Basic Works at Home That Every Dad Should Learn

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Having your own home is not as easy as you think of. There are many  things need to learn especially by dads like me. Simple or complicated tasks were taught to us in our primary school days just like I mentioned in my speech last year. Though you can hire someone to fix it but knowing how to do it will save you a lot.

Here are some things that every dad should know:

Electrical

Simple replacement of busted lamps, reconnecting cut wires, changing electrical plugs, making your own extension wires are just some that I think every dad must know. This will save you much than asking help of the nearest electricians. Just be sure that you are connecting the right wires to the right way.

Cooking

Most of the dads used to assign this task to moms but cooking is one of my passion and I am happy working in the kitchen. I used to wake up earlier to prepare for our breakfast and lunch.

Preparing the ingredients is the most time consuming part of cooking. Preparing all the ingredients at night and store it in the fridge is a way to save time para sa umaga, salang na lang. In less than an hour, you have already your breakfast and lunch ready.

Gardening

Daddy A. planting dragon fruit cuttings

A home without greens is quite dull. Having pots of ornamental plants will give additional accent and making a fresher look at your own home. Having pots and plants does not end there, you need to know how to take care of it. This year, one of my targets is to have a plant box in front of our home which leads the next skill – masonry and carpentry.

By the way, as I was checking my lemon plants this morning, I saw couple of flowers starting to emerge. Seeing how your plants develop is a great achievement.

Masonry and Carpentry

Daddy A. does the drilling

I have a weakness in this part. As of now, I don’t have an idea on how to prepare concrete mix. Though there are some instructional videos on the net, doing it in actual is still different. Whenever Papa visited us, I used to ask him to make the masonry and carpentry works.

Plumbing

Leaks on a sink, lavatory or toilet bowl, drips in a faucet, changing shower knobs and fixing broken water pipes are the most common plumbing problems in every household. Looking for a plumber and someone to assist him is quite a problem for me who works full time.

Painting

This year, Mommy and I agreed to change the paint of our home. Though I can hire someone to do it, I don’t have enough time to supervise the workers. With this, I decided to have the task on my own. Though I can only do it during weekends, I know I can finish it naman kahit papano. All you need is to know the basic mixing of paint and how to apply and re-apply it on the part you need to paint.

Last holidays, Papa told me that having simple DIY tools at home like a drill, saw, pliers, hammer, vice grip, and crew drivers is all you need to complete the different tasks mentioned above.

Though I am not an expert in the above-mentioned skills, my knowledge of the basics is more than enough to fix simple things at home.

Before I forgot, I haven't included baby-sitting, laundry, crafting, and house cleaning in the list. But I think you may skip cleaning, and even save time, if there are industrial cleaning services uk available in your place.

How about you?

What other skills do you think every Dad at home should know?

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Paalam Nanay

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The past week has been one of the most difficult stages of our life especially Mommy’s. Her greatest mentor has finally joined our Creator.

I know Mommy shared a lot of things about her. How her strength weakens because of her sickness but now I know she was in a place where pain is no longer felt.

Though Mommy has already known this will happen on what she has observed, I know she was still in grief and asking why it happened so soon.

I am not a poet nor a writer but let me share something I made:

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US TV Series First Time in Filipino

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I have been fed up, no offense meant, with the primetime teleseryes in major TV stations. Most have the same plot. It always started where the main characters were kids especially on the first week of airing. This is one of the reasons why I am looking for US TV series.

Though most of the series are shown on a weekly basis, sulit naman kasi almost one hour din. Hindi bitin. Watching such series ay medyo nosebleed, hindi mo naman pwedeng I replay kung may hindi ka naintindihan.

Until recently, I discovered how to enjoy some US TV series more. These are dubbed in Filipino. Hindi na kailangan ng tissue habang nanunuod.

These are Smallville, Arrow, Supernatural, and Once Upon A Time. Regular showing is every Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays starting at 7 PM on TV5.

