Living a Sugar Free Sweet Life

Binalot's Funny Faced Family Eating Filipino Food Picture Promo

2010-07-27T14:46:00.000+08:00

Get the chance to win 5 tickets to Manila Ocean Park plus a Binalot Party Package for 5 people. Four more days to go to submit your funny faced family photo entries!

Here's how to join:

Magpose ng makulit kasama ang pamilya habang kumakain! Wacky family picture while eating!
I-email ang makulit at nakakatawang litrato sa binalotpromo@gmail.com.
Pipili ang Binalot ng litrato bawat araw para ilagay sa aming Facebook fan page. Ipapaalam namin sa inyo via email kung napili ang litrato ninyo.
Kung ang iyong litrato ang may pinakamaraming "likes", mananalo ka ng 5 free TICKETS to MANILA OCEAN PARK at BINALOT PARTY PACK!
Last day of submission will be on 11:59 p.m. of July 31.
Voting closes on August 6, 11:59 p.m.

Here's the entry I sent:

If you want to vote for our funny photo, just follow these two easy steps:

Step 1: Head over to the BINALOT Facebook page and click LIKE.
STEP 2: Click here to LIKE our funny photo. You should now see LIKE below it. :)

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Wow, Basyang. That was one hell of a night!

2010-07-15T12:48:00.000+08:00

Tuesday night turned out to be out of the ordinary. The howling winds and the strong rains brought about by Typhoon Basyang (international name: Conson) made me pray for the safety of our town again. It's almost ten months since Ondoy devastated Cainta that's why it's quite understandable why a lot of us here are still traumatized.

We felt the strongest winds around 11 pm that night. After a few minutes, the lights went out and it was only after 24 hours that our electricity was restored. I still wasn't able to work on the list of North Carolina health insurance companies I was compiling because my SmartBro antenna was also brought down by the strong winds that night. I will have to wait for the technicians to come over tomorrow before my internet connection is restored at home. Right now, I'm in a coffee shop competing with the others whom I assume have the same internet troubles as mine.

Then again, I still thank God that He kept us safe through the night. The country's dams needed the rains anyway. I hope you are all safe too. How did Basyang affect your place, by the way?

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Switching vitamins

2010-07-13T20:13:00.000+08:00

Have you seen the Sangobion TV ad? I feel like I'm one of the mommies being described there as inattentive and always tired. I've been having a hard time sleeping early these past few nights and I have so much work to do. I think I should switch to Sangobion now.

But before I do that, I did a little research. You know, Sangobion was one of the prenatal vitamins I took when I was pregnant so I was kind of surprised when I saw it being marketed as a vitamin product for women. Upon reading some reviews, I discovered that Sangobion is often prescribed to ladies suffering from anemia and lack of energy. I hope my doctor approves of it. I guess, he'll have to check my blood pressure first.

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Laughing Your Way To Weight Loss

2010-07-12T12:50:00.000+08:00

Yes, it's possible! Laughing can help you lose the weight and keep it off. At the European Congress on Obesity in Athens in June 2005, Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Maciej Buchowski, Ph.D.,explained the "trivial" study that he made on his 45 pairs of respondents. The study found that laughing increases heart rate at 10 to 20% and 10-15 minutes of laughter burns 10-40 calories a day. That's around 4 pounds lost a year.

The burned calories may be seen as small amount compared to what is burned when you perform a complete workout. Then again, let us remember that even the best weight loss pills cannot give the other healthy effects of laughing. Laughing can put you in a good mood that makes you stay away from emotional food binges. It also helps give your brain its much needed oxygen. Not only that, being a happy person generates positive vibes that can make you and the people around you feel better.

Laughter is the best medicine, so they say. Just make sure not to look insane while you're laughing your heart out, haha!

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Ewwness!

2010-07-10T22:37:00.000+08:00

While at the ladies room in Sm Megamall the other night, I noticed small and long patches at the base of my neck. I'm not sure if it's an-an (tinea flava) or another fungal skin infection but I know deep inside that it's not just a normal case of skin discoloration. The patches are not itchy though. An-an or not, I'm treating it now with an over the counter anti-fungal cream just to be sure.

It's humiliating, I know. I'd prefer to have adult acne over an-an, if you ask me. I think the sponge I use for applying foundation may be the culprit. I wash it with soap and water after every use but there was a time when I washed it at night and I dried the sponge inside the bathroom with the windows closed. A perfect breeding ground for fungi, I know. I hope the patches go away soon.

