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TIME, it’s what matters most to kids

Ion
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You know those hand clapping games – Patty cake, Rock Paper Scissors, or Nanay Tatay? We were playing these games the other night and it really got ‘out of hand.’ 😛

The games got ‘competitive!’ Aya was at the height of cheers, jumping here and there when she suddenly exclaimed in Tagalog, these exact words, “Wohoo! Ang saya-saya ako sa buhay nato! Wohooo. Thank you Ama! Ang saya-saya sa pamilya ako!” Repeatedly… while giving us tight hugs. (Sorry, she’s still learning to speak Tagalog better.)

Raqz and I were in awe, overjoyed to hear those words from a child.

Over the years, we’re happy to see that she finds utmost joy in family time and conversations, and not on material things. When Saturday is about to end, she’s less happy because it’s gonna be work week again. She’ll start counting down for the next weekend. When I reach home few minutes late, she’ll ask why I was late – is it traffic or too much work. 😛 She starts the conversation by asking sensible questions like, “How’s office?”, “How’s your boss?”, “Did you finish your baon, daddy?” etc. Then she’ll tell her stories of the day.

So back on that night, when I thought she’s calmed down, Aya added, “You know daddy, family bonding is much better than playing outside.”

Our hearts melt.

What Proverbs 22:6 is LEGIT, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

And one of the ways we “train” Aya is modeling. She sees how we are very conversational, she’s becoming good at conversations too. She sees how we love writing sweet nothings on post-its, she does it too. She sees how wacky and fun-loving her parents are, and yes she’s becoming even better at that.

It’s how you show things.

For her, family time is prime.

What’s inside the Science Factory in WAFI

Ion
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We had a quick tour at the Science Factory pop-ups inside Wafi Mall. It was a super cool, fun and learning experience for kids and scientist wanna-be like me.

The Science Factory is an interactive showcase of science for kids. Spread across 6 stations, there are 40 fun-filled attractions such as an earthquake machine, a laser censored drum set, mind-boggling exhibitions.

Here’s Ate Aya’s short experience on her vlog:

11 right decisions I made about money

Ion
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11 right decisions I made about money

“Working abroad will make us rich”  – It’s a myth. Whether you work in Dubai, the US, or the Philippines, your road to being wealthy is defined by your attitude towards money.

As a family man, I put a premium on things that matter most – and they are not things. For me, there’s only one standard – family. My “why” always leads me to the question, ‘What would be best for my family?’

If you have that mindset, it is easier not to be controlled by money. We’ve had a fair share of failures and successes about money. Let me share with you some of the best financial decisions I and my wife have done over the years:

1. Invest early

Who would put their first income in an investment? We did.

In our first year of marriage, we bought a huge foreclosed lot back home. A big part of our income went to pay for it inside 2 years. We lived in a stiffed controlled lifestyle in order to pay AED4,000 for the land, in addition to other monthly expenses.

Years later, the developer bought a very small part of the land. The value has gone beyond 100% per square meter already. They paid more than double what we bought it for. We didn’t keep all the money. We put some in mutual funds and bought 2 pre-selling condos in Manila. Then we put the rest in our emergency fund.

Whenever I move to another company, we put the gratuity pay in an investment. Just recently we bought our 4th property already.

We don’t keep a huge amount of money in the savings. We’d rather invest it to grow it.

2. Life insurance

While we are young and healthy, we are highly insurable. While my kids are, well, kids, we already secured their future in case something happens to us. Not doing so is one of the greatest negligence we would do as parents.

We get a VUL life insurance. It’s insurance with investment. If nothing happens to us, great; We could always withdraw the money naman.

3. Start a business

My wife and I started a small business while I’m still in the corporate world. As a typical startup, it’s still a long shot. Slowly, we see the business moving towards maturity. This is what’s gonna sustain us in the future, and probably will allow me to retire young.

In addition to the business, I also earn passive income in many streams online (check my other online store) and some writing gigs. It’s a great feeling that in my spare time, instead of always spending on entertainment and leisure, I earn money.

