How to manage your 13th month pay♥

source: Google.com

Many of us have been waiting for this... some may have received this already but according to the law, 13th month pay must be given to employees on or before December 24 each year.  A little explanation about the 13th month pay : "Under the law, 13th month pay shall not be less than 1/12 of the total basic salary earned by an employee within the calendar year."  

So how do we wisely spend our 13th month pay?  Please don't let your 13th month pay go to waste and be a "one day millionaire"  and spend everything.

Based on our experience during this pandemic if you don't have savings or emergency fund where can you get the money to pay your bills and buy your daily needs.  

Here are my suggestions on how you will handle your 13th month pay or if your company provides year-end or Christmas bonus.

1. Pay off your debt - You don't have to pay it in full, but at least paying part of it lessens your burden, and this will lead to financial freedom in the future.
2. Set up an Emergency Fund - I have already wrote a blog on this topic, on how to set up an emergency fund : just click on the link.
3. Open or start a small business - If you love cooking or baking you may start selling to your family and friends.  If you are into crafts, arts and etc.  there are a lot of things that you can sell especially now online selling is very "in" nowadays.  There are a lot of opportunities all you need to have is "sipag at tiyaga".  Based on my experience I have been in the online business world for 10 years and it's not a a walk in the park, but it's worth it.  Because all your hardships will pay off.  I remember going to Divisoria to buy ribbons and beads for the bracelets and headbands that I make when I was starting.
4. Start Investing - I have also discussed this on my previous posts, there are a lot of investments being offered out there where you can earn passive income.  But remember invest only on reputable banks, investment companies and etc.  As for me I have investments in Pag-ibig MP2, SSS Peso fund, GInvest and BPI, it's not a huge amount but at least I have started already.
5. Open a Savings account - That is if you still don't have one.  Please note that this is different from your Emergency fund.  For me having a savings account is like building your retirement fund also.  You can save P500.00 every pay day so in a year you will be able to save P12,000.00.  If you are 40 years old when you turn 60 you will have P240,000.00 (P12,000.00 x 20 years) exclusive of the interest that your deposit will earn from the bank.  

If you still have excess money you can get the smartphone or the branded bag or shoes that you have been meaning to get as a gift to yourself.  It is not wrong to indulge sometimes, but make sure that you have already saved something for the rainy days...

Another thing if you have extra funds - Donate to Charity.  

xo,

Chiq♥

Benefits of having a grocery list♥

For years, I am guilty of going to the grocery store or supermarket without a list.  Just recently I realized that I should have one every time I go shopping..

Having a grocery list helps you avoid buying things that you don't necessarily need.  It's either you have them already in your pantry or you don't really need them.  During the pandemic I bought a lot of things (by impulse or panic), then went grocery shopping every month or every two weeks without checking the pantry.  So the end result: I threw away a lot expired items, which is really a waste of money. 

From that time on, I always inventory check our pantry and make a list of the things I need to buy.  This practically help me save money.  And helped me set a budget for my monthly grocery. 

I feel more organized since the time I started making a shopping list.  And I am completely aware what's in our pantry and fridge.  If I need to replenish or buy again.

Aside from the money saved, it also help me save time and energy: like running back and forth to the grocery because you forgot to buy an ingredient for the food that you are going to prepare.

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There you have it!  So the next time you are planning a trip to your favorite supermarket, don't forget to take your grocery list with you.  It will surely save you money, time, effort and energy.

xo,

Chiq♥

Review: Reliq Mineral Dog Shampoo♥

source: Reliq Philippines

When I got Mochi last year, aside from what dog food I should give him.  I am also in the hunt of what shampoo and home grooming products.  Of course, who wants a smelly dog?  But aside from a good smelling shampoo one thing that I really consider in choosing the product is - it should be made from natural ingredients and free from toxic chemicals that may harm my dog.  I have tried a three shampoos and colognes, until Mochi had his first grooming at Mr.Paws.  

Mr. Paws used Reliq Mineral SPA Shampoo (Green Tea) on him... Who doesn't like going to a SPA for pampering?  After his SPAw sesh at Mr. Paws his fur was so fluffy, soft and he really smelled good.  When we got home Mochi was so relaxed and slept longer than usual.  (I told myself he must really enjoyed his grooming day).  Based on my experience Mochi smelled good and it lasted for a week, not too strong but you can still smell the hint of green tea on his fur and his coat was still so soft and fluffy.  And I can't help sniffing him every time I carry him.  So that pushed me to buy the product. (And him having a furry god mum who is a shampoo addict).

