52-Week Saving Challenge - (2017) Free Template

Hey! Hello December! Few weeks more 2016 will come to its end. 


How was your 2016? We hope it is great and your time is used to invest in yourself to achieve your target goals in this year.

As we are nearing to start 2017, it will be nice(good) to start a habit of saving. Right? Last year (2015), we used the method of 52-week challenge and due to the excitement and fun it brought to us, we continued it this year and we set in for a higher value. That 52-week challenge will serve as our "Fun Fund" for 2017.

To give back, we enhanced our 52-week challenge template to accommodate our readers' requests.
How to use it:
1. Download the excel file.
2. Key-in the amount you want to start with.(inside yellow box)
3. Print
4. Write your GOAL.  
5. Post on wall.

"DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE 52-WEEK CHALLENGE TEMPLATE HERE"

Write your "GOAL" on top of the paper because as you put why you aim for that target it will surely drive you to stay and finish this challenge. 

In posting on your wall, we highly recommend it to put that just beside/above/below of your room's light switch. You can see everyday your performance on and if you are still on track.

Maybe you will be quite confused why on the 27th week, we begin again on the starting amount. Because if not, the value will be too high and it will be unpractical that you will withdraw a chunk of money out of ATM just to put inside your piggy bank. And some horror stories we heard that when they reached the half year the amount is too high and they do not felt the excitement anymore. Instead the anxiety sets in (pain truth in saving). 

We do hope that this will help you to learn the habit of saving. See you again on 2018 for a new template :)

To Happiness, Prosperity and Holiness!

**Abbey and Will**

Play CASHFLOW® - Get Out of the Rat Race (2014 Version)

ABBEY: We bought this game board when we attended the Wealth Summit last 2015. And this is the first time we played it. Not that we are playing the game the first time but we have digital versions of it. It is the version of Cashflow released on 2014. The difference from the classic? You have to have and declare your own dream (no more pre-conceived list) and your goal is to increase your cashflow in Fast Track by 50000.

My dreams for our 3 games are: cancer reasearch, travel the world and build a school. And I'm proud that I won them all :)

Even a different version from the original, you still have the same goal. Build passive income that will be more or equal to your expenses. Then you're out of the rat race. Fast Track will not be called by that name for nothing. It will be a bliss once you're there. Just be prepared for the tax audit, divorce, and unforeseen events. 

Deal with what the dice roll out.

CASHFLOW® - Get Out of the Rat Race (2014 Version Board) 

WILL: If you are keen to learn "financial literacy" you will not surely miss the name Robert Kiyosaki. The best selling author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad. He introduced the 4 quadrants and this Cashflow board game.  

In one of meet-up here in Singapore where I first saw the Cashflow boardgame..in real life. Why? Because Abbey bought its iPad app version. Hehe. Of course, challenging a human is more exciting than playing with a computer. Hehe. 

When Robert Kiyosaki visited Singapore last year, we bought the Cashflow 2014 version. Yey! But too busy, we only opened and played it this year. Haha!

So what is the difference between original to its 2014 version? You will think of your own goal. :) Gosh! This time, I never won against my husband. He totally honed his strategies to outwit the doodads that may come his way. 

Cashflow is better than Monopoly. Why? It doesn't need you to let other people down for you to succeed. You will not mind on others' businesses/things. Cashflow will teach you how handle yourself in deciding how to make a small or big deals. 

I can't wait to play this game with my nephews!

Playing Monopoly With Kids

ABBEY: When I saw Monopoly board for the first time, I started to like it. The feeling of owning houses and hotels and lots of money at hand interests me. This is what I asked my father to buy me when he's abroad. And he gave me the British version. So Mayfair is my Boardwalk. But time passed and I have no one to play with as I knew that the game will take time and my siblings got no time for that. :)

I got an iPad and I bought the electronic version. Still nothing beats the physical ones.

