Saturday, July 29, 2006
A Working Mom's Guide to Easy Housekeeping
I am a full time working mom but my heart is always with my family. Well, my family takes work, too. And no matter how busy I am, I always fit them into my busy schedule. I always remind myself that I am not alone in this situation and that getting everything done is not as important as having a positive attitude with a sense of humor and making my home a happy place.
For easy housekeeping that cuts down time of labor without cutting down the enjoyment my loved ones derive from it, I abide by the following guidelines:
For easy housekeeping that cuts down time of labor without cutting down the enjoyment my loved ones derive from it, I abide by the following guidelines:
1. Never try to keep a perfect house. Just remember that when other people come and visit your place, they actually do not see all the things that need to be done. Quit worrying about what other people will think. You don’t owe it to anybody else to keep a spotlessly clean house.
2. Instead of cleaning the whole house once every six months, try to clean one room at a time when the mood strikes you. Do the same thing with closets, drawers, cupboards and the like. After a while, you’ll realize that you’ve cleaned everything without feeling that cleaning is a burden.
3. Each time you find something out of place, pick it up and deposit it in its proper place as you pass by it.
4. Share the household chores with your family. The time spent helping each other will also be a time spent for bonding.
5. Hire a household help from time to time to get big tasks done especially on weekends when you can supervise the work to be done.
In following the above guidelines, I’m able to budget my energy doing only what I can do at a time. I’m able to make sure, also, that I’m not overtired. As long as there is good food to eat, some clean clothes to wear and a mother who is happy to be with them, I believe my family won’t complain.
Since life is so short and priceless, I always try to find an easy way to do things. This way, I am able to live life to the fullest. Indeed, it’s a wonderful world and just full of wonderful things to do.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The Three Most Important Things to Learn to Become Rich
Last night, when I called my husband at home, I noticed that he sounded a little upset. When I asked him why, he told me that he just discovered that our eldest daughter had mostly low or failing grades in most of her subjects' quizzes in school. I told him to talk with her and remind her of the importance of learning. At most, he could also give her tips on how to study more effectively.
I reminded my husband not to punish our daughter for her failing grades because I believe that we do learn from our mistakes. By nature, we all learn through our mistakes from infancy to adulthood. Unfortunately, when we go to school, we are taught not to make mistakes. We are taught that to be smart, we should be able to memorize all the right answers. We are also taught that we are not smart enough when we fail and are often called as “stupid”.
As I grew older, I realized that to be successful, I have to unlearn most of the things I learned in school. If you want to be successful in life, you simply have to watch how the kids learn and copy them. And that’s exactly what I did when I had my own kids. I observed that as they learned to walk, they had to stumble a little and do it right the next time. As they learned to speak, they had to repeat it several times to get the sound right. I noticed that when we do not ridicule them and just encourage them, they gain more confidence and become eager to do them right the next time. Most often than not, they become successful at whatever they are trying to achieve.
So, what are the three most important things to learn to become rich? The following three things were what I discovered that one has to learn to overcome in order to become rich and successful in life:
1. The fear of making mistakes,
2. The fear of failing, and
3. The fear of being embarrassed.
Most young kids know how to overcome the three things mentioned naturally. So if you ask me if anyone can become rich and successful, I’d say that all of us have the power and the potential to become one. We all just have to learn how to make mistakes, learn how to fail and learn how to overcome our embarrassments. If we could do this, there is a good chance that we are well on our way to being wealthy.
Monday, July 24, 2006
10 Daily Money Saving Tips
It was my father who inculcated in me the habit of saving for future needs. When I was just a kid, he gave me and my other siblings our very own bamboo coin bank where we drop our extra coins from our school allowances. Later on, when we had it filled already, he then introduced us to real banking by way of assisting us in opening our very first bank savings account.
When I got my first savings account passbook, I was very thrilled and felt like a responsible adult who is able to manage his/her own money. I have learned so much from this habit that it has become second nature fro me to think of ways I can add to my savings. Now every time I have an emergency need, I know I have a saving I can turn to anytime all the time.
During these hard times when the price of everything seems to soar higher and higher, I just try to remind myself of the following money saving tips in my day-to-day living:
When I got my first savings account passbook, I was very thrilled and felt like a responsible adult who is able to manage his/her own money. I have learned so much from this habit that it has become second nature fro me to think of ways I can add to my savings. Now every time I have an emergency need, I know I have a saving I can turn to anytime all the time.