Arrow

The series is all about Oliver Queen, a rich but playboy of Starling City. He was stranded on an island of Lian Yu, somewhere in the Pacific, for five years. Most knew that he was already dead.

Photo Source

Upon his return, he was reunited with his mother, Moira Queen, sister, Thea Queen, and friends. Oliver also meets his ex-girlfriend Laurel Lance who stills blame him over her sister’s death.

The series has lots of flashbacks showing how Oliver and Sarah, Laurel’s sister, survived on the island of Lian Yu.

I haven’t watched the first season of this series and started the second season. As of today, the current season has ended last week but I am looking forward to the third season to be shown soon. Currently, it was replaced by Smallville as TV series about the strongest man on the planet – Superman.

Supernatural

Supernatural is about the adventures of Winchesters brothers, Sam and Dean hunting monsters and solving paranormal mysteries.

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Currently, the series is already on its seventh season where the brothers deal with the evils known as leviathans.

One advice to parents like me, always watch this with your kids because of the violent scenes.

Once Upon A Time

This series is about the town of Storybrooke, Maine, where the main characters are from different known fairy tales who travel to the “real world”. However, the characters lost their memories because of the curse from Rumplestilskin applied by the Snow White’s Evil Queen Regina.

Photo Source

The Evil Queen Regina became the mayor of the real world and the only hope to regain the memories of the fairy tale characters is Emma Swan. She is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. She was sent to the real world via magic wardrobes before the Enchanted Forest was cursed by the evil queen.

Emma Swan is helped by her son, Henry who became an adoptive son of the evil Queen.

What TV Series are you hooked currently?

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These Past Weeks...

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These past weeks, I have been in a stage where I don’t have the drive to write even a single word on this blog. If it is not for a paid post, I haven’t updated my blog.

These past few weeks, I am losing my motivation to write.I know there are lots of thoughts and ideas but my brain cells seem hibernating.

These past weeks, there are lots of happenings that, I think, great to share but I cannot find the first word to start. The keyboard and the computer are staring at me waiting for my fingers to press the first letter.

These past weeks I have seen movies and other TV series that are worthy of catching the interest of others and may be hooked too but I won’t find the willingness to make a post on it.

Have you experienced the same situation?

What motivation did you use to get back in writing and maintaining your blog?

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Things To Do This Summer for Kids

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Matthew is officially in the vacation mode since their moving-up held on the first week of April. Though he already had a week-long vacation in Nueva Ecija, this is not yet enough for him to keep from being bored staying at home. Gusto pa nga mag-extend ng bakasyon kaso walang magbabantay. Mama and Papa go to work too.

With this, Mommy is looking for something to keep him busy at home. Printing coloring pages, downloading e-books for kids are just some.

Here are other suggestions that will help kill kid’s boredom at home.

Summer lessons

This season, there are many sports clinic offered. Basketball, swimming, martial arts are some of the common physical activities that kids may enroll.

Aside from sports, there are also art lessons like singing, playing instruments and dancing.

Advanced lessons

Though it is time for kid’s mind to take a rest from stressful school activities, having advance studies can help their mind to keep on working. Para kapag start na ulit ng school, their minds are still in condition.

This year, we wanted to improve Matthew’s penmanship. We are leaving writing tasks for him. Mommy is also looking for instructional materials to cursive writing.

Out of town

The best way to treat kids this summer is having an out of town trip. Beaches and resorts will be great but be ready for the bulk numbers of people having the summer escapades.

Going to other recreational sites like the zoo and themed parks are also a great place to visit.

Learning crafts

Learning new things is another nice way to keep kids away from being bored. Without any bias, crocheting is good. It helps improve your mind, body and mood. Aside from this, kids will have an opportunity to earn few bucks this summer.

Summer break is really a great time for many things while in another part of the globe, spring is the best time to deal with different activities. Check on https://www.alwaysforme.com/spring-break-survey the different activities for spring and it might be applied this summer too.

