BLOG BREAK

My apologies. Please visit again when September ends.

PS.
Pray for me!!!

TipidTip # 34 - Remove excess weight from your car.

The trend nowadays is to go for fuel economy. Well, that's more of a necessity than a trend but i checked dictionary.com and trend means "the general course or prevailing tendency" so i rest my case. :)

Anyway, the point I wanted to make is that excess weight in your car translates to more energy consumed. I researched online and a lot of articles say that you will consume an extra 2% of fuel for every one hundred pounds of excess weight in your vehicle. So, to save on gas money, clean out your trunk and remove unnecessary stuff. This is especially applicable to girls who make their cars their home sweet home.

Now, excuse me while I take out my law books galore (100 pounds agad!) and my boxes of shoes stacked in my trunk for those emergency moments that *eeeep!* I was wearing the wrong shoes to match my outfit pala!

Tipidtip # 33 - Charge your cellphone at Burger King.

Yup, you read it right. I wouldn't have believed it myself if I didn't see it tonight. :)

Burger King in Alabang Town Center was just recently renovated. It now has small pseudo-couches for group lunches. Flat screen televisions all over provide non-stop entertainment showcasing a tasteful selection of music videos. Best addition though is the FREE charging station for all kinds of cellphones.

I wonder how that fits in the whole picture. But when I run out of battery while shopping, I know where to go. :)

PS. They have a great value meal offer too! For P99, you get a Whopper JR, french fries, drink and a FREE sundae! Mas-masarap talaga pag libre! ^_^

TipidTip # 32 - Remember that baking soda is not just for baking.

I know that toothpastes with baking soda are marketed for its whitening effect. So it should be pretty elementary that baking soda indeed has whitening properties. But since I have graduated eons ago from grade school, this bit of information was lost on me. :)

Having chanced upon a magazine article on teeth-whitening, I saw that baking soda is a TipidTip to make your teeth pearly white. A pack costs about P15 in major grocery stores. Sure beats the BriteSmile procedure I have been fantasizing about for quite some time now.

Here's how:
Clean your toothbrush with running water and tap dry. Put some baking soda in a small bowl or cup or the palm of your hand. Dip your toothbrush in it covering all the bristles. Brush your teeth in a circular motion. Be sure to scrub all sides, like what the father told the kid in the Colgate commercial, when they were painting the fence. (Pag may na-miss kang small spot..) Spit and gargle water to thoroughly wash off all remnants of baking soda. Brush your teeth again, this time using toothpaste. Do this every time you brush your teeth. Then smile. :)

pic from From Nature With Love

TipidTip # 31 - Browse fashion blogs.

To be very updated with the latest looks and trends doesn't mean buying every magazine in the planet. Magazines are actually prepared about a month or two in advance so to have a real-time account of what's in fashion, checking up fashion websites/blogs regularly is the Tipidtip way to go.

Here are some sites I visit:
the sartorialist
fashionhunter
vogue
vogue UK
elle magazine
elle girl
i am fashion
manila fashion observer
about.com on fashion

I know.. I cheated.. :) Most of these are online versions of glossy magazines. But what can we do? They're still, after all, the guru in fashion.

pic from Time Magazine

TipidTip # 30 - Wax at home using Epilin.

I've been using this for years, thanks to my Ate who discovered it. It works like any other wax that salons use, but comes at a cheaper price. A pan costs like P150 and it can last you up to six months. In my old boarding house, every two months or so, a housemate is assigned to buy one to be used by everybody. It's that economical. :)

It can be used for legs, armpits, upper lip, bikini line. You don't need a cloth to strip it off with. It just dries after several minutes and turns crispy so you can just peel it off without so much hassle. Just make sure you put the pan over low heat so that it melts gradually, hence it cools gradually as well. So that it won't turn solid so fast.

When you peel it off, it looks yucky with all the hair stuck in it. Kinda reminds me of the skin of a roasted pig (lechon), when the hair isn't very well scrubbed off. Hahaha :) I'm sure you'll never look at the lechon balat the same way again.

TipidTip # 29 - Wear your jeans at least twice before sending them to the laundry.

It shouldn't sound as ick-y as that. :)

Jeans are made of durable and thick material so one pair can withstand multiple uses without washing. They were made for miners first, remember? Since most of us don't roll around in the mud or get dumped in a quagmire in a normal day, the thickness of the fabric can be a shield for dust for around 2 uses. But if you get the bottoms wet because of flood water, get them washed, pronto! Your health shouldn't suffer.

Jeans are pretty hard to wash and take up most of the detergent and fabric conditioner. Maximize them before washing. Just hang them after using so that they can be aired out. And it's not noticeable to be wearing the same denims in one week. After all, it's just our trusty maong, albeit in a skinnier form. :)

*pic from http://www.momist.com/blog/uploaded_images/jbran1000215386_347x683f-.jpg

TipidTip # 28 - Be like Tyra Banks and embrace the wonders of petroleum jelly. Just not too much. :P

I made recent dash to Shopwise to stock up on eyeliners galore (cheapy cheap ones so stock up as in all sorts of colors). I was browsing through the aisles and saw a small pot of Apollo petroleum jelly. I snapped it up, having no use of it in mind. Since it was around P24 only, it wasn't really a think-twice moment.

But it turned out to be a really great purchase!

Upon arriving at the dorm, I read the fine print on the pot and saw its many uses. And I quote --
* moisturizes dry skin overnight
* soothes chapped skin and lips
* soothes minor burns
* helps prevent diaper rash
* soothes minor scrapes
* removes eye makeup

The last one really got me. So apparently there was, in my subconscious, a reason why I picked it up from the aisle at the time when I was buying eyeliners -- so I have something to remove it with. Galeng, God works in mysterious ways. :)

I tried it and it's really effective. I wiped it off with Giggles Baby Wipes and my face became free of gunk. Baby wipes or a warm damp washcloth (bimpo) work also sans petroleum jelly but the latter removes the eye stuff easily, with no damage to the sensitive skin around your eyes.