We want to teach financial education to our nephews and niece and I know this can break the ice. For them it is only a game but I'm hoping that they will learn from this. We started the game 10pm and ended at 3AM as the tutorial is being counted in. They now knew how to make a deal, when to buy houses, what are the key spots and getting out of jail free with the roll of a dice. I even heard one of them saying "Tatalunin kita Tita Wil" which made me think that they are having goals now. Few more games and then we'll introduce Reobert Kiyosaki's Cashflow 101.

Hannah, Baste, Sam & Tito Abbey

WILL: Financial lesson must be learned firstly from home. I just want to pass-over all the lessons that parents thought me when I am still young. In my early age, all I have in my hand is either book, Barbie, or dice of this Monopoly / Millionaire Game. At an early age, they thought as how to save money in the bank (even, they do not trust banks, haha)! Our mind is open how to use “paluwagan” to benefit the members in good things. As early as 7, I am at our lumber business and learning to be a cashier and listening to tales for us not be fooled by my parents’ employees nor clients.

And I am so proud to my nephews and niece that they chose to have Monopoly Board Game than to have a rubber shoes. Haha! So we did bought it and asked them to take an extra good care of those.

When Abbey and I went home, they keep on bugging us to play with them. I witnessed for myself what are their traits in handling and solving issues about money.

My niece cried and threw a white flag when she realized that she have a small amount on hand. We explained to her that that is just a game, a practise. And the reality of life is a bitter or sweet and that will depend on the result of her choices. She then told us, she is ready again to fight us on the next round.

I observed that my Sam (the fat one) is really eager to defeat me and his Tito Abbey warned him “You will never defeat Tita Wilma in regards with money, Sam”. I smirk to my niece and look onto his eyes challenging him more.

Baste, the thin one, while he and his brother is bidding for a certain lot blurted out “$900.00!!!” Sam happily responded “Iyo na!” Sam knew her brother do not have enough cash and the pitiful Baste can’t do anything but to mortgage some of his properties with the bank. It does taught him to honor his words.

Consecutive days, we are all out of sleep. But I am happy playing/teaching them. 

***

Toys"R"Us - VivoCity

1 Harbourfront Walk #02-182/3

Unleash the Highest Potential of Your Life and Money (Speakers: Mr & Mrs Vic and Avelynn Garcia) - AIA Tampines

ABBEY: In a world that is becoming harsh and positivity is getting scarce, it is better to listen to motivational speakers to correct your perspective from time to time. Unleash International was invited to speak  last March 12. And the good news is that it was for FREE. The hours of husband-and-wife-duo Vic and Avelynn Garcia were so precious that companies are paying them a very high rate. We were blessed to have them at the gathering.

They are not motivating the usual way. But instead, they will tell you what you're doing wrong and how to correct them. They're brutal but your eyes will be opened and you'll change for the better.

I'm happy that their course is aligned with the teachings of the Bible.

Even they want to talk more, the given time was short.

But they promised to come back and do the full 3-4 day training.

I'll wait for them as I want to be part of the change the Philippines needs.

WILL: How do I get to know them, I am fortunate to read their books "Kuntento Ka Na Ba Sa Kaperahan Mo?" and "Kakasuweldo Pa Lang Ubos Na". And from that, attending on one of their seminar make it to my wishlist. But the huge price is blocking me to attend it. Blessing came Vic and Avelynn Garcia to speak for free. Without second thought, we registered. 

What are my greatest take-away? The step by step where to put our hard-earned money, the entrepreneur mind, Vic also challenged us how to be one of the best employees our boss can have, he also inquired how's our relationship with our spouse or with children or parents or siblings while we are here, and it is a blast when they gave us a little small card that indicates "Tulong Ko - Pasa Mo".

That card moved many attendees..BIG TIME. Why? Most of the OFW went abroad to earn and to help their family and not expecting for any returns. This Tulong Ko - Pasa Mo movement is for us to do small deeds for 3 random person and aiming that the good deed will continue until every people will be touched by this movement. 

