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PAPERLESS BILLING PROGRAM FROM GLOBE TELECOM

2010-02-16T02:07:00.000+08:00

I got an email from Globe Telecom offering me to enroll my account online and view my billing via e-mail or by logging in instead of the traditional paper bill. Check this out:

Dear Valued Subscriber,

It is Globe’s commitment to build a greener world for our children. In realizing this vision, Globe is introducing a Paperless Billing program to cut-down on the number of trees needed to print traditional billing statements.

We invite you to be a GO GREEN Advocate by enrolling your Globe account in Paperless Billing. By doing so, you will no longer receive a paper statement but may continue to view your bills online with myBill.

As a token of appreciation, you will also receive a P100.00 Jollibee Gift Certificate which will be delivered within 2 weeks after confirmation of enrollment.

To enroll, simply call our 24-hour Call-in Service at 211 (toll-free via Globe mobile) or (02) 730 1000 (toll-free from any Globe Landline). You may also e-mail your account number, Globe mobile / Globe Landline numbers to custhelp@globetel.com.ph or visit a Globe Store near you.

Do your part, enroll in PAPERLESS BILLING now!

Promo Period is from February 8, 2010 to April 8, 2010. Per DTI-NCR Permit # 0290 Series of 2010.

I think GLOBE is doing their social responsibility to think of our environment. This is just a simple step towards preserving mother earth for future generation. I already enrolled my account and I hope you do the same. This is also one way to simplify and declutter your life. You do not need all these billing statements on your drawers and cabinets.

MY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR YEAR 2010

2010-02-12T01:05:00.000+08:00

I think 2010 is a very good year. I feel positive about it and things are doing well for me and my family. Moreover, here are my goals for this year and all my actions and decisions will be focused towards achieving these goals:

set up an initial emergency fund of P 25,000.00
set up individual bank accounts for my 4 children (P10,000.00 per child)
convince my hubby to stop smoking or to smoke less
exclusively breastfeed my baby up to six months or more (so we don't have to buy formula milk)
have a new cellphone (I will not buy one. I will find a way to acquire one without spending a single centavo)
renew my driver's license
plant squash for an extra income (2 cycles)
train my 3 year old son not to pee during bed time so we don't need to buy diapers anymore
lose weight (my ideal weight is 120 pounds)
baptismal of my 4th child (budget is P 15,000.00)

There are so many things that needs to be done but these are my priority right now. How about you? Did you make your plans for this year?

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: THE STARFISH

2010-02-10T05:59:00.003+08:00

COST OF MY LATES CHILDBIRTH

2010-02-06T21:35:00.001+08:00

Last December 26, 2009, I gave birth to my 4th child thru cesarean section at Brokenshire Hospital. I was admitted on the night of Dec. 25 and was discharged on the 28th. I stayed on the executive wing. Here's the breakdown of my hospital bill with Philhealth deduction:

                                             ACTUAL    PHILHEALTH           EXCESS
CENTRAL SERVICE                  5,400.04          4,324.77                   1,075.27
HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT           1,300.00                -0-                       1,300.00
MISCELLANEOUS                          5.00               -0-                              5.00
MED. & SURGICAL SUP.         2,050.00                44.62                   2,005.38
OPERATING ROOM                  5,150.00               3,450.00               1,700.00
OXYGEN                                       180.00              165.56                       14.44
PHARMACY                                3,295.01              2,606.71                 688.30
ROOM ACCOMM.        4,200.00              1,500.00               2,700.00
OR/DR PHARMACY SUP.             10.30                 9.19                      1.11
OR/DR PHAR. MEDS              3,854.72              2,787.65               1,067.07
SUBSIDIARY CORP.                      120.00                  -0-                      120.00
NURSING SERVICE FEE               300.00                    -0-                      300.00
OB GYNE                                      28,400.00            8,400.00                20,000.00
ANESTHESIOLOGIST                14,032.00               4,032.00               10,000.00

TOTAL ============             68,297.07              27,320.50             40,976.57

My total hospital bill was P 68,297.07 and since I am a Philhealth member, my final bill was only P 40,976.57.

LAND PURCHASE

2010-02-06T21:18:00.000+08:00

We recently purchased a 400 square meter residential lot at Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS). The total amount is P 190,000.00. We made a down payment of P 60,000.00 and the balance is payable in 3 years or 36 months without interest. Our monthly payment is P 3,611.11. Actually, my hubby really wanted something that is near the beach line but we can't afford it. Beach line properties are worth millions.

