Expatriation!

As everybody’s road map in life consists of funky twists and turns, and even an occasional unplanned U-turn (or three), mine was no different. The bulk of our non-government sponsored lifestyle (after the Navy) found us living and working on the U.S. mainland. And just like many others during the latter half of the new millennium's first decade (2000's), we were stuck in the working-class rut of a "work-to-live" lifestyle scheme, all the while being witness (In my opinion) to a slow and protracted demise of American culture and the once powerful American middle class.

Our mutual cognitive dissonance forced us to make a decision… either we work-to-live, and take our chances with some form of a late non-guaranteed retirement, or make a run for it back to the tropics where we could relax and live life to its fullest.

Our choices were:

a) Continue with...

• Working hard to pay never-ending bills

• Shelling out money to insurance companies and taxes

• An ever-increasing cost of living

• Increased regulations

• More healthcare complexities

• The erosion of individual liberties and loss of personal freedoms

• A life filled with stress

b) Or we could...

• Liquidate all assets/become more minimalistic

• Enjoy a reduced-stress lifestyle

• Have no house payment, large bills or pay taxes

• Live under the warmth of the tropical sun

• Enjoy uncrowded beaches and more coconut trees than Gilligan ever imagined

• Join the wife's family

• Retire in the Philippines

This was not an arduous decision. As a matter of fact, once we gave ourselves the green light, it didn't take me long to pack my complete wardrobe of shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. Like a true sailor, I was ready to get underway on a moment’s notice. And believe it or not, I still had my Gilligan hat!

It was around 2007 when we purchased a corner lot in a small fishing village just outside Calbayog City, Samar. In 2009, we began the lot preparation and initial construction of the house began soon thereafter. And for the next few years, the home was built in stages... little by little. We took our time with the construction process until we made our inspection trip in 2012. Once we were there and seen that the house was finally closed-up, it inspired us to seek the retirement option earlier than originally planned. At this point our focus was easily shifted from planning to execution.

Inspection visit.

Crunch Time... Again!

Once back in Mississippi, "Minimalizing" was our goal. We also focused on eliminating all our bills and building our savings. The goal now was to get as much of the new house completed as possible before we actually departed the U.S.A. one year later.

Shortly after selling our Mississippi home of nearly 18 years, we found a temporary rental where we stayed for about 4 months until we sold-off everything we were not bringing to the Philippines. Everything we were left with, including most of our furniture, we consigned to a shipping company as we would avail of the duty-free import of household goods of which we were entitled.

Enroute to Memphis International Airport

When we were down to just our luggage, two cats, and our bank account, we departed from Memphis, Tennessee. Me, I've never looked back. Teri, she misses Walmart.

Update: Four years after settling in the Philippines in 2013, we set up another permanent residence in Guam. Today we travel back and forth whenever we feel the need... from one paradise to the other.