Have you ever worried about how to manage your savings until the next payday? While payday often calls for a well-deserved treat, watching your spending habits is key to properly managing your hard-earned money. Smarter spending means getting your money to go farther. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your earnings and make the most out of your next paycheck:
Sort out the necessities first.
First rule of payday spending: budget wisely. Schedule the payment of bills such as electricity, water, and communication ahead of time. Don’t forget to prioritize groceries and other home essentials, since needs should always go before wants.
By putting your necessities first, you won’t have to worry about getting your subscriptions cut, or being faced with an empty fridge.
Do not forget the piggy bank.
Every month, have the discipline of setting money aside for your savings. Consider this your long-term fund for future use.
Whether it be for your dream car, house, or retirement setup, a growing savings fund is a must for every earning individual.
When it comes to vacations, a bit of research can go a long way.
Long weeks of stress can often make you feel like you deserve to go on a vacation – and by all means, you do! Just do not fall into the trap of spending on a whim because your wallet is feeling fully-loaded from payday.
Set money aside for that trip you’ve been wanting to take, and wait for the best times to buy — research for non-peak rates, wait for airline promos, and scan booking sites before you buy. Oftentimes, putting in a bit of effort in your research can make a big difference.
Shop at your convenience, on your own terms.
Nowadays, payday is synonymous to traffic. People are out in the streets or in malls looking to maximize their payday gains. If you jump on the bandwagon, you risk spending unnecessarily on higher surge prices and stacked parking fees.
Why not make a good, home-cooked meal, and treat yourself to online retail therapy instead? From August 15-18, Lazada Philippines will be hosting a Payday Sale – don’t miss up on this opportunity to maximize your payday spending at the comfort of your own home.
Keep an eye out for special deals and promotions.
Spend your money where you will get the most out of it. Another great thing about online shopping through Lazada is that the company always offers the best deals that will give you more bang for your buck.
In partnership with your favorite brands and trusted banks, a discount, promotion, or freebie is always up for grabs at Lazada!
A promotion you may want to keep your eyes out for this period is Mastercard Debit’s Lunchtime Deals — get up to P400.00 off on your purchases between 12NN – 2 PM when you use your Mastercard Debit card for a minimum purchase of Php 1,500.00
Widen your search.
In this day and age, the surest way to find the best deals is to simply search for them! Browse for your favorite items online and compare prices. Don’t limit yourself to what’s available in the local market because Lazada Philippines opens you up a world of shopping options (literally!).
And since Lazada now accepts Cash-on-Delivery for items shipped from abroad, there are really no limits to where you may find your next best deal.
At the end of the day, payday celebrations are well-worth it, as long as you know how to keep your spending in check.
Apply these 6 nifty tricks during Lazada’s Payday Sale on August 15-18, and you’re sure to have your payday a-game on!
About Lazada Group
Present in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines, Lazada is the number one online shopping & selling destination in Southeast Asia.
In the Philippines, Lazada helps more than 80,000 local and international sellers connect with over 560 million potential customers across the region. Lazada is the top-of mind e-commerce space for both buyers and sellers alike, mostly due to its high regard for customer experience and flexible payment methods.
Just recently, Lazada Philippines opened its Cash-on-Delivery payment option for items shipped from abroad. Now, Filipinos can choose from over 17 million products across the globe, and choose to pay in the way that works for them.
Street fashion has been the go-to style of many because it provides an unlimited room for creativity and self-expression while still ensuring comfort. While there is no hard rule on how street style is done, here are some tips to help you keep your street style edgy. We’ve also included some products on sale to help you update your street style collection at a fraction of the cost.
1. Denim rules
Denim is very flexible and can be matched with almost anything!
Feeling a bit dressy but want to keep your jeans? No problem! Pair it with heels and a blazer and you’re ready for a client meeting. For women, check out Freego’s low rise jeans (P1,199.80) and have it paired with these nice Koko black from Parisian (P899.75).
