Popular Post Tukaram (Tim) Posted August 9, 2013 Popular Post Posted August 9, 2013 I have a pretty lax budget - I get p30,000 a month and i spend it. So I decided to actually track every peso for one month. There were 98 entries in the database on my phone and no way to port them to the computer - damn I miss my Palm! Anyway... this is a good month because there were some unusual expenses to make it more expensive. We joined PhilHealth and paid the quarterly dues for 2 individuals, my girlfriend took a trip home (I opted out of the 4 hour each direction bus ride!), and we had to buy gas for the kitchen. Been in the house 5 months and it was our first refill. Then to top it off someone recommended a grocery store for foreigner items... OMG I went crazy and spent p2,400 in 1 week! We also sent a box of Palawan and underground river shirts to my kids - p2,200 for postage?!?! Ouch. I did not have to go to immigration this month so that is not there. Immigration is hard to budget because yesterdays visit was p3,240 but the one 2 months ago was p1,830, and he said next time would be about p2,400. So... whatever.... We were both a bit surprised with how much we eat out. We always have me, my girlfriend, and her cousin. So the cost is for 3 people but there were 14 fast food visits for a total of p4532. But we easily came in right around our p30,000 goal. There is a LOT of debate on "how much can I live on?" And the answer is different for all of us! I live in Oton, near Iloilo. Not a big city so my prices may not be your prices. I did just post some pics of my house so you can see how we live. I like it but would not recommend it unless I knew you better ha ha :tiphat: July 2013 Spending Normal expenses 3000 Rent 940 wet market 7219 Groceries 1428 Jeepney/taxi (3 people tons of jeepney rides!) 722 Cignal satellite tv 1267 Globe internet 2200 electric 60 water (Three 5 gallon jugs) 128 Tanduay Ice (4 bottles) 300 Phone Load (usually 500) 4532 Jollibees/Mang Inasal/Andoks etc OMG! 1300 2 movies coke & popcorn for 3 people 23096 Sub total Unusual or quarterly expenses 800 Trip home for girlfriend 400 condoms (been here 6 months finally ran out ha ha) 1669 House wares (mosquito netting, table, glassware, pillows - not usual expenses) 800 Clothes (very unusual for her to buy clothes) 910 Gas (Last tank lasted 5 months) 960 Phil Health (1 quarter for 2 individuals) 2250 Post Office (sent t-shirt gifts to my kids - NEVER again ha ha!) 7789 Sub total Plus 23096= 30885 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted August 9, 2013 Posted August 9, 2013 (edited) I have a pretty lax budget - I get p30,000 a month and i spend it. So I decided to actually track every peso for one month. There were 98 entries in the database on my phone and no way to port them to the computer - damn I miss my Palm! Anyway... this is a good month because there were some unusual expenses to make it more expensive. We joined PhilHealth and paid the quarterly dues for 2 individuals, my girlfriend took a trip home (I opted out of the 4 hour each direction bus ride!), and we had to buy gas for the kitchen. Been in the house 5 months and it was our first refill. Then to top it off someone recommended a grocery store for foreigner items... OMG I went crazy and spent p2,400 in 1 week! We also sent a box of Palawan and underground river shirts to my kids - p2,200 for postage?!?! Ouch. I did not have to go to immigration this month so that is not there. Immigration is hard to budget because yesterdays visit was p3,240 but the one 2 months ago was p1,830, and he said next time would be about p2,400. So... whatever.... We were both a bit surprised with how much we eat out. We always have me, my girlfriend, and her cousin. So the cost is for 3 people but there were 14 fast food visits for a total of p4532. But we easily came in right around our p30,000 goal. There is a LOT of debate on "how much can I live on?" And the answer is different for all of us! I live in Oton, near Iloilo. Not a big city so my prices may not be your prices. I did just post some pics of my house so you can see how we live. I like it but would not recommend it unless I knew you better ha ha :tiphat: July 2013 Spending Normal expenses 3000 Rent 940 wet market 7219 Groceries 1428 Jeepney/taxi (3 people tons of jeepney rides!) 722 Cignal satellite tv 1267 Globe internet 2200 electric 60 water (Three 5 gallon jugs) 128 Tanduay Ice (4 bottles) 300 Phone Load (usually 500) 4532 Jollibees/Mang Inasal/Andoks etc OMG! 1300 2 movies coke & popcorn for 3 people 23096 Sub total Unusual or quarterly expenses 800 Trip home for girlfriend 400 condoms (been here 6 months finally ran out ha ha) 1669 House wares (mosquito netting, table, glassware, pillows - not usual expenses) 800 Clothes (very unusual for her to buy clothes) 910 Gas (Last tank lasted 5 months) 960 Phil Health (1 quarter for 2 individuals) 2250 Post Office (sent t-shirt gifts to my kids - NEVER again ha ha!) 7789 Sub total Plus 23096= 30885 Hey King Tuka Ram, Dang, you're one slick dude! Four hundred condoms already? Or is that the price of 400 pesos for a few condoms, extra large? You're the man -- Jake Edited August 9, 2013 by Jake 