Online Buying/Shopping

I started selling online a few months after giving birth to my third child year 2009. I used Facebook and Sulit. By the following year I initiated buying simple stuff like clothing and shoes for myself. Months went by and I was already hooked! Selling, buying, selling, buying, buying, buying.. Hahaha! I usually buy my personal paraphernalia online, at least 60-70% of my clothes, shoes and bags. I even purchase some of our small kitchen appliances from an online shopping mall. Let me write in here three reasons why I kinda go for this shopping method instead of going to a physical store:

1. Convenience. I don't have to go outside the house, less the hours spent in taking a bath, dressing up and all which I sometimes dislike. There'd be days I'd jump into the car  hair uncombed. And there'd also be unlucky days when I can't locate my one and only pink Springmaid comb making our driver run to a nearest store to buy an alternative brush for my pitiful hair. So much for that hair, because I stay most of the time at home, in my husband's office and on the road, I do not have the luxury of staying inside a shopping center particularly if it'll be my personal things I'll be selecting. When online, when I see an item, I'll check, I'll ask for details from the seller or read the given info, if I like, then confirm. That's it. 

Okay. Wait. As many as the sellers and buyers flocking the world wide web today, I am fully aware that there are fakes, bogus and scams. I only transact with sellers whom I know and trust. I am a 'repeating' customer. I do not hop from one seller/shop to another. This also applies when I shop in a physical store. I am one of those who always carry a shoppers' loyalty card or whatever they call it. Hehe. 

2. Spending Less. When I shop online I do not have to bring a wallet or cash. And when I say I only have 1,000 php for today for buying a pair of sandals, a pair of trousers and a shirt, then I have to stick with it. It's because, I am the kind of woman who brings all of my belongings when I go out. Meaning, I have with me our ATM cards and my one-month's allowance plus the amount intended for food and house necessities. Honestly, I can't resist buying when I'm surrounded with so good things. I only think about an item twice. Ending, I'd be paying for unnecessary finds. I guess I should be thinking more than thrice - to a hundred. I do not have that kind of extended patience when shopping because the day would soon be over so what I see, I get. Unlike when I face my computer, browsing a thing to a thing, stuff to a different stuff to more, I'd have the time to compare and think, now this, more than twenty times. 

3. I Make Friends. True. Because I am a 'repeating' customer, the sellers become my virtual friends. I get to know them. Not only them but even their families, their spouses, kids, love life. Because when I transact with people, one of my interests is to make a connection, not just in terms of money or business but to make a bridge more on personal. Mostly, that makes me come back to that shop, to the seller,  because of the person.

Well, my online shopping mantra only applies when I buy things for myself as what I've written above. When it comes to my husband and our kiddos, I don't have a choice but to spend a day inside my favorite shopping mall, will make another post for it though.

I Heart Lotus Cookie Butter!

It's been almost a year since I started hoarding jars of these oh so creamy yummy delectable cookie or biscuit spread or butter and yet I'm still oh so into them! In fact, I discovered more pallets for other spreads like Nocilla, Nutella, Cadbury and a whole lot of arrays! Because of my constant intake of these mouth-treats (threat!) I gained almost six kilograms by the last quarter of 2013! 

They are made to be spread on bread but I prefer to have them directly in my mouth using a spoon. (laugh) I just love how the taste of cinnamon (one of its ingredients) linger inside my mouth and how it could do wonders that would help me forget my anxieties and worries of the day and think about how would I get these cookie jars in boxes and carts (now that's the problem! haha!). I bought my 2013 batch of jars in bulk online, I gave out some as Christmas gifts, a few jars sold to friends and the 'many' to my fridge! Haha! I just found a London-based-supplier selling cookie butter and other European goodies in wholesale at very low prices but I have to shoulder the freight of my treasures of course. This will be for my coming 2014 store's soft opening. 