Demin on Denim? Sure! The rule of thumb is to make sure that your denim is of different wash or shade. For men, the blue indigo denim shirt from Wrangler (P1,359.80) paired with Penshoppe’s light blue skinny ripped jeans (P1,099) would look great!
2. Proportions matter
Be ready to roll up your jeans or wear some oversized shirts or jackets.
Just remember that too much of anything is also not good so be sure to keep your lengths to that which you can still comfortably and confidently wear.
For men, Penshoppe’s long line indigo wash tee (P399) pairs well with Oxygen’s distressed cropped jeans (P499).
For women, experiment on high-waist wide-leg pants (P873.03) with your favorite cropped shirt.
3. Love your sneakers
Almost everything goes well with sneakers! When in doubt, go with a pair of classic white sneakers.
Whether you’re planning on wearing shorts, leggings, a dress or even a nice pair of suit, a pair of white sneakers should do well with them. Check out Keds Chillax off-white sneakers for women (P2,695) and Pony’s white Shooter Low canvass sneakers (P2,590).
4. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize
Tiny details that complement your get could bring a boring outfit back to life.
An outfit with a plain white shirt would be so much better when paired with the pink backpack from Pilot (P698) or the blue Herschel Reid backpack (P1,458). Casio’s resin strap watch (P849) also adds a playful vibe with its colorful dial.
For men, give your outfit an astig look with a dog tag necklace from Silverworks (P225). And for a multi-purpose watch that you can serve as your everyday watch, check out the classic watch from Timex (P2,640).
5. Be Yourself
Don’t be afraid to show your personality through your look. Be it through colors or accessories, make sure that what you wear represents you. And most importantly, always remember that thinking of what you should wear next should always be a fun activity.
A few days ago, on May 18, 2017, the Philippine government passed a new law that was supposed to address the issue of distracted driving. While I believe that this is a good law “in principle” I think that the LTFRB was premature in having it implemented as it failed to address some issues and tried to institute measures that many have found irrational.
What is considered “distracted driving”?
Republic Act (RA) 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) defines “distracted driving” as using telecommunications or entertainment devices while in motion or when temporarily stopped at a red traffic light.
Eating while driving is not classified as distracted driving.
Putting on makeup while driving is not classified as distracted driving.
Passing things back and forth to the driver of the vehicle (as jeepney drivers do when accepting the fare and giving back change) is not classified as distracted driving.
Google Maps
It does not take into consideration that most people nowadays, not just drivers of ridesharing apps, use GPS software such as Waze or Google Maps to help them navigate to places they’ve never been or through heavy traffic.
It does not allow motorcycle and bicycle riders to attach a cellphone to their bike (usually placed in front behind the handlebars) even if the purpose is for navigation.
biker complaint
But what is even worse is when our traffic enforcers are not given adequate education on the law which allows them the make victims of law-abiding citizens.
Let’s go back to what the anti-distracted driving law states … using telecommunications or entertainment devices while in motion or when temporarily stopped at a red traffic light. This netizen was neither in motion or temporarily stopped at a red traffic light. He pulled to the side, DID NOT GO ON THE SIDEWALK (which is for pedestrian use), and ONLY THEN checked his messages. So, tell me … WHY, oh why, traffic enforcers would you penalize him and cite the anti-distracted driving law?
he wasn’t driving/riding
he was not at a stoplight
he was not blocking traffic
And, you know what? He posits a valid point, why not penalize pedestrians who are on their phone while walking, too? Is that not a hazard as well?
it means the pedestrian is distracted also and not paying close attention to where he/she is walking
it is an invitation for unsavory elements to rob the pedestrian
Line of sight
line of sight – photo credit to rappler.com
Let us consider this … they did not say that we could not mount our cellphone or tablet, they said not within the line of sight. This photo taken from rappler.com shows what part of the car constitutes as “line of sight”. In a nutshell, they are saying we cannot put anything on the dashboard because doing so would be a distraction.
