About Mark

When I first arrived in the Philippines in my late 40s, there wasn’t much information available. There were a couple of online forums and websites, but YouTube was still in its infancy, and almost nobody was creating content about the Philippines from an expat’s perspective. Not long after I settled here, I started a YouTube channel because I wanted to share my experiences and help others. But life had other plans. I wasn’t retired yet. I still had to earn a living and support myself.

That meant learning new online skills so I could work in a country where the minimum wage is only a few dollars a day. There were plenty of ups and downs along the way. My patience was tested almost daily. I had to make compromises, adapt to a different culture, and learn that many things simply don’t work the same way they do back home.

One of the biggest surprises was how business is done in the Philippines. It doesn’t always follow the same logic as in Western countries, and I believe that’s one of the reasons many foreigners struggle when they try to start businesses here.

What I Learned Along the Way

At the same time, I discovered something else that has stayed with me ever since: the kindness and generosity of the Filipino people. I still remember one day during my very first visit in 2008. My companion and I split up for a few hours to take care of some errands, and I confidently set off on my own through Cagayan de Oro. Eventually I needed to get back to the mall, so I asked a jeepney driver if he was going there. He smiled and said, “Yes.”

After climbing aboard, I remember thinking, What if I ever lost my wallet or had no money? Almost immediately another thought crossed my mind: I think almost any Filipino would give me the shirt off their back if I needed it.

The ride took much longer than I expected. Later, when I told my companion what had happened, she laughed and explained that the driver had been so happy to have a foreigner riding in his jeepney that he never mentioned there was a much faster route. That small experience taught me something about the warmth and generosity of the people here—something I’ve seen repeated countless times over the years.

Many times I considered putting more effort into YouTube, but the time commitment always got in the way. Looking back, I’m actually glad it did. Those extra years gave me far more experience, more perspective, and yes, plenty of mistakes of my own to learn from.

Why I Created Retire Smart Philippines

Today I’m retired, and I finally have the opportunity to do something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. As I look around at the information available today, I see too many people trying to sell a dream or portray the Philippines as a utopian destination of rainbows and unicorns. That’s not why I’m here. I didn’t create this website to convince people to retire in the Philippines. I created it because I saw too many people making life-changing decisions based on incomplete, incorrect, or biased information.

Here you’ll find videos, articles, guides, and resources designed to help you evaluate your options and think through one of the biggest decisions of your life. And if you ever want to talk things through personally, you’ll also have the opportunity to schedule a Clarity Call.

I can’t promise you’ll decide to retire in the Philippines. In fact, after doing your research, you may decide another country—or even staying right where you are—is the better choice. If that’s the decision that’s right for you, then this website has done exactly what it was created to do.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll grab a cup of coffee, explore the site, and join me as we think through one of the biggest decisions of your life.

— Mark

Retire Smart Philippines

Helping You Make Smarter Retirement Decisions.