OFW Budget Hacks: How I Stretch Every Dollar/Peso Abroad
When I first started working overseas, I thought earning in a different currency would solve all my financial problems. I was wrong. It didn’t take long before I realized that no matter how much you earn, it can still disappear quickly—especially when you’re the breadwinner, supporting loved ones back home, and trying to stay afloat in a high-cost island life. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned the hard way? You need to know where your money goes.
How I Started Budgeting Smarter
In the beginning, I didn’t track anything. I’d send money home, buy what I needed, and then just hope there was enough left for emergencies. Spoiler alert: there usually wasn’t.
Everything changed when I started using a budget tracker—nothing fancy, just a simple spreadsheet or a mobile app where I could list my income, regular expenses, and savings goals.
Here’s how I break it down:
Income: My monthly salary, side hustle earnings (if any), and one-off bonuses
Fixed Expenses: Rent, utilities, groceries, transport, phone, insurance
Remittances: What I send to my family back home (with a fixed amount, not vibes)
Savings: Emergency fund, future investments, and travel money
Wants: Small joys like coffee, self-care items, or takeout—budgeted guilt-free
Once I saw everything laid out, I was able to ask myself important questions:
Am I spending too much on things I don’t really need?
Can I reduce what I send home and still be supportive?
What can I set aside consistently, even if it’s small?
Real Talk: The Hardest Budgeting Challenge
One of the hardest things for me—emotionally and financially—was setting limits on what I sent home. As an OFW, it’s easy to feel guilty. You want to help. You want to give extra, especially when someone’s sick or when tuition is due.
But here’s the truth:
You can’t build your future if you give away your present.
At one point, I was sending more than half of my income back home. I thought, “They’ll save whatever’s extra.” But I learned the hard way that you can’t assume others will save for you. That’s not their responsibility—it’s yours.
Why Budgeting Matters
When I finally started tracking my spending, I felt more in control. I wasn’t perfect, but I could finally see where the money went. That awareness helped me:
Say no when needed—without guilt
Build a small emergency fund (even if it took time)
Plan for big expenses instead of panicking when they came
Am I Financially There Yet?
Nope. I’m still figuring things out.
There are still months when I slip up or feel torn between helping and saving. But I’ve come a long way from living paycheck to paycheck with no clue where the money went.
I may not be financially “there” yet—but I’m getting there.
Final Tip
If you’re an OFW like me, just starting to take control of your finances:
Track your spending. Start small. Be honest. And don’t be afraid to say no.
You don’t owe anyone a sacrifice that leaves you with nothing in the end.