Daily Service Costs in The Philippines vs. America (Part One)

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Let me know the next services you want me to cover in part two! Download Your FREE Guide For Moving to BGC, Philippines: dedicated-inventor-8723.ck.page/50a886fbc8

[@johnnyS01]

Hey if you don't mind out of curiosity's sake could you add the costs of owning a vehicle there? you can even segment it monthly or annual i.e. minor/ major repairs, maintenance costs, tires, registration, and insurance ?? to name a few. Thanks, bro keep it up.

[@mikefa5891]

This has been a very interesting and informative video and i am surprised i couldn't find Part 2, then noticed there's not much feedback here. So, i have an unrelated request and suggestion - please let me know if you have already covered these topics since it is very likely that others may have already asked the same questions: 1) Why did your family move to the Philippines, 2) Why didn't you and/or your sister stay in the US where there is more job opportunities, 3) What was the shiiping cost of a crate or container from Chicago to the Philippines if you folks did take lots of personal items back to the Philippines, 4) Is it worthwhile to ship a used car or truck from the US to the Philippines? There has been a lot of mixed responses on this one, some say it is better to sell the used car in the US and buy another new or used one in the Philippines, whle some others claim it is worth it to spend $5000 to ship a fairly new but reliable used car because prices for both new and used cars are sky-high due to shortage of inventory.

[@darkamity1399]

Regarding spa and massages a lot of foreigner thinks that what they are paying goes directly to the therapist, they don’t know that only a small portion of that goes to the therapist. Most therapists are only relying on tips, but when it comes to most foreigners especially koreans and chinese, you’ll be lucky if you get a 50 pesos tip. That’s why when you ask the therapists who are their favorite clients, they will still say the filipinos because when it comes to tips, filipinos are still the most generous.

[@johnclark7973]

Any people of any nationality, that has ever in their life worked for tips, are the best tippers! Fact.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Wow didn't know that. Although I have seen that case from some Korean and Chinese here.

[@yorkpa3767]

Perfect video!! This really captures the services I'll be looking for. Maid, Driver, Massage Therapist. And that occassional hair cut. well done again!

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Glad I read your mind lol. Thanks for watching 🇵🇭

[@TomandAmyinthePI]

The P.I. prices You are quoting are the High end parts of BGC and Makati I've got massages in QC and Cebu for 3-400 PHP for an Hour and even up to 90 minutes

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Even better!

[@ThePhilippinesAccordingtoKevin]

I used to go to Massage King pretty regularly at one of the malls in Manila. My wife and I went to a place called footsies in Angeles City. The expense difference makes it an unnecessary luxury in the US but something that is very practical in the Philippines.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Couldn't have said it any better. It's very inexpensive here in the Philippines but it's a luxury in the States

[@Mrmpcebu59]

McDonalds meals half the price in Philippines. Full body Massage: 300.00 pesos + 50 pesos tip. Regular sized Heineken 106.00 1 Liter Red Horse beer: 110.00 Large grilled Tuna neck: 300 to 350 pesos half the price in Los Angeles excluding tip. Stay-out cleaning lady I pay 5,500.00 weekends off. 530.00 Johnny Walker Red 700ml for 750ml 750.00 Grilled 250grams of pork belly, 230 pesos. All prices are in Cebu.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Good to know Mariano. Thanks for listing that

[@gregorypetty6887]

You should cover in the next video how much it costs to buy a car in the Philippines, compared to the U.S.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

What kind of cars are you thinking? Good idea.

[@gregorypetty6887]

@@TheSavvyExpat hybrid cars like the Toyota prius. Salamat!😊

[@brad5534]

@@gregorypetty6887 Also, most important, look at safety features compared to US. No Kidding! Watch the US to Mexico head-on YT video.

[@edwardlawler9487]

@@gregorypetty6887 super expensive

[@griffin2765]

In regards to the 4 food delivery services in the US. The food you order is also higher than what you would pay at the restaurant.

[@LLVT]

👏 We do enjoy the less expensive service costs...quality is just as good, if not better based on our personal experience.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Totally agree. If you guys are ever in BGC, let's collab!

[@DrDlane]

Good job, Evan. I know in the smaller cities and the provinces the prices for these services are even much lower. I've seen massages for as low as 100 pesos. And the $1 haircut is pretty common outside the big cities. Looking forward to the next one.

