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What You Can Buy Philippines On A Budget

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    The Philippines is a country where you can stretch your money further than you ever thought possible. Whether you’re a budget traveler or a local resident, you might be surprised by what you can buy with your pesos. Today, we’ll explore the most common questions about money in the Philippines and give you a better idea of what your hard-earned cash can get you.

    Let’s start with the basics. 20 pesos may not seem like a lot of money, but it can still buy you a few things in the Philippines. However, if you are shopping on Lazada or purchasing groceries with a promotion, you can pick up some valuable products for only 20 pesos in the Philippines.

    • Bag of ice cubes to keep your drinks cool
    • Basic eyeliner pen to make your eyes pop
    • Box of straws for your home
    • Finger sleeves to improve mobile gaming skills

    If you’re coming from the US or any other country with a stronger currency, you’ll be glad to know that your dollar can still get you something in the Philippines. As of today’s prices, one dollar is just over 52 pesos. Here are some items that you can buy for a dollar or less:

    • Local street food (10-30 PHP);
    • Fresh fruits and vegetables (20-50 PHP);
    • Cheap phone case (50-100 PHP);
    • Face masks (10-20 PHP); and
    • Basic pen (10-20 PHP).

    While $1 in the Philippines can only get you so far, it’s still possible to live on a budget and enjoy the country’s affordable prices.

    The Philippines, in general, is a cheap country, and it is possible to live on a budget in the Philippines. Therefore, $1 can buy you some basic essentials. Still, other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Cambodia offer more value for money. For example, $1 in the Philippines will get you a small amount of street food, but $1 in Cambodia can get you street food, a side dish, and a drink.

    Next, we move on to what you can buy with 2000 pesos, and as this is a much larger amount of money, your options have expanded. Many premium services and branded items are available for 2000 pesos in the Philippines.

    Now, let’s move on to what you can buy with a bigger amount of money. With 2,000 pesos, you can get some premium services and branded items. For example, you can have:

    • Two to three weeks of maid service;
    • A three-course meal in a fine dining restaurant;
    • An original Levi’s 501 jeans for men and women; and
    • A big bottle of vodka or a small bottle of Moet champagne.

    If you live in Manila (especially the metropolitan area), you may find that the prices will fluctuate. This is because what you can buy with 2000 Filipino pesos or what you can buy with 50,000 Filipino pesos will change depending on your area. For example, some full-time freelance maids earn 7000 – 8000 pesos while others earn 20K pesos a month.

    If you’re looking for electronics, technology, and accessories, 3,000 pesos is a decent amount of money in the Philippines. Here are some of the things you can buy with that amount:

    • A basic smartphone: While it may not be enough to buy a luxury smartphone, you can still get a basic device that allows you to call, text, and access the internet;
    • A leather laptop case: Protect your laptop with a leather laptop case that adds style and sophistication to your work setup;
    • An automatic antibacterial dispenser: Keep your hands clean and germ-free with an automatic antibacterial dispenser that dispenses sanitizer with a touchless sensor;
    • A website domain ending with the extension .PH: If you’re starting a business or a blog in the Philippines, you can register a domain name with the .PH extension to give your online presence a local touch; and
    • A saxophone case: If you’re into music and play the saxophone, you can get a durable case to protect your instrument when you’re on the go.

    In addition to the above listed items, here are some other things you can buy with 3,000 pesos:

    • Pay for your electric bill for a 3-bedroom house for one month: This can vary depending on your location and usage, but 3,000 pesos can cover the electricity bill for a typical 3-bedroom house for one month;
    • Buy groceries for a week for a family of four: With careful budgeting and smart shopping, you can buy enough groceries to feed a family of four for a week with 3,000 pesos;
    • Treat yourself to a spa day: You can enjoy a relaxing massage, facial, and other spa treatments with a budget of 3,000 pesos; and
    • Get a custom-made suit: If you’re in need of a formal outfit for a special occasion, you can have a custom-made suit tailored to your measurements with 3,000 pesos!!

    Are you ready to discover what you can get with 4,000 pesos in the Philippines? Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride!

    First off, if you’re looking for some high-quality goods, you can head over to Lazada, the country’s leading online marketplace. With 4,000 pesos, you can score some sweet deals on branded items that won’t break the bank. Check out some of these options:

    • 9 to 12-month supply of contact lenses: If you wear contacts, you know how expensive they can be. But with 4,000 pesos, you can snag a whole year’s supply and never have to worry about running out again.
    • Premium coffee-making machine: Do you love coffee? Who doesn’t! With a premium coffee-making machine, you can make barista-quality coffee right in the comfort of your own home. And with 4,000 pesos, you can get one that will last you for years to come.
    • Wi-Fi security camera: Keep your home safe and secure with a Wi-Fi security camera. With 4,000 pesos, you can get one that will send you alerts if there’s any unusual activity in or around your house.

    But that’s not all! With 4,000 pesos, you can also treat yourself to some premium services. Here are a few options:

    • Maid service for 30 days: Want to take a break from cleaning the house? Hire a maid for a whole month! With 4,000 pesos, you can get some much-needed help around the house and free up your time for other activities.
    • Premium hair loss treatments: Are you experiencing hair loss? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. With 4,000 pesos, you can get some premium hair loss treatments that will help you regrow your luscious locks in no time.

