Hello Loveys!
This is part two of my Credit Card 101 / Credit Card Basics. In this video, I talked about the different charges that our credit card makes use of and my personal tips on how we can avoid them.
I know all of us want to get the best out of our money and save on fees that can incur while using our credit card.
Hope you like it! Enjoy!
Hello Loveys!
When I first got my own credit card, I didn’t understand how it worked. I asked those who have their own credit cards how to use it but they all had the same advise — that is to pay on time. So! That’s what I did, little did I know that I had to know a lot more — types, networks and FEES!
For those who might need this same info, watch this video where I talked about Credit Card Basics.
There’s a part two so I hope you watch out for that too. Thanks!
Hello Loveys!
We all love to save money, and here are my tips on how I save money when I travel.
We should remember that when we travel, we should not always think about penny-pinching. I travel to experience and not deprive myself because I do not know when I will be able to go back to the place and have regrets for not doing what needs to be done.
Find a balance between spending and not spending. And never ever spend beyond your means.
Here’s the video I made on how I save money when I travel. Enjoy!
Like, share and subscribe!
Hello Loveys! One of the things I truly prepare for when traveling is my budget. I hate going overbudget but I don’t like to go underbudget as well. I want a memorable trip, to achieve that I always consider a certain budget and determine my non-negotiables when I visit a certain place. Not all travels should be about penny-pinching. It’s about making the trip worth your while, but still spending within your means.
Here’s the youtube video of how I plan and prepare a budget for my travels.
Enjoy!
Hi Loveys,
I know the pandemic has forced most of us to use more of digital services, and so for our friends who are still puzzled on how to use these services, here’s a simple guide for one of the frequently used services nowadays.
Check out this video on to guide you in paying your PLDT bills using BPI or Paymaya. Hope it helps! Please like, share and subscribe!
Hello Loveys!
My parents have always advocated independence, and one of the things I learned from them is that I should invest in “housing” first before I buy a car. Since I am a “city girl”, I never thought to buy a house in our province (Cavite), so the options for me are limited to two — a townhouse or a condominium unit. It is just unfortunate that I realized this late in the game, and I only invested in a property when I was 35!
I didn’t think that buying a condo unit is not as straightforward as I want it to be, but I got through it. In a few years, I’d be finished paying off my loan from the bank.
Meanwhile, here’s a video I did for those thinking about buying a condo. Please like, share and subscribe!!
Hello Loveys!
New Video on my YT channel.
Visiting South Korea soon? Make sure to check this video… Like, comment and subscribe too!
Hi Loveys, I am back with another blog.
I turned 38 this year and some people can’t get over the fact that I am not yet married! In this day and age, I believe the stigma of “being single” is not as harsh as 10 years ago, however, oldies, like the Gen Xers, still feel that one should get married so that one is complete.
I thought about long and hard about it, and much to my satisfaction, I realized that I am still in control of my destiny. I can make things happen, if I wanted to. IF I WANTED TO.
So, here is one reason why I am still single…
TOO MUCH STIMULUS. There seems to be a lot of stuff to do, and so much to accomplish. While it seems that the stuff that needs doing or accomplishing can be done with a significant other, I feel that the “level of satisfaction” is so more more when I get to achieve them on my own.
If you are feeling the need to be “attached”, look into yourself first and ask the question, are you doing it for yourself or for other people? Then you’ll realize your next step towards how you feel about being single.
Meanwhile, here’s a short video of reason number 1 why I am still single. And oh, I talked about it while I was doing my night time skincare routine.
Thanks Loveys! Til next time!
Hello Loveys, welcome to my blog!
I guess you found this blog because you are interested in securing a US Visa. But I’d like to give a few disclaimers first:
1) I am not an expert nor a lawyer. Take my tips with “a grain of salt”.
2) My tips are based on my experience when I applied for my own US Visa.
3) Following these tips DOES NOT and WILL NOT guarantee that you will receive a US Visa.
4) These tips are for Filipino citizens in Manila, applying for a visitor Visa.
If you are not a fan of reading long blogs, I suggest you head on over to the vlog I uploaded on my Youtube channel. This is in Taglish.
Let’s get started!