What are the other activities to do this summer?

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November 2015 in Review

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It is the last month of the year already. Few more days before Christmas. But before that let me give you a short review on how my/our November was.

All Saint’s Day

On the first day of November, we used to visit cemetery but this year, we aren’t able to go home in Nueva Ecija. November 1 falls on Sunday and works resume on the following day.

Mommy lit candles at home na lang.

Candles (Grabbed from Facebook)

On the same day, Matthew and I assembled our Christmas Tree and started decorating our home.

Our Christmas Tree

Family Date at the Park

Random photos at the park

We also had a chance to a simple family date at the municipal park of Sta. Maria, Bulacan one Saturday afternoon. Matthew was so happy running to and from. After that date, Matthew said: "Ang saya-saya ko po."

Blood Letting

Blood Donation

It was already a year since my last blood donation. Luckily, as I visited one of our tolling plants, there is a blood letting activity in the Baranggay Hall. I shared a bag of my AB+ blood for the second time.

Crochet works

Crochet cellphone sleeves

Since we don’t have much made-to-order crochet, Mommy and had a chance to make a cellphone sleeves.

Also, I made some crochet Christmas decors like stockings, snowman and snowflakes.

Crochet Christmas Decors

Matthew’s School Activities

Matthew in the Pajama Party

Matthew had their Pajama Party which Mommy shared on her blog.

Before the month ends, Matthew’s school had an educational trip in San Guillermo Church in Pampanga, Ocean Adventure in Subic and Hansa Hand Crafted Creations in Clark Field Pampanga. (I'll make another post on the last two locations soon)

San Guillermo Church, Bacolor, Pampanga

Ocean Adventure

Hansa

Aside from the educational tour, we received a letter from their school directress that Matthew will again represent their school (pre-elem level) in APRISM (Association of Private Schools in Marilao) on December 11.

Unlike last year were he joined in singing contest, this time will be on academics - Spelling. Kaya ngarag na naman si Mommy sa pagrereview nila. As usual Daddy A., will give his moral support and some pointers din naman. I know he can bring home a medal for this one.

That's are the highlights of my/our November

How's your November?

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Watching A Live Band

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I already witnessed different live band performances and you can appreciate more viewing it live rather that watching it on TV or screens.

I noticed that most performances have a black box in front of the stage facing the performers. At first, I thought that these are just monitors where they can see the lyrics of the songs or just a lighting accessories to give highlights to the performers.

Queen of the Stone Age Band (Source: Wikipedia)

One time, we were too early to arrive at the event place so I witnessed some band members used to adjust these black box as they practice. These black boxes are not really for the lights and lyrics but actually stage monitor systems.

These monitors are speakers pointing to the performers to help them listen and monitor to themselves. These are essentials especially to amplified musical instruments like musicians friend keyboards and other acoustic instruments.

Lately, I was invited by a resto bar that plays a live band. Though the place is far from us, I haven’t made a disclosure if I will attend or not. I hope I can visit this place and have a good time listening to a live band again.

How about you, have you already witnessed watching a live band?

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Room Ideas for Boys

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This cabinet is actually older than the user. Mommy and I purchased this cabinet in 2008 after we got married. Damages like falling doors and worn out handles are just some of the evidences telling how old it is and needs replacement. I already tried fixing the doors by placing hinges but after several months, sira na naman.

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Summer Outfits for Men

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Source: 1-moda.com

I am not a fashionista. Simple jeans, shirt and shoes will to my OOTD as long as I am wearing a clothes that I am comfortable with.

Though I don't care what to is in or not, I believe that men should also have a sense of being fashionista from time to time. Outfits that suits with the season from head to foot must be considered rather than ending into the so-called “tiis-ganda” situation men style.

Here are some things we need to consider in wearing this summer season. 

Tops:

Wearing light-colored tops made of light fabrics is great.