4. Put the kid(s) in an affordable school

Tuition fees in Dubai are crazy. Even for kindergartens, the best preschools in town can cost up to AED80,000 per year. There are still a few schools that are more affordable though. At preschool, I think it is smarter not to spend much on tuition fees. Expensive schools don’t guarantee good results. During these formative years of children, parenting matters more than the academe. We, parents, are urged to have more time and give them good training on values and skills at home. If you establish that good authority with your kids, an expensive preschool won’t be necessary.

5. No credit card

It’s my personal principle not to use the money I don’t own. I never had a credit card in my life. These days, there are e-wallets which offer the same perks of a credit card, and sometimes much more benefits. Worry-free.

6. Continuous education

It’s easier for me to spend on education than on material things. Life is a continuous learning process. I wouldn’t be writing these things if I did not invest time and money in programs such as Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship, or attended financial literacy events like Money Talks, or enrolled in a few online courses among others.You cannot grow if you won’t plant seeds. Sadly, many want to earn extra income, but refuse to learn extra wisdom.

7. Not hyper health-conscious

There are a lot of programs and products that promote an ultra-healthy lifestyle lately. Many of these come with unbelievable price tags.

Somebody offered us a high-end vacuum cleaner that can clean down the deepest parts of the carpet, couch, curtains, everything. It even comes with a massager :-). The demo was very impressive. The problem is, we don’t only stay at home. Viruses spread more outdoors than inside the house. What’s the point of being meticulous at home, wherein outside you’ll be exposed to dirt, you’ll touch a doorknob, sit on public transport, be with someone sneezing, hold a shopping cart, touch money, and so on?

The same thing with a salad maker, while it is a good product, it is not sustainable.

Some people tend to be extra health-conscious physically they forget that living a completely healthy lifestyle also involves nurturing the other aspects of our lives such as emotional, mental, financial, relational, and spiritual health.

8. Non-branded mentality

We love quality brands. In fact, I’m loyal to a few of them because of their reputation that meets my needs. But I remain not driven by high-end brands. I always go for quality than names. Even my wife and my daughter are not brand-conscious. Looking neat will never go out of trend.

9. Rent in an affordable area

Rents in Dubai are out of this world, you can already buy a property back home with the same money. I chose to control the situation rather than the situation control me. There are still areas in the Dubai outskirts that are really affordable. We chose to rent a space we can conveniently pay for, without sacrificing convenience, peace, and happiness. After all, it is about what’s inside the house that makes a home.

10. Basic car

After paying the 5-year car loan, I chose to stick with my basic fuel-efficient reliable car that still conveniently does its purpose, and is stress-free. It’s such a great feeling to be free from a monthly loan.

I will probably change car, perhaps a bigger one, but only when the need arises.

11. Delayed gratification

By this time you may be wondering, “Am I enjoying my life?” YES! We never compromise happiness and recreation in the family. It is always part of the budget – a priority actually. We set a small bucket list. We give ourselves little rewards – more on experiences, and less on things – because our contentment is not anchored on things. Just the thought of non-stop laughter, running around the playground, competitive board games (and hide and seek), bringing home a slice of cake, and even cooking together, warms my heart. That’s how we enjoy life NOW, and we are always grateful.

How you spend your time is more important than how you spend your money.

Like everyone else, we do have dreams and desires. But we chose to delay plan these bigger rewards accordingly.

Why am I telling these to you?

Because these are all practical – anybody can do.

It is comforting that we live a lifestyle that costs lower than our income – a lifestyle that never changes in spite of positive financial breakthroughs that come along the way. I’m also blessed to have a life partner, a wife who looks at things at the same perspective as I do.

Spending less, saving some, and investing more. Why am I doing these? Because I value the people that matter most to me. When it is for the family, it is sustainable. I’ll end this by sharing one of the powerful bible verses that have been and will always be my guiding principle, from the Book of Romans, “Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.To God be the glory!

