Budget breakdown: October 2020 in the Philippines

Last Updated on October 27, 2024 by Ellen

The beginning of a new month – November – means the Earth Vagabonds total up and report all expenses for the previous month — October 2020.

Budget breakdown: Spending totals

We have always kept exact monthly records of all our early retirement travel expenses. And we have shared them for years, so that people can see what it costs to ‘live like a local’ in places all over the globe. (Read more about other months, locations, and years.)

Now, however, our global wandering is paused as we wait out the coronavirus crisis at a seaside apartment at the Hangout Beach Resort in Malay, Aklan, Panay, Philippines.

Where our money went in October 2020

Since we are not traveling, exploring, dining out often, or enjoying new places, our $2,000 per month budget goes even further.

More accurately, after covering our living expenses, we have excess funds to help people around us who are struggling due to income loss during the pandemic.

Below are the figures from October.  As you can see, we stayed pretty close to budget and still provided substantial assistance.

$746 – Personal gifts / donations / tips
$375 – Housing
$229 – Matching contributions
$218 – Restaurant & take-out food/beer
$210 – Groceries
$82 – Local travel
$74 – Immigration/Visa renewals
$66 – Supplies
$40 – Health
______________________________________
$2,040 total month’s expenses for two people

Budget breakdown notations

The ‘Matching contributions’ category is our portion of funds equaling those sent by generous overseas donors for local projects involving the indigenous Ati tribe. (Read more about the new hen house, bringing electricity to the upper village in Malay, and the upcoming water access improvement project.)

My mom, Diane, had been here with us and also contributed to those projects, and paid a share of living expenses until two weeks ago. Housing, food, and other costs will adjust slightly now that mom is back in the USA.

‘Local travel’ includes bus, ferry, and moto-taxi fares in and around our city and province. We have no vehicle (except bicycles) of our own.

As reflected in the numbers, without the charitable donations, a couple could live here comfortably, long-term, for approximately $1,000 per month.

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

Life is NOW!

Thanks for reading, “Budget breakdown: October 2020 in the Philippines.”

What to read next:

• How we are able to travel in early retirement (see yearly expense breakdowns)
• What it cost to live 1 month in Bali, Indonesia (2019)
• The price we paid to live in Lisbon, Portugal, for 1 month (2018)
• What we spent to live in Montenegro for 1 month (2018)