Living Well on a Middle-Class Income in the Philippines
Practical money, home, and family guides for the Filipino middle class, whether you’re building your life here or sending it home from abroad.
Money
Lifestyle creep: the silent inflation eating your sweldo
Lifestyle creep quietly swallows every raise and bonus you get. Here is how this silent inflation hits Filipinos, and a kuripot’s way to dodge it.
Home
Condo vs. House and Lot: Which is Better? (2026)
For the burgis, choosing where to live is often a toss-up between living in a condo versus a house and lot in a subdivision. So which is better?
Family
Why Filipinos Leave Plastic on Furniture and Appliances (2026)
Ever wonder why Filipinos wrap furniture in plastic cover or never remove protective plastic films on appliances? Here are four reasons why.
Education
Is College Worth It in the Philippines? (2026)
Filipinos have treated a college diploma as a ticket out of poverty? But is this truly the case these days? Is college really worth it?
Latest Posts on Middle Class Living
Lifestyle creep: the silent inflation eating your sweldo
Lifestyle creep quietly swallows every raise and bonus you get. Here is how this silent inflation hits Filipinos, and a kuripot’s way to dodge it.
Is College Worth It in the Philippines? (2026)
Filipinos have treated a college diploma as a ticket out of poverty? But is this truly the case these days? Is college really worth it?
Budgeting on a Middle-Class Income in the Philippines: A Practical Guide for the ₱30K to ₱120K Earner (2026)
How can anyone live comfortably with a middle class budget in the Philippines these days? Being middle class has become increasingly tough these past years. I remember when we were able to afford moving into a gated community just outside Metro Manila with just less...
Condo vs. House and Lot: Which is Better? (2026)
For the burgis, choosing where to live is often a toss-up between living in a condo versus a house and lot in a subdivision. So which is better?
10 Signs that You Have a Good HOA in the Philippines (2026)
Part of what makes would make subdivision living great is a HOA that manages the community. Here are 10 signs that you have a good HOA.
Is Car Casa Maintenance Worth It in the Philippines? (2026)
Should you always bring your car to the dealership or casa for vehicle repairs and maintenance? They can be tad expensive but are they worth it?
About the Author
Alex is a writer, editor, and a business development consultant. He’s currently managing director for an e-commerce house of brands growing businesses in the apparel and lifestyle segments. He’s also a former teacher, marketer, and HOA president. He delves in photography in his free time.
What does “Saktong Burgis” mean?
sakto sak·to
a shortened form of “eksakto,” meaning “just right”
burgis bur·gis
from the Spanish “burgués,” a borrowing from the French “bourgeois,” referring to the middle class