Travel Tips

I have traveled so many times since I was a kid. I thought that a summer wasn't complete when there's no vacation. And when I got older, and able to earn my own money, I didn't realize until later that I traveled every month for 1 year haha

So what did I learn from all these traveling? Let me share this with you:

1. Don't forget your valid documents and money
Tickets - double check the time, date and even the terminal number (I know someone who got lost because of the terminal number)

Passport - make sure that your passport is valid for 6 months from the date the trip ends. If renewing it takes too long (usually a month), ask for an extension instead from DFA, which is processed much faster (I learned this the hard way, and wasn't allowed to board! I was left while my family was in KL.) Also for security purposes, photocopy the first 2 pages of your passport (or in my case, I just take a picture and upload it to my Dropbox online), in case anything happens, you have a copy of your passport.

Visa - make sure that you give appropriate time for your visa application, a friend told me a month is usually enough. (Besides if the application took more than 1 month, then they'll probably deny you.) Ask around how fast the processing takes, because sometimes if you applied to early (usually if you brought the tickets 6 months in advance due to promo fares), the visa will already expire by the time your ticket is already valid (my friend learned this the hard way, when she was so excited and applied too early for a Korean visa)

Money - personally, I just bring a couple of hundred USD. This is because I just use my BPI and Metrobank ATM internationally. (Make sure to call ahead of time to tell them that you plan to use them abroad.) From experience, Metrobank charges a smaller fee (actually, they didn't charge me using this certain ATM in Bangkok) compared to BPI back here at home. The exchange rate is generally fair with banks, and this is more convenient and secure for me as well, because I don't want to carry too much cash. International ATM may or may not charge you (they usually ask before the transaction), as well as local fees apply (usually 1-2 USD), so make sure to make as few withdrawals as possible for the whole trip. (When we were in Europe for 3 weeks, I only withdrew 2x.)

Credit Cards - I usually have 1 or 2 international credit cards, for emergencies. When I was in Turkey for a stop-over, I just charged my meal to my credit card instead of withdrawing money. For me, my favorite is HSBC Platinum which accumulates more points when used internationally as compared to my Citibank Rewards.

2. Travel lite
A lot of people takes hours to pack. Okay, I was one of those people, but eventually I learned how to pack efficiently.

Clothes - the bulk of it usually contains clothes. Know the itinerary so you can plan ahead. Generally, number of days = number of underwear = number of shirts. I just repeat some of my pants or shorts especially when the trip is too long. Or if it's really long, like 3 weeks, generally number of days = 1/2 number of underwear = 1/2 number of shirts and I will just do laundry while traveling. I also have those flanella-like Towelite that dries quickly and not bulky, which can also double as a blanket if needed. I always bring a jacket because sometimes it's the airplane that's very cold. If you have versatile clothes, that has many styles or uses or with reversible designs, I usually bring those. (For example, rashguards can be used during water activities as well as climbing during rainy weather. Or this loose top would look great with my bathing suit as well as with my shorts. You get the idea.)

Also, while packing, read up on the temperature and the weather of the country you're visiting. Every country has a different season for summer, and pack appropriately.

Take note of the culture and practices of the country you're visiting, as countries in the Middle East and attending temples in India, Thailand, and Cambodia generally have a dress code that we should respect as travelers.

Shoes - generally, I wear my bulkiest shoes (usually rubber shoes but this depends on the itinerary; my sister wore her heels), then pack my rubber slippers. If you want to bring another shoe, that's fine if you're sure you're going to use it. (Remember, you're bringing it yourself.) I still try to bring my versatile footwear, like my waterproof sandals for walking, trekking, river-rafting, etc.

Toiletries - if you're staying at a hotel, then good for you, because you have the option of not bringing much. Otherwise, remember sachets! There's shampoo, conditioners, deodorant, toothpaste, lotions, foundations, etc. They are light and neat, and you can throw them away after use.
Okay, not so good for the environment; if you want a more environmental plan, just transfer them into travel-size toiletry bottles available in Watson's.
Also, make sure to put them in a plastic vacuum-sealed bag, so in case they spill, it won't go to your clothes and other items. While the clothes are the bulk, toiletries can also weight a lot if not packed right. (I know of someone who packed too heavy, because of the toiletries!)

Electronics - if you're not going to use your laptop, why are you going to bring it? For me, my smartphone already works as a phone, computer, camera, music player, etc. Generally, I just bring my charger, and that's about it. But if you're a photographer, make sure to just bring the necessities. (When I was in Korea for 10 days, I made sure to use all the lenses I brought.)

And yes, when you go to a different country, take note of the voltage. Or just bring a universal travel adaptor.

When you're sharing your room with others, it's also better to bring an octopus-like adaptor because sometimes a lot of you needs to charge something and the outlets are only few. There are adaptors that are very slim and lightweight, bring those. (Please, don't bring an actual octopus because they are bulky.)


To be continued...

Money Habits

When you'd asked my sisters, who is the cheapest of us all, I'm pretty sure they'd point me out haha
I'm just a simple girl! Haha But I spend my money on investments and travel, usually. I'm not into gadgets much, and I don't believe I'm also into clothes or shoe shopping. If ever, I can be addicted to online shopping instead haha

Anyway, how does one really become rich?

1. Living below your means
This is the problem with most Filipinos. Once they get their salary, it's time to celebrate and tada, the money flies! Or just because you get promoted, it doesn't mean that you have higher budget for spending too. If you can live simply before getting promoted, why do you have to change your lifestyle?

