Life Updates — Issue #001
Looking back, I’m incredibly thankful I made the move when I did. If I had stayed in the U.S., I’d probably be getting crushed by rising costs and feeling stuck in a system that seems to be getting harder to navigate every year.
Happy I Left The U.S. When I Did
One thing that surprises people is that I didn’t leave business behind. I’m still running Anthem Manufacturing from the Philippines. But the reality is that doing business in the U.S. gets harder and harder every year. Rising costs, increasing complexity, and shrinking margins have made me think differently about what the future should look like.
House Hunting
We’ve found a great 3-bedroom house that honestly feels more like a 4-bedroom. It’s given us plenty of space to work, create, and settle in. It’s actually bigger than what we need, so we’ve been exploring the idea of downsizing into a smaller single-level home.
Looking for Land
At the same time, we’re actively looking for land.
My girlfriend and I don’t want to buy a house just for the sake of owning a house. We want whatever we build to generate income. The current vision is a two-story building with our living space upstairs and a retail space downstairs where we can open a pet shop.
For us, the goal isn’t simply owning property. It’s creating productive assets, building local income streams, and designing a life with more flexibility and resilience.
An Empire In Decline
I’m also paying close attention to what’s happening economically around the world. I have concerns about America’s long-term position as the dominant global superpower. Whether that decline happens quickly or slowly, I’d rather be proactive than reactive.
That’s one reason we’re exploring the pet shop. Not because I plan to stop running Anthem Manufacturing, but because I believe in building multiple income streams, owning productive assets, and creating businesses that serve local communities.
We’re still getting settled. Still learning. Still building.
And honestly, I feel like we’re just getting started.