Femme Power

Archive for the ‘Money Talks’ Category

If you’re a Colgate user and you live in the Philippines, I’m sure you’ve noticed the absence of Colgate from SM stores.

It’s been several months since Colgate toothpaste disappeared from the shelves of SM Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, including Save More.   Whenever I’m in SM, I hear a lot of SM shoppers ask around for Colgate like I do.     Whatever happened, all the SM merchandisers can say is that it’s going to take a long while before they could sell Colgate toothpaste again.  There are talks that Colgate and SM have some rifts about payments so if this were true, it would take some time indeed to iron things out.

For now, I will have to buy my groceries again at Robinsons even if SM is much closer.  While I could settle with Close Up, my husband can’t. After trying other brands available, my hubby developed some tooth problems which he claims only happened when he stopped using Colgate.  So I’m left with no choice but to look for Colgate somewhere else as hubby requested.  Sigh.

Though my daughter is all grown up, I still love looking at cute Baby Clothes.  They never fail to put a smile on my face.

Here are some of the adorable designer baby clothes I found online that I couldn’t help but admire:

Pupa soft dress with diaper cover by Estella

Choosing clothes for our kids and babies do not only center on being cute and stylish but also on comfort and durability.  Being a practical mom, I personally like tops that are easy to match with any bottoms.  And even though I scrimp on a lot of expenses, I put a premium on baby clothing.  Having learned from experience, I wouldn’t go for cheap yet of poor quality baby clothes - those made of fabrics that stink, bleed, and shrink so bad (worse, with buttons and threads dangling after a few washes).

When you choose the right stuff for your little ones even if they’re a bit pricey, they can actually last for years and be handed down to your next baby or your niece/nephew.

Babies can’t complain about their getup. When garbed with uncomfortable clothes, they either get itchy, sweaty, develop skin rashes and allergies or they simply cry. That’s why comfort is on top of my considerations more than the cuteness of style.

I normally go for soft and comfy materials.  I also prefer fabrics that let the clothes breathe especially that my daughter is prone to respiratory problems.   When choosing a baby outerwear, it’s a no-brainer to take into consideration the weather condition and/or the climate to help you decide what material to choose and how thick or thin it should be.

Babies and kids are able to sleep better and play more freely when they’re wearing comfortable clothes.  No stress for the baby, no worries for the parents.

I was doing my long-overdue general cleaning yesterday when I saw these two P100 bills tucked inside a tiny box.  Teehee!  I’ve totally forgotten about them. It’s my nature to stash a few bills for emergency purposes but I have them organized in labeled envelopes that’s why I was surprised to see these bills that seemed to slip off my accounting eyes.

To account for the monthly budget, I rely on my envelope system.  One envelope contains the monthly rent for the house, one for the electricity and water bills, another for the broadband connection, one for food and transportation allowance, for miscellaneous/emergency expenses, and of course for groceries. I also stash a few coins and small bills in the piggy bank. But a large portion of my salary goes to my daughter’s savings account (my hubby’s salary takes care of the household expenses so mine is meant to be saved). My online earnings stay in my own bank account.  So as to how this P200 ended up in the box of my daughter’s recognition medal, beats me.  My hubby doesn’t know about it either. I say, finders keepers? Lol!

I’m enticed to do another round of thorough house cleaning today. Who knows, I might be able to find some more hehe.  Apart from the bills, I also found the extra screws for my CPU that I’ve been searching high and low for, some old photos that I thought I’ve lost, and lots of expired makeup that I really needed to dunk into the trash bin.

By the way, I’d like to say happy 36th birthday to my older brother, Ryan!  He’s a dedicated military officer and I love him dearly.  He’s the eldest among us, seven siblings.  One big happy family! Happy birthday, Kuya Ryan!

I had a chance to work in a big retail company a couple of years ago and it gave me a clear understanding of how public relations impact revenues and customer loyalty.   There were four major shopping malls in our area that time (competition has grown at present) and each of them was fighting tooth and nail to get the biggest market share through a variety of marketing strategies.  I was part of the company’s marketing team.