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Re-visiting Elementary Alma Mater

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Just before the Lenten season started, I was invited to re-visit my Elementary Alma Mater and be part of their Graduation Ceremony as Guest Speaker.

Chemist Dad as the Guest Speaker

At first, I was hesitant to accept the invitation since I was not the valedictorian nor the salutatorian during our time.

After few moments of thinking, I decided to agree.

Of course, I need to know their theme first in order to compose my speech. Hindi pa naman ako sanay gumawa ng speech.

The theme “Saktong Buhay: Sa De-kalidad na Edukasyon Pinanday.” was given to be few days before the graduation day.

Though I already made a draft of my speech, I need to make few revisions to be make inline with the theme.

At first, I thought of making an English speech since it is bit easier for me to make one in this language but I opt to make it in Filipino.

Why? This is to make the audience understand more what I will talk about. Also, I want to make it simple and concise to avoid boredom especially the excited graduating students. Here's the content of my speech.

"Sa Education Program Supervisor, Ma’am Mangalindan

Sa ating Baranggay Captain Cajucom kasama ng mga konsehal

Sa principal,  Emily Fernandez

Sa mga matyagang guro

Sa mga mapagmahal na mga magulang

Sa mga magsisipagtapos

At sa lahat ng narito ngayon, magandang umaga po.

Una po sa lahat ay nagpapasalamat ako sa pag-anyaya sa akin upang mapabilang sa isang nakapahalagang okayson sa araw na ito.

Kagaya nyo, alam ko din ang pakiramdam ng isang magtatapos, EXCITED! Sa katunayan, wala na nga akong matandaan sa mga mabanggit ng aming speaker noong panahong iyon. Kaya naman naisip ko na gawing maikli lamang ang aking talumpati.

Dalawampu’t isang taon na ang nakalipas, kagaya ng mga isang magsisitatapos, isa din ako sa mga nakaupo at matiyagang naghihintay na matanggap ang isang mahalagang piraso ng papel. Isang katibayan nang pagtatapos ng isang hakbang ng buhay mag-aaral. Isang kapirasong papel na maaaring maging susi ng tagumpay sa hinaharap. Ang Diploma.

Halos tatlong dekada na ang nakaraan ng ako ay unang tumungtong sa DepEd-CLSU na noon ay mas kilala bilang DECS-CLSU. Masasabi kong napakarami nang nagbago. Nadagdagan na ang mga buildings, nagkaroon na ng sections ang bawat grade level, at mga bagong henerasyon ng mga teachers. Wala na rin ang aking mga naging guro maliban sa dalawa:

Sir Jaime Fernando na naging guro ko sa Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan o EPP at Araling Panlipunan o History noong Grade 5 at 6.

At Ma’am Elvira Ramos na teacher ko sa lahat ng subjects noong Grade 3. Sya rin ang kasama namin na tumatakbo palabas ng classroom habang lumilindol. Graduates, hindi pa kayo ipinapanganak ng panahong iyon.

Masasabi ko na mataas na ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa aming panahon at sa kasalukuyan sigurado akong mas mataas pa dahil na rin sa patuloy na pag-usbong ng science and technology.

Sa mga magsisitapos, sa mga panahong ito, alam ko na nagtatanong din kayo kung saan ba magagamit ang inyong mga natutunan sa “elementary o basic education”. Marahil, nagtataka kayo bakit itinuturo sa inyo ang mga simpleng bagay kagaya ng addition, subtraction, multiplication at division. Ang mga sagot sa katanungang ito ay malalaman nyo rin sa takdang panahon.

Karamihan sa “basic education” na natutunan ko ay patuloy ko pa ding nagagamit hanggang sa ngayon.

Halimbawa, ang simpleng paghawak at paggamit ng mga tools sa carpentry at garndening ay nagagamit ko sa mga simpleng pagkukumpuni sa mga bagay-bagay as aming tahanan. Kundi siguro naituro sa amin ang mga ito, marahil kailangan ko pang tumawag ng isang manggagawa para magpalit ng mga faucet at ilaw sa bahay.

