The line has become a familiar refrain for many Filipinos in recent months, as oil prices surged because of the war that broke out in the Middle East.
The economic crisis has left thousands of Filipino households with no other choice but to make do with what they have – even as little as P2,000 to P3,000 for some.
Back in 2023, when inflation hit 8.7%, INQUIRER.net went with Rose Bustamante as she navigated the market to get what her family needed for the day with what she had – P280.
A wife of a farmer and mother of three, Bustamante has the responsibility of completing the household’s needs with the money her husband gives her.
She stared at what she held since leaving for the poblacion, where her P280 was spent on basic dishes – ‘no frills’ – like a breakfast of scrambled eggs, a lunch of adobong paa ng manok, and a dinner of longganisa.
Now that thousands of Filipinos have no other choice but to tighten their budgets even more, Bustamante confronts an even harder challenge as the cost of basic commodities rises while the money her husband brings home remains the same.
Despite the financial pressure and uncertainty, one force stays steady – her being a mother.
‘I don’t really have any other choice; I really need to make it stretch so we won’t starve,’ she told INQUIRER.net.
This Mother’s Day, mothers deserve recognition not only as housewives, but also as financial managers and problem-solvers who keep their families afloat in difficult moments.
In a column, writer Aditi Malhotra said managing a family’s finances ‘is no easy task,’ requiring careful planning, budgeting and decision-making ‘to ensure a secure and stable financial future.’
But while financial management may be shared between parents or assumed by one parent, ‘mothers often play a vital and indispensable role in this realm,’ she said on her website iKreate Passions.
For 43-year-old Jane Belle Tagao, ‘because of how uncertain things are nowadays, everyone really needs to learn how to be thrifty.’
A wife of an overseas Filipino worker and a mother of two, she told INQUIRER.net that when inflation hits, ‘it really becomes difficult for a budget-conscious mom like me.’
What’s really needed
‘Before I spend money, I first make a list or write down the most important needs that should be prioritized, especially food,’ she said, explaining how she manages their P20,000 monthly budget.
Tagao said it is better to prepare meals at home because it is cheaper and allows families to ensure cleanliness and safety. Leftover food, she added, can be reheated so there is nothing to waste.
Last month, inflation in the Philippines soared to an over three-year high of 7.2% as spillover effects from the oil crisis intensified, increasing upward pressure on food and transport costs.
Blogger Papri Ganguly said in a column that ‘mothers are the backbone of their family’s financial stability.’
SAMPLE BUDGET. One of the interviewees’ sample financial management for the month of April. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
‘They are the ones who make the tough financial decisions and sacrifices to ensure that their families have what they need,’ she said on her website Through My Pink Window.
She added: ‘Mothers not only manage the day-to-day expenses but also plan for future goals such as education expenses, retirement plans, and emergency funds.’
As Tagao pointed out, ‘making a simple budget is very important because it serves as a guide in managing expenses and gives you control in achieving your financial goals.’
For her, ‘budgeting wisely helps prevent falling into debt, allows you to save for the future, and gives you peace of mind.’
‘Tipid’ heroes
Jennie Zamora, a 33-year-old teacher and a mother of one, pointed out how important it is to save money so that when there is an urgent need for resources, ‘we have something to rely on.’
As she said, survival means going back to basics. With an estimated budget of P10,000 to P12,000 a month from her salary, she has learned practical ways to reduce household expenses.
‘We plant vegetables and raise animals like chickens and pigs,’ she told INQUIRER.net. ‘When we buy groceries, we wait for sales or buy wholesale so we can save more. We also limit unnecessary purchases.’
Like many Filipino mothers, 45-year-old teacher Wilhelmina Paraon also relies on resourcefulness to provide for her family.
A mother of three, she manages a P20,000 monthly budget sourced from her salary and farming.
‘I grow our own food. I plant vegetables and raise poultry animals for meat and eggs,’ she said. ‘I also avoid buying things that are not really necessary. I compare prices, too – if the quality is the same, I buy the cheaper one.’
For Paraon, careful budgeting is essential for long-term security.
‘It is important to save money to avoid shortages, to have something during emergencies, and to save for the future,’ she explained.
Meanwhile, Annierose Hidalgo, 45, a mother of four, depends on the income of her husband, a construction worker. With a weekly household budget of P4,200, every peso has to be carefully allocated.
‘We prioritize the most important household needs like rice, food, and personal hygiene products,’ she said.
She emphasized how difficult life has become because of the rising cost of living.
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‘Saving money is important because everyone knows how hard life is now, especially with the increasing prices of goods. Earning money is not easy,’ Hidalgo added.