Budget breakdown for March 2020

Last Updated on October 28, 2024 by Ellen

Our ‘community enhanced quarantine’ continues (day 7). In fact, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has announced that the current lockdown will be extended two more weeks – until April 30.

Of course, no one wants this to go on longer. But whatever health officials determine is best is what must be done. And as guests here in this country, we will do whatever is mandated.

Naturally, as time goes on – coronavirus or not – expenses are made. Bills have to be paid (hopefully). And accounting takes place. Thus, we have totaled up exactly what we spent.

Budget breakdown for March 2020

$379 – housing
$336 – restaurant food & beer
$254 – travel (includes 2-month visa extensions @ $70)
$158 – groceries
$117 – excursions
$98 – supplies
$84 – tips & gifts

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$1,426 – total for 2 people

Notes on the numbers

We spent the first half of March free as birds – living our standard early retired budget travel lifestyle.

The final two weeks of the month were spent in coronavirus quarantine. Obviously, being restricted helped keep our spending in check.

In between, we made our only tourist ‘excursion’ of the month – a trip to the beautiful Gigantes Islands.

Se San resort on North Gigantes Island, as seen from a boat.

Further, my mom, Diane, was with us through the whole month’s adventures (she’s stuck here indefinitely). Mom did kick in monies for rent and food and travel – and the figures above reflect that. What is shown are the actual expenses for just Ellen and myself.

Looking ahead…

Of course, as always, we are keeping track of every penny of spending while we are in our current month-long community quarantine. It will be interesting to see what our April costs are.

Plus, with mom paying a third, it’s likely to be our least expensive month since our travels began in late 2015. Stay tuned.

Stay healthy. Stay safe.

As always, be thankful and generous, happy trails, & more beer.

Life is NOW!