The Cure is No Cure

My butt is hurting from sitting too much! Sitting in the office for 8 hours! then sitting at home to facebook and fix my blog hahah! there should be some kind of built in butt massage in chairs.

Awhile ago I was feeling down (probably hormonal) and while on the bus, I was thinking that someone somewhere - probably a chemist - has already discovered a drug that would cure mood swings! However, due to adverse consequences of curing THE mood swing, he was paid by some big boss to just keep his findings to himself. After all, if everyone's mood swings would be cured, then it would be the death of commercialism as we know it!!! Who would then storm to the stores and get some retail therapy? Who'd patronize the so many restaurants with sinful but oh so delicious creations without mood swings that bring about impulsive eating? The bars would close! The casinos and massage parlors and most especially ice cream and chocolate parlors would close too! Everyone would be so cautious and practical, life would definitely be boring.

There's always two sides of a coin. Thanks then to my mood swings, it makes my life a little bit more exiciting! :-p

Stead-Fast!

Today is the second day of my so-called diet. I've successfully lost a pound from yesterday's reduced caloric intake and I hope to continue the regimen up until Friday - just right before we eat the Japanese buffet at Sambo Kojin!

Earlier this morning, I started craving for noodles and just after lunch - for hot chocolate. Good thing my lunch was really tasty so I was able to ward off those pangs away and stead on with this fast.

I shall not write anymore as it might make me hungry! Ciao!

Born This Way

I just watched Lady Gaga's BORN THIS WAY video and there seems to be a disconnect between the video and the song lyrics. The song lyrcis are profound and can connect across different types of people but the video shows exhibitionism and sensationalism - which on second thought, will also reach global proportions because of its racy and provocative nature. Lady Gaga and her team really know how to reach the intendend audience and sell records!

Hairy Sunday

Today, I cut my own hair. Nothing out-of-this-world since I have really long hair, so I just gave it some trimming. I think I did a not-bad job, thus giving me the idea that cutting or trimming your own hair is a good money saver tip - especially for people who just really need a trim and not a change of hairstyle. I got to save about 150 - 300 pesos depending on the salon I would've gone to if I got a haircut.

Actually, what really triggered me to cut my hair is mounting expenses (one time cable internet installation fee, herbalife, birthday expenses, etc) which seem to all come at the first two months of the year! What's up with that?! I need to manage my cash flow better! The things I'm spending on are all important so it's difficult to give one up - I shall ask some advice from my financial adviser regarding this...

I LIKE YOU!

Last year or the year before I liked the Suzuki Swift, but in 2011, its the new Honda CRV! I see 3 color variants every morning as i walk to the jeepney stop. I drool everytime! Sleek!

If cars were priced like cellphones, I'd have this baby already! 

Lazy Sunday

Some realizations...

I should only assign homework to myself during the first 3 days of the week because I get lazy Thursday and Friday nights haha

I can learn how to cook via techonology! Today, I helped my mom make stir fried bihon (tsa bihon) and documented the steps by taking pictures :) Yey!

New York Blizzard

Due to the 20 inch snow brought about by the blizzard at New York...a baby died after being delivered in the lobby of a Brooklyn apartment building when paramedics took nine hours to reach the mother - Reuters

This makes me worry and think that I should learn about the natural methods of birthing just like how our ancestors did it - no technology, no nothing. Just midwives at home, hmmmm...

Herbalife Ultimate Program Day 1

[To Edward, Kathy and Stella: this is a blog]

I'm back with using Herbalife as my diet plan. It's perfect for me at this time because I'm not doing much.. just sitting around at work and then playing Plants vs. Zombies at home. Talk about a sedentary lifestyle!

This is a feat 'coz I've tried Herbalife before and it's not an easy thing to do and more so, complete. I have to replace 2 meals with the Nutritional Protein Shake and take an assortment of tablets with it. Previously, I had an ultra controlling boyfriend to help me really stick to the program and it worked wonders for me; right now, there's just me and maybe my Dad's snide remarks hehehe. Here's what my typical daily intake looks like:

30 mins before breakfast:
1 glass of water + Fiberbond (this is the fat blocker)

Breakfast:
2 Tbsp Nutritional Shake (aka Formula 1) + 8oz nonfat milk (plus half a banana is also allowed. You're supposed to blend it but I tried just stirring and it's feasible as well)
2 Fiber and Herb tablets  (fiber!)
1 Vitamin and Minerals    (multivits)
1 Vitamin Mineral Herbal Complex (anti cellulite, anti water retention)

In Between:
1 tsp Herbal Concentrate Green Tea + 16 oz hot or cold water (1/2 tsp is equivalent to 20 mins exercise!!)

