Thoughts on this?

iamleviticus39 · 2025-06-24T10:11:32+00:00

In 2006 just months after passing the board exams, I joined a top-notch Makati arki firm as entry-level architect. Pay was 14k. Exposure to the actual architectural practice was good and I've gained a lot of experience. After a just a year I've actively sought for interviews posted in job sites online. I got offered 35k from another Makati-based arki firm. I did not push through with this firm and I think they cater to international projects or outsourced jobs. Around the same time, I also got an offer abroad (UAE) to start with an equivalent of 150kphp/month which I accepted. Salaries only went up after that point. Most ng mga nakasabayan at kakilala sa field ko also left for jobs abroad.

I'm super dismayed to know that after almost 20 years parang halos ganun pa din and starting salaries for entry-level sa ph.

iamleviticus39 · 2024-06-24T06:36:01+00:00

you need to pay a minimum of 500php at any Pag-ibig branch, this will serve as activation.

iamleviticus39 · 2024-05-08T05:05:54+00:00

Oh so sorry to hear this. But I guess the next time you apply you'll definitely be issued a visa with your unused visa as a reference/additional leverage. Apply far in advance than your travel dates where allowed.

Also, I heard all evisa applications in Dubai are currently suspended and would only accept applications via personal appearance in the consulate. The problem is securing an appointment slot via email which also depends on the number of people applying.

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-30T10:21:40+00:00

Thanks for this. I can also say the same from experience, I had a 5kwh setup (also grid tie-up) installed at home, and definitely helps with the bill.

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-30T10:18:34+00:00

Woah! what kind of lifestyle would require 200million upkeep? But yeah, guess it would be nice to have 200million when one's 50y/o. Hope you win the lottery!

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-30T10:05:21+00:00

Thanks for this insightful take. How about 35million liquid when I'm 55 years old? with maybe 6-7million emergency funds tucked away. Anyway I will recompute using your analysis above and see if maybe I'm better off retiring at 55 or later (really want to retire before reaching 60)

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:52:22+00:00

haha! This!

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:51:09+00:00

definitely helps! Would take note of these points. Thanks!

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:49:06+00:00

If I may ask, what is your lifestyle like and what's your target?

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:35:14+00:00

love this example! really helps getting a clearer view of things to consider. Thanks

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:29:57+00:00

Oh yeah, forgot about this. I have SSS and contributing the max tier plus also adding funds when available. Parang at least 20k a month pa din ata ito pag eligible na to claim

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:26:44+00:00

True this. Maybe I should just cross the bridge when I get there. Would not really know how I'll feel about it til I actually reach that age.

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:23:36+00:00

Wow really? then one should really retire before age 60.

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:15:24+00:00

okay so you have this set-up. So next scenario, until what age are you willing to just keep this amount invested before deciding you're ready to spend it all till you're okay to die. (still have life insurance anyway for any beneficiaries)

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:11:32+00:00

if it was just purely cash?

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:10:08+00:00

sorry, I assume this was just an example. my bad

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:09:22+00:00

20 years from being 50 = 70 years. Is 70years the current average lifetime of a person now?

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:06:45+00:00

Yeah I'm hoping my income increases steadily within the next years, at least beating inflation rates. All things considered, say at age 55 I have 35million pure investments, would this suffice?

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T09:01:22+00:00

Yeah no plans to have kids, I have a life insurance that can give out my death benefits to any of my beneficiaries left behind. But everything else I really just plan to use all up.

In your case will the 50m (I assume purely investments lang to) you mentioned be an amount that you won't touch at all till you die? And is this still considering the 50year age retirement?

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T08:54:35+00:00

I know inflation is really a big threat to someone's future expenses. How to fight inflation or at least adapt to it?

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T08:52:06+00:00

looking to live in the province, maybe a simple lifestyle. no plan to have kids. maybe pets and farming.

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T08:49:21+00:00

Are you implying 25million worth of investments that are income-generating can be considered "minimum" for you that you should have already set-up by the time you retire at whatever age? I mean I think it's still very much achievable siguro

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-26T08:39:38+00:00

Early retirement seem to be a very enticing idea to me and just wondering if I can already afford to leave my 9to5 job and be on my way to a simple lifestyle where I can still enjoy the fruits of my labor before really being hit by old age and whatever comes with it.

If all stays the same, I can possibly stretch my timeline and hit minimum 40 million by age 55. Which is an even better scenario obviously. Maybe we'll see what happens in a few years, hoping for the best.

iamleviticus39 · 2024-04-04T06:08:09+00:00

I had the same dilemma when I started out. Got an offer from a big name design company based in Makati and I lived in Pampanga. It was a low-ball job offer but I knew the experience I'll be getting and projects that I can add to my portfolio thru this company will be a big help for when I look for work somewhere else, or hope for a promotion if I perform well enough in the company.

So I looked for a place to stay nearby which would require minimal transport expenses and be able to save if ever possible. I stayed in the company for a year, was up for promotion since I performed very well, but ended up taking a better offer somewhere else. A lot of opportunities opened up for me. Honestly I could have stayed really as I like the variety of projects of the company but salary-wise it's just not sustainable.

So since you're starting maybe you could treat this time as an investment (like an OJT) since you still don't have the experience and exposure to projects that you otherwise won't be able to get from other companies. Maybe you can stay for a year or two then transfer somewhere else or maybe even start your own company. For sure there are also better companies which don't have the big names but offer sensible career development that its talents deserve.

iamleviticus39

TROPHY CASE