Don’t loan any money in the Philippines!! Only give. If someone asks you for money, just give.

A good rule to follow: Don't loan money you can't afford to lose. Even better rule: Don't loan money at all.

As we've seen demonstrated yesterday too, there is much evil in the world 🙁 Be safe out there everyone!

I won't loan any money. The bank is in that business. This was an excellent video with very very good advice to follow.

My friend in Manila had about $8000 US in his account. One late afternoon some strange guys waited for him when he returned home from jagging late in the day. He was found stabbed to death at his house. Interestingly, it appeared that he had withdrawn the $8000 from his account a day before he was killed. NBI investigation later determined that he actually never withdrew the money. The criminal gang had a connection in the bank who told them the account balance of the foreigners who deposited their money there. A retired policy officer planned the entire operation and had his foot soldiers (criminals) execute the plan. The gentleman in the bank had already withdrawn the money from the bank making it look like the amount was withdrawn. Each participant had a cut for their role. Investigations later revealed that a week before the murder of my friend some guys were asking folks who he was. They did not even know what he looked like. The operation was planned well in advance and unfortunately my friend was killed in the most gruesome manner imaginable. Mike, I am not surprised by the story you told in this video and I hope other vloggers will share similar stories warning foreigners what to be careful about instead of painting just a rosy picture of the young ladies who don't mind the ages of their partners who are ready to settle down.

Old saying: When somebody owes you a little money, you own them. When somebody owes you a lot of money, they own you.

There crime in Philippines i put my phone ,wallet zip up in front pocket. Danger around every corner from land buying to anything else dealing in a cash society

An armed guard with you is an added level of security. Mixing up your route also helps. Valuable information here that could save your life.

I’m afraid to break up my money and hide it in different places. I’m not even allowed to hide my own Easter eggs anymore

As a foreigner you need to be even more careful. So use your judgement

Basically, do not be an idiot. When I was there, I learned fast, wear no jewelry, keep your money in a zippered pocket except enough for trikes, a beer, etc. Do not go places with a stranger and a bunch of cash.

"Neither a borrower nor a lender be" is a quote from Hamlet by William Shakespeare. This is especially true in the Philippines.

Its always good to be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are at. If you have to carry a large amount of cash, do not flash it around. Lots of good advice for those who are not too wary, Mike...Jim

I was volunteering in Papua New Guinea in 1999, and made friends with Peace Corps volunteers. When we went to the markets, or somewhere needing cash, we would have a small amount in our pocket, then stash extra in our socks. And leave the wallet home.

Great advice….don’t get complacent….

Mike - I do like your Advice , Thank you for sharing

Here one that could have happened to me. I was at laundromat and woman asks me if I have change for $100. I said no and told her there’s a bank right across the street.

Great tips on staying safe.

Hello Mike, I never lend anybody any large amounts of money. I have a $20 Rule. If you need more than that, you need to go to the Bank for a Loan. I will Never Ever get involved in any business in the Philippines. My money is safe here in Ohio at the bank. Take care.

Really Excellent Advise on How To Protect Your Valuables In This Video 👍

Case with the Israeli guy: This land was offered as collateral for unpaid debt, do your research next time. No one was carrying any cash. Still not a good idea to go to a far off lot without a guard

Yes, I don’t like the the idea of carrying that kind of cash anywhere. The Philippines is not crime free, either.

In Middle east they say " when you are lending $ to someone, he/she kisses your hand begging and when it's time to get it back, you will be kissing his feet begging"

Most Filipinos will blow any money you lend them and have no intention of paying it back. It's called instant gratification. I lost tons of money over there years ago because I was foolish. I learned the hard way. We foreigners must look out for each other.

I wish ppl would take your advice. You always have the best information.

you are 100%right and great advice ...

When I travel out of my home or country I use a money belt inside of my trousers along with my passport and other important documents. Keep a small amount of money in my pants.

Good advice Mike - keep safe and well.🙂

Always keep some money in your shoe in case the robbers empty your pockets

Listen to Mike he letting you know. Great information

One good advise I heard about PH was to never make yourself worth more dead than alive. That goes for many things like life insurance, joint property, businesses and etc...

I would hope somebody wasn't so stupid they will leave their home with 10,000 dollars in your pocket

Great tips Mike!

