You Don’t Have to Skip The Mall When You’re Broke
It’s easy to get in a financial rut once in a while when you’re starting your career or launching a new business. When you’re young, you can get sucked into the vortex of the capitalist culture. You have to buy stuff to fill your home or be identified. It’s no wonder that people get into debt or end up with no money because they’ve spent it in buying stuff they don’t need.
You might think that the solution to your problem is to skip the mall altogether. However, there are other things you can do so you won’t end up losing all your money in shopping. Exercising control or finding an alternative activity are few of the things you can do to fill your day besides visiting the shops at Vertis North.
Find out how you can spend a day at the mall without going broke. The tips below will be the solution to manage your money properly.
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Opt for experiences and not add-ons
Don’t go to the mall with the mindset of “wanting to have something.” Instead, think about what you wish to achieve or experience while there. Consider all the things you and your friends can do when you’re together. You can window shop and create a mental list of all the stores with high-quality swimwear. That way, you don’t have to worry about getting your next summer outfit. You can also visit cafeterias and ice cream parlors to find which has the best tasting iced coffee or gelato. If you’re with kids, you can visit the arcade and children’s booths. Some booths offer free trial or admission to activities.
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Put your needs first
If you think about it, you can take care of your needs by shopping. You have to drop by the grocery store to get fruits, veggies and other produce. You need to visit boutiques and stores to get new clothes whenever what you have are too worn out or ill-fitting. But, there are other needs you’re neglecting when you only think about these things. You forget about your emotional well-being. You also need to breathe and think clearly. Shopping sprees won’t help you achieve that. A day at the spa, a hike, or time at a local shelter are some things you can substitute for shopping.
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Don’t stop walking
Use your time at the mall to exercise. Walking helps you burn calories while straying your mind away from buying something you don’t need. Whenever you feel the urge to enter a store to purchase an item, you should walk towards the next floor. It’ll change the view and help you think about other stuff besides shopping.
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Choose the right shopping partners
If your weaning on shopping or plan to change your spending habits, then you should also think about the people who shop with you. There’s a phenomenon called “group-level consideration” that happens when you are with others. The people you spend time with or are with you at the moment of buying can influence your decisions. If you’re friends or mom doesn’t have a grasp of your financial health, you can end up with a credit card bill you can’t afford to pay especially if they’re reckless shoppers.
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Skip freebies
Malls are fond of selling items in bulk or offering gift certificates to their customers. However, it comes with a price. You have to buy a regular priced item or reach a certain amount to avail the freebie. Don’t fall these seemingly money-saving tactics. They only encourage you to spend more or increase the quantity of the items you have in your cart. The next you face a similar situation, always think of your choices. You always have the option to walk away.
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Be confident
Shopping can be a form of therapy. Some people even get a confidence boost after a day of shopping. That’s because they think they bought the right items that makes them smarter, sexier, or much prettier than they are. Unfortunately, feeling bad about yourself can only drown you in shopping bags. Once the glamour of shopping fades, you are left with yourself. It’s time you acknowledge yourself for who you are. Learn to love your strengths and weakness as clothes, makeup and makeovers can change the way you see yourself.
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Survey the aisles
Before you settle on a can of tuna or a loaf of bread, you should first look for alternatives. You might find a less expensive tuna with the same size or a can that’s is more costly but weighs more. Furthermore, it can feature better quality than the product you’re used to buying. Always look at each aisle to see if you’re getting the best deal out of your shopping trip.
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Don’t fall into a store’s trap
Marketers and business owners set up stores to encourage mall goers to linger to the store and spend more. They trick your senses to remain enchanted with the products on display. Clothing stores blast feel-good music, makeup and skin care shops have a good-looking staff to show the effectivity of their products, and jewelry stores install high-wattage halogen lights to bring out more sparkle to their watches and other displays.
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Wait for sale season
The easiest way to maintain money in your wallet is to sit out the spending sprees you have during ordinary days and wait for sale season to come. Don’t worry about items going out of stock. The store is sure to go all out during the end of the season. You’ll still be able to see that pair of boots or oversized sweater and get them half the price during a sale.
