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

The last 67 days

67 is an odd number. But in between those I'm getting 5 more paychecks, I'm getting 3 of my bills paid in full, I'm getting 1 assessment, 14 days of leave, and 0 clue with what to do with my life.

You know how I think I'm a pretty organized person? If you didn't I'm telling you now. I think so. But lately, I just feel like my head is a big clutter box.

The next and last 67 days of my employment is pretty scary. Mostly because I don't know what I'll do with my life from here on. Am I going to enter adulthood as a bum? How am I going to support myself? I'm jumping off a plane hoping I can build a parachute out of the falling debris. That's pretty scary if you ask me. I also got that from entrepreneur class. I'm not sure if it's a class, a seminar, an article or what but I'm pretty sure that concept came from there.

Who has been in this place? Can you email me your advice? I really need it. I'll appreciate if you do.

Much love and thanks,
Paula

2 Month Hiatus Break

Hello (any) reader (left in this blog!)

I'm not sure how many readers are waiting for updates. Or if any more readers are left. To the one person left (hypothetically one person is left and reading this now) I'd like to answer common queries after a hiatus this long...

Let's begin with a couple of q&a!

1. Where have you been?
I've been going through a lot lately. So I needed to escape to a better place with a nicer view and fresher air. (Where would that be?) I went to see my grandmum's sisters, they're old and starting to get diseases like arthritis. I'm glad I went to see them. I also went to the beach using a friend's exclusive beach club pass... I soon became really disappointed the beach club costed a lot, and the service was bad, the food came almost cold and took too long. Plus there are claims of robbery and theft. Security was terrible. I can tell you this because I went and left and no security person checked me. I could have brought a gun (which I didn't) and started terrorizing people. That my folks is why security people check bags, have dogs sniff around, and roam the area. But again no security person did that.

2. What have you been doing?
I've been living the good life and burning some moolah. LOL What dent it caused my savings, A LOT. I mean I don't earn a lot. And the past few months I've been compulsive shopping and compulsive vacationing, I still earn money but I've spent more than i make. Not a very good combo in the equation.

3. Any plans for the future?
I'm counting down the days to unemployment. How that will help with my current financial situation (what situation you ask? If I was in the US I'll file for bankruptcy)  I have no idea. But for now, lets focus on sanity and well being. Money doesn't always solve everything. Unless you're using it to pay for therapy because of all the damage earning it is causing you. Honestly I don't want to get to that point where I'm so messed up I'll need a thrice a week session.

So I've recovered a little and now I'm in a much better state. I can go back to posting weekly (even more than once.) I will talk to you guys and gals (hoping I am talking to at least one person) on my next fashion or finance post!

Xo,
Paula

Christmas and Finances

Hi everyone!

Its that time of the year again where we are forced into consumerism. Unless you're one of the few people who have eco-friendly and sustainable holiday ideas.

I don't know if that's entirely possible. It's going to be difficult. Especially if you have children and you know you want to give them at least one of their material desires (because children remember two days in the calendar, that's Christmas and their birthday.)

I know shell out a lot during this time of the year. Good thing I don't have children. And we've decided as a family that we'll prioritize saving for our future. (Its never too early to think of retirement.)

We got to exchange presents beginning of the month and on Christmas eve we'll make a nice dinner from family recipe book and call it a night. Now that doesn't exclude me from social gatherings where I'm supposed to bring a gift or a token to the hostess. It also doesn't exclude me from my friends gatherings.

So what to do during this time to keep a budget?

1. Make a list. List down people. List down what you're giving them. Be realistic. Let's not put everybody's names and pair it with an iPhone 6s. Choose the people that matter and set a budget. How much can we spend? That's entirely up to you. I know one person who gave everybody he knows a dollar gifts. He gave about 700 people. I know another person who gives out 100 dollar gifts. She gives this top ten of her closest friends. Then she gives out cheaper ones to her friends. Acquaintances are not part of her list.

2. Compare prices. You'll be surprised at how much you can save during this time. You get more savings if you use a coupon. So leaf through magazines, papers, and check online. They advertise their prices. Usually marked with words SALE and BIG DISCOUNT. You can do this not just for gifts but also for Christmas dinner or if you're throwing a party. Shop for those ingredients. Avoid the rush. We do this as late as two weeks in advance. You'll know when you have Christmas in the Philippines. People here take Christmas very seriously.

3. When all else fails, if budgets can't be stretched. Be creative. Start a family tradition. Bank on the experience that you're giving your family. Children understand, they are beautiful little people who know life struggles. (And if they don't that's even more wonderful.) Give them a family experience, make a nice breakfast and spend a little more time with them. Give them lasting memories.

I remember my mentors before telling me an experience about Target. She forgot what she was buying but the cashier she remembers. The cashier gave her an extraordinary customer experience and it stuck. Same goes with Christmas, children probably won't remember what they received but they will remember the smell of chocolate pudding or fried bacon. They will remember the attempts to be funny that ended up to be a tickle monster just because they wouldn't laugh. They will remember how dinner was prepared because they helped make it. Its this little things that make up life. The little puzzle pieces that helps build the bigger picture. These are what matters.

Happy Christmas everyone! God bless you.

Xo,
Paula

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey everyone!

I know I've neglected this blog for a couple of days maybe even weeks. But since its thanksgiving I'm putting a pause on reminding you to plan and be responsible.

Just breathe. Deep relacing breaths. Release everything negative. What are you thankful for? I'm thankful for several things...


1. I'm thankful for the chance to travel more than once a year.
2. I'm thankful for friends and family that I can laugh, cry, shout at, rant, vent out, smile, fight with.
3. I'm thankful for the new people I've met. And also for the people that are no longer a part of my life.
4. I'm thankful for jobs that pay the bills. For promotions and for freelance projects.

I just need a boyfriend and I'm all set. What are you thankful for?

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

With Great Money Come Great Responsibility

In the few months of my employment I have negotiated my salary thrice that resulted to an increase every time. Of course, I also negotiate rates from suppliers and efficiency of banks. I talk money, saving and earning more.

Starting out in my current company I was the lowest paid. Which is understandable considering my tenure. After about half a year I've climbed the steps.

Now you must also understand how flexible and free my schedule and work load was. I was not doing much. And every time I negotiated the work increased. (The second negotiation happened after the increase of work though.)

Why am I telling you this? The point is if you work or think too little for the company, you get paid as little. If you work more or think more, you get an increase.

Consider fast food chain employees. Hard labor, fixed hours, very little thinking involved - minimum wage. But if you graduate college and put to use your degree - professional fee. If you think as hard as you work you can start your own practice. If you can lead people all the more earnings.

Tomorrow I'm negotiating my contract. Which I'm sure would involve taking on more responsibilities and more people to handle. But hey as long as I can manage my time properly I'm all for it.