Gosh! I cried a lot when I saw a clip of movie Pay It Forward that they have played that day. 

Now, I know why their seminar is expensive. Their seminar is really valuable. In a very short time, they discussed family, career, money and spiritual side of our being! 

Thanks Sir Vic and Ms Avelynn Garcia. May HE bless you and your family more!

52 Week Money Saving Challenge - 2015 (Singapore Dollar Version)

ABBEY: Before the year 2015 came, we already finalized our plan to take the 52-week challenge. It is to save specific amount of money each week. But first goal must be set first. The money we'll collect is to fund our California and Disneyland trip. We only need small budget as we will stay with our relatives.

The US escapade was halted due to some unexpected hurdles along the way but that didn't deter us to complete the challenge. We started with 1SGD and increments of 2 dollars after. We want it to be fun so when we're drafting the plan, we went back to 1SGD at the half of the year. This made that the highest contribution per week is a little more than 50SGD. More than that, then it'll be a burden for us. We want to enjoy it as time goes.

Sometimes, if I gave 10SGD for 5SGD collection, nothing comes back. My wife is telling that "our" bank doesn't give change :) We also put money we got from Chinese New Year packets or changes in our pockets.

We won the challenge and it was a great feeling of accomplishment. The fund will be used for our rental apartment investment. By the way, we got 53 weeks in 2015 :)

WILL: We make to a point that we enjoy every goal we are focusing at. This is one of those. Haha!

Blogged about saving money, that is started at $1 (saw and experienced the cons) then we went up to $2 (loves the result) and now we are posting our experience in the 52-week money challenge.

We went for odd numbers, $1 - $53 and once we hit 26th week we restart to $1. Why start again at $1? Well $55 and so on is not fun anymore. It feels to be more obligation. And our goal is just to surpass our past savings (inflation applies in savings too haha) and to reach an amount that can suffice an airfare from Chicago to California. But because Abbey cannot have a leave that is more than 2 weeks, decided to divert the 52-week challenge funds to another project. 

We enjoyed this 52-week challenge and we got our savings for fun-funds doubled the amount. We are proud to announced that we are one of the finishers. We will definitely do this again.

***

If you want a template for 52 Week Challenge kindly email us at

abbeyswil@gmail.com
Do not procrastinate to start the habit of saving, the template is free!!!

Masters of Wealth Singapore 2015 - Live with Robert Kiyosaki by Success Resources

ABBEY: Financial education is needed now more than ever. Me and my wife read books, watch talks and attend seminars. That's why we were so excited when we knew that Robert Kiyosaki will be having speaking engagement here in Singapore. No more booking of hotels or catching a flight. It was held last November 29 at Resorts World Convention Centre. 

I saw parents went with their youngsters exposing them and giving them education at early age. It was a whole day affair, literally. We started at 9AM and stretched until 9:30PM.

The facilitator Jason Tyne ensures that the audience is not sleeping as he always asks questions and give exercise routines to the attendees. All of them are good speakers in their own fields. But there's one thing common in them: to motivate, boost and make you do the act and that is the start.

The ones who caught most of my attention were Peng Joon, JT Foxx, and of course Robert Kiyosaki.

Peng Joon talked about how to setup and earn money online. He is younger than me and my wife but he already reached greater heights. We opted to enroll my wife for his intensive seminar and I know this is the start of our formal training in that field.

JT Foxx randomly give his perception on the attendees. I'm glad that I was picked and everything he told is true and I got instant personality check. He talked how a person needs to take action to progress and should be done now.

Most of the speakers offer their classes which don't come cheap. You just need to choose what you really want. Time passed and the last speaker were introduced on the stage. Robert, as entrepreneur, no need for him to promote his classes nor the books. They are selling themselves. The take away from him is that change the mindset, study, learn and act.

WILL: He is one of my favourite author in financial literacy arena. Well, who am I to pass a great deal to see him in flesh and directly talking to me. Thank you Robert Kiyosaki and the gang for going here in Singapore!!! 

In pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, we were at Resorts World Sentosa too early to get a good seat. We were got the 3rd in row in the center. Yey! 

PengJoon make his way on the stage first and taught us how to earn in internet. JT Foxx interacted with my husband about branding. Kevin Green awed me when he blatantly told the audience that his secret in surpassing Robert Kiyosaki's real estate business. And a lot more speakers are there to make your eye and ears open for you to get a piece of their brains. 

Then Robert took the stage around 8pm. We never had dinner but still it is okay. Do not care with the growling tummy, I am there to feed my brain. As usual Robert uses a harsh words. But it is okay, because stup@d people need those forceful words to open up their minds for them to use their braincells. So Robert says saving money is not a good thing to do today, financial education is very important and people who are ready within will never be affected of any financial crisis that the economy goes through. In fact, if you are knowledgeable enough, you can make a tons of money in a crashing market. Do not worry Robert, I got you there! :) 

This is one of the most beautiful self-investment I ever went. Thanks Wealth Resources for making this dream come true. :)

The Global Filipino Investors - Global Summit Singapore 24 Oct 2015 (Global Pinoys United - Gathered from All Over the World)

ABBEY: It is great that the first global summit of The Global Filipino Investors was held in Singapore. Just purchase the ticket and you're done. No airfare or hotel bookings. At 8:30 AM, Hotel Re! Opened its doors to the guests. Breakfast was served and the participants started to mingle with each other. We went with our friend Jhen who came from Philippines just to attend. We got a full view of the speakers and their materials as we were on the third row from the front.

After a prayer and welcome remarks from the founder, Floi, JJ Atencio spoke about real estate. I was able to get a book regarding successful investment stories of Pinoys. He explained that real estate asset is more affordable now but gave a hint to plan first what would be the purpose of that property; be it for personal or for rental use.

Then Ms. Salve Duplito gave us OFWs tips on where to put our hard-earned money. Key take away is to have an exit plan for being an OFW, budgeting and giving back to others.

Now after having investment, what are your plans on your estate? That is where the expertise of Susan Bigay comes in. She taught us to plan your estate as it grows. Not only to avoid chaos on the heirs but also to avoid tax "legally". I hoped she could have more time during the summit, because her topic really interests me.

Then lunch came and since it is siesta it is expected that everybody will feel sleepy.

TGFI management came up with a good idea. They put Natasha Bautista (Acting General Manager of Grabcar Philippines) to speak during that time.. Who will fall asleep when that angelic face starts her speech? I'm inspired for what she accomplished at such a young age. Dream big and reach for the goal. The next half of the summit boiled down to stocks, mutual funds, trading and franchising. 

Edmund and Edward Lee, Aya Laraya and Marvin Fausto told the audience on how easy to invest in paper assets with minimal startup. Then the TAP founder Tony Herbosa defied the norms. He told the participants that he's telling his apprentices not to buy blue chip stocks. He concentrates more on trading (in very large volume). He even showed his buy/sell receipts as well as his gains. If that is not appealing then try franchising. In the end it still depends on the investor which one he chooses.

Q&A's were conducted to have more interaction with the speakers. Food is delicious and take note it is a buffet :)

No topic is boring. We learned a lot on this event. Study and learn more for you to become financially free and independent.

Room for improvement:

1. People became noisy at the back as they are discussing with other speakers. It is ok to mingle and ask questions but give respect to other speakers who are still giving their talks.

2. Make more time for the speakers. Make the summit maybe 1-2 days. This is hard to plan but this is promising; giving more knowledge to the attendants.

More power to TGFI. Congratulations. Mabuhay tayong lahat.

WILL: TGFI First Global Summit: we are pleased and blessed to held that in Singapore. Well-known people flew in here with one mission...promote financial literacy to Filipinos. 

