He Told Me So

There aren't too many phrases that give people as much pleasure as "I told you so" does. I think that no one wants hearing this phrase, though. I have to admit, however, that I deserve it this time. I hate to say it, but Jer was right.

He wanted things done at the new unit in a certain way and I didn't really pay much attention. Now we're paying (literally) for that. Apparently, the carpenters didn't take the electrical wiring into consideration. Now, the electricians have to make do with what is there - unless we tear everything down and spend more.

I feel really bad about the whole situation. Everyone is upset and emotions running high do not really help. One thing that I am glad about is that the husband of the owner's sister has finally stepped in and will supervise the wiring job. He is a licensed electrician and we talked about how we want things done. He seems competent enough and promised to make sure that things are done the proper way. With what we're paying the electricians, I really hope that they do it right.

I wish I had listened to Jer in the first place. Now, I not only have to bear the costs, I also have to bear with his "I told you so."

Construction Almost Done

I just got home and I dropped by the new unit before I went up. The work is almost done. The paint is finished - they just need to touch up a spot in the kitchen. Even the bathroom is done. All that remains are the following:

• Screens for the windows
• Grills for the bedroom windows
• Rewiring for the lights.

We also need to buy some light fixtures tomorrow. I am really really broke but I need to get this over and done with...time for that piece of plastic (which I really have to STOP using) once again.

Feeling Like a Steam Wand

I just made my first cup of cappuccino - hence the metaphor. Anyway, after a good night's (or morning's, actually) rest, the implications of my activities yesterday are starting to overwhelm me again. Worries about our finances are starting to flood my mind. The fact that we have to move in 2 weeks is not a very comfortable thought. I never imagined that this little space could hold so much stuff! I wish we had affordable services like movers New York so that we would not have to deal with the packing and moving ourselves. Even if we just have to go one floor down, it is not a very easy task...*sigh*

Going back to the metaphor, I need the steam valve to be released. I need an infusion of positivity today, before I go back to work tomorrow!

Our Marikina Experience

We went to Marikina City today to look for furniture for the new apartment. Before that, we went to get some paint - it cost more than I thought! Livi told us to go eat at Luyong's Restaurant, where they serve pancit (noodles) with lechon (roast pork). We got lost for a while but we finally found it. I have to say, it was pretty good for the prices that they charged.

After we ate, we went to look for Ana's, the furniture shop that Livi goes to. Yup, she is the strongest advocate of this city. Anyhow, it was so funny because we were crawling along the main street, looking for a sign that said Ana's when this woman in a bright blue shirt flagged us down. She turned out to be Ana!

Her store is 3 stories high - packed to the brim with all sorts of furniture. It was really cool because we had so many choices and she gave us really good prices. There are more that we want to get in the future but we were not sure if they would fit in the new apartment so we had to settle for a wardrobe and a kitchen stand. On our way out - with 2 tiny jade buddhas and a golden bull, Ana's free gifts - when we saw a tall narrow stand with a mirror. It would be perfect for the hallway so we just had to get it.

All in all, I'd say it was a pretty good trip. I am broke like anything and I have no more energy left but I am feeling pretty ok. Now we're off the the company party.

The Sari-sari Store

As promised in an earlier post, here is an informational piece on the sari-sari store. My Filipino friends will certainly not need to read this post as they might even know more than I do about the topic. For those who are at a loss, this might shed some light on the matter.

The term sari-sari is actually a Filipino word that means an assortment or many kinds. Applied to a store, it simply means a store that sells most anything. Sounds like 7-11 doesn't it?

A sari-sari store means more than a 7-11 does, I think. For me at least, it brings back memories of childhood...I knew I reached a milestone in my life when I was allowed to go to the sari-sari store about a block away from our house on my own....I go back in time when I was a child and carefree, looking for comfort food in our grandma's sari-sari store.

For many Filipinos, the sari-sari store is part of life. It is where they go to when they suddenly run out of eggs. Or sugar. Or cooking oil. Or safety pins. The sari-sari store is where you can afford to buy things because you do not have to get the whole package. For example, if you want to smoke, you can buy one cigarette - not the whole pack. You can get an egg - not a dozen.

