The Wooden Bowl

I hate chain letters. Especially those that are sent out with the warning that something bad will happen to you and your family if you don’t sent them back or if you don’t forward to at least 7 people in your contact list.

I am a very superstitious person, and that’s the problem. My big problem. So when I sense that an email sent to me is of that kind, either I don’t open it (and it stays in my inbox for all eternity) or i delete it. I know. I’m unfair. But I got to do what I got to do. Or else, i’ll have sleepless nights worrying over something. It’s crazy.

Well, anyway, there is one email though that I was happy to receive..  This e-mail, although not exactly a chain letter but verging on that, does not speak of bad things happening to me if I don’t send it out. But I’ll send it out anyway. I’ve read this email before, I swear, but it might not had any relevance to me before. It did not impress me at all. But now things are different and I view this email differently now.

The story in the email is entitled : The Wooden Bowl, and it goes :

“A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, often, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about grandfather,” said the son. I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day that building blocks are being laid for the child’s future.

Let us all be wise builders and role models. Take care of yourself, … and those you love, … today, and everyday! “

I thanked the person who sent this to me . I said, “Thank you for this email. I have a 3-year old and a 7-year old who are both very perceptive.”

My two boys made all the difference between now and then.

Tipid Pinoy Tips

Dahil sa recession, naisip ko na maglista ng ilang Tipid Pinoy tips para sa mga regular Pinoy. Inspired eto ng mga pagkarami-raming articles na nabasa ko online (Yahoo!),mga librong nabasa sa National Bookstore (kung saan madalas akong tumambay), ng mga pamphlet na pinamimigay sa mga trade fairs and exhibits (kung saan palagi rin akong present), at ng mga narinig ko sa radio at napanood ko sa mga TV shows sa mga nakaraang araw.Ang iba ay base sa personal na karanasan.

Unang-una, Ilista lahat ng pinagkakagastusan sa araw-araw pati na ang pinakamaliliit na bagay (tulad ng kendi o yosi dahil ito ay naiipon). Ireview ang listahan weekly or monthly. In this way, maiidentify mo daw kung alin ang needs and wants, at malalaman ang mga bagay na you can do without. Baka mashock ka na mas malaki pa ang gastos mo sa mga luho kesa sa pangangailangan.

Paulet ulet ko na nang naririnig ang mga katagang “pay yourself first” sa halos lahat ng financial gurus. Tuwing payday, Mag-laan daw muna ng specific halaga para sa sarili na maaring itago, bago unahin ang mga ibang gastusin at pagkakabayaran. Eto ay upang hindi ka mahirapan sa oras ng pangangailangan,

Iwasan pumasok na walang baon. Magastos ang kumain sa labas tuwing lunchtime. Ang nagagastos sa labas ay katumbas ng gastos ng buong pamilya sa isang simpleng meal. Sabi nga ng kaopismeyt ko, ang isang chicken meal sa fastfood ay kalahating kilong manok na pwedeng iluto na ulam at paghatian ng buong pamilya.

Magtipid sa koryente, tubig at iba pa. Simple lang, pataying ang ilaw pag ala gumagamit. Tanggalin sa saksak ang ang mg plug ng appliances pag hindi ginagamit. Ang sabi nila, nakakaconsume pa rin ng koryente ang mga gamit na hindi natanggal sa saksak.

Mas mainan kung tubig na lang iinumin kesa kung ano-anung drinks. Iwasan na ang Starbucks, unless me libre ka GC tulad namin haha. Magbaon na lang ng Nescafe sachet kesa bumili sa vendo. P5 anng Nescafe Sachet sa retail at P10 naman sa vendo.

Hindi na uso ang landline. Pero importante pa rin especially if you have kids at business in the house… Wag mag-aksaya ng text. Sabihin na ang mga kelangang sabihin sa isang text message lang. Hindi yung sasagot ka yes no maybe baka . Fill in the details kung baga para ala na marami pang follow up questions … Take adavantage of promotions like unlicalls , unlitext, etc.

Wag nang mag-cable. Hindi ka ba pwede ka ba pwedeng maging kapamilya o kapuso, O kaya shake mo Tv Mo. Bumili ng DVD paminsan minsan, pwede rin di ba?

Sa may mga kotse, magplano kung saan saan pupunta bago umalis ng bahay. Para daw tipid sa oras at sa gasolina. Sa mga papasok, magcarpool kung pede.

Magmember sa mga discount club or warehouse clubs. Sayang din ang points. Pero syempre mas maganda doon sa hindi na kelangang magbayad ng membership fee. Meron nag-rerequire lang ng minimum purchase, me discount card na.

kung gusto ng murang bilihan ng grocery items, itry ang mga wholesale groceries sa area nyo. Madalas nasa palengke o nasa mga talipapa sa inyong area. Eto yung mga minigroceries na binibilihan ng mga may sari-sari store owners. Mas mababa ang presyo syempre kesa sa mga sari-sari stores.

HIndi na uso ang libre. At lalong hindi na uso ang manglibre…(Ang nabasa ko, Sa America, ang unnecessary spending, ke me pera ka o wala, ay hindi na in. They frown on it. Maging ang mayayaman ay nahihiya nang makitang nagsa-shopping ng mamahaling bagay…. Umiwas muna sumama sa mgga kaibigang mahilig gumimik. Sa panahong eto, hindi na kasalanan o kadamutan ang tumanggi sa udyok ng “libre, libre!”

