Lost at Pohnpei

A foreigner working on another land may taste and enjoy the products of the land where they went to, but there is no place like home, rather, there is no product like what one has at home.

Seeing the familiar brands that a Filipino would buy from the counters of the groceries makes one nostalgic at the same time, one would still hold on to his or her own money until the time that he or she manages to save enough to spend.

There is wisdom in not converting the amount of goods and services to the currency one was used to. This does not mean that there is no need to be wary of the choices bought, rather it would be better to spend just enough from the savings that one makes from his or her present work.

A bottle of Sunsilk shampoo almost costs thrice as much as the price in Manila, but, when it comes to necessities, then just let yourself buy what you truly need. Instead, let your earnings decide whether you have the spending power that you thought you would.

1) If you can, please do not bring a calculator whenever you are about to purchase anything from the market. Chances are, the food and drinks are more expensive than how you recall it would.

2) Buy enough supplies for the whole month and if possible, purchase the one with the longest expiration date.

3) Use your supplies wisely, take note that this does not mean you cannot enjoy what you have bought for yourself.

4) Try the local brands. Buying foreign products would mean that the country where you are had to import those products overseas. More imports would increase the labor and equipment, thus an increased amount of prices per product.

5) Share your supplies. If you are living with your fellow countrymen, you would have the advantage of having the same likes and dislikes and chances are there are some products that both of you would share. These shared items maybe the ones that are available for shared consumption.

The above strategies are not aimed to hinder a foreign worker from buying the products that are available for him, these may only serve as guides in saving enough money to send to their families.