CULTURAL INSIGHTS INTO FINANCIAL BEHAVIORS: A CASE STUDY OF SPENDING PRACTICES AMONG BADJAOS IN TANDAG CITY, SURIGAO DEL SUR

Abstract

This paper aimed to explore the spending behavior of Badjaos in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, with the end goal of providing a comprehensive outlook in formulating financial plans that could benefit them. Guided by this objective, a qualitative research design, particularly a case study with twenty (20) Badjao- participants, was adopted through an interview, field note, and non-participant observation to ensure the participants’ answers were comprehensively taken. The result showed that the Badjaos sources of income were coming from begging, fishing, and selling pearls and ukay ukay. The money they earned was spent mostly on their food. They prioritize spending the money for their family’s needs and not lending it to their relatives since it is hardly enough for them. It was part of their culture to strive hard for their own family because they believed that no one else would help them. Thus, the common behavior of Badjaos in Tandag was being thrifty. Moreover, they also learned to save money and not to spend it on irrelevant things.