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Enzyte Bob
Yesterday I had mail forwarded by US Global Mail, a few letters but one with a charge card. The cost via FedEX was $76.62 USD.

Now in August 2021 I had Global Mail forward about the same amount of mail. Cost $51.56 USD. Almost a 50% increase.

Of no consequence to the above posting the Philippine Peso on Wise today has gone through the 54 PHP barrier.
PhilRes
ouch - I used a service when I was in Central America and was cheap enough that it just sent mail every week there was anything.  So you have a way to do it but only when you need some USA residence only item to get to you? 

As to cost - Peso weakening but those all ex-phil costs, no?

Be curious if anybody on here has experience with that sort of domestic address service that they would recomend...cost aside...you poistive on Globalmail?
Enzyte Bob
ouch - I used a service when I was in Central America and was cheap enough that it just sent mail every week there was anything.  So you have a way to do it but only when you need some USA residence only item to get to you? 

As to cost - Peso weakening but those all ex-phil costs, no?

Be curious if anybody on here has experience with that sort of domestic address service that they would recomend...cost aside...you poistive on Globalmail?
- @PhilRes

Since you're still in America, you could open an account at US Global Mail, You will pay a monthly on your charge or debit card. So no concern what the Peso to Dollar exchange rate is.

Many on this forum use them. I use them for my US address for SS, IRS, Medicare, Life Insurance, Bank accounts and Credit card accounts. Then I also use them for forwarding my mail on demand.

Many know this, but if you open an account, they will send you a .jpg of the outside of the envelope. I let my mail build up because of the FedEX $$$. When I decide to have them send the mail, I can chose which mail to be forwarded and which to be trash. If need be you can have them open up the mail have them send a scan to you (at a fee of course). Also if you want to do any purchases on the internet you can have them send it to your Box number. Then US Global can consolidate (at a fee of course) to one package.

They also offer many methods to forward the mail: FedEx, UPS, DHL or USPS. Each of those companies offer different options suitable for you.
pnwcyclist
Im using Traveling Mailbox now. Same basic thing but a little cheaper. Have not had anything forwarded.
Enzyte Bob
Im using Traveling Mailbox now. Same basic thing but a little cheaper. Have not had anything forwarded.
- @pnwcyclist

Does Traveling Mailbox do the transporting? Or do they just contact the carrier?
pnwcyclist
Well, as mentioned, I have not had anything forwarded, but my understanding (and options shown when I click forward) is that they contract with the usual carriers. I read a couple different reviews before I signed up with them (like on traveling nomad sites) and the opinions seemed to be that it was cheaper than USGM overall (fewer charges). I pay $20/mo and it is $2.50 to scan a mail piece, double that if you want it in 10 min. The main thing I like about them is they have addresses in many states so when I forwarded my mail it stayed in my state, just goes to a different city. I will probably keep the service permanently as it eliminated all my junk mail, haha.

I have never actually needed to have a physical mail piece forwarded to the Philippines because I get back to the US at least once per year and can just have something held or re-issued when I get back. Before I left this trip I requested new debit cards and one CC. And of course all accounts are online so for example the insurance statement that just got to them I can just view online on the company site. No need to even scan it.
Enzyte Bob

@pnwcyclist said: The main thing I like about them is they have addresses in many states so when I forwarded my mail it stayed in my state, just goes to a different cit
******************************************************************
That's good to know, there is many advantages of having mail address in your own state. Especially for renewing drivers licenses when the time comes.
pnwcyclist
Correct.

I added the line about the junk mail after you posted, that's why your quote contains asterisks apparently, lol.

I should also add that they have a nice phone app.
pilotdrh

@Enzyte Bob They also use Aramex. I had a shipment using them, took 3 months! Absolutely no replies from them regarding the status. Finally delivered to my door one day. Amazon uses them also and I've had a couple of deliveries without any issues. Their delivery estimates are a joke though. I rxed a package today, estimate was July 8.