[@josephfuchs4903]

Good video. Although, the average cost of massage I've received was around 240 to 300 php. High end was 2,400 php or so at a spa in Cebu, Waterfront Hotel and Casino. Can vary greatly.

[@timrathcke1006]

Thank you for all this tips..really funy to know how much it cost in diffrent country ..not to live but to go on vacation..

[@vgwalldecals]

Another great video. Think about doing food delivery from a grocery store like Instacart or Walmart delivery. You order online and have it delivered to your home. Having an electrician install a ceiling fan? A plumber replace kitchen faucet? The labor rate at the Toyota dealer there vs the Toyota dealer labor rate in the US.

[@Partyof1]

Your channel gives the best updates

[@scottpool4777]

Yes it is a cheaper Definitely four months until I get there I’m so excited I’m going to be a permanent residence and my wife’s house we’re going to have the wedding on the beach I’m so excited God bless🇨🇿

[@thefatfilam]

Great stuff as usual. Can you dedicate a video in this series just to grocery shopping? Compare say Costco vs S&R? Whole Foods vs Landers/ Landmark/ Rustan’s? And all of those vs the local palengke or wet market/ farmer’s market?

[@lusqwerty]

The main reason why philippine prices are cheaper is because living expenses here in the philippines is low comparable to US. One good idea to become a remote work wherein employer is based in first world countries and have yourself live in countries like the philippines, vietnam, thailand, indonesia and other countries like this where living expenses is cheap. I know some of my peers who works remotely and salary is like those first world countries.

[@DB-bp7hh]

Thank you for all your videos. Planning a trip to the Philippines and using you videos for ideas. 🤗

[@johnclark7973]

Evan strikes with a other blow our mind video! Thanks, my man. I liked how you said how to go about hiring a driver. How do we go about hiring a maid or nanny, the same?

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Yes there are also agencies you can search up for maids and nannies. Glad you enjoyed the video John

[@manilamartin1001]

My housekeeper in the usa was $30k a year. In the philippines, closer to $3k. It's not even close. I offered to pay her 3 childrens college which adds a little to the cost.

[@MultiPasswordman]

hahaha we are planning at least 1 massage a day while in BGC (maybe even 2)! My haircuts here cost $35. My wife's last hair service was $200. Needless to say, we are getting all that done next month in Taguig!

[@TheSavvyExpat]

What a difference... Gotta love that about the Philippines!

[@williamclowdis5699]

Extremely useful information! Thank you for making this available to everyone.

[@WorldTraveler1786]

Good Video! Your videos are always informative, reflecting the time you put into research to deliver substance.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Glad you think so Charles!

[@rosarioarquero-martin3461]

Thanks for the tips..

[@TheSavvyExpat]

You got it

[@terryashley4674]

I believe you. 🙂

[@garyburgmylifeandtimes6354]

Great information Evan. I miss my Filipino haircut

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Thanks Gary

[@ceciliaabrilla3841]

Very informative

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Where is a good inexpensive place for a guy to get a haircut in BGC?

[@AHHHHHHH162]

Thx bud

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Thanks Ronnie

[@NSAKEY]

Maybe chef, personal trainer, body wax, tailor, language teacher, tour guide, personal bodyguard, visa service, laundry service etc.. Thanks.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Dang somebody's balling! Personal bodyguard? Hope you didn't make any enemies out here lol

[@NSAKEY]

@@TheSavvyExpat Oh, no, just giving you some ideas. To be honest, I only mention it because others might be interested. I cannot see myself needing something like that. I personally think the Phils is safe enough so long as you educate yourself and are not careless.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

@@NSAKEY Gotcha, interesting idea

[@Tim_281]

Always good info from you Sir, thank you!

[@TheSavvyExpat]

You bet Tim!

[@dennissouthern9429]

It would be great to know the monthly cost to maintain - support and services required for a Filipina wife - girlfriend that doesn't work. Cost for hair salon, nails, skin care, clothing, accessories, girly stuff, trips to see family, night out with girlfriends, etc. Also compare this cost for a girlfriend living in city like Manila or Cebu to a province girlfriend. Thanks

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Interesting idea. Noted.

[@kc5169]

Can you make a video about the Philippines that's not about what it's like living there?

[@PhilippinesMyParadise]

Happy Holy Week, Happy Easter, Semana Santa, Mahal na Araw to y'all/Ned🥚🐇🥚

[@TheSavvyExpat]

To you as well Ned!