Isa pang halimbawa, noong grade 6 kami, tinuruan kami sa EPP ng crocheting o paggagantsilyo. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan itinuturo sa amin ito. Hindi naman Home Economics o Garment Technology ang career na tatahakin ko. Gayunpaman matiyaga ko pa rin itong inalam at pinag-aralan.

Makalipas ang higit 2 dekada, hindi ko akalain na babalikan ko ang mga natutunan ko sa larangang ito. Magagamit ko pala ang mga ito bilang isang sa aming sources of income na masasabi kong nakatulong upang maging sakto sa buhay.

Katulad nyo na mga magsisipagtapos, ako din ay nabigyan ng pagkakataon na malinang ang aking kaalaman sa pamamagitan ng de-kalidad na edukasyon na binibigay ng ating mga guro. Marami tayong natutunan katulad ng numbers sa Mathematics, language sa English at Filipino, Science and Technology, Music, Arts pati na ang Physical Education.

Ang mga kaalamang ito ang magbibigay liwanag sa ating buhay na sya namang maibabahagi natin hindi lamang sa ating pamilya kundi sa buong komunidad.

Natutunan din natin ang tumulong at makipagkapwa-tao. Ito ang isa sa napakahalagang aspeto na magagamit nyo sa hinaharap

Kaya sa pagkakataong ito, bigyang pugay natin ang ating mga guro sa papapagitan ng palakpakan. Teachers, Thank you very much!

Dahil sa mga de-kalidad na edukasyong binigay ng DepEd-CLSU, at ayon na rin sa aking karanasan, masasabi ko na kayo, na mga magsisipagtapos, ay handa na upang suungin ang susunod na antas ng pag-aaral, ang Highschool.

Ilang taon mula ngayon, ang iba sa inyo ay magiging Doctor, Nurse, Engineers, Accountants, Lawyers, Teachers, Police o Chemist na katulad ko. Alam ko na lahat ng natutunan nyo sa basic education ay magagamit nyo upang maabot ang inyong mga pangarap. Marahil kundi sa de-kalidad na edukasyong binigay ng DepEd-CLSU, wala ako ngayon sa kinatatyuan ko.

Bilang pagtatapos, mag-iiwan lamang ako ng mga hamon. Hamon na makakatulong upang patuloy nating mapalaganap ang de-kalidad na edukasyon na magbibigay daan tungo sa saktong pamumuhay.

Una, sa mga magulang na katulad ko…

Sabi nila, ang tahanan ang unang paaralan ang mga kabataan. Kakabit nito, tayong mga magulang ang unang guro ng ating mga anak. At pagdating ng edad na sila ay papasok sa paaralan, huwag po sana nating iasa lamang sa mga guro ang pag-unlad ng kanilang kaisaipan.

Hindi po natatpos ang pag-aaral sa loob ng apat na sulok ng paaralan. Ipagpatuloy po natin ito hanggang sa ating mga tahanan.

Katulad ng panawagan sa isang TV ad ni Cong. Win Gatchalian, maging Nanay o Tatay Teacher po tayo sa kanila.

Pangalawa, sa mga guro.

Ipinapauna ko na po, bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan wag magalit.

Ang paaralan ang nagsisilbing pangalawang tahanan ng mga mag-aaral.  At mga guro ang patuloy na humahasa sa pag-iisip ng bawat isa.

Katulad po ng mga magulang, sana po ay maging pantay-pantay din tayo sa pagtingin sa ating mga mag-aaral. Anu man ang estado nila bilang mag-aaral, bigyan po natin ang bawat isa na ipakita ang kanilang kakayahan hindi lamang sa aspetong akademiko, kundi sa iba pang larangan.