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My Latest Kikay Favorite: Human Nature's Royal Jelly and Aloe Vera Night Moisturizer

2010-07-09T08:44:00.000+08:00

This is what I have been putting on my face after washing and toning it at night. I noticed that my skin is more supple and smoother to the touch in the morning upon using it. I believe it's because of it's royal jelly and aloe vera content. Recently, I also discovered that I cannot only use it as a facial night cream but also a a special moisturizer for my feet! Yup, it does the same wonders just as putting petroleum jelly and wearing socks at night for smoother soles. I didn't even wear socks and my feet were smoother than usual the next day.

Other than its huge moisturizing benefits, what urged me to buy this product (and other Human Nature products for that matter) is the advocacy behind it. All of the company's beauty products use all-natural ingredients grown by Filipino farmers and are later on packed by underprivileged residents of Gawad Kalinga sites. In doing so, I do not only keep myself pretty but I also help create jobs for fellow Filipinos.

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McLelen, please be well!

2010-07-08T19:34:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I envisioned this day to be one of those days when I can get things done. Unfortunately, it's almost noon and I haven't accomplished anything yet. I'm typing away using my son's netbook because my laptop is wonky. Six shutdowns in an hour, m golly! What could be happening? I decided to have a full system scan and defrag my hard disk after. I am hyperventilating and I feel like crying. And "Jesus Take The Wheel" is playing on my mind. Gosh, I can't afford computer trouble especially when I have tons of write-ups to do!

This is one of the things I hate about freelance writing for a living. I need to be the one to take care of my tools. Sometimes, I wish I'm in the corporate world like my husband who has a tech support staff waiting should things in his computer go wrong. You really can't have all the good in the world, huh?

Oh well, back to the fast weight loss tips articles I am reading. I have to produce another health article by tomorrow. Ugh, I hope my laptop will be up and running by then. Wish me luck!

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What I do with wheatgrass pulp

2010-07-04T16:49:00.000+08:00

Remember the time I wrote about my ugly and annoying skin asthma rashes? Well, I just found an effective remedy for that! I used wheatgrass pulp! That's what remains of the wheatgrass after I extracted the juice from it. I'm not even sure of a scientific explanation about this great discovery except that chlorophyll is antibacterial. The rashes, especially the ones that I scratched, are still on my skin but some of them have already faded.

Aside from being an effective allergy relief medication, I also think that the wheatgrass pulp I placed on the roots of my orchids helped revive them. You should see how healthy my orchids are right now!

I'll keep you posted on my latest wheatgrass benefit discoveries. In the meantime, I hope you can try having a shot of wheatgrass juice for your own health.

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Did 'Toy Story 3' make you cry?

2010-06-25T12:44:00.000+08:00

The reason I am asking this is because I have finally convinced my husband to watch the movie with me and my son later this afternoon. It's the hub's birthday, by the way. My blogger friends are raving about it and even the guys said that the movie made them cry.

Is it even possible that an animated movie about toys can make adult moviegoers cry? It makes me the more excited to see the movie! Will post an update and my own review about it soon.

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Bermuda Grass: Friend Indeed or Just a Weed?

2010-06-24T13:19:00.000+08:00

Anyone who has ever played golf south of the Mason-Dixon line has probably walked on Bermuda grass. This perennial grass thrives in tropical and sub-tropical climates. It is used extensively for golf courses, sports fields, parks, and lawns. It grows not only in the southern U.S. but in countries around the world with relatively warm year-round temperatures.

Bermuda grass originated in Africa and arrived in the Americas as early as the 1500s. It may have gotten its name from one of the first locations where it was planted in the northern hemisphere. It actually may have travelled to the New World as a stowaway, its seeds being mixed in with hay kept for explorers' horses. Its presence in the U.S. dates back at least to the early 1800s. It is also called devigrass or wiregrass.

Like the more cold-tolerant Zoysia grass, Bermuda grass is hearty but can be invasive. It is sometimes badmouthed as a "weed" for its tendency to overtake flowerbeds and neighboring yards. In fact, advice abounds on how to get rid of Bermuda grass. Its powerful, wire-like root system make this a challenge. Pulling it out does not get rid of it since it "creeps" to other areas. There are various chemical treatments on the market designed to eliminate it.