It's quite a "budol"  because I bought a couple of their products: Mineral Spa Shampoo in Lavender  500ml (it was actually my favorite personal scent in the world), Lavender Odor Eliminator, Reliq Botanical mist in Green tea and Mineral Therapy Paw Spa (to keep his paws soft).  Pricey yes a bit, but anything safe for my Mochi.

Aside from his trips to Mr. Paws, he enjoys his weekly SPAw at home and I use Reliq products on him.  Just recently, I bought another Mineral SPA Shampoo 500ml in Green tea even though I still have the Lavender shampoo.  All scents are equally good but each scent have different benefits : Green Tea, Jasmine, Lavender, Pomegranate and Rosemary.  So one of these days I am planning to buy the 50ml  pouches to try those scents at home.

Overall, Reliq is an amazing product, I really find it best for my dog...  and I highly recommend it!

I give it ♥♥♥♥♥!

Tidbits: When I checked the Reliq website they already have new shampoo variants the Cherry Blossom and Coconut.  I hope these will be available here in the Philippines soon...

https://www.reliqpet.com/

Extras:

This November Labskypetsupplies.ph the official and authorized distributor of Reliq products here in the Philippines celebrates its 2nd year.  To celebrate this milestone they are giving 20% OFF on all Reliq and Howlpot products exclusively at their website : https://labskypetsupplies.ph/ in collaboration with Royal White Duo.

They also featured Mochi in one of their posts on Instagram...

Thank you very much Labskypetsupplies... even without the feature I really love Reliq♥.  (Mochi loves it too!) 

xo,

Chiq♥

***This is not a sponsored post.

   

My Alice + Olivia Collection♥

Before I start this I just want you all to know that I am not sharing this to brag... each and everyone of us have our own favorites and we love collecting things that we love from stamps, coins, stationeries and etc.  As for me aside from Alice + Olivia, I also collect Hello kitty, Starbucks planners, Mugs and etc.  But for now I will be sharing with you my AO collection.  Actually most of them are from their collaboration with Starbucks.  I hope you will like them too. :)

A little background on Alice and Olivia, it's a New York based contemporary clothing company owned by Stacey Benet (its founder and designer) it was launched in Barneys in 2002.  

What made me like this brand?  The iconic Stace face really caught my attention.  The girl face wearing extra large sunnies in black with red lips is super love.

This is my very first Alice + Olivia tote that started it all.  It's their collaboration with Starbucks in 2017.  I bought this from a reseller because this was sold out right away in stores.

stainless tumbler

This SB x AO thermos was released in Thailand, and I also bought it online from a reseller on Instagram.

The following year (2018) they collaborated again with Starbucks and this time I got a couple of merchs, from double wall mug, tumbler and of course the tote.  What I love about this collection is the color - Pink!♥

mascara & lipstick

In 2019, Maybelline released it's collaboration with Alice + Olivia exclusively in the Asia.  I got the limited edition mascara and lippy.

face mask and the 2018 tote

Then the pandemic came... AO released their own signature face masks with Stace face design...

This year 2021 as of this writing, there are a two of Alice + Olivia collaborations.   One is with Casetify which was released last January.  I bought two (2) iPhone cases, in classic Stace face and the new Rainbow faces;

 

iPhone cases for 8 and XS

and two - their 2021 collaboration with Starbucks was released this month (October).  I used all my powers to get the items that I really wanted from the tote, tumbler, mug, straw with holder, leather coaster and they also released exclusive online merchs which I got from Lazada (coin purse and stainless tumbler).

Tote, Stainless tumbler, mug & double wall mug with lid

stainless tumbler - rainbow face design

Leather coaster & straw holder

Online exclusives : Coin purse / Stainless tumbler

I love collecting things that I can really use.  Some of them I bought extras especially the tote, tumblers.  That is why I am hoping that they will bring back collaboration with Casetify.  Hoping that there will be more AO collabs in the future.

Hope you like my collection...

xo,

Chiq♥