Friday, August 7, 2015

Barako Haus: Our New 2nd Home in the South

With all the establishments with a modern theme, and coffee chains abroad continuing to be popular, it is a welcome treat to discover Barako Haus. Right in President's Avenue near Pizza Hut and Pancake House, Barako Haus offers a unique and hard to find special coffee.



The Barako Civet is one of their product offerings. Made from the droppings of a Civet cat, the coffee which uses homegrown beans in alfonso is one of their best sellers. For those with a craving for strong coffee, their blend is also flavorful. Their Filipino coffee is also a best seller plus it is bottomless :)





What i love about the place is the nice interiors. Filipino in design, there are seats wherein you can play sungka. Again perhaps as an answer to the puzzle cafes that are popular. You can seat confortably too.

The staff is very friendly. The other products are good too. I ordered the bread with kesong puti and it was filling.

All in all, we are torn between wanting to keep the place to ourselves. But of course, drop by :) we definitely want Barako Haus as a second home. We hope you like it too.








Sungka, anyone?


Saturday, August 1, 2015

Life's Like That (Funny Anecdotes)

Okay, so we have all had our "mam/sir" experiences in Jollibee, I have also had my share of inefficient service, but these are not what I am talking about here.  Most companies have trainings for their new staff. But sometimes, perhaps when they were preparing for work, and afraid of being late, they leave common sense behind :) Note that there are indeed times you find these instances funny.

Experience #1: SM Department Store. I was walking in the make up section, when I got approached by a saleslady offering a straightening iron tool. I was in a hurry and not in the mood, when I said "no thanks, offering an explanation "maikli pa buhok ko eh". So imagine my disdain with her answer, "yun na nga po ma'am eh, maikli pa lang puro tikwas na." Err...where's your manager?

Experience #2: Flea Market/Tiangge. I was looking at a blouse, I wasn't sure if it fit me but I was inspecting it carefully. It was a buttondown blouse. The saleslady looked at me and said, "ma'am hindi po kasya sa inyo." I was still in a good mood so I said, "malay mo hindi para sa kin to, or magdadiet na lang ako" To which she said, "ma'am ayoko lang po kasi masira yung damit"...Me: mentally slaps her.

Experience #3: I have written about this in FB. The guards in our subdivision normally ask for another ID when we enter. But more than that, they ask rudely and in a feeling close way "Ano ang gagawin niyo dun" So one time, in several of the gates, as I was delivering gifts and doing errands, I decided to tell the whole truth. "Ah, susunduin ko po kasi ang anak ko, kasi kaibigan niya yung taga dyan, alam mo naman, mahirap panahon ngayon, kaya hatid sundo tsaka buti na yung nakakadalaw siya kesa maglakwatsa kung saan saan. Isang anak ko lang kasi yan...bla bla. Guard lets me in

Experience #4:Guard asks again what I'm going to do in a house, and this time, I was with my sister, so naturally we had to tell the whole truth "Ah kasi magkaklase kami ng college, eh inaanak ko ang mga anak niya eh nung nakaraang pasko hindi kami nagkita kita kaya eto ngayon, hinahatid ko kasi alam mo naman dapat talga magbigay sa mga inaanak. Dati kasi hindi ako nakapagbigay tapos...." Guard lets us in.

Experience #5:Happened to my brother: He got apprehended for a minor traffic violation. Because he was in a hurry, he offered to pay the officer a bit of money, around P50. To which the officer replied, "Sir, di pa ho kasya yan sa value meal, paddagdag po ng P9"

Experience #6: Our helper wrote us a letter before she left. My mom was a bank officer. But we wondered why she kept on addressing her as "Atty". Nevertheless, my mom concluded it was from her corporate attire and professional demeanor probably. Until at the end of the letter, our helper said"Atty, pasensha na po ah, at talgang nagpatulong kasi ang "atty" ko sa probinsya, ako na lang kasi pagasa namin magkakapatid kaya pati is kong "atty" uuwi.  So it is a family of lawyers!

My son sometimes denies he ate bubble gum...
More to come!



The HeART of Saving

One of the most common responses I hear when I get to talk about young ones or even old ones when offered a savings or investment plan is "wala akong pera eh." Somehow, people think that insurance and investments are only for the rich, or for those with extra. But let me share you a secret? You can begin one now.

At the risk of this being a hardsell, and I promise this isn't, let me ask you something, like a coffee ad before asked, "Who do you wake up for?"
Need I say more?


We all have needs, we all have wants. But we all have the same love for our family. With that being said, most of us just need a little push in the right direction. And let me tell you that this is not easy, but it is going to be worth it.

How does one begin?