    Are you ready for some exciting shopping ideas with 50,000 pesos in the Philippines? This amount of money is a big deal in the country and can open up a world of possibilities. Let’s explore some of the items and experiences you can buy with it!

    • Two to three Dogs (depending on the breed): Do you want to have some furry friends in your life? With 50,000 pesos, you can buy two to three dogs and still have some money left for food and accessories. Whether you want a playful beagle, a loyal husky, or a cuddly poodle, you can find a furry companion that suits your lifestyle and personality.
    • Eight to ten Basi Kayaks: If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and love spending time on the water, Basi kayaks are a great investment. With 50,000 pesos, you can get eight to ten kayaks that are perfect for fishing, exploring, or simply enjoying the views. You can take your family or friends with you and make unforgettable memories on the water.
    • Oculus Quest 2 VR headset: With the Oculus Quest 2, you can immerse yourself in a world of virtual reality and experience games, movies, and apps like never before. It’s a great way to entertain yourself and your friends, and it’s also a good investment if you’re interested in developing VR applications. Whether you’re into gaming, movies, or just exploring new technology, the Oculus Quest 2 is an excellent choice for your 50,000 pesos.
    • Living costs for one month in the provinces or small cities: If you want to experience the Filipino culture and lifestyle, living in the provinces or small cities can be a great idea. With 50,000 pesos, you can cover your living expenses for a whole month and immerse yourself in the local communities. You can try local delicacies, explore the natural beauty, and learn more about the traditions and customs.
    • Samsung Side-by-Side Refrigerator: If you’re looking for a new appliance for your home, the Samsung Side-by-Side Refrigerator is a great choice. With 50,000 pesos, you can buy this spacious and modern refrigerator that has a lot of features, such as a built-in water dispenser, an ice maker, and a digital display. You can store all your favorite foods and drinks and enjoy them whenever you want.
    • Second-hand Motorbike (or New Motorbike That Is an Older Model): Finally, if you want to experience the freedom and convenience of riding a motorbike, you can buy a second-hand or older model for under 50,000 pesos in the Philippines. This is a popular mode of transportation in the country and can save you a lot of time and money compared to using public transportation or driving a car.

    5000 pesos is a good chunk of cash for the Philippines; however long term, this may not be a substantial amount compared to the overall cost of living. Nevertheless, for investment purposes or for purchasing a product, 5000 pesos is a sizeable amount of capital.

    For some local Filipinos who work for outsourcing companies, the average salary (depending on the position) is 18K – 22K. Therefore 5000 pesos is approximately one week’s salary for a call center employee. If you live in a province area or smaller city, 5000 pesos will go further.

    10,000 pesos in the Philippines is a lot of money and can be very useful. I often recommend that beginner investors aim for at least 10,000 pesos initially. As the cost of living in the Philippines has increased over the years, this amount can be challenging if employees are on a low salary. This is also a sizable amount of capital for purchasing products and services.

    However, if you are wondering if 10,000 pesos is a lot of money in the Philippines, then it may be wise to investigate other categories. For example, in business, 10,000 pesos would be enough to start a small online business but not enough to start a larger traditional business such as a food cart business.

    300,000 pesos in the Philippines is a lot of money. With this amount of capital, you will be able to buy small vehicles, invest in stocks, create businesses, hire staff, or use it as a deposit for a house. Some employees in the Philippines do not earn over 300,000 Filipino pesos a year, so this amount of capital is considered a large amount of money for many.

    Summary

    The following is a summary of what you can purchase in the Philippines on a budget.

    Amount (Philippine Pesos)Items/Experiences/Value
    20– Bag of ice cubes
    20– Basic eyeliner pen
    20– Box of straws
    20– Finger sleeves
    $1 (~52 pesos)– Local street food (10-30 PHP)
    $1 (~52 pesos)– Fresh fruits and vegetables (20-50 PHP)
    $1 (~52 pesos)– Cheap phone case (50-100 PHP)
    $1 (~52 pesos)– Face masks (10-20 PHP)
    $1 (~52 pesos)– Basic pen (10-20 PHP)
    2000– Two to three weeks of maid service
    2000– Three-course meal in a fine dining restaurant
    2000– Original Levi’s 501 jeans
    2000– Big bottle of vodka or small bottle of champagne
    3000– Basic smartphone
    3000– Leather laptop case
    3000– Automatic antibacterial dispenser
    3000– .PH domain
    3000– Saxophone case
    3000– Electric bill for a 3-bedroom house for a month
    3000– Groceries for a family of four for a week
    3000– Spa day
    3000– Custom-made suit
    4000– 9 to 12-month supply of contact lenses
    4000– Premium coffee-making machine
    4000– Wi-Fi security camera
    4000– Maid service for 30 days
    4000– Premium hair loss treatments
    50,000– Two to three dogs (depending on breed)
    50,000– Eight to ten Basi Kayaks
    50,000– Oculus Quest 2 VR headset
    50,000– Living costs for one month in provinces/small cities
    50,000– Samsung Side-by-Side Refrigerator
    50,000– Second-hand Motorbike (or older model)
    5000– Approximately a week’s salary for a call center employee
    10,000– Suggested initial amount for beginner investors
    10,000– Possible start-up capital for a small online business
    300,000– Can buy small vehicles, invest in stocks, start businesses, hire staff, or use as a house deposit
    Is 10,000 Philippine Pesos A Lot