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Look for items at the back of the store
Most stores, including high-end ones, place their new releases and pricy items in the middle of the store. These stores aren’t thrilled to put out the things on sale so they usually stash them at the back. Be patient and always watch out for major steals placed at the sides or the back of the store.
The mall is an exciting place to be but not so much when you’re broke. It can make you feel small and insignificant because you don’t have enough cash to buy the things you want or eat at the latest food joint. Fortunately, you don’t have to skip the mall altogether when your balance is running low. These tips show you how to survive a day at the mall without cashing out.
Five Ways to Be A Good Neighbor
“A bad neighbor is a misfortune, as much as a good one is a great blessing.” -Hesiod
A Chinese proverb once said that a good neighbor is a priceless treasure and indeed they are. Although it is an often overlooked aspect when it comes to looking for a prospective house, it should be an integral element when it comes to looking for the right neighborhood. After all, a good neighbor does not only foster a community of helpful friendliness and comfortable living; it cultivates a good relationship among all the members of the society as well. However, it is not only enough that your neighbors are good, but you also need to be an excellent neighbor to them as well. After all, these are the people you live in proximity with so it is only right that you establish a good relationship with them. So, if you have just moved into a new neighborhood or are seeking to make new friends with the neighbors who have just moved in (whether you may be living in a condominium in Manila or elsewhere), here are ways you can be an exemplary neighbor:
1.) Be welcoming
It might be a little awkward to start up a conversation with a neighbor who is new to the community and even harder if you have lived next to them for months or years, but it can be done. Break the ice by introducing yourself as soon as they move in or if they have been around for quite some time, talk to them. Inviting them to a delicious meal or giving them some of your homemade cookies would not hurt either.
2.) Strike up a conversation
One of the easiest ways to establish a relationship with your neighbor is to strike up a conversation whenever you see them. Instead of just smiling and waving, ask them how their day went and do some small talk. In this way, you can get to know your neighbor better. Remember, try not to broach on topics that are too personal—well not until at least you know your neighbor fairly well and have established a close relationship with them.
3.) Do not snoop on your neighbor’s business
If you have been invited into your neighbor’s home, do not snoop around. Wait for him or her to give you a guided tour and if he or she does not, do not wander. Simply stay where he has invited you. Furthermore, do not try and pry into your neighbor’s personal life as this might make them feel like their privacy or personal space is invaded. Wait for your neighbor to open up to you in his or her own time and if they do not, do not pressure them into doing so.
4.) Be responsible for your pets
Be a little considerate of your neighbors if you have furry friends about. Make sure that your dog does not bark in the wee hours of the morning and also, do not let them leave their waste in your neighbor’s yard as this is one way to ruffle their feathers. Be responsible for your pets, and your neighbors will thank you for that.
5.) Do not be noisy
Should you be throwing a party or hosting an event in your house, let your neighbors know in advance—especially if,, you expect it to be a little rowdy. However, should your event last way into the night, try to at least tone it down and keep your voices down. Warn your guests not to get too uproariously noisy as this is a guarantee that your neighbors would be irked. Or worse, they might even call the cops on you.
Remember, if you want a good relationship with your neighbor, it has to start with you as well. Be a good neighbor yourself and maybe that is all you would need to make a difference. You might never know, but the neighbor you have been living next to for years might just be someone you can consider as a close friend.
Perks of Residing Near Your School and Work
The students just started this school year, and our ever-hard-working laborers are still working year-round, as usual. For many of us, travel going back and forth to our school and work is such a hassle. Imagine being stuck in traffic and you have a class at 8 in the morning, or have a meeting at 1 in the afternoon. You might have left your house three or four hours earlier, but it just won’t do. Unlike the people who are in a condo for rent in Makati, they don’t seem to have any problem if their school or workplace is just near their place.
To give you more of the mentioned above, here are some of the perks if you are residing near your school or work:
You are well-rested
It means no alarm four of five hours before you need to leave home. Thus you have extra time to sleep. You can do many things at home after school or work. You may be tired, but you still have a lot of time to do whatever you want or gain energy thru having a good rest. Isn’t it lovely?
