6 posts from February 2008

Nowadays, we all embrace products and deals which will let us save, that even a savings of a dollar or a two is worth looking into.

And one avenue where we can definitely get more to add to our savings is when we get rebates. 

There are a lot ways where we can get rebates. Cellular phone companies give mail-cash in rebates to loyal customers who stay with them for a year or more. Retails stores provide online rebates almost every quarter and to lure more potential customers.

But perhaps the most popular is the tax rebates that the government has vowed to give this year to ease the consumer panic and increase spending.  The Bush administrations has begun sending rebate checks amounting from $600 to more than $2000 to childless low-income households and two-waged earners.  What's good about this rebate program is that this is an outright payment, not as an advance nor an offset against next year's tax filing.

So, if you will receive one of these rebates, either from the government or from stores, what you will do with it?  Will you stick the check on the fridge or encash it or deposit it on your savings account?  Getting a rebate is a sweet deal, especially if it's a tax rebate where you'll feel the fruits of your labor finally paying off, so maybe, it wouldn't be a sin if you'll put it into good use, either for yourself or your loved ones, right?

Have come up with a few things to do if you receive a quite large rebate, let's say, a thousand or more.

1.  Pay the bills

I think this is something we will agree to.  I, for one sometimes feel that I work my hardest just to pay the bills which would include rent, electricity, cable tv, water,mobile phone,credit cards,and other recurring charges.  Having extra money to pay them without getting the money from our monthly salary will be a great relief.

2.  Put something for the mortgage

Well, I still don't have mortgage but considering the news and my friend's migraines that are caused by it, being able to chip in for the house is a joyous occasion.

3.  Escape on a weekend holiday

The travel buff in me will always look for time to travel and get away even just for the holiday.  Also, Tripadvisor has this latest poll on where people would likely to spend their rebates and travel appeared at the top 5.  Taking on a quick getaway doesn't have to be costly and the rebate check would be enough for luxury destinations auctioned at half the price. 

4.  Fix the house

If the house is shouting a repair, then, a rebate check is the perfect excuse to fix the ceiling or the plumbing or add extra deadbolts at the door for added security.

5.  Save a portion for retirement

It is never too early to think of retirement.  This is the time to review your 401k plan with the company and put in a portion of those tax rebates there.

6.  Invest on the stock market

This may seem too big but putting a couple of hundreds for a 1% share is a good move.  Just make sure you'll be investing in a company that is stable in dividend generating.  Do your research.  101stockinvestments is a good online stock investment tutorial. If all goes well,  the amount from the rebate that you invested may double and that will be give you more funds to spend on the above suggestions.

7.   Treat your family and friends for a hearty dinner

Treating your friends to a buffet dinner is  probably one of the rewarding ways to use your rebate check.  Zagat does have a list of buffet restaurants in every state for you to choose from.

A rebate is always good news. And while we are all tightening our budget, so to speak, it is never wrong to indulge on some guilty pleasures.  We all deserve a break and recharge our batteries to prevent burnout but at the same time, we also need to think of the future and a rebate can cater to both, just know how to use it wisely.

Our obsession on aging has led some to go under surgery just to look younger.

I daresay that there's nothing wrong to wish for a more youthful appearance but not to the point of  cutting your skin in half and end more messed up in the process.

Perhaps Hollywood poses the most number of people who go into almost-life threatening measures to look 20 to 30 years younger. In the most ironic situations, the media seems to glorify those who were able to beat aging and promote the surgeries which the celebrities went under.

The 50's is a point in life that most people tend to avoid as much as possible and try not to think about.  But being in your 50's actually gives you more freedom. At this stage of your life, you have made milestones on your job, you have raised stable adults, and you are old enough to be wise and yet still young not to use canes when walking.

If you have the bucks to spend and you have been completely briefed on the repercussions of lying on the operating table to remove the lines and look like you've just completed college, then it's your decision. But with all the stories of surgeries going wrong and resulting to death, it might be worthy to look at ways on how to look like you haven't aged in ages.

