How Trusting are You?

This question is actually posed to people who use online shopping sites to buy stuff that they want at a discounted price or getting deals to try out restaurants or hotels.

To be quite honest, I have been an avid supporter of websites that offer discounted deals like Groupon when we were still in the UAE. I would buy deals and surprise R with a sumptuous meal or at times, a blah meal.

Now that we have moved back to the mother country, I thought why not give these websites a try here. I am now subscribed to Deal Grocer, MetroDeal, CashCashPinoy and more (I just cannot let a good deal pass...).

Bright Lights in the Resto

We have dined at Greeka Kouzina from the Metrodeal website that I got and it was a great experience.

Satisfied customers

However some of my friends were not that 'lucky'. A friend of mine said that after paying off for the deal, they got the voucher a month after (this is frustrating especially since he is an OFW and usually when you see something, you want to get it. Now). Others say that there were undisclosed costs that they have to pay which was not mentioned in the deal (this I am unsure if it's the fault of the merchant or the website itself).

For shopping websites, I have only tried Lazada and they seem to be okay in terms of the product they sell and the delivery (though I had a not-so-good experience with the item we have delivered over the holiday season... worth another blog post).

With all these websites, I only get to buy stuff that are less Php 1,000 because at least in case something happens, I won't feel that bad (but of course, Php 1,000 is still big but you know you can recover from the loss :p).

What about you? What have you tried?

Moving Forward

Do you recall when your boyfriend or girlfriend have parted ways? The only way for you to move forward is to either return the things he / she gave you (though I am told this is not the norm because you do not return stuff given to you willingly) or you delete them (slowly) from your life. 

I have just braved my emails and started unsubscribing (slowly) to newsletters and deals that I have been receiving regarding the UAE. 

A few weeks back when I was browsing through my email, I told myself that I will just keep them for now because maybe (just maybe) there might still be some items that I will want to buy in Dubai then I can have it delivered to my friend's house or office. 

I keep opening deals and newsletters which eventually made me feel miss the country more. To be honest, it made me feel sad. 

It felt like I was missing out on a lot of things because there were still some activities that I want us to try. 

Can't move on

So tonight, I have decided that I will unsubscribe to these newsletters and deals (okay, maybe about 3-4 of them) so that I can look forward :)

thanks for the memories!! 

Stingy

My family would always tell me before that I seem to have learned the value of money very early on in life.

They could be right!?!

I remember saving up my allowance in college and would bring my own baon (snack) so that I can either buy my books or notebooks.

 When I went to work, my salary is kept in a stainless piggy bank where no one knows (and to be honest, I sometimes forget where I've put it myself!) and save what was left of my previous salary.

My family, knowing I have saved some pesos would ask me to lend them this much or that much. I was very strict. As long as they pay on time, they can lend money from me again but if they failed, no lending of money for two months! :P

I don't know why but I always try to get deals or avail vouchers on websites that I see... Sometimes, I'd join contests online to win freebies. When these deals like Cobone or Groupon launched themselves about two to three years ago, I was sooo happy I think I noticed one or two tears fell because finally, I get to have something I want at a much cheaper price! How is that for a bargain!!! :)

Slowly, I realise some bargains are not that healthy. I had this mantra of being stingy on clothes, accessories, etc... this I learned the hard way.

Bought stuff I don't need... and the main reason I bought it was because it was cheap... that's all.

Now, when it comes to clothes and other stuff that you intend to use for a long time, I go for the reliable brand.

Cheap treats are still not that bad... but I guess you just need to choose where to be stingy and where not to be.

(from http://nostingyact.com/blog)