JJ Atencio discussed the few things that can make a man a millionaire. And the number one tool? Financial Education. We got a free book too to take home for participation in his talk. 

Salve Duplito, The Scam Buster, tackled what are the 7 things for OFW to do. What hit me most is her question, "When you want to go home? Do you have an exit plan?". 

Susan Bigay gives an insight how to distribute your wealth to maintain the peace and harmony after your death. This is one of the speaker swarmed by questions. Haha. 30minutes is not enough for her. Bring her back to Singapore! Please??! 

Bansan Choa. He disclosed that retirement is a good business. Haha! Got a good business idea on that. Thanks iRemit Boss. 

Aya Laraya. We really laughed when he told the crowd that he meets a people that seems knew it all but don't do anything to take the first step in investing. Haha. He taught us how to have a company analysis for every stock you wish to buy. 

Edmund Lee pushes the people to dream big and do not be scared. He shows us some strategies in stocks too. 

Tony Herbosa the founder of TAP confirms what I did when I selected my power of five company. Gut feeling is a good thing to be side by side while analysing the stocks. Haha! Instinct and Legal Wife is the right word! Haha. Hope to see you again in Singapore. 

Marvin Fausto get into deep on 3Ws in investing. We got further on how it is easy to invest in mutual funds using the COL account. :) Thanks Sir Marvin for creating this platform for the Filipinos. 

Jerry Ilao differentiated very clearly the difference between employee and entrepreneur. He gave ideas of a business that requires a minimum amount of P500,000 and below. He also give us the perfect signs that you are ready to be an entrepreneur. 

From 8:00 - 6:00pm for only $75.00 with free breakfast, lunch and snacks. Gosh this is really a real deal. We learned a lot and we want more!!! 

Thanks TGFI. Till next year's Global Summit. Hmmm thinking who the next set of speakers will be. :)

The Global Filipino Investors Singapore - Investors Boot Camp

ABBEY: We planned not to attend this seminar as our sked will have conflict with Ate Sol's visit, but still the urge to learn more on financial literacy prevailed. 

I can say that we got more than what we paid for. The fee is small compared with the gold nuggets of knowledge that we gained. We were given the awareness of having a financial plan setup today for a comfortable and bright future. Then once your mind is opened, you need to learn how to invest and earn from it. Lastly, how to give back and share the knowledge and experiences you had. 

Those topics were discussed by Sir Jess Uy, Sir Jay Penaflor and Ms. Salve Duplito. These mentors are BIG names on financial world; but they don’t boast their popularity or their fame. They are humble and helpful individuals especially to those who are starting the journey towards financial freedom.

WILL: Saying thanks to The Global Filipino Investors Group is not enough. Thanks to Kuya Floi, Kuya Rich and Kuya Rex for accepting me and Abbey to be part of the growing family.

Last 12th of April, we attended one of their events. Even though we read a lot of books how to allocate your assets strategically, stock market analysis and for value investing, it would be more nice to attend some seminars.

Sir Jess Uy; I considered him as a friend (feeling close). Do you know that he cares a lot for me and specially to Abbey? He knew every concerns we have in the aspect of finance. He helped us to check if we are in the right track towards our targeted retirement age. He introduced to us how to invest globally to minimize the risk. We were shocked when Sir Jess checked how much our money earned in our fun of funds. Thanks a lot Sir!

This is our first time to see Sir Jay Peñaflor. He is always playing jokes to keep the computation of technical analysis to be lively. Anyway, who will hate math when money is the topic? After the rigid calculations he gave as a secret to make our life in stock analysis more easier. Haha!

Ms. Ma. Salve Duplito is a well-known person. She is one of the consultant in a famous firm, the women behind MoneyStories. She gives a free financial advises to the people who needs it badly and one of the hosts of ANC On The Money. She touched my heart while she's telling her past. When she is so poor (gosh, tears clinging into my eyes) and the eye-opener scene that made her inculcated in her mind that she needs to study hard, be top on her class and to live a good life. Hey if you just want to be rich, don't go to her, she will not help you. Haha!