Enzyte Bob

@Enzyte Bob They also use Aramex. I had a shipment using them, took 3 months! Absolutely no replies from them regarding the status. Finally delivered to my door one day. Amazon uses them also and I've had a couple of deliveries without any issues. Their delivery estimates are a joke though. I rxed a package today, estimate was July 8.

- @pilotdrh
*********************************************************************
I hope you didn't use Aramex for mail. I use FedEx for mail, they picked up my shipment (mail/letters) on June 20 at 5:01 pm in Houston, Texas. It is scheduled for delivery June 25 here in Pasig City.
pilotdrh

@Enzyte Bob Yes, I was having my mail sent to me, nothing important in it though. I understand that sometimes packages can be lost but the shipping company being completely unresponsive to several queries is terrible. I had another shipment of mail sent to me via USPS, I'll see how that works out. When my PI drivers license was sent from Quezon City registered mail to Lipa it only took 3 weeks...LOL.

Enzyte Bob
I had a letter sent to me first class USPS to the Philippines and it took four months.
Enzyte Bob
Enzyte Bob. . . .Previously I posted this: I use FedEx for mail, they picked up my shipment (mail/letters) on June 20 at 5:01 pm in Houston, Texas. It is scheduled for delivery June 25 here in Pasig City.

FedEx told me my mail would arrive on Saturday and it arrived today, two days early.

17:01 June 20th FedEx made a pickup in Houston Texas (Monday)
20:20 Left FedEx facility
23:22 Arrived in Memphis, Tennessee
04:04 Departed Memphis, Tennessee (Tuesday)
07:33 Arrived in Anchorage, Alaska
10:45 Departed Anchorage, Alaska
01:04 Arrived in Guangzhou, China
06:56 Arrived in Angeles City, Philippines
10:19 Arrived in Pasay City, Philippines
13:35 Delivered to me in Pasig City Philippines

So it was delivered in three days.











manwonder
Other than overseas postal services which I hardly ever use...other local consumer prices seem to be going thru the "roof" ... (Yup the same one that I had to replace after it was damaged by  s.typhoon odette :)  )
Comparison  Jun'2019 Vs Jun'2022 (3yrs)
a) 11.8kg cylinder gas refill : up some 35%
b) Monthly electricity bill : up some 20%
c)  Gasoline top ups : up some 30%
d)  Tap water supply : Still hardly get a decent 5m3/mth which used to be 7m3/mth (though the 208p/mth price tag remains the same.)
e) Philippines still has very poor food security standards and there are few latest news articles saying that there will be a shortage of sugar/rice in the coming months so expect prices to be higher that's if you manage to buy them in the first place.
f) I don't dare to Imagine how some of the poorer locals are going to even feed themselves in the coming months.
Omo
Fred
There's also inflation in the blow up doll market
manwonder
There's also inflation in the blow up doll market
- @Fred


Yup...one of the reasons I remain here without the need for one  :)
Enzyte Bob



b) Monthly electricity bill : up some 20%
- @manwonder
Timely post, My Meralco bill today "through the roof".

Today: 11.71 kph   
one year ago 9.95 kph

My records for kph only go back 1 year on Meralco's website. Just think of the rise from pre covid. I have a big household with 2 TV's, three  shower water heaters, refrigerator, freezer, air conditioning 24/7 in bedroom, plus a washing machine (laundry for 6 adults & a five year old).

Electric Bill: P12,248
Enzyte Bob
There's also inflation in the blow up doll market
- @Fred

Yes. . . .Who better than coach53 to fill the dolls with hot air. On the serious side, a man took a bite out of one of those dolls, she exploded and flew out the window.
manwonder
Sometimes it's always good (but the least appreciated) to have a dependable "daddy" at home who you can approach whenever there are bills to be paid.

