Phone options

Right before leaving, I switched my US number to Tello. It's $6 a month. And I bought Globe for data, 250 pesos every two weeks. I set Tello up with Wi-Fi calling, and when there's no Wi-Fi I use Globe data. It works well. I can receive and send US calls and texts, and I didn't have to change my number. I handle all my internet through Globe. Altogether it comes to about $14 a month.

Popcorn, $69 a month

T-Mobile or Mint. I spend a couple of months in the US every year, so I use T-Mobile.

I don't want to play the game of staying ahead of financial companies anymore. It works, then it stops working. Banks require a non-VOIP US number, and they've gotten better at detecting Wi-Fi calling. They also require a real US address where you actually live. When I left over 10 years ago, I used a mail forwarding service, Google Voice, and MagicJack. After 3 years, none of it worked. That's when I had to start playing hide-and-seek. After that it was a don't ask, don't tell approach. In the end I found financial services that don't care where I live, and that solved all my problems. So far, anyway. Right now my official address is here. I have no ties to the US other than one financial institution. It feels good not to be played by those people.