1.) First of all, common sense dictates that after graduation, we should get a job. And most of us, we have different priorities when it comes to job hunting. Sometimes we compromise and end up with something we hate and though it does pay the bills, it doesn't allow us to grow bigger. Find something you love, nurture it, later on maybe you can find your own place for it and have a business. How can you save if money isn't coming in? 

2.) Do not be afraid to learn about money. Nowadays there are plenty of resources in the net and take advantage of it. Ask questions, find a mentor. Also, if a financial advisor or insurance agent wants to meet up with you, just say yes! Believe me, they will move on to the next client, and it is their job to share to the most number of people. Let them do their job, and you can benefit from them. Aside from the free coffee, they are offering you their time to discuss. If you do not need what they have to offer, then at least you had additional information. And if you do like it, then it is something to consider. Remember, insurance is for your loved ones. Like what I read, insurance keeps you from being poor while investments help make you rich.

3.) Beware of those little purchases that add up. When I first started writing again recently, I told myself that I will get a phone that I have been saving up for but never got to do. But I wanted to have a useful purchase, (because I needed a better camera) and I said that because I made a purchase, then I better make the most of it, and so far it has helped me market my business more.

4.) Get a 2nd job. There is no shame in selling, or getting a sideline. You just have to find one that suits your talent and time. Do you like kids? then you can host parties. (hint, hint). Do you have a nice voice? Try out a career as a voice talent. Do you speak english well? There are online tutoring jobs available. Check out freelancer.com, or odesk for more opportunities. Beware of scams or business opportunities that are dubious, but just keep on trying.
You can learn even from just watching television

5.) Stay away from sales when you are sad, or stop thinking about retail therapy. Yes, there is such a thing but try to limit your retail therapy at one small item. Otherwise, retail therapy has a twin, and that is buyer's remorse!

6.) Sell your items that you don't use anymore. There is olx, or ebay, or just make use of your house, pool in the items that you don't use and pitch in with friends.  Better yet, you can arrange an exchange party wherein you simply barter items with each other instead of spending on things which can be recycled.


7.) Treat credit cards as cash. I once had a credit card collector whom I dreaded answering. But after a while, he was so persistent and insisted on really talking to me that I realized he was just doing his job. He made me a good payment arrangement, and instead of being afraid of him, I treated him as someone who made my life easier. Besides, when I finally paid off the bill, I was glad I didn't dread hearing the phone ring again!

8.) Beware of those designer jeans, or even designer food. Even in exercising, do you really need to use a particular brand?  Does exercising in the park make it better than when you are in an expensive gym? Take care of your health but do not forget to take care of your wallet too :) 

9.) On household purchases, compare brands. Be practical. When I shop with my son, I ask him whether its a need or a want. He rolls his eyes but I can tell the lesson has stuck to him.


Travel for fun! It's the best experience that is far more valuable than anything
10.) Pamper yourself a bit every now and then, so you don't feel deprived. Then continue with your savings plan. Delayed gratification is a good concept to remember when the urge to spend hits.

11.) Sites like groupon, metrodeal are good sources of sale items. But before buying, make sure you will be available and really willing to push through with the sale. 40% of those who buy do not really avail of the items, and though this would go to the merchant, they will be unable to sustain their sales as well in the long run.

12.) Before buying an item, ask yourself if it can wait a week, if the urge is still there, give it another one. Are you keeping up with friends, are you really going to use all the features of a particular item? How would you feel if this item was stolen from you? If you are uncomfortable using it, then it isn't for you.

13,) I reiterate this, you do not have to help everyone who asks for help.  If you were really somebody's friend, you would listen and ask them how they came to the predicament. And if you do give help, give an amount that you are actually willing to donate for good. If it comes back, it means just put it in your savings plan. Believe me, you are better off saying no to continue to be friends.

14.) Always look for the bigger picture. Why are you saving, who are you saving for, what is your timeline? 


15.) Slowly but surely is the name of the game. Also, it helps to have arrangements with bank when you have a salary to deduct a portion for your savings. Just talk to the bank and open a second account with them. Also, it might help to get a savings plan wherein you can commit to an amount. Most times, when you have to pay, then you just come up with a way to pay...just like students with deadlines, we need a little push.

16.) Sometimes, you just have to spend a bit more to end up saving. This has happened to me during events, I do not get extra people to drive for example to try and save money. So I ended up crashing the car because of little sleep. So I paid more. On the other hand, learn to price your products and talents accordingly so you can give and get the best service ever, resulting to more sales.



There are still plenty of ideas, but for now, here are some tips to better improve your budget. Saving is a science for sure, but it is also an art that may be practiced. And definitely, when we do it for the ones that matter then it becomes a real tool for showing our love.

Have faith, we have a Great Provider. Do your best, do not lose hope, and claim His blessings.

All will be well, may you be blessed!