My 400USD Monthly Budget
By Arya
@yoalldudes (35040)
Philippines
September 24, 2022 11:12pm CST
This level of budget is enough to cover our rural lifestyle every month. And I am covered until the month of November. I am excited for my bonus and maybe a tax refund this December. I am trying to build a one year worth of living expenses in the capital city, Manila. My daughter may one day request us to move there.
The city will offer convenience but higher cost of rent and the need for airconditioning which will require higher electricity cost.
But for now we are fine with our budget. Just fish vegetables and seafoods is enough for us. We will be looking for a place to rent next weekend near my daughter's school. Cooked meals will be accessible in that place because student meals are being sold there. Our househelp visits us once a week to do laundry, clean and cook 3 dishes. These dishes would last us for 3 days.
Edit: I forgot to mention my partner has a share around $200USD in utilities and food.
7 people like this
8 responses
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
25 Sep 22
You mentioned you are getting 73USD per hour. I can only dream of that but I will still try.
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (115993)
• United States
25 Sep 22
@yoalldudes I've been in my job for 22 years now. I also live in an area that is expensive to live at.
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
25 Sep 22
@NJChicaa That is true with regards to your cost of living.
Some income in a job I like would be a blessing.
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
25 Sep 22
It is okay if you have good source of income. Some saving would be nice too. I'm struggling with working a bit.
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
25 Sep 22
@sickly09 You can do it too. Watch youtube vidoes on minimalism and frugal living as well as FIRE movement. It might motivate you.
1 person likes this
@sickly09 (861)
• Indonesia
25 Sep 22
@yoalldudes But I want, like you, to budget accordingly. I envy.
@hotsummer (13835)
• Philippines
25 Sep 22
Fish and vegetables in rural in our country is cheaper than in Manila.. you need bigger budget then for food.
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
25 Sep 22
My expected spending in Manila could be double the budget here in the province.
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
25 Sep 22
@yoalldudes I do my best never to spend more than $ 70 a week for grocery.
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
25 Sep 22
You budget well. I havent learned meal planning. One day I hope.
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
26 Sep 22
@sol_cee Sometimes with coconut milk, sugar and margarine. Or fried with flour.
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
25 Sep 22
All of us eat, we send some to my brother's family and then we refrigerate and reheat the rest. One of the dishes would be a pasta, banana or sweet potato.
@LindaOHio (156159)
• United States
25 Sep 22
It's good that you are able to put aside money for unforeseen circumstances.
@LindaOHio (156159)
• United States
25 Sep 22
@yoalldudes You have to be able to enjoy yourself once and a while.
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
26 Sep 22
@LindaOHio Simple pleasures does that for me and positive thinking. I'm not one for lavish vacations.
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
25 Sep 22
Thank you for appreciating my efforts. Sometimes I feel guilty when I falter in frugal lifestyle at times I feel I am not enjoying life as I should. It is a challenge to find the right balance.
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
25 Sep 22
When my budget is all set, my focus would be how to have more joy and peace in my life.
1 person likes this
