There used to be a cartful of goods from the grocery store for a ₱1,000 budget. Now, goods of the same amount barely make half of the grocery basket. The impact of price hikes may look different from household to household, but here’s the truth: moms who also work to contribute to the expenses feel anxiety and pressure all the same. How are they in the middle of inflation, and how do they cope? Here’s what you need to know.
In the second half of this year, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in the Philippines declared that a person is not “food poor” when he or she can spend ₱64 for three meals in a day, an amount that cannot even afford anyone a decent and healthy meal in this economic condition. Even a ₱1,000 budget feels restraining for moms.
“1000 pesos is definitely not enough, but if that’s the only budget available, I’ll only be able to buy bread, milk, eggs, veggies, and meat only good for a few days.”
Mommy Lena
“For a family with 2 adults and 1 toddler, 1k would include 5 kilos of rice (good for 2 weeks), 1 kilo of meat (half chicken, half pork), oil and eggs.”
Mommy Michelle
“If I will prioritize, that will only be enough for 1kg of chicken breast, 6 kg of bigas, and oil.”
Mommy Yana
Moms would definitely spend first on food, but there are other things that they must purchase to make their family safe and comfortable. This means that some would need to stretch their ₱1,000 in order to accommodate food and non-food items.
“Three packs of laundry soap and 1 large can of Baygon, or 1 kilo of pork or 1 kilo of beef and some veggies for sangkap if soup like sinigang, or veggies for another ulam.”
Mommy Tricia
“For baby essentials, 1000 could get me a pack of 6 baby wipes and a 1.5 L baby detergent. 1000 could also be just half the amount of diapers I buy for a month. If we’re talking food, I think I’m able to get a tray of egg, cow’s milk, and a few fruits and veggies but that’ll only last for 2-3 days.”
Mommy Rio
With the rising cost of commodities, the demand for moms to efficiently manage household resources becomes higher. How moms feel about this is an important matter for discussion.
“I actually feel sad and pressured at the same time. Since inflation is definitely evident, it’s always a battle between choosing food or other home necessities when doing a grocery run.”
Mommy Tricia
“When paying for the groceries, it seems as if 1k is just equivalent to 100. Sometimes, it feels stressful to budget because of how fast the prices of basic necessities go up.”
Mommy Michelle
“I’ve only started having a family and being truly independent this year, so going to the groceries and seeing the prices and having to pay for everything is still unreal to me. It’s shocking to see how much basic necessities cost nowadays. 1000 truly is the new 100. It’s sad and frustrating how easily 1000 can be spent yet wages aren’t increasing.”
Mommy Rio
“It can certainly feel limiting, but it can also force me to not waste these staples and be creative in maximizing them.”
Mommy Lena
A family’s go-to brands may be causing a huge dent in their budget; hence, moms look for other brands with roughly similar quality for a fraction of the price.
“Inflation is out of our control so I think the best way to cope is to find alternatives. Maybe it’s cheaper to buy cooked food instead of buying ingredients every now and then. Also, it might be better to buy ingredients directly from the source.”
Mommy Lena
The key is to allot time for researching, asking around, and being patient with the changes. For example, some grocery runs may be replaced with getting fresh farm produce online. The difference in price will pay off in the long run.
Identifying and prioritizing needs over wants has always been one of the best ways to make the most out of a family budget. However, at some point, it can be easier said than done. One effective strategy is to always track expenses using a notebook, an app, or a spreadsheet to see where the chunk of the budget goes and which parts of the budget can be reallocated.
“We review our expenses and reflect on where we could make adjustments. It’s either we find a cheaper substitute or we cut off unnecessary purchases.”
Mommy Michelle
“Personally, I had to make a few adjustments with my lifestyle such as spending less on shopping, eating out, going out, basically anything unnecessary.”
Mommy Rio
Moms turn nights into days so they can contribute more financially. In a time such as this when making ends meet is difficult to achieve in a single-income household, moms brave extra projects, side hustles, and extra hours at work to ensure all bases are covered for the month. But doing extra work remotely also comes with a heavy cost.
In many Filipino households, moms take the lead in budgeting. To make this more effective, moms start to involve the members of their family – from their spouse to their kids – so they also understand why some things should be put on hold or why they can’t make certain purchases immediately.
“Usually budgeting is always the best way to fit things in as well. Of course we are also starting to explain to my daughter what can and cannot go to the cart because of the prices.”
Mommy Tricia
How do you cope with inflation? Share with us your strategies in the comments section below!