Proponents of the grass, on the other hand, tout its fast growth and tolerance to heavy traffic. It can also handle salty or sandy conditions, and maintenance is not terribly demanding. Some residents of the southern U.S. proudly describe Bermuda grass as an emblem of the South. The area from eastern Alabama to the Florida Panhandle is sometimes called the Wiregrass Region, for the ubiquitous plant.

The familiar form of Bermuda grass, Cynodon dactylon turns brown at the first drop in temperature below its tropical preference. Varieties have been developed to tolerate colder weather however.

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Oh, how time flies!

2010-06-24T12:47:00.000+08:00

Senti Alert! Don't read if you're not feeling mushy enough to share the woes of a sad mommy.

It's been a week since classes here in the Philippines started and I'm left alone by myself again. Initially, I was relieved to finally have the house all to myself during the day. It's been a huge convenience to be able to work in our home with my boy in school. But now, I suddenly miss his company.

Oh my, how time flies. In two years, I'll have a high school student already. I fear the thought of searching through men's tuxedo shirts aisle in search for a prom outfit for him. I also fear of the time when he will leave home for college. Ah, these are the days when I ask God for another child. Sorry for sharing my sentiments.

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My Mobile Office

2010-06-23T11:32:00.000+08:00

You can probably guess where I am writing this right now just by looking at that photo above. I'm in my mobile office! Today, my mobile office is along one of the busiest streets in Makati. I'm waiting for someone then I'm off to other errands after. I brought my work with me and my files are all in my hard drive, both internal and external. Such is the life of a freelance writer.

A friend whom I was chatting with yesterday is wanting to have this kind of job. I did not fully recommend it to him because of the fact that he is a family man. "Expect days of plenty and more days of drought when you are a freelancer," I told him. Sometimes, it takes more than a month before I get paid for a writing project. I was just lucky to have landed a "permanent" freelance writing gig.

It's still my husband who's paying all of the bills and I give him so much credit for that. Up to now, I'm still in the process of buying my work-at-home paraphernalia. My recent purchase was a Brother 4-in-1 printer that came with a document scanning software. I needed the scanner to have my printed references scanned and kept as electronic files in my hard drive. That way, i can write wherever I can without bringing the bulky papers with me. I'm now saving for a 1 TB external hard drive to free up my laptop's drive.

The tools are just half of my investments in freelance writing. I still didn't count the money I spent buying coffee so I can type my words away in a coffee shop while waiting for a client or bringing my son to his music class. I asked my friend, "Can you live with this uncertain work environment?" I'm still waiting for his "Yes." How about you? Would you want this kind of work?

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The Wheatgrass Project

2010-06-21T18:56:00.000+08:00

It's the 6th day since I started cultivating my wheatberries. My first batch of seeds have now grown to as high as long as my fingers. I'm excited to juice them up and drink its healthy juices. I'm glad I still have the green thumb in me. Growing the grass is actually not at all complicated but our hot weather isn't helping much. I think my grass grows slower than my supplier's grass since it's cold in Baguio.

By the way, if you're interested in growing your own wheatgrass, you can buy some from Arvin Gray, the Wheatgrass King. Look up Green Juice Baguio in Facebook to know more. You can also see his contact details in the photo below.

I have already written about the benefits of drinking wheatgrass juice in an earlier post. Just recently, I read that wheatgrass juice can be used as an acne treatment. It also says that wheatgrass juice can cure acne scars. I'm not just sure if the juice must be applied on the acne scars itself to promote healing. What the article maintains, however, is that a proper diet should supplement drinking wheatgrass juice to achieve full healing of acne.

I will write more updates once my grass is full grown. In the meantime, why don't you try growing your own wheatgrass? You'll not only be growing healthy food but will have a therapeutic activity as well.

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Breath Therapy For Headaches

2010-06-17T19:31:00.001+08:00

I received a forwarded email about this a few days ago but I only tried to do it today after having an early morning migraine. Well, it did work for me although it took about an hour for the pain in my left temple to go away. Nevertheless, I think this technique is worth sharing. Below is the e-mail message I received:

The nose has a left and a right side;
we use both to inhale and exhale.

Actually they are different;
you would be able to feel the difference.

The right side represents the sun,
left side represents the moon.

During a headache,
try to close your right nose and use your left nose to breathe.

In about 5 Mins, your headache will go?

If you feel tired, just reverse, close your left nose and breathe through your right nose.

After a while, you will feel your mind is refreshed.

Right side belongs to 'hot', so it gets heated up easily,
left side belongs to 'cold'.

