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Cost of Living South Surigao

I have 3 kids with me and a wife. no pets.

PLACE, City, Town, Village:

Small barrangay near the hills, 50 Klm south of Surigao.

KIND OF RESIDENCE: House, Apartment, Condo, Townhouse, Room, Pension House,
Hotel, Resort:

Today I live in a semi Nipa house, Nipa roof and wood walls. 22 Sq M. I built it myself.

RENT in Peso per month. I paid P5000 one time as "prenda". (kind of a loan) I have been there about 5 years.

ELECTRIC : Cost per month. No air con, frost free ref, fan many days.. P650 month.

GAS Costs: I use shelane and I buy one at P560 every 3 months.

WATER: The water is community tap 50 yards away, free. big rain, I get the runs along with others in my family. 99% of the water is potable. Comes from a spring but the spring can be overrun by surface water if the rain is lots.

COMMUNICATIONS: Phone service is on and off, maybe i get 80% of the calls and 100% of the texts. No land line, internet is p 20 an hour 18 klm away. 150 month.

CLOTHING: Shoes, jewelry, watches, repairs for same, trinkets, etc.:

This is very low as i shop oki oki.

HELPER(S), Salary, live in or part time, relative or not?

the wife... could cost me everything, or nothing.

GROCERIES: I eat VERY well. lots of BBQ Chicken (letchon manok), fresh tuna (really good), fresh veggies. Always meat with every meal. Perhaps i spend P4000 a month at the wet market and P 15,000 at the store. P3000 a month buying imported stuff from our local suplyer guy, Jonh.

BAR BILL. ENTERTAINMENT if any, Liquor, etc.

I sing kareoki, have a few beers, maybe 6 days a month. a big bill would be P200. Also ex pats meeting, once a week, P250 or so.

EATING OUT: Often, seldom, etc. if you care to share.

Mac Donalds, 2x a month. maybe P500 each time

CAR EXPENSES, gas, repairs Allowance,

Got a toyota truck, get 45 miles to the gal! i spend P 5000 about each month.

TAXI, JEEP, TRAVEL EXPENSES especially if you are required to go back to your country often if you can share.

I go to USA each year. I get a 1 year ticket and the average price is about $1200.

ALLOWANCE for FAMILY MEMBERS if any:

Ya.. got neighbors and extended family. I have a minimum gift each month of P3000. But i have given much more at times. Up to P15000.

MEDICAL EXPENSES: I get my meds though health coverage in the USA.

Tommy Sanford

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