Discount Alert: Dorothy Perkins

It's been more than 6 months since my four pairs of pants were ruined because of I-dont-know-why reason... I usually keep my pants not less than five years... in fact, one of the four ruined pants, was with me for more than 12 years!

Since then, I have been looking for good pairs worth my money. My limit for pants is not more than Php1,000. Yeah, I know divisoria has lots for less than Php500. But since I grew up in Binondo, I understand what "quality" means.

I am not just looking for pants to wear. I am looking for something that would last for more than five years. I am looking for comfortable ones that wouldn't be a distraction to my activities. I am looking for good quality pair that does not exceed my budget.

As I was walking along Glorietta with a few stores on Sale, I happened to pass by DOROTHY PERKINS with a sign that says "additional 20% to SOME SELECTED items". They put the signs all over the place except at the SALE rack. 

I looked first at the new arrivals... check the price and compute SRP less 20%... and yes, as expected it would exceed my budget. So I just looked into the Sale rack instead, though it usually offer items in broken sizes. 

Luckily, I found a pair with all the criteria, plus it is even has the color I am aiming for! From Php 1,995.00, it is down to Php 999.00!

So there I was implementing  my usual shopping routine...

• Decide if I really like the style
• Imagine to check if I could use it for more than 10 times in a year
• Check if the price is within the budget
• Size fit
• Is it comfortable? (Have hubby to approve it too 😉)
• Double check to ensure no wardrobe damages
• Go to counter and buy! (Though I would still  check if there's an additional promo for any credit card... hehehe)

What made my day is actually not just finding this pair of pants! When I went to the Cashier, she notified that the additional 20% off applied to the item I was purchasing... Instead of Php 999.00, I only paid for Php 799.20! Yeah! Here it is...

If we continue to strive to be a good steward of His given resources... He will surely leads us to wonderful opportunities... Not by our strength, but by His equipping alone! 

Discount Alert: Plains & Prints

From dresses, tops, pants, shorts to accessories - everything at 60% off!

To all Plains & Prints Girls, this is our time to take advantage of maximizing our shopping fund!

It's located at the heart of CBD Makati.

Walking distance from Paseo Center and RCBC Tower.

Since it is only a Pop Up Sale, do not expect a well ventilated place.

Selections are arranged by size, which make shopping easier.

One fitting room is available, so patience is a virtue. The only item inside the fitting room is one big mirror. No chair or hook where you can place your things. But their staffs are very friendly and resourceful, they gave me a big plastic instead to put my things. 

Items that I bought:

1 Pants @ Php 559.20

2 Longsleeve Top @ Php 519.20 each

1 Dress @ Php 559.2p

1 Belt @ Php 143.20

Total Payment: Php 2,310

Total savings: Php 3,235

Both cash and credit cards are accepted.

P.S. Bring your own ecobag, or purchase their Ecobag at Php 10. 

Happy Shopping!

FRIENDLY REMINDER: DON'T FORGET TO SPEND WITHIN YOUR AVAILABLE FUND. :)

Super Deals to Savings!

Income - Savings = Expenses.

We often encounter this equation from various articles and seminars, teaching us to prioritize savings and correcting the bad habit of spending without savings.There's nothing wrong with that, and I am completely agreeing to it. Nevertheless, in this article, I want to introduce a new idea - or should I say, a continuation to that equation.

Let "expenses" be defined as budget for shopping / expenditures.

Expenses = BUDGET

BUDGET - Needed Expenditures - Shopping wants = SAVINGS.

I bet many of you would oppose this suggestion, because the difference of the given formula often equate to "0" a.k.a. "no money "or "negative value" a.k.a. "in debt". 

But here comes the main point of this article.... What if we can FIND a way of reducing your expenses but not the standard of living you want? What if we can decrease the actual cost without compromising your needs or wants? Wouldn't it be interesting?

Here are some SIMPLE ways:

1. Know the Promos of Credit Card
- there are various credit card Companies who offer rebates, reward systems or bigger points if you would pay your utility/telecom bills thru them. Some may require auto-charging application, nonetheless, you will still reap the rewards after sometime.

