USD, EUR, and PHP fluctuations belong in your pricing conversation.
11 min readSimple example
You charge $10/hour for 80 hours = $800/month.
| PHP rate when received | You get (approx) |
|---|---|
| 56 | ₱44,800 |
| 58 | ₱46,400 |
| 54 | ₱43,200 |
Same client payment. Different grocery budget.
What to do when quoting
- List monthly PHP costs (rent, food, SSS, internet, tools).
- Add savings buffer.
- Convert to USD at a conservative rate (slightly worse than today).
- That is your floor. Do not go below for new clients.
Use the rate calculator.
Wise vs PayPal vs bank
| Method | Watch for |
|---|---|
| Wise | Mid-market rate, small fee |
| PayPal | FX spread + withdrawal fee |
| Bank wire | Fee, slow, rate on credit day |
Track net PHP after fees, not headline USD.
See international payment methods.
Retainer rate review script
Hi [name], my costs in PHP have shifted since we set [rate] in [year]. I would like to adjust to [new rate] starting [date]. Scope and quality stay the same. Happy to discuss.
Give 30 days notice. See raise rates without losing clients.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Result |
|---|---|
| Spending USD before it converts | Rate surprise |
| Ignoring PayPal spread | "Full" USD is not full PHP |
| Same rate for 3 years | Quiet pay cut |
| Quoting in PHP to US client | Confusing for them |
How Salag helps
- Freelance Readiness Checker: payment setup before first invoice.
- Late Fee Calculator: if FX delay pairs with late pay.
- Scope Creep Detector: same hours, more work, same USD.
Move safer. Not faster.
In short
You earn in USD. You spend in PHP. When the rate moves, your real pay changes even if the client still pays $800.
Build a PHP floor into your rate. Invoice in client currency. Review long retainers when costs rise.
Not tax or forex advice. Just practical VA math.
Common questions
You earn in USD. You spend in PHP. When the rate moves, your real pay changes even if the client still pays $800. Build a PHP floor into your rate. Invoice in client currency. Review long retainers when costs rise. Not tax or forex advice. Just practical VA math.
Know your monthly costs in PHP. Quote USD (or client currency) with a floor that still works if the exchange rate moves.
Invoice in the currency the client pays (often USD). Convert to PHP for your budget. Track rate when money lands, not when you quote.
State invoice currency and that you quote based on current rate. Retainers can include annual rate review.
Explain rate review is normal for long contracts. Offer fixed package price with clear scope instead of open-ended hourly if rate swings worry you.
ALIGN: know Amount needed in PHP, Lock invoice currency, Invoice on schedule, Guard against rate drift with reviews, Note fees on conversion.
When a long retainer pays the same USD but your PHP costs rose 20%+. Ask for rate review with numbers.
Yes. Email confirming USD invoice and payment method prevents confusion.
Rate calculator helps you set PHP floor before quoting USD.
Wise, PayPal, bank, spreadsheet for rate at receipt, rate calculator.
Ten minutes monthly to log rate received vs budget.
Retainers need yearly rate review clause. Projects lock price at sign.
Clarify currency in writing before work. Avoid "we'll figure out peso later."