Most females breathe with their left noses,
so they get "cooled off" faster.

Most of the guys breathe with their right noses,
they get worked up.

Do you notice the moment we wake up,
which side breathes faster? Left or right? ?

If left is faster, you will feel tired.
So, close your left nose and use your right nose for breathing,
you will get refreshed quickly.

This can be taught to kids, but it is more effective when practiced by adults.

My friend used to have bad headaches and was always visiting the doctor.

There was this period when he suffered headache literally every night, unable to study.

He took painkillers, it did not work.

He decided to try out the breathing therapy here:
closed his right nose and breathed through his left nose.

In less than a week, his headaches were gone!
He continued the exercise for one month.

This alternative natural therapy without medication is something that he has experienced.

So, why not give it a try?

I was more surprised when I discovered that there is a certain breathing technique that works like a fat burner. I saw a magazine article in breathaware.com that tells about how Jill Johnson lost weight just by doing her 4-step weight loss breathing technique which she called Oxycise. The body burns fat more effectively once it gets enough oxygen. Ideally, this breathing technique should be done for 10 to 15 minutes a day.

Step 1: Inhale - Breathe quickly and through the nostrils. Take in as much air as possible until the corners of your mouth are pulled into a tight smile. Relax your abdomen to make inhaling more easier.

Step 2: Lift - With the oxygen inside your lungs, pull in your lower abdomen. You can use your hands to lift your lower abdomen.

Step 3: Tilt and squeeze - Tilt your pelvic area in and up. The shoulders should be slightly rounded. Squeeze and lift your butt.

Step 4: Exhale: Exhale with a lot of resistance by blowing air out through a small opening in your mouth. Imagine yourself blowing through a plastic drinking straw.

You can check out the site to see the step-by-step photos. I still have to see if this will work on me. Then again, I think there'll be no harm in trying this since I know it will improve my intake of oxygen.

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Passive Heating for Above Ground Pools

2010-06-15T10:04:00.000+08:00

Cooling off in the pool is fun, but freezing your big toe to test the water definitely isn't. Fortunately, there are many great ways to heat an above ground pool without adding to the electric bill.

Liquid pool covers are one of the hottest trends. These products release an invisible film that floats the surface of the pool and seals in the heat. Liquid pool covers are an inexpensive alternative to permanent heating methods, but they need to be replaced every few months. The latest technology uses a computer chip to release the heat sealing liquid in small increments over approximately 60 days. One package usually works for above ground pools up to 21 feet in diameter.

Solar blankets are a great way to retain heat. Unlike inground pools with natural insulation, above ground pools tend to lose more heat overnight. Solar blankets look like blue bubble wrap with a smooth side and a layer of plastic air bubbles that enables the blanket to float on the surface. There are pre-cut sizes available for most above ground pools. Solar blankets are very reasonable investments that can increase the water temperature by five to 10 degrees.

Passive solar systems are a great way to harness the sun's energy to heat the pool. Solar systems can be as simple as a long black hose snaked along the ground. Although the technology seems more complex, passive solar panels work on the same principal. Solar panels are a network of black pipes mounted on a frame that can be installed on the roof or on the ground near the pool where it is angled to get the most sun. Adding a solar blanket to your passive heating system increases its overall efficiency. Using a simple solar blanket can raise the water temperature of an above ground pool from a frigid 72 to a very peasant 80 degrees.

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Coco sugar in convenient packets

2010-06-14T23:08:00.000+08:00

Remember the post I wrote about coco sugar last April? Well, I was encouraged to finally abandon my muscovado sugar for good. I'm glad that Robinsons Supermarket's Healthy You brand carries coco sugar. It's even great to know that they now have coco sugar in convenient packets!

A box of Healthy You Organic Coconut Sweetener has 50 5 gram packs of coco sugar. I think this brand is exclusively distributed in all Robinsons Supermarkets. One box costs Php 150. What I was buying before this box was 250 grams of coco sugar packed in a plastic resealable pouch. I prefer this one since it's not only convenient for me to bring coco sugar in my bag when I'm out but it also helps me regulate my use. I am used to consuming 2 packs of artificial sweetener and I also do that with coco sugar.

What made me switch to coco sugar from using muscovado sugar is the fact that organic coconut sugar has a low glycemic index compared to muscovado sugar. The glycemix index of coconut sap sugar is only around 35 to 54 Gi per serving compared to the 65 to 100 Gi per serving of muscovado sugar and other sugars.

