Wednesday, May 30, 2007

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.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

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*

Sunday, May 27, 2007

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.

Friday, May 25, 2007

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.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

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. ^_~

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

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.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

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.

Monday, May 21, 2007

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.