6 specific money mistakes I made in the past

Ion
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6 specific money mistakes I made in the past

Many OFWs, myself included, have little or no strong financial literacy background before flying overseas to work. Financial events were not too often during my first few years here in Dubai. Many of us thought that working abroad would make us rich quickly, yet we don’t know what specific actions would make that a reality.

Well, I had my shares of financial blunders which I’m not really proud of, but happy to have learned a lot of lessons from them which enabled me to make better financial decisions moving on. Here are 6 specific money mistakes I made in the past:

1. Early learning books set

We paid AED17,000 for 2 years for 50+ hardbound books set for kids that were barely used. We were convinced by the empathetic sales talk. We were told that the set has all the books children will need, so we won’t have to look elsewhere in the future. As we discover, the books lack fun elements to properly connect to their young readers.  Aya loves to read other books – those cheaper ones that have a higher value.
Lesson: Don’t be impulsive, and don’t easily give in to sales talk pressure. Give yourself time to think thoroughly even though the promises are very good. Ask yourself multiple times if what you’re buying is really a need.

2. My Video Talk networking

Talk about wanting to get rich quick… Sometime in 2008, I was convinced that My Video Talk is the future of video conferencing. I bought the basic package that costs around AED1,500 trusting I can also recruit more people who’ll also believe in the product.A couple of years later, we saw the evolution of Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp and Viber video calls which totally killed the product. This is my personal classic example of not getting updated about what’s coming up ahead.
Lesson: Research before spending. From then on, I have never been convinced of any “get rich quick” schemes.

3. Pasalubong for the entire barangay

On our very first ‘balikbayan’ trip since working abroad, we brought pasalubong (items from Dubai) for almost everybody we know back home – family, distant relatives, friends, classmates, neighbors. We brought chocolates, perfumes, shoes, shirts, grocery items, key chains, etc.  Boy, that was too much.
Lesson: You don’t have to. Trust me. Stick to the real reason WHY you are traveling home and the itchiness of spending too much on pasalubong will go away. Again, don’t give in to pressure. It’s better to spend your money on family activities and experiences than on expensive items.

4. Lavish kid’s birthday parties

We celebrated our daughter’s first 4 birthdays with huge parties. Yeah, we had lots of fun. They were fab parties. But later we realized the party was not really for our daughter (who’s a toddler) but for us. At her very young mind, she wouldn’t remember all that.The following year, we made it simple. We invited close friends at home. The next year, we didn’t have a party at all, just a treat to her favorite restaurant and play area and a gift she’s been asking for ages.
Lesson: Though we may have the budget, it’s not worth it. Okay, the first birthday is okay if we really have the means. If we’re thinking to give the best present, we’d rather put the money in an investment for the kids.

5. Fancy cake every month

We spent a minimum of AED150 for a fancy decorated cake to celebrate the first monthly milestones of our baby.

Lesson: You can celebrate without a costly cake. With our second child, the wife happily chose to bake her own simple home-made ref cake or sometimes kutsinta, and it’s equally fun.

6. Bought a used car without proper inspection

As a new driver, I had fears I might not be able to drive really well and might just damage the car in the beginning – so I bought a used car – a Mazda 3 for AED14,000 only. Well, you guessed it right, I spent much more on repairs and maintenance – about AED20,000+. Apparently, I learned from the service center that the car was used for rental services for a long time. After a year, the car is dead. Good that someone still bought it – for scrap for a measly AED4,000.

Lesson: Buy new – you won’t have a headache. Arrange a monthly installment that fits your cash flow.  If you really had to buy used ones, be extra diligent. Don’t just take it to Tasjeel for basic inspection. Pay for a comprehensive inspection and they will go deeper into checking the car history.

And ask around. Take advice from the experts among your circle.

We all commit big and small money mistakes, to each his own. Pick up the lessons, live with wisdom, and do better the next time.

Ways to spend less and still feel good about life

Ion
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Ways to spend less and still feel good about life

Lemme tell you a secret – I’ve been wearing a non-working watch for a year now – and nobody bats an eye about it.