REFERENCES:  My current favorite is BDO and Standard Chartered! I just redeemed P900 worth of Bench GC from my charged slips! Visit your Credit Card's website to know more. =)

2. Be updated of Sale Events and Bazaars
- it would always be nice if you can buy the things you need/want in a lower cost without sacrificing your preferred brand, design and quality.

Here's my top three annual favorites:   Google "bazaar 2013" to generate the list of Sale Events and Bazaars.

 
3. Don't limit yourself with malls and bazaar / tiyangge offers.
- Malls Sales are great. Bazaar and Tiyangge offers good deals. But how about these?

• online shopping: most of them have valid discounts. You just need to double check the market price before purchasing. Using your credit card in online shopping may give you incentives - check your credit card promos, as mentioned above. 

          REFERENCES: I prefer the first one.. =)

• www.dealgrocer.com
•  www.cashcashpinoy.com
• www.ensogo.com

• warehouse/outlet sale. If you can find the distributor or the dealer the better. They usually give you a cheaper price. Be on the lookout! 

           REFERENCES: I have tried the first three.. and it's super worth it! Try also visiting http://www.manilashopper.com/p/sale.html for more list.

• Paseo Center @ Sta. Rosa Laguna
•  Revlon @ Pasong Tamo Makati
• Naturalizer @ Pasong Tamo Makati
• Tomato Outlet @ Pasong Tamo Makati
• F & H @ Quezon Ave. QC
• Adidas Warehouse Sale @ MJ46 Center, Parañaque
• Lee, Jag, Tribal, etc. Warehouse Sale @ Sucat Road, Parañaque

REMEMBER: Not all distributor's price are cheaper than the dealer's. This is to protect their business partnership. 


4. Use coupons, vouchers and Gift Certificates.
We really have to be very careful on this, especially with the technology, it is so easy to print fakes GCs! But when you find a valid one, it would be a good buy!There are various suppliers who offer valid GCs on a discounted price. It would even better if you could use the GC on a sale items.

Another way of getting coupons or vouchers is thru the digital world: 

• Download click the city app and sign up! You can get a lot of discount coupons and promo updates.
• Befriend the FB accounts of your favorite stores. They may have some freebies and coupon to give away when you participate in their surveys or marketing activities. 

So there... I hope you learn something. ;) have fun shopping this Christmas season! Spend wisely! May you enter the new year free of debt and with money on your banks and wallets!

Early-Shopping is Better Than On-Time

Christmas Carols. Christmas Decors. Christmas Party.

All these are up because "-BER" months has already started, and I can't help but think of the coming Christmas Season!!!

Here in the Philippines, gift-giving is one of the most precious tradition we have during Christmas. WISH LIST for us, and GIFT LIST for the people we love.

But every year, I asked these questions...

How much do I have to buy all these?

Do I have enough?

Which one will I choose - the P1000 item she'll surely loves or the P500 item she might want and can save me a half?

We all say "it's all worth it". It's Christmas. It's ok. It's only once a year.

But this year... I want CHANGE. I want to spend this season WISELY. I want to give gifts without even worrying if I have enough or not. I want to buy gifts without compromising the receiver's delight.

Thus, I started planning my gift list as early as June. Yeah. You read it right.

I already come up with the things I would surely buy this year. With such an early timeline, I have encountered series of Promo and Events that enabled me to buy things at discounted price. And as I ponder this plan, I realized the benefits of this....

Benefits of early shopping:
(1) No rush. 
  - Too many things to do but too little time. That's usually my complain. This year, I want to spend my time being with the people I love. Meeting old friends and classmates. Attending reunions and meet-up gatherings. Rather than being at the mall, buying gifts.
 
(2) No hassle.
 - Traffic gets worse during Christmas Season - especially in Binondo. Why not do the shopping earlier than expected and avoid the crowd?

(3) Promos and Discounts
- Yes, there are lots of Sale event during December but the prices are not as good as the other bargain events. Last year, a friend asked me, "why can't we have the gift-giving after Christmas Season?" He asked this question with a purpose of grabbing all the sale items after the Christmas Season. Good prices resume after Christmas - try to observe it. :)


(4) Smooth Cashflow
- Buying all gifts and spending money for parties are usually too much for us. We almost spend our whole 13th month pay, December salary and our bonus just for this event. Buying it in an "installment" basis, save us from pressure in paying our credit cards / debts. This year, I am aiming to complete at least 60% of my gift-buying list before December comes. #joinme
 

 (5) Spending most of the time thinking of GIVING
- stress in life is inevitable.. I think. We all experience it to the point we usually forgot to be thankful and appreciate those people around us. Why not practice "everyday Christmas"? As we shop early this year, we would be able to spend more time of appreciating them rather than focusing on our workloads.

