Living Costs in the Philippines

[Smiley]

Safety and Security are important.Some people are safe in most situations while others just seem to walk around with a big target on their backs. Early in life I learned to listen to the back of my neck.This has served me very well over the years.
There is a common sense approach as well. I kinda stand out when I`m in the Philippines,especially when in areas that dont have a lot of kanos. I`m over 6'3". Hard for me to be anonymous.I have people that I know in Davao,Bukindon, and CDO.
From what I gather I would do well in those places.For some reason,CDO appeals to me just a little more.Cebu was nice,so was Leyte, and most of the areas I saw.
I don`t think that I have any business in Zamboanga,for someone that looks like me to be wandering around there alone is begging for attention.I`m not a wealthy guy so buying my way out of a bad situation could be impossible.Sometimes the best way to not be in trouble is to just stay clear of it.

[red]

Stay away from Lanao areas dangerous for someone like you. Good place to stay is Bukidnon. But you may not like the black outs. he he If you have some stuff to buy that you won't find in Bukidnon you may go to Cagayan de Oro and that is how we do shopping in CDO once in awhile.

[Edwin]

The brownouts/blackouts really wouldn't bother me. We lived in a place for 10 years that had a hydro plant on a very small creek, with the creek falling down a steep hill. For the most part it was workable, but they had 3 huge diesel generators for when the creek failed or got plugged with sticks, twigs, and mud, or snow. In those cases we would quickly get power again after having it fail. If they had problems with some of the generators, as we did have on occasion, the electricity would not be as reliable. Where we lived there were many big old trees, and we were continually having lightening storms that would drop a tree on the power lines, and then the power could be down for hours or days, usually only hours, and we would light candles all through the house as well as going to bed early. When we were near Dumaguete we would lose power a couple or 3 times a day. It might be mid morning, mid afternoon, and often just before bed time. Power on and off is really hard on electrical/electronic equipment. But when the power goes out often you get so that you live with it. Our power here has been really reliable. Only a couple of times has the power gone out and that happened to be in the dead of winter. Our pellet stove quit burning because it depends on electricity to keep it going. The house got really cold at that time. We have since installed a wood kitchen cookstove, so as long as we have wood we can keep the house from getting too cold, even without electricity. Yes, Bukidnon sounds like a wonderful place to live.

[Smiley]

My friend has a great set up there. They built a beautiful house set that they can rent out 3 hotel rooms. He bought land to add to his inlaws tiny farm to increase their level of prosperity.He has always been a hard working resposible guy. His Mother and Father inlaw are also hard working. The others in the family are driving him nuts.They refuse to work, he bought them seed and plants for the garden...they didn`t get planted. bought them fruit trees.....they didn`t get planted. Instead they go to him and ask for stuff. When he asks them why they don`t help themselves they smile,shrug and say "but you are rich". He has even threatened to move to another area.Over the years he has repeatedly tried to help them start little businesses but somehow the money disappears and the venture never gets off the ground.
It`s a shame because they have put so much work into that spot over the years and it is so nice

[red]

That is what I don't like about some Filipinos mentality about foreigners they think all foreigners are rich. Some of them are struggling too.

[warecal]

One can spend as much as they want depending on the wish for a lifestyle. If, however you want to live a simple life, here are some basics I have found from three visits to the largest cities and taken from books I read. The average family household income is 12K/year. A meal (anywhere but McDonalds) costs between 1-2 dollars (1/4 of what it costs here). A liter of gasoline costs MORE there because 90% of vehicles are taxis, jeepneys, and tricycles. Only the rich and Americans waste money owning a car. Driving there is like driving in the worst traffic jams you've ever experienced X 3. If you are planning on retirement, or moving there and living simple, you can do so with numbers similar to what I have posted. I love all three cities I went to: Manila, Cebu, Davao. Whoever told you the costs were about the same as here went there and spent a lot more than necessary; or I say 'splurged' Anyone can live on champagne and caviar and waste money. But, to live healthy, simple, and happy, you can maintain all these comfortably on about $1,000/month provided you have a small nest egg to purchase a place (not in the city) for about 10-20K. From there, it's all up to you. Good luck in your quest and prepare to allow God to guide you. There are scams everywhere, but the overall people are simple, sweet, and trying to make a living with their family.

[crisipicada]

My friend has a great set up there. They built a beautiful house set that they can rent out 3 hotel rooms. He bought land to add to his inlaws tiny farm to increase their level of prosperity.He has always been a hard working resposible guy. His Mother and Father inlaw are also hard working. The others in the family are driving him nuts.They refuse to work, he bought them seed and plants for the garden...they didn`t get planted. bought them fruit trees.....they didn`t get planted. Instead they go to him and ask for stuff. When he asks them why they don`t help themselves they smile,shrug and say "but you are rich". He has even threatened to move to another area.Over the years he has repeatedly tried to help them start little businesses but somehow the money disappears and the venture never gets off the ground.
It`s a shame because they have put so much work into that spot over the years and it is so nice

I believe that it is the upbringing of the parents why children acted that way. If their parents motivate them and be a good example they wanted to be to inculcate in their minds - like, to be responsible, independent and to work and learn to earn money, then I believe that they would have a greater appreciation of the help extended to them. And the privilege of helping them financially and make the money grow. So, it is good to always reminded and need wisdom and knowledge to be a good steward.

[Edwin]

Crisi, you are correct in that being a good steward brings its rewards. I think what you do with your money means more than how much money you have. There is no pleasure in being wasteful. It is nice to have enough, and some for a rainy day, but it is good to make good use of what you have also. God does not want any of us to squander what He has given us. It actually feels really good to work hard to make all the money come out to meet the needs and realize that God has helped you to figure out how to make everything work out for God's glory. There is a song that I play on the piano every so often as it is in many of the song/hymn books that I play out of. It is: "Little Is Much When God Is In It." We don't have to have a lot or be rich to glorify God. We just need to seek to please Him with the way we live. We don't have to live in a castle to be happy, although Carol has always been fascinated with castles, and she would love to live in one!

[Smiley]

I believe that it is the upbringing of the parents why children acted that way. If their parents motivate them and be a good example they wanted to be to inculcate in their minds - like, to be responsible, independent and to work and learn to earn money, then I believe that they would have a greater appreciation of the help extended to them. And the privilege of helping them financially and make the money grow. So, it is good to always reminded and need wisdom and knowledge to be a good steward

I`m inclined to agree with you. The family had a lot of relatives show up thinking that life was going to be a party and some dumb Kano was going to foot the bill forever. They picked the wrong guy. He`s generous and fair ,but not a sucker. Nobody likes to be treated like that.

[Edwin]

There are many generous and loving people in the world, who will literally give the shirts off their backs to help other people. Anyone helping wants to feel like the people they are helping are trying to help themselves. It is discouraging for the ones helping if the people being helped use that help to allow them to do nothing, or cultivate bad habits. My friends have been hiring their relative in the Philippines to first build their house, and then to continue to work for them, improving the place as well as keeping it safe. What they give them is not a lot out of their pockets, but it really helps those families in the Philippines to be able to have enough to help them with their daily needs.