And sari-sari stores are practically everywhere. They are like convenience stores except that are homier (I think).

So why am I writing about the sari-sari store? As I mentioned before, we are starting one. I never imagined myself as doing this, really. It seems a bit odd, especially as Jerry will be the one manning it. I do not know how it will turn out but I do know that we will give it our best shot and see how the sari-sari store life treats us.

(God, I am on pins and needles.)

***Picture from Wikipedia...will get pictures of our store once it is up and running***

Construction to Start Tomorrow

It's starting and it's becoming real. And now I am starting to really feel scared. The carpenter has arrived and we are starting construction tomorrow. It's not really a big job - we just need to move a few partitions and paint the living area behind the store.

Wait, come to think of it, I think I have not written about our decision to move out of the current apartment unit to another one downstairs. The unit is larger but we will be using the front as a sari-sari store. That's the Filipino version of a Mom and Pop store - not exactly the same but something similar. More on this later.

Anyway, we're starting the work on the unit tomorrow and hopefully, we'll have it done in 3 to 5 days. Our target is to move in by the 16th of October (that's when our current contract ends). There is so much to do, so much to spend on, and so little money...

Now I am starting to feel that range of emotions that one experiences when taking a leap of faith. It is exhilarating. It is frightening.

Amazed at Prices

We just got home from doing our bi-weekly grocery shopping. We usually alternate between Shopwise and SM Hypermart. Shopwise is nearer and I normally like their selection of meat better. They also have the imported soups, snacks, and other items that we buy from time to time. SM Hypermart, on the other hand, is a bit farther but has better vegetables. The prices there are also cheaper.

Or so I thought.

I was amazed - I am amazed - at how much we spent on relatively few things. Since we still had a lot of meat in the freezer, I bought less than half of what we usually buy. I didn't even get beef. My grocery list today was about half of what it usually is.

So I was waiting for my turn at the counter, thinking happily that the bill wouldn't be so much. I was wrong. We went over the grocery budget by more than a thousand. If that wasn't bad enough already, the stuff we got was fewer than usual.

Now I really am feeling the crunch of the times...

Perhaps a Personal Loan Would Work Just as Well?

I wrote something about considering a payday loan to help out in our plans to start a corner store. To be honest, I am still very apprehensive about the whole idea. On the one hand, I feel a surge of excitement when I think about the possibilities. On the other hand, I am - as embarrassing as this is to say - scared. What if things do not work out? And where are we going to get the money to start it all up?

Another option that I am considering now is a Personal Loan. This kind of loan offers higher amounts. There are many options in the market today with regard to personal loans. In fact, Online Personal Loans offer a more viable option. This site, Personal Loan Market, has products ranging from $100 to $10,000, making it ideal for starting a business. As they operate online, the transactions are quick and easy. I think I am going to look more into this thing.

Try to Get Rid of Debt

Debt is something that many people have problems dealing with. I suppose that with the current economic situation, it is but understandable that we find ourselves owing more than what we would want to. One option for those who have debt spread out among many creditors is debt consolidation. There are many debt consolidation companies in existence today but not all of them operate under the non profit category. One such debt consolidation company is DebtCo. They can be reached from anywhere in the United States through their web site or through this number: 888-335-0343. Companies like DebtCo can help people with various debt problems.

One specific debt problem involves bills. We all know how bills can have a way of accumulating until the situation reaches a point wherein they can be almost impossible to pay off all at once. This is where bill consolidation comes very handy. After some time of not being able to pay bills off, what usually happens is that the interests pile up. With the amount of bills already due and the high interest rates, it is no wonder that consumers would have problems paying them off. Bill consolidation loans can help an individual find the money for all or majority of his debts and then only have to answer to one company.

So what can a debt consolidation company like DebtCo do for people who have debt problems? One of the main services that institutions of this sort offer is counseling. More often than not, people who are in debt need counseling in order to deal with their problems. Sometimes, solving debt problems goes beyond actually having to pay off the debt. It involves understanding the root of the problem and finding ways to get rid of it in the long run. With their certified counselors ready to help, DebtCo offers their services to everyone - even those with bad credit.