Aside from that, coco sugar retains more nutrients that muscovado sugar. You can click this site to see comparisons between coco sugar and other sugars.

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The Benefits of Wheatgrass Juice

2010-06-08T15:16:00.001+08:00

Yesterday, I drank my first shot of wheatgrass juice. This new health craze has made me curious since last year but I was too scared to try tasting it. My sister warned me that it tastes like grass but now I know that I was stupid to believe her. Wheatgrass juice actually tastes sweet and not as horrible as I imagined it to be. It was just like eating unripe guava or a strip of uncooked stringbean.

We had our first taste of wheatgrass juice during our visit to Mondo Juice in the new Alimall Skywalk. A 1 oz. glass costs 85 pesos and is quite expensive for me. Imagine if I order a glass once a day which is the recommended dosage. Even if it's just 2-3 ounces a week, it would still be on the pricey side. So I did some research and remembered that my editor wrote an article about wheatgrass juice and its benefits. That's where I discovered where to buy wheatgrass seeds for cultivation. I have already placed my order although I haven't received the payment instructions yet. I'll update you on my wheatgrass cultivation project soon as I receive my order.
What do we get from drinking wheatgrass juice? Here are some amazing facts:

maintain's the blood's alkalinity
prevents Alzheimer's Disease
increases red blood cells and prevents anemia
anti-inflammatory
anti-oxidant
eliminates bad breath and body odor
fights cancer
prevents candidiasis
regulates blood sugar levels
builds the immune system
aids in weight loss

I myself experienced wheatgrass juice's detoxifying properties yesterday. At first, I didn't believe that a 1 oz glass could be as potent as it claims to be. True enough, I felt nauseous on our way home which was probably around 30 minutes after I had my shot of wheatgrass juice. I ended up taking a nap for an hour. I read that nausea is normally experienced when toxins are being flushed for elimination. My mother-in-law, who also had a shot, said that she felt warm after drinking the juice and had flushed cheeks. Other than that, she felt fine. My husband did not feel any effects at all.

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Insider Secrets To Google AdWords

2010-06-06T15:30:00.002+08:00

In this day and age, e-commerce should be part and parcel of every business. I'm glad that I have already successfully convinced most of my entrepreneur friends about this. Gone are the days when brand advertising is constrained to print, radio, and television. If you want ultimate business success, you would have to tap the Internet as one of your marketing media.

Insider Secrets to Google AdWords is a seminar that shares how to use Google AdWords to your business' advantage. Probably, you are wondering what Google AdWords is all about and how it can help you promote your business. Imagine an Internet user searching about something in Google, say "Manila restaurants." Once the SEARCH button is clicked, the relevant searches appear on the succeeding page,right? Do you notice the right side bar of the search page with the sponsored links in it? They're there because of Google AdWords. With Google AdWords, businesses appear in searches for keywords that are relevant to their products which translates to an effectively targeted audience.

But of course, not everyone of us are tech savvy entrepreneurs. This is why this one time event is held to help them discover the Insider Secrets to a Google-friendly Website. It will be held on June 24 and 25, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza in Robinson's Galleria. If you are a businessman and would like to expand your customer base online, you should not let this pass!

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I'm now a year wiser and happier!

2010-06-05T09:40:00.000+08:00

I turn 32 today and I'm not ashamed to broadcast my age to the world. I embrace growing old and all the challenges it brings because I know that I have my family and friends with me. I also believe that turning a year older makes me a year wiser which is good.

While most men and women my age will look for testosterone boosters that work or inexpensive botox treatments, I'll stick to my most effective regimen to looking young - positivity. No more rants, no more ugly frowns. Just pure positive vibes to generate and share with everyone!

Photo: Birthday Cake - Candles by Jessica Diamond c/o Flickr.Some Rights Reserved

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Adolescent Facial Wash Suggestions, Anyone?

2010-06-02T13:18:00.000+08:00

I saw small pimples on my boy's nose yesterday and I suspect that it's from the make-up that I used on him during his performance. It's just cake foundation and blush on, by the way. He uses a milk based liquid soap on his face and it has worked for him until yesterday. Any other mild facial wash suggestions?

I did some research and I found out about pronexin. Although the site says it's 100% chemical-free, I'm still not sure about using it on my son's face. I'd appreciate your feedbacks!

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One more to go!

