Early Christmas Shopping

Thank heavens that I really need not depend on dept 56 north pole online for Christmas-y stuff... because Uniwide Coastal has an entire aisle devoted to the season. A friend of mine even spent only around P2k for a Christmas Village (with people and Christmas-y lighthouses). I got a grip, however, and bought only a few balls and bells because I told myself I better just crochet the trinkets for our tree... and make it truly our own. Good luck with that, haha.

I did buy a lot of washable markers, highlighters and decorative tapes! Not in this picture are mixing bowls and serving plate, two aqua shoes for the boys... and a foldable trolley. All we spent is P1.5k

Great bargain, if I may say so.

No to HK

Some discounted fares for Clark - Hong Kong - Clark just came up for the months of January to March 2013. It's around P6k per person and that's really a sweet deal already (though if you ask me, I really don't fancy having to go to and fro Clark before/after a trip).

It gave me pause! Haha.

I have always dreamed of going there in February, when it's coldest and you get to wear leather coats and Gaerne boots and you breathe steam and get red in the cheeks. Haha.

Then again, when I think of the luggage (and expense for those kind of clothes), that dream loses it's charm.

And well, there is that planned trip to Marinduque for the Moriones festival in March... so we really don't have travel budget for HK now. Plus, hubs and I have also agreed that we'd just throw the kids a Jollibee party when Yakee turns 7... and use the rest of the money for the HK return as opposed to doing the catered thing that's more expensive.

So, yes, no to HK for now :)

Dream of a Better Car

There's already some wiring problems affecting our car's locks, and it doesn't really have a child lock feature. And sometimes, the windows leak.

But all in all, our Isuzu is still providing us great service.

But a new car is really in the offing, provided we get the means for it. And lately, cars that look cool and sturdy to me are Ford ones (ohmygosh, the only thing we might be able to afford are the seat covers for ford f150!). Hubs dreams of a sedan, Yakee wants a pickup truck and I still want an SUV.

We don't pack light and we're not small people.

Yakee also wants TV/screen in the car and I don't. Watching something would be a road hazard and waste of time to bond during the drive to somewhere.

But oh, I just want a more fuel-efficient (but our car is, actually, and that is such a blessing) and newer/safer model. And maybe something with more holders/trays for cups and what-nots. And a big trunk.

Preparing for Yakee's Birthday

Yakee has come home from school with a box of chocolate mallows, an apron with a red balloon, and a felt beanie and felt tool belt with yarn balls and wooden clips... all giveaways from schoolmates who have celebrated their birthdays.

And don't I feel pressured!

But the thing is... I know the parents thought to give those away because their children are good friends with the other children already. And it's not like there is some sort of unwritten protocol that this has to be done. And apart from the mallows, the giveaways are craftsy and tons of fun. I loved them so much because they really had 'play' as motivation.

And since we're not throwing a party this year, and I want Yakee to have a birthday story told him in school (which reminds me, I need to purchase the birthday ring and beeswax candles already... or make do with diptyque candles)... and it may be his last birthday there, I have been thinking of what to give away to his schoolmates.

It's down to three things... a cloak made of velvet cloth (for make-believe play), a bug's eye toy (to look at the world in a new way) with fairy rings/hand kites or burlap frames and cut-out leaves/tree trunk (with instructions on how the child can make her own tree). The deciding factor would be the cost, so I better head back to Divisoria soon and source materials for the first and third, otherwise, I'd have to order the bug's eye from abroad already.

And I'm thinking of having a crepe cake for Yakee's birthday instead :)

(yes, all preps for him, none for me)

'Tis The Season to be Charging

... and I'm not, shopping and charging it to my credit card, that is.

You see, for the longest time, I have only been using a complementary credit card. But when I lost it, I started using the BDO credit card issued me (just because I opened a dollar account at BDO). It's the first time I am being billed for credit purchases and still getting the hang of it.

Like, when is the cutoff for purchases if I am planning my credit according to expected cash flow?

