Welcome to RustyFerguson.com!
I’m glad you’re here.
I am Living in The Philippines,
an American expatriate exploring the world. I am in Bogo City which is located in Northern Cebu Province. Bogo is a growing new city. Its roots are in fishing and I still consider it a fishing village but that is changing. I hope to live here for quite some time so I can watch it grow. Though I do have my sights set on Bantayan Island, a small Island just to the North West of our location.
I’m a retired accountant and computer analyst, please don’t shoot me for working with the IRS! I figured since I couldn’t beat them I might as well join them. :) I loved the job for a long time but due mostly to health reason, I retired early, at the age of 42!
To be honest, no matter how unpopular it is, I’m proud to have been a Revenue Agent at the IRS. It is not a job just anyone can do.
I am also a graduate of Millsaps College, a small and extremely difficult liberal arts college in Jackson, Ms. where I received my BBA in accounting in 1983. I’m proud of my degree. I got it despite many obstacles in my path. I put myself through college with virtually no help from family.
I’m trying to not let the health issues that hampered my career continue to rule my life, they’ve done enough damage. I want to get out and explore. I have to start slow and build. I may never be able to do all the things I’d love to do. Since arriving here, I’ve become fully alive for the first time in a long time and I’m working hard to hold on to that!
I have an awesome significant other. Her name is Jessie. She’s a smoking hot woman from a warrior clan of the Philippines known as Waray Waray.
The term expatriate seems to imply I have something negative toward the USA. I don’t. It is a wonderful country but it is only a small part of the world and I have to get out and find out what is out here. I dream of traveling all over this big blue marble. I hope it will come to pass. Being away from the US has only caused my appreciation for it to increase.
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People often ask how I ended up in the Philippines so I wrote this article:
http://heyjoe.ph/how-i-ended-up-in-the-philippines/
hello mr. rusty…im elsie the receptionist of tickety boo beach resort…keep up the good work…and continue to explore the magical place of the philippines….and hope you would live your life to the fullest……..goodluck
Hi Elsie! I remember you very well. You do a great job. Look forward to seeing you again. All t he staff at Tickety Boo were great to me.
One thing though, you guys need more fans in your restaurants for us spoiled kano. :)
just continue living a good life and be happy about it…
Hi Alona, glad you stopped by. Hope to get to know you better. Thanks for adding me to multiply.com too. :)
Cebu Philippines is a good place to relax and enjoy the warm weather and warm people! The tropical weather should be good for you health. It’s a great place, I sure enjoy it…
Hi Rusty, My name is Bud Brown. I see you’re living in Bogo. In 2003 my asawa and I stayed in Virgin Beach Resort in Bogo (or close to it)run by Ron Perry. Are you familiar with it? We had a good time, but it was a little too much for us. I think it is better suited for honeymooners. We were waited on hand and foot “Your breakfast is ready, sir!”. But when we go back we’d like to rent an apartment and fix our own breakfast (smile) Anyway, just wanted to say “hey” and maybe our paths will cross one day. Cheers!
Bud
You can expect that kind of treatment all over the Philippines. Its more normal than unusual. Of course, not at home but you’re girl may treat you that way. Filipina are just awesome.
I know Ron though I’ve been to the resort only once. He’s done a lot of developing of the resort.
Hope you’ll stay in touch.
Rusty: Great site & comments, I have family in Talisay, planning on retiring in a few more years there too, we share a common ailment Diabetes – still on pills but headed for Insulin, can you tell what a months supply costs php. and how readily available it is out in the province or should I depend only on cebu Doctors/Mercury Drugs for my needs ? please e-mail back, this subject has been worrying me, where we like to visit is way up on the mountain and down by santander where there’s only witch doctors if really needed and some have helped me overcome some distressing situations, thanks in advance
i wouldn’t give up on staying off insulin. My doctor told me to come in once and start insulin. I knew I was headed in the right direction though so I said give me two more weeks and it would be better. It was and I’ve cut my oral medication way back.
I would need to know what you’re taking but the cost is generally 1/4 to 1/2 of that in the USA. My medications in the USA were over $1200 a month but they are less than $400 in the philippines. Not all of that is for diabetes.
Many medications are available here, sometimes a generic is available here where there is none in the USA. You have to ask questions though to make sure you’re getting the lowest cost or they will likely give you exactly what you ask for.
If you don’t already have one, get a george forman grill, it can help you get your BS way down. I don’t have one here though. Wish I did. Lots of good fish though and that will help even more!
Drugs I’ve stopped using for diabetes is precose, actose and cut my glymiperide (sp) in half. I will try to get the cost of my medications online soon. That might help you.
Hi Rusty. . .do you know if there are American Expats living in the Toledo City area? Or, how do I go about locating American Expats living in the Toledo City area? Thanks.
Eleu
[email protected]
Eleu,
I’m sure there are expats there though I’ve never been there, I’m just guessing.
Keep visiting expat blogs, you might find one or two. The only way I know would be to go there and find otu where they hang out. Look for cheap beer prices and chances are good you’ll find expats.
Hey Rysty,
From one Mississippian to another, Mabuay! My wife (filipna of 25 years) have recently decided to pull up roots and check out Western Samar where most of her family is located. I’m not sure where you are located but my main objectives right now is to determine (funny how I found a tax guy) the tax system and obligations in PI. I’m sure there are property taxes and as a resident, need to find out if and how my income (retirement) would be taxed. Trying to nail down and calculate the disposable income is going to be the hard part. There are many expat sites but I have yet to find any deeply informative sites. Before I really dive into researching, maybe you can direct me to some good resources. Hope to be there early next spring for a pre-visit before selling the home, packing up and departing for good. I would like to be there permanently within a year. Any info you can provide will be useful. Good luck with your health.
Is you last name Cox? Randy Cox use to whoop my butt every time I stepped out the door. LOL If it is okay, I should have just kicked yours back. lol :)
Anyway, your retirement income will not be taxed. I think you can find an informative site at http://cebuexperience.com but get ready to spend LOTS of time there. Don’t know if it is the kind of information you need but there is lots of it there. I’m not just saying this because I make money from it but my eBook is quite frankly fantastic. :) lol The Basic Expat Training Manual — The Philippines Experience. But you can get a ton of free info on my site. The book has my budget in it. The site covers mostly my day to day life, finances, exchange rate, resorts, rent, just living in the Philippines.
You can expect lower cost in Samar, you can also expect a more Filipino like life. More outages and shortages, more rural, less developed. I know someone that moved there six months ago or so. He’s liking it but it has been a few months since I’ve talked with him.
Only income earned from the Philippines will be taxed. I doubt compliance with income tax laws is very high in Samar. Yes there are property taxes. You will still pay your Federal Income Tax to the USA though. I’m probably going to have increase my witholding again in November.