Owning nothing in the U.S. is more expensive than life in the Philippines
Introduction
Ditch Subscriptions and Own Your Retirement in the Philippines! Second Act Warriors is quickly becoming a community of encouragement, and resources for those seeking relevant retirement information about the Philippines and Asia.
Today we’re going to explore the growing trend of having to pay for a subscription to use products you’ve already paid for. I’m not only talking about software, and streaming, but hardware you already own. The list of companies who want to line their pockets and treat customers as nothing more than a renewable and lifelong revenue stream is growing fast. This is, but one more reason I advocate downsizing and placing an emphasis on personal health and positive relationships over accumulating more stuff that keeps you tethered to the internet.
the subscription economy
Many companies now push renting over owning for more and more things. Starting with music and books, It’s moved on to include many things from vehicle options to dishwasher and even inkjet printers.
Here are a few examples of the rental game:
BMW was a big one that required a subscription to use the seat heaters in your car.
KTM motorcycles disabled many important safety and convenience features shortly after purchase, unless you opted to pay for a subscription service.
HP printers with 2 year plan that leaves you without owning anything and removes your ability to use aftermarket supplies and also limits your monthly prints.
Thermostats that don’t allow access to their functions without subscription.
Kitchen appliances that restrict your use of features until your create online account.
Almost none of this improves your experience with the product; however, it does make the business more profitable.
Business Insider covered it in their January 26, 2026 article: Subscriptions are everywhere and getting expensive, but the bigger issue is they're eroding consumer ownership—making everything cost more in the long run. Take HP's printer subscription models as an example. Their All-In Plan bundles a printer with ink for a monthly fee based on pages printed. For an HP Envy Inspire on a moderate plan (say 100 pages/month), you might pay around $12.99/month, totaling over $150/year—often more than buying a comparable printer outright and refilling ink as needed. In higher-volume plans, the gap widens, and you're locked in without true ownership. If ignored, this compounds. The average U.S. adult already spends more than $1,000 per year on subscriptions, with roughly $200 wasted on unused ones. Households juggle multiple services, while costs rise as companies hike prices or add tiers.
For retirees on fixed incomes, this drains savings meant for essentials, travel, or healthcare, potentially forcing delayed retirement or cutbacks. It is also a pain in the butt, as I for one, get the red ass when I have to create a cloud account just to use my new purchase. Everything doesn’t need to be plugged in. This is not a service, it’s extortion. Subscription fatigue is real: many report feeling overwhelmed, with cancellations rising due to redundancy and cost.
The solution
Move to a low-cost cash economy like the Philippines, where buying outright is standard, subscriptions are minimal, and living expenses are a fraction of the U.S.
This delivers the three big payoffs:
more money by eliminating recurring drains,
more time free from managing auto-payments and cancellations,
and better quality of life through simpler, community-focused living with warm relationships.
The key insight: In the Philippines, you own your essentials. Buying printers, appliances and most everything else by paying cash once instead of forever keeps costs predictable and low.
In contrast, imagine retiring in someplace like the Philippines:
Picture yourself in the Philippines, cash in hand, owning your home outright, no endless bills, days filled with genuine friendships, beach walks, and true freedom. Thousands have made this shift and report more money for what matters, more time for joy, and a quality of life that's paradise.
Citations
Business Insider: Why Subscriptions Are So Expensive (Jan 26, 2026)
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-subscriptions-are-so-expensive-2026-1
Tom's Guide: HP's All-In Printer Subscription Plan (Mar 18, 2024, relevant model details)
CNET: Subscription Survey 2025 (average spending $1,080/year, $200 unused)
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/subscription-survey-2025
Forbes: Retiring in the Philippines Guide (May 19, 2025; $1,500–$1,800/month for couples)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenpeddicord/2025/05/19/retiring-in-the-philippines-guide
SmartAsset: How to Retire in the Philippines (Feb 9, 2025; rent 82.9% lower, consumer prices 64.6% lower)
https://smartasset.com/retirement/how-to-retire-in-the-philippines
Live Life the Philippines: Real Expat Expenses 2026 (Panglao costs ~$2,250/month average)
https://livelifethephilippines.com/retirement/cost-of-living/cost.html