During these hard times when the price of everything seems to soar higher and higher, I just try to remind myself of the following money saving tips in my day-to-day living:
1. It is much cheaper to prepare our own food at home than eating out at restaurants. It is also a good time for bonding and we have fun helping out each other in preparing for our breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
2. Whenever my family dines out, instead of buying soda, I just ask for water. Drinking water is a lot healthier and I’m able to save also more money.
3. For my children’s school allowance, I try to let them bring food. This way, I know they get to eat nutritious food during recess time and they also don’t have to wait in line to buy food in the school canteen.
4. Whenever I have to buy some grocery items, I try not to go for name-brands. I just look for quality items and these items are just as good as their expensive counterparts.
5. As much as possible, I buy goods at wholesale rather than retail. This usually amounts to a great discount.
6. If the place I have to go to iss of walking distance, then I just walk. This way, I get to save from my transportation allowance and I also get to have some exercise.
7. For exercise, instead of going to a gym where I have to pay for a membership fee, I just go to the nearby civic center and have a good swim at the the pool. Now I have a healthy pocket as well as a healthy body.
8. Instead of going to malls for recreation especially on weekends, my family goes on a picnic at the Eco-park. Aside from getting some fresh air, I’m also able to avoid impulse buying which at most is not very good for our weekly or monthly budget.
9. Instead of buying a book or a magazine, I just visit the nearby library and borrow one.
10. And yes, every time I have some loose change in my pocket, I drop them at my coin bank. This way, I never run out of money.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Saving and Earning Money on Kids' Doodles and Drawings
Last summer, my daughters sort of became addicted to television viewing. Day in and day out, I would see them glued to the television watching their “favorite” cartoon movies and soap operas. It came to a point that they would rather watch television than help doing some household chores, go out and/or play. I was not quite happy about this and told my husband to do something about it since he is the one who is most of the time with them.
One day, upon returning home from work, my daughters excitedly greeted me and asked to close my eyes before entering our house and open it when I’m already inside our living room. I obliged to their request and was quite surprised to see that the wall in our living room is full of their doodles and drawings. They then pointed the corners where their respective doodles and drawings are and asked for my comments. Naturally, I told them they have beautiful drawings and that with a little more practice they can sell them to the arts and crafts enthusiasts. Well, in fact, they said all of them were paid for already by their father!
After a while, I realized that there was no TV on and the kids went about finishing their yet another “obra maestro”. So when I asked my husband about what’s going on, he related to me that instead of letting the kids watch TV, he asked them to draw anything they like and that he’ll pay for their drawings if they are beautiful and place it in a prominent place in our living room for everybody else to see and appreciate. He even made a contest out of it so that both of them are eager to beat each other in getting the higher monetary prize.
Now that they’re back to school, whenever they are finished with their homework, they no longer insist on watching TV shows. Actually, they are much more excited in coming up with their new drawings although this time, they no longer ask for a monetary reward from their father.
I guess it was such a clever idea of my husband that we’re able to cut the cost of our electricity from TV viewing and saved money from it, too. But I believe what’s most important now is that the kids are enjoying themselves in developing their creativity through their doodles and drawings rather than being passive all day watching TV shows.
Today, my eldest daughter who is just 9 years old approached me and asked if she could sell her drawings through the internet. When I asked her why, she said that maybe there are others who might be interested and enjoy them, too, and what better way is there to sell them than through the internet? I haven’t thought about it but said maybe, indeed, why not?
One day, upon returning home from work, my daughters excitedly greeted me and asked to close my eyes before entering our house and open it when I’m already inside our living room. I obliged to their request and was quite surprised to see that the wall in our living room is full of their doodles and drawings. They then pointed the corners where their respective doodles and drawings are and asked for my comments. Naturally, I told them they have beautiful drawings and that with a little more practice they can sell them to the arts and crafts enthusiasts. Well, in fact, they said all of them were paid for already by their father!
After a while, I realized that there was no TV on and the kids went about finishing their yet another “obra maestro”. So when I asked my husband about what’s going on, he related to me that instead of letting the kids watch TV, he asked them to draw anything they like and that he’ll pay for their drawings if they are beautiful and place it in a prominent place in our living room for everybody else to see and appreciate. He even made a contest out of it so that both of them are eager to beat each other in getting the higher monetary prize.
