Hi mga ka-DadBuhay! 👋
Let’s talk about something real: buhay pamilya sa UK — the fun, the chaos, and yes, the budget!
Since moving to the UK and starting our family here, I’ve been getting questions from fellow Pinoys and curious friends:
“Magkano ba talaga ang gastos sa UK for a family?”
So I thought — why not break it down and share the monthly expenses as a family of four living in Reading?
📍Where Exactly is Reading?
Nestled in the heart of Berkshire, Reading is a vibrant and bustling town in South East England—just a stone’s throw from London. Though technically not a city, it sure feels like one, with its buzzing atmosphere, booming tech industry, and rich history.
- 🏙️ Reading to London: Around 25 minutes by train to Paddington Station – perfect for work or quick family trips!
- 🏫 Reading to Oxford: About 30–40 minutes by car or train — great for weekend getaways or exploring beautiful university sights.
We love it here because it gives us the best of both worlds: peaceful home life + easy access to big cities.
This post is for:
✔️ Families planning to move to the UK
✔️ Kababayans already here who want to compare notes
✔️ And curious folks who wonder how far the pound goes when you’ve got two little ones running around the house
🏡 1. Housing – Mortgage / Rent
We’re lucky to have our own home now, but if you’re renting in Reading, expect to pay:
🧾 £1,150 – £4,800/month for a 2–3 bedroom house (depende saang area. Within or malapit sa town centre mas mahal).
Yes, it’s not London-prices — but still a big chunk of your budget!
💡 2. Utilities (Gas, Electric, Water)
Our energy use varies with the season.
💷 Around £150–£200/month for a family of 4 — especially when the heater’s on during winter. Pro tip: maglagay ng extra jumper kaysa mag-heater agad!
📶 3. Internet & Mobile
- Internet (fiber): £30/month
- 2 mobile plans: £20–£25 each
So total: £70–£80/month to stay connected.
🛒 4. Groceries & Essentials
Ahh, the never-ending need for milk, nappies, and snacks.
For our family:
🛍️ £500–£600/month
We shop mostly at Tesco, Morissons, and add some Filipino products from Asian stores (hello, Mang Tomas and MiGoreng!).
🚗 5. Transport (Car + Petrol)
- Petrol: £100–£150/month depends on the usage.
- Car maintenance & insurance: £70–£100/month. Depends din sa type and year model ng kotse.
We mostly use our car for daily errands, school drop-offs, and weekend trips.
🏥 6. Health & Insurance
- NHS = free, but we also have life insurance: £60–£80/month. We also have our private insurance which is cover naman ng company where I work.
- Add around £20–£30/month for vitamins and basic meds for the kids at also sa amin ni misis.
🧒 7. Kids’ Stuff (Nursery, School Needs)
Our eldest goes to nursery now, not a formal school as she will start her reception year next year . But typically the expenses:
- School lunches, uniforms, and occasional trips: £100–£150/month
But for families with toddlers in nursery or childcare — that can easily be £800–£1,200/month per child (depending on schedule!) kung hindi pa ILR ang parents.
If one of the parents is already in Settled status (ILR) kids going to nursery or childcare has free 15-30hours covered by the government. For our case we have 15hrs free of nursery. So Monday-friday nasa school si ate for a half-day nursery session.
🍽️ 8. Dining Out & Takeaway
We love eating out on weekends (especially when we’re too tired to cook!). This usually happened when my eldest has her ballet/dance class and Sunday after church.
Usually:
🍔 £100–£150/month for meals, takeaways, and coffee dates with the kids
📺 9. Entertainment & Subscriptions
- Netflix, Disney+, YouTube Premium: £30/month
- Family activities (soft play, parks, mini dates): £40–£60/month kung may mag-aya na family friends with toddler din.
Worth it, lalo na pag gusto mong lumabas at magpa-happy!
✈️ 10. Savings, Travel Fund, and Extras
We try to save or set aside £200–£300/month for:
- Family trips
- Unexpected gastos
- Future travels to the Philippines (yes, mahal talaga ang airfare!)
✅ Total Monthly Spend:
£2,300 – £3,100 / month
This can go higher (especially with birthdays, holidays, or when may “sira” sa bahay or nabudol ng amazon), but this is the average for our family of four.
💭 Final Thoughts
Living in the UK is a beautiful journey — but budgeting is very real. As parents, we juggle so many things: work, family, bills, and most of all, the desire to give our kids a good life.
Reading especially sa area where we are has been a lovely place for us — tahimik, family-friendly, and may community vibe. But wherever you are, knowing your numbers really helps.
So if you’re thinking about moving to the UK or already here and trying to manage your budget — kaya natin ‘to!
Let’s support each other, share tips, and remind ourselves:
💡 A good life isn’t about spending more — it’s about spending wisely for the people we love most.
’til the next blog.
#Dadbuhay
DadBuhay 
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