We don't plan to build a house in Samal. My hubby wanted it just an investment. Maybe we will sell it in the near future at a higher price since Samal is a developing city. Or we can give the land to one of our children when the right time comes.

YEAR 2009 HIGHLIGHTS

2010-01-19T23:00:00.000+08:00

Year 2009 was a very rocky year for me. I was reassigned back to Davao. Some of our other income sources were cut-off because of this reassignment. On the contrary, it gives us the opportunity to be with our kids again. Here are my 2009 highlights, good and bad:

My husband and eldest son were hospitalized because of typhoid fever
My second son was also hospitalized because of pneumonia
My mother had her second mild stroke. She's okay now
We extended our house
We went to Camiguin Island
We visited Butuan City
We finally went to Duka Bay
We paid off 2 of our credit cards
Gave birth to my 4th child

There you go. Those are some of the important things that happened last year. Now, I will be making goals for year 2010. Happy New Year!

I GOT PAID!

2009-12-24T19:01:00.000+08:00

Finally, I received my check from PDIC last November. (Sorry for the very late post.) We used the money to pay off all our credit card balances and we don't need to worry about interest charges anymore.

You might be wondering why do I have credit card balances again? We renovated our house and my hubby used our credit card to purchase some materials. I don't really agree on it but he already bought the items before informing me about it. So there is nothing I can do but help him monitor his credit card balances and make sure to pay them on time.

UPDATE: RURAL BANK OF DARBCI

2009-09-21T22:34:00.000+08:00

I called PDIC last week to inquire about the status of my closed legacy account. The person who answered was kind enough to verify my account. After a few minutes, she told me that my account is already validated and I just have to wait for the notification letter from them for further instruction.

I asked my younger sister who also knew someone that invested in legacy. She told me they already received letter of ownership. But it was not stated there about where and when they will get their money.

I just hope before the year ends I will be able to get my money. I need to pay up some credit card bills.

UPDATE: RURAL BANK OF DARBCI

2009-03-27T00:22:00.000+08:00

Last week, the Rural Bank of DARBCI in General Santos city distributed claim forms for all the unclaimed deposits. I asked a favor from someone to get my priority number and forms since they are going to the place also. My number was 843 and was scheduled to file my claim on March 24.

On March 24, we left early for Gensan with my kids and looked for The Port Cafe situated at Gaisano Mall because that is the venue for the claim processing. When I found the place, I showed my documents to a guy and he gave me another priority number. It was 122. I saw familiar faces and most of them are from Davao City also.

My number was called about 1:30 pm. I thought we will be receiving a check for our money. Unfortunately, the only thing they told us is that we will wait for a letter from PDIC about the next step on how to claim our money and that we should keep the claim stub. They did not give us any definite time on when to expect the letters and if the check is also included. They will just say that they still have to process all the claims. Maybe it will take them another month to send out the letters. I just hope it is only A MONTH, not MONTHS!!!

Click here, here and here about my Rural Bank of DARBCI stories.

LABORATORY FEES

2009-03-14T23:21:00.000+08:00

A few weeks ago, we had done various laboratory tests on my kids and my hubby. They were experiencing on and off fever for a few days that is why we decided to have them checked. Listed below are some of the laboratory tests done to them at different hospitals in Davao City:

BROKENSHIRE HOSPITAL (OUT-PATIENT)
Typhidot P 756.00
Blood typing P 66.00

BROKENSHIRE HOSPITAL (IN-PATIENT)
Fasting Blood Sugar P 209.00
Typhidot P 1,149.00
Lipid profile P 1,037.00
Creatinine P 334.00
CBC with platelet P 186.00
Uric Acid P 283.00
Urinalysis P 60.00

DAVAO DOCTOR'S HOSPITAL (OUT-PATIENT)
Urinalysis P 31.00
CBC / Platelet P 153.00

DAVAO MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION HOSPITAL (OUT-PATIENT)
CBC / Platelet P 150.00
Urinalysis P 33.00
Typhidot P 932.00
Blood Typing P 62.00

Hope you find the above information useful.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

2009-03-06T01:24:00.003+08:00

Today is my 28th birthday. I don't have any plans of having a party. For the past 2 weeks, my kids and my hubby were not feeling very well and I am kinda busy taking care of them. And I don't think my hubby even remembers it's my birthday. I feel like crying. I feel neglected. I am not expecting gifts or anything. Just a simple "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" will do.