Morning Mike great video I been here 14 years with my Filipino wife never had a bad experience personally to be honest only thing happened to us was the house was robbed after that the police advised was buy a big dog

why do you think theirs arm guards everywhere in the Philippines especially the malls and banks, and most houses have a fence and bars on the windows,

Mike, great advice on how to handle your money anywhere in the world 🌎.

Never with any one with black hair..Never let any one in your house. I have a girl staying here,she was getting up middle of the night cherry picking my goods..Court case is under way dont expect to win being a foreigner,but she has to travel hrs to get to court and pay Attny.

Having an armed guard only makes you more of a target. That will bring more attention to yourself. In fact, That will actually invite even more sophisticated threat that targets high net worth individuals. Now that’s a bigger threat than the average. That’s the last thing you want to be. Best advice, just lay low. Do everything in the down low.

Great advice Mike. I was going to wear my suit jacket made of real $100 U.S. Dollar bills, but you talked me out of it. Was going to wear it to a bar in the Phillie Willie. I won't even show them pictures of me wearing it. They might think I'm a 'rich man'. Can't now not even tell them my name....Dr. Richmann

Bawal Utang. Good advice, be aware of your surroundings.

he mike great video great info, Ur getting down to the basics,keep posting & we'll keep learning about the phillippines ,thanks

Never carry big cash but if you have to, hire a private armed guard. And do the transaction in public place

Great and very true Play poor If you lend, it's a gift in Philippines Fangs are number one target Plus golden rule Never marry

Obviously don't give anyone a reason reason to think might benefit from victimizing you...I've traveled solo all over Mindanao Leyte and Cebu on my motorcycle without any issues I don't present myself as an easy target...the greatest danger for me is jealous boyfriends. :)

Excellent Video on Safety and Common Sense. You would think these Guys Would Adopt and Play by the Same Rules we Play by in the USA in Realestate and that is to Research and Find a Title Company or a Closing Realestate Attorneys office in advance and consult with them prior to any transactions involving Cash, a Wire, ACH, or a Cashier's Check or Hell even a Vehicle Transaction. Great Video By the Way. Keep up the Great Work Homie 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

thank you for giving me so helpful advice

Mike,.... You are a credit to U'r community. AGREED 100% !!! THANK YOU, MUCH APPRECIATED... 🤔 > If only people, heed to Paul > old dog new tricks who said - 'Do U'r Due Deligence!' before any transactions > (Business or otherwise). PH could be, a safer and simplier place for retirement living !.... 🙂 Ps... An old, wise Jamaican man. Once said: " SHIT...happens!!! " ¡ 🤔 !

It is good for you to let us know the good and bad side of the Phillipines and what to do and what not to do. People like me, going to the Philippines for the first time next year and am going blindly ( not making plans and going to do things "at the spur at the moment".

Right it's crime every wear use street smart he's right listen to him😮😮

Mike has Janet found a nice lot yet for your new home construction🏠🏡

A guy shot in the head on his scooter in cebu , they follow him on their scooter and shot him last week . Becareful like Mike says . Use money belt or a Pacsafe back pack too they lock really good for traveling.

Yeah who would even in America buy something so expensive > $2000 and not escrow in the bank. Event BDO has escrow services.

Hello Mike 👋 good video. Always anywhere your at is Use good Common Sense, Don't be Complacent. Awareness. A brief synopsis on news in the Philippines I find the channel Asia News is good for the news in the Philippines, that's where I 1st heard about the murders you mentioned. Looking forward to your livestream later today my time here in Glendale California at 5pm PST. 😊👍

I keep a walllet with 1000 pesso and some change also a few expired bank cards in it. I carry 2000 pesso in my pocket if someone was to rob me i would hand over the wallet with the 1000 pesso. People can be desperate most of the time they don't want to harm you they only want the money and your phone. I made a comment on another channel when the guy said to keep your money in a safe in your house. That is something mike i totally disagree with never keep a safe in your home people might think you have millions of pesso and maybe expensive rolex watches ⌚️ and jewelry in the safe. Keeping a safe in your home turns you into a target. Most of the hotels i stay in will have a safe but that is different there's 24 hours security at the front desk of those hotels. A safe in your room in a hotel is a great idea it keeps all your money cards etc safe when you invite someone to your room and safe from some of the staff working in the hotel. But never keep a safe in your home keep your money in the bank.