Many netizens have gone up and arms, mostly those who use GPS. In response, LTFRB says they are still allowing cellphones BUT at recommended locations such as:
attached to the air vent
behind the rearview mirror (for the dashcam) and not hanging under it
behind the steering wheel in front of the display panel
LTFRB, have you really given this serious thought?
Ok, correct me if I wrong, but isn’t the point supposed to be that drivers are to keep their eyes on the road at all times? So … if I had to look/glance down to check the map on my phone would that not mean that I AM taking my eyes off the road? Am I not then distracted?
Personally, my preferred placement is on top of the dashboard on my right or right on the air vent. Anything lower than that is too low. Playing peekaboo with my phone behind the steering wheel is not an option unless I am prepared to hit another car or a pedestrian. Having my phone just at that height means that I have my phone on my periphery the entire time so glancing at the map is not difficult.
Understanding distracted driving
What is distracted driving? – the graphic is taken from seafirstinsurance.com
I think the infographic above taken from seafirstinsurance.com says it quite well:
no personal grooming
no using of handheld or portable electronic devices
no listening and talking on handheld devices
no texting or emailing
no writing, printing, or sketching
no reading of printed materials
no entering of info on GPS units
If only LTFRB could state it as clearly as that then maybe there wouldn’t be such a hubbub.
Heading to the beach may be the most exciting part of summer. It is almost always part of the itinerary this season for most people. Others prefer to give in to their adrenaline rush climbing that mountain slope or just about anything that gets you that summer tan to fit in the crowd.
Did you know that spending extended hours under the extreme summer sun can pose serious danger to your hair and scalp? The same UV rays that brings damage to your skin without proper protection can equally hurt your hair and scalp.
Summer haircare problems
Below are some of the problems your hair can encounter during the season
Split-ends
UV rays and extreme high temperature can take their toll on your strands. The heat drains the moisture of your hair out causing breakage.
Double trouble
Rebonded or permed hair needs extra attention as high temperature well as humidity disrupts the cuticle breaking some of the chemical bonds that keep the hair straight or curls and roughing up the cuticle, taking away shine and smoothness.
Scalp problem
Scalp may also get sun-burned if you don’t use cover-ups for your head.
Grease problem
Summer sun and humidity can bring extra grease on your hair, leaving it vulnerable to damage.
Chlorine stress
Swimming in the pool subjects your hair to chlorine. The outer layers of the cuticle of the hair opens up when you swim and chlorinated water seeps into the center of the hair thus making your hair more brittle.
Excessive salt water
Salt water can cause the same damage as chlorinated ones. Salt water dries on the hair it creates a high-saline solution which can build up and cause hair to feel dry, weighed down and hard to manage.
All these problem can be addressed by keeping your hair clean and showered after each activities. Take vitamin supplements that benefits you hair such as Vitamin C and Biotin. Getting your hair pampered will also give respite to the sun and chemical abuse.
Novuhair: the haircare expert
Novuhair, nature’s answer to hair loss is composed of 19 Natural ingredients with some of the known medicinal plants such as Ginger, Pennywort and Ginseng blended with natural essences of rosemary and peppermint.
Novuhair nourishes the scalp and hair by increasing the flow of nutrients and improving blood circulation to the scalp which is very important after subjecting your hair from all your summer activities. Novuhair also helps hydrate the scalp, maintain the hair’s natural luster and prevent early hair graying, hair dryness and itching. #NovuhairSummer
Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner are available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide.
Filezilla is a very useful web tool that I have found is often taken for granted. Filezilla is an FTP software used generally for uploading and downloading web files. It uses the same credentials as cPanel to login and, in my personal opinion, is easier to use and just takes a moment to set up.
When you are on a public terminal such as at an internet cafe it is always best to just use the QUICKCONNECT option. Quickconnect does not save usernames and passwords which makes it ideal in this scenario.
Fill it in as follows:
HOST: ftp.yourdomain.extension (type FTP followed by your domain)
USERNAME: type in the username provided by your hosting provider.