1.  Enroll in body and mind-enhancing exercises

Signing up for yoga, pilates and all those exercises that clear the mind and concentrate on easing your inner self. The main exercises focus on breathing freely and making sure that you know how to focus on one thing and one thing only. Multitasking has become one of our priorities as to accomplish more tasks once. This is not bad but tends to take away the moment of appreciating that beauty of one situation and concentrate on the stress of the millions of things that we have to do.

2. Pamper yourself on a luxury spa vacation

Most of our lines are caused by stress.   Spas has evolved from being just a facility with rooms for backrubs to a place for wellness treatments as well as guidance on everything from nutrition to nurturing ourselves.  Spots for luxury spas are booming like pimples on an oily skin and therefore there are a lot of choices and no excuse for you to make a reservation.

3.  Appreciate and flaunt what you have

It might be easier said than done but it is actually simple to do. Take time to pause and look around you. At the tender age of 50, you're still alive with the average lifespan is declining.  You still have a roof above your head and you still woke and read this post.  All of us have problems to deal with so there's no reason to feel worst for ourselves.

4.  Compare yourself with others

This may sound narcissistic but it works when viewed in an objective way.  Take time to look at your yearbooks and compare yourself with someone there whom you still know up to know and see what edge you have over them.  Knowing that someone is going through the same experience you have and yet looks kind of worst and help them in any way you can. Now, there's the redeeming value.

5.  Do something spontaneous and safely outrageous

Doing something unplanned and yet most enjoyable is a way to feel good, and when you feel good, you look good.  Operative word here is doing something that is SAFELY outrageous.  Consider your health first.  If you have diabetes and you want to go on a chocolate fest, then do some other thing.

6.  Never underestimate the power of makeup

Putting on a little bit of blush or a concealer won't hurt and will definitely make you glamorously young. Go for the makeup that are chemically good for  your skin. If the Ambush makeover team is on your neighborhood, then make yourself noticeable in the streets.

The key to looking like you just drank from the fountain of youth is to feel good about yourself. Sure, there are things that you did 20 years ago that you can't do now.  But then again, there are things that you can do now that you weren't able to do back then. I am not against surgical enhancements, but I also se no harm in going the natural way.

The first time is always the hardest yet most memorable.

This holds true for those who are venturing into the world of online vacation auctions. Wait, have you read right?, vacation spots on auction online? Yes, you’re not having eyesight problems.  Bidding on online vacations has been  on for quite a while but is still foreign to most people’s ears or to be more specific, to the frequent traveller.  

Bidding on vacation auctions is a good and money saving way to bag the vacation spot you’ve been wishing and working for.  Through bidding online, you’re more confident because your identity is concealed.  Also, you can be more selective unlike when you talk to a travel agent where you end up going some other place rather than the one you originally like because the place is not available until next fall or because of some other excuse that will just make you feel frustrated.

So, have come with simple and pratical tips on how to make it right the first time.

1.Determine if the date works for you.  See if the date is compatible with your schedule. You don’t want to go on a destination on a date that you’re unavailable.

2.Check the reservation system.  Before making your first ever bid, verify the reservation  system.  Make sure what are the booking requirements after winning the vacation spot.

3.Set your limit.  Before putting money on the table, so to speak, know how much you are willing to chip in. It is unwise to not set any limits because you might end up short of money.  Know how much you can afford.

4.Go and make your bid! Online vacation auctions are different to ebay in a few yet glaring terms.  The end time of the bidding may be extended as long as there are bids coming in. So, last-minute biddings may not do the trick to get the vacation spot.  Bottom line, just bid.

 
Getting our dream vacation spots requires skill and patience. Taking the easy way of just booking through a travel agent is also good, but the thrill is gone and your options might be limited.  I have made a few biddings on this luxury vacation site called luxury link but unfortunately haven’t won just yet, but that was during that time I wasn’t aware of these tricks, it was only through a good friend who frequents this site that I learned a few ways. So, I thought to share these with all of you.  Happy bidding!