And I was waiting for the billing for this month, having forgotten that I seemed to have said yes to their offer of online billing. Thus, I have just incurred interest charges on unpaid balance. Hehe. What a painful way to learn.

I have also been intending to look into what rewards I can get and how, or where, when I use my credit card. Some banks offer free movie tickets, some offer free fast food. I just hope I can really maximize my charges and still get perks like those offered by cashmoneylife Best Business Credit Cards, definitely more enticing and useful than free pizza.

I was planning on charging anything and everything I can to avail of rewards points and establish my credit standing, but still pay off all charges when they're due so as not to incur interest charges. Hopefully, such will be the case in the coming months.

At least, within a month of using my credit card, I have already asked for my annual fee to be waived. Hubs has been paying annual fees for both our cards for 7 years now... that's around P20-30k we could have used shopping! :)

I Did Not Shop

An e-mail containing a list of sale scheduled last weekend was sent in our Yahoogroups. I checked it and bit my lip but willfully did not go to any. Even the one at my second home (Robinson's Ermita) where Accessorize was offering their cute accessories at 30% discount. I wasn't looking for transit token cufflinks or anything as fancy, just matching necklaces and earrings.

But my material whims have to wait till after I have spent on the birthday party and found money for the Waldorf crash course I want to take.

Heaven will provide and I am keeping the faith.

Besides, I still have all the fabric I bought to be turned into nice outfits!

Money and Credit Savvy from RD

I have been a loyal subscriber to Readers Digest Asia for years now. One of the features that I like there is the one where money, savings and credit advice is dispensed by a certain Gabriel Yap.

It's from him that I learned how to take advantage of debt optimization offered by credit companies. I also learned that investing in the Chinese Yuan, Singapore and Australian dollar could be worthier investments over a regular dollar account. I still don't quite get all the advice on equities and mutual funds but it's still great to be learning something new monthly about money and investments.

This is particularly crucial now since hubby and I have two kids to provide for. I dare not even contemplate just how costly it would be to send them to college someday (but maybe with K-12, they don't need to go? haha) especially in these times when there are so many options for self-realization for them.

All the advice was especially relevant when we ran into debt last month, because our disposable cash is currently tied up with an investment and we suddenly decided to enrol our child somewhere. Talk about not having any disposable income. It was jarring to feel that limited in your purchasing power, even if only for a time. It was a wake-up call that got hubby and me to revisit our income sources and spending habits. And now, it's time to make some of the changes.

Good thing though that I have developed the habit of not bringing my credit card with me all the time. Sure, it has been a source of stress realizing I didn't have enough cash on me too and returning all the lovely things I already have in my basket (this has happened twice already!) but it's still better than developing a habit of reaching for the plastic whenever I find something nice.

Hopefully, we get to raise money-savvy kiddos as well.

Managing Finances

I used to manage a monthly cash flow statement. Then I stopped doing it.

Then, for a time, I monitored my spending by listing down daily expenses. I thought it a great money management help to be able to actually track which things we spend on that are not necessary. It was mostly Starbucks frappes, haha.

But now, we have so many expenses ahead of us. Yakee will have his usual swimming lessons (which we deem very important) and we're pushing through with summer parent-child school at St. Michael. Then, we're having him also try football.

That's just for the summer.

If I figure out a way to commute to St. Michael, we'd be enrolling Yakee in their 3-day, half-day day care program too. Then, there will be our birthdays, a possible family trip to HK with hubs' side of the family... and Yamee's birthday. And then, there's the home purchase we're shooting for... and the daily expenses of a 2-children household.

Do I need a personal finance software or what?

Oh... and have I said I intend to take some classes too?

So, wish me luck managing our finances and say goodbye to all the junk food we're buying (mainly, chocolates, cupcakes and ice cream). :)

New Year, Same Security Issues

It's a new year, folks... but my security issues as a stay-at-home Mom are the same. I've sort of gotten a free insurance quote from my friend and it seems hubs has also been talking to one of his friends. Our friends are agents, or life planners, from different insurance companies.