[@PhilippinesMyParadise]

@@TheSavvyExpat 🌹🌹🌹

[@danielnetz7539]

I know foreigners are advised to stay out of politics in the Philippines but im curious if you (or one of your other Filipina content creators) could do a video on the major contenders for president and what their platform is (including what critics say against them). I know leading the race is BBM and LENI, but there are other contenders like Manny Pacquiao and Isko Moreno that seem to be popular. I think this would be an interesting topic to present to foreigners regarding politics in the Philippines. Thanks 😊

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Good topic to cover as this will have a deep impact on the country - either for good or for bad. I'll have them cover this.

[@sandro_j]

Great info. As a topic can you provide options on how to enjoy US sports in Manila? Are there sports bars that replay NFL or MLB games? Or even the AFL Aussie football league.

[@johnclark7973]

With the time difference It would have to be replays probably, like you mentioned. But I NEED to see my College Football 🏈‼️

[@johnclark7973]

I'll probably have to go back to the states every fall. Lol

[@timrathcke1006]

I live in Denmark and yes it"s a very expensiv country ..but we dont pay 75 dollar for a haircute maybe the ladies do but not for men..the cheapest is if you go to a arabic hair dresser then you pay 15 dollar but if you go to a salon you pay 50 dollar.. In Copenhagen everything is very expensiv what about one cup of coffe :price 4-7 dollar..ha ha..

[@TheSavvyExpat]

That's good to know Tim. I was going to say "75?!?" Then again, in the U.S, the even women haircuts are expensive.

[@AILAM43]

Is there a tour guide service in the Philippeans and how much would it cost pls. Currently visiting in the Makati area and would like to hire a tour guide to show me around as I don't have a clue where to go. Tnx for any assistance with this answer.

[@Partyof1]

Wow, I’d like to know also

[@AILAM43]

@Gerry badders TY

[@keemoe007]

If anything, I would come to BGC for vacation. Hopefully next year. How much is hotel costs. I'm going to Oahu in July. I'm on the island of Hawaii. Airfare, car rental and hotel costed me $2300.00; crazy! That's for 1 week. Plus I still have to eat and pay for gas. Note: the hotel is very basic.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Wow, Hawaii is out of this world expensive. It is beautiful though. In terms of hotels here Norman, there's a wide range. You get a hotel ranging from $60 up to $150 per night

[@rays8081]

@@TheSavvyExpat Hawaii is expensive but the job pay is higher than the Philippines 💀😭

[@ejtaylor73]

My haircut is the cheapest in the world, I just grab the clippers and cut it all off LOL. Another great video, full of useful information.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Lol practical and easy. What more can one ask for?

[@romeocivilino6667]

Well, it's actually common here, especially the province, where one of your relatives at least knows how to cut hairs, for the causes of monthly maintenance haircuts for family members for free to alleviate spending money and save it for more important matters.

[@PaulFujiyama]

Good job! Golf membership?

[@TheSavvyExpat]

I'll cover country clubs soon

[@markbannister5586]

How have you been Evan? Long time , bro. W’ll be there next month 🇵🇭👍🏽

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Hey Mark! Been a while. Hope to see you around!

[@markbannister5586]

Good to hear from you. I’m still enjoying your informative vlogs and yes, I will contact you while we are there next month. We can’t wait! 👍🏽🇵🇭

[@rhoelg]

There maybe misconception with the driver, it is not a full time driver for you... it is quite impossible to have fully dedicated employed driver for only 15k pesos a month and they supply their own car worth a million bucks, car maintenance a lone is expensive and they will be losing money. It is only on demand booking here and there i think. It is possible if you supply your own car and they work 8 hour a day.

[@thomaseagles1026]

Usually it cost me 27 for a haircut and it’s a good idea to hire a driver to get around 🇨🇦👍

[@stephenlee6098]

you said you got to pay for the driver's meal? how many meals per day? how much per meal? please explain... thanks

[@TheSavvyExpat]

It depends on where you're going and how much you're eating. If your family eats three meals a day, he eats three meals a day (if he's with you.) You can just consider the price to be one additional person to feed

[@stevenoliver9728]

If you are the kind of person who can shave in the shower without looking, you can also cut your own hair.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

If you're getting it all buzzed off, for sure

[@RavenDamianoPierce]

Where's the part 2 Evan?

