going out . eating out . hanging out . having a fun weekend .

July 20th, 2008 posted in save money travel 'n transportation | No Comments

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I’ve just noticed that my neighbor is driving a new car. Whoa! In times of escalating gas prices, I would’ve thought people would hold off on cars.

But the rationale is this. If you’re one of those for whom a car is an absolute must (like moms who need it to chauffeur their kids around or if you travel a lot in your job), then you’re better off buying a new car than maintaining an old one that gives you car trouble every other month.

I’ve looked around and I can see that some of the best interest rates can be obtained via Online Car Loans. Basic Car Loans both good and Bad Credit Car Loans so that’s a good place to start if you’re intent on changing your car.

• beat rising prices with low interest credit cards
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• an opportunity to talk about loans
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July 17th, 2008 posted in day of blogs '08 for a good cause | No Comments

I’ve done it! I’ve signed up for Day of Blogs 2008. Some of you may recall I participated in Blogathon 2007, an online charity event where I blogged every half hour for 24 hours straight (yep, no sleep!) for my charity of choice.

Well, guess what, I’m doing it again this year!! This year, the regular organizers of the Blogathon are unable to organize the event. I was disappointed because I had so much fun last year and I wanted to do it again this year.

But Jen Khouria, a monitor and blogger from the Blogathon, has been kind enough to jump in and organize the Day of Blogs 2008 on the same weekend the Blogathon would’ve been held. Yes! *jumps up with joy*

So mark your calendars, guys, I’ll be blogging non-stop for 24 hours on July 26, 2008 to raise money for my favorite charity. I’m going to need your support so stick around and I’ll fill you in on the details later.

If you’re interested in blogging for a good cause, go register yourself at the Day of Blogs. The closing date is July 23, 2008 so you’ve still got time. I promise you’re going to have lots of fun .

• a big thanks and hugs to all
• so why did I choose MSF?
• weekend food binge excursions
• for that feel-good rush
• MSF in the path of danger

July 15th, 2008 posted in travel 'n transportation | No Comments

My dad and friends have their old cronies’ day out every day. Just the other day, while they were waiting for a friend outside a row of shops, a car rammed into theirs from behind.

The other driver was a young guy who’d just recently gotten his driver’s license and who obviously wasn’t paying attention when he rammed into them.

The young man was lucky that none of the old folks was injured or even the best lawyers couldn’t save him from being dragged to court for negligence unless he engages Larry Demerath, a top Lincoln, Nebraska Car Accident Attorney.

Since we aren’t living in Nebraska, I’m not sure what his chances are of getting an equally experienced lawyer to handle his case. At any rate, my dad and his friends are fuming that the young man got away scot-free without his driver’s license being revoked.

• buy your own car
• considering teen auto insurance
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• beauty and the plastic surgeon
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July 12th, 2008 posted in tips & ideas travel 'n transportation | 2 Comments

I confess, these days I’m starting to get impatient at traffic lights, slow drivers, basically anything that gets in my way and makes me a sitting duck. I’m going, hey hey, we’re burning gas here, people!!

That aside, here are the few more tips I promised.

I plan my travel logistics ahead and grouping my errands so I can do them all at once instead of going out multiple times. Yes, it does take some planning but it does make a lot of sense even if I weren’t trying to save gas money.

I’m trying to drive without any sudden increase or decrease in speed. Smooth and easy does it. But this is a huge challenge, given how often our roads are being dug up and patched back. I’m coming up against all manner of grooves and potholes every two minutes or so. If you can find a way of avoiding those grooves and potholes without ending up on top of a tree, good for you .

Carpooling, walking, cycling, riding a camel, finding a cheaper mode of transportation sounds really great but it doesn’t always work out in practice. There are just too many factors involved sometimes but hey, if you can make it work, do it by all means.

I used to wonder whether I’ll waste more gas idling or if I should switch off my car engine while waiting. Well, I’m told you’re better off with the second option. So that’s what I’m doing now.

If you know of other tips to help us reduce fuel consumption and save gas money, please feel free to share. Oh and don’t forget to read part 1 of the tips I mentioned earlier here.

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July 9th, 2008 posted in fashion save money shopping | No Comments

I gotta tell you, I’m always going to the optician and it seems each time, it costs me more to make a new pair of glasses. I can’t understand why some are so expensive yet break so easily.

I always get my optician to recommend me the best value for money. He confesses that oftentimes we’re just paying for the brand name but the quality of the cheaper ones are still comparable.