My only wish for now is GOOD HEALTH for my loved ones and PEACE OF MIND for everybody.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME...

MY SON HAD A FEVER

2009-02-26T00:29:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I was not able to sleep very well because my son was very restless. I thought he was just not sleepy. When I touched him, he was very hot and I immediately grab the digital thermometer. It read 38.8 degrees celsius. My son has a fever. Since he don't drink medicines, we usually use suppository to lower his temperature. It was not an easy task because sometimes he fights back. But I am really persistent in finding ways to calm him down so we can insert the medicine in his rectum.

Many hours have passed and his temperature is not improving. He was very irritable and very hot. We sponge bathe him and gave him popsicles. Then on the afternoon, we finally decided to visit his pedia. I also had his blood checked to make sure it is not dengue fever. The pedia said it is viral or cause by the environment. Before he got sick, his cousin already had a fever. But we just want to be sure. My father in law even wants him to be admitted so he can be properly monitored. But I hesitated. Fortunately, he is okay now and is back to being very active. Thank God.

AVOID LATE PAYMENT CHARGES ON CREDIT CARDS

2009-02-21T06:30:00.001+08:00

I used to have this problem of receiving my credit card statements a few days before the due date and most of the time, I end up paying it after the due date and being charged with a late payment fee on my next bill. Some credit card companies charges P600.00 or a percentage of your outstanding balance whichever is higher. I already called up the attention of the credit card companies about this delay and they will just tell me that "we are sorry for the inconvenience ma'am" and that they do not have any control over the delivery of the statements since they are forwarded to their chosen courier.

My solution? I enrolled my credit cards online so I can view my balances anytime and I do not have to wait for the statements to know how much I should pay. I only have two credit cards now, BPI EXPRESS CREDIT and CITIBANK CLEAR VISA and I can check my balances online anytime and anywhere. With BPI, you need to have an account with the bank first before you can enroll your credit card. With CITIBANK, be sure you have your CASH ADVANCE PIN when you are ready to enroll your account online because they need these numbers.

What are you waiting for? Enroll your credit cards now and avoid paying late payment charges due to delayed credit card statements.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: THE PLASTIC BOAT

2009-02-18T00:29:00.000+08:00

WEDDING BUDGET

2009-02-16T06:46:00.000+08:00

People often asks me how much money do they need for a wedding. My usual reply is, how much are you willing to spend? For example, if you have P100,000.00 as your wedding budget, then plan everything according to that amount. Allocate how much is for the food and reception, wedding dress, entourage clothes, flowers, invitation cards, cake, and other wedding necessities.

Me and my husband have a very simple wedding. It was my inlaws who shouldered everything since my family really don't have anything to contribute monetarily. Even if I can afford a huge wedding, I would settle for a simple and intimate one. Some couples just want to impress other people just how extravagant their wedding celebration is. But behind close doors, they are drowning in debt. I think it is more practical to save some of that money for the future of your family. Besides, the journey does not end during wedding day, it is just the beginning of a very long and challenging life together as a couple.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: THE CONTROVERSIAL STATUE OF DAVID

2009-02-11T00:35:00.003+08:00

Rural Bank of DARBCI account update

2009-02-10T23:25:00.016+08:00

Since December of 2008, I've been calling Rural Bank of DARBCI in General Santos City about my account. I also called PDIC and told me to just call them from time to time. Last month, there are already PDIC representatives doing their inventory at Rural Bank of DARBCI. I've been asking for their schedule on when to process the claims. They have not given me any definite date also. I make long distance calls every week to ask the same question again and again. Yesterday, I called back again and they told me that they will process claims of the SAVINGS ACCOUNT depositor first and do not have any idea on when the TIME DEPOSIT ACCOUNT holders can process their claim. I think I just have to call them back again and again. I don't badly need the money right now but I feel more secure if I already have it.

THE FIRST STEP TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM...