Less time on the road
Given that the traffic in the Metro, well actually everywhere in the Philippines, brings out the worst in us, you will do anything just to get out of that trap. Having less time on the road is just pure nirvana we are all aiming for. Moreover, you are saving a lot of money and energy if you just live a few blocks away from school or work. You can walk for a few minutes or go bike, a workout that you can do in your daily life.
You can go back and forth to your place quickly
If you accidentally left something at home, you can get it and be back at your school or workplace in a jiffy. You can also spend long breaks at home, be at ease knowing that you can get no traffic. Hooray!
Feel free to invite friends and colleagues to come at your place
If you need to do projects or merely for bonding, you can have your friends and colleagues to come at home. It will be very easy for your group to go since it’s just around your area (school or office). It is also economical to hang out or spend your vacant in a house than renting a hotel, go out to eat at a fancy resto, etc. You can have your people swim (ask permission or sign them as guests) in your condo’s pool and cook scrumptious food at home. Having quality time with friends and at the same time being practical with your choices have never been this easy.
If there’s any emergency at home, you can easily storm your way
You get to your school or office around 10 to 15 minutes of walk, and if there’s an emergency, you could surely fly your way for like 5 minutes or less. Might be exaggerated but the fact the whenever someone needs your help or the like, you can quickly excuse yourself (and it’s reasonable).
More time for yourself and family
Given that you are just a few blocks away, you have less time on the road and more with your family, and to yourself of course. Work-life balance seems easier to do if you choose to live near your workplace or school, or vice versa.
Does it speak to you on a personal level? Well, it’s either a calling that you should consider moving somewhere near your current school or workplace or affirmation that your decision to live in a condo in Makati is an excellent choice. Whatever it is, I hope I was able to showcase the little perks you can have if you reside near your school or workplace.
For Homebuyers: Avoid These Nightmares in Buying a Condo
It is everybody’s dream to have their own condominium. The environment, the lifestyle, and the convenience are one of the things you can experience when you have a condo. Some people will say that if you have a condo, your life will get better. Agree? Perhaps, that is one of the reasons why people are now planning to buy and have one.
There will always be a caveat in buying and choosing a condominium. That is why, whether you’re planning to invest in a condo in Manila or any residential building in the Philippines, it is important to know and be careful in buying and choosing what’s suits you best. Here are the things that most people had experienced before they own a condo.
Slow processing of documents
Hundreds to thousands of people are buying a condominium every year; it is expected that there are also hundreds to thousands of documents that needs to be processed. Especially when there are a lot of holidays adding up, no work, no processing of documents and more and more documents are piling up. What more would you expect? Well, patience is always a virtue. So, try to enjoy and wait!
Of course, that situation is acceptable and reasonable, you may say. But what if the company you transacted is just way too slow in processing your documents? Wait one month later. One of your documents needs to be reviewed further, wait for another two more weeks. Ugh! I know you hate to wait especially when you already waited long enough.
A friendly advice:
When the company you transacted is way too slow in processing your documents, you have to follow up on the progress of your documents constantly. Do not just wait for their call, because sometimes, they can also forget about it especially when there are also other documents to be processed. And when they do, it will take you more than a month to wait.
Constant follow up on the company may give them a heads-up that your documents need to be processed. And by that, they might make you a priority over the others. Try it, it works! Just don’t be rude.
Scam
This is one of the reasons why we are so afraid of trusting people and companies are especially doing and transacting something with them. We can’t say or pinpoint individuals or companies that are a scam since they persuade and puts up a façade to be more convincing which gets our attention and trust easily. They can also convince you with impressive words and offers you great deals for you to buy their products and accept their offer.
And when we are trapped in their schemes, we feel frustrated and disappointed. Some people do things to the extent where they can just have the refund and bring back what they lost, and other things that can make the situation more hassle and chaotic. As much as possible we want to avoid these things.
A friendly advice:
Before consulting and trusting a company or a person, have a background check. By researching their company background, you will know what kind of company they are. Reading their business reviews or comments will give you an idea whether they are trustworthy enough to help you in choosing and buying a condo.