PASSWORD: type in the password provided by your hosting provider
Your username and password are the same as those you use to login to your hosting site’s cPanel. Now Click CONNECT.
Look at the transfer window and wait for it to say STATUS: DIRECTORY LISTING SUCCESSFUL.
Setting up Filezilla on a private computer
If you are working from your own computer it is advisable to just set it up so that you don’t have to type everything again each time you need to access your server. What do you need to do?
Click on the SITE MANAGER icon on the toolbar or go to File > Site Manager or … just press CTRL+S. This will open the Site Manager.
Once there click on NEW SITE and customize it.
In the GENERAL tab:
input your host
change logon type to normal
type in your username
type in your password.
Go to he ADVANCED tab:
In default local directory point it to the folder of your website
In the default remote directory point it to public_html
CONNECT.
Look at the transfer window and wait for it to say STATUS: DIRECTORY LISTING SUCCESSFUL.
Uploading your site or part of your site to your server
On the left you will see the window for the local site, clickthrough until you reach the folder that contains your web project.
Click on the file/s or folder/s you want to upload.
On the right go to PUBLIC_HTML … this is where you will upload your website.
When uploading for the first time simply right-click the folder of your website then click on UPLOAD SITE.
And you’re done!
Downloading your site or part of your site to your server
When downloading from your server do it in reverse.
On the remote server on your right make sure you are in PUBLIC_HTML.
On the left (the local site) make sure you are in the folder containing the folder of your website (if you want to download the entire site) or within the website folder (if you want to download parts of the site only).
And that’s it! It’s that easy! The only thing left to do is monitor the transfers window in case there are any failed transfers so you could process them again.
Stress is a normal part of life. Experiencing bouts of stress every now and then may not be all that bad but keep in mind that too much stress can badly affect your body and cause serious health problems.
“Experiencing stress is normal. Sometimes, it may even help you perform under pressure and incite you to react to dangerous situations.
However, increased levels of stress can lead to numerous health consequences like heart disease and depression, which is why it’s important to know how to manage it properly,” says MediCard president Dr. Nicky Montoya.
Here are some ways to deal with stress:
Identify stress triggers.
It is essential that you identify the sources of your stress so you can begin to treat it effectively. By recognizing the problems, habits and behavior that cause stress, it will be easier for you to handle them, thus lowering your level of stress.
Eat a balanced diet.
Oftentimes, when people experience stress, they tend to immediately find comfort in eating sugary and fatty food like chips and sweets. However, consuming these will just make you lethargic, which may make you less motivated to deal with stress. On the other hand, low-fat, high-fiber and low-glycemic index food and plenty of fruits and vegetables help reduce stress as these types of food increase the body hormones that naturally fight it.
Get enough sleep.
Lack of sleep is a significant cause of stress. Sleeping is another stress buster because it allows the body to recharge and recover from the day’s stressful events. Dr. Montoya recommends that it is best to get 6-8 hours of sleep daily.
Exercise.
To combat stress, you need to work out consistently. Exercise not only keeps stressors at bay, but also improves your mood and increases your endorphins which may help relieve pain and trigger a positive disposition. In addition to going to the gym, you can try dancing, jogging or taking a short walk near your home or office.
In the last few years a rising trend in physical fitness is yoga. Yoga practitioners will tell you of its mental, emotional, and physical health benefits, and very high on the list is how practicing yoga is very good in reducing stress.
I recently read an article on JenReviews.com where the author writes about the 18 amazing benefits of yoga according to science that I found fascinating and informative. Check it out for yourself to know a little bit more about this meditative exercise.
Get a massage.
A massage not only relaxes your body, but it may also shift your thoughts away from the things that cause stress. According to research, a massage can help release endorphins, lower your heart rate and blood pressure as well as relax tight and painful muscles.
Communicate with someone.
One of the best ways to handle stress is talking the situation through with someone. Opening up about your stress to a friend or loved one — even for a minute — can significantly improve your mood.