Now that they’re back to school, whenever they are finished with their homework, they no longer insist on watching TV shows. Actually, they are much more excited in coming up with their new drawings although this time, they no longer ask for a monetary reward from their father.
I guess it was such a clever idea of my husband that we’re able to cut the cost of our electricity from TV viewing and saved money from it, too. But I believe what’s most important now is that the kids are enjoying themselves in developing their creativity through their doodles and drawings rather than being passive all day watching TV shows.
Today, my eldest daughter who is just 9 years old approached me and asked if she could sell her drawings through the internet. When I asked her why, she said that maybe there are others who might be interested and enjoy them, too, and what better way is there to sell them than through the internet? I haven’t thought about it but said maybe, indeed, why not?
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Living with Mayon Volcano in the Background
I overstayed in the office today to finish some work and since I was feeling a little bit tired and hungry, I went to the nearby Pacific Mall to unwind and grab a bite. I was quite surprised, then, to see so many tourists (alone and in groups) having their dinner at the different fast-food chains inside the mall. I do see tourists from time to time but today their number is quite unusually big. I thought to myself that with so much improvement in Legazpi City, it may well be the favorite place for tourists now to visit whenever they are here in the Philippines. But then, I remembered.
I do happen to work here in Legazpi City where the world-famous Mayon Volcano, which is known for its near perfect cone, is located here in the Philippines. Mayon Volcano is also one of the 22 active volcanoes in our country. Well, I get to see it always on my way to and from my office so that at times I'm guilty of taking it for granted as just being there - a beautiful backdrop for the lush green scenery along the way. However, since last Friday, I can't help but take a look at the majestic Mayon Volcano every now and then.
During day time, it seems to me that nothing mush is happening. Most of the time, Mayon seems to be shy and hiding itself with itss cone covered by smoke and clouds. But at night, it is a totally different story. From my vantage point of view, be it in the open space of the Legazpi Airport or in the balcony of the place from where I stay, I could clearly see Mayon Volcano's own version of firework display. Its crater is glowing red against the dark night and I could see the silhouette of its near perfect cone with red hot lava oozing out of it and flowing down its slope. Actually, the lava looks like small red strips of party decoration up to the mid-section of the volcano. It's really such a spectacular sight when you get to see it up close especially at night. I watched, just like the other locals and tourists, mesmerized by its beauty and oblivious to the danger it poses. In fact, I feel a bit lucky to have witnessed such a rare phenomenon.
I don't think I see a sign of fear in the faces of all spectators, be they locals or tourists. This is despite the fact that we are on alert level 3 and that anytime, there might be an explosion.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Back to Work
After a relaxing weekend spent leisurely with my family, I guess I'm fully recharged and have the energy to face a busy week ahead of me. Yes, as the saying goes, life can't really be all play or all work. Life indeed has to be a balance of play and work for it to be meaningful. And so now, after a day or two of playing with the kids, I'm now ready to face life's tough challenges at work again.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Being Home on a Weekend
Hi! Welcome to my blog! Today is Saturday and everybody is home. It's only on this time that I, too, am home that's why I look forward to it. It's on this time that I'm happy and glad to be able to do some bonding with my family, spend quality time with them and afterwhich do also some things on my own like this one today. This is my first blog, though, so I'm just trying to start and hope I'm doing it right.
It's been quite a while now since I've started surfing the web and came across blogs. I really have fun reading most of the blogs and thought that maybe I should try one myself. So now, this is it!
Actually, I'm quite excited to be doing my first ever blog. I guess nothing really beats the feeling of first time experiences especially joyful ones like posting your own blog.
Well, the day has just begun and I look forward to a relaxing weekend with my family. Indeed, enjoy and have fun!
It's been quite a while now since I've started surfing the web and came across blogs. I really have fun reading most of the blogs and thought that maybe I should try one myself. So now, this is it!
Actually, I'm quite excited to be doing my first ever blog. I guess nothing really beats the feeling of first time experiences especially joyful ones like posting your own blog.
Well, the day has just begun and I look forward to a relaxing weekend with my family. Indeed, enjoy and have fun!