So hubs and I have started to compare quotes. We are leaning towards the one offered by his friend since we can use it as collateral for a home loan, which is really something I want to make happen this year. I know money for the housing loan won't just fall off a tree right into our pockets but gosh, oh gosh, I really hope we can finally make that happen!!! Incidentally, I've just realized that getting a home loan this year will not necessarily mean we will be transferring to our own home. Oh, but gosh, do I really want to move out of parents' home already!

We've also been going back and forth about getting an education plan for the kids or not. Our friends also offer these and mine even gave me an insurance explanation of what they offer. I am, however, dubious as to the practicality of getting an education plan since most usually aren't enough to cover tuition fees anymore by the time you need them. Then again, it's not like we have enough funds for investing in T-bills or something like that.

Hubs' company at least covers minimum health insurance but we also should address our health issues so we won't ever need to use our HMO cards. Like right now, it sucks to have been sick all throughout the holidays.

And insurance payments for our car is also up. But hey, you can't bargain with security, right?

Not an SSS Member

That was one thing we failed to do again for my last pregnancy: collect social security benefits pertaining to maternity. Before, I was enrolled with GSIS and they did not give maternity benefits to their members. SSS, however, does. I remember, a Mom who gave birth around the same time I did got P15,000 in maternity benefits.

We could have really used a similar sum this time, though I know a lot will depend on my employment status and the premiums I pay. Still, I haven't become an SSS self-employed member ever since I quit my government job. The most we did was have me declared as hubby's dependent in his Philhealth and TIN.

I wonder though if SSS offers disability benefits to its members. Maybe it isn't yet late for me and it's still wise to become a member.

A Mother's Saving Grace: Quick Cash

Being a mom isn't easy. Whether a mom is a stay at home type or a nine to fiver, days are filled from beginning to end with responsibilities. Many of those responsibilities are related to money. In many two parent households, mothers are responsible for managing the household budget, making sure the bills get paid, and doing the majority of the shopping. For single mothers, the “majority” part disappears, and they have to take care of everything. It's a lot of hard work, but somebody's got to do it.

At some point in a mom's life, especially a single working mom, something is going to go wrong. Maybe she needs to take time off work to take care of a sick child or another family member. Maybe there's a problem with a car, or there could be a problem with the house. In any case, money emergencies will almost certainly pop up from time to time. With as little time as most moms have, and with the financial obligations that single moms are under, unexpected expenses can be disastrous. Most live from check to check and have to carefully budget the available money down to the penny in order to live comfortably.

Payday loans may not be the ideal solution for these women, but they do provide an option to escape from disaster. They represent a way out of a sudden, unexpected emergency money situation. Instead of having to be hopeless, they instead have access to a way to get money quickly so they can resolve short term problems. All they need in order to do this is a steady job. They don't have to go through a long, drawn out application process. Often it can be completed in an hour or less. And when you're on a mom's schedule, every minute you can save is precious.

Don't Gamble Your Children's Future!

As most everyone knows, having a child is an expensive proposition. Strike that – raising the child is an expensive proposition. Of course, there are things like keeping the child fed and clothed and so on, and then there's allowance when they grow up (if you do allowance) and buying them a car (if they're good that is) and so on and so forth. Still, the big expenditure that everyone thinks about when contemplating raising a child is the cost of education, specifically sending the child or children to college.

College is not cheap. It is a big investment, and investment is the right word, because most students come out of college with a large debt burden, which it is the hope they can repay with the fruits of the college degree they've just earned. But how do you as the parent pay for the cost of tuition in the meantime? There are several routes for doing this. Student loans are the method most people use. Financial aid through grants and gifts and the like is a welcome option to those who can get it. The lottery now is an interesting source for college tuition - interesting because it's a new spin on the big revenue-maker going philanthropic.

