The Cost Of Living

[stevewool]

Has your cost of living gone up since you have been there,

Ok on the first day of landing there you have your budget to stick too, and after so many months you are managing quite well, then your costs start to rise, do you still manage, or has you income risen too, and if it has not are you still happy being there ,

We all have to budget to live the way we want but how far does your budget have to fall till you think O HECK I BETTER GET ANOTHER INCOME OR MOVE

[Jake]

Has your cost of living gone up since you have been there,

Ok on the first day of landing there you have your budget to stick too, and after so many months you are managing quite well, then your costs start to rise, do you still manage, or has you income risen too, and if it has not are you still happy being there ,

We all have to budget to live the way we want but how far does your budget have to fall till you think O HECK I BETTER GET ANOTHER INCOME OR MOVE

Hello Steve,

 

I believe it's not just the monthly income versus the monthly expenditures.  You also need to factor in the happy factor.  You can make double the current amount but what good does that do, when you're pissin' up wind all the time.  

 

As far as the realistic amount for me, I still think a minimum of $1800 should keep me above water, provided the inflation is kept in check.  As you may know, we also need emergency funds to relocate to another island.  Or go back home and possibly face a more financial burden there.  

 

Respectfully -- Jake

[scott h]

Has your cost of living gone up since you have been there,

 

Sorry Steve, this one is a bit ambiguous and needs to be refined a bit.

 

then your costs start to rise,

 

What are the reasons?

 

1. Inflation?

2. spousal family pressures?

3. spending habits?

4. partying like a kid on spring break?

 

For me it is a resounding "NO" overall. My examples are for the some of the simple things: Our morning pan de sal is still 40 pesos for a sack. Hair cut has risen a whole 10 pesos in 18 years (but my barber improved his shop and is totally airconned now and its worth it for me) Jeepney ride is still 8 pesos.

[chris49]

Has your cost of living gone up since you have been there,

Ok on the first day of landing there you have your budget to stick too, and after so many months you are managing quite well, then your costs start to rise, do you still manage, or has you income risen too, and if it has not are you still happy being there ,

We all have to budget to live the way we want but how far does your budget have to fall till you think O HECK I BETTER GET ANOTHER INCOME OR MOVE

 

None of the above Steve.

 

I paid rent for a few years, but have paid no rent in 5-6 years.

 

I have paid electric bills up to 6000/month. Currently paying 400-600.

 

We do go a little bit over budget and per house rules we may tough it out last few days of the month, up to a week. But we have our savings too.

 

Another income will not suddenly appear. I had myself on 100k/month when I first arrived, but I spent a lot of that on golf, nights out. My money went down a bit so we now live on 50k, save 10k or so. Wife has her kids allowance off SS, so she is free to spend that or if we have projects she will participate.

 

Money is not the issue here, although it is a tremendous relief to have the pension appear in the bank exactly on time, even if on the weekend.

 

Cost of living will rise. And simple things like potatoes will go out of season or become extremely expensive. For me that is not the issue. My issue would be to keep yourself and the partner on the same page and we have had a few talks. As long as you and her are in agreement, the cost of things matters less.

[chris49]

On the haircut, which is an interesting COL comparison.

 

I think I paid 150 or even 200 in a salon plus tip. But it was not satisfactory, more of a styling which I did not need.

 

I have paid as little as 35 pesos. Or the standard 50-60 pesos which applies in men's barbershops across the country. Haircut includes shaving the neck and side burns. A head and forehead massage with alcohol and a good strong neck and shoulder massage, which ensures the full 100 is paid with no change expected. That is worth up to $20. In Australia in the Mall with 5-6 chairs running, they charge up to $27.50 for a 10 minute cut with no extras.

 

Rides on local jeepney's, buses or the LRT/MRT. Jeepney's 8 pesos, buses, 10-15-20, maximum 40 pesos for a long ride in the Metro area, LRT/MRT 20-25.

 

So no it is not an issue.

 

How much are beers now? They were 19-20 pesos, 10 years ago. Shop price is now 26-27, price in a bar 35 or maybe 50, depends on the joint. So again, no issue at all.

[MacBubba]

For me that is not the issue. My issue would be to keep yourself and the partner on the same page and we have had a few talks. As long as you and her are in agreement, the cost of things matters less.

 

I certainly hope you're right.  My wife holds the book and tells me what page we're on.  It has worked for us in Canada for the last 25 years. 

 

When I retire and we move, I will be getting a pension, but she has quite a wait for hers.  So since we put the plan to retire there in motion, she's been doing the math, so I haven't had to ask questions about the cost of living.  That's her area.

[scott h]

On the haircut, which is an interesting COL comparison.

 

To steal steve's thread Chris, when asked by friends and family about life here, I always use the Haircut example, not all of us eat, drink or have the same habits, but that vast, vast majority get a haircut every so often.

 

Oh, I forgot, I also throw in the 40 peso straight razor shave. In the states, IF you can find a place to do it, cost like 25-50 USD.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I do have some over budget months - I am still alive and like to enjoy myself....  but overall my expenses have gone down.  Been here almost 3 years and I seem to be learning to live with less.  Expenses go down, happiness goes up - go figure  :tiphat:

[scott h]

Expenses go down, happiness goes up - go figure

 

Called "practice makes perfect" Tim, as we get used to things and the way they work its easier :thumbsup:

[bows00]

Hey guys, with the King US dollar at $45P, life must be good!

But seriously, I do agree with most of you, no matter how much money you have, you will always be lacking if you don't have that one thing..."CONTENTMENT" - by definition, it is an inner satisfaction, the feeling that you are happy right where you are and you don't have the need for bigger/better things...

Cannot wait to get there... 2 years and counting...