your monthly earnings: is it enough for your monthly needs ?

Philippines
August 27, 2009 12:15am CST
I am making about $300-$400 a month from two small businesses I am into. Apart from that, I earn more or less $100-$200 monthly online. but then I have to pay mothly internet subscription my son is in a private school (he's in his 2nd year in high scool) and I have to pay a monthly fee. I gas up my car once a month. i do my groceries once or twice in a month. i load up our (mine and my son's) mobile phnes with prepaid credits weekly. we eat out once in a while. there;s so much to pay for.........we could get by though. but somehow it is never enough. I am able to set aside a little something every month though, and still be able to pay for everything we need. I just feel I need more. I am soo tired of always watching the expenses."all the time"....... what i'm making may be too little for some, or just enough for others as well.... In the philippines, where me and my son are right now. it's already a decent amount of money, and cann afford us a decent life. if we have that money back in the U.S., it could never be enough for both of us and I can't send my son to a private school with that monehtly earnings... But then i still think it's not enough..... how much are you making? do you think it's enough?
4 people like this
51 responses
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
August can be technically said the month that I really started with all my online earning sites. True I have been a member for quite some time, but since I did not have a good internet connection I was not able to put much time into these earning sites. I am able to make one payout for $30, plus I am anticipating other payments by the first week of September. My monthly earnings is enough for my personal needs. That it.
1 person likes this
@jashoaf (296)
• United States
27 Aug 09
Anne, where do you write that you make money? I am trying to, but not having a lot of luck. I earn a little at Helium, but I need more....
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
yes they do...I got a notice that I have been paid with $53.20 but paypal took something and I only had $50.84 net... that's over $2 !!! the only earnings I don't get a cut from paypal are those small sites with small payouts and promises they we don't get chrged.
1 person likes this
@whyiswyh (170)
• Malaysia
27 Aug 09
patofgold...can I get the links that you made money with.Like you said earlier regarding the data entry and writing...Please introduce me to it as a referral.Thanks for replying.
• Indonesia
27 Aug 09
Hmm..I think even in Indonesia which is quite similar to the Philippines, it is hard to live your kind of life with USD 600. I mean, many of the people here even only earn less than USD 100/month, but they usually poor people who don't have permanent house. I think it is a very great thing for you to raise a son under that condition, nowadays school is crazily expensive, my niece pay tuition fee about USD 100-200/month, and she still in elementary school! I wonder how much I will pay for my children in the future. My current salary is above USD 700, it is enough for me to pay all my bills and I can save about 30-50% of that every month. Just remember patofgold, you must also teach your kids how to save money and only spend money to buy something that is really necessary. I hope your business and online earnings will grow vastly in the future! Amen!
1 person likes this
• Indonesia
27 Aug 09
Really? Cause my boss, which is from Phillipines said that living there is slightly expensive than Indonesia. For good private school you generally must paid that amount of money, if it is a international school, you must pay even more. Here the state school is cheaper than private, but the quality of private school is generally better..
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
from what you told me now, i think life here is less ecpensive than there soph! with the money i have, i can still afford to set aside a little money for the bank,. but hey, tahnks a lot for the advises and weel wishes! happy myLotting1
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
i don't think so... i'm not sure though..... i have never been to indonesia.. but so far i believe life here is easier... money could go a long way........ i have been to US and my money just flies by there... in HOngKong is the same thing.. here is the only p;ace i can get to keep most of my money. thats why i love it here.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
27 Aug 09
i only earn about 200 in a month from my regular job in the government. it could be more if i am the only one who will spend that money. but i have a family, 2 in college, 1 is going to be in high school next year, a pre-schooler and a 2-year old kid. we are renting a house, plus the electric bill and the water consumption. if payday comes, i don't feel happiness, because my salary will just slip from my hands.
