AAMM: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Take a little stroll down memory lane ...

all the way back to the hollowed halls ...

of your school years - the days of raising your hand,

taking tests, and making the grade ;)

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My Grade School Memories...

• I remember we were voting for classroom officials in first grade and I was begging everybody not to vote for me... why? because I thought that it would cost my parents a lot of money for the campaign should I get elected in the school student government!

• I traded my beautiful new teddy bear back pack with an old red ragged doll back pack because it was red. I came home and got a a good deal of scolding from my parents!

• I loved playing puzzles and pick up sticks with my classmates during recess period.

• The hi-cut rubber shoes was in and I was in the first grade everyone was wearing it except me because my parents said that it was not part of the school uniform.

My High School Memories....

• I competed in the school contest for my history class, would have gotten the first place but they counted the scores wrong, they missed to count the 3 points I earned so I just got the second place.

• I was walking down the hall with my 2 close friends when I slipped and fell flat on my face and guess where? In front of the cutest guys in school! (blush)

• On my junior year we had a field trip to the geothermal plant and to the only agricultural university in my place and it was exciting for all of us. But the trip was ruined as one guy in my class who sat in front near the bus driver had a very bad stomach and you know what happened! It was smelly the entire trip, we opened all the windows and sprayed all our colognes but the smell was still there. Will never forget this!

My College Memories....

• When I was in freshmen in college I was first enrolled in a local college in my place before I transferred to a big university another state away. It was the time I was so wild, I'd cut class when I was bored to death and entice my guy friend in another class to cut classes with me ... one time he was in his chemistry class and I already cut my classes. I dropped by and played the devil and told him to cut class lolz... when his teacher was not looking he went out from the big window!

• We had this teacher who was very kind but extremely boring. One time our class agreed that we will all set our watch to alarm at exactly 11:00 am as the teacher was fond of extending time. That's what we did and one of my gay classmate brought a real alarm clock! However, it never got into our teacher he extended time until 12:30!

• There was this guy who courted me for 2 years. He was a foreigner and was also a ramp and commercial model. He liked me but I didn't, he used to really chase me and I found it annoying. Well, one day he came and I just didn't want to see him, so I told my friends to tell him I went home already. But he insisted that I was still around as my class goes off at 5:30 in the afternoon. I hid in the lady's toilet for 2 hours because he would not go! When I came out I smelled like the toilet!

For more of All About Me Mondays visit MommyBrain.

Cut Back and Save

In today's spend all you can mentality the word "save" or "savings" sounds medieval. When we look at the television ads, there are ads that are screaming "buy me now", in the internet shopping is in your fingertips. You can shop 24/7 no holidays and no breaks. What's more it's in the comfort of your own home or office. So the temptation to spend is really great, that is why there are a lot of people going broke these days. So, I have come up with some quick simple cut back solutions so you can start a savings account.

First and foremost let me emphasize that the ultimate solution is "discipline". Without self discipline it is easy to spend all you can and all you have on things that you want but do not need. Also let's define what is a need and what is a want. Want means to desire something greatly or wish for, while a need is a condition or situation where something is required or is a necessity. Now while you may want to have a new pair of Havaianas might not necessarily mean that you need it. But you need food and water and shelter in order to live. Therefore I conclude that needs are necessary in order for us to survive and without it we may not survive or we might get sick for the lack of it. On the other hand you not having the latest pair of Havianas would not affect your chances of survival compared to going without food and water.

Secondly, I want to emphasize to change your mindset about money and buying. Most often than not some people tend to spend on things they do not need or spend cash they do not have just to impress others. Others spend simply because it has become an addiction, once they buy they can't stop. That is why there are several people who lives from paycheck to paycheck simply because they have the wrong mindset. My friend Nora has this problem, she can't afford all those beautiful dresses displayed at the malls but she kept on buying every payday, because she wants to look fabulous and wants to be part of the "it" crowd in the office. The result, after 5 days from payday she is broke and keeps on borrowing money from friends.

Here are some quick cut back tips you can follow:

1. Cut back on Starbucks and eating out. It is more economical to eat at home and cook at home than by eating out. Also, consider how often do you order your coffee from Starbucks? How much does it cost? Add all that up in one month, then one year, see how much money you could have saved just by cutting on Starbucks. If yo cannot stop drinking coffee I suggest you buy the sachet pack and make yourself a cup of coffee in the office, it's more economical.

2. Get a flatmate or roommate. If you are living alone in an apartment or have a big room all to yourself but having a hard time paying every month. Why not consider getting yourself a roommate or a flatmate? This way you can save half the amount that you are paying for your room and you can use this to start a bank account.

3. Stay home for the movies. If you go out every weekend for movies and pizza and beer with friends afterwards, how about going to the movies just twice a month? Calculate how much you spend when you watch movies with friends every month. You would be surprised to see that you have been throwing your money away and giving them to the already rich businessmen.