With all these realizations... I started the plan...

 Here's a sample of what I just bought last M.I.B.F. - Manila International Book Fair.

 I bought each book at P100!

(Original price of the book ranges from P200 to P400)

 My friend also bought Bibles at 60% off!!! From P500, he bought it at P200 each. He should have spent P2500 for the 5 pcs of Bibles he bought, but instead he just paid P1000. That's savings.

 I do hope that as you read this article you'll be encourage to do the same. 

Live wisely.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are times in our life that we would like it "just right", but sometimes reaching beyond what's "just right" could even better. Having A+ is better than B+.

Till my next post!

Delayed Shopping is Worth the Wait

SALE.SALE.SALE.

Big Red Sale.

It's already the start of "Ber Months". This is also the beginning of Big Sale Events. Here in Manila, people's eyes widen whenever they see this sign - SALE. Adrenaline rushed as if everything would run out if they do not buy that discounted jeans and shoes.

Crowded stores. Clothes are flying everywhere. Sales ladies run to and fro, looking for available sizes of various kinds. People struggling with the crowd to get the best discounted piece hidden somewhere inside a messy tray. This is just a normal picture during a Sale or Promo Event.

And I am no exception to this. Just a "%" sign would call my attention and activate my adrenaline. I love SALE. I love discounts. I LOVE bargain prices. This is simply because of my principle - not to buy any wants on a regular price. (This is very applicable when it comes to clothes)

But as much as I am tempted to get that gorgeous skirts with 50% discount, my friends know that I would rather wait until the last minute before buying it.

Why?

- Just because I believe that I can buy it at 70%off.

How can I have such confidence?

- By experience.

Let me share to you some of my "procedures" in handling my shopping fund during a Sale Event...

(1) Know the establishments and the pattern of their discounts

Terranova. This is my favorite store during end-of-season-sale. I visited their stores at least once a week, and check the same clothes every week just to study how the prices dropped. Doing this every now and then taught me that it is not a time-to-buy during their first few week. As an example, I waited for a couple of weeks just to buy a corporate long sleeve top at P150 from the original price of P895. Is it not amazing?

CAVEAT: Waiting is only worth it if your size/or preferred color is still on-stock and at least above 3pcs. Otherwise, buy it or your might end up losing it. It's all about the TIMING.

(2) Know the market rate

When you see the word SALE, don't just believe it. Research and canvass first. Do window shopping more often just to be updated with regards to the market rate. I encountered a lot of "deceiving sale tactics" just to achieve higher sales results. They would declare that an item cost this much but in reality the "discounted price" is really the SRP.

Pacakage deals are usually cheaper BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. A simple computation prior to closing a deal should be done diligently.

CAVEAT:  usually encounter this whenever I check online websites. So please, research first. Don't rush. Most of the time, the deal will be back sooner or later.


(3) Know your time

One good strategy of sales and promo is this convincing line "X days left" or "the promo is good only for today". It does not really give you time to think, but on the other hand giving you pressure to decide on the spot. Psychologically speaking, we are most likely to make a wrong decision whenever we are  called to make one under pressure and/or in a time-bound situation. This is just because we are not calm to think straight and logically. The urge of want is shouting louder than the voice of our brain saying "THINK first".

Consider the when you'll be needing the item being offered. Are you sure that there will be no other deals like that FOREVER? or at least within the time line you are in?

CAVEAT: Banks nowadays offer super low rates for cash advance via phone call and they require us to make a decision on the spot or else you will lose the chance. I knew a lot of people falling for this trap just because they felt it would be such a waste if they let it go. "The rate is super low" a friend says. But again, do you need that cash NOW? - that you are willing to pay for the interest? Most of them end up getting the money and putting it on their savings account and expecting that interest on their savings account would yield more than the "super-low-rates". Reality check? Uh-uh.


