The rising inflation this year changed the lifestyle of every Filipino. The prices of goods soared and sticking to the old budget got even more difficult. Some people might find ways to survive through this challenge, but for others, there is no other choice but to make ends meet. If you are one of those who want to take the 100-Peso Challenge, then this article will give you an idea about how you can successfully budget your money.
Street Food Galore
One of the great things about the Philippines is the street food. If you are on a strict budget, there are a lot of small stores or eateries where you will be able to order delicious and affordable dishes.
Lunch
For your lunch, you can try ordering some Lumpiang Togue. This dish looks like a bigger spring roll but with vegetables and meat which makes it tasty and satisfying. Lumpiang Togue usually costs around 10 to 20 pesos each.
However, every Filipino meal is incomplete without rice. Today, rice is definitely more expensive than the previous years. So if you are going to buy one order of rice, expect it to cost around 15 to 25 pesos.
There are also eateries around Manila that offer affordable meals with various dishes. Often, these are home cooked meals that are served with rice already. The price ranges from 25 to 50 pesos, depending on the kind of dish that you’ll choose. Dishes with meat will cost more than vegetable dishes.
Snacks/Merienda
Eating three times a day is important because it will give you enough strength to work or study. But can you still buy yourself a snack or a merienda when you only have around 50 Pesos left in your wallet?
Some of the affordable snacks that you can buy are Fishballs. This street food still costs 50 cents per piece which means that you can satisfy your hunger with only 10 pesos.
Dinner
There aren’t a lot of options for dinner when you are on a budget. But if you are staying around Manila, you’ll discover that it’s still possible to have dinner with only 20 to 30 Pesos on hand. In Santa Mesa Manila, there are eateries offering unlimited porridge worth 20 to 25 Pesos. It’s like going to a porridge buffet with your twenty pesos!
Use Your Commuting Skills
Knowing how to commute around Manila is important to maximize your budget. There has been an increase of jeepney fares this year, but it’s still the most practical way of getting to your destination. Today, the regular one-way fare is 9 Pesos.
| Cost | |
| Lunch | ₱50.00 |
| Snacks | ₱10.00 |
| Dinner | ₱25.00 |
| Transport | ₱18.00 |
| Total Cost | ₱93.00 |
Using the budget hacks in this article, it is possible to survive with 100 Pesos in one day. Students who have a tight budget or allowance can use these techniques to survive their long days in school.
With today’s rising prices, it’s definitely going to be a real challenge for everyone. But looking at the bright side, this kind of challenge gives us an important lesson of using money more wisely.