Maghanap nang pasyalan para sa buong pamilya na hindi naman kelangan gumastos ng malaki. Check out Cultural Center of the Philippines, Metroploitan Museum , etc for free concerts, events and activities.

Instead na mag member sa gym, maglakad na lang, magbadminton, mag briskwalking, etc.

Magbawas ng kasambahay. Wag maging tamad. Hindi naman kailangan ng maraming kasambahay. Kung kaya gawin ang magagaang household chores, gawin na lang. Time management lang yan (naks! parang totoo daw.)

Iwasan ang pagamit ng credit card. cash na lang kung kaya cash. Sayang nga naman ang interes at surcharges. At higit pa dun baka isang araw mamalayan mo na lang na baon ka na sa credit card bills. Mag-bayad on time to avoid penalties.

Umiwas sa impulse buying. Pag may gusto ka bilhin, maghintay muna ng ilang araw bago bumili. baka pagbalik mo sa tindahan hindi na naman pala ganun kaganda sa paningin mo o di na ren naman pala kailangan pa.

BUmili ng Generic drugs. Mas mura pero epektibo din naman. Syempre, kumonsulta muna sa doktor at hingin ang kanilang opinion.

Ayon sa isang personal finance management expert, hindi mo naman kelangan ikuha ng life insurance ang mga anak mo, asawa o kamag-anak na naka depende sa iyo. Ang insurance daw ay kinukuha para sa mga mahal sa buhay na nakadepende sa iyo at ito ay kinukuha para maisguradong ok sila financially pag bigla kang nawala sa mundo (sad but true!). Ikaw ang dapat na kumuha ng insurance para sa sarili mo.

Bumili sa ukay-ukay. Naku! Uso naman ito dito sa Pinas. Sikat na sikat na ang ukay-ukay dito sa Manila at sa probinsya. Magaganda ang mga damit sa murang halaga. Siguraduhin lang na linising mabuti bago suutin.

Subukang, mag-shopping sa Baclaran at Divisoria. Maraming wholesale store sa Baclaran at Divisoria na nagbebenta din ng retail. Hanapin yung mga nasa pwesto, instead na nagtitinda sa labas. Halimabwa, ang 6 na piraso na kids pajama ay magkakahalaga P150 sa wholesale at P35 per piece sa retail. O kaya ay 3 isandaan. Nakatipid ka na ng P50 sa wholesale. Tiyaga nga lang ng konti.

Sa mga magbabakasyon, magbakasyon pag off-season. Eto ang nabasa ko sa Yahoo!. Magbakasyon sa Boracay sa tag-ulan hahaha. Konti lang ang tao, lower pa ang rates. Mag take advantage din ng mga lower rates sa airfare, Meron nyan ang halos lahat ng airlines. magbubook at magpaplano ka nga lang ng advance, dahil usually ang presyo ay mababa pero lilipad ka a few months after pa. Ang kaibgan kung si Ninggay ay nakapag-travel na all over the Philippines using this system in almost all of her travels.

Any more ideas, anyone?

The worst of times,the best of times

When my husband and I and our two kids moved to a new house, it was really huge adjustment. I would say that it is the hardest time of our lives, but the best of times too.  Although we were really financially challenged, as in super challenged, I’ve felt that because of this experience, we’ve grown closer to each other,  enjoyed being with each other more,  learned to accept each other’s shortcomings & weaknesses,  and appreciated each other’s strength and contribution to the family. As we look back to those hard times, there is a sense of fulfillment that we made it through the storm. I say storm because the rainy season is still on but then at least the worst is over. At least now, the sun shines every now and then, and we see glimmer of hope,  and a clearer view of what lies ahead.  We now enjoy more the fruits of our labor, when before we have nothing left for ourselves.

We have our own favorite stories for those trying times that I would like to share. These are the experiences  that I will never forget and would always remind me of the time that we were really so broke & had barely enough to keep ourselves afloat.

My husband’s first… I remember my husband telling me back then that he feels like Will Smith in the movie In Pursuit of Happiness. If you have seen the movie, you would definitely know what I mean.  At that time he was assign in Makati, and he’d pass by Glorietta every day on his way home.  He couldn’t help thinking back then that all the people he meet on the way from Landmark to Glorietta to SM seems to be happy,  smiling,  laughing,  as if they don’t have any care in the world. Everywhere he looked,  they all look happy,  while he was so sad and so miserable inside trying to make ends meet for me and the kids, and wondering when all his worries will end & he’ll look happy like them, and get to enjoy being in Glorietta again. I cried inside when he told me that.  I know he felt lost, frustrated, but holding on each and every day like Will Smith in the movie. We struggled each & every day for months and months and thought it would never end … With a lot of faith, hard work, & sacrifices, & a lot of pride given up, five months after, on his birthday, we’re back in Glorietta, definitely looking happy as we were buying clothes for the kids, and enjoying Glorietta as it should be enjoyed. While we were having lunch, we remembered this experience and said to ourselves look at us now, the worst is over. We made it through the storm. Like Will Smith in Pursuit of Happiness, we are relieved, fulfilled, thankful all at the same time like a heavy burden has been lifted off our shoulder. 

My story on my next blog…