See for yourself how Tyra Banks went crazy over petroleum jelly. As in crazy. Like "Are you out of your head and into the outer space?" crazy. Hahaha.

(the nicer video's no longer available. hmph.)
or try this sketch parody:

TipidTip # 27 - Buy key designer pieces.

If you want to get a sosy look for less, I have a not so tipid Tipidtip for you. :) Not so tipid because it would still require you to shell out a huge chunk of money. But if you look at it as an investment, it's really value for money.

Buy designer sunglasses.

Yep, Tipidtips girl just recommended you to buy something branded. Let's face it, shades are the only attainable thing we can purchase from designer houses. (Well, at least I'm speaking for myself.) Moreover, we can wear it everyday and it wouldn't matter. It's not like people would whisper that you *eep* repeated the same sunglasses two days in a row. After all, who doesn't need protection from the UV rays of the sun, right? So for a fashion savvy girl (or guy) who's very practical, it's really the best buy.

Another thing to buy from well-known brands are watches. Like sunglasses, these are investments. It's actually not expected of most people to change watches everyday, right? And if you choose a classic style, it can be worn with most of your outfits. More of a practicality than a fashion luxury, watches are timeless (oh, the irony) pieces which you can even pass on to your daughters and granddaughters.

Save up and move up!

Just be careful not to lose them!

TipidTip # 26 - Check out org-sponsored sales in your campus.

If you're from UP Diliman, you know what I'm talking about. :)

Being part of an organization is a must in this campus. As a loyal member, you would go to all lengths raising funds for your org's parties, out-of-town trips, an occasional symposium and sige na nga, charitable causes. A lot of orgs sponsor movie showings in the Film Center. But in the recent years, branded clothes sale is where the action is. At student-friendly prices, these sales are worth checking out.

Ride the Ikot jeep and you would notice the colored papers pasted everywhere screaming "SALE." Jag and Lee sales are staples. There's Adidas too. Sometimes, Penshoppe, Memo and all other local brands join the bandwagon. This week, July 9-13, Mango, Zara etc will be on sale too! Every week, Vinzon's Hall is booked for sales such as these. Just hang-out in that area (with all the yumminess of fishballs and cheese sticks) and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I'm sure other schools also have org-sponsored sales. For instance, I am updated about sales in Ateneo (and other goings-on there) just by looking at their huge board with the blue flourescent eagle. And Monster Radio RX 93.1 also sends shout-outs regarding these things. School fairs are a good bet so you can check them out as well.

*thx jill!

TipidTip # 25 - Use cushioned plasters as foot cushions.

I got this brilliant TipidTip from Iya, my sorority sister. I was marveling at her cute metallic flats and asked her to take it off so I can see the in-soles. (I'm weird that way.) Upon holding it in my hand, I guess a confused look registered on my face thus her need to explain immediately to me why her shoes had plasters. And then I saw the light.

Cushioned plasters from Watson's = Super Tipid Foot Cushions

Cushioned plasters available from Watson's cost only P29/box. One box contains 10 pieces which are soft and waterproof. Some people (like roommie Jillsabs) put Band-aids in their feet when wearing closed shoes to prevent chafing. This means stocking up on the Band-aids and buying a lot. With Iya's idea, it's a one-time big-time purchase as you put the plasters on the shoe itself! It's not at all yucky because the plaster is water-proof so it doesn't absorb your foot sweat and it doesn't come off on its own.

You know that part of your feet which gets most of the damage upon wearing brand new shoes? That's the heel bone (calcaneus). You put the cushioned plaster on the part of the shoe which touches this (around 2pcs of plaster for one shoe) and TADA! a much cheaper alternative to Foot Petals or Dr. Scholls Cushions. It protects your feet from the inevitable kalyo (callus) brought about by wearing new shoes and allows you to wear slippers without worrying about what other people might say. (A lot of people have foot fetishes, mind you.)

You can put this in other parts of your shoe or in whatever kind of shoe, be it a closed pair or sandals. One plaster can go to the part where the ball of your foot rests for added comfort. Or you can place one on that part above your toes to protect your toenails. If you can stick it that far. :)

TipidTip # 24 - Go for the store brand.

When I go grocery shopping, I take time to choose between any three (to ten!) variants of an item -- like tissue paper, plastic cups, sugar, cooking oil etc. And almost all the time, I go for the store brand as it's undeniably the cheapest.

In Makro, there is Aro.
In SM, there's SM Bonus.
In Rustan's Supermarket, there's Sure Buy.
In Robinsons Supermarket, there's Supersavers.
In Uniwide Sales Warehouse Club, there's President's Preference.
In Ever Gotesco, there's Ever Savers.

There's a P2-P10 savings for most food items. I think quality's okay. It's not as if I would notice which sugar brand is the better one as they will all taste sweet to me. :)

Add it all up and it would make a huge difference.

TipidTip # 23 - Get a haircut before having your hair treated.

If you want to avail of the treatments that most salons offer and want to get a huge discount, here's a Tipidtip for you. Why not sport the very uso "bob" before undergoing any of these treatments? Or just get a trim?

Prices of the treatments vary depending on the length of one's hair. May it be hot oil, hair straightening, hair rebonding, hair spa, perm or what have you, it's ultimately cheaper to get a haircut first to lessen the cost. Try getting a trim from the reliable parlorista in your neighborhood for about P50-P80 before going to the high-end salons for their Kerastase treatment. Not only do you shave the treatment price in half, you get healthier roots and tips as well.