Take deep breaths.
Relaxing and taking deep breaths have been proven to effectively fight off stress. Dr. Montoya suggests taking 15 minutes every day to sit and practice relaxation techniques, deep breathing or yoga.
Surya Fitness & Yoga, located at MediCard Lifestyle Center in Makati City, offers a revitalizing retreat for people seeking relaxation of the body, mind and spirit. They provide hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga and basic yoga classes.
MediCard also has 14 free-standing clinics located in key cities nationwide that offer consultations. Visit a MediCard clinic near you or check out their website at www.medicardphils.com for more information.
Note: Slight modificatios have been made to this article on 03 Janury 2018.
Every month, have the discipline of setting money aside for your savings. Consider this your long-term fund for future use.
Long weeks of stress can often make you feel like you deserve to go on a vacation – and by all means, you do! Just do not fall into the trap of spending on a whim because your wallet is feeling fully-loaded from payday.
Present in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines, Lazada is the number one online shopping & selling destination in Southeast Asia.
Don’t be afraid to show your personality through your look. Be it through colors or accessories, make sure that what you wear represents you. And most importantly, always remember that thinking of what you should wear next should always be a fun activity.
Did you know that spending extended hours under the extreme summer sun can pose serious danger to your hair and scalp? The same UV rays that brings damage to your skin without proper protection can equally hurt your hair and scalp.
UV rays and extreme high temperature can take their toll on your strands. The heat drains the moisture of your hair out causing breakage.
Rebonded or permed hair needs extra attention as high temperature well as humidity disrupts the cuticle breaking some of the chemical bonds that keep the hair straight or curls and roughing up the cuticle, taking away shine and smoothness.
Scalp may also get sun-burned if you don’t use cover-ups for your head.
Summer sun and humidity can bring extra grease on your hair, leaving it vulnerable to damage.
Swimming in the pool subjects your hair to chlorine. The outer layers of the cuticle of the hair opens up when you swim and chlorinated water seeps into the center of the hair thus making your hair more brittle.
Salt water can cause the same damage as chlorinated ones. Salt water dries on the hair it creates a high-saline solution which can build up and cause hair to feel dry, weighed down and hard to manage.
Novuhair, nature’s answer to hair loss is composed of 19 Natural ingredients with some of the known medicinal plants such as Ginger, Pennywort and Ginseng blended with natural essences of rosemary and peppermint.
Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner are available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide.
It is essential that you identify the sources of your stress so you can begin to treat it effectively. By recognizing the problems, habits and behavior that cause stress, it will be easier for you to handle them, thus lowering your level of stress.
Oftentimes, when people experience stress, they tend to immediately find comfort in eating sugary and fatty food like chips and sweets. However, consuming these will just make you lethargic, which may make you less motivated to deal with stress. On the other hand, low-fat, high-fiber and low-glycemic index food and plenty of fruits and vegetables help reduce stress as these types of food increase the body hormones that naturally fight it.
Lack of sleep is a significant cause of stress. Sleeping is another stress buster because it allows the body to recharge and recover from the day’s stressful events. Dr. Montoya recommends that it is best to get 6-8 hours of sleep daily.
To combat stress, you need to work out consistently. Exercise not only keeps stressors at bay, but also improves your mood and increases your endorphins which may help relieve pain and trigger a positive disposition. In addition to going to the gym, you can try dancing, jogging or taking a short walk near your home or office. 
A massage not only relaxes your body, but it may also shift your thoughts away from the things that cause stress. According to research, a massage can help release endorphins, lower your heart rate and blood pressure as well as relax tight and painful muscles.
One of the best ways to handle stress is talking the situation through with someone. Opening up about your stress to a friend or loved one — even for a minute — can significantly improve your mood.
Relaxing and taking deep breaths have been proven to effectively fight off stress. Dr. Montoya suggests taking 15 minutes every day to sit and practice relaxation techniques, deep breathing or yoga.
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