30 mins before lunch:
1 glass of water + Fiberbond

Lunch:
Normal food! wooot!
2 Fiber and Herb tablets + 1 Vitamin and Minerals + 1 Vitamin Mineral Herbal Complex

In Between:
1 tsp Herbal Concentrate Green Tea + 16 oz hot or cold water

30 mins before Dinner:
1 glass of water + Fiberbond

Dinner:
2 Tbsp Nutritional Shake + 8oz nonfat milk
2 Fiber and Herb tablets + 1 Vitamin and Minerals + 1 Vitamin Mineral Herbal Complex

oh there's also a personalized protein powder called Formula 3 which I can add to the shake or to yogurt or cereal to increase the feeling of fullness. So I'll add it depending on my need.

Coincidentally, I also bought a fake FitFlop from Greenhills Tiangge for Php 450! I think I could've gotten it cheaper if I wasn't intimidated by the woman seller with a hijab. Anyhoo, I still feel the micro-wobble technology that the original one, priced at Php3500, boasts of as its competitive advantage: A slipper + workout in one! I'm not used to it yet coz I feel muscle soreness on my leg, which is actually what the slipper tag warned of: Use progressively to prevent muscle soreness

So let's see how much I lose by the end of December! I measured my stats last night and will do so every Sunday night :) I aim to lose 15lbs this month! haha!

Good luck to me!!

Where to Now?

I had a great weekend so far hanging out with Maddy - he bought a new laptop yey! Samsung R440 Silver! It's always fun to accompany someone in buying a new gadget. :) Also, I was finally able to do 2 things that I've been putting off for a long time

1) visit the Forever 21 store at Megamall. The store is huge! There's so much clothes but I particularly liked the designs at the Heritage section. I'll go back there when I'm in a shopping mood.

2) Redeem my free shoes from Charles and Keith! Good thing there's a branch at Megamall. I was not able to get a fashionable high heeled one, but instead, I bought a sturdy but shiny silver wedge that's soo comfortable. Proof of this is that I traded my Crocs for that new shoe once I got to Linden Suites for Ann's bridal shower. The soles of my feet were aching from walking in the same flat angle, albeit in Crocs.

While waiting for the uber-fun surprise bridal shower to start, Rom was asking me what I'd do next after MBA...

I actually do not know yet. I don't have a specific direction yet because MBA just broadened my horizon that I can try on different fields. This is obvious in my job search categories. Right now though, I'm considering the Management Trainee positions at top companies. I'll have to look into them more. I'm constrained by my high salary in IT! If I win the lotto, then I wouldn't have to worry about salary and simply do whtat I enjoy doing. That would be the best thing! Unfortunately, none of the numbers I played came out in the draw. Apparently, no one else's number combination won in tonight's draw. And so the hoping continues as millions of Filipinos contribute to the grand lotto 6-55 pot.. LOL

Where to Now?

I had a great weekend so far hanging out with Maddy - he bought a new laptop yey! Samsung R440 Silver! It's always fun to accompany someone in buying a new gadget. :) Also, I was finally able to do 2 things that I've been putting off for a long time

1) visit the Forever 21 store at Megamall. The store is huge! There's so much clothes but I particularly liked the designs at the Heritage section. I'll go back there when I'm in a shopping mood.

2) Redeem my free shoes from Charles and Keith! Good thing there's a branch at Megamall. I was not able to get a fashionable high heeled one, but instead, I bought a sturdy but shiny silver wedge that's soo comfortable. Proof of this is that I traded my Crocs for that new shoe once I got to Linden Suites for Ann's bridal shower. The soles of my feet were aching from walking in the same flat angle, albeit in Crocs.

While waiting for the uber-fun surprise bridal shower to start, Rom was asking me what I'd do next after MBA...