That’s just one of the things where I choose not to spend (more) and yet, lose nothing. There are some things I can afford to compromise in order to achieve a little goal.

Here are the areas where I decided to spend less and still get more or equal satisfaction.

Haircut

Lately, I go to the nearby Indian barbershop and pay only AED15 for a haircut, instead of going to a fancy salon which can cost up to AED100 per cut. I still look good, says the wife.

Physiotherapy, not spa

I use my medical insurance and go to a Physiotherapy in a Chinese treatment center when needed, instead of going to a costly spa. I don’t pay a single penny.

Check your medical insurance coverage – usually, physiotherapy and other similar treatment are covered here in the UAE.

No car upgrade

I’ve been driving the same saloon car for 6 years now, and still got no plans to buy a new one. It’s still in good condition, and can still fit everyone in the family. As long as it still brings us to places, I’m better off without any monthly car loan to pay again.

Budget scent

I don’t use signature perfumes that cost above AED100. I use Bench Eight or Atlantis, which only cost AED15 – and that’s good for 2 months already.

Only do grocery on a full tummy

If you are hungry, there’s a huge chance you’ll grab more food items than you need. Psychology has something to do with reducing the hunger with what looks good in the eye.

Do car wash at mall parking lots

In Dubai, we cannot just wash our cars in our apartment parking or in the streets. We have to take it to a car wash shop or at petrol stations (costs AED45). Malls and stand-alone supermarkets have designated car wash boys in the parking lots. I’m lucky to find the cheapest of them all at Lulu Village for just AED11 per wash – and it’s good.

Home-made latte

I recently learned how to make a latte at home (Just a cup of boiling fresh milk and a spoonful of espresso). From then on, I didn’t have to buy one from cafes every time the caffeine rush kicks in. Bringing a good coffee tumbler to the office is also a good way to cut the spend, especially if you already got accustomed to having a paper cup on the hand every morning.

Direct remit through online banking

Instead of remitting via money exchanges, check your bank if there’s a convenient option to do international bank transfers instead. Emirates NBD has a really efficient one. I don’t pay remittance fees at all.

Order food from Zomato

When needed, I order food via Zomato, Talabat, or any other food delivery apps. Most of the time, these apps got really good offers (up to 50% off) – something you won’t get when you call the restaurants directly.

Baon (packed-lunch) all the way

Nothing beats a home-made baon for work lunch. It makes a huge difference on savings, and on health.

No TV, no Netflix

Not sure if it’s the age but, fun for me is being with the family – playing board games with your kid, going to the playground – doing a blog with them; or playing outdoor sports, reading books, writing. And for someone who has a business to manage, Netflix is the least on my list.

Reduce data plan

If you have wifi at home and at work, you may want to rethink your data subscription. You may also want to switch to no-contract data packages like Virgin Mobile in which you can subscribe based on your needs and you can unsubscribe anytime.

No drink, no smoke

I don’t drink alcohol, not even soft drinks. If I do, very very occasionally (like once every 2 years). So I don’t spend about AED10 a day on cigarettes.

No phone upgrades

I watch out for the next mobile phone releases in the market, not because I’m buying it, but because I’m excited to find out what new experience they got – that’s what I do for work.

…

You see, I’m rich in frugal ways. For me, money not spent is money gained. And money gained is money to be invested.

These things work for me. It may not work for you, especially with the type of work you do, or your lifestyle. I’m the type of person who’d rather spend on experiences rather than material. And, all the above decisions are driven by priority and purpose. If you know your priority, you’ll know exactly where to cut costs.

By doing so, I can afford to attend seminars (Money Talks is happening next month), invest in online businesses, watch concerts, or have latte outside from time to time. 😉

These are not measures to live a stiff lifestyle. These are ideas to spend less in typically costly areas of purchasing. Most of our purchasing habits are driven by commercials. Maybe I’m just someone who doesn’t really buy them.

