Cost Of Living In Cabuyao, Laguna (2009)

Kind of Residence:

House, Crown Asia gated community 2 bedrooms, 2-bath house approximately 70 sq meters, less than 1 year old.

Rent: 14,500 pesos/month. There are two of us living in the house. Our house cleaner lives in the area and goes home every night.

Electric:

About 6, 200 pesos per month. We have one small AC that runs nearly all the time. I medium AC in the kitchen used maybe 2 hours a day or less. We have a standby 6,500-watt generator. We have lost power twice this year. Once for about 10 minutes and the other for about 5 hours both during storms.

We also have an inline shower heater and other appliances such as microwave, toaster oven, automatic washer; electric fan (also runs constantly)

Gas Cost:

700 pesos every 4 months

Water:

Regular tap water cost is about 500 pesos a month. Bottled water delivered for 30 pesos for the 5-gallon container. We use probably 6 to 8 per month as we use it to cook and for our cat to drink.

Communications:

Internet is 1, 000 pesos per month. Cell phone usage is about 1, 500 pesos per month. Cable TV is a 550 pesos/month. Landline service is not yet available in this subdivision as it is new.

Clothing:

A total guess here. Maybe 3, 000 pesos/month

Helper(s):

We have two house cleaners. One full time 6 days per week (3, 600 pesos) and one who works only on Sunday and if the regular house cleaner is sick, she is paid 200 pesos/day.

Groceries:

We buy quite a bit of imported foods and higher quality meats etc our groceries run about 10,000 to 15, 000 pesos/month.

Bar Bill. Entertainment:

Zero, we may buy a DVD so I would say 1, 000 pesos/month

Eating Out:

We eat out fairly often. Usually lower cost places but occasionally a better restaurant. I would guess maybe pesos/month.

Car Expenses:

2 cars repairs maybe pesos/month
Gas about 3, 600 pesos/month

Taxi, Jeep, Travel Expenses:

Average is maybe 500 pesos/month. We take occasional trips abroad about two or three times a year cost is about 30,000 ea.

Allowance For Family Members:

GF gets 4,500 pesos/month for personal use

Medical Expenses:

I have blue cross / blue shield thru the US government as I am retired from the Veterans hospital in the states. My medicine is about 4,000 pesos/month. Our medical expenses here average about 2, 000 a month or less.