Tipid ka na, ang ganda pa ng lola mo! :)

***changed the pic to my own picture taken at Azta Urban Salon, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City, Philippines

TipidTip # 22 - Surf online for great travel deals. Or marry a flight attendant. (haha)

I am a wanna-be jetsetter. :) But until the day I marry The Boyfriend (who's a PAL flight steward), I would have to resort to cheap travel packages and deals online. :)

And I'm pretty good at it! I went to Bangkok, Bohol and Cagayan de Oro using my Mabuhay Miles and spent only a little for taxes. And what do you know, I get transferred to business class because well, I have "connections." Hahaha :)

So the next time you and your family go to US via Philippine Airlines, enroll yourself in the Mabuhay Miles program online because the redeemable miles would be about 7,000 miles already. And nothing beats flying with the flag carrier. (Loyalty!)

Anyway, as much as I want to fly PAL all the time, Miles do run out and I am still unemployed (and I am not yet Mrs. PAL flight steward). So the next best thing is to surf online for the latest travel deals and borrow my friends' Lonely Planet Travel On A Shoestring series (or just read it at FullyBooked Bonifacio High Street which is ginormous!).

I have found the cheapest way to go to Europe!!! My ultimate dream!!! OasisHongkong is one of the newest budget airline today. It will take you to London, one of the most expensive cities in the world. But what the heck, I can eat bread all the time and bring canned goods. I am not a TipidTips girl for nothing! Ha! :) A one-way ticket for economy class costs only HKD 2955 (fares+taxes) or roughly P17,730! Europe is not an impossible dream after all!

Here's the website http://fly.oasishongkong.com/booking/search.aspx. We still have to go to Hong Kong but there's Cebu Pacific for that right?

Speaking of CebuPac, they have another on-going travel promo right now for China flights. P1888 for Manila to Shanghai and P888 for Manila to Macau, Guangzhou and Xiamen. Sale period is June28-July 4, travel period around September to December this year. I tried the Macau flight, it only amounted to P5,194! Woohoo! But I didn't book, as I'll be going someplace else come October. :)

Here are other travel websites that could help you look for the cheapest deal:
http://sidestep.com
http://cheapflights.com (for domestic travel within the US)

and and.. http://philippineairlines.com! Ipilit ba??? :)
Well, they have an ongoing buy1 take1 promo, but that is if you buy a First Class or Mabuhay Class ticket. For example, for Hong Kong, the ticket will set you back $888 but that's for two already, with all the luxury of business class. Not bad, eh? Go look at the page at http://www.philippineairlines.com/tempfiles/741.asp

Enjoy travelling!!!

TipidTip # 21 - If you're a Globe subscriber, use their 232 and 235 function.

I'm not sure if this is a promo as this had been around for a long time already. In case you're wondering, these "value offers" still work.

If you know you will be talking to your friend for a long time, use the 235 function. Dial 235 + 10 digit Globe number (235+9178001234). It only costs P10.00 per 3 minute call, and for the succeeding minutes, only P3.33/minute will be charged.

If you plan on making a quick call, use the 232 function. Dial 232 + 10 digit Globe number (232+9178001234). It's only P0.10 per second.

What I do is, I make 3 entries in my phonebook for one Globe number. One that has the original number (ex. 09178001234), one that starts with 232, and the last one with 235. The original number is where I send my text message to. The other two numbers I use when I call.

And no, I didn't get anything from Globe for this post. :)

TipidTip # 20 - Renew your driver's license at LTO's Driver's License Renewal Centers (DLRC).

Can you guys believe that The Boyfriend had been driving around the metropolis with an expired license for more than a month?! Eeeep! Good thing he's a cautious driver, he didn't have an encounter with the MMDA during that time.

When I asked my mom how the state of affairs was in the LTO Southern Licensing Extension Office in Las Pinas when she renewed her license last month, she said it was a horrendous experience. There were a lot of people there and the process took more than half a day. But at least she picked up a valuable Time Tipidtip there!

Take a look at the Official Receipt of your driver's license. If it is still typewritten, bad news, you'd have to brave the crowd in the LTO offices. But if it is a computer print-out already, you can save time and energy and just go to LTO's Driver's License Renewal Centers. The renewal process will only take you about half an hour! Most can be found in malls so it's convenient and most likely airconditioned. :)

Got this list from the official LTO website. (http://www.lto.gov.ph)

Alabang Towncenter Ma. Adriana C. Cabileza Unit 2 motortown 2 Ayala, Muntinlupa City 7:30 am - 6:30 pm Monday – Thursday

Ayala MRT Romeo Jose M. Dela Cuesta Ayala MRT Station :00 am - 6:00 pm Monday – Friday

Araneta Square Mall Ma. Jane R. Cabarrubias 4F Araneta Square Mall, Kalookan City

Farmers Plaza Q.C. Leonardo Ongtangco, Jr. 3/f Farmers Plaza Cubao, Quezon City :00 am - 8:00 pm Monday - Thursday

Metro Point Kiosk (Taft EDSA) Diosdado Jorge, Jr. Unit 416 4th flr. Metro point Mall, Edsa, corner Taft Ave. Pasay City 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Monday - Thursday

SM Davao Edmund B. Arocha Davao DLRC SM Davao, Ecoland, Davao City 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday

SM Kiosk Cebu Jean Encarnacion D. Aying Cebu DLRC, SM Cebu 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday

I was driving by Libis and I saw that SM Hypermart in Pasig also offers driver's license renewal.

Perhaps, soon, before we know it, paying real property taxes would be as easy as an online fund transfer. :) I wish I wish!!!

TipidTip # 19 - If you're a dormer in Katipunan area, dial 8-Happy Homes.

Well, not really. Here are the actual numbers: 02- 9205084 and 09163295302 .