Despite these measures, I’m happy and contented. My joy is not dependent on things.

Find your own comfort while not compromising your convenience. As long as your needs are met, check which areas you can afford to live for less.

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Photo credit

How to prevent kids from being exposed to Momo?

Ion
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You must have heard already about the newest evil craze online. Parents, we must act quick to prevent our kids from being exposed to it, so here are quick ways we could prevent it from happening:

1. Do not search about this app or game on your phone

If you google it or search videos on Youtube, you are just helping the algorithm to push and list these contents on the related videos.

2. Educate them that Momo CHALLENGE is not MOMOLAND

Younger kids may have a tendency to click it thinking that it has something to do with their favorite girl group. Tell them what it really is. Let them understand that as they grow, they will encounter similar stories – just as we we have encountered creepy urban legends when we were young.

3. Report videos

In case you stumble on these videos on Youtube, report it immediately. This will help reduce the number of similar videos that show up on your “Up next” list. Click here to learn how to report videos.

4. No Youtube (or digital games) for now

Talk to them about the current situation. Let them understand about the preventive measure you’re doing and the risks that you’re avoiding to happen to them. Do something as a replacement, which leads me to the next point…

5. Play with them even more

If your kids have developed attachment to Youtube, you need to fill the time that you’re taking them away from it. Take them to the nearest park and playground. Play board games. I’ve been buying lots of board games and activity games. You can find some from Babyshop for as low as AED20 only.

Discover what they are interested about. Maybe storybooks, maybe some little chores in the household. Involve them in it.

We cannot be with our kids all the time, especially when they go to school. So spend more time with them, talk to them a lot – A LOT! Get into details of their typical day (but not in an intrusive way). It will help in establishing your authority even stronger. Even if they heard something from their peers, your words will be their foundation – you alone are their authority. 

The world is calling us parents.
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Chowking involved in one ‘hearty attack’

Ion
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I was at work, she’s at home.

Chowking heeded my request as I ordered lunch for the wife thru Zomato.

At the checkout, in the ‘Special cooking instructions,” I requested Chowking to “add some cheese” in the delivery. This is what I asked them to do:

Instead of a cooking instruction, I tried to ask for something that won’t cost them much – and, something that is “great if you do, okay if not.”

To my surprise, they did! (But without the rose – of course that will cost extra 😛  – although I’m willing to pay).

Look at how they’ve written the message all over:

I’m not sure if it’s my lucky day that the attendant could also be filled with love.

And doing it for the second time still brought her some surprise…

She was delighted and felt so loved that day. She told me I should have not ordered dessert because this whole thing is loaded with sweetness already.

Guys (and girls), these petty cheesy little stuffs do wonders. Be creative and think non-traditional – and free. Love don’t cost a thing.

Always try to do something new for your partner every now and then. It’s healthy for the relationship. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of making ordinary things, extraordinary.

Chowking, thank you for being my accomplice. Stay cheesy! (Can I try the rose next time?)

–
CTTO * Main photo source

How I dispute a parking fine with RTA

Ion
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How I dispute a parking fine with RTA

I always use mobile parking for its convenience and I’m diligent about it 99% of the time. Last week, I got fined. So when I got the notification, I checked my phone right away to look for the confirmation SMS.

I sent an mParking SMS at 9:43AM, and the timestamp in the issued ticket was also 9:43AM. I double-checked on RTA website, and yes indeed, the fine is recorded 9:43AM.

Knowing that RTA is active on Twitter, I mentioned them in a tweet asking how the case could be resolved.

Here’s how the conversation transpired:

Their response:

Then the private chat followed:

Before the day ended, they sent a message that the case was filed accordingly, giving me a feeling of assurance that this matter will be thoroughly looked into.

An SMS was also sent:

After 2 working days, I got a call from RTA. The phone rep apologized for the inconvenience they caused and added that the fine is now removed from their record. It was a sweet short talk.

A few seconds after, I got this SMS.

