Hello 2013!!!

It's a day after new year and we went back to work. Yeah, great! Back to reality... Well, time flies so fast. It felt like yesterday, when we greeted 2012, and now it's bye bye time. I'd say 2012 wasn't my favorite year. It did not beat 2011, but I had my share of good news, and a lot of challenges! I think I started to feel a bit more grown up this year. A lot of challenges, at the same time, a lot of accomplishments.

I don't want to remember the heart aches and head aches 2012 brought me, but I'll always remember the things I am thankful for about the past year. By the start of the year, I got promoted. I was able to file for the Licensure Exam (Finally!! after 3 years) and Thank goodness I passed on my first attempt! I am now a licensed teacher :). Mama and Papa celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. I and Jim celebrated our 6th year as BF/GF. We were able to buy a car (2nd hand). Our mommy piggy gave birth to 13 babies. I was able to start a blog. I bought my first android phone (From Myphone it's cheaper but works great!) I learned to cook a lot of new dishes. The list goes on but the best part is, I still have the people I love with me. People may come and go, I understand that (sometimes I have that anti-social tendencies), but there are just people I can't live without, and I thank God they are still with me.

The only reason I think why 2012 wasn't my favorite was because of some heart aches and pressure I felt throughout the year. But I learned a lot! I guess that's part of growing up. I am looking forward to a better year! Hello 2013! Please be kind to me :)...

Frugal Living: My Story

I was born in a family who’s not financially inclined, but I would say we were never deprived. Our parents made sure we get what we need, and some extra. They also did a great job in showing us how life is really like, and I am thankful they did! It has helped me a lot growing up and until now. We were raised in a way that we understand the value of life beyond the material things we can buy. This developed the frugality in me :). 

Being the eldest daughter (we’re three beautiful gals), I have to always be resourceful so I can help my parents even in my small ways. I’ve set my goals straight as early as Elementary days and that is, to graduate in College no matter what and get a good paying job. Then help my parents. My father then was a tricycle driver and my mom is a house wife. We had our ups and most of the time our downs financially, I have witnessed and experienced how hard life is, but these were not reasons to give up. Our parents did everything they can and we should too. We were sent to public schools, but this is not a problem at all! We just studied hard and we were on the top section, I learned a lot too! I enjoyed High school a lot! We applied for scholarships in College and luckily, we finished College (me and my 2^nd sis) without almost paying for our tuition fee. I usually have packed lunch then to save for the projects and some part time jobs too. It was an awesome College experience. I don’t always have money to buy stuff but I always find a way, I have to! These experiences led me to frugality. Well, I graduated in College and landed a job, but I still am frugal. It’s now a way of life than a necessity. :)

Some people perceives being frugal as being deprived, but I think it’s the other way around. Being frugal for me is being resourceful, careful, penny-wise. You can actually have the things you need without costing you a lot, if you just check carefully. It’s having a lot of options with limited resources. If you are frugal, you are most likely to learn how to make things than buy things and eventually even earn from it. Who say’s frugal can’t be trendy ? J. I make my own accessories (and sell accessories); I cut my own bangs haha, I repair my clothes, I love trift shops! (You can be your unique you J). I also cook what I want to eat (that’s cheaper that way). So I think deprived is far from being frugal. You don’t have to deprive yourself, you have a choice! Go first for the things you need. You don’t want to spend everything in one item, if you can get more than that. I have basically everything I need and I get to save. That is the best part.

Well, that is basically my story. I just wanted to write something about it since the blog is about cheap chatting. Haha. So long!

My Christmas Wishlist

Our company already announced the Christmas party date and we have drawn the names our monitos/monitas. We have a weekly Kris Kringle with very unique themes and by Christmas party, we need to give our babies the ultimate gift. They were asking us to make a wishlist just like the past years. The ultimate gift should be worth 700 PHP. I just thought it would be nice to post it here, and then send the link to all my FB friends and family, so they know what I want exactly haha. I am actually doing them a favor :) they will save a lot of thinking time. (As if they do not know yet. I always announce the things I like to people, so this will be sort of a reminder that THEY HAVE TO HAVE A GIFT FOR ME, OR ELSE...). harhar! Anyways, here are they:


1. Hanabishi Waffle Maker - I just love waffles!!! I'll accept other waffle maker brands, it's just that, this is the cheapest I guess. And that's my ultimate motto right? Save as mush as possible. LOL!

2. Pretty Beads, Stones + Yarns
Note: I intend to use this for my craft store business. So If you have your own business, I suggest you ask gifts that you need for that, it's a big less for you. And you'll be sure you to use it.

3.  A4tech Anti-glare Webcam PK7G
This is last on my list since I find it a little bit pricey. I really need a webcam though. I use this webcam model in the office and it's good compared to other brands I have used before. The price I think is worth it.

PS. Please feel free to email me if you need my address to ship the gifts. :) Merry Christmas every ALL! haha I mean Hoho...