A WORKING MOM'S PEN HAVEN

I got invited by people from Vista Residences to talk about Investing Tips for Millleneals.  This will happen on Dec 1 via their Official facebook account.  Please see here to registration link. https://www.vistaresidences.com.ph/  https://www.facebook.com/VistaResidencesOfficial/posts/3825522130801187 As I was mulling over the topic for my talk, I needed to do some research on this generation which has been misjudged and misunderstood by the older gen, including mine (Gen X).  But as I conclude my deck, I realized that every generation has gone through that stage in life where self-realization is a foremost need.  Sometimes more than financial stability, the need to find the self is I think one of the most important ideals for the said Gen Y.  This is evidenced by its high level of patronage of travel promos and DIY get away trips by most of the middle class even those belonging to the lower middle class.  I remember one of my staff in the office tel...

Investing in real estate (condo and house and lot) in the time of COVID As a real estate researcher, I've read and navigated through a lot of information and data to analyze and provide insights to our company leaders about industry trends.  Off work, many of my friends also ask me for advise when it comes to decisions about real estate.  To buy or not to buy this property, to sell or not to sell at this price, to rent out long or short term, house and lot or condo , and other related queries about what to do with their money and property.  I almost always suggest to keep it simple and logical.  If it does not add up and you have an inch of a doubt about it, then don't do it.  However, there are also signals that should not be ignored.  This is especially true in periods when demand presets supply.  The worst case scenario for a buyer/investor is to see a property be sold out just when you've decided to buy it and then see it a...

My daughter "Banana" will soon come of age so I finally allowed her to create her own blog. That was about 2 weeks ago and now she just asked me how many followers I have on my 10-year old blog. So I checked for the very first time and so I realized that I just have 3 followers! 3 in 10 years and that already included her! To top it off, my own hubby isn't even following me! Hahaha. I mean I have gained 2k+ views over the years but none of them seem to be interested in following my blog. And so I am now totally determined to prove my daughter wrong when she said that: "Mommy, you don't have any friends!" Because I know I do. Hahaha I am just positive that at least some of them would care enough to prove it. Hahaha. Anyway, who said a mom can't feel insecure about having friends anymore... I sure am glad that I have Jesus with me. At least I know I have one who would follow me wherever I go. And one who will be by my side online and offline. :) So p...

If you are looking for information on what house and lot for sale options are available for P10k up a month, you should attend this webinar conducted by yours truly. I have been a real estate advocate for 8 years now and I have had experience in buying 3 properties from different sources  - developer, foreclosed and Pagibig It is an exciting and most interesting topic for most pinoys out there who have yet to start owning a home of their own. Details of the webinar are as follows: You may message us at our fb page:  https://www.facebook.com/howtobuyhouseandlotph/  to get the meeting ID and password. Pls click here for the event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/260782601632745/ See you on May 9, 2pm via Zoom

Vista Land supports the Balik Probinsya program by offering several affordable house and lot packages in hundreds of locations nationwide. The government recently extended the ECQ in Metro Manila and critical areas of the country to May 15, 2020.  While the rest of the world continue to battle the dreaded virus, PH has more worries ahead.  the economy is on the brink of collapsing and people's lives are also on hold because of fear and  uncertainty.  The different Department of the government each has its own contribution to the Task Force that is helping each other to solve the crisis.  But left out in the picture at least for now are the economists that would like to push for more detailed plans on how to revive the economy after the COVID crisis. DOH on the other hand is still on the limelight sharing it with the DSWD in making sure that the spread is controlled and that people would have food on their plates everyday. Short term stops are on its way ...

I have read a worrisome article from an OFW forum which has been shared and has circulated among OFW group communities. It mentioned that purchasing real estate may not be a good idea for OFWs. Apart from the fact that he the writer is trying to convince his audience to buy "stocks" as a form of investment, I am really not sure where he is coming from. I have been a daughter of an OFW since age 2. One of the earliest conversations with my dad circled around his reasons for not choosing to work locally. And the very first of these reasons was for us to have a decent home and a good life. 3 years into his work as a cashier in Jeddah, he bought a piece of land and 2 years after we moved into our unfinished house. Slowly over the years my mom would try to make major improvements like an extension or a interior finishing or a semi permanent partition which would later on form part of a still unfinished house and lot.  During that time there was no concept of a house and lot...

It's been 21 since I've been to the office and technically we should be clear of fear from COVID19. But I realized that I am one of the lucky ones who might have survived this calamity.  This Pandemic has been going on for more than 3 months and it's devastating effect is now slowly unfolding by the day. Rumors and now confirmation of impending global and national crises have circulated and haunted economists, businessmen, executives, employees since the pandemic was announced about a  month ago. I for one have had a roller coast of emotion over the virus. From panic to paranoia, to fear of stepping out of the house even for a ray of sunshine, my stress levels got the best of me recently when I almost had my second heart attack. Yes, 2 days ago, I woke up to this throbbing pain of my chest. Coupled with dizziness and nausea, I was sweating profusely that my shirt was deeply soaked. I took my blood sugar test to check if it was too high. I got 120 which was still normal...

I could not believe my eyes! My request for dispute has been denied! To make the long story short, about a month ago, my metrobank account was hacked, I have been a victim of a phising scam yes but one that was brought about by a text coming from Metrobank's official SMS number. This was the same number that texts me for updates and posted about my transactions and OTPs! I would have no reason not to trust it because the sms came from their official system. Assuming this, I calmly requested for reversal and waited patiently for the decision, only to find out that they denied my claim! How can they be so cruel and heartless! But alas they are, they really are. All I can do now is to warn as many people as I can about what happened to me because Metrobank is a callous heartless bank who would not care if your money got stolen from their bank. No to Metrobank! If I were you, leave this bank now. Pull out your money and put it somewhere safe. Beware of of Metrobank!

So, my husband and I embarked on this journey in an attempt to complete out SEA countries travel checklist. So far we've been to Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. Now we're in Vietnam and about to travel to Cambodia and our last stop would be Bangkok. So far our Saigon trip has been bitter sweet leaning to the bitter a bit more. My husband and I call the country- THE HUSTLING CAPITAL OF THE ASIA.  We've had our most frightful welcome when we arrived 2 days ago. It was past 9 when we touched down Saigon. I made a mistake hailing a cab instead of booking grab, which i found out was quite easy in HCM. Anyway, upon queuing in the taxi bay, a couple of uniformed drivers approached us asking if we needed a ride. We chose a Vinusun taxi leaning online that this is a legit taxi company. Upon arrival at our hotel, still inside the taxi, we asked how much our bill was. The driver mentioned 380 and just signalled us to pay with some hand gesture. My husband gave a 100k dong bill but ...