Happy Homes is a food delivery business that caters to dormers and boarders in the Katipunan area. You just call the numbers above and ask the person who answered the phone what are available. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner meals. For one meal complete with rice, ulam and banana, it will only cost you P35! No kidding! But you have to order at least two meals because that's their minimum. But still, so cheap! You could buy one for lunch and one for dinner, right? Or ask your roommate if she wants to order too. And what's more, you don't have to leave your place because they deliver your food right at your doorstep..for free!

They have been around for a long time. Eight years ago I remember ordering from them at P35, and now they're still here, at the same price!!! (Kumonti lang yung ulam, hehe.)

It's hard to be sawa because they have about 10 choices per meal in a day. Like for breakfast they have hotdog with egg, tocino with egg, longganisa with egg, etc. For lunch and dinner, they would have kare-kare, tinolang manok, pork binagoongan, sinigang, adobo with pinya, etc. Sometimes they have pancit or spaghetti with lumpiang shanghai. Perfect for merienda. :)

Food budget per day with delivery = P70.
Respite from pancit canton and Century Tuna = priceless.

Only in Katipunan :)

pic from http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/

TipidTip # 18 - Leech on a free wi-fi network.

Now that laptops are so cheap, everybody totes one around as if it's a hot fashion accessory. Admittedly, some people really need to work so they must bring them along wherever they are. Some though, are just checking Multiply updates and checking Friendster profiles. Not that I have anything against them. I do it myself. :) But at P2.oo/minute via Globe Wiz, it's Paris Hilton scandalous!

After a little research online, here are the free wi-fi spots around Metro Manila:




FROM YUGA TECH
(http://www.yugatech.com/blog/?p=656)

• Cyberzone, SM Megamall Building B (Philcom)
• Baywalk - in front of Max’s Resto (EG 6 )
• Mabini cor. Salas (linksys)
• Shell - Magallanes (linksys)
• Starbucks Greenbelt 3 near the lagoon
• Mobile 1 Park Square Makati
• Palm Store Glorietta 4th Floor
• Starbucks G4
• Seattle’s Best, E. Rodriguez
• Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas
• Shangri-la Plaza, Ortigas
• Ermita, Manila (Ferguson Plaza)
• Podium, Ortigas (Philcom)
• Libreria Coffee Shop & Bookstore, Tomas Morato
• Seattle’s Best, Eastwood City
• Robinsons Place, Manila (near food center)
• SM San Lazaro
• DavidSpot! HotZone (within the vicinity of DLSU-CSU, St. Benilde) Get free account here.
• WalterMart along Pasong Tamo-Pasay Road (Linksys)
• Masas, and Greenbelt 2 area
• Baang Coffee Shop, Timog Avenue, QC
• Starbucks Ash Creek Center, Ortigas Avenue (near Xavier School/Mary the Queen Church) - free WiFi provided by Cooltoyz laptop store.
• Hotel Intercontenental, Ayala Avenue, Makati
• Manila Peninsula, Lobby area
• Robinsons Pioneer
• Rustans, Shangri-la (I’m inside the taxi at Shaw)
• Makati City Hall (accessible from Guadalupe Bridge)
• Shell Maya vicinity (corner Buendia & Ayala Ave., Makati) {name: tsunami}
• Captain’s Bar, Mandarin Oriental, Makati
• Free Public Wifi (ad hoc) at Paseo de Roxas near Mandarin Oriental, Makati
• Amorsolo cor. V.A Rufino (formerly Herrera), Makati {name: linksys}
• WLAN PS - in front of Philam Life Tower, Makati
• Sotto cor. V.A Rufino, Makati {name: Asus}
• Pier One, The Fort, Taguig City (BayanTel)
• Pier One, Tomas Morato, Quezon City (BayanTel)
• Holiday Inn Galleria Manila (Galleria Suites), Ortigas Center
• Seattle’s Best, Powerplant Mall, Makati (linksys)
• Shangri-la Hotel Makati, Lobby and Lobby Lounge
• Entertainment Arts Center, Jupiter St., Makati Avenue
• Mario’s Kitchen, Metrowalk, Ortigas
• Placemat Pinoy Cafe in Tomas Morato cor. Sct. Castor, Quezon City
• Italliani’s, Greenbelt 2 {name: wireless, ISP: Globe}
• Bluewave Mall, Macapagal Highway, Pasay City (linksys)
• Teriyaki Boy in Buendia (Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue) cor. Jupiter Street {Jupiter Suites}
• Zupa, Cybermall in Eastwood City, Libis

FROM THE COUCH KAMOTE
(http://digitalsolutions.ph/couchkamotereviews/free_wifi_hotspots)

1. The Podium at Ortigas Center. (Strongest signal is at the ground floor, near Cafe Breton and Starbucks).
2. Robinsons Galleria (Ortigas), at the East Wing. Strongest signal is at Bar One and Bo's Cafe on the basement.
3. Robinsons Pioneer (EDSA corner Pioneer). The cafes on the second floor offer free WiFi.
4. ALL Robinson’s Malls
5. Shangri-La Hotel in Makati. Babes and Apin tipped me off on this. For the price of coffee at the hotel lobby, you get fast internet connection.
6. Shell Magallanes
   
7. Petron Makati
8. Murphy’s, along Esteban Ave.
9. Old Swiss Inn, The Atrium, Makati
10. Libreria - Along Tomas Morato
11. Starbucks WalMart, Pasong Tamo
12. Cafea - Found it near the ABS-CBN complex, besides Singles

Leech on! :)

TipidTip # 17 - Research online before going to restaurants.

One person's hobby is another person's treasure trove of information. Blogging has taken up the internet by storm and I'm one to say that it is a wonderful thing!

There are gossip blogs, fashion blogs, travel blogs and what-have-you. But the kind I'm focusing on right now as a TipidTip are those related to food and restaurant. Food blogs are the best! (Nagugutom tuloy ako!)

