Cost of living here in the Philippines is pretty cheap compared to other countries, but the salary and wages isn't on par with the price of goods. I live alone, have two jobs and live near the city. What I earn is more than enough for me and some other hobbies that I have. Total budget every month never exceeds $600, and that includes rent, bills, food, and gas for my car. However, the quality of the food I eat is a little compromised; I seldom have any greens on my food because of how crazy expensive they are here. Meat is somewhat cheap, and that is what's usually on the menu. Any other comforts in life, I can afford but choose not to because I'm trying to save and invest in order to retire early.
I definitely agree with you.
The golden era is really legit. Ever since, the salary here in the Philippines doesn't really do it's justice, especially to those jobs that doesn't require a college degree, like construction workers. They are doing heavy work and yet they are always underpaid. Cost of living here in the Philippines ain't cheap anymore, in my opinion. Everything went up, but the salary stays the same which makes for every filipinos to suffer on budgeting their money just to eat 3 times a day.
In these days, you to at least make $600-$1000per month especially if you have your own family to feed.