Filipinas and money

[Jeff S]

... in response to Pigs!, posted by Dave H on Nov 18, 2003

I don't know about raising them, but slaughtering them sure would make you "buraku" (unclean.)

- Jeff

[Minnesota guy]

... in response to Filipinas and money, posted by NateD on Nov 16, 2003

My wife and I discussed finances quite a bit after we were engaged. By RP standards most of us must seem fairly wealthy. I of course warned her of my rustic lifestyle with solar electricity, no running water and an outhouse. Despite my warnings she actually thought I was joking. One year later we have running water and indoor plumbing. I was happy to make the upgrades since I was not commited to those snowy walks to the outhouse or hauling up fresh water constantly. Although we certainly do not make huge sums of money we have no problem sending money back to help her family with a few needs like medications and education. I think it averages about $100 per month.

[NOX1967]

... in response to Filipinas and money, posted by NateD on Nov 16, 2003

I also work in public service. The pay isn't high, but where I live the cost of living is reasonable and there are some benefits as well.

I always made it clear to my fiance from the beginning that I was not wealthy. While I was in Mindanao I did spend a lot of money but she understood that it was because I had exchanged dollars to Pisos.

I weeded out several ladies when I first started looking because the seemed overly interested in money.

Just be careful and look for a good one.

Ron

[Mita]

... in response to Filipinas and money, posted by NateD on Nov 16, 2003

Nate,
Don't talk about money.  Remember a Filipino will translate how much you make multiplied by 55.  Why attract the gold diggers?
Michael B is right, find a good woman and you won't get in trouble.  Don't rush into marriage, take time to really know your intended and her intentions.
I still think it's wise if you find a woman with a profession herself.  Be wise for your future, choose a woman who is able to support herself.  It's good for you and the future family you'll have.  And no - it's not selfish. Women think in these terms all the time.
My old officemate in Manila married a USN petty officer and they are now based in Maryland.  She's making good money as a legal secretary in a big law firm in DC now.  Despite the good pay, she is bored with the job and her husband has asked her to think twice about quitting cause he has gotten used to the double income.  True story, nice people and both my good friends - but we all have to deal with the realities of life in this country where you spend so much on insurance that never gets used!!!!!
Regards,
Mita

[Bear]

... in response to Filipinas and money, posted by NateD on Nov 16, 2003

Money is a powerful issue in the R.P.  I think you need to not only consider what the girl might think but what her family will think and the pressures they might bring to bear on her.  I would think that women in the R.P. are no different than women around the world.  Still my wifes family brought a great deal of pressure on her to benefit financially from our marriage.  My wife and I had discussed this a great deal before the marriage was planned so when they started  pressuring her for additional funds she was able to say no.  This caused her to be labeled a "bad daughter" and shunned and abused by family and neighbors.  It wasn't till she came to the USA did her family apologize for the stress they put on her (last Christmas as a MOF).  Now I send them $50/mon. and they have found that the rest of the family is mad at them for not sharing it with them.  They now buy lots of things that put them in debt so that they can use the money I send them to pay for it and not have to share it with everyone else.  Its actually gotten so bad that Honey's father is now trying to find a place to live in Bohol to get away from his family and the pressure they are putting on him.

Moral - don't ignore the family in this relationship, especially when it comes to money.

Bear and Honey

[nealt]

... in response to Filipinas and money, posted by NateD on Nov 16, 2003

follow up , my wife only cares if she has a roof over her head and at least 1 fish and a can of rice for that day to eat
tneal

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Filipinas and money, posted by nealt on Nov 16, 2003

Hi Tom,

I didn't know that rice came in a can. Is that the way you buy it in Oklahoma? :-)

Ray

[nealt]

... in response to A can of rice?, posted by Ray on Nov 16, 2003

Yes it is called Phillipino in a can you add water bring to a boil let simmer for 15 min add chicken or beef flavor or fish and you have your Phillipina, but now i am married so i don't need it any more
tneal

[Ray]

... in response to Re: A can of rice?, posted by nealt on Nov 18, 2003

I don't know Tom. You have a weird imagination! :-)

[nealt]

... in response to Filipinas and money, posted by NateD on Nov 16, 2003

YES,that is the only answer
tneal

[Ray]

... in response to Filipinas and money, posted by NateD on Nov 16, 2003

Hi Nate,

I agree with Michael B. Don’t look at it as a Filipina thing, but take each one as an individual. You’ll find all types in any cultural group. Materialism is an individual character trait, not a racial one.

Tip: Try not to even mention the word money while you’re writing to prospective mates. Once money enters the equation, everything often seems to get very convoluted.

Ray

[Dave H]

... in response to Re: Filipinas and money, posted by Ray on Nov 16, 2003

Hey Ray,

"You’ll find all types in any cultural group."

I guess I just kept meeting the wrong "type" in a certain cultural group. ;o))) For the most part I would agree, although I think certain cultures tend to be more materialistic on the whole. But to be fair, many of these ladies are willing to work hard to get what they want.

Dave H.

[Dave H]

... in response to Filipinas and money, posted by NateD on Nov 16, 2003

Hi Nate,

I am sure you could easily find a Filipina who would love and care more about you than your money...I did!

Dave H.

[Michael B]

... in response to Filipinas and money, posted by NateD on Nov 16, 2003

I reckon a GOOD one will (care more for the man than the paycheck). So will a GOOD Latina, a GOOD Russian, a GOOD Eskimo, a GOOD Frenchwoman and a GOOD AW.

OTOH, there's the famous Mae West line:
bystander woman: Goodness, what a large diamond.
Mae West: GOODNESS had nothing to do with it.