Kuya Floi, thanks for bringing the speakers all the way from Philippines. Thanks sa gift ng TGFI. Kinuha ni Sam (ang batang mahilig kay Olaf) na hiningi naman ni Bettina. In the end, wala ka talagang gift sa akin. Haha!

Thanks TGFI. A group to be treasured.

2SGD Mini Bank Project

ABBEY: We had our coin project in the year 2012 and the total amount of savings is 500sgd. The downside is each dollar coin has a deposit fee. This resulted to an almost 25-dollar-reduction on our earnings. We learned our lesson and come year 2013, we start saving 2-dollar bills. Twice the amount on the previous year and no fees. 

The savings surpassed the dollar coins but only a small percentage. We got 650sgd and invested it for the second phase of our "40 by 40" project. This year we continue saving those violet-colored treasures and expecting to surpassed the first 2 years.

WILL: Some people have other options to save a money for different purposes. Abbey and I save for additional sum for our investments. Last year we agreed to put a $1 coin on our Malteser's bank but we were deducted few dollars when we deposited it in our Citibank account. Lessons learned so we say hello to $2 bill. 

After receiving my boss ang pao from our Dinner and Dance party, a day after we open up our mini bank. We surpassed the previous amount. Then we both decided to send it to Philippines in addition to our "40 by 40" project. ;) 

Indeed this is a great way to save and invest. Oh, maybe you can do what my niece doing. She put a note wherein she can see always the purpose why she is saving up. 

Go and save. It is fun. 

Investors' 2013 Year-End Party

ABBEY:  We were grateful to host investors' year-end party last December 8. Missing celebrating the holiday season was lessened as we enjoyed getting together as a family. 

Every guest brought their share of food, laughter and stories. We got adobo, cake, barbecue, sausages, grilled tuna, chicken and other festive delights. It was supposed to be a whole day party but "Filipino time" is still in our system; others went late but managed to come which is more important. The rain didn't dampen our mood as it poured late in the afternoon. 

We also got a Q and A portion with one of the finance guru, Sir Jess Uy. We hope and pray that more will be added to the group and together strive to become better investors.

WILL: We choose friends wisely and in our stay here in Singapore we only have few but when we found Investors Group of Singapore on facebook, there’s an itch to meet them personally... quickly! Tadddahhhh! We met very humble people with the same interest of ours.. investing in Philippine Stock Market.

Last 8^th of December, we gathered and celebrated a year-end party, we are almost 40, growing circle of friends. Cashflow 101, food tripping, free talk from Sir Jess Uy, and non-stop laughter and new ideas how to grow our investments more.

Meet Up and Cashflow Game

ABBEY: Wilma and I decided to learn more about handling our finances. We believe that we have to be good stewards with the blessings that God is giving to us. 

Here we meet like-minded people who wants to enrich their financial literacy and eventually become financially independent. 

The attendees were less than 10 but we had fun sharing our ideas, tips on investment and calculating the money you have left after spending most of it on a yacht for a "doodad" :)) We indulged in sisig-style tofu and pork ribs and chicken barbecue. It was a day full of FREE learning. 

Yes, playing cashflow game is free here :) Until next time!

WILL: I know Robert Kiyosaki's game board named Cashflow and just recently Abbey and I play these board through e-game. Abbey always won almost each round bit we are still craving to play the real one with real people.
      Cashflow game is a real fun while learning how to attack the different situation that may occur in real life. Here you can see who is the risk takers and who are very conservative in investing. 
  

Singapore's Hair for Hope 2013

ABBEY: Our company participated on the Hair for Hope drive of Children Cancer Foundation. It is my second time to join. 

Every delegate will be given a pledge card for donation and at the same time you can decide if you want to be a shavee. For every drive I became both. I raised 150sgd on the first year and a hundred more on the second. 