1 person likes this
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
27 Aug 09
i also thought of just do business at home, offline and online. but i have no money to start with.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
i guess I was just working too hard when I was young and was able to set aside some money to jumpstart my small business... That savings I used, I kept in the bank for 14 years..... I have to make sure I get them all back...... it took me a long time to save that much money.
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
yeah i know..i used to work in a governement hospital too and they pay me ($12,500 - - salary plus benefits) i realized it wasn't worht it coz i spend for gasoline and lunch everyday. i am better off doing a little business and working form home coz I could limit my spending... i know we could never make do with what we're making.. somethings always come up.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
Hi there! I earn about $150 monthly online. I can say its enough. I just spend a part of my money into shopping, cell phone load, internet bill, food and my tithes. I get to deposit half of my earnings in my bank account.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
the money I earn online, if it's paid through paypal, I just keep it there.. it comes in handy when i want to purchase things online... that way, id ont have to touch my credit card. it's good you can make do with the $150.. i assume you don't have kids. if you have kids...it could never be enough.
1 person likes this
• India
27 Aug 09
yes my friend u r right our monthly income is not enough for monthly needs . we are facing many problem relate to the income
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
where i live, and since we are in the rural... it is already a decent amount of cash..and can allow me to do a lot of things. people may even envy what I make. thay have no idea how much iu have to limit my spending just to get evverything we want and neeed. i dont want to limit ourselves on the things we only need.. I have a son and there are things teen-agers want.. i wont take that away from him... so, i wanna earn more then
@jombbi (104)
• India
1 Sep 09
u know the best way to make enough money for a month is to do the reverse calculation and with the least values. Another thing is more u put in faster u get it out and better. so just follow the simple stats and u'll be making money in no time.
• Philippines
9 Sep 09
what I am earning is never enough. I am trying making money online and hoping this will owrk for me... wish me luck patofgold23
1 person likes this
• Philippines
9 Sep 09
i wish you luck on your money-making ventures amilet!!!
@balasri (26537)
• India
28 Aug 09
It is suffiecient for my mionthly expenses now.But I could help with a little more to save for the future.
@balasri (26537)
• India
28 Aug 09
It is for my only princess in my case.
• Philippines
28 Aug 09
hi there balas! yes it would alwayd=s be wise to set aide something for the future. you see, we're not always living in the present..we have to look forward too. we can't just take each day as it comes. it is good to do that, but you might get caught off-guard if you don't come in prepared. i make it a point to have savings ... at least not for me, but for my son.
• Philippines
28 Aug 09
she is one lucky princess!happy myLotting to you bala!
• United States
28 Aug 09
I think if you are earning that much in the Philippines, then you are doing excellent. I the United States, you could not pay rent on that much, and then there is the utility bills. Food has gone higher, which is one reason that we try to home can everything that we can, anyway. Gas has gone up and down in the past several weeks, we never know what it's going to be the next day, so we try to get gas, while the price is low. Private school would be out of the question in the US on that type of money. It sounds like you are doing an excellent job, and making it very well in the Philippines. I have a fried there, that is having a rough go of it though, and not doing quite as well as you are.
• United States
28 Aug 09
If you are needing extra help on things, then you may want to try http://aidpage.com/shirleybill Now, i know that is against the rules, to post a link, but it is, within the same means that we are dicussing, so i am assuming that it is alright. Anyway, aidpage is a place to go to, if you need help, or advice, or any number of things.
• Philippines
28 Aug 09
hi shirley..i did check the site you told me about...and read around. But i bookmarked it so I can go back and read more and figure out how to start. it sounds like a good site..just a few members use foul language though..but it might be worth the try...i am hopeful.thank you so much for sharing, and trying to help me. I will look into it and hopefully might help... thanks a lot,happy myLotting!
• Philippines
28 Aug 09
yea i know..that money is a little okay here...not really really that much though.. it could get us by though........ but with all the bills and expenses and school fees... it's so hard to keep up!!!! my son is growing up fast!