Omo

1f600.svg
Lotus Eater
There's also inflation in the blow up doll market
- @Fred

Yes. . . .Who better than coach53 to fill the dolls with hot air. On the serious side, a man took a bite out of one of those dolls, she exploded and flew out the window.
- @Enzyte Bob


1f923.svg
manwonder
It's official...just compare food prices here & elsewhere : the humble potato used to cost 50p/kg last week & today it costs 100p/kg...thats a 100% price hike in 1 week.

1f605.svg
https://www.globalproductprices.com/Phi … to_prices/

& now Philippines is about to import fish too???

[link under review]
kristopherryanwatson
@manwonder

Rice too, believe it or not!   Though i cannot imagine why, when that is one of  the country's top export !
coach53
@manwonder

Rice too, believe it or not!   Though i cannot imagine why, when that is one of  the country's top export !
- @kristopherryanwatson

? Perhaps you mixed up something? 
2020 rice was only the 589th most exported goods in Phils.

Long time have the Philippines been the only (SE?) Asian country net importer of rice.
kristopherryanwatson

@coach53

feel free to fact-check and enlighten me. I would welcome and appreciate that then, if such matters a great deal.


manwonder
:
Which countries spend the most on food? This map will show you...

Developed countries : anywhere fm 6-10% of an average families household income.
However in the Philippines : It was close to 42% of household income that was in 2016...wonder what % it is now!!!....so I guess that's a "SHOCKING" fact provided by the World Economic Forum.


Bierwurst
@Enzyte Bob
I were shocked by your electricity bill.
I received my second bill just a few days ago and it was 1504. I found that the majority of the bill are some maintenance and account fees. But 20k only for Meralco, ups thats a big fish to swallow.
manwonder
Rice shortages in the Philippines do still exist :
Long queues of people buying rice are not new. The same scenario happened in the 1930s, 1970s and in the middle of 1990s brought about by weather disaster, mismanagement and corruption.
At present, the crisis is also brought about by abandonment, conversion and reclassification of lands.
So the local rice farmers are struggling to produce sufficient rice as imported rice (fm Thailand/Vietnam both countries whom are now talking about their planned export ban) which was cheaper even with the Philippine import tariffs imposed.1f644.svg
Maybe that's a reason why the new president BBM has taken on this head on & be able to bring down the prices for this food staple.


Guest9272
I've been listening to the presentations of Peter Zeihan, a geopolitical strategic analyst. He's prominent on the YouTube, currently promoting his new book (came out this month in fact). He worked at Stratfor, until falling out with his management and walking out. Now he's getting press coverage on the talking circuit, because he's irreverent, gaudy and been correct about a few things. US military colleges and CEO's pay him to talk.

Regarding rice production, he says the world is in for tumultuous times. Most of the world's rice production comes from "river deltas", like Mekong and Brahmaputra, all vulnerable to weather changes.

This week south eastern China copped a severe beating (again), with unprecedented flooding, and the online maps showing the extent of the damage are just scary - so the September/October harvest season will severely compromised. Global rice prices are going to go up.

One a side note, Peter Zeihan predicts a secure future for USA, and some interesting times for Singapore. (perhaps relevant to this audience).

I've been off work for a few days, so with more free time, have been listening to the audio reading of his book on Youtube, which is about 8.5 hrs (and also been enjoying reading you guys on this blogg too).

In recommending the book, I have no conflict of interest. Whether or not he's correct, Peter Zeihan is well-researched, intelligent and really fun to listen to. The End of The World is Just the Beginning.

Enzyte Bob
The worst part of inflation is the 12% VAT Tax. Yesterday shopping at S&R my bill was P22,131.17

What I'm referring to the additional tax collected by inflation from higher prices.

Breakdown:

P2974.10  no tax

P17,104.53-------12%         Tax came to: P2,052.5

Using today's "WISE" exchange rate of P54.96 that's $37.35 USD.