I actually do not know yet. I don't have a specific direction yet because MBA just broadened my horizon that I can try on different fields. This is obvious in my job search categories. Right now though, I'm considering the Management Trainee positions at top companies. I'll have to look into them more. I'm constrained by my high salary in IT! If I win the lotto, then I wouldn't have to worry about salary and simply do whtat I enjoy doing. That would be the best thing! Unfortunately, none of the numbers I played came out in the draw. Apparently, no one else's number combination won in tonight's draw. And so the hoping continues as millions of Filipinos contribute to the grand lotto 6-55 pot.. LOL

i wish i had known about this earlier

7 Money Tips for Twentysomethings

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David B. Armstrong, On Saturday 20 November 2010, 1:55 SGT

It's easy to look back, ask,"What if?" and second guess all the decisions I've made in the past 43 years. I have been fortunate to have no major regrets and a whole lot to be thankful for. However, there are some things I would have paid more attention to and done differently if I could go back and relive my early 20s.

Here's a list for all of you in your 20s, as well as for some parents to consider if you have children graduating from college soon:

1. Don't rack up credit card debt, and pay any debts off quickly. Seems simple and downright obvious, but taking on debt is easy to do. The transition from college to the working world can be expensive--new clothes, shoes, apartment, furniture, and other business-world expenses can make it easy to quickly pile on debt. Budget for these expenses, and if credit must be used to get going, have a plan in advance for paying it down.

2. Contribute to your 401(k). Just do it. Retirement contributions build up fast, often have an employer matching contribution, and are saved before taxes. Look at it as savings with an instant profit.

[See 6 Strategies for Funding Your 401(k)]

3. Start a savings plan early. The best time to start a savings plan is before you are used to having extra money in the first place. A good rule of thumb: Use 50 percent of your after-tax paycheck (excluding 401(k) contributions, of course) to pay for the non-negotiable "needs-based" expenses in your life, like rent and food. Use 35 percent for negotiable "wants-based" expenses--entertainment and other costs can scale back quickly if needed. Save 15 percent. Your goal here should be to save about six months of your pay.

4. Don't try to keep up with the Jones's. There is no need to buy the best brand of everything right out of college. People in their 20s who are driving expensive cars, living in luxury apartments, and buying the most expensive clothes either already have money from something other than their first job or they are piling on debt--which isn't smart.

5. Pay off your highest interest-rate debt first. Hint: It's not always the debt with the highest balance. The debt with the highest interest rate is probably the credit card you ran up on bar tabs and that Spring Break trip in the final year of school. Pay that off first. Your student loans, while they carry a big balance and are possibly the scariest in terms of size, probably have a reasonable interest rate relative to any credit card debt.

6. Save four months of your salary in cash before you start investing after-tax money in an investment plan. This may take a while, but the journey of a thousand miles always begins with one step. This is important because if you lose your job, you'll need to make sure you are not forced to sell your few assets at fire-sale prices or default on debt payments at a young age. It will keep you from a panic and keep you from moving back into mom and dad's place.

[See How to Teach Your Child Money Habits for Life.]

This also gets easier,because once you have the first four months saved, you can apply that savings discipline toward an after-tax investment strategy, and as salary raises come along, you can tune up your savings plan to raise your cash balance over the course of six months to a year.

7. Be patient. It's easy to "want." Be patient; with hard work and good fiscal discipline, you will amass a nice portfolio that allows you to realize all the hopes and dreams you may have for later in life. There are probably a lot more major financial events in your future, and you'll want the flexibility to make proper decisions when the time comes.

Having cash, savings, and an investment portfolio that allow you the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities down the road will really help.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: While it seems like your life is full right now, there is probably a lot coming up--such as a first home, graduate school, and maybe even, gasp, kids!

David B. Armstrong CFA, is a Managing Director and co-founder of Monument Wealth Management in Alexandria VA, a full service Private Wealth Planning and wealth management firm. Monument Wealth Management is backed by LPL Financial, the independent broker-dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. He has been named one of America's Top 100 Financial Advisors for two straight years by Registered Rep magazine (2009 & 2010) based on asset under management. David and Monument Wealth Management can be followed on their blog at "Off The Wall", their Twitter account @MonumentWealth, and on their Facebook page. Member FINRA/SIPC.

*The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendation for individual. To determine which investment is appropriate please consult your financial advisor prior to investing. All performance references is historical and is not guarantee of future results. Securities and financial planning offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

--
Grace

"Failure is not defeat unless you stop trying"