In Metro Manila alone, there are a number of helpful blogs which feature the up and coming restaurants and rare culinary finds. So, my suggestion is, when planning for the next big date with your lovey, surf the net for a while and research about restaurants online. Most blogs have pictures of the food, the place and the menu -- with prices to boot! The bloggers also write their own honest feedbacks so there's none of that paid advertisement crap.

Here are some of the food blogs I read:

http://anton.blogs.com
http://wysgal.blogspot.com (not really a food blog as she dabbles on a lot of things too)
http://www.dessertcomesfirst.com (although she's on blog burnout right now)

Plan your next date with these online resto guides. At least you know how much to prepare and what to order. Value for money is almost the same as Tipid, right? :) Enjoy!


*pic from Our Awesome Planet*

TipidTip # 16 - Use the Starbucks napkin as oil-control paper.

There's one more excuse to drop by your favorite Starbucks branch -- to get stock of their napkins. Their brown recycled napkin absorbs very well oil, whether in your face or in your fried food. I tried it myself and it worked!

I made myself a ham and cheese sandwich last week. Since I fried the ham, it was soaked in cooking oil and its own oil. Eww. Luckily, I had some Starbucks tissue inside my bag so I took them out to blot the oil. It absorbed the oil quickly and didn't disintegrate into pieces, which would make my ham taste like paper.

So, seeing its effects, I tried it on my face. I used a new one, of course. :) I saw oil stain marks on the tissue, which showed that it worked indeed. It was pretty much like the kind you see in your Gatsby Oil Control Film after using it.

Now, everytime I go to Starbucks, I make sure to take an extra wad of tissue for my oil-control purposes. Or for some other emergencies. Hehe! :)

TipidTip # 15 - Ipadala mo! (Xend it!)

Yihee. Loyalty!

I am very happy at the ease and convenience of courier services in Metro Manila nowadays. Whenever I need to give something to a friend or submit a research paper to Diliman, I just ship it via courier. I don't spend on gas. I don't waste time. In short, TipidTip!

Moreover, having an online business (check out http://bagsbuddy.multiply.com/! dali! :D), it's very hassle-free to sell my bag organizers since I don't have to meet with my buyers one by one. They just send payment via Gcash or bank deposit and I just ship their orders via Xend Express (895-XEND).

For a one-day delivery within Metro Manila, it costs only P50 for the 1st half-kilo. And the best part is, I don't have to leave home because they pick up the items from my house! Yup, in all my pambahay glory. Instead of me shelling out money for gas and my buyer shelling out money for gas or fare (sometimes food also!), my buyer just shoulders the P50 and stays in the comfort of her own home too. (Documents go for P40 only.)

There is a problem with this set up, however. Sometimes, when there are many pick-ups, they arrive at my house very late already. At one time, they came by at nine o'clock in the evening! Poor Xend men. No family life at all!

Anyway, they have generally been pleasant and efficient. No problems YET on missing deadlines or losing items in the delivery. I hope it stays that way.

Take note, however, that there is another courier company offering similar services (pick-up and delivery) as Xend. At way lower prices! OCS charges only P36 for the first half-kilo within Metro Manila. Grabe, how are they making money when their services are soooo cheap?! But why should I concern myself with these things? Let's just be thankful there's a cheaper alternative, right? :)

TipidTip # 14 - Have your own trusty mananahi.

As Filipinos, we are very blessed in that whatever part of the country we live in, we can find a modista also living nearby. The tricky part is finding someone whom you can form a relationship with -- someone whose handiwork you like and who has the talent to put your vision into reality.

Trust me. You need your own mananahi.

To cut up your newly-bought denims which is just too long for you.
To alter blazers or dresses you bought which totally hid your curves.
To alter hand-me-downs too cute to pass up!
To sew your school or work uniforms.
To make you that fabulous long gown you copied off of Hollywood stars for formal events.
To create for you that outfit showing your own personal style.
To recreate trendy pieces when you don't want to spend that much.
To make sure whatever you wear fits you perfectly.

An ordinary sewer charges very little. Usually it's just P20-P50 to shorten your pants. If you want to have the very uso dresses made, it usually costs P200-300 for labor but at least you get to buy the fabric you like! For gowns, usual price starts from P1000.

Recently, I was in search of the perfect vest that would add oomph to my otherwise simple shirt-and-jeans ensemble. I had searched online and in malls but failed to find one which I liked and my wallet agreed with. So off I went to my sewer and had one made for me. It cost only P150 for the labor and less than P100 for the fabric! And it was not your usual tiangge vest, which made it stand out from the crowd. Needless to say, it was exactly what I wanted!

You can look really expensive if your outfit fits you well. Custom-made always displayed class and sophistication. Now the next thing to work on is your EQ, because waiting for the output is just like the marshmallow test. But harder.

TipidTip # 13 - Don't be a drugstore-brand snob.

It's hard to believe but sometimes the cosmetic brands that really work can be found in your trusty neighborhood drugstore. Maybe it's because these brands come from big companies which devote a lot of their budget for research and development. Or, as in the case of Filipino brands, they engage in reverse engineering so they can make a cheaper version of the imported labels. Yep, we're tuso that way. ^_^

As a TipidTip girl, I can waste hours inside a drugstore checking counters and counters of cheap products and makeup and not get bored. A major dilemma? To buy or not to buy the new Ever Bilena Shea Body Butter that looks convincingly part of the Body Shop family. Haha!