What can I foreigner have to protect themselves in the phillipines? Knives? Mace? Guns? Can someone make a video on that? The philippines is sounding kind of rough

Hi Mike, love the videos! I plan to retire in the PH in the next 3-5 years and run a business there with my PH girlfriend. Question, does Philippines allow conceal/carry for foreigners? My gf runs a business now and has no trouble obtaining a handgun.

I carry my I.D. and money in a chest bag. The straps are kevlar reinforced, to reduce the possibility of the straps being cut. I only carry smaller amounts of cash with me, and small bills (20, 50 and 100 Pesos) in my front pocket. Never more than P500. I won't say how much I carry in my chest bag, but it's only a few thousand Pesos. Most transactions can be made by G-Cash, or debit card. Even our rent is covered electronically. I don't wear 'branded' clothes, drive an expensive car, or go to lavish restaurants. That's only an invitation for trouble. And I sure don't go to bars!

talking about crime I stay at emerald suites near S Point I had a run in with 3 blacks' kids 2 nights ago kind of scary,

Just come here to retire and enjoy life, if you don't have the resources to retire here, don't come.

No glove no love guys

Mike you should do a blog on gcash withdrawals from seven eleven atms only 17 pesos fee and free, saves having a lot of cash at your house or hotel

Mike I don't think that was what happened, from what I have heard they lent or porn the land to this guy, the money for hospital treatment and they come to collect the land for none payment?

The problem lies with who you mix with …you’ve always got to be aware of your surroundings. If your mixing in circles with dubious individuals always be cautious. Throughout my life I’ve driven nice cars Mclarens, Aston’s, Ferraris etc but I’ve been often around dodgy peoples. It’s the same here ..I have three cars ..one 10 million but I go to the best gym in my area but has the meat heads there..and I know they love the jungle juice so you’ve have to be always careful of your environment and who you mix with. I’m a pretty intimidating character so most will not front me but I’m always aware of the next potential incident. Ps in my experience it’s the most poor areas that have the most crime ..ie living in the province with a 500k car and a modest house being a relatively fragile westerner is like having a target on your back..these poor poor locals high on solvents and red horse are the danger. Stay around infrastructure and other westerners ..it will be safer.

Mike in the future my wife and I want to buy a house in the Philippines. I have an investment that will net $160K when mature that I want to use to buy the house. I have also been told the Philippine banks are not as trustworthy as in the West. I have heard of them putting holds of making the funds available etc. Any recommendations on transferring very large amounts of money and precautions on assuring all is on the up and up?

I would not loan money to anyone and I would not tell expats that I have money they might run their mouth to somebody else

Wow, thats great advice. I had a good friend here in Thailand that was wealthy, meeting at a house for sale in town and he was carrying cash. They killed the guy, stuffed the body into several ice chests. Drove across town to his Condo and drop off car. It was other Expats , not locals who planned this setup.

As an Aussie this has naturally hit home, especially since Tagatay is not reall back woods. Thanks for tmely video. Only a few days ago I exchange a resonable large amount exchange in Paranaque and my head was on a swivel all the way back to my apartment. Having said that, I would react the same back home for similar amounts. Dont turn this into a Filpino thing

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Philippines has some relaxed gun laws wish foreigners were allowed to buy and conceal carry for self defense

😩😩😩

Me thinketh better to pack a., make my........day@@?😉😃

Some of these comments are complete paranoia and I'm guessing do not reside here. I'm no expert, but keeping a low profile is key. I have my wife handle all banking transactions and we never keep more than about $ 5,000 in her bank. My wife used to be one of those who "loaned" money from time to time. I told her to stop and never ask for the money to be paid back. If a Filipino or Filipina gets over you on a scam, forget about and move on. I've been dead drunk walking the streets of Manila, Cebu, and Davao at 4am with a lot of cash and luckily nothing bad happened except for a hangover. Always smile, be respectful, don't raise your voice and enjoy the moment. If your wife or gf starts taking advantage of you financially, warn her and if she doesn't get it, move out and on. Never buy property and you will do well.

Mike, check out the June 29 NY Times article in the unprecedented level of violence in the Philippines. Not good.