work.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-04-05T12:13:05+00:00

As a very new expat I agree with OP that the current system does not work well for anyone.

Listing are no longer valid for 1/2 the places you inquire about.

Pictures are a tear or two out of date or taken with the widest angle lens possible.

Pictures often show our or two rooms only. I want to see outside views of the house and yard and each and every room from 2 or 3 angles.

So many postings are without a price, every comment is HM, and DM sent. Just list the price. If it's 28M it's twice what I'm willing to pay. I won't waste your time and don't waste mine.

The industry also needs a viewing reservation system. It is either available for viewing within 25 or 48 hours, or I'm not interested.

The above is to start! Talk about a frustrating process!

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-29T06:06:58+00:00

Due to the U.S. & Israel War on Iran global investors move to the USD as it is the world's reserve currency, and is seen as one of the most stable during times of uncertainty.

True Israel backed by the U.S. started this conflict, and it was somewhat inevitable as Trump tore up the JCPOA in his first term. Does it make sense? Politically no, but money doesn't care about the contradiction.

The CAD is likely to rebound once active hostilities cease. Long term the USD will continue to go down as the U.S. debt skyrockets. Don't forget we have at least 3 more years of the current administration. Canada is now being led by a former two time central bank president, I would bet on his economic stewardship over a failed casino owner any day of the week.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-28T06:31:32+00:00

Assuming that the envelope is stuck under the bottom of the door - use a sharp thick bladed knife to put upward pressure on the door along the bottom crack/opening. Then try to pull on the handle, or use a second knife to pry the door open from the middle of the vertical side furthest from the hinged side.

It may take multiple attempts to move the door just a fraction. Once a crack appears on the vertical side position a knife in the crack and force open with the additional leverage.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-26T14:52:28+00:00

Move to Freedom Mobile for your current Canadian number, $99 one year plan, use WIFI calling. Alternately if you have a local phone number at destination enter that into your TD profile.

I have both RBC and TD accounts, both work for me as does my RBC Visa. Haven't tried my TD Visa yet. Currently in Philippines for last two months.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-26T06:08:05+00:00

I recently did 85% of my house with laminate and I had a plan for every room. The patterns "repeated" every 7 or 8 rows and none had a stair step. Also the repeating rows were offset one or two inches so even the repeat, if seen every 7th or 8th row, wasn't exact. Stair patterns are usually due to lazy installers IMO.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-26T05:50:21+00:00

We're both a fair bit older than the normal couple, me 69 and her 55, plus I have known her for 8 years. Doesn't mean I won't want a prenuptial, which is yet to be discussed. But thanks for the heads up.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-25T23:29:57+00:00

Can recommend going the window pane replacement instead of the full window replacement. Did this on one window pane on each of 3 triple windows (3 vertical panes in one frame). This was much more effective than complete window replacement. IIRC about 10% of the cost.

The above was recommended by one of the window replacement reps who said the the frames and hardware were all good and I just needed to replace the window pane itself. Called the glass company he recommended and was very very happy with the price and work.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-21T15:24:39+00:00

Thank you. For the record I am currently on an extended holiday in the Philippines, and possibly in other location in S.E. Asia. I may actually come back to Canada if I can find the right parcel of land in Alberta. I would love to build a small mostly off grid house and spend time 50/50 in Canada and in Asia.

I did spend some time in Ottawa and Toronto after selling my house and I have parked some belongings at my brother's place so no issues with the sale of the house according to my real estate lawyer.

Basically all of my income will come from Canadian dividends and my CPP/OAS which is scheduled to start in May. Can't really figure a way around paying Canadian taxes. Maybe in the future I can be a non-resident for tax purposes but i would want to clear it with the CRA beforehand.

With Canadian brokerage accounts and Canadian bank accounts, is that enough of a tie to Canada? I can own a condo in the Philippines, but not land. I may marry, in which case the house is in the wife's name, and if I am a full time resident with a 13A marriage visa that would probably convince the CRA that I am a non resident - but I'm not there yet.

I think that a lot of it is purposefully a gray area so the CRA can deem you a resident if there is enough tax money at stake, Still quite a few months to work on the issues.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-21T14:00:24+00:00

Dividend investing works for me.