Perhaps if your children are able to afford school through the use of a lottery scholarship and go on to become mathematical whizkids, they'll get a job in the home of games of chance, in which case you should invest some of the big money they'll be making in Las Vegas property management, because face it, that's where the money is. And then other children can go to college, too! In any case, the important thing to know is that there are tools available. Do not let intimidating costs deter you. Seek the dream.

Preparing for Baby During Pregnancy

Being pregnant is both an exciting and scary time in life, especially if you are expecting your first child. There is so much preparation that needs to be done and so many things that need to be purchased that the whole situation can be quite overwhelming. It is also a lot of fun.

You start your preparation for baby physically. You go to all of your checkups and take your prenatal vitamins religiously. You do everything you physically can to ensure that your baby is growing and is healthy and that you are taking care of yourself, too. You exercise everyday and eat three meals and snacks.

There are a ton of other preparations that need to be made before the baby arrives. You have to buy a crib and all the other essential baby items that you will need. A baby shower can help with some of this, but there are still going to be things that you will need to pick up on your own. Don’t forget to buy a car seat, too. You can’t bring baby home without one. You should have everything prepared for the baby by your eighth month so you can focus on relaxing and resting up the last month before your baby arrives. Besides, you’ll always find little projects to work on to keep you busy preparing for your baby.

For all of these baby purchases, you should check out Offers.com to see if there are any discounts you can use to save money. After the baby comes you are going to have less money to spend in general because of the baby’s needs, so be sure to be prepared as much as possible. It never hurts to look for deals, so even if you can’t find what you are looking for in one place, you should keep trying other places.

Planning for Teenage Budgeting

If you're part of the (unfortunately small) group that learned great budgeting skills growing up, consider yourself lucky. It seems like almost no one hears the right lessons these days. In the meantime, kids are watching hours upon hours of television — and what budgeting lesson does that teach them? "Spend, spend, spend!" And worse yet... "borrow, borrow, borrow."

For some paranoid parents, the solution has been to prevent children from spending at all during their teenage years. What a waste! This is the best opportunity for children to learn how to spend wisely, and finally get a wise voice to contradict what they hear in the world of constant advertising. As such, I'm planning ahead to make sure that my children receive the best possible budgeting guidance during their teenage years.

One of the ways to start is by getting a savings account into gear early. While it's great to start a college fund, it's unlikely that your children understand the value of an education at this stage in the game. But they do understand the value of a bicycle, video game, or iPod. By teaching kids about how to invest gradually for something that they want, you can teach them the value of saving over borrowing.

Another good technique is getting a prepaid credit card for your child. This way, you can load their allowance or earned money onto the card, giving them a lot of independence to spend as they see fit. However, they also won't be able to cause overdraft charges or go beyond their budget.

If your child doesn't have an outside income source, such as a paper route or part-time job, see what you can do to help them find work of this nature. While an allowance can be a good starting point, income earned from someone else will give a much better sense of responsibility.

Becoming a Better Mother and Role Model

While there is no greater joy in my life than being a mother, I have also found that I need to focus on my own well-being at times to maintain my sanity. As my son has reached the preschool years, being a parent has become more trying, and I must continually adapt my parenting skills to his rapidly developing curiosity. I want to be a strong role model for him as he grows so that he will have the skills needed to succeed in the world. If these are feelings to which you can relate, then I want to share a few ways I have found to improve my own well-being and thus, become a stronger role model for my child.

Eliminate Debt
A major cause of stress for me before having a child and even during most of my son’s infancy was debt. Having debt is emotionally draining because the worry about how to pay monthly bills takes attention and energy away from other more important areas of life, such as raising children.

As such, if you have multiple forms of debt, then I strongly encourage you to utilize a debt consolidation service as a way to eliminate this source of stress from your life. You will likely find that once you seriously tackle your debt, you will feel much more positive about the future.