So why continue struggling with debt all over the place and deal with all the stress that comes with it? Approach those who have expert experience in this field and let them help you out.

Trying to Solve Credit Card Issues

I remember telling myself many years ago that I would never get a credit card for myself. I broke that promise about a year ago when our company offered us a credit card. Since then, I have realized the importance of having one (or maybe even more than one) and at the same time, I have personally experienced the perils of having one.

I will not go into details but I am sure you guys would know how easy it is to accrue a huge bill over time. I am still in that stage wherein I know I can pay my balance off eventually but I am already looking for ways to ease the burden.

One solution that I am looking at is to get a balance transfer credit card. This simply means that I can get a new credit card which will take my current balance. One big advantage is that I can get 0% interest. There are many options to choose from so I really need to think about this. I hope it works out fine.

Survey Your Way to Extra Cash

Livi shared a new means of earning cash online with me. It's called A.W. Surveys and so far, I think they're great. I just joined a few minutes ago and I have already earned $10!

Want to get a piece of the action? Click on the link below (referrals are good for me!)

$6.00 Welcome Survey After Free Registration!

Long Distance Communication

Ever since I Jerry and I met, we've been looking into different ways to cut costs on phone bills. If I recall correctly, he used to have a $5,000 phone bill because of his phone calls from the U.S. to the Philippines. Those days are over now since he has been here for many years.

Still, we are always on the lookout for cheaper alternatives as his parents call us regularly, and vice versa. I am glad that there are good sources of international phone cards out there. We found this great site which lists the most affordable Manila calling cards. The good thing about this site is that the cards make use of different providers, making for more options. The quality of the calls? Crystal clear. For the price that you pay, these cards are certainly worth it.

Feeling Responsible: Me and Life Insurance

I used to NOT think about insurance. I never really thought that I would have need for it. And then I grew up - at least I think I did.

I don't know if I have written about it before but I have taken out a life insurance plan that doubles as a retirement plan. It hasn't been long since I took that policy out but I think that it was a really good decision.

For the past month, I have been thinking of other types of insurance policies that I could take out - for my own sake and my family's as well. One thing that I have realized as I have been doing my research is this - you can get a wide variety of life insurance quotes so it is really important that you do a lot of research.

I feel like a "real" adult now. I feel that I am finally being responsible! ;)

Struggling with the Budget

When we decided to come up with a budget and implement it, we knew that it would not be an easy thing. However, I didn't really realize how hard it can be. It seems to me that the moment we came up with the budget, extra expenses just started pouring in!

I am not blaming anyone - it is all my responsibility. I might as well pay for what needs to be paid for and get it over with.

Some examples...Dad has been on a home improvement streak - roof repairs,fence installation, and the like. These things are totally reasonable - they are needs, in fact.

How about this - I ordered a skin for Koryu and made a mess of the measurements and now I had to order a new one. Kinda stupid, no?

This budget thing is hard!!!

Grocery Shopping: I Stuck To Our Budget!

This afternoon was the first test for our budget. We do our grocery shopping every other week and more often than not, we would overshoot our limits. Today, though, I am proud to say that we passed!

We made a list together yesterday so that we could prioritize what we wanted and what we needed. That really made things so much easier for me although I have to admit, I still got a few things that were not on the list. Still, I was a couple of hundred below my allotted amount.

If there weren't so many people at the supermarket, I would have enjoyed myself more. Another good was that I didn't have any trouble with the cab driver at all! In fact, he was so nice and even helped me with the bags without my asking. I realized that sometimes, being without Jerry is a good thing (sorry, Jer).

Anyhow, let's see how we do this week with regard to the budget.

Tough Luck

Sometimes I really think that I have the worst luck in the world - at least when it comes to customer service. You know how I have been whinging about my Internet connection for the past weeks. I thought that my troubles were over when the guys from Globe came over yesterday and hooked us up. The connection was great.

Until around 4:30 this afternoon, that is.

The connection went down. I called customer service. They did basic trouble shooting which I already did before I called them. They couldn't fix it. They said the cabinet was probably down. They will file a report. Follow it up.