2009-02-09T05:28:00.002+08:00

I always hear people complain about inflation, about work, about their relationship, almost about everything. I admit I used to be like that. I blame everything but me on my misfortunes and financial struggles. I tried to find ways to be happy and satisfied by shopping, going out with friends, collecting stuffs, and many other materialistic approach. And I only end up broke. After months or let us say years of trial and error, I finally found and practice the first step to financial freedom. That is MANAGING YOUR FINANCES. Because no matter how much you are paid for or how much money you have, you will still end up broke if you don't know how to manage your finances. And trust me, it is not very easy. It is a struggle and sacrifice you have to make everyday. Here are some of the things I want to share with you on how I start my journey on PERSONAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT:

1. Making a budget

2. Decluttering ( a post about this topic is coming up)

3. Stop collecting stuffs

4. Making a weekly meal planner

5. Monitoring your daily expenses

6. Saving money

7. Cost cutting

8. Using the envelope method

I am not a financial expert but I have my share of personal experiences on these matter and I hope you will learn something from them.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: ICE, THE SIBERIAN HUSKY

2009-02-04T06:21:00.000+08:00

LIVING WITH THE IN LAWS

2009-02-02T06:10:00.002+08:00

Me and my kids are living with my in laws. I know some eyebrows will raise and some will understand. And here some of the things I appreciate about my situation.

1. FREE RENT. My in laws' house is inside a company owned property so I do not need to worry about rent and amortization.

2. FREE ELECTRICITY. Our room is airconditioned 24 hours a day. It is only turned off when my kids are taking a bath and when we go out of the house which is very rare. We also have a television set and a refrigerator inside our room. We don't pay for electricity because it is paid by the company where our house is situated.

3. FREE FOOD. My in laws shop for our food. But sometimes, I am the one who buy my kids' milk and snacks.

4. FREE WATER. We drink water from dispenser and my kids get their milk water from there also. We also use mineral water for cooking. We can empty 1 big pet bottle in a day. P35 / bottle times 30 days = P 1,050. I already save P 1,050 a month for drinking water only.

5. FREE TRANSPORTATION. My eldest son is already in Kinder 2 and my in laws arranged a service vehicle to drive and fetch him from school and I don't even have to pay for the driver and the fuel!

6. FREE CABLE. We don't pay for our cable subscription. The company where I worked does.

7. SAVE MONEY. Since we do not spend much by living with my in laws, I have the opportunity to save enough money.

There are also issues about FREEDOM, DISCIPLINE and INDEPENDENCE about my situation. I admit I wanted to live separately before because I want to have my own decision about everything and do things differently. But when I accepted my situation and realized the PROS outweighs the CONS, I am very happy and lucky that I have a very generous and supportive in laws. Besides, they love our kids very much.

JANUARY 2009 TOP 10 EC DROPPERS

2009-02-02T00:11:00.037+08:00

This is my very first post about EC droppers on my site and this is my way of saying thank you to them. Here's my top 10 EC droppers for the month of January 2009:

Once again, thank you to all the droppers.

GETTING A PASSPORT

2009-01-29T10:12:00.001+08:00

It was raining very hard and flooding at Cagayan de Oro City when I renewed our passport. I also get passports for my 3 kids. The Department of Foreign Affairs office was not fully packed because of the bad weather. I was able to process my application in less than an hour. I paid P500.00 per application for regular processing of 20 working days. You can get it earlier for 11 working days at P 750.00. But we are not in a hurry so I just paid P 500.00 per passport.

Outside their office, there is a LBC booth. They offer to claim your passport and deliver it anywhere in the Philippines at P 100.00 per passport. You just have to leave them the receipt from DFA and write down your mailing address. Since I will be working in Davao again, I availed of their service and paid P 500.00 for the 5 passports. I am expecting our passport on February 11.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: THE DRIVER AND THE BOXER

2009-01-28T11:31:00.004+08:00

FURIOUS ON FURY

2009-01-24T21:26:00.000+08:00

I have mentioned on my previous post that I am going to concentrate on building an emergency fund this year. I also discussed this matter to my husband so that we will be working together on this goal. Yesterday, he bought a KAWASAKI FURY motorcycle. He got a loan from the company to pay for the motorcycle. He did not even consult me about this huge purchase. I remember he mentioned he like to have a motorcyle but I did not know he will buy immediately. I was hoping he would think it through. Besides, we still have other obligations to focus on. I was really furious about it and he doesn't care. What he wants, he gets. I myself have to think a thousand times before deciding to buy something. I was really mad to the point where I was already nagging him without realizing it. He said that I should just think of it as his birthday present for himself. I just kept quiet. I think I just have to adjust our budget to accommodate the monthly deductions on his salary.

NEW POST CATEGORY

2009-01-24T18:06:00.000+08:00

I will be adding two new categories and that would be WORDLESS WEDNESDAY and FOOD FRIDAY.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY:
The post would be photos I have taken myself or any photos that I find interesting on the internet. You can leave your comment or reaction about the pictures.

FOOD FRIDAY:
This will be about my favorite foods and my very own food recipe.