WITH THE country reeling from a triple whammy calamity (flooding in the National Capital Region, flooding in Laguna, and flooding in northern Luzon), the last thing we would like to be hit with are price increases.

After Typhoon Ondoy unleashed its devastating effect, it was really kind of big business to lower prices. The day after the great flood, MRT charged only a flat rate of P10 regardless of whether one’s destination was near or far. Pan de Manila lowered the price of its pan de sal during the days after the deluge. Kalinisan Steam Laundry offered free laundry services to typhoon victims. Even SM malls and other malls waived the overnight fee for cars left in their carpark overnight when shoppers were stranded during the flooding.

So price increases after Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng have left the country really leave a bad taste in the mouth.

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We Filipinos traditionally blow away a huge chunk of our Christmas budgets on Noche Buena. We can cut back on gifts and decorations but not on Christmas dinner! Not even plates of lechon and sweet spaghetti can make us veer away from the traditional, lavish handaan. Filipino parents feel like they are lousy providers when they can’t at least provide hamon and queso de bola.

So, what are you personal finance enthusiasts having for Noche Buena? Are you making do with less or is the dinner still a tradition that will remain untouched despite the gloomy forecasts?

In the Duplito household where Christmas dinner is basically a simple family affair (no cousins, lolos and lolas because they live far away), adjusting is not a difficult thing because we have kept the traditions simple from the very beginning.

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a. SM/Hypermarket
b. Landmark
c. Rustan’s
d. Puregold
e. Shopwise
f. Ever Gotesco
g. Cherry Foodarama
h. Metro Gaisano
i. Robinson’s
j. Metro Stop
k. Santis
l. Waltermart
m. Makro
n. PriceSmart

(Photo courtesy of Michelle Morelos)

With a global food crisis hanging over our heads, should we say goodbye to ‘good eats’?

Here are some tips from MoneySmart friends for enjoying good food even with low budgets:

1. Skip the fruit shakes, juices and signature concoctions! Super mom Kitts Luna-Vibar points out that these drinks cost as much as one dish. And don’t go bottomless if you don’t drink that much!

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