2. Keep a cash flow
When I was in grade 6, I started working for summer jobs for my parents. And they were real jobs, desk jobs like accounting and secretarial work (I had always been good with computers, typing and numbers) and physical jobs like being a gasoline girl (Okay, I was a bit older, like maybe 16? Haha). That's when I started listing down my salary, and where they go. After that summer, I continued to list my expenses and my allowances. (I had a cute organizer back then so I remembered using it a lot. After that, well, I kind of drifted off for a while and went back to being a kid.)

But when I started working again, I had to make a cash flow of my salary and expenses and where my income is going. I had to make sure I have a positive balance every month. This will enable you to figure out your budget.

3. Be disciplined and stick to your budget!
From your cash flow, you can see your needs and wants. It's better this way to figure out your budget every month. There are so many ways to budget. My budget when I was in high school up to med school were more of a cash flow and just generally living within my means. I learned to be more organized as I grew and learn.

There is the 10/10/80, which was taught by Bo Sanchez. It means once you get your net salary, you can allot 10% in tithes, 10% investments, and 80% daily living. Why do you need tithes? Because it was God who put you here, give you your talents and your job, and a measly 10% would only be small to repay for God, right? Besides, whatever comes around, goes around; good karma, etc. The other 10% is like paying for your future self, invest in yourself by putting your money in a mutual fund or IUTF or the stock market. The rest of your salary, you can spend on yourself.

Of course, you can always do better than that and just do 10/40/50 if you're single, not supporting anyone, living with parents, and doesn't have much needs for expenses.

For me, I currently use the JARS system. I have the following categories, and divide them accordingly:
10% Tithe - include donations to church and charity organizations
25% Investment - includes IUTF, Mutual Funds, Stocks
10% Work - includes transportation, food
10% Social - includes dating, meeting up with friends, sports/activity/movie
10% Personal - includes my cellphone, spa, medical and dental needs
10% Education - includes tuition, food
10% Shopping - includes grocery shopping, clothes, shoes, electrical needs
10% Travel - because everyone needs a break once in a while
5% Misc - because there are just somethings that don't fit in the other categories like unaccounted loss/gain, back charges

Up until recently, when I became a part-time student did I realize I need that category, because tuition would eat up a huge part of my budget, if I didn't prepare for it well.

Of course, budgeting is very flexible and it of course depends on you. Though the 10/10/80 might be simpler. Just remember to have a budget and stick to it.

4. Time is your friend
Some people don't realize that time is also money. That when you're wasting time, you're also wasting money. Invest and make time your ally.

Investing doesn't have to cost much. You just need to deposit even PhP 500 every month and eventually, it will increase through the power of compound interest. Watch about it in YouTube Pesos and Sense when they compared investing early and small, as compared to investing later, but bigger. You'll see that the earlier investor actually gained more!

Also, I'm not a big fan of the television (except the news), or idle time in the computer (okay, I'm guilty of Facebook). As much as possible, read and learn! Improve yourself. Do you want to fix your finances? Learn about finance, read up on the different IUTF and mutual funds. Learn about the stock market and forex. Read about the risks in properties. Look into more passive investments!

I learned another time-saving technique. When traveling, instead of listening to music, try listening to an audiobook instead. It will grow your mind, inspire you, and educate you.

5. Don't spend money you don't have. Avoid loans.
Try not to get into the habit of borrowing money from people, telling them that you'll pay them on payday. Sometimes, it will all compile and by the time that it's payday, you're already broke! Have the discipline not to spend on your wants. Aim yourself to maintain a positive balance every month.

6. Pay your credit cards on time and in full.
Credit cards make money by the charges that you incur with penalties, which increase and multiply because of compound interest. So make sure that before you swipe that card, make sure that you have enough money in your account to pay for it. Don't even wait for the deadline to pay, you can pay earlier just to make sure you don't incur any late charges. (I set my alarm 5 days before the actual due date.) Don't also use the Cash Advance or Loans because the charge is also higher.

If you know how to use your credit cards wisely, you can actually use them to get freebies and discounts to some restaurants. (My mother is a big fan of these because she uses her credit card for the business and gets freebies in many restaurants.) You can also exchange points accumulated for gift certificates and rewards. (Maybe next time, I will write on my credit cards.)

7. Keep yourself secure.
Of course, this all sounds so good on paper when you don't have people to help, medical bills, or already in debt. Hence, before investing, make sure that you have an emergency fund, and a personal insurance for yourself.

In your budget, instead of invest, replace it with Loans so you can finish paying your loan first. Once that is replaced, save for your emergency fund of at least 3-6 months worth of living expenses (in case you ran out of work).

Once you have an emergency fund, it's also better to have a personal health and life insurance for yourself, so in case anything happens to you, you don't have to dig into your investment accounts. The insurance will take care of it for you. (Personally, I have Kaiser, which has a health and life insurance with investment component. In case that I don't become sick or die, I can still claim my money at 65 years old... Though by that time, I think I just want to continue my health and life insurance, right? I think it's a good buy. Currently, it's accredited in World Citi (which is near our house), St. Luke's and Makati Med.

8. Stop those impulse spending. 
If you can still use your old phone, why would you buy something new. If your laptop is still working, do you really need a tablet? In this world of technology, it's so important to live simply and let go of those materialistic impulses.

If you really want to be frugal, when going inside a restaurant, think about the food that you will order. If a meal costs PhP 300, when you know that it's only going to satisfy your hunger for 3-4 hours then it will just disappear, is it worth it? (Well, that's really cheap-thinking hehe Because I know that there is quality food, but would you want to spend PhP 300 every time when you know that in some other restaurant, it can also keep you satisfied for less than PhP 100?) When my sister and I were out shopping, she told me that she would buy clothes/shoes/whatever instead of lunch because the value of her clothes will last longer than a few hours in her stomach.

Hmm... that's it for now. I'm getting hungry. I still have to cook my dinner.
Remember, read and educate yourself; time and discipline are keys to getting rich!