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
27 Aug 09
I am also in bad shape and it has taught me a bitter lesson not to be extravagant as I used to before when times are real good. I now need to tighten my belt for survival sake. I end up being a miser now and would not spend unnecessarily. I am running a lounge but of late have been seeing red as the current bad economic situation has prevented customers from socializing and spending money. Luckily I have few units of houses for rent which is my only source of income now that is stable.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
I agree, that's very stable... that's where half of my regular income comes from. It doesn't cause me to worry much coz they pay on time. the rest of my income fluctuates and that causes me to worry. so I always keep a list of the expenses and make sure I don't go overboard.. still, i make sure i could take my son out once in a while and buy him good stuff.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Aug 09
In the UK £279 a week (US$440) a week is the official poverty line for a family of four. Anything under this deemed to be poverty. The UK has one of the highest percentages of people living in poverty in the European Union. That said, nobody starves or goes without medical help (officially). My wife is the only income in this house and she makes somewhat more than the £279 a week. We own our home and cannot be said to be living in poverty therefore.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Aug 09
Basmati Rice is about $6 a pound here. How does that compare?
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
$440 a week is already a lot if you live here.....that can feed a small familr for a month already, but it's not like it's really really much. cost of living must be very high there huh? oh my,,,im glad life's not that expensive here.... i complain and complain... yet the truth is, we cold get by... i just don't feel satisfied with things though.. too much we want, too much we need...
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
we buy rice here by the kilo... (im not so sure about conversionof kilo to pounds,,i hate to do the math).. but i guess it's 1 kilo = 2.2 pounds please correct me if im wrong .. that;s as far as i can remember... we pay about 30 pesos a kilo... thats like $0.60
@daliaj (5674)
• India
27 Aug 09
Do you earn 100 to 200 dollars by working online? I can't believe that. I put nearly two or three hours for working online and I hardly earn 10 dollars per month. What are the good money making websites from which you can earn online? Can you please send a private message to me regarding this. I am surprised.
1 person likes this
@sanju9t (146)
• India
27 Aug 09
i am making $200 to $ 300 a month from my office and other source. in this i am very satisfied with my earnings.as i am living out of my home town. living alone. so this is the satisfactory earning for my self. i go for shopping once in a month. my mobile i have to load twice in a month it cost up to $30 but i want to earn more n more
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
who doesn't? i guess we would never be satisfied with all the money we're making. For me, I want to earn more because I have a kid. plus things are getting more expensive to buy! it's hard to keep up!
1 person likes this
@master101 (223)
• Indonesia
27 Aug 09
Thank u for honest sharing. Yes you are right, there were never enough when it comes to money. The more we earn, the more we spend it onto something that previously out of reach. It started from human nature, I guess, where we always seems to never stop needing. We see something new, we feel that we need it. We see new car, we wanted it. New camera, we wanted it. New laptop, we have to have it. U tell me, we never earn enough to have all that we want. Now i wonder, is the richest finally get all that they want? Or this is just the "disease" from middle class worker like us.
• Indonesia
28 Aug 09
It's not a disease, it's called human nature :) People never satisfied with whatever they have right now, they always want something and better. I think even the rich ones also feeling something inside or taking every gold opprtunity that came across their eyes:)
• Philippines
28 Aug 09
maybe it is soph. peolecould never have enough.and when they do get what they want, they now want something more, somthing else... it doesn't stop... no matter how rich a person get,he would always want soemthing more. they would invest their money so they could get more money! is money that addicting? i guess
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
you're right.. even the rich people would always feel it's not enough.. and would always want more.. it's some kind of disease, that is......... but i can't help it, can't help wanting more money.. i people to feed! whew! so frustrating!
@tintukm (1102)
• India
27 Aug 09
Well in my case i am just making money to pay out my internet connection's bill,would like to do more well i hope i get enough time and you too to pay up your monthly bills of so many of your duties.