Here's a few of my top TipidTip picks (and when I say Tipid, I mean tipid):

Myra-E facial moisturizer (P75)-- works wonders! My face feels supple and it smells powdery too!
Maybelline dream matte mousse foundation (P550)-- perfect make-up base. Sulit because one pot would last for months.
San-San foundation (P79)-- amazingly, just one swipe absorbs all my blemishes and makes me look flawless!
Nichido final powder (P129)-- to make sure all your make-up application is set in place.
Maybelline fruity lipgloss (P199)-- has a minty taste and doesn't come off easily.
Careline lipgloss (P50)-- not too glossy which I like, comes in great colors too.
Maybelline mascara (P300)-- any kind works really well.
Fashion 21 eyeshadow (P50)-- comes in duo tones so you don't have to think which color to blend with.
Ellips body lotion (P60)-- a rip-off of the Neutrogena body oil. Feels and smells exactly the same.
Ever Bilena (P150)-- shea body butter. Thick and creamy. You won't feel guilty slathering it all over.
Johnson & Johnson moisturizing soap (P10)-- did you know that the best germicidal soap is J&J is not Safeguard?? I read that somewhere, I forgot already where. Plus it smells really nice too!
Sunsilk Repair Shampoo and Conditioner (P80 each)-- dynamic duo that takes care of my frizzy hair.
Citre Shine Anti-Frizz serum (P369)-- can't leave home without putting this on my hair! (the one selling in Watson's for Buy1 Take1 for P129 works too!)

If you know of great drugstore products, let me know!

TipidTip # 12 - Don't buy gel-based hand sanitizers.

Hand sanitizers were all the rage when I was in college. All of a sudden, a lot of brands came up with their own versions like Bench, Bath & Body Works, Safeguard, etc. But have you noticed that all of sudden too, they lost their must-buy status on your grocery list? They didn't remain to be a staple in your bag and you felt that the space can be allotted to a more deserving item -- like, let's say, a second lip balm.

I don't think that this meant we don't care anymore about germs, bacteria and all those sickness-inducing organisms. I think it boils down to a simple reason -- they don't work.

They don't kill 99.9% of the germs, they feel sticky and the stickiness attracts more dirt than when you didn't put it on. You can see the dirty stuff just rolling around your hand and you'd have to get a tissue to wipe them off. So it's back to square one.

Don't buy gel-based hand sanitizers. Instead, (TipidTips time!) buy an atomizer in Watson's or Health & Beauty or use your old cologne spritzer (like Victoria's Secret or Calgon) and make your own hand sanitizer that works. Pour inexpensive but effective alcohol (I prefer Green Cross) in the atomizer and spray. Voila! Clean hands is one cheap spritz away..or more if you're that OC.

The atomizer lengthens the life of the alcohol, you'll be amazed. You can also use it for other purposes. I spray it on a mosquito bite to take away the itchiness. Or you can use it when a tamad waitress fails to wipe clean the table you're about to occupy. Just make sure it doesn't go to your utensils or food. But I'm sure you know that already.

TipidTip # 11 - During special occasions, ask the restaurant staff if they give something to the celebrator.

Most restaurants will be glad to be part of your celebration when you reach a milestone in your life. They appreciate having been chosen, among so many, as the site where you and your loved ones will break bread together and share your rejoicings. So, it really wouldn't hurt having the guts to ask the restaurant staff if they have a complimentary dessert or dish for the celebrator.

Having just finished studies in UP, we have two graduation ceremonies -- the University and the College graduations. Being so happy to finally graduate, I attended both. It also meant two graduation dinners. Yey!

For the first graduation dinner, we ate at Conti's in Serendra. Wearing my white dress and being fully made up, I looked like I had just graduated. So I asked the waiter if they had a gift for the new graduates. He asked the manager about it since they didn't offer graduation promos. The manager without hesitation asked if I would like a slice of cake. Of course I said yes! He gave me a pistachio cake and four forks. :) Baet!

For the second graduation dinner, we ate at Hai in Fort Bonifacio (formerly Bamboo Lounge, near MC Home Depot). My dad asked the waiter if they had any gifts for the graduates. The manager came to our table and explained that they didn't give out such treats. However, she said that if it's okay with us, she'll give us instead a 10% discount card. They even applied such discount to our bill that night already! Baet baet!

They say there's no such thing as a free lunch. But you can get free cakes and some discounts naman if you ask!

Tipid Tip # 10 - Give your broken lipstick a new release on life.

Many of us have suffered the all-too familiar drama of breaking that expensive lipstick when we’re putting on make up in a rush. Or when we absent-mindedly put the cap back on and we forget that we haven't twisted it back to its original position.

I have good news for you. You don't have to throw them away and waste the money you shelled out for them. You can give your broken lipstick a new release on life.

Find an old make-up pot where you can put that cut-up lipstick. Use your lip brush or index finger to apply to your lips. It's small and portable. And it doesn't look too tacky when you get it out from your bag to re-apply in the girl's comfort room. I used my old Maybelline mousse bronzer container since it's made of glass and has a cover. I even have ready an old Burt's Bees LipBalm container waiting for the next victim.

I found another tip online. "Simply take off the broken portion with a tissue, then slowly wave a lit match under the broken piece of lipstick. When it's melted a bit, put it back on the base, swivel it down and put it in the fridge -- uncovered -- for 30 minutes."

My churchmate Sarah Camille taught me another trick. She turned it into a lipgloss! What to do: Buy pure petroleum jelly in drugstores. A small pot of Apollo costs P29, I think. Put some of it in a big spoon or a metal measuring cup. To add a dash of color, get the cut-up lipstick and put it in the same container. Heat it for like a few seconds over a candle. Make sure to guard it at all costs so that it doesn't reach boiling point. Mix it using a stirrer while still melted. Voila! Your own lipgloss! To be safer, you can probably use also the glass container of your old lipbalms and steam it on top of boiling water.

D-I-Y projects spell F-U-N. and T-I-P-I-D.

Tipid Tip # 9 - Get a Sun phone.