In the states depending what state you live in: there is no income tax, no tax on food (supermarket), no tax on medicine and some states have no tax on clothing. No VAT.
coach53
@manwonder

Rice too, believe it or not!   Though i cannot imagine why, when that is one of  the country's top export !
- @kristopherryanwatson

? Perhaps you mixed up something? 
2020 rice was only the 589th most exported goods in Phils.

Long time have the Philippines been the only (SE?) Asian country net importer of rice.
- @coach53

coach53. . . . Calling somebody out as a fact checker . . . .That's a joke.

What you failed to mention is the Philippines after 40 years is now an exporter of rice. In comparison to the world it is the 83rd largest exporter of rice.

Sweden does export crappy IKEA junk, meatballs and a moron like you.
- @Enzyte Bob

So what? The Philippines is 83rd largest rice exporters in the world?   Many of the countries in the world dont grow rice...  1f923.svg

As I said rice was only the 589th most exported goods in the Philippines according to 2020 statistics...

So what if they export, if the import is biger?   :)
The latest statistics I find is for 2020 and according to that it was
862 000 000 IMPORT
only 567 000 EXPORT...
Sourse:

Or do you have any newer statistics, so you can correct me for the first time after many failures...?    1f923.svg
Aeta Tribe

@manwonder The Philippines never had a rice shortage until the Liberal Party took over in 1986. Around 1994, we started experiencing rice shortages and there were evidence year later that the political and business carters were paying farmers not to farm, hiding what production there were in secret warehouses, to justify these cartels' motive to start importing foreign rice from other Asian countries so they can raise the price of rice across the archipelago. And it's been that way until Duterte took over in 2016.

coach53
The worst part of inflation is the 12% VAT Tax. Yesterday shopping at S&R my bill was P22,131.17

What I'm referring to the additional tax collected by inflation from higher prices.

Breakdown:

P2974.10  no tax
- @Enzyte Bob
Have the government realy made an odd exception? 
If so - What sourse?

All I have found are VAT can be different depending of :
1. Product type
2. Revenue for the BUSINESS.  (Some simplified.)    a)  The NET between VAT at income and costs    b) Or if small revenue, the owner can chose a static lower percent of the revenue without geting the deduction.
kristopherryanwatson

@Enzyte Bob

Sir,  just wanted to comment on my observation of your spedning..

22,000 spend at S&R ?? is that nearly on average  how much you spend monthly?
if so, Yikes!   I often shop at S&R as well monthly, but my bill is but a third of that....scary...


Lotus Eater
:
Which countries spend the most on food? This map will show you...

Developed countries : anywhere fm 6-10% of an average families household income.
However in the Philippines : It was close to 42% of household income that was in 2016...wonder what % it is now!!!....so I guess that's a "SHOCKING" fact provided by the World Economic Forum.


- @manwonder


Yes that is a sobering statistic indeed and thank you manwonder for highlighting it. The poor spend a much bigger % of their income on food. So when food prices sky rocket as they are now doing the world over low income families suffer disproportionately . Rice is the main staple for most Asians.
As has been pointed out imported rice is cheaper so the government subsidise the Filipino farmers. The more rice they import detrimentally affects the balance of payments which in turn (all other things being equal) depresses the value of the Peso making imports generally more expensive leading to higher prices. Because rice is a staple and the govt is dependant on imports to bridge the demand gap the higher price will not affect demand. 
The key issue is productivity. Filipino rice farmers are less productive than say their Vietnamese counterparts. Could it be that's because the government will always (like overseas Filipino workers do their family at home)  bail them out leading to a lack of incentive?

The above egregrious example  is yet again a damning indictment of successive Filipino governments inept handling of what could be a valuable foreign exchange earner for the country if only they could set their minds to it.
Cherryann01

@kristopherryanwatson Can you please tell me what percentage of your monthly shopping bill you spend at S&R and give me a rough breakdown of percentages you spend elsewhere, eg local fish market, local shops, etc. I am not interested in the monetary value, just trying to get an idea of the percentage you spend on food and drink items mainly.

