On Taxes and Retirement + Some Financial Tips

I am not an accountant and I don't know much about taxes. I'm lucky that our HR department is the one in-charge with paying of our taxes.

Usually, we just receive our Income Tax Return on the first quarter of the year. Actually, I am not too concern about how much I paid and all I know is as a professional I am required to pay a 12% tax. Please correct me if I'm wrong but that's what I know right now.

When I was a new employee, I was surprised with how much the tax being deducted from my salary. But as the months and years goes by, I got used to it. Until I got married and is now entitled to an exemption. An exemption that I don't actually feel there is. Do you agree?

Well of course I want to learn more about taxes and also some tax tips when I'll retire. Speaking of retirement, did I already told you that Daddy and I are planning to have an early retirement?

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Online Retail Lazada Eyes Rapid Growth

As more and more people are engaging into online shopping, there are more and more online shops and retail sites emerging. And today let me share this great news about our favorite, Lazada, which is rapidly growing as one of the leading e-commerce retailer in Southeast Asia.

From the Press Release Kit:

In just two years, Lazada has rapidly established itself as the number one e-commerce retailer in Southeast Asia.  The Company has brought the convenience of Internet shopping to customers across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Lazada’s growth has been exponential, driven by its unique offering as an online shopping mall, which understands the differing needs of consumers across a diverse region. The company has also tapped into the growing trend for consumers in Southeast Asia to shop online, particularly in rural areas where there are few physical retail stores.

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Monday Inspiration: What You Have Become

Hello guys! How's your Monday so far? If you'lla ask mine, I would say toxic. But that will not be a reason for me to enjoy my birthday week. Yep, in less than two days, another year will add up to my age =)

Anyway, before anything else let me share this inspirational quote to you.

Monday Inspirational Quote

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I'm Back + School Baon Tips

Hello guys! I have been so busy with work since Monday plus my PC at work is not functioning well. Hang kung hang lang ang peg, kaloka! Anyway, what's important is that I am back (and I hope so I am really back).

The truth is, there are times I am thinking of closing this blog. I just don't know why but I feel that I am not helping you enough. Feeling ko I am just sharing the same things over and over again, but I know you will say that it's my right since this is my blog. But I realize, I have duties too like sharing something that will be useful to you.

So, para naman di ako maguilty I decided to just blog whenever I like it and share things and stories that you can learn something about. Today, I blog because I like to share some useful tips I have learned from Matt's summer class. Yes, he's already going to school since April 7 and I am proud to say he's doing great.

Because that schooling took us by surprise, we were not ready for Matt's baon to school. Remember when I post about bento wishlist? Sad to say, I haven't bought bento tools yet. Same excuse, I forgot because I am too busy with so many things. Good thing, I observed that Matt is not yet ready for that kind of baon to school. Here are what I have learned and some tips that I can share with you.

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Apple Cider Vinegar as Natural Facial Toner

If you are looking for a natural facial toner, I'll share with you what we have already tried for weeks now. 

Few weeks back, I was looking for a DIY natural facial toner. This is because we are having a hard time looking for the brands we are using in the market. Since I am having pimple breakout again and I am not hiyang with other brands of toner, I searched for natural home remedies for acne and pimples. Lucky to find the apple cider vinegar facial toner.

At first I was hesitant to buy apple cider vinegar because I know it's expensive here. But as I browse more about it and found out that apple cider vinegar has so many health benefits, I immediately ask Daddy to come with me and buy one. Luckily, we found one at Savemore near our place.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Before I go on, you must buy the right apple cider vinegar that is organic, raw or unfiltered and with the 'Mother". The 'Mother' is a ball of living enzymes that floats in the apple cider vinegar. As you can see in the photo above, the vinegar is not clear as evidence that it has full of 'Mother' and other nutrients.

Now, here's how to make an apple cider vinegar facial toner.

That easy right? You can use this after washing your face in the morning and at night. Just apply on your face using a cotton ball like your ordinary facial toner. And of course don't forget to moisturize your face few minutes after using it. Store the apple cider vinegar facial toner at room temperature.

Now, if you ask me our experience I would say great. We are using the 1:2 concentration. Daddy made 100-ml of the ACV facial toner and we have finished that bottle just last night. I had this pimple that never go away and after just few days of using it, that stubborn pimple became smaller until it dried up and finally gone. I can see the other pimple marks are slowly fading. It can even make the pores tighter. Great right?

Also, a bottle of Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar costs Php157.00 only (upadte: a bottle now cost around Php 219.00) and that's 437ml already. You can save a lot plus it's all natural just water the ACV!

But I have to warn you about the smell though it will go away as it dries up. Matt will tell me I smell like chili because he associates chili with vinegar his Daddy is making =)

Next time I will share the other benefits of apple cider vinegar and I am so sure you will never look at apple cider vinegar the same way again.

Have a Blessed Holy Week everyone!

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Matthew's First Week at School

Hello everyone! At long last I am able to blog again. I was supposed to blog last Saturday but since I am finishing a document review, I failed to do so. Anyway, better late than never no? So here it goes...

As I have mentioned in my last post, Matt is attending the summer class already since April 7. We were actually unprepared because of the late advice we have received which was only on Saturday night. So we rushed to buy Matt new writing pads, pencils and crayons. We didn't bought much yet and he's using his McQueen bag pack for now. We will buy his school things on May.

Now, what do you think how I feel? I took an emergency leave, the hell I care about my deadlines on that day. I need to be there to see my son's first day in school. I have mixed emotions and I am worrying about how Matt will behave in school. I know he's a smart boy but I don't trust him enough to behave well at school. But before I go on, let me share some photos of him.

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A Little Update + Mini Thank You Giveaway Winners

Do you missed me? Hehe. I know I am MIA for more than a week now. A lot of things happened that keeps me so busy. I am doing a lot of document review and editing, and until now I am not done yet. I am busy with our online business too. 

May last two weeks are so stressful. To just give you a little update, Matt is attending his summer class already. As usual, I am the super worried mom. I have no doubt about Matt's learning capability, I am more afraid of his behavior. Thankfully, his doing great and little by little he's learning to socialize with his classmates and to follow his teacher's instructions. I can't wait to blog more about it real soon.

As much as I want to tell more stories, I need to go back to work and finish checking more than 10 reports today. So I will just announce the two lucky winners of our Mini Thank You Giveaway.

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