 

The blue sea, the powdery sand, the swaying palm trees – what more perfect setting is there for the island blushing bride?

The growing popularity of island resort weddings can’t be ignored especially at this time of the year when everybody seems to be in the most loving mood, ok, not seems, but, is on the loving mood.

Admittedly, the number of couples tying the knot this season is also increasing. Also, more are now opting for an island resort wedding to be closer to nature where all things are in luscious blue and   relaxing green.  But, with the weird climate changes, will it still be preferable to get married out on the open sea?

You maybe wondering why I’m in the wedding spirit, that’s because a friend of mine since college is tying the knot next month and they are seriously considering an island resort somewhere which she strongly emphasized that I don’t blog about for she know I will.  But they are also hesitant to do so because of one uncontrollable thing, the weather.  So, as a true friend and a blushing bridesmaid to their Jewish island resort wedding, I have researched for island resorts on other countries ( oh yes, they’re having an out-of-the-country wedding) where the weather man will only wear summer clothes during reporting as to emphasize the sunny weather.

Grace Bay Club at Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

Any chances of rain are virtually non-existent in this part of the Caribbean.  But, this is still a part of this global-warming threatened planet so they have their rainy season come September but will only normally last for two months.  So, with no raindrops falling over your heads, you can enjoy at the Anani Spa on the beach with a European touch or enjoy a Mediterranean-Caribbean cuisine at Anacaona restaurant for a honeymoon.

Cobblers cove, Barbados

Hurricanes in this part comes occasionally and do not leave a lasting and damaging impact on the residents.  So, this English country-styled island resort will be able to give you the most relaxing and soothing mood for a wedding.  Their offerings of water skiing, snorkeling, tennis and swimming can make you and the guests would want to get married there all over again just to be able to stay longer.

Laluna, St. George's,Grenada

The mere mention of it’s name gives a tingling, romantic feeling, doesn’t it.  Storms in this part of the Caribbean are very rare and on the average do not last for days.  With the sunny weather  here, you won’t have to pay for a decent tan, the sun is for you to take advantage as well, just remember to still put on lotion, people, moderation is the key.  With a mixture of Italian and Indonesian in their decorations, private decks and plunge pools and a chance to picnic at the Annandale falls, surely, this will get the romance above sea-level.  

Meteorologists are one in saying that the southern parts of the Caribbean are the least destination of storms and hurricanes. The above-mentioned places are all located at the southern part so, it makes perfect sense to say your vows there.

But then again, I am not a meteorologist so I also want to impart  to you to do your research when it comes to the weather.  Check out weather channel sites such as weather.yahoo.com or on you’re My Yahoo page, subscribe to the weather by putting the zip of the wedding place that you’re considering and most of all, watch the weather news on tv on a daily basis.  CNN does provide weekly forecasts on almost all the major cities around the world so you’ll have a pretty good idea if the sun will shine or not.

Cheesy as it may sound, getting married on this time of the year is actually good.  For most parts of the world, this time of the year is rain-free and only brings occasional showers.  For the Caribbean, the wet season starts from June to November so, if you want to be a June bride in that part, well, be prepared to wear a shorter wedding dress.  But then again, a little rain won’t hurt, right? Just as long as it won’t make the roof fly.

You don’t have to see white streaks in your  hair before you plan for your retirement.

 

 

In a day where everything is unstable, except death and taxes, we need to make arrangements once we get into the age where we are forced to lay off work because of our age even if we know we still can. But by the way the economy is dwindling, I see age as not the only reason that we may be laid off from work now, but hey, Bush is leaving the White house in November so I’m still positive.

Some see retiring as a gloomy phase when actually it isn’t. Mind you, I’m still young but as I have observed those who are on that stage, they seem to enjoy their retirement. My godmother who is 65 looks like to be having the time of her life.  So, maybe retiring is something we should prepare for because it’s a good thing, not a black hole that will be sucking us up into nothingness.