No, I'm not in any way an employee of Sun Cellular nor did they pay me to write this post. But I am a true believer. :)

I am a telebabad person. I need to talk to The Boyfriend everyday just so I would know what went on with his day and I can tell him what happened with mine. Since I'm living in a dorm right now with no phone line (but with DSL! *grins*), it became a potential problem. But armed with two Sun Cellular phones, the problem was solved before it even started!

Here's how: The Boyfriend got a postpaid line - P350/month for unlimited Sun to Sun calls and texts plus 250 free texts to other networks - and that comes with a free LG phone. I got a prepaid sim card for myself - P100 one-time purchase. Sometimes I buy P150 regular load that will last me two months or not buy prepaid credits at all! He calls me and we talk. If I need to talk to him, I dial his number and "ring" his phone to signal him to call me. Or I text him using my Globe number to call me. When we get his bill, his usage is usually worth P4,000! But since there is a "discount" (as they term it in the bill) of about P3,650, he just pays the rate he signed up for!

Keeping the romance alive = P350/month = TipidTip!!!

Sure beats waiting for the PLDT men to install that landline.

TipidTip # 8 - Go to establishments with free parking.

I never get why people charge me for parking when I'm already going to their store to spend my money to buy their stuff! Isn't that exagg already??? Greed city, hellooo.

It's horrible in Makati where you pay P40 for the first 2 hours and P10 every succeeding hour. Sometimes the parking fee goes as high up as P70! That's.. that's.. 2 orange Stabilo highlighters already!!! :)

So, as a TipidTip, choose the malls, restaurants or coffeeshops you go to - those that let you park your car for free.

If you need to go to a store that's a staple in most malls (think National Bookstore, Kamiseta, Bench and Mercury Drugstore), go to those establishments that offer free parking. Like some SM malls. Festival Mall. Robinson's Metroeast. Or give your tastebuds a fresh treat and try the restaurants in Westgate in Alabang. Or do your grocery-shopping in Rustan's Supermarket in Temple Drive for a Zen-like experience.

If after much trying and you still can't find establishments with free parking anymore near your area, then the next best option is a flat-rate parking lot. At least, my favorite mall, Alabang Town Center, charges P15 parking fee flat. Bonifacio High Street's parking fee is pretty reasonable too, P25 fixed rate, considering its high-end targeted clientele.

Your money must work for you, not for them greedy people. Don't give them the satisfaction of getting into your wallet twice. You have better things to spend on.. like shoes. But that's another entry all together.

TipidTip # 7 - Get your magazine fix in salons.

I am a self-confessed beauty magazine addict. I can devote hours and hours reading fashion articles and looking at those pretty little things way above my budget . At P125/mag, at first I thought it really wouldn't be that expensive since that's just one caramel macchiato in Starbucks. But when you buy 2-3 magazines in a month, that would really take a toll on your budget. Plus the fact that by next month the issue would've been considered stale, it really isn't a good investment.

So, my friend Leana suggested this TipidTip. Have your pedicure done monthly in a salon (then just put a fresh coat of clear nail polish every week to make it look new) and read their magazines instead. Most salons have a stash of current beauty and fashion magazines, so you can take your pick. While waiting for your nails to dry, devour as much as you can of the latest trends. Or if you can be honest to yourself, showbiz chismis too. *wink*

TipidTip # 6 - Don't throw your white papers.

As a former law student, I have amassed an unbelievably great wealth.. of white papers. If only it were money, I'd go and make my dream come true and put up a charity foundation. :)

But since it's not, I thought of making sure I maximized my P 0.50/page law school expenses.

Here are some of what I did with my "wealth":

I gathered them and sold them at a junk shop for P7/kilo. After 1 semester worth of SCRA photocopies, I managed to get P1,000 and bought Yellow Cab pizza for the family. May pera sa basura. *burp*

I compiled them and slathered red padding glue (from National Bookstore, around P50) on the side, making my own notebook. I also cut them up into small pieces (length-wise and cross-wise) and made notepads to be placed near the phone.

I used the back portion for my personal xeroxing and printing needs. No sense selling them to the junk shop without first using both sides of the paper.

There are waste markets going on, the most recent one I got wind of was in SM Southmall last May 19. I think they replace your used white paper with a fresh ream. Now, that's an incentive to recycle!

Remember that a lot of trees died so we can use them for our writing purposes. Let us prolong their life. Let us not let them die in vain.

TipidTip #5 Gas up in Pasay City.

I don't know if most of you guys realize this, but gasoline is way cheaper in the area of Pasay City. The rates are lower by at least P1/liter in gasoline stations in Macapagal Drive near SM Mall of Asia (sometimes almost P2/liter savings!). My boyfriend who works in PAL also noticed that gasoline stations near the airport have practically the same rates as those near MOA. I therefore conclude, it's a TipidTip to gas up in Pasay.

At first, I thought it's because there are a lot of gasoline stations that abound the Macapagal Drive -- the big three, Jetti, SeaOil etc. And so the law of supply and demand comes into play, lowering the prices. But when the Boyfriend said the rates are the same near the airport, and gas stations there are not really side by side, we debunked the application of the economics theory and looked for another explanation.

The Boyfriend gassed up his car near the airport again, but this time in Sucat (which is in Paranaque), and noticed that prices of gasoline were the same as in others, like in Alabang. And so we came to the conclusion that maybe it's cheaper to buy gasoline in the Pasay area. Maybe, the local government of Pasay imposes less taxes to them so less charges are passed on to consumers.

Well, I have no basis in law or in fact, it's just a result of us putting two and two together. If you guys have any theories, or have valid explanations for this, we'd gladly concede and withdraw ours. But until then, I'll try to stretch my gasoline to reach Macapagal Drive in time, before my car hyperventilates (like its owner!) and gives up.

TipidTip #4 Make your own handsoap.