Wag po nating pagtuunan ang kanilang mga kahinaan bagkus pagyamin at linangin ang kanilang mga kakayahan.

Panghuli, sa mga magsisipagtapos...

Sana lahat ng magandang aral na natutunan nyo sa DepEd-CLSU ay dalhin nyo saan man kayo magtungo. Ang mga hindi magandang karanasan, iwan na ang mga ito at magsilbi na lamang na isang aral.

Anu man ang naging estado nyo bilang mag-aaral, may honors man o wala. Ang mahalaga, ay ang kalidad ng kung anu ang natutunan nyo sa paaralan. Sa katunayan, karamihan sa nagtatagumpay ay nasa average level lamang habang sila ay nag-aaral.

Tandaan ninyo, simula sa araw na ito, ang pangalang DepEd CLSU ay mistulang tattoo na nakamarka na sa buhay nyo at sana ay maging proud din kayo katulad ko.

Balang araw, isa sa inyo ang aakyat sa stage na ito at magsasalita sa harap ng mga magsisipagtapos.

Balang araw, muli kayong babalik sa paaralang ito,

kasama ang mga magiging anak at apo

at may pagamalaking sasabihing ito ang aking paaralan, ang DepEd-CLSU.

Muli po sa mga graduates, lalo na sa mga guro at magulang, congratulations!

At sa lahat, maraming salamat at magandang umaga po."

At first I was shaky but as I go on, it subsided and I felt comfortable. Mama and Tito Boy noticed this. They said, the speech is good, maikli pero malaman.

After the event, I realized that you don’t need to be on the top of the class in order to give inspiration to others. Just like a quotation I read, “Honors and achievements are just accessories. It doesn’t tell who you really are.”

Here are some of the photos taken by Mommy. Taking photos near the stage is not allowed to prevent the place of being crowded. We didn't have selfie photos on the stage because we were invited immediately to proceed at the school canteen for lunch.

Receiving the token or certificate with the Principal (the one in pink), Brgy. Captain (in orange shirt), PTA President (in brown coat), and the Brgy. Councilors

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Are We Ready For This?

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Source: Clothes and Camera

Last Sunday, our new kasambahay ask to have her day-off. We grant her request but asked her to come back at 6 pm. It was already past 7 when Mommy asked where she is. We never received any response from her so Mommy called but she refused to answer but texted like this: “Ate, hindi ko po kaya ung trabaho.” After two weeks of working with us, she quits the job for one reason – “Akala ko po magbabantay lang ako kila Matthew and Nanay. Akala ko po hindi ako maglalaba at magluluto.”

Before hiring her, we already gave instructions on what be her tasks which includes not only taking care of Matthew and MIL, but includes laundry and cooking breakfast. "Kasambahay talaga." And with full of confidence, she accepts the duty. “Kaya ko naman po.” Also, she was trained by SIL for a week on what to do which means she has all the knowledge of all her assignments.

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Captured Moments: Rizal's Tallest Statue in the World

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Riza Monumnet in Nueva Vizcaya
(Source: Vigattin Tourism)

Jose Rizal is considered as Philippines' National Hero.  At first, his tallest monument is located at Brgy. Casat, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. However, Jose Rizal is considered as "the greatest son" of Calamba, Laguna, they need to break the record and the tallest statue must be located in the said town.

The government of Laguna made the Tallest Rizal Monument and unveils on June 19, 2011 during his 150th birth anniversary.

The statue is sculpted by Toym Imao and situated in a park known as The Plaza in front of Calamba City Hall Complex in Barangay Real.

It is placed on top of a 2.8 meter podium consisting of 15-step stairway which symbolizes one decade since Rizal was born in 1861.

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Captured Moments: The “Angry Bird”

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The last time we went home to our hometown, we had a short tour inside our Alma Mater campus – Central Luzon State University.

One that captured my attention is the Y-shaped, skin-peeled acacia tree standing in the middle of the road as you enter the campus' main gate.

