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Tourist Info -
Things To Do
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Wednesday, 26 November 2008 15:52 |
This article is intended for couples with no children under their expense, and with a paid-up health insurance coverage. Children, particularly those still in school, can easily skew the cost estimates. Health insurance also plays a very big role in the financial freedom of a couple on a limited budget.
The current (November 2008) exchange rate is almost Php50:US$1, it was at Php43:US$1 a few months ago. Prices jack up during Christmas season so for purposes of easy computation, let's assume an exhange rate of Php45:US$1. If the exchange rate moves beyond Php50:US1, you'll actually be able to get more pesos and therefore buy even more when you move here.
The cost of living in the Philippines is considerably cheaper than in most major American and/or European cities. The combined monthly take-home salary of a newly married couple who are both working in the central business district of Makati after taxes and social security is normally around Php35k or US$780 only. If they can live on that, so can you.
Let's list down your monthly recurring basic expenses and see how it fits in with the budget.
| Item |
Description |
Php |
US$ |
| Housing |
I'd put down Php10k for your average 40 square meter 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment. It's probably twice that if you get a semi-furnished house. Sure there are plenty of beautiful houses available at more than 10 times that, but do you really need your 5 bedroom 3 bathroom house with pool? I'd recommend renting because you'll probably want to transfer cities every now and then. Each city has it's own sights, culture and cullinary specialties. Come to think of it, you might even want to move every few months -- nothing beats Cebu for the string of festivals in January, stay in the beaches of Boracay from February to May, move to Dumaguete from June to October for non-stop world-class scuba diving with their great weather even during the rainy season, then chill in the mountains of Baguio/Sagada for November and December. |
10,000 |
222 |
| Water/Power |
Php3000 takes care of your basic A/C, microwave, fridge, TV, DVD player (everybody has one), fans, lights, computer. |
2,500 |
56 |
| Cable TV |
There's a cabe TV company that uses satellite dishes for those in the mountains and other far flung areas, but most cities have cable TV companies under Php900 a month. |
1,000 |
22 |
| Internet |
Phone companies are now bundling DSL with their landline services for under Php1000 a month. |
1,000 |
22 |
| Mobile Phones |
You'll each need a mobile phone in the Philipines, after all, we're the SMS capital of the world! One phone company offers Php5 (US$0.09) per minute calls to the USA, Canada, Australia, etc. |
1,000 |
22 |
| Food |
For comparison purposes, a McDonalds Quarter Pounder meal costs around Php100. If each of you ate this 3 times a day for 30 days, that would be Php18k. There's a wide variety of food choices here, lots of "karinderias" or your mom-and-pop restaurants, small dinners, and home-cooking will stretch your budget even more. |
18,000 |
400 |
| Maid |
You'll want a maid to cook, clean the house, wash the clothes, and even go to market for you. Here's an idea, if you want Italian cuisine, send the maid to an Italian cooking school! This might set you back Php20k, but I'm thinking it just might be worth it, plus you get to help the maid upgrade her skills for her personal growth. You don't want them getting too tired for that kind of salary? Hire 2 so they can watch their favorite soaps together. |
2,500 |
56 |
| Sundry |
Every house has unexpected expenses, new drapes, repair a leaky faucet, paint the fence, buy a new plant. Let's set Php4k for those small items. |
4,000 |
88 |
| TOTAL |
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40,000 |
888 |
If we're working with Php67500 (US$1500), there's still Php27000 (US$600) left over for travel, clothes, entertainment, and other vices.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 27 November 2008 10:59 |
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Read more... [Retire in the Philippines for less than US$1500 a Month]
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Tourist Info -
Things To Do
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Thursday, 18 September 2008 15:33 |
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This section will contain articles like: - Things to do
- Places to go
- Dining Options
- Accomodations
- How to get here
- Travel Advisory
- Annual Events
- Emergency Info
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Last Updated on Monday, 22 September 2008 11:59 |
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Tourist Info 
A great man once said, "Be a lotus." Which means, no matter how ugly, how evil, and how sinful everyone around you might become, do not allow yourself to be stained. A lotus remains beautiful even as it lingers in the filthy waters of the pond. Don't be contaminated, do not be influenced by worthless means, remain radiant among the shadows of darkness. Be a lotus. It has to start with one, to fill the pond with more.
Boating on the serenity of Sampalok Lake amidst the backdrop of mountains and trees along the surrounding ridge is now available thanks to these. At Php50 per head for a 15 minute ride, these offer a great way to release your stress and you get to do some excercise as well. The two-seater craft provides ample space to bring along your bottled water and some fresh fruits or snacks, just remember not to throw your garbage into the lake!