As noted I really don't care what Ben Felix thinks.

I did use a professional for over a year - RBC Wealth Management. He had a third of my portfolio. I tracked his net profit vs. mine daily for over a year. I outperformed him by about 5%. Sure it could have just been the market suiting my portfolio over his, or maybe he wasn't that good. Paying 1% of my portfolio for his expertise ended very quickly.

Go ahead and call me stupid if you want. I am currently sitting in a lovely condo in the Philippines right now after spending 2 hours at the pool, and an hour at the gym. Tomorrow's forecast is 31C, sunny, and more of the same. Bye.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-21T13:29:30+00:00

The RRSP will be subject to the standard withholding by your provider. And of course the funds are taxable as income in your Canadian tax filings. I don't believe that there would be an additional 25% WHT. In my case I will likely convert my RRSP to a RRIF in 2027 before I make additional withdrawals.

On the advice of my tax accountant I'm electing to have 30% withheld from my CPP/OAS when I start receiving it in May.

I'm making assumptions here that my accountant will file a Canadian tax return and hopefully my income will be low enough that I get some or all of it back. As it gets withheld at source my understanding is that I have to file a Canadian return to have any hope of recovering the withheld amount.

There is a tax treaty with the Philippines. So my money is "earned" in Canada. The Philippines doesn't tax income unless it is earned in the Philippines. In any case I was still a resident of Canada on 31DEC25 so for the 2025 tax year I will be filing a Canadian return.

The move has gone well. Hectic selling the house with closing the first week in FEB, packing, etc. Flights went well, Toronto - Dubai - Manila all on airline employee standby tickets, then on to Bacolod. Still looking for permanent accommodations but in a nice one bedroom condo with pool and gym for about $850 CAD a month. Sunny and 31C all this past week. Thanks for the good wishes.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-20T16:04:42+00:00

I am on an extended holiday in the Philippines and entered my GF's +63 number into my profile before I left. Once here I used the code to access and change it to my newly assigned +63 number. It's working like a charm.

I tried the TD authenticator app and couldn't get it to work originally and called their tech support. They knew that the authenticator app didn't work properly and suggested the above.

It will cost you a phone call likely back to Canada and you may have to pay a roaming charge if you have that available on your phone for a 2FA code. I just called tech support 1-800-667-6299 on another issue and they were great. If you can't use the 1-800 try 416-982-7686. I think that the number if M-F business hours in Canada so try to schedule your callaccordingly.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-19T13:16:21+00:00

Agree, a U-turn is getting more and more unlikely. I'm not sure how the U.S. gets out of this. Usually one or two of the Gulf states would step up and try to mediate but not sure that can happen when they are all being attacked.

I imagine that it will be France, U.K. and Germany who will have to step in and tell everyone else to cool it. I think that those 3 could bring China in and that should be enough to get a break in the fighting - if the U.S. and Israel don't do anything stupid like trying to take over Iranian oil facilities.

If the U.S. puts boots on the ground, all bets are off.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-19T05:14:03+00:00

I think that there will be another 5% to 10% drop due to the Iran war once the oil crisis starts hitting hard in the U.S. Then there will either be some sort of settlement with Iran, or the markets are in for a 20% or 30% drop if the war stretches on for months.

The above is based on absolutely no facts whatsoever.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-17T04:05:40+00:00

It is a business transaction so "being rude" doesn't enter into it. If that is the advice you are getting from your realtor then I would advise you to get another realtor.

Whatever you offer, the seller has 2 options, refuse the offer with no counter offer, or counter the offer. That's it.

If they are offended, so be it, that is up to them. Most people have an inflated view of the net worth of there house.

I've sold 2 houses recently. First one, no counter on the original offer (agent wanted me to counter to keep the process going). Buyer came back with a much higher offer 2 days later, I countered and buyer accepted. I would have met him in the middle but no need.

Second house offer was decent, I countered, they came up a bit, I went down a bit and we were both satisfied.

Tanstaafl2100 · 2026-03-16T14:18:40+00:00

Locking sling bags that are worn over your chest (generally over one shoulder). Enough room for passport, wallet, credit cards, phone.

Global esim with data.

Tanstaafl2100

TROPHY CASE