-----------------------------

Most of you may say that my "procedures" are too much. Not everyone is as detailed as I am. I completely understand that. The point of this entry is not to lecture anyone to think first before buying - because I am sure that everyone does that - well almost everyone. But the main point here, not rushing things and thinking it through would shed you more light and more savings.

Sometimes, buying late is worth it. Will post some deals that I got... soon!

MORE SAVINGS from CREDIT CARD.

Have you ever got a phone call from a bank asking you to get a credit card?

Have you ever experienced being followed in a mall by bank's agent who is persistently convincing you to avail at least get one credit card from them?

I have watched a lot of people who hanged up the phones or completely ignore those persistent "followers" just not to entertain them. I am busy. I am not interested. I know that scheme - "di mo ako mauutakan" / "you can't deceived me by that promo". There's no such thing as free, there's a catch somewhere. These words are actually what I hear when I ask people on why they are turning such a good deal.


You may say that Credit Card is EQUAL to Debt since it requires users to pay annual fee or monthly fee for some. But on this post, I would like to share to you a different equation... CREDIT CARD = SAVINGS.

Yes, you read it right - SAVINGS!!! How? Here are the reasons...

1) Most Credit Card Companies offer us good welcome gift...

- Citibank Cebu Pacific offered one-way ticket to any destination (even International) and currently offers free roundtrip ticket. You may say they will require you to pay annual fee in the end of 1 year - yes you're right but you can do something about it. Either you bargain with them to waive it completely (just like what I am doing) or you use the free ticket to an International flight such as Singapore which worth P4000, which is higher than the annual fee of Cebu pacific. If you'll seek my advice, I will get both options - use free ticket and ask for 100% waiver of annual fee.

REAL EXPERIENCE: I got free trip to Bohol and an umbrella from Citibank and free TIMEX watch worth P2500 from East West. 

REAL REFERENCE:
http://www.citibank.com.ph/gcb/promos/cards/1306_cebroundtrip.htm

2) Most Credit Card Companies offer points reward system

- One (1) points for every X amount you spend. This is a good offer since when you accumulate your points, you can exchange it with great prizes - from appliances to gift certificates. You just have to patiently wait. Again, don't worry about annual fee. You can request for waiver of a partial discount - depends on your bargaining power.

REAL EXPERIENCE:I got several free trips because of my Citibank Cebu Pacific Points and I will soon redeem my The Spa Gift Certificate from BDO. #feeling excited!!!

REAL REFERENCE:
https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/credit-debit-cards/rewards

3) Most Credit Card Companies has tie ups with various stores and restaurants.

- This is really a good saving source!!! Metrobank Toyota cards offer 10% off when you serviced your car at Toyota Autoshop. Citibank offers 50% off the bill with a minimum spending amount for some establishments. Other banks offer free food, free dessert, etc. All you have to do is to visit their website from time to time or sign up your mobile number from their alerts to keep you updated. Better yet, download their apps (just like what I did) and checked it before you decide to buy something or where to eat.

REAL EXPERIENCE: My brother treated us at Gumbo and spent P1000 only. Citibank saved us half of the bill worth P2000! Everybody is happily and physically full as he gets savings from his initial budget for the treat. That's a wow!!!

REAL REFERENCE:
https://www.bdo.com.ph/promos/delightful-deals-fantastic-freebies

4) Most Credit Card Companies offers free items/gift certificates for a minimum amount of single receipts.

- This is aside from the points reward system. With a minimum amount of single receipt (usually at P2500 to P3000), you get an item or gift certificate worth at least P100 to P200. Your prize value increases depending on the amount of your receipt.

REAL EXPERIENCE: I got to redeem multiple Happy Lemon Drinks because of BDO (worth at least P2500 of single receipt). I got to redeem multiple SM Gift Certificates because of Standard Chartered (worth at least P8000 of single receipt).

REAL REFERENCE:
http://www.standardchartered.com.ph/ph/personal-banking/cards/latest-promotions/instant-rewards/en/index.html

--------

More Credit Card, More OPTIONS and VARIETY and CHANCES of savings!!!  I really encourage you not to put those offers down since they can really help you a lot. Just monitor your spending and use it wisely. <USE IT ONLY IF YOU HAVE FUNDS TO PAY FOR IT>

Plus! If you have a bunch of credit cards, you will not feel scared in losing a credit card if you decided to cut-off  one just because they don't want to waive your annual fee. It's an edge.