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
I am glad you have not much things to worry about tint!! that must feel so great.. how i wish i have a stress-free life like you do... unfortunately I am still half-way where I am and there is so much that needs to be done before i can get out of this financial constraint. we're okay though, it's not really that bad... but I don't wanna settle for this.
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
those are such wonderful and inspirirng words to say tint! I would say you know a lot about life. I would definitely keep the determintation as I have my son who is dpending on me. I may feel a llittle discouraged at times. But there is not much choice but to get up and do what we need to.
@tintukm (1102)
• India
27 Aug 09
I would like you to be constantly determined on your intentions of hard earned money.This sort of goal decides ,if anyone has would have already kept the motto and desires in life then hard ships are fought very well.Keep the determination for the heights of glory.Happy myLotting.
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
27 Aug 09
hi patofgold, i do have less income monthly i think 130 dollars,that covers our expenses for a month,my sons are elder and they are earning their money,but still i wish increase my income through internet up to 200 dollars extra than my regular income,i will try for that,have a nice day
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
30 Aug 09
hi patofgold, thanks for the comment on my response,once again i will see your profile and blog and then contact you for further information,have a nice day
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
okay yuga..i'll be in touch too.. happy mylotting!
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
30 Aug 09
hi patofgold, thanks i am on the way to contact you soon,have a nice day
@djonghs (560)
• Indonesia
27 Aug 09
Thanks God, I have make abundant amount of money each month from as a salaryman, but hey, I have a home mortgate and bank loan to pay....but I still manage to save arround 24% of it. I still feel short of money, as people say the more you get the more you spend. I'm going to get myself a SLR digicam and start learning how to shoot and make extra income from selling the pictures. By the way, I do writing (but not that good). If there any chance you could tell me where you post you writing and earn the cash. Just PM me.... Thanks a lot, and keep up a spirit. BR.b
@djonghs (560)
• Indonesia
27 Aug 09
Yeah, monthly expense keep increase from time to time.... My little daughter just get into K1, and give me more bills to pay.... I must spend around 100$ for the tuition and her other expenses. I just tell myself, I need to earn more to keep up with coming expenses... Good luck to you..... BR.b
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
hi djhongs.... it's good you earn a decent amount of money to even plan to get a digicam.. i mean, i have everything i need, I have worked my way up for a long time.. there's no big purchase i am planning for the meantime coz I am happy with what i have so far. it's just the monthly expenses that pulls me dwn... i do want to set aside some money too...hopfully lots of it...... for something really big--- i need a jjmpstart on one of my short-term (could be long-term) plans.
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
ugh I kow exactly how that feel djonghs!!!my son't in private school...oh boy.. the expenses are non-stop... but we all want outr kids to go to good school, ans we have to find every way there is too kep them there.......
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
27 Aug 09
Are you taking full advantage of your tax breaks? Are they the same in the Philippines as in Canada or the US. I imagine they are slightly different, but it could help come tax time. Right now between me and my girlfriend and all we do together we bring in about 2300 a month, and we are having trouble making everything meet up. We have just watched the Secret, and we both are implementing the concepts of the Law of Attraction. Things have turned around already. Anyways. What two small businesses are you involved in, perhaps I could help you in some way?
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
28 Aug 09
I hear you. I am wanting to buy my first home and do a few other things. If you use the internet to make money though, can you not deduct it as a small business expense? Like your internet/phone/part of your power and stuff like that? If I was in your position I would consult a tax accountant.
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
yea..i do count them as expenses..even if the internet connection is the same connection my son uses in his room for his projects and homeworks.... i do have a friend/relative that helps me with my annual filing of income tax... I don't have much problems on that part.... the bigger problem is the income flow..........
