Everything is so expensive

@ddaguno (3107)
Philippines
December 4, 2011 6:36am CST
The last time I went home, I spent a lot of money in "pasalubong" (take home gifts) alone. this time I told my relatives that I'll only bring home chocolates for everyone so they shouldn't expect to receive gifts like the last time. Yesterday, I have packed the chocolates for the kids. It doesnt seem much now that they are individually packed but it will just have to do since I have already exceeded my budget. Even chocolates are already extremely expensive. Especially if one is buying for such a big family as mine. I have packed chocolates for 15 kids. Now I need chocolates for 13 more cousins (teen-agers) and 14 adults (aunts and uncles). Everything is so expensive! I thought I'll save money by just buying chocolates but i think I was wrong.
1 person likes this
17 responses
• Philippines
4 Dec 11
hi ddaguno, That is true everything is expensive today I don't even start buying gifts now because I don't have a budget yet happy mylotting
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
What?! Hasn't the 13th month payment come yet?! What's your company? Let's sue them
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
nyahaha!well I can't sue myself maybe I can sue mom for not giving my Christmas bonus yet
1 person likes this
• India
4 Dec 11
Everything is getting so expensive these days. The taxes are so high that one cannot even take his family to a dinner, they will add up taxes double the cost of bill. It can be due to the recession which covered the whole world due to USA.
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
4 Dec 11
There are supposedly no taxes here in the UAE but I think thay have automatically added these charges to the amount of the items just so they can say that no taxes have been charged
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
4 Dec 11
Darapmonsta, how is the USA responsible for the financial problems that you people are having in India? Please explain.
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
Hi sid556, I don't think Darapmonsta is blaming the US. He's probably just saying that the US is a big factor in everybody else's economy. In the Phil, we get a lot of jobs from the US, so if the US is in recession then we are in recession too.
@nishdan01 (3051)
• Singapore
5 Dec 11
It is all part of economic downturn and the turbulence. Plus 30% tax is something very high. Unless something is done there, things will continue to be expensive. You should have tried something else. Bake a cake. Pack into pieces and add to it some candies for kids. Home made gift sets can also help yu to cut cost. Look for soem innovative ideas on the web.
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
6 Dec 11
That would be a great idea if I knew how to bake I only buy those ready mix stuff from the grocery but you are right! home made stuff really helps you save.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
4 Dec 11
Ok... please dont forget to get me one... please. I know, my place doesnt fall on your way back to home but I made my request. and you can include me with the list of kids Quite true. Everything these days gets expensive not only here but the world around. And specially when it comes to buying gifts, many a times we have to compromise. But at end, I am happy that you are returning back home with some chocolates for all - a gift though smaller, but I am sure, there are still people around who dont weigh gifts by money...
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
Of course Dear, I have tied a bag of chocolates to a dove's foot. I hope it reaches you. Ooops... I forgot to whisper your address I asked my Mom to broadcast that I wont be bringing home anything, that way they won't get disappointed. I hope this year the saying that 'it's the thought that counts' still applies
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
5 Dec 11
I hope this year the saying that 'it's the thought that counts' still applies -amen
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
It's true. Everything really seems to be so expensive nowadays. It must be due to the global economic crisis that we are experiencing today. Maybe, the best thing for us to do is to think first and think well before we realize that we were buying much that won't be able to fit in our budget.
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
6 Dec 11
at least my spendings last month fit mine. but when it comes to giving time im afraid that some wont get any. but I cant spend beyond my limit. as you said we really have to think about it first
@chrisding (141)
• China
5 Dec 11
Have a nice day.Yes,everything is so expensive now.When i come to supermarket.I look on the milk,the price is RMB9.00,god,last time the price is 7.0?The increase rate is around 29%?This siuation will let me know that i will earn more money to buy what i want to.
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
6 Dec 11
RMB is Malaysian currency right? I believe 1 RMB is almost equivalent to 1 AED. But we only get milk for 4 AED. Milk there is definitely expensive
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
Actually, everything is already so expensive these days specially with the coming holidays. And those coming home for the holidays will be surprised at how much it will cost their pasalubongs. It's expected of them specially when they are coming from afar. Much as we would like to give nice gifts, now i just have to give to my 3 small nieces and of course our daughter, since Christmas is her birthday too. She may be a lady now, but my husband and i still want her to feel her birthday and Christmas, so we each would give two gifts for each on Christmas.
@thatgirl13 (7294)
• South Korea
5 Dec 11
i know exactly how you feel. it might look like there's nothing if packed just for an individual but coz we have to buy for so many people, we have spent a lot on those gifts. the last time i was away on vacation, i spent so much on gifts for my friends and family but it felt so little when i handed to them individually.. and yes the prices of things have skyrocketted
• Philippines
4 Dec 11
Hi ddaguno, Everything's really expensive nowadays. That's the harsh reality. During the American Occupation, $1 was equal to 1 Philippine peso. There's so many changes in the world's economy. The rich is getting richer. The poor is getting poorer. That's why we need to earn money in any good way such as here online. So we all need to help each other. Seasons greetings. Hope you have a Happy Christmas 2011. -francismalz
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
Yep, and during Marcos' regime it was 2 pesos to a dollar. but people clamored for change so it was given to them but now that the economy is bad people are now wishing that Marcos is back. Well, enough of the politics. It's Christmas! We'll just have to be thankful for what we have and work harder so we can get what we want Merry Christmas to you francismalz
@fantabulus (4000)
• India
10 Dec 11
Yes everything is more expensive and not understand how can manage our budget. Small child cloths are also costly near 1000rs. one jeans. No dont purchase chocolates some saving also necessary.
@wulania (1524)
• Indonesia
4 Dec 11
it is easier to wast money than to make a penny. lol
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
it's so true! the salary that you receive for a month's work can be spent in just one day
@Aja103654 (5646)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
I know this situation, I've experienced that hopeless feeling we get when we want to buy something for our friends and family but the items they sell are too expensive. I ended up buying something cheaper to have something to give to everyone and to fit it within my budget.
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
Everything is expensive because of the fact that we have problems in our economy. I think it would be the best idea of not buying too much for the things that are not needed. If giving present for your family will make you happy and not in big trouble, then buy it for them. but better to let them understand that it is so hard to make money easily :)
@dilrajj57 (1757)
• Pakistan
9 Feb 12
Hi friend, how are you? hope you fine and happy, Everywhere is so expensive in every country, you in Dubai now? I hope there you will be able to run your home if you in dubai.
@ritika02 (214)
• India
5 Dec 11
You are right, everything is going expensive day by day, I also think on it, Whenever I go market, I leave many things to buy because of tight budget. and also think about earning as to earn double than today is necessary now because Only basic needs we could arrange in these days which are not enough for happy life Ritika
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
good day to you, as i have noticed, every thing now a days are really expensive. especially here in the country where i am residing. all prices here are taxable. in effect, you will pay a higher amount. previously when i was in the situation where i am also buying some stuffs called as "pasalubong" i used to buy those things which is under the promo. so i can able to buy a sort of buy one take one or i can take at least a small discount. having two goods in a price of one or discounted. otherwise, i will end up having over budget.
• Indonesia
5 Dec 11
We all know Christmas Eve is near and everyone will give a gift that will not also spend money a bit little. Moreover, everything is getting expensive at Christmas time. I was sure I was not gonna spend money for the thing that I didn't want to give away that cost me a lot of money. I would give but I didn't have to force my to buy things that are so expensive.