Meanwhile, I just found out that SM General Santos City has Lotus Caramelised Biscuit Spreads Creamy at 347 Php and Crunchy at 349 Php, they could be found inside their Supermakket, spreads section. I bought one each recently, Hehe. Forgive me, this is one of my happiness. Healthy Options' shops nationwide also carry Lotus Biscoff Spreads Creamy & Crunchy at 349 Php and Lotus Biscoff Biscuits at 245 Php per pack. 

FYI. Lotus Speculoos, Caramelised and Biscoff are all the same - same brand yet they differ in taste just a little (based on my taste buds since I have those three in a row). Speculoos and Caramelised almost taste the same (99.99%) while Biscoff has this distinct taste maybe because the cinnamon is much stronger than the other two. These three are manufactured in Europe. Speculoos is what they are fond of in Belgium, while Caramelised in UK and Biscoff is preferred by the Americans and being exclusively distributed by one of their Lotus Bakeries branch in California. But you can find them everywhere actually, some Europeans prefer Biscoff and some Americans like Speculoos. Here in the Philippines - I prefer Speculoos and Caramelised. Hehe.

Just a note, drink a lot of water after eating, swallowing, licking a lot of these sweet stuff. They can give you unwanted facial breakouts, tonsillitis and fattening bellies. Haha! Splurge and enjoy!

Tsenilas (Havaianas)

The year this famous brand of slippers invaded the market I was still in high school in a lonely town in the heart of Mindanao. I didn't have the means to own one since the price of a pair those times as per overheard ranges from 800php to 1,000php+. I coveted them in my mind for how many years. Even when I went to Cagayan de Oro for college I still can't afford one cause the money I had in my hand were grated for food and fares. And when at times I had an amount to spare - I was hesitant to buy one. Sayang ang 800pesos ko na para lang sa tsenilas!

One time I audited my expenses for flip-flops or rubber slippers in a year, it summed up to 720php all in all. As an avid fan of slippers I tend to buy a pair every two months, just the less branded ones. I'm not fond of sandals. I always wear if not sneakers then slippers. With slippers I can wet my feet anytime I'd like to. And since my feet are like claws and carries my whole weight, after a month or so the new slippers I bought eventually shrinks. And I don't like the feeling of it under my heels and toes.

My most awaited time came when I gained the guts to finally purchase a pair of my most coveted brand. It happened on my first salary with my employer. Before I could change my mind and think of anything else, after withdrawing my hard earned 15day-salary, I went straight to Chimes (a fashion store located in Davao City's China town which caters authentic and branded apparels and all to Dabawenyos) and bought my 1st ever pair of Havaianas! As money to be considered, I got the cheapest - Havaianas Top in Violet. The slippers sucked 650pesos from my wallet but I knew I'll never regret spending for them.

I'm wearing the same pair for almost 6 months now and truly, they are worth the buy! They still look new, no signs of aging, elegant and descent when I pair them with jeans, shorts, skirts and dresses! And best of all, they don't shrink! Still looking the same from the day I eagerly grabbed the pair from the shelves of Chimes. The slippers may shrink (they're just slippers made out of rubber) but I guess it'll take years before I'd feel they must be replaced. ",) As far as my research showed, the rubber and materials used for Havaianas is a top secret that the manufacturer won't dare divulge to the public. Well, some countries particularly China are imitating the styles and cuts of the slippers but they still can't produce the quality ones made by the sole Havaianas' maker in Brazil.

I'm already married when I bought my first pair, I'm planning to buy one for my husband. I just bought 2 pairs for my younger brothers as my late Christmas gifts from their one and only ate - ME. I'm contented with my pair, actually I'm wearing them as of now. And to buy another pair or pairs? When fortune allows, blessings from up above pour and come unstoppable and there is extra - why not? (^_^)

MyTurf (LoadXtreme VMobile)

Generate income from your cellphone load consumption!

HOW? (HOW MUCH?)
1. Ask for assistance from the person who introduced you to my MyTurf.

