Скачать или смотреть Stop Overpaying in Cebu, My Real Monthly Budget, Street Market vs Landers

Welcome to Retire in Southeast Asia with Sammi

Today I walk a few minutes outside Mactan Newtown to a local street market to buy fruits, vegetables, spices, and basics for a big batch cook. The goal is simple, cook a large pot of food that lasts several days, freeze half, and stop bleeding money on convenience. I also break down what my real monthly costs look like, because cost of living in Cebu depends less on the city and more on your habits.

I budgeted $1,300 USD per month all in, including rent. Over the last five months, I went over that number in three months and stayed within it in two months. The big reason is what I call vacation mode. When you first arrive, you spend like it is Monopoly money, you eat out constantly, you party, you do trips, and your budget explodes. I did it too.

Here is the punchline from this market run. I bought a full haul including garlic, ginger, onions, limes, tomatoes, carrots, green beans, spinach, potatoes, eggs, plus vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and spices for 900 pesos, about $15. The same basket would have been around 2,200 pesos at Savemore, and around 3,500 pesos at Landers with delivery. That is not a small difference, it is lifestyle math.

If you want Mactan Newtown on a midlevel budget, you can do it, but you have to stop paying the lazy tax. Walk, ride, or bus to local markets for produce. Save delivery and malls for specific items like meat. Build a real budget, stick to it, and protect yourself from financial stress.

Chapters and timestamps
0:05 Intro, monthly budget goal, construction outside Mactan Newtown
2:52 Street market shopping list, adobo ingredients, veggies, eggs, spices
10:50 Total cost at the market, 900 pesos
12:38 Price comparison, Savemore vs Landers vs street market
14:55 The lazy tax, Grab and fast food vs batch cooking
18:10 My average monthly spend, vacation mode vs normal months
20:40 Why I like Mactan Newtown, and why opinions differ

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From beach life in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines to local life in Sri Lanka, I share personal stories, tips, and strategies for retiring abroad with clarity and confidence, health, financial, and stress management. Whether you're planning your escape from the West or already trying to live the dream, you're in the right place.

This is the story of the path I took and the pitfalls I encountered to get where I am now, as well as what I am doing to achieve my dream. Now, please join me on this wonderful new adventure to see where it goes!

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This video was made in compliance with NPC Circular No. 2025‑01, issued by the National Privacy Commission in the Philippines on 26 May 2025 and effective as of 10 June 2025.