A little investigation of the company will give you no harm; it is making sure that you are in good hands when you choose and buy a condominium. We all know it is not easy to trust especially when it comes to a lot of money matters.
Hidden add-ons
Most people, if not all, usually avail promos or packages in buying a condominium. It is also one way to save more. The company will give sets of packages that you can choose on. They will also give you the total amount and the breakdown of the payments.
Sometimes when everything is set, later will you know that there will be hidden add-ons that must be paid. Of course, you can’t say no since you already have your full or initial payments. Situations like this give us headaches and disappointments especially when the budget is tight.
A friendly advice:
When you avail promos or packages, you have to make sure that everything is clear. From the things that are included in the packages to the down payments, there must be a clear and visible written agreement in every transaction.
There is no wrong if you make certain to every transaction that you make. It is just to make sure that there will be no further problems and confusions that will occur later on.
3 Moving Lessons You’d Probably Learn The Hard Way
It is just a natural thing to move out. Agree? People naturally want to live in a place where they can be proud of and live a healthy and satisfying lifestyle. Who would not want that? Well, it really doesn’t matter if you are planning to move into your new condo in New Manila or any other real estate properties in the Philippines, for as long as you can be contented with the things you have at home, then there is nothing to worry about. However, there are just times that there are some unexpected things we mostly encounter while moving in.
Many of us here believe the saying “expect the unexpected.” Yes, cliché as it may seem, but it may be true to some people who decide to move into their new home. They tend to expect something but turns out or ends up the opposite thing. Later on, you will eventually realize that you are learning something out from moving in a hard way. And yes, you are not the only one since there are also people who experience such things.
Well, if you are one of those people who is planning to move into their new home, below are some tips for you to know about moving in and what you should expect. Of course, this is also one way you can avoid troubles later on. And if problems may arise inevitably, at least, you know what you should do to prevent from experiencing such things again and again.
1. It always costs more than what you expect
When it comes to money matter, it is better for you to have some extra money in your bank to make sure that there will be no financial problems that may arise later on. Of course, there are times that there will be some add-ons that you forget to include on your payments, at least, you still have money that can pay for that particular thing. Not just with the down payments issues, there are also times that you need to have or buy some furniture for your home. And if you don’t have any money to buy such, then you definitely have to endure no having furniture at home. And you definitely don’t want that to happen, right? That is why it is a must for you to budget and have extra money for any case of financial emergencies.
Not just with the down payments issues, there are also times that you need to have or buy some furniture for your home. And if you don’t have any money to buy such, then you definitely have to endure no having furniture at home. And you definitely don’t want that to happen, right? That is why it is a must for you to budget and have extra money for any case of financial emergencies.
2. It’s going to take you longer to clean and move the last bits than it did move all the rest of your stuff combined
When moving in, we usually tend to move first the big furniture at our new home. With that, a bunch of small things will most likely end up taking a lot of trips to get into the moving van. Of course, there will be tendencies that you’ll go to have the “tire-of-moving” feeling. To avoid such, why don’t you try packing things into boxes that go with certain rooms and areas so you can make getting it into a new home much easier? Moreover, you can also cut down that feeling by cleaning room by room the month or so before you move, so when it comes to moving day, you’re it will also be easier for you to move the things in each room.
Moreover, you can also cut down that feeling by cleaning room by room the month or so before you move, so when it comes to moving day, you’re it will also be easier for you to move the things in each room.
3. Renter’s remorse is real and can sometimes ruin the first few days of a new place if you let it
There are just times that out from your impulsiveness when it comes to making life decisions, you regret what you chose. Yes, a lot of you here have experienced such situations that you regret moving into their new home. That means, you just realize it in the later part of your stay. Perhaps, you don’t like the people or neighbors around your since they usually do gossip around the corner. Or you just don’t like the place since the noise and other pollutions are definitely visible to the place where you live.
Hence, it is paramount for you to make sure you are choosing the right property before investing it. Well, if you can find one, you better think again and again if you like or if it’s worth the living or not. It is a must for you to know to make sure that you won’t regret any of your decisions later on.
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