When I take a bath, I scrub myself clean using loofah and soap. After some time, the soap shrinks into a tiny insignificant particle (exagg! haha!) which I find no use for. So I just throw it to the trashcan or break it into smaller pieces and make the loofah work doubletime.

I came across a way to prolong my soap's life when I was browsing through an old magazine. You can make your own handsoap! TipidTip again! Collect all these small bits and pieces of soap in your house. I'm sure there are some still left on the soapdish, right beside the big plump Safeguard. Get an old lotion pump bottle or buy one from Watson's or Health and Beauty. Put these soap bits inside the bottle and add a sufficient amount of water, enough to "melt" the soap. This will take days. So just add soap bits whenever you find one lying around and add water again. Just shake it whenever you see it. Soon, it will form into a thick consistency resembling liquid soap. If it's too thick, add water and shake again. This process won't actually take too much time. You can do it after putting conditioner on your hair and leaving it on for a few minutes for maximum effect.

Place the bottle near the sink for handwashing purposes. Or near the toilet bowl for other activities. You know. ^_~

TipidTip #3 Don't buy frames from optical shops.

If you are planning on buying a new pair of eyeglasses and have no qualms about wearing plastic frames, here's a TipidTip for you.

Eyeglass frames in optical shops can get expensive, especially if you go for the designer brands. A quick trip to several optical shops showed that even generic eyeglasses go for P1,000 to P1,500, and none of them appealed to me. Add the cost of the multi-coated lens and the price will be double.*

So I went to i2i and chose a frame that suited my taste. (Some friends shared that they bought theirs from SM Department Store.) I chose a champagne-reddish frame and shelled out P199 only. Yippee!!! I went to the nearby optical shop and had lens made for my new glasses. Better to be careful and ask the optometrist what kind they can work with as I think this works only for flat-front glasses. A word of caution, they will discourage you and tell you they have no warranty for the frame and that it might get bubbles when heated. I paid them no attention, haha. And I was successful! :)

* multi-coated lens go for P1,000.

TipidTip #2 Buy hot tea in coffeeshops.

If you are a law student, a med student, or the type of person who works best in a coffeeshop, your Starbucks purchases likely take up a huge chunk in your allowance/salary. The average price of coffee in coffeeshops is P100/cup (not a frap ha!), which is really expensive if you compare it to a 99-peso Whopper Jr. Meal in Burger King (which by the way includes yummy onion rings or the traditional french fries and drink). Add to the fact that if you're staying for more than 5 hours, you have this need to validate your stay and buy another drink or one of their exorbitantly-priced pastries.

But fret not. You don't have to stop coming to your favorite "work" spot. As a TipidTip which actually works, I suggest that you buy hot tea from time to time. Especially when you can't stand anymore the taste of coffee in your tongue. I especially prefer mint tea in Seattle's Best. The good news is, it's way cheaper like around P65 AND hot water is refillable for free! Yep, you can actually go back to the counter and ask for hot water for a second round. And stay for another 5 hours! :) Trust me on this. That's why there is a song "Tea and Sympathy," hahahaa.

And you can also make "baon" some sandwiches in your bag, to eat when you're brain cells have gone kaput and you need to be nourished.

Make friends with the baristas and the guard. That way, they will welcome you even if you only make minimal purchases and overstay.

TipidTip #1 Pay the total amount owed from your credit card.

Most of us adults have at least one credit card. After all, in this day and age, who would not want the convenience of the plastic? Being a bit strapped for cash and a week into getting your pay, the credit card would come in very handy. Swipe, swipe. Ka-ching, ka-ching.

Here's my take on this. It's really a necessity right now to get yourself a credit card. A lot of ATM machines are off-line and you really wouldn't want to walk around carrying a lot of cash in the streets of Manila. Also, it's very important to establish a good credit standing, so that you can get bank loans and apply for that Meralco/PLDT account in your name. When applying for a US Visa or other visas, it's also a point for you if you have a credit line here in the Philippines.

But to be able to be the master of the credit card and not allow it to get the best of you, exercise restraint. Buy only the necessities. And by that, I mean groceries, gasoline, and other things you need in order to survive. Use it for emergencies only, as to what constitutes emergency for you, only you can decide.

The most important tip is to pay the FULL amount before the due date. Don't just pay the minimum balance required. The interest it earns off your purchases will soon amount to more than what you actually bought, if that's what you keep doing. That's why it's important to buy only what you need, and what you can actually pay for within a month's time.

If you read the small font at the back of your statement, it sometimes reads that it takes 2-3 working days before your payment gets credited. It's better to pay at least a day before the due date, to assure yourself of not incurring those pesky financial charges.

You can also call their customer hotline to ask about your statement and ask to waive some charges, like the annual fee. They can apply your points to that so you won't have to pay them anymore.

Or you can read the brochures they send over the mail and check if the points you've received would actually amount to something.

Credit card is not the enemy, if you use it responsibly.

hey!

Hi there! I'm thinking that since this is my debut post, it's but proper to say a few things about myself.

I am a typical Pinay who grew up in the southern part of Metro Manila. I am in my mid-twenties, but have yet to enter the real world. I have been a student up until April 24, 2007, when I graduated from law school. No, I am not the serious type. My interests are diverse. Aside from studying laws, I love fashion, traveling, blog-hopping and taking pictures. I am also into Pinoy showbiz and wasting long hours in coffeshops. I have my own online business -- visit http://bagsbuddy.multiply.com. I am an advocate for the environment and I dream of one day serving my country -- be it in public office or in my own small way.

I am all for living the good life!!! But until the time comes that I can afford it, let me share with you my TipidTips* , some suggestions as to how you can save that hard-earned cash and still enjoy what life has to offer.

Thanks!

*coined by my good friend Tin, way back in highschool, 1999.