 Till my next post! :D

EARN and SAVE from CREDIT CARD

As life needs to be lived wisely, so is credit card.

If most people will discourage you to apply for a credit card, I would not. In fact, I am highly encouraging my friends to GET at least one credit card from all banks - only if you are committed to use this wisely.

On this post, I will share to you that the use of credit card WOULD NOT put the user in a DEBT - but rather give OPPORTUNITY to the user  to earn and save from it. How? Follow the rules...

First Rule: Don't SPEND when your Shopping Fund is ZERO, or below its maintaining balance.

Swipe your credit card, only if you have that amount in your shopping fund. Take note, I did not say if your WILL have that money in your shopping fund. SWIPE if you only HAVE.

Second Rule: Don't pay on a CASH BASIS as much as possible, USE CREDIT CARD.

If there's an option to pay it via CREDIT CARD at 0% interest. Take that! So you're Shopping Fund could earn more interest in the bank. This is also good for your cashflow. PLUS! You can also earn credit card points whenever you swipe - dependent on which card you use.

TAKE NOTE that this rule is only applicable if the offer is at 0% interest, and/or no discrepancy if you will pay it on a cash basis.

Example 01: A LED TV is being sold at following offers: (1) P12,000 for 3 months at 0% interest (2) P11,000 for straight credit card payment (3) P10,000 for cash payment. Which option you would choose?

My take here is OPTION 3. I'll pay it in cash. Why? Because my shopping fund's bank account can't earn P1,000 in one to three months time. Paying it through cash could save me more.

Example 02: A LED TV is being sold at following offers: (1) P27,000 for 3 months at 0% interest (2) P26,000 for straight credit card payment (3) P25,000 for cash payment. Which option you would choose?

My take here is to first check the latest credit cards' offers / rewards. I have past experiences that a credit card bank company offers to reward P1000 worth of SM Gift Certificates for a single receipt worth P25,000. On this case, I will take OPTION 2. Why? The P1000 I will save will be returned to me through the rewards of the credit card. PLUS! I will earn points by using my credit card, P25,000 would also mean 250 points for some credit card.

I would only choose OPTION 1, if there's no price differences as compared to straight payment and cash payment.

In short, choose credit card if it would only give you savings and rewards. (Which they normally do) :)

Third Rule: The TIME you use your credit card is important.

This rule is important to your cashflow and would greatly affect your shopping fund bank account's interest. Delay payment means you can use your cash flow on more important things first and/or contribute to your bank account's monthly interest. I learned this technique from my mom - who highly discipline us on this. In fact, we all have a credit card schedule in our wallet.

Here's how it looks like:

Example: If I need to buy groceries on July 15, 2013, I will usually use BPI credit card. Why? My purchase would only reflect on my billing dated August 14, 2013 (OK TO USE less one day), and will require me to pay on or before September 5, 2013. On this example, I have one month and a half worth of cashflow time and bank accounts' interest. (If you don't get it, please feel free to comment. I'll try to expound on it / answer any queries for clarification)

With this idea, I still wanted to ADD one more principle on top of what my mom taught me - DO THE MATH FIRST. Always check if the Credit Card's rewards would give you more value than the benefits of cashflow and bank account's interest. From there, I believe you can make a wise decision.

Fourth Rule:  Get to know your Credit Card and be UPDATED.

I mentioned earlier that you can earn POINTS by using your CREDIT CARD. There are variety of perks and privileges being offered by the credit card bank. All you need to do is to be UPDATED, and do the MATH. Compute on which credit card will give you the highest reward you like, versus the interest you will earn from your bank account (if you choose a credit card that is not right with your OK TO USE date). More often than not, I choose the Credit Card Rewards.. :)

I encourage you grab all the Credit Card you can get.. ! They offer a lot of freebies when you sign up! Plus, you have more privileges such as FREE ENTRANCE to some Conferences / Events, BIG Discounts on various Establishments, FREEBIES with a minimum spend amount, etc.!

To give you a motivational booster, I just spend my birthday at Marriott Cafe because BDO treated me a buffet meal and a birthday cake! When I brought my partner with me, I just spent P600! <I will post the pictures and the details of this event on my future post>

Till my next post! :D