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
hello CJ!!! I do have a tax deduction since I have one son... that is a big help for me... the two businesses I am into: one is a building rental...it's just a very small building though - - - don't imagine a big guilding like most businessess have...it's a very small underdeveloped place, and someone rented it to hold bible studies on sundays.and during the week, they use it as classrooms for the kids of those who belong to their church.. they spent for the renovation, which is not that much, coz they didnt have the budget too. but at least it saved me from capitalizing so much on the place. that gives me a steady monthly income which is not really so much but could helpp in the bills and the school fees. on top of that, I am selling local prepaid load, and mobile phone cards and mobile phone units, and have earned regular customers from that since prepaid load are bought on a regular basis... my earnings from this fluctuate though. Most of my earnings online come from my writing jobs, about 90% of it. The rest, are from sites like myLot, trekpay, neobux, clixsense....etc... they all add up anyway..... i have a son and money is always a cause of concern for me.. i want to be able to set aside some money every moneth since i am saving up for something big... i needed a jumpstart for one of my plans.. i do manage to save..but just not enough still... so frustrating cj!
• Indonesia
29 Aug 09
hi patofgold You are AMAZING! How can you get that amount of money? Please teach me! I only make some cents compared to you in a month. How do you do that and how to do data entry job? You live in Philippines and I heard we need to verify our phone number before doing data entry job, is it true? Well, I'm a college student start from 3 days ago and just finished my orientation period. I only make small amount of money on the net, but since I don't have anything to be purchased, it's enough for me to do hair treatment every month But still I wanna know how to make that much in one month.. That's great patofgold, some dollars are decent amount of money here in Asia. Since you have many things to be earned, I understand if it's still not enough. I hope you can get better earning from the internet! Good luck
• Indonesia
29 Aug 09
Thanks for your comment patofgold! I have just checked your blog and bookmark it! I will read it carefully this night. Oh, and that's such a good blog! Keep up your good work Hope we all can get better earning online!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
Thanks a lot Chrys.... it's open to comments and emaills... everything goes straight to my personal emaill ..so i cn get back to questions right away... happy mylotting to you!
@kitty42 (3923)
• United States
27 Aug 09
Hello my friend Well it sounds to me you are great at budgeting and that is something I can't do , right now I am not working but when I was I made really good money a week which was enough for me to do what needed to be done, I live in NYC things are expensive here I managed to get by, once I get back I should be able to make a decent living again only this time I will budget so I can save and actually see my money.
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
i bet things are expensive there...I haven't been there though.. I did get to visit NV and CA the past months........ I thought I had enough. i used up all my cash in a week..the rest of my 3 weeks stay there was all credit cards. you could imagine the bills im paying right now... must be more expennsive in NY.......... oh boy.........
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
hey kitty...your daughter won't turn out to be the woman and mother she is right now if not for you... you are a wonderful person and sounds like you passed it on to her...
@kitty42 (3923)
• United States
27 Aug 09
Hello my friend Yes it really is to expensive if you ask me, guess you just deal with it and hope for the best right? My daughter is so cute she works so hard for her and my grandson she don't let nothing get her down if she sees something she wants if she can't afford it she holds her money till she gets enough then its hers, I am really proud of the woman my daughter has become even I can learn a thing or two from her
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
I think the money that i am earning per month is enough for me..If it's only me but I am living with my parents and I help them with the daily expenses in our house..So, the money is not enough..Actually,that money is not considered as an earning because it is my monthly allowance given by the school that i am studying..I am very lucky because i have a free tuition fee(which is more than $1000 per semester)..I really would want to earn money online but then I don't the sites that are reliable that can give me a good amount of money..I just started here in mylot so i haven't experience earning online..
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
you sound like a good daughter twilight! i bet your parents a re soooooo proud of you.. with that energy and determination... you will go a long way! I'll keep my fingers croosed for you dear! I have been there..so i can feel you. take care and keep up being nice! happy myLotting!
• Philippines
27 Aug 09
I am really thankful to God because i was able to save my parents money for my tuition fees..I will visit your profile as soon as i post this comment..Thanks very much for your help..I hope to earn extra income online..I really want to help my family because I don't want to see them work very hard..Thanks again!!