As my mom is a fighter of a stage 4 breast cancer, I want to show my support by joining this cause. I hope and pray that even though not sooner but someday there will be cure for it.

WILL: UBS Singapore made a bald statement again this year of 2013 in participating for Hair for Hope. UBS scheduled the shaving at their Raffles Office, and my husband and I never let the opportunity passed to show our support the fight against cancer. Hey! This is our second year!

     {Teary eyes} My mom-in-law is now at stage 4 cancer, she resides at California and this is somewhat saying "thank you" for all the organization helping her and us financially and emotionally.

     Abbey and I pledged that every year, we must do something to give back, and this is one of those. Thanks to Hair for Hope (Children's Cancer Foundation) for holding this event and thanks to all our friends that signed and give some donations! May the Almighty One blessed your kind hearts!

Bucket of Gold

ABBEY: Wilma and I agreed to put one-dollar coin from our pockets and wallets to our Malteser-bucket-turned-into-piggy-bank. Day by day until up to two years we saved 518 $1-sgd-coins. We rolled them in sheets of paper (20 SGD per roll). 

Oh my, they're heavy. Putting them in a bank costs fees. 0.075 SGD per piece. So the 500-dollar savings became almost 475 only. Lesson learned but we enjoyed saving extra money that now became a habit for us.

WILL: "Oh my, Singapore's piso($1) is so cute!" As I exclaimed with delight Abbey got an idea to make a piggy bank and put only $1 inside. When we will open it?, we don't know. It started two years ago, its getting heavier and heavier every time I lifted it when I am doing a general cleaning of the room.

      We received a great news that Nuffnang will cash-out the earnings from our blogs and from there, we made that the Nuffnang cheque as a sign that we need to open the bucket once we received it from our sole advertiser.

      That day came, we received the 2 year earnings from our blogs then hurriedly open the Maltsers's bucket. Total of $518 coins was invested. Delighted?, yes too much. I don't expect this huge amount of money. On the next day Abbey went to Citibank to deposit those, there it will stay together with the Nuffnang's cheque until we made a decision where we will invest that sum.

      Happy but quite disappointed since the bank charged us $40+ coin counting fee. Huhu.. We learned our lessons in saving coins and that deduction will never happen again since our next project is to save for $2.00. I hope we can go for thousand plus.

Thanks visitors... friends... and NUFFNANG!

ABBEY: Time really flies fast. Now its time to celebrate our second blog anniversary. After two years, the unique visitors is at 85,000. 

Compared to other featured blogs, we still have a lot of work to do but for us its a milestone reached. We never imagined that we will make this far. We enjoyed what we do and we are happy that others are continuing to support us. I managed to read older posts once in a while and surprised that I can write that much. As a gift we deposited our earnings in Nuffnang. 

We hope that we can continue to help others by our reviews.

WILL: This is our couple's blog 2nd bday. This is a hobby that binds me and my hubby. We enjoy every inch, every time, and everything about this blogging. We enjoy every questions by our jargons and friends where, when and how we felt when we go to a certain place, when we ate or cooked that food or when we do some of those activities. 

     This is a hobby that grew with little fame, with a large advantage to some events and unexpected amounts, vouchers and freebies from different companies/people...one of those is Nuffnang, our exclusive ads supplier. 

     After some debate two years ago, Abbey agreed to have an advertisement to our blogs and that we chose Nuffnang. :) Just this past month, we received the cheque amounting S$ 59.25. For some this maybe small, but for me and my husband, this is a huge cash, huge cash for doing nothing for them. Haha. 

     Dear Nuffnang, we banked it in together with our $1 coins in our mini bank and we will invest it. Thanks readers, friends and blogwalkers. Thank you Nuffnang, for the free movies, free tours, free products and this cheque. Viva Nuffnang! 

Metrobox Express Balikbayan Box

ABBEY: This is our first time to send "balikbayan" box. As  seen from our housemates, we opted to try the service of Metrobox. They have their office at 3rd floor of Lucky Plaza. Provincial rate for their "up-sized" box (24x24x42) is 120sgd. They charged 55sgd for my odd-size box. The pickup time somehow got late but they assured that it will included on their cutoff date. 