Aeta Tribe
The country should be experiencing an improvement in the agricultural sector for the next 6 years with this new administration's agricultural agenda.  With the Yellow oligarchs' influence in government and economy being exposed on their underhand dealings for the past 36 years of the agricultural sectors, there will be no more restriction on rice farming output to justify imported rice from other Asian countries, and improvement on fishing and aquaculture sectors to lower the price of food throughout the archipelago.  This change I really believe will happen, because the last 36 years of business oligarchs' (Yellow Party) tight grip on the economy, through well-bribed political dynasties, has done nothing to improve the cost of food overall.
kristopherryanwatson
@Cherryann01

Sure, i could offer you that !

Sorry, just to clarify... you would like Me to just break down the total monthly percent of my income that is spent on food & drink at various places (I.e; S&R, food market, dining out) ?

I only go to S&R once a month,  while going to the market is weekly.

perhaps this is more aligned with what you meant.. ?


Cherryann01

@kristopherryanwatson  Yes please just a sort of list/distribution of the monthly spend on food and drink by percentage. I am just trying to get an idea of what sort of percentage I would need to pay for home comforts compared to foods and drinks I could get from the market or small stores.

Aeta Tribe
@coach53  I don’t know if I agree with your unsupported claim that farming dates back to the Industrialization Age. If the political and business oligarchs can build shopping malls and condominiums, and put brand-name automobiles on the road, they can improve the agricultural and aquacultural sectors. If Taiwanese and Koreans fish farmers can utilize modern technology in the aquaculture industry in Lake Taal, Mindoro, and parts of southern Visayas, as well use modern farm equipment to harvest pineapples and coconuts for exports, then your claim that Filipino farmers are not capable of the same productivity is nothing short of a biased opinion.

My family’s background is in agriculture (rice farming), and I can tell you outright that during the Marcos administration, the Philippines was the number producer of rice and other agricultural products. When the Yellow Party took over in 1986, everything that the Marcoses did for agriculture, as well as other economic sectors (including limiting the number of shopping malls and condominiums), were totally undone by the political and business oligarchs who took over power. Ferdinand Marcos had cooperative programs with farmers who owned small farmland for the government to buy their produce at a fair price for local consumption and not just for exports. 

When the Yellow oligarchs took over, all those agricultural products quality (A and B) went to the international market, and products (C and D) were left for the local consumption; that’s why the bulk of the “Blame Game” that you're spewing out get pointed at the local farmers, and not through the lack of support (including the latest technology, education, training and funding) from government officials, who could care less whether the masses suffers or not, as long as they get their pockets lined with business cartels bribe money to monopolize our agricultural sectors in their favors.

I'll bet you didn't know this information I have just shared about agriculture and you're just trolling for attention.
FilAmericanMom
@cherryann01,

I know you were asking for percentages from kristopherryanwatson. But here's an idea on checking out the prices at supermarkets: Open a Metromart account.

Metromart is an online delivery website. They deliver at my area for Robinson's Supermartket and S&R. (I think they also deliver for Ace Hardware.) If you want, I can PM you an address near those 2 stores to input as delivery address . (I believe Metromart needs other information and verification but I don't remember what.)  The price of items bought through Metromart and bought in person at the supermarket are the same.

I don't buy produce and seafood from supermarkets, but instead buy them at a wet market or "palengke."  It's because, from my experience, supermarket-bought produce and fish easily go bad and are not as fresh as those you can buy at a  palengke.  They're also more expensive. The price of produce at a palengke is around 20-50% less than at a supermarket.

Speaking of "inflation," it's so annoying when there is too much of it in the forum - ego inflation from you-know-who,- messing up the thread. Sorry I have to say this: TBH, I'm contemplating on either just not visiting the site anymore or terminating my account because it's a waste of time scrolling through line upon line of nonsense and grandiosity to try to find something that's worth reading.

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