One Day, One Dollar: My Small Purchase and a Hard Reflection on a Sad Reality

Hello my dear Hive friends! 💖 Wishing you all well and good health 🙏

It's amazing how a single US dollar amounting to 56.65 Philippine pesos (as of September 7, 2025) can be both small and a lot at the same time. In Philippines, that amount can get you a kilo of rice or a couple of canned good and instant noodles. You may be able to get a couple of cups of coffee at a small local coffee shop in the neighborhood, a couple of rides in the jeepney, or a few popular street foods such as fishballs and kwek-kwek.

One time, I needed that amount to satisfy a very specific craving. I went to the nearest mall to buy a rim of short bond paper because I ran out of supply. It was going to rain on that day. The sky was getting dark and it’s a sure sign that a quick, unexpected downpour was on its way. But still, all I could think about was my intense craving for something salty. My pocket only had 100 PHP and I knew I had to allocate at least 40 PHP for the tricycle fare going home. This would only leave me a small budget of about 50 to 60 PHP for my craving.

I needed something quick, something that didn’t require me waiting. I was fortunate to notice the take-out window at Jollibee.

It was just perfect. I only had to wait for one person, an elderly woman who was just finishing her order.

As I waited, I looked at the menu, my mind set on the classic Jolly Fries. I saw the prices: regular size for 55 PHP, medium size for 82 PHP, and large size for 102 PHP. My limited budget only provided me with one choice: the regular size. I paid 55 pesos.

When it was my turn, I ordered right away. "One Jolly Fries regular, please." The staff gave me my number and after just three minutes or less, my order was ready.

For 55 PHP, I was handed the small pack of fries. The regular size was only the size of my palm and the contents were quite few unlike before. So, I guess I can finish it while inside the mall. I had a bite. And another. The salty, hot fries were exactly what I had been craving. It was a funny moment, to think that almost a whole US dollar amount could only get me a handful of fries.

It was a simple, small purchase, but at the same time, it also made me reflect on a sad reality that our society face today. What if a family that earns less than a minimum wage only had one dollar to budget each day? It’s very much feasible due to severe poverty and inflation. How would this family be satisfied and overcome their hunger for a day? One Jolly Fries isn’t enough.

Thank you very much for spending your time reading my post 😊 Hope you enjoyed it! ✨ See you again on my next blog! 💖

Love lots,
Elle 😘