Category Archives: Money Watch

We Love Book Sale

Posted on March 21, 2010 by greenbucks| Leave a comment

The bookstore is one of the many places we love to go to especially when there is a book sale going on.

We got some new books during the summer sale at a nearby bookstore the other day. I got a Jonathan Kellerman (Php99.00 or a little more than $2) book while the kids got an Enid Blyton book (PhP50.00 or a little more than $1) with several stories inside including The Little White Rabbit.

Several office supplies for the eldest daughter were also purchased since she needs these for her school projects which are due for submission this week. She already did her Math portfolio and needs to complete two more projects for her clearance.

In a few weeks time, we would start purchasing school supplies again for the next school year. School year begins on the first week of June. For now the kids will enjoy two months of vacation bliss.

Posted in Consumer Products Review, family, Me, Money Watch, Philippines, Shopping Finds

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Job Hunting

Posted on March 9, 2010 by greenbucks| 6 Comments

Compared to other countries, the unemployment rate of the Philippines is high. A friend is doing an employment screening for her office and we discussed about the current employment rate.

In my opinion, this is so because of several factors which can be seen in a vicious cycle:

  • Lack of quality in the educational system – I do not particularly point fingers on teachers but put more blame on the department that is handling the educational programs. I know a lot of these teaches are great (which is why schools abroad hire them) despite working long hours with so little compensation. Books have erroneous facts (well, how can these be facts if these are wrong?), class size range from 50-75, classrooms with leaking ceilings during the rainy season, stinky bathrooms and so much more. Click here and here to read more about this problem.
  • Poverty – subsisting on so little, survival is the name of the game for a lot of families in this country so who cares if the children are able to go to school or not? I am sure if given better opportunities, they would send their children to school rather than send them out on the streets to earn a living. This is one reason why the government gives a kilo or two for children as an incentive to go to school. Errr…
  • Corruption in the Philippine – budget intended for books, building of classrooms and other needs for a better pubic school system are not given appropriate funds and these are just the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Oh wait, there are millions of funds for internet in far-flung areas where there is no electricity. Heh.
  • Lack of population control – for a country with limited resources, we are 12th in world rank as fastest growing in number. Do the math, we can’t afford that rising number.

Yes, this goes on and on like the chicken and/or egg situation.

Read more »

Posted in Interesting Topics, Money Watch, Philippines, social consciousness, Thought Bubbles

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The Couch Needs Some Help

Posted on February 25, 2010 by greenbucks| Leave a comment

I was looking at some pics when I noticed several tears on the living room couch. Hmmm… to think we don’t even sit there.

Whenever we go to our favorite department store, the kids and I enjoy looking at the furniture there. The couches always attract the most attention from us. Perhaps we know that our current couch needed some improvements to be done. New slipcovers perhaps or side tables?

I know that secretly we wish we could get a new couch but that is not even in the list of priorities.

Perhaps this is the perfect time to shop for a good slipcover cloth design. While there I can perhaps see what would be good for curtains and bedsheets.

What a nice excuse to go to the bargain stores! 😀

Posted in family, Me, Money Watch

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Some Energy Saving Tips for Summer

Posted on February 20, 2010 by greenbucks| 3 Comments

Summer is here but I am not exactly looking forward to spending the day sweltering in heat and wishing for the night to come.

Even if I don’t get to wake up at an ungodly hour to prepare for food to be brought to school, I do not exactly welcome summer. AND summer means droves of noisy children playing on the street. Sigh.

Well at least we don’t have to turn on the light fixtures early so we get to save energy.

The things that help us feel cool however is another concern and these are the things that make power consumption go up several notches which ruin the energy conservation scheme 🙁

How can households practice energy conservation during summer? Here are some helpful tips:

  • Try to open windows, especially those that do not have direct sunlight, to have the breeze enter your home.
  • Wear light clothes that will not make you sweat.
  • If you have to do house chores using electrical appliances, do it while the temperature is cooler.
  • Air dry the clothes you washed.
  • Check your air-conditioning unit to see if the filters are clean.

Do not forget to drink lots of water and wear clothes made of light materials 🙂

Posted in For Information, Interesting Topics, Money Watch, Urban Living

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Is 2010 the Year of Recovery?

Posted on February 13, 2010 by greenbucks| Leave a comment

Last year’s financial hardships and its effects are still being dealt with until now and even beyond this year. 2010 is supposed to be a recovery year but it seems that employment rate still has to improve, the housing rescue plans, credit and financial markets still need a lot of room for improvement.

How can these esteemed financial institutions recover if the public’s trust has been broken?

People can’t be forever be given stimulus packages and dole outs.

This is especially true for those who used to earn a lot but now have now because they did not thought these things shall happen to them. Maybe I don’t know what I am talking about since I have not been in such situation but for sure, people who are placed in situations like these (being unemployed, having their businesses closed) should be resilient enough to stand up and try again.

A year and a half ago I have written tips on how to adapt to the changing financial scene. As I was reviewing my post, I find myself nodding to the helpful tips I wrote.

I believe, financial troubles or not, people should be wary of how they handle their expenditures. We can take a lot of lessons from the Chinese who are able to make it good due to their superb handling of their expenditures.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Posted in business, Money Watch, Visualizations

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