4. Brown bag it. Instead of buying from the cafeteria at work or eating at the nearest fast food, why not bring your lunch to work? Calculate how much you spend on fastfoods and cafeteria and how much you would save if you bring your own lunch. Perhaps you can bring your own lunch 3 times in a week and enjoy eating at the cafeteria twice in a week.

5. Go PUJ/ PUB. Taxis are a convenient way to commute to work but let's face it they are also a huge cash drain especially when you get stuck in a traffic. Comming early to work and riding the public utility jeepneys or buses can save you loads. Taking a cab should be reserved for special occasions or when it is the only safest way to commute.

6. Wash your own clothes. I know this may sound too much but just remember how much you spend for dry cleaning or having your clothes laundered by the laundry shop. Remember that you want to be financially stable and be able to save up for the rainy days. So why not do the small stuff? Perhaps you can just have your bed linens and curtains laundered but your clothes you can certainly wash it yourself.

7. Pay the bills first. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to do this. Just write down the amount of bills that you need to pay for the month this will give you a clear picture and help you prioritize. So first things first and needs over wants. Pay off bills like rent,electricity,water and gas first. Then food and the rest prioritize.

8. Pay your self first. Get 10 percent of your monthly net salary and deposit it to a savings account. When accumulated the balance would earn interest you can use this for emergencies and I mean real emergencies like medicines etc. not for fashion emergencies.

9. Ebay your old stuff. You can place your old stuff ( but not old like junk and can't be used) on ebay and sell it instead of burying them in your closet or store room. The cash you can earn from the sales could help you buy new clothes or pay off a portion of your bills. You can also do a garage sale.

10. Do not use your credit card often. Treat your credit card as a last minute resort not as an everyday money machine. Many people have been broke because of credit card debt. Also remember to pay off your credit card bill in full when you get it so as not to let the interest accumulate, or if it's heavy you can either pay in half or one third, but do not pay it off in 6 months when you can do so in 3 months. Remember the interest rates are ridiculously high so think carefully. Also do not use your credit card to purchase things that you want but do not need. When you want to buy something that is not an actual need, save up for it, it is better to buy in cash becausethere are no interest rates.

Post It Tuesday: Random Thoughts

GT: Pig Out Session!

Last week was very hectic for me and I was stressed out so I decided to go to the mall to unwind (window shopping or shopping is a stress buster for me-- I know this is disaster!) and we all know that when we are stressed out it's not good to go to the mall. Yes, my trip to the mall took my physical and emotional stress but it has put on a stress on my pocket! Yikes!

Anyway, since GT is talking about pigging out this week....here is my share. Dimsum day... I love dimsum and it tickles my taste buds just talking about it. So, after I shopped I decided I would eat and that's what I did! Went to M. Lhuiller's Dimsum and pigged out! I ordered pork ribs and chicken feet rice toppings, siomai, black gulaman and beef rice toppings! Now, I am quite ashamed but since we're all sharing our pigging out sessions, I guess I won't feel guilty! Lolz....







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All About Me Mondays: Jealous Much?

Jealousy is not a pretty emotion.

But I think it's fair to say that we all succumb

to its power every now-and-then.

We're only human, right?

Are you ... jealous much?

What makes you green with envy?

What makes your green-eyed monster break free

and bare its teeth for all to see?
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I am envious of.....

• People who are filthy rich like Paris Hilton. They just don't run out of money.
• Super models and celebrities who are in great shape.
• People who work at home and earns a fortune like the problogger guy.
• I envy Beyonce's butt (there I said it)!
• People who found their soul mates.

Does this mean I'm such a jealous person?

PSALM 23 FOR THE WORKPLACE

I read this in one of my emails and it's  a great reminder for me to stay in the Lord's presence when everything is chaotic at the workplace. I am posting it here to share with you all.



PSALM 23 FOR THE WORKPLACE

The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without
murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that He is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions
that I might honor Him in all that I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system
crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping
co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body
that doesn’t cooperate every morning, I still will not stop—
for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power
will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens
to let me go. His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus
check.
His retirement plan beats every 401k there is!
When it’s all said and done, I’ll be working for Him a whole lot
longer and for that,
I bless His name.

Getting Started

I'm getting started today with this new blog and hopefully everything will go smooth. Well, that's just me being hopeful but we all know it ain't that easy! I'm excited to start this new blog since it's a personal blog and I need not worry about sticking to a particular niche, I'd be able to talk about the different things that I am interested in. Man that's a relief!


I'd like to say hi to all of you who are dropping by right now. Thanks for visiting my blog even if there was basically nothing in it yet lol. I do appreciate all of you who were checking this out. I promise there will be a lot of interesting topics in here from this moment forward. Hopefully, you will subscribe and keep coming back.

Happy Reading!

The Cupcake Fairy