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Semi-retired since 1998
Old 01-06-2009, 11:54 AM   #1
Confused about dryer sheets
 
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Semi-retired since 1998

Hello all,

I worked for 22 years as a manufacturers rep. The money was good but the work was BORING and I was on the road a lot. I knew I'd eventually burn out so I started investing in rental houses in the late 1980's. I finally left the company in June of 1999.

My high maintenance wife of 7 years knew I had no intention of going back to work and hated the thought of giving up her upscale lifestyle, so she hired a divorce attorney vowing to take me to the cleaners. She failed miserably and by mid August, the dust had settled and I was single.

In November, I visited the Philippines and Thailand spending 3 weeks in each place. Afterwards, I went back to Seattle, put all my stuff in storage and by the first of the year, I was living in a nice new townhouse in the Philippines.

I had a great time exploring the islands and made a few trips back to Thailand as well but I've always been a "relationship guy" and by late summer, I was involved with a lovely Filipina who just happened to come from an idyllic little island in an obscure corner of the country.

In 2000, we decided to move to Thailand and we lived happily there until spring of 2004. We had decided to marry and we wanted to be married in the US because it was the easiest way to get her green card. We lived there for about a year and then returned to the Philippines.

Today, we have a beautiful 1 1/2 year old daughter and we spend half the year in the US and the other half here in the Philippines. I do most of the maintenance work on my properties so that keeps me busy when we're in the States. I recently started up a small scuba diving service on our little island. It's the only one there and I am choosy about my hours and my customers.

Like the song says- I can't complain but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far.

Best to all,

Standupguy
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Old 01-06-2009, 01:01 PM   #2
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Congrats man, on all of it.

Ha
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Old 01-06-2009, 01:46 PM   #3
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Welcome & Congratulations !
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Old 01-06-2009, 01:48 PM   #4
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Congrats on your finding a new life, and love.
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Old 01-06-2009, 02:24 PM   #5
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Welcome, and congrats. Looks like a beautiful place where the photo was taken.......
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This Thread is USELESS without pics.........:)
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Old 01-06-2009, 02:26 PM   #6
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Welcome, great story.
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Old 01-06-2009, 05:59 PM   #7
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Beautiful story. Congrats on your new HMB*- free life and welcome.

*High maintenance babe.
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Old 01-06-2009, 07:36 PM   #8
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standupguy, congrads on your new family and your lifestyle. A lot of guys wouldn't have the guts to do what you have done. I know a story about an guy that did a similar thing and he is still living in Thailand. Never has come back. Friend of mine emails him quite often. Best of luck in your new venture.
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Old 01-08-2009, 08:00 AM   #9
Confused about dryer sheets
 
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Hi standupguy,
I have a similar story ----- i have a "hollywood"ex and a houseful of storage that i haven't seen in 2 years back in San Diego.
However,unlike you i married my Filipina girl here in Phils.We've been trying to move to Europe for a year or two but have been denied twice because i have cash savings not income(retired at 48---- 53 now)
Seems like you know a lot about this,so here's our situation:
Am about to try to go back to US with my Filipina wife,maybe stay,maybe work for a few years..I dont have residence and i dont have income,only about 250k in cash.Would you have any info on a best way to go about this in the embassy?I dont want to go back to US without my wife,if possible..
Also what area are you living in?is it cebu?do they have nice little bongalos on the beach not too expensive for rent?
Any detailed info would be appreciated..
Thanks,
Rick and Mildred
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Old 01-08-2009, 02:43 PM   #10
Confused about dryer sheets
 
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Cash savings are taken into account in the Affadavit of Support section of the resident visa filing. I haven't done this myself (am still working) but I have brought my wife and step-daughter over from Thailand and I have filled this form out a few times now and saw the criteria stating that savings was also taking into account.

Have a look at the instructions here:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134instr.pdf

Quote:
Originally Posted by dolcevitaric View Post
Hi standupguy,
Am about to try to go back to US with my Filipina wife,maybe stay,maybe work for a few years..I dont have residence and i dont have income,only about 250k in cash.Would you have any info on a best way to go about this in the embassy?I dont want to go back to US without my wife,if possible..
Also what area are you living in?is it cebu?do they have nice little bongalos on the beach not too expensive for rent?
Any detailed info would be appreciated..
Thanks,
Rick and Mildred
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