Comments on: Frugality and the Philippines http://www.journeytosamal.com/2008/12/frugality-and-the-philippines/ The Color of My Dream Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:10:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Randy C http://www.journeytosamal.com/2008/12/frugality-and-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-1609 Randy C Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:09:06 +0000 http://journeytosamal.com/?p=945#comment-1609 Hi Dave - I'd have to say the even with the economic difficulties experienced here in the US the last couple of years, that for the most part, it really hasn't sunk in. For many being poor here still means getting extended unemployment. I'm not making fun because I've been close to that situation myself in that time, and it's upsetting but it still pales compared to the way many live there for the balance of their life. Hi Dave – I’d have to say the even with the economic difficulties experienced here in the US the last couple of years, that for the most part, it really hasn’t sunk in. For many being poor here still means getting extended unemployment. I’m not making fun because I’ve been close to that situation myself in that time, and it’s upsetting but it still pales compared to the way many live there for the balance of their life.

]]> By: Dave Starr http://www.journeytosamal.com/2008/12/frugality-and-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-1605 Dave Starr Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:15:38 +0000 http://journeytosamal.com/?p=945#comment-1605 When my Filipina wife and I used to live back in the land of massive debt and continual "one-upsmanship", waiting out her US citizenship time, she worked in a Target store. One day an older US grandmother-type asked for help. As she explained her problem, my wife couldn't help smiling. It turns out the older lady's church was sponsoring a very kind and Christian program, where members of the congregation were asked to put together boxes of clothes and shoes to send to the Philippines. Nice program, but the lady was trouble. "how will I know what color and style the children will wear, and how ever will I know what size to get?", the kindly older lady asked. Mita smiled and told her, "Ma'am, trust me, I'm Filipino and I've even been a poor Filipino at one time too. You just pack as many clothes of any color, style and size that suits your budget into that box, believe me, there will be a pair of shoulder to fit every shirt and a bare little bottom that will be ever so grateful for every skirt or pair pants you care to send." As Americans we mostly have no idea of what being needy truly is. Virtually every American has a story about the embarrassment or disappointment of getting a hand-me-town. In the Philippines, there are families where children are just praying there will be a hand-me-down. And a toy? "What's a toy, can you eat it"? When my Filipina wife and I used to live back in the land of massive debt and continual “one-upsmanship”, waiting out her US citizenship time, she worked in a Target store.

One day an older US grandmother-type asked for help. As she explained her problem, my wife couldn’t help smiling.

It turns out the older lady’s church was sponsoring a very kind and Christian program, where members of the congregation were asked to put together boxes of clothes and shoes to send to the Philippines. Nice program, but the lady was trouble. “how will I know what color and style the children will wear, and how ever will I know what size to get?”, the kindly older lady asked.

Mita smiled and told her, “Ma’am, trust me, I’m Filipino and I’ve even been a poor Filipino at one time too. You just pack as many clothes of any color, style and size that suits your budget into that box, believe me, there will be a pair of shoulder to fit every shirt and a bare little bottom that will be ever so grateful for every skirt or pair pants you care to send.”

As Americans we mostly have no idea of what being needy truly is. Virtually every American has a story about the embarrassment or disappointment of getting a hand-me-town. In the Philippines, there are families where children are just praying there will be a hand-me-down.

And a toy? “What’s a toy, can you eat it”?

]]> By: Slow It Down | Journey to Samal http://www.journeytosamal.com/2008/12/frugality-and-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-1595 Slow It Down | Journey to Samal Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:31:32 +0000 http://journeytosamal.com/?p=945#comment-1595 [...] become much simpler.I think, in general, that is one reason that people like myself glorify the simple life in the provinces of the Philippines. Sure people living there don’t have many of the modern conveniences we [...] [...] become much simpler.I think, in general, that is one reason that people like myself glorify the simple life in the provinces of the Philippines. Sure people living there don’t have many of the modern conveniences we [...]

]]> By: Retire in the Philippines | Journey to Samal http://www.journeytosamal.com/2008/12/frugality-and-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-1306 Retire in the Philippines | Journey to Samal Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:57:08 +0000 http://journeytosamal.com/?p=945#comment-1306 [...] Island was chosen for the place to buy our land and build our house. I’ve even written about frugality and the Philippines, which touches on some of my beliefs in how I’d like to live my life. I had always figured [...] [...] Island was chosen for the place to buy our land and build our house. I’ve even written about frugality and the Philippines, which touches on some of my beliefs in how I’d like to live my life. I had always figured [...]

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