Changes for changing times.

  Living where I do — the Philippines, I have to constantly remind myself that I’m a guest in someone else’s country.  I have no rights or benefits due me.  I had to do that in Panama prior to moving here.  It was an easier reminder in Panama because the language was mostly Spanish. Here, almost everyone speaks a few words of English.
Since I moved here four years ago, the cost of living has doubled. This discerning fact should alarm me but doesn’t.  Like most foreigners, I catered my lifestyle to western living in a 3rd world country.  I didn’t go native in Panama and I have not gone native in the Philippines.
However, adjustments need to be made.  Here’s just a few I’ve made recently.
I decided to reduce the amount of money I spent at the larger supermarkets like Hypermart and Robinson’s in Dumaguete. Instead I began my search of items on my list — here in Valencia.  Starting at the nearest sari-sari store, then to the local public market and the satellite markets and bakeries.  I was pleasantly surprised at the selection I had; albeit I had to visit many stores.  That’s fine I’m purchasing local and sharing my income with locals; neighbors instead of rich chain-store operators. To my surprise, I saved twenty percent (20%) and didn’t really diminish my style of living/eating.
Another way I cut back on my expenses was to fashion products for the house rather than purchase them.  You can buy a tool and it will help you create a product — unit for more comfortable living rather than purchasing something made in China which self destructs in a matter of weeks. 
Re-purposing is in order — the idea that people would flock to order motorcycle trailers was a myth in my own head. Soooo, I’ve decided to craft items for the house out of pieces and parts for the trailer.  Ohhh, I’ll probably make a trailer for myself. Just not a commercial venture. I’ll stick to my writing  for extra income. 
On that subject, writing and publishing books, I've had to change that aspect of my life as well.   Facebook which used to be my platform to promote has tuned sour on me.  I'm often restricted in my posts so I'm electing to find different platforms; Twitter is one.  MeWe is another and perhaps Goodreads. This blog will undergo some changes as well.  I'll use it for the vehicle to other venues -- like Twitter and MeWe.  Join my blog and get freebies -- entitlements for adding to my numbers.  Stay tuned.  Join if you will as i gradually put facebook in my rear view mirror