[@jerrynam]

Definitely a better deal in The Philippines.

[@Hicks-g1m]

Definitely Cheaper here in teh Philippines compared to the US I just wish we had a walmart Target and best buy stores like they do in the US 80 bucks for a haurcut here in the Philippines oh hell no am I paying that much to anybody anywhere in the world for just a haircut

[@timjacobs6610]

Wow, so my manicure and pedicure for $24, and my massage for 1 hour at $45 is great here in the states.. 😅🤗

[@stevenbaer9061]

Well Denmark is a very wealthy country, high taxes, substantial safety net, you will not find much if any poverty or homelessness in that country.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Very true

[@stevenbaer9061]

@@Resmith18SR Everyone is entitled to their opinion

[@johnclark7973]

@@Resmith18SR 330 million people choose America to live. 6 million choose Denmark to live.

[@stevenbaer9061]

@@Resmith18SR And I bet there are Filipino's who wouldn't move to any of those countries for all the tea in China. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[@SunShine_sublime]

@@Resmith18SR then why are you even watching this video? the heck!

[@mathierocker6900]

Hi Evan, can you recommend a couple of car-and-driver service companies in BGC?

[@mathierocker6900]

Never mind, Evan. I noticed you mentioned some companies in the video above

[@maclovioberumen1917]

I also miss my facials. Rejuvenating.

[@davidandrewburrows8535]

I find your prices is much higher. I think you using Manila prices, out side of Manila it much cheaper.

[@johnclark7973]

Well since he lives in Manila... 🤷

[@TheSavvyExpat]

That's true David. That should give even more assurance as to how affordable the Philippines is.

[@orangeguy3314]

Compare the wages of both countries. Now the minimum wage of a american can be $15.00 US per hour. Maybe a average wage of a worker in the philippines could be $15.00US per day. Your looking at a country that is loaded with poverty in the philippines. Seeing power going down outside the major cities is very common and internet is again is slow and undependable in the philippines. Old foreigner guys go there looking for young female. That will live with them to get out of poverty and then support their poor family members.

[@HAMBURGER-s1l]

I want to know rents per month/year in the city /country side. Thx and be safe.

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Noted!

[@johnclark7973]

Just $300 USD/month for a driver (plus gas and food) blows me away! I mean, isn't his car payment that alone? 👀😯 And what do you mean his food?

[@Oggiwara1]

Since you are in the PH. Why not use Pesos on prices in the PH so we don't have to convert 2 times on 2 currencies that fluctuate uneven over time? Or at least add the Pesos price in text? Not everyone are from the USA.😊

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Sorry about that Svein. I understand but the vast majority of my viewers are American. I'll try to include peso prices more often

[@Oggiwara1]

@@TheSavvyExpat Thank you!

[@JIlu46]

"$300/month...so for $30/month" caught a mistake! Haha good video!

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Haha!

[@aramisjamais8469]

Is it $30 or $300 per month (the driver, that is)

[@sosodave4192]

I would love to see a part 3, assuming that you only have part one and two planned. part 3 will be an in-depth look at what your driver, at around $300 per month, can do for you. will my driver also be a runner and stand in line for me to get paperwork done or whatever that i don't want to have to wait around for all day? will my driver act as my food Panda guy and go pick up dinner? Will my driver know the area well enough to be able to recommend a good Mexican restaurant, a good disco, a good museum, and a good place to take a girl? for that matter, will my driver be able to get me a girl? 😅 I would like to see the same list of duties for the maid. will she clean the windows as well as the floors? will she cook? will she learn to cook the foods that I specifically like? will she do the shopping? will she also stand in line so I don't have to? when I trust her enough to leave her home alone, can I have her run a bath for me so that that's ready when I get home? will she do laundry? if my building doesn't have laundry services, will she take the laundry out to a laundromat? digging further in depth to what any given professional is willing to do for their pay will give us a much better idea of what we are paying for versus needing to hire someone else specifically to be a runner, for example. I have plenty of other ideas to share with you as well, and we should totally start talking on a back channel. email, whatsapp, signal, or Facebook messenger. that way I'm not filling up all the space on your KZbin channel. [phone]

[@maclovioberumen1917]

I also miss jollibee and was thinking of getting a jollibee tattoo.

[@Mark-ul1hz]

What about woman's hair like coloring should be a big savings

[@karmacanquints4222]

Hair coloring ranges from $30 to 50$ (Php1,500 to Php2, 500).

