65 Days and Saving up

Hi reader!

Its so glad to know that you're still there. Thank you for holding on and keeping the faith while I was being lazy enjoying the sun and how us filipinos call it, "wait for the fruit to fall in our mouths."

So we're counting days to my unemployment. I've been timing this and I guess there really is no good time to break bad news. I wasted several months doing that and finally braved up to the challenge.

People ask me, "what are your plans now?" And "do you have other offers waiting?" Honestly I'm in a space where I have zero. I can't even say I'm actively looking for a job. Because really I'm not even poking the ads with a ten feet pole.

But I have 65 days left. And 5 more paychecks. So lets put some order in my life and go back to saving what I make.

Tip #1: pay your bills on time.

Now pay attention. Every word in that tip is important. Its important that you pay for your (not anybody else's) bills (car, insurance, credit card, phone, gas, electricity, and all the other bills you have) on time. I can not stress enough the last part--- On Time. This saves you on interest and finance charges. And all the other hidden fees and charges added on when you don't pay on time.

Tip #2: read the fine print.

I recently, maybe a couple days ago, got my credit card bill (due next month) and I couldn't help notice that there was a fifth page added to my already long statement. What does it say? Its a revision on how they compute for the final bill. As if banks didn't make enough money.  The point is? Read the bills. Go through each point (and I know how crazy small the font is like they don't want you to read it) and make sure you understand them. This is like getting insurance. You have to know you're covered.

Tip #3: set up a buffer

What do I mean by that? Build an emergency fund. You have to survive for about 3-6 months without a job and not damage your retirement fund or your savings. It doesn't have to be too large, like you go shopping every day when you were employed status. Maybe enough to feed you. Enough to buy gas or a tap card for the commute. And maybe an occasional trip to the mall carrying a little paperbag on the way home.

We all know right now I'm limiting my spending. I don't eat out as often as I used to. I don't buy my sisters free stuff any more. I don't go on a lot of trips (comparing to me last year at this point in my life.) I'm making sure the bills are all zeroed out by the time I go unemployed. I don't need the burden of debt.

I'm being the ant on summer before the rainy day. I'm svaing up. Because I know I won't stop spending. And I don't want to be a free loader. I'm not going to ask my parents for allowance after unemployment.

Hang in there. There's 65 more days. We can do it!

Xo,
Paula

Christmas bonuses and Black friday

Can you already feel the holiday cheer? What with Thanksgiving just around the corner and Christmas fast approaching.

My friends are already starting to go places, vacation sounds like a good idea to everyone. Except I'm swamped with work. Sometimes I hate it. Okay half the time I hate it. Okay okay okay! You got me, most of the time I hate working. But the making money I love.

Just wanted to drop some tips here and there,

1. Plan your shopping - SALES are going to be very attractive. Heck I know I want to buy the whole mall during Black Friday Sales.

2. Go cash - if you can't afford it in cash it's probably not the right time to go shopping. What I do is make sure I bring the exact amount I plan to spend on shopping. Yes, you have to factor in SHOPPING in your budget. I know I've said it over and over to budget. The only way to go is to plan it.

3. Compare prices - I know it can be tempting to buy the first deal you see but it does more harm than good to check at least three stores and compare price tags. These information are also available online so you can research online and then buy at the store. (Sometimes there are better online deals so also check those out.)

Remember to always be thankful for the blessings you have. People or things or your job. I know I can hate those things for the most part but it helps to look back and keep a thankful heart.

What are you thankful for this year?

Xo,

Paula

The Value of Planning

Planning to some people can mean a lot of over thinking, going over pieces of information, anticipating events that may or may not happen. It is for this same reason that people tend to forget it.

Let me tell you this, planning is the difference between getting off a plane and going somewhere specific versus getting off a plane, taking a while to come out of the toilet and seating on a stool in the airport lobby. It is bringing an umbrella because you checked the weather app and you know it will rain. It is packing sandals for when you can't wear sneakers. It is a lot of things considered to make the best of a circumstance.

If you were from my country you would understand what I was trying to avoid when I took the first flight out of the city. Originally I had a meeting scheduled for the most part of the day. I imagined the air traffic and the actual traffic on ground and felt the need to book a flight early.

It's a four day trip with nothing planned. Last night I couldn't sleep. Thinking about what I'm going to do. I have no meeting to go to. No people to see. Nobody I knew. I was in a new place all alone. Its like the perfect adventure.

And I aim to make it just that. In a bit. After coffee. When the sun comes out. Actually not even. I just need it to be 5am so that establishments start to open and I can start doing something.

I'm writing this with people staring at me. Mostly cause it's a ghost town and I'm literally the only one here. While they make necessary preparation to make the airport look decent. I can hear them murmuring a foreign language I can not understand. I blink in response when they seem to address me. I've been pointed towards the exit several times but I just can't leave the comfort of this stool, lighting, ventilation and Wi-Fi.

Is planning important you ask? Definitely it is most definitely important. Next trip I'm doing a full on itinerary with time stamp and everything else!

Its a lot of waste when you don't. Not having planned on transportation and accommodation I'm probably going to have to book a room right now unsure if there are rooms available. I'm going to eat again in any place open to pass time. For when the sun is out and I can sight see.

Happy Eid to all my muslim friends! Enjoying this long weekend cause of you guys.

Xo,
Paula