2. Purchase MyTurf Package worth of 300 PhP. The said amount will be for your account activation.

3. Ask the person who's assisting you to let you know more about the MyTurf and how it works.

4. Registration can be done online thru the LoadXtreme Website or via text messaging.

**NO HIDDEN CHARGES when you sign up for MyTurf! I will provide free materials for those who would like to register/join.

Other Info of MyTurf:

1. To be a member of MyTurf you must have a cellphone (any unit) and a sim card (must be SMART, SUN, TOUCH MOBILE, GLOBE, TALK N' TEXT, RED).

2. After your account will be validated with MyTurf, here are your perks:
*You'll get an automatic 50 PhP worth of load credited to your load wallet which you can utilize for personal use or you may sell it. So it's like you just paid 250 PhP for your MyTurf membership.
*You'll have an access to your online personal account with LoadExtreme.
*You'll get lifetime discount with your personal loads.
*You can sell MyTurf Load to other consumers and get points to earn rewards which could be converted into load. (You can load MyTurf to Smart, Sun, Red & Talk N' Text Users).
*You'll earn money by just referring your friends who would also like to get discounts on their cellphone loads to sign up for MyTurf. (From first level to the 10th level!). Make them your downlines. Register them to MyTurf under your name and start making your own networking with MyTurf!
*It doesn't stop there! You'll get a percentage from your referrals every time they load!
*PLUS! You can load MyTurf to all SUN, SMART, TALK N' TEXT users even if they are not registered to MyTurf!

HOW TO REPLENISH MYTURF WALLET/LOAD?
*Through VMobile Business Centers.
*BPI
*BDO
*UnionBank
*Or you may purchase load from a Dealer of Load Extreme to load your wallet.

CAN I STILL SIGN UP FOR MYTURF EVEN IF I'M A POSTPAID USER?

1. DEFINITELY YES.


CAN I STILL BECOME A MYTURF MEMBER IF I'M A GLOBE USER?

1. DEFINITELY YES. You can load MyTurf to Sun, Smart, Red & Talk N' Text. You can still use your load wallet balance to load your Globe numbers using the usual Load Extreme Load Retailing System.

The fact here is: Signing up for MyTurf enables you to load all networks and other prepaid services. ^_^ That only is already a great deal!

This ain't pyramiding. Yes, it's networking. But we are not networking on things we seldom use. We are talking about LOAD DISCOUNT and an opportunity to earn money while loading your own cellphone/s.

Here's one thing: MyTurf won't promise to make you a millionaire in a snap, but think of the lifetime discount you'll be getting while loading your cellphone/s. It's every person's necessity and (I'd say) always will be.

*I can be that person who will sign you up for MyTurf! Contact me.

For Smart Users: 09192644225

For Sun Users: 09222672721

Look for Fay.

Or leave a comment.

Cards, Cards, Cards for Rewards

I wasn't into collecting this kind of plastic when I was single. But when I got my own family and always finds myself in supermarkets and certain stores, I felt the need to have not just a few but several of them. I shop for groceries once or twice a week, goes to a bookstore three to four times a month, buys products from direct sellers once or twice every quarter of the year and sometimes goes into rush hours for an immediate supply.

Big supermarkets, drugstores, bookstores and almost all establishments are offering their customers a chance to earn points or rewards while shopping in their stores. Even big telephone companies are now giving the same benefits to their users. They say it's their way of giving back to their loyal customers a percentage of what they are paying for their purchases. The day will come when all basic commodities even those which are slightly used will all have discounts on their prices.

I signed up for a number of direct selling companies knowing I'll get at least 20% something or more discount for what I buy. The lying truth here is, I will be able to save a part of my money instead of paying the whole amount. I applied for shoppers' card/customers' card or 'what they call it' simply to have something to hand over to the supermarkets' cashiers in order for me to have the what they call 'points' which I can trade later for rewards, items or anything my patronized store is going to give.

I still have six cards from six stores and companies I recently applied for to be released within next month.