Maintain Social Ties
While you may want to spend every moment possible with your child, it is also important to maintain social ties with other mothers or friends you had before you were a mother. Maintaining these social outlets is important because these friends can act as a support system when you need to vent about grown-up matters. They can also be an outlet to discuss things that are going on within your community.

Artscow Hearkens with Christmas Ornaments

Artscow is offering photo Christmas ornaments at $2/ornament and I am super tempted to order at least ten of them. Or twenty.

It's actually still really expensive since that would amount to P80 per ornament but we're talking about stars with my kids' photos here. I'm thinking I'd use what I will be ordering on our first Christmas tree in our own home next year, complete with other christmas plants and flowers to perk up the place. I really intend to decorate next year. Right now, all we have are Christmas balls hanging from the eaves of our living room ceiling.

Or, if I am really sweet, I could gift them to MIL, who always has the best Christmas tree ever.

I have several more dayd to think about it. To spend (and splurge) or not to spend.

EON Expiring

I was notified by Paypal that my VISA card enrolled in my Paypal account was expriring. That was my Unionbank EON account. I called their Customer Service Hotline and it seems I have to pay them a visit and request for a card replacement. Maybe I can ask them about banking careers while am there, hehe.

Then, since I am having issues accessing my cyber account with them, I have to create another account once I get the new card.

Good thing hubs is on extended leave so we can do this next week. I just hope the card replacement doesn't take long since my EON card expires this December.

Of Pendings and Deadlines

I was such a sloth while I was pregnant that though I did manage to cram the most important things I had to finish, there were still many things I had to leave unattended or pending.

First, I have yet to discuss the insurance quotes from Prulife UK sent to me by my agent friend with the husband.

I also forgot to leave authorization letters at home to receive packages in my behalf. I also forgot to pay the insurance for my parents' houses.

Then there's the AVP photoslide sideline that I have yet to plot on Moviemaker for my friend.

And the tons of things we have to throw away, from clothes to toys to old magazines, so we can make room for new stuff at home.

And I have also only checked e-mails and accounts properly. It seems I could have missed important writing deadlines too.

So now, I cram.

Ready to Pop

I am ready to pop now but I still insisted in being out for the weekend.

I attended a reunion of sorts with my former Grade 5 classmates and then Sunday, we went to the Global Pinoy Bazaar. This pic was taken after the reunion. I insist in wearing my Infinitude a different way each time. I couldn't wear it bacwards though because I cannot tie it around me anyymore due to my big belly. It sucks, really, since I can't wear it that way and still breastfeed once the baby is out. And yes, I look tired already here (twas past midnight when this was taken, I had to Photoshop some lipstick on me, haha) especially since all the cramming is making me lose sleep.

I bought a multi-wrap in cream from Laura's Shawl Couture and a mini-bento set in wine red from Eden at the bazaar. I am really crushing on the peach blush Infini (plus, it would bring some happy color to my wardrobe!) but I have to save up for it first. After all, I need nursing tanks more than I need shawls. The Multi-wrap was only P350 and I think I'd use it more than I ever will my boncho. Hehe.

Delivery Payment Strategies

When I gave birth to Yakee, we paid our deposit at Asian Hospital with cash. We didn't expect that all the professional fees of the doctors are expected to be in cash form too. Good thing hubs didn't need to take out a cash advance from his credit card because we actually had cash in the bank still. Needless to say, we used up all our cash that time though which isn't really wise, even if we had it. I mean, we also needed cash to buy food and medicines, see.

So now I have been thinking of what our strategy will be. Granted, we will have enough cash for the delivery (barring complications) and they're all in my ATM. I was thinking we'd just pay the deposit using our credit card and I will just withdraw enough cash to cover about 50-70% of our expected bill. This way, we'd still have cash in the bank and we could always pay off the credit card when the billing comes with hubs' salary. And then hubs need not give me any allowance anymore. Actually, I am just thinking of all these offsetting because I suddenly feel superstitious, that one of us will either lose the money or it might get stolen, so best not to have all the cash on hand.

What do you think?