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tukaram (Tim) Posted August 9, 2013 Author Posted August 9, 2013 Should of known... no it is p400, sorry I should have been more clear! But i won't say how many boxes I brought with me! (but there were 40 in each box) :tiphat: 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i am bob Posted August 9, 2013 Posted August 9, 2013 This is what I like to hear... What the costs are and is a "smaller" budget liveable. Sure, maybe some people don't like the idea of living in a native/local house.... Or don't like shopping at the local wet market. I myself enjoy living the way the native/local life. And if my Special Someone were to live in a NIpa Hut or buy all her food at the local market, I would enjoy living that way too. I wanted to have as my signature line that "Life is meant to be lived all out" (but Curley beat me to it!) and, even though my life has slowed down lately, once I am boots on ground, look out world! Here comes Bob! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Carl Posted August 9, 2013 Posted August 9, 2013 OK, you got me, I am hooked. You have motivated me, to take a video of our house and area, and will list our expenses for July as well. I think you will find they are very similar, with maybe on exception......, NO CONDOMS! Will try and get it posted this weekend. Again, well done and thanks Papa Carl 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jpbago Posted August 10, 2013 Popular Post Posted August 10, 2013 Can we pick a different month than July 2013? My 2 daughters spent 16 days total in 2 hospitals in July with dengue. My expenses were 10 times that of Tuka. But even any other month, with 2 teenagers, my costs are much more than 30,000. Today, Saturday, is safety training. Last Thursday was Filipino Day (rent a gown, new shoes, food dish, etc) Every year there are proms so rented gowns and new shoes. Both go to school in Bacolod so bus service is 2,000. Both need 2 new uniforms each year plus tuition and books. They are gone from 6 am to 7 pm so they need food allowances. Most weekends have special projects and materials. Then there are the incidentals like new keyboard, lost cell phone, light bulbs, hard drive, technicians, whacker, dippers, umbrellas, medicines, vitamins, house cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, door knob, garbage can, USB, tea kettle, fans, birthday parties, gifts, Christmas and New Year's parties, taxis, mosqito nets, glasses, cups, tools, paint, screens, light switches, pvc water leaks, repairs, fingernails, rebanding hair, school bags, gym shoes, dental, doctor check ups, lawyers, neighborhood patrols, and the list goes on above the basic normal monthly expenses. Things seem to not last here, they break easily. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJReyes Posted August 10, 2013 Posted August 10, 2013 But even any other month, with 2 teenagers, my costs are much more than 30,000. Today, Saturday, is safety training. Last Thursday was Filipino Day (rent a gown, new shoes, food dish, etc) Every year there are proms so rented gowns and new shoes. Both go to school in Bacolod so bus service is 2,000. Both need 2 new uniforms each year plus tuition and books. They are gone from 6 am to 7 pm so they need food allowances. Most weekends have special projects and materials. Then there are the incidentals like new keyboard, lost cell phone, light bulbs, hard drive, technicians, whacker, dippers, umbrellas, medicines, vitamins, house cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, door knob, garbage can, USB, tea kettle, fans, birthday parties, gifts, Christmas and New Year's parties, taxis, mosqito nets, glasses, cups, tools, paint, screens, light switches, pvc water leaks, repairs, fingernails, rebanding hair, school bags, gym shoes, dental, doctor check ups, lawyers, neighborhood patrols, and the list goes on above the basic normal monthly expenses. Things seem to not last here, they break easily. Wow! I am glad we raised two sons. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mike S Posted August 10, 2013 Popular Post Posted August 10, 2013 400 condoms (been here 6 months finally ran out ha ha) My god Tuk .... how do you find time to do anything else except ..... well you know ..... lets see at 400 raincoats divided by 180 days (give or take a few) .... that is 2.222 condoms (not to be confused with condos) per day .... no wonder you don't need internet ..... :mocking: :hystery: :hystery: ...... my :tiphat: off to you :cheersty: 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curley Posted August 10, 2013 Posted August 10, 2013 Hmmm, I HATE condoms, Ever thought about getting her on the pill or getting the snip? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tukaram (Tim) Posted August 10, 2013 Author Posted August 10, 2013 (edited) I'm a child of the 80's. We always had to use condoms.... just used to them, I guess. Somehow my budget revolves around condoms ha ha First time in 5 months I've bought any... should have left them off the list... youse guys.... :tiphat: Edited August 10, 2013 by Tuka Ram 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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