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What is an acceptable allowance

Discussion in 'Money Matters' started by richey, Sep 9, 2017.

  1. richey
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    richey Member

    Ok so this is going to vary beacuse everyone is in a different position.

    So take away rent, beacuse there's a huge difference where you live, what is an acceptable allowance for your girlfriend to live on if she doesn't have a job.

    Take away children and family just living expenses for one person to live on the Philippines.

    My wife if she got a job for example at the national book store would earn 300 pesos a day to live on. Would you say this is an acceptable allowance for one person to live on, or would they be living in poverty?
  2. Maley
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    Maley Well-Known Member

    Depends on which city- cost of living in london is very different with someplace in scotland. Honestly that amount is enough for one person to live on but she has to be creative- pack lunch, public transport and not a lot of coffee or movies on weekends.

    If she stays in a big city, more or less she might spend something for salon, spa, coffee, movies are stuff which is added on top of the food bill.

    Our family household budget in ph is the following (for family of 4):
    - farmers market budget per week of php 1k (php4k pm) plus groceries of php1.5k pm
    - electricity 2k pm
    - water .5k pm
    - internet 1.2k pm
    - cable tv .5k pm
    - mani/pedi/ massage (reflex) 1.2k pm

    Total of 11k++ month give or take (or less than £200 per month.

    Sometimes its higher if there is birthday celebration or travel out of town (meaning eating out as well). Not taking into account petrol, savings, eating outside, maintenance medicine, doctor or dentist checkup etc.


    Hope this gave you an approximate amount.

    If you want you can use the govt rate for minimum wage which is identified per region.
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  3. Methersgate
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    Methersgate Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    I'd say that is a good figure.

    I send a widowed sister in law 10K a month just so that her children can finish college - she works as a teacher's assistant and as a dressmaker and the bit that I chip in means that her children don't have to work. She owns her house.

    When K and k were in the Philippines I sent 2o which covered rent and school fees as well.
  4. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    my mrs sends back £500 to £600 a month--to support her daughter through uni and her 11 year old son.
  5. graham59
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    graham59 Banned

    One would hope that a 'girlfriend' of working age would go and find a job !

    Sorry to seem harsh, but they survived before you met them (IF you've met them).
    • Agree Agree x 3
  6. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    The OP did say "Wife" I think it very much depends on both partners circumstances and if income is tight needs to be openly talked about but I would agree with the 10,000 as a starting figure
  7. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    He also said "girlfriend":
  8. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member


    maybe he has both !
    • Funny Funny x 3
  9. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    when my ( now ) wife was over here on her previous visit visa--we got engaged on christmas day 2013. she went home 2 weeks later. she asked me if i would send her an allowance to help her out till she was back with me for good. by then i had sold my house--money in the bank for her sponsorship. i put 10,000 a month into her bank a/c--which i paid from my UK state pension. it was about a quarter of it each month.

    one day she mentioned her ex husband was eating better food than before. i put 2 and 2 together--and guessed i was putting his dinner on the table! i thought--well--ive got his wife--least i could do was buy him dinner lol.

    since she got her settlement visa, 1st FLR and BRP may 2016 she has been working full time + overtime--and earning double what i get in pension. she pays more than double what i gave her monthly to cover our food and daily living expenses. she also sends about £600 a month home to her kids. so we all live well.
  10. Bootsonground
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    Bootsonground Guest

    It all depends on how YOU want her to live and if YOU can afford for her to live like that..
    If you can`t afford it and she loves you,I`m sure she will understand.
    If not she may hedge her bets and find a "fiance" with a larger wedge!
    These things happen.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  11. richey
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    richey Member

    Haha I don't have both, it is my wife.

    I used the term girlfriend as not everyone is married.

    I spend two months in a condo in Manila and I spent a lot more than 10000 a month and I was mostly shopping at sm supermarket.

    I would guess 11000 is the bottom end. You would need the right farmers market in the right area.

    @graham59
    I think your comment about people getting a job is ignorant. Many people are students, not able to work as they are pregnant or in I'll health. Not to mention the lack of prospects.
  12. graham59
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    graham59 Banned

    Matey, after 27 years experience of life in the Philippines, in city and province, I have learned a few things, but you have a right to be rude I suppose... as well as ignorant. :rolleyes:
  13. ChoiAndJohn
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    ChoiAndJohn Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Pot and kettle springs to mind.

    You will have to pardon @graham59 and appreciate that there is no excuse for him. He simply is ignorant by nature. He can't help it.

    In the provinces, my wife claims that 300 pesos a day is more than sufficient. In the metro manila area, I suspect that it may not be. Food and other consumables is much more expensive in the metro Manila area. I suppose a lot depends on where she is located.
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2017
  14. Maley
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    Maley Well-Known Member

    Ifyou are in manila, 300 per day might be stretching it a bit.

    10 yrs ago, our company would send us to makati for 3 weeks training and we get 300 per day food allowance (on top of our salary, accommodation is paid for and its a 15 min walk to our office). We didnt have any choice but to eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner and its at the ayala center area.

    i also know that a filipina wife can stretch any meager budget if she really wants to. So start somewhere and discuss in detail what is the real budget like a normal couple. Get a copy of that itemized receipt and see if it is really a necessity (the grocery bill might contain bottles of alcohol, or some of that imported steak cuts etc) and discuss what type of luxury are you willing to spend on.
  15. DJB
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    DJB Active Member

    I send my GF 20K a month plus extra sometimes for birthdays and Xmas
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  16. asgloki
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    asgloki Member

    I send my gf 8k a month but she also has a job :)
  17. Jim
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    Jim Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I sent my g/f now my wife since 2002 nothing:)
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  18. Bootsonground
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    Bootsonground Guest

    My wife gives me 4k per month plus food and internet.
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    • Winner Winner x 1
  19. Jim
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    Jim Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    some guys have all the luck :like:
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  20. roaming-on
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    roaming-on Active Member

    Youre too generous DJB! :)

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