The box was delivered after 11 days. That was fast. I was told it would take 2-3 weeks. Thanks Metrobox

WILL: First time! Before, I want to send a balikbayan box to Philippines as my friend Chat suggested but when I will think of the price how much per box costs, well I rather send money. 

GSS came and Abbey bought electric drums, its almost 40% off the price if we buy those in Manila so we decided to buy here in Yamaha Singapore and boxed it up to Bulacan. He bought the Upsized Metrobox and there is a lot of space to fill in, then that I know that was the time to send goods to our loved ones. 

      Since those were the months of Great Singapore Sale, the bargains were all around and supermarkets were not an exception to that. Weekly, I am spotting items for our families to try on. Since detergents is lot cheaper in here, we send them detergents and fabric conditioner. Bags, wallets, skin care were not forgotten to buy. Ha! This is so exciting and yet more brain draining activity rather than sending out the money. Haha!

      The box were full then Abbey handled me the packing list, I just wrote down electric drums and personal effects. When my husband read what I inked on, "Really? Yun lng? Personal Effects?", then I nod and explained. He saw of some packing list deliberately write each pieces inside, but the "personal effects" will suffice it all, believe me, unless you cannot win the argument to the customs or courier servicemen then write all the things you packed inside. 

      The Metrobox took only two weeks to deliver the package, all were in good form. This is a experience, seriously. Haha! Metrobox is located at Lucky Plaza. ;)

We Love Mosha

ABBEY: Elephants are flocking at Tangs and other places in Singapore. They are not real though. Those are statues painted with different design to commemorate Elephant parade, an exhibition that promotes elephant conservation awareness. The parade was inspired by Mosha, a baby elephant who lost its foot by stepping into a landmine. It was started by father and son, Marc and Mike Spits when they met Mosha in Thailand. The elephant was able to walk again by the help of an artificial leg.

Tangs took part in the parade through social media by conducting a contest; find Mosha on the web. Luckily I got the 3rd price (a 20-cm replica of Mosha and a 50sgd limited edition Tangs card). My wife was one of who has consolation prize(10sgd Tangs card). The replica is beautiful; beautiful enough to keep than to give :) Just this one.

WILL:  As we celebrate the coming of the biggest figurine show that occurred here in singapore, Tangs made a contest to find Mosha who is lost in their website. 
      
Mosha is the elephant who received the first prosthetic foot and the reason for this fund raising activity. 
       
Back to the contest, I think Abbey and I found her thrice and submitted an entry every time we saw her in different place. Hehe. Abbey won the third price and got the very lovable Mosha replica and a $50 gift card. Me?, lucky enough to be picked and got myself a $10 limited gift card. Thanks Tangs for this contest and for bringing in the Elephant Parade. This is a very great chance for us to mingle with them. :)

Groupon Singapore

ABBEY: I did online shopping back in Philippines thru Ebay. But now, lots of online promos are just to extort money. You never know which are true and legal. 

We tried Groupon Singapore. For me as long as they didn't ask for any password for any of my accounts, its ok. We did also a review of the company and got a couple of good comments. What we got is our Indonesia trip and  my surprise manicure and pedicure set for her. 

We were saddened and worries by the news that the company is about to close as it can't support its operation due ti lack of funds. I hope they can recover and give more discount coupons to their customers.

WILL: From manicure spa set, massage, travel to yoga sessions they all have it all discounted just for us. As the news widely spread that Groupon all around the world is falling hard to its prime, Groupon Singapore is still hits the city.
      When we purchased a travel deal, we saw that almost 400 bought that deal. And when we booked for it, all staff of the Anita Travels were smiling back to us and accommodate us very friendly, unlike the stories in America.
      We do hope that they will prosper and keep the deals on! ;)