2010-06-01T23:45:00.000+08:00

This is a video of my son's solo performance yesterday in his concert recital. One down, one more to go. He still has another show this weekend, just in time for my 32nd birthday! Woot!

Wow, I didn't know that being a stagehand would be that hard. I slept early last night because of sheer exhaustion. Four songs and four costume changes after, I looked so harassed while my son still had the energy to play with his cousin last night. I guess it's time for me to look for discount supplements to give me more energy for the coming performances.

By the way, what do you think of my son's performance? He almost slipped as he went down the stage. My heart skipped a beat as you can see in the video. But my boy went on with his song as if nothing happened!

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Two New A/Cs In The House

2010-06-01T08:00:00.000+08:00

We bought 2 split type Gree airconditoners for our home just a few days before my son's birthday. It was a mutual decision between me and my husband. We had guests coming in from the province and they stayed in my son's room. The heat was unbearable this summer that we finally had to buy a 1 hp a/c unit.

The other unit, which was a 2 hp split-type a/c by the way, was installed in our living room. Now this purchase wasn't really a priority. But the Gree salesmen in the SM Megatrade Hall offered us great deals we were not able to resist. Free installation, discounts, plus other freebies. We just considered it as an investment for our home. Besides, our guest would really be more comfy now with the a/c installed in the living room.

The electricity bill will be another story. Then again, we will only get to seldom use the a/c n the living room. I believe that our energy consumption will not be big enough to require energy auditing from the experts.

At the end of the day, we are still reminded to live within our means and never beyond what we can spend.

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What happened to my Wii Fit Challenge

2010-05-31T22:17:00.000+08:00

I know, I know... I started a personal challenge that I wasn't able to keep up with. But hey, see my right sidebar? The widget is still there which means that I'll still be doing it once my workload becomes lighter.

Since it's been more than a month of me not being on the board, I'd probably need a kymaro body shaper so that I can decently sport a dress on my birthday. But as the Facebook fan page says, fat people can be thin but ugly people can't be pretty, hahaha! I'd go with fat. What about you?

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A Credit Card Tip For You

2010-05-31T10:14:00.001+08:00

For the first time, I am pissed of with my credit card company. I have been their financially responsible client since 2005 and I have never been delinquent. In February, we purchased our Bacolod airline tickets online and I used my credit card as I have always done. The amount was around 22 thousand pesos.

The following month, I forgot to pay on time because of my busy schedule. Well, actually, I did pay on time. The only problem was that I payed in a bills payment center. Naturally, the payment was posted a day after.

Lo and behold, I was charged 1,300 pesos as finance charge when the next billing statement came. I furiously called up customer service and they explained that they now charge an interest from the day I made the purchase until I had the full amount settled! It was a new policy according to them. I felt like I was robbed!

So I learned about this the hard way. I now pay my bills a week before due date to avoid the finance charge. I always pay my credit card bills in full, by the way. I make it a point to have a good credit score. That way, I won't need to find an agency that provides free credit score service to know my credit score. I know that my credit rating is good because I pay in full on time.

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A more affordable way of buying a house

2010-05-30T21:25:00.003+08:00

I've been often asked by friends and relatives about how we loaned our home through Pag-IBIG Fund's housing loan. As much as I encourage by sharing how easy it is to secure a Pag-IBIG housing loan, I also realize that they are not as fortunate as ours in shelling out the initial downpayment.

We were lucky to have our Tita Ops who gladly loaned us money just so we can sign the Contract to Sell for the contractor to start building the house. We availed of a 2 million pesos housing loan from Pag-IBIG but the actual cash-out was only 1.6 million. If it were not for our generous aunt and wedding godmother, this home could not have been possible. We have already finished paying our tita the amount that she shelled out for our downpayment. We still have 29 years to go till our housing loan is payed, though.

A cheaper way of buying a home is by getting a foreclosed property. Pag-IBIG Fund and GSIS have a long list of foreclosed properties that they are already selling to the public. (US Residents can try looking for a list of Outer banks foreclosures.) My sister-in-law's home was also a GSIS foreclosed property.

Before

2 Years After

The house looked old and ugly before they brought the property but it's now a complete opposite from what it was before. The best thing about it is that they only bought the 150 square meter house and lot in Camarines Sur for 300 thousand pesos plus! Our 2 million Cainta house and lot is just 100 square meters, mind you.

I suggest that you consider looking for a foreclosed property if you want to save up in buying a house.

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