I called again a few minutes ago. Same thing. Tech will work on it and it should be up in 24 hours, 5 days max.

I don't believe this, really. Why does it always happen to us? I am on the slooow Smart Bro now. Should I keep it as back up?

On a positive note, we worked on our budget and it looks pretty good. We just need to stick to it and we're already running into rough waters. ;)

Learning to Budget

My Mom was a stickler for budgets. When I was a child and I asked her for something, she would oftentimes tell me, "It's not in our budget." Way up till I was in college, I didn't really understand that sentence. The way I saw it, if you have the money, why not use it if you found something that you wanted?

Little did I realize that it was her budgeting that got my sister and I through the long years of college. Now that I earn money and am responsible for what I earn, I understand better the concept of budgeting. Realizing and taking action are two different things, though.

Though I have a rough idea about how much I earn and how much I spend (and should spend) I never really sat down and listed these things down. It's about time I did. That's why later today, Jerry and I are going to do just that.

We're going to try to create a budget. This part's easy - it's the sticking to the budget that's going to be excruciating.

Wish us luck!

NEO eXplore - A New Toy?

I posted something on NEO laptops a couple of weeks ago and how I was considering buying one. I changed my mind (thanks to my bosses who presented very convincing arguments on why I shouldn't buy one). The other day, though, the NEO girl was back at the office and one of the products caught my eye.

It is dubbed the NEO eXplore (what's up with the small e and capital X?) and it is being considered by some as a competitor to the Asus EEE PC. What I have really been wanting is a small laptop that I can carry around wherever I go. I am not looking for the highest specs (yeah, this is going against my nature) - all I want is something that will connect to the Internet and let me work on my blog and writing jobs wherever I go.


The advantages of the eXplore? It's small and the casing looks tough enough. It comes preloaded with Windows XP and it has a 30G HDD.

The disadvantages? It looks too cute. Unlike the EEE PC, the eXplore looks as if it were made for a child. It also has the Celeron as its processor. I swore I'd never buy a Celeron.

For a little over $400 (PhP19k++), I think it's a good buy. The NEO girl is coming back to the office today. I'll make my decision later.

What do you think? Should I get the eXplore or am I just wasting my money?

Tax Break For Filipinos?

Everyone got all worked up yesterday when news came out that there would be a new tax exemption scheme for all working Filipinos. I don't really understand the nitty gritty except that the end result would be that we would be taking home MORE each payday! Apparently, Senator Mar Roxas proposed a bill that would increase (by a whole lot) the tax exemption for everyone. Of course, the higher the exemption, the less that can be taxed and the more that you can take home.

Our CFO was beset by queries yesterday - everyone was trying to confirm the news. He said that yes, the bill is now a law BUT we have to wait for the IRR (the document which states in detail how the scheme is going to be carried out), which should be out within 15 days.

The best thing about this? The law is retroactive! That means we get rebates from January to June. Woohoo!

Are We Being Materialistic?

Even when I was a teenager, I used to sometimes think that I got too attached to my material possessions - as few and as invaluable they were. Today, as I found myself thinking about wanting to buy all sorts of things (yet again) I got to thinking about materialism.

Merriam-Webster defines materialism as:

a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things.

Being materialistic, then, is having the quality of being preoccupied (let's say obsessed?) with "worldly" possessions.

It seems to me that I have this tendency to want many things - maybe some of them are needs while others are wants. Let me think aloud here:

-a new laptop
-an iPod Touch
-a Sony camera
-an iPhone
-a new watch for Jerry
-an HD TV (probably for Jerry again)
-a new L-shaped sofa

I think I'll stop here. I think that out of the 7, only one is a real need - the watch. I was looking at watches online because Jerry's watch has broken down. He is really into watches. I think he wants a Breitling or a Rolex but I found some really nice deals on another good brand - Glashutte. I have been looking at various models and it seems that they have really cool designs and you can even buy pre-owned ones in very good condition.

Is wanting to buy something that you need a sign of being materialistic? Perhaps not. Then again, spending too much time thinking of what you want to buy if you do not really have the cash to buy them just might be...What do you think?