In a digital plea for assistance, a Redditor took to the subreddit r/adultingph with a heartfelt request: “40K per month not enough to support a small family (pahingi ng tips!).” The Redditor poured out their financial struggles, seeking advice on how to manage their monthly income of P40,000 to make ends meet for their small family, including a partner and a young child.

With a heartwrenching tone, the Redditor confessed, “Isang taon na kaming magka-live in ng jowa ko, with a smol baby boy. Hindi naman kami maluho, maliban lang sa occasional foodpanda pag maulan o pag tinanghali ng gising.” Despite their modest lifestyle, the family finds themselves in a tight financial spot, unable to save or breathe easy during the lean days leading up to payday.

The post caught the attention of Filipino Redditors who could relate all too well to the struggle of making ends meet in a time of soaring inflation and escalating commodity prices. The discussion ignited a flurry of comments, each offering a unique piece of advice or insight.

One commenter, named MayneMilares, wasted no time and offered a straightforward approach: “Tanggalin mo ganitong mga expenses.” The list included the usual culprits: alcohol, cigarettes, soft drinks, milk tea, and other unnecessary indulgences that could be trimmed to allocate more funds for essentials.

Another Redditor, Sea_cucumber, suggested an additional source of income as a solution: “Hanap ng additional source of income or a higher paying job.” They also proposed the idea of both partners working to ease the financial burden.

A user named AdBlockerExtreme stressed the significance of expanding income streams: “An additional income stream will address this. Nobody improved their financial standing through savings/budgeting.” They further emphasized that raising a child involves not just immediate expenses, but also a long-term financial commitment that should be considered.

Another Redditor, Implaying, agreed and echoed the sentiment of seeking more sources of income: “Either you upskill and look for an additional client to work with or maghanap din ng work si SO mo. That way, may chance na kayo makaipon.”

Chanchan05 shared a personal story as an example: “First, saan ka muna nakatira. Last year when I was still freelancing earning around 45k a month, I was the primary breadwinner for my mom+sister in college+big dog… You can rent a 2 bedroom apartment here for 6k and I got a 200mbps fiber connection din.” This perspective highlighted how the cost of living in different areas can significantly impact financial well-being.

In terms of practical budgeting, AsAnonAsICouldGet introduced a simple yet effective strategy: “Hulog ka ng 100 kada araw sa isang tibyo na sigurado mong hindi mapupuntahan ng insekto.” This approach encourages disciplined saving through small daily contributions that eventually accumulate over time.

Another Redditor, Lavender0011, endorsed the use of excel spreadsheets for meticulous expense tracking: “You can use as simple as excel to track your expenses and really allocate a budget per category and stick to that budget talaga.” The commenter also encouraged seeking additional income sources and even suggested considering work-from-home opportunities.

SoundPuzzleheaded947, acknowledging the challenges of parenting, tapped into the power of community: “There are a lot of mom and baby groups in fb that are focused on decluttering of baby stuff.” This insight highlights the potential to source pre-loved items from fellow parents, thus reducing unnecessary expenses.

TheCuriousOne_4785 shared their unique perspective on saving money: “Magtanim.” They emphasized that growing one’s food, even in small pots or containers, could be a rewarding way to cut down on grocery expenses.

As the Reddit thread unfolded, the collective wisdom of fellow Redditors painted a picture of hope for the struggling family. From trimming unnecessary expenses to embracing new income streams and finding creative ways to save, the shared experiences and advice serve as a testament to the supportive nature of online communities. While the question of whether P40,000 is enough for a small family remains open, the Redditors’ counsel has provided a beacon of guidance in navigating the challenging financial landscape.