We can enjoy a happy retirement if the place where we’re going to end up with is relaxing and worry-free.

My godmother, who was a music teacher in a public school in Connecticut have parted to me some ways on how to spot a good retirement place when we see one.

1. Read.  Yes, the all-time source of information is just a flip of a few, well in this case, a lot of pages.  It maybe a travel book or a map, or an atlas or even a history book. Just any thing that will give you descriptions of places.

2. Travel.  What a better way to know your choices but to actually see it right? Travel around the country or even outside to best make a list of possible retirement spots.  And go on a luxury travel  NOW or if you still don't have enough budget for a luxury travel, you can join an online travel destination raffle promo.  Don’t wait for the icebergs to melt, because by that time, we may not live old enough to retire at all.

3. Consult Google.  Search for places you know and places you don’t know.  The internet has millions of information on the best places to retire. 

Key is to start planning now.  Get retirement plans, save up, put money into your kids’ or future kids’ trust fund.  Collect wisdoms that you’ll be parting to the younger ones. Most of all, look at retiring as a good thing.  It’s not the end, it’s just another great beginning.

 

 

Mind you, not just a vacation, but a luxury vacation.

At some point in our lives, we all deserve a break from the stress brought by work or by people and yes, stress brought by nothing to do.  Taking a vacation is so easy to do and say.  You have the weekends to go on a quick escape but then, there’s the adjective quick, it’s like you have  one worry-free night. Why is this so?

Let’s say you’re the regular working citizen and your rest days are on weekends. On Friday night, you think of the place to go and rest. So, stress is all over the place from that point.  You only got to almost fully relax on  a Saturday night. On the eve of Sunday, you will again stress yourself of the thought that you have to go back to work again the next day.

A luxury vacation can immensely take you away from this vacation dilemma.  I have been able to luckily go on a luxury vacation once.  It was during the time that the show I was working on got good ratings and the big bosses decided (finally) to give us a long, most-deserved vacation and a healthy sum of bonus. So, I used up all my savings and joined an auction for a vacation hotspot in Hawaii.  It lasted 5 days and  4 nights and I was able to get a body scrub and a bikini wax, and met the friendliest scuba diving instructor on Maui but then wasn’t able to get his number.  ( I’m never good on long distance romances). 

As a hard-working citizen myself who diligently pays my taxes (even though I’m cynical if it being put into the best use),  I have sort of diagnosed myself of the glaring physical and psychological signs that I need to go on  a luxury vacation.

1.    You have the budget.

Ok, this is the most obvious reason to book at a luxury vacation hotspot.  But it is reality. Sometimes, in order to get the best, you have to spend  more than the usual.  And luxury vacation getaways do have expensive price tags.

2.    You look like you haven’t slept for a month. 

Hours and days still qualify for the tolerable level. But if you look in the mirror on a Saturday morning and you look like 20 years older and you’ve bitten your fingernails before making a report, then you have been sleepless for a month and a luxury vacation is the way to beat physical deteriorations.

3.    You have been offered to go on  a luxury vacation.

Now if someone has actually tagged you to a luxury vacation and you said no. You need professional help.  It’s like fate is slapping you in the face and telling you to go away and be merry even if it will be the first and last time that you’ll be able to go to a luxury vacation.

4.    You have blessed with a paid time off.

Just like in my case, if you have been awarded with a few days of blissful break from work, then it’s time. Operative word here is paid leave.  It makes you feel that you have something to go back to even if you completely indulge in that vacation.  You won’t have to limit your happiness.

5.    Your work is your world but you experience heartburns when you wake up in the morning.

If you’re seeing anybody ( I meant literally and socially) and you feel like just sleeping the day out even if you slept as early as 8 the previous night, pr you experience heartburns, then a luxury vacation is damage control.

Work and money will be worthless if we feel miserable when we go home. Sure, going on a luxury vacation is costly, but the joy and happiness you will be able to feel while on one is priceless.