The competition was so tough that whenever we had a sale event or a crowd-drawing activity in the activity center, all the other malls would come up with the same.   Although it was kind of flattering to be the leader in that aspect, it was also very challenging.  How could we make a difference when all of them were good at imitating our marketing plans?  So, we boosted our customer service, analyzed and spruced up our product mix, added new products and services, and intensified our advertising campaign.    What helped us further was the company’s creation of a public relations department.   The company was right in seeing the need for it.   It was instrumental for the company’s continued leadership in the business in terms of market share and customer loyalty.

Businesses that need help to get ahead in the competition should get a Public Relations Agency.  Those in the hotel industry, travel, tourism, hospitality, marketing, and consumer products may seek the expertise of San Diego-based J Public Relations. Public relations help you communicate to your target market.  Better exposure, better awareness, better retention, better traffic, better revenues, and better income.  After all, what good are your business efforts if nobody knows you even exist?

My daughter got a present from her grandma, a pretty set of gold earrings that’s been passed on from my husband’s oldest sister to the next.  I realized that these earrings are even older than me and yet they’re still here, more valuable than ever.   This encouraged me to buy gold for investment.

Other than gold accessories, gold coins are also wise for investing.  They withstand even economic turmoil, inflation, or bank failure.   And they don’t wither, they can be handed down from generations to generations.   That’s a fine investment and a valuable inheritance for your family.

Back in college, I had a friend whose family rose from rags to riches due to gold.   They were into gold mining and later on went into buying and selling gold when they left the mining industry.  They would buy gold bullion for investment and would sell them as the market value went up.

How I wish I also have the capital to buy gold coins.   Gold is said to be the oldest and most durable asset.  If ever, I wouldn’t hesitate to invest on gold coins.   For more information about gold, check out goldcoinsgain.com.   There you’ll find everything you need to know about gold investing and why gold is considered to be the ultimate asset.

Do you shop online? Then this one’s for you -  a shopping community where you can meet new online friends, avail of discount coupons, compare brands and prices, and read product reviews from real people while scouring for the things you need.

You can also share your own online shopping experiences and product assessments, hence you help other  online shoppers decide on some of their options.

One of the many new arrivals at Plaza 101

Online Price Comparison gives you all these benefits and features.  It’s a must-visit site for those who want to be sure that they’re getting the best value for their money (Well, who doesn’t?) before making any online purchase.  As an online shopper myself, I put a premium on price comparison.   Not all the time do we see the same item and brand being sold at the same price in different stores. Hence, it pays to compare prices from store to store.  Also, I’m very much open for product alternatives that’s why before I buy something, I make several comparisons first.  Now, there’s no need for me to go to various websites just to check prices or compare items per brand.  I see them at Price Comparison Plaza101. com.  What’s more, they update their new arrivals hourly so I can easily see what’s the latest in the market.

All items are well-categorized so I don’t have a hard time looking for the things I’m looking for, from electronics to apparel, babies’ essentials, kitchen items and furniture, jewelry, DVD, cameras, computers, tools, pets, music, sports, and auto essentials.  And yes, I also like reading their blog postings about increasing income and successful job hunting.

Photo by MBT Shoes

Improper footwear can cause foot problems such as painful heels, blisters, swelling, callouses, cramps, and other foot-and-nail horrors you can imagine.  That’s why no matter how crazy I am over shoes, I don’t limit my preferences to shoe designs, colors, and even materials.  Comfort is at the top of my list in choosing a new pair of shoes.

Improper footwear could mean either ill-fitting, or not enough heel support, thin soles, or anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. And uncomfortable shoes are just so good in ruining your day.  They ruin your posture, your mood, even your health.

MBT Shoes are designed with the fusion of comfort and advanced technology to create a feeling of relaxed stride and thus positively affecting one’s posture and health.  It makes walking a healthy and stress-free experience with its multi-layered, curved sole support for better shock absorption. MBT stands for “Masai Barefoot Technology” and its designs are inspired to make you feel as if you’re walking in sand.

Photo by Beautifeel Shoes

And even wearing high-heeled shoes need not be painful and uncomfortable.  Beautifeel Shoes are a combination of beauty and comfort, with quality materials that last. They have designs that can be worn in any occasion especially in your business or casual get-ups.

Sure, there are a lot of shoes out there to choose from but would you sacrifice comfort for design?  Why would you when you can have both?

This post is brought to you by: walkingonacloud.com