I think this is golden customer care. They replied in no time on Twitter; politely asked me the right questions; forwarded the inquiry to the concerned department. And they gave me updates as they happen – on Twitter, SMS, and call. I was not left worrying wondering. I feel premium.

And to further sweeten the experience, they apologized sincerely on the phone call and on SMS. I love how these channels are connected.

What happened in the parking could just be a 1 in 10000 cases. I left the car, the inspector came. It might have been a matter of a few seconds gap.

Nevertheless, RTA apologized for the “inconvenience.” Thank you so much and I really appreciate the action done.

Both parties win.

—

If you’ll have a similar situation in the future, don’t hesitate to politely contact RTA via social media (or other channels) as they are very responsive and considerate. They have a dedicated department that looks into disputes like this.

RTA, keep upholding this great customer experience.

How efficient is the Philippine Consulate WhatsApp contact?

Ion
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The Philippine Consulate General announced its WhatsApp contact number last week, in an effort to be more accessible to Filipinos in Dubai and Northern Emirates. This commendable move aims to address larger number of inquiries in a quicker manner.

The number, 056 417 7558, can be reached during working hours only – Sunday to Thursday, 8AM to 5PM, except during legal holidays (not sure if both UAE and Philippine holidays 😛 ). Inquiries received outside these hours will be answered the next working day.

It’s not a secret that many are not pleased with how phone calls are not being attended properly by the office. The hotline is always busy. So I tried to contact PCG via this new channel to find out how efficient they would be – very timely because I had an issue in viewing the appointment scheduler online.

Here’s what happened:

I sent my message 4:41 in the afternoon and got a reply only after sending a follow-up message 2:20PM the next day. I also only got a screenshot from them, without any hi or hello. I understand. The agent must be dealing with mountains of inquiries by that time. Still, he managed to do the check for me to show me the calendar. Love it.

I inquired again on another day and got a prompt response.

For me, this is efficient. Exactly what we need. This initiative further solidifies how the consulate knows where to play.

For my kababayans, if you didn’t get a quick reply, understand that there are a lot of other inquiries they are attending to. Just make a gentle follow-up. You’ll never know how more important the other messages are. If you have a really urgent matter, don’t WhatsApp. Don’t even call. Just go straight to the consulate office, and if it’s really urgent, for sure you will be addressed.

Also, kabayan, let’s observe proper communication etiquette and remain calm at all times please, regardless how people treat you on the other side. It’s about your character, not them, or whosoever.

And to the WhatsApp rep of PCG, as a digital experience professional, allow me to give some piece of advice, try to learn from what KHDA does on Twitter or even our very own MMDA‘s tweets. They are conversational and witty even though they’re talking about serious matters. You don’t have to crack jokes, just add a little element of fun.

But anyway, this is great already. Whoever you are behind this WhatsApp account keep up the great work!

ConGen Paul Raymund Cortes and your team, Mabuhay po kayo! full-width

What a restaurant did with a delayed food delivery

Ion
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What a restaurant did with a delayed food delivery

A little proactive decision makes up for an impending customer dissatisfaction

Zomato has an ongoing 50% off No Cooking Week promo and I found Wing Stop on the list. I ordered one item – 8 Wings Combo with mixed flavor of garlic parmesan and mango habanero – paid only AED 20 + delivery charge.

I love the proactive way Carlo from Wing Stop handled my order. Fifteen minutes before the expected arrival of delivery (1:15PM), he called me to apologize and advise of the impending half-hour delay.

Carlo, as he continued talking, offered to make up for it by adding 10 extra wings on them, with their best-selling flavor Louisiana.

Why not? He didn’t give me a chance to even question the delay; offered the complimentary item right away. And… and, that’s more than 100% of what I ordered too.

On top of this, as the order gets extra delayed, Zomato offered some few bucks of credit I can use for my next order. This is not the first time Zomato gave me credits to compensate for delayed deliveries.

I wish it didn’t have to be extra delayed though. We received the order 2:08. But still, well played, Wing Stop and Zomato. Thank you.

Customer care got wings!

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