Recently I found an even better source for frames at zennioptical.com. They’ve got a huge selection of frames and lenses at prices starting from as low as $8.

The reason why they can offer such low prices is that zennioptical sells directly to the consumer and by doing so, effectively removes the middleman from the equation. I like the frame with the squiggles. I’m going to check it out.

• find good bad credit offers
• a matter of finding the right credit card
• not exactly jumping with joy
• breakfast for a song
• door handles like you’ve never seen

July 7th, 2008 posted in tips & ideas travel 'n transportation | 1 Comment

Well, here we are, a month into that ridiculously high fuel hike and still reeling from the shock of seeing 3 digits whenever I fill up my gas tank! Some weeks, a full tank lasts me less than a week. Gah!

I’m on the road a lot running Mom’s taxi so I don’t have a choice… not unless I decide to buy a Harley ! But until I figure out a cheaper mode of transportation, I have to try and improve my gas consumption and try to make that tank last.

I try to go to the gas station in the morning when the weather is cooler. It’s not always possible to time it that way but I try. Gas is less dense when it’s cool so you gain.

I’ve chucked out all the unnecessary stuff living in the trunk of my car. A lighter vehicle consumes less gas so I’m trying to keep it light.

I don’t really have to work on driving more slowly because I always drive at below 80 kmph since I have kids in my car. I’m more concerned about safety than speed. If anyone gets impatient and wants to race ahead, I’ll happily let them pass and graciously say, “Go ahead, waste more gas, muahaha!”

I get my car’s tyre pressure checked and filled up every other week. If the pressure is too low, there’s more resistance and the car actually consumes more gas.

Just a few simple tips that I hope will help you reduce your car’s fuel consumption and save you money.

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• have portable DVD players, will travel with kids

July 4th, 2008 posted in money thoughts 'n fancies | No Comments

A couple of days ago, I was jumping with joy at how the traffic conditions have eased now that the price of gas is sky-high. I could easily find a parking spot and I could get someplace quicker than usual. I read in the news that people were opting for public transportation and carpooling to ease their pockets.

But that seems to be yesterday’s news. People have short memories and it seems they’re back to driving by the hordes. Over the past week or so, the malls are packed and traffic is back to a snarl.

I even overheard some ladies outside a posh restaurant talking about investing in gold bullion. Gah, are you kiddin’ me? I hope they know what they’re doing. If not, they’d better be talking to a financial consultant.

• a motley christmas
• my wish
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• how to reduce fuel consumption and save money (1)

July 4th, 2008 posted in thoughts 'n fancies | No Comments

I was surprised to read on CNN that Starbucks will be closing down 600 outlets worldwide in an effort to trim down. Firstly I think they went on an opening spree to increase the number of outlets and hopefully their market share as well, I guess. Now they realize that many of the outlets are not performing as well as they thought.

Secondly with this current state of the economy, a cup of designer coffee is becoming more of a luxury than a need to be seen at a happening place.

I rarely go to designer coffee places myself. I don’t believe in paying a small fortune for a cup of coffee which isn’t anything special. I prefer to spend that small fortune on a nice pair of shoes .

• distracted by shoes
• tasteless latte
• Accidental shoe-shopping
• weekend money
• one bar of gold

July 4th, 2008 posted in food 'n drink tips & ideas | No Comments

It’s been ages since I had a girls’ day out. My mommy friends and I have been so busy we hardly have time to organize anything.

What I’d really like to do is a potluck. I think that’s the easy thing to do since everyone does their fair share and gets to show off their chef-ly skills at the same time.

There are so many things you can choose to cook. Spring rolls are always a hit as are chicken pies and fried wontons. Usually the person hosting the party will just have to provide the beverages and disposable cutlery.

If you’re at loose ends, this is a great idea for a get-together with old friends.

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July 3rd, 2008 posted in everything else thoughts 'n fancies | No Comments

Given the chance, I’d love to go back to school to get a graduate degree, yes, maybe an online university degree from an established institution such as Capella.

I’ve always liked school. If I had to choose, I’d choose school over employment. I don’t know why that sounds crazy to people. Seriously who likes to work? Sure you make money and money buys you lots of things but there’s also the office politics and stressful deadlines.

School is like the ultimate holiday in a sorta cocooned environment where you have time to learn and think and mull over stuff. It has its pressures and stresses too but nothing like the ones in the real world where if you even stop to breathe, someone stabs you from behind.

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• getting that piece of paper
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