Since nagkamalay na ako, lumaki, until I graduated, this “century old” acacia tree is erected in that location. Until last year, the tree was cut, but the main part is left standing. The bark was removed.

Nobody from the students know what is the purpose of remaining part. Some called it “Angry Bird” because it looks like the tirador or sling shot in the Angry Bird game.

Literally, birds might angry for removing another home for them.

The Angry Bird

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Using Credit Cards Wisely

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Photo Source: The BOOM

I am an active credit card user for several years now.

Before I was using not only one, but four credit cards at the same time. I used almost every bank that issued to me. After being impulsive in using different credit cards, it gave me and Mommy headaches in paying dues. Because of this, I have to give up other credit cards and retain only one.

I want to share some tips, based on my experience, on how to use your credit cards wisely and properly.

As much as possible keep only one credit card

Having too much cards will really give you problem when due date comes. But if you really need those cards, try to have at most two with different payment due dates.

Do not get hooked by “False Promos”

Some cards, especially those newly issued, offer freebies but need to spend a minimum amount. Freebies comes in gadgets, shoes, apparels, gift checks or one time cash rebate.

Before accepting the offer, think of these first:

Are the freebies or promos more important than your spending?

Is it worthy to spend the needed amount just to have the freebies?

Do not overspend just to avail of the promos.

Pay your dues in full and on time
As much as possible, pay the full amount on your bill on or before the due date. This will get you rid of the finance and late payment charges.

If you don’t have enough amount to pay in full, do not settle the stated minimum amount due only. In most cases, the minimum amount due is often smaller compared to the charges that will be incurred on your statement.

Aside from charges in not paying on time, your card might be suspended until you paid the full amount in your monthly bill.

Use your card after the cut-off date
You should know when is the cut-off date. Some cut-offs are fixed while others are "movable" if that particular date falls on weekends and/or holidays. It will be safer to make purchases 2-3 days after the cut-off.

All transactions made after the cut-off will be credited on the next billing statement giving you more time to save for the payment.

Pay your utility bills using your credit cards
I pay my electricity and internet bills through credit card. If you have an online access to your credit card account, try to explore if you can pay utility bills.

For example, my credit card cut-off is every 16^th and payment due date will be on every 3^rd of the following month while my electric bill’s due date is on the 24^th of the same month. If I am going to pay the electricity bill on its due date, let us say January 24. This will be reflected on my credit card’s next billing statement which is February 16 and will be paid on or before 3^rd of the following month and that is March 03.

You can also earn bonus points when you pay utilities too.

Use your card in shopping/groceries
Though Mommy and I had money on hand, we still use credit card on our purchases on department stores and groceries but we only spend the amount we had, as much as possible. This helps earning bonus points faster.

Ask for annual fee to be waived
Most credit cards have annual usage fees but only few knows that these can be waived and refunded on the next billing. Just call the customer and ask for your annual usage fee to be waived.

However, asking for a waived annual fee will offer you to choose on either spend using your credit card or avail of one of their promos offered.

Spending usually gives you a minimum amount and you need hit that within 30 days. On the other hand, promos offered are usually availing the balance transfer from other credit cards (of course with corresponding interest).

With the two options, I always pick the first one since the needed amount to be spend is almost the same as our monthly consumption (groceries, electric and internet bills)

Redeem your points
Keep on checking the rewards catalogue if the points earned can also redeem some items like appliances, annual usage fees and gift checks.

Last year, I redeemed a 500peso-worth of gift certificate in exchange of the 20K points I earned. Earning points will be faster if you focus on a single credit card only.

Again, do not spend too much because you are hitting a number of points needed to redeem the item you want.

Most important tip: You must have a discipline in using your credit cards. Self- explanatory, I assume.

Again, these tips are based on my own experience and for me, these are very effective in using my credit card wisely.

Do you have some tips on how to use credit cards too?

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