[@maclovioberumen1917]

I miss my messages and my barber and my pedicurist.

[@jasondurden7384]

I only imagine 1 part that needs massaging in the Philippines

[@darrylk808]

Young Americans will all be retiring in the Philippines when they get older. So many do food delivery and it's just making them poor. 😁

[@indidesitourer585]

Not sure about driver, people are still figuring out how to cope with high fuel prices. iam myself ordering things online mostly to avoid travel...not to mention the summer. Thanks Biden by the way for the prices.

[@dr.michaellittle5611]

Not his fault. The price of oil is determined on a global level based upon supply and demand, and factoring in certain risks. The war in Ukraine is therefore exacerbating the price per barrel. Oil companies are having banner profits based on the jacked up cost of gasoline, so put the blame there where it belongs. No president controls oil prices or production-that’s free enterprise, not the govt.

[@johnclark7973]

@@dr.michaellittle5611 Dr. (Yeah, UH HUH 😆😂🤣🙄). Biden does deserve his share of blame for high gas prices in America. On January 18, 2018, TransCanada announced they had secured commitments to ship 500,000 barrels (79,000 m3) per day, to America, for 20 years. On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden revoked the permit for the pipeline to be completed on his first day in office‼️ On June 9, 2021, the project was abandoned by TC Energy. THANKS half-wit, Joe!

[@dr.michaellittle5611]

@@johnclark7973 Sorry, but you’re conflating things wrt the price of gasoline. It’s driven by refinery output and pricing of refined petroleum products, and the global price of crude. None of these things are impacted by any policy of Biden, or of any recent President. This is all free market activity taken on by publicly traded oil companies. Presidents do have the authority to release crude from the strategic petroleum reserves, which Biden and his predecessors have done, but it always has a only a de minimis effect. But, if you’re been paying the slightest attention to the facts, you would know that in the first quarter of this year, 7 oil companies, due to record profits, increased their stock repurchases and dividends by over 15% from the entire year before (Wash. Post reference). These are profits (sales price minus cost of goods) paid by consumers at the pump. Free enterprise is driving prices upward.

[@kianakan96826]

2:34. $30 or $300 a month to hire a driver???

[@TheSavvyExpat]

$30 was a mistake I made there

[@jehu4203]

Never mind the haircut though it's cheap. You look better with long hair.

[@daspicer1]

Very little of this applies to us. We had a Helper, not a Maid, for a few months back in 2007/2008, when our daughter was born. The wife didn't care for it, and that was the end of that. We used food delivery when the virus was bad here in Metro Cebu. It's now pretty much nil and we rarely use it once again. I bought hair clippers years ago. I just cut it all off, it's hot here, and I don't have that much hair anyway. No waiting in line and they paid for themselves over time. That's pretty much it. For most things, if I didn't do it or couldn't afford it in the USA, I don't do it here, even though I can afford it here. One exception, from late 2014 until early 2022, I used taxis. After 7 years, I got tired of driving here. But after the typhoon this past December, I realized that there's a good reason to have a vehicle. I now always have gasoline on hand for the generator, sitting in the carport. On a side note, about a year after I got married here in 2007, I stopped comparing anything to the USA. My wife must have reminded me dozens of times, this is not the USA 😊

[@SunShine_sublime]

hahaha

[@emeraguirre4234]

Cheap labor in the Ph. Saving every dollar

[@rickmccarroll9993]

You don’t look the same with your hair like that. LOL

[@TheSavvyExpat]

Thinking about getting a haircut soon

[@sosodave4192]

a massage every week? at $10 per hour? negative. I will cut a deal with the massage therapist for a 20% discount by prepaying for 4 sessions per week, every week. that's only about $135 per month for four massages every week, which will feel great if I go dancing three nights a week. and if I'm going to the same place with the same massage therapist four times per week, I'm going to get treated like royalty.

[@johnclark7973]

And you'll have saved 2 dollars a massage! 🤣🙄

[@sosodave4192]

@@johnclark7973 -- when you're buying in bulk, it adds up. and ultimately, the issue isn't that I particularly need that extra $32 per month, the issue is that I am not about to pass up a chance to make a negotiation for a better price.

[@stevephillips3541]

IF I get a girlfriend who's a masseuse ...She can give me a massage for free and I will give her a Facial for free ....