I applied for a Visitor Visa to the US for two reasons: first, I wanted to visit my friends who are residing in New Jersey, which is a train ride away to New York City, and second, see the Statue of Liberty! I googled for “US Visa Requirements” and I was presented with a ton of websites. My friend warned me about bogus/scam sites and I should check if the site was legit. This is the website where I applied: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/index.html. This site discusses the different types of Visas as well as requirements that may or may not be requested by the consul and photo requirements too.
The B1/B2 Non Immigrant Visitor Visa
I can’t really talk about other visas because I didn’t have any experience with it. I only secured a B1/B2 Visa.
The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is temporary for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Specifically, the B1 Visa are for travelers consulting with business associates, attending scientific, educational, professional or business conventions/conferences, settling an estate or negotiating contracts. Meanwhile, the B2 Visa are for people travelling for recreation, including tourism, visits with friends or relatives, medical treatment and activities or a fraternal, social or service nature
Oftentimes, B1/B2 are combined as one visa.
What Are The Qualifications of a B1/B2 Visa
1) Temporary stay in the US, which means a limited period of time of stay. I guess it is ok to stay for 2 weeks to 1 month because I heard other people say 6 months to a year, and their visas were denied.
2) The evidence of funds to cover expenses. It just means that you have the capacity to spend money and will not try to earn money while you are there.
3) A permanent residence outside the US, as well as other binding social (family) or economic (a permanent employment or thriving business) ties, that will ensure your return abroad at the end of your visit
What Are The Requirements
1) A duly accomplished Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application DS-160 Form. This is done online.
2) A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States
3) One (1) 2″x2″ (5cmx5cm) photograph softcopy. This will be uploaded upon filling up the DS-160 form. I prepared a hard copy just in case, but the hard copy was not requested from me anymore.
4) A receipt showing payment of your US$160 non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, paid in local currency. I paid this in BPI.
How to apply
1) Pay the application fee
2) Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application Ds-160 Form
3) Schedule appointment via the web site https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=Philippines or call the numbers below:
(+632) 976 8500 – 02 or (+632) 981 8300.
4) Visit the U.S. Embassy/Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview. You will need to bring a printed copy of your appointment letter, your DS-160 confirmation page, one recent photograph, your current passport and all old passports. Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.
General Tips
On Possible Evidence of Funds:
Prepare your 2316, certificate of employment with compensation, bank certificate and bank statements. Make sure you have enough to pay for your flight,
accommodations and daily expenses, a rough estimate is 50 to 100 dollars a day for expenses. You will need more if you plan to go on tours, theme parks and attractions.
If you have certificate of ownership of cars, properties or businesses, bring a copy of it as well.
I did bring all of the items I mentioned, but not one of them were requested to be presented.
On Filing Up The Forms:
Be honest and very detailed. Make sure you know all the information you provided in the application form. So my tip is just be honest. Because you will not need to remember anything if it’s the truth.
On Scheduling the interview:
Schedule it immediately as you pay for it. I had to wait for 2 months because no schedule was available. If ever you get a long period of time, I heard some people tried the website daily to check for available schedules.
On the Interview Day:
You will be waiting in a designated area, near the foot bridge along Roxas Blvd, about few meters away from the embassy gates. No electronics are allowed inside the embassy. It includes, phones, hard disks, usb drives and chargers. If the xray machines detects that you still have electronics on your bag, you will be asked to go out again and leave your stuff outside. If you are alone and you have your cellphones with you, there are ladies waiting for you to “deposit” your electronics to them. Costs about 200 Php per gadget. I “deposited” 2 cellphones, 1 thumbdrive and a charger, and I got them all back.
There’s no need to be super early. 30 mins will suffice. There are ushers who will call on people’s appointment times and will check the documents, specifically, the receipt that shows payment of the application, and DS-160. You will be asked to arrange the documents in a certain sequence.
Final Thoughts
The US Embassy is very efficient, there are people who will assist you all the way until you get interviewed. The entire process just took me roughly 30 minutes. You will immediately know if your visa has been approved or not. If your visa is approved, you will then pick it up from the courier of your choice. Actually, when the consul said that I will be granted a visa, I didn’t ask if it was single entry or multiple entry. I was already grateful that I received a Visa.
Again, I do not claim to be an expert and my tips do not guarantee that a visa will also be awarded to you. I wish you all the luck when you finally get the courage to apply for a visitor visa.
Until next time Loveys! Bye!
This week’s Tip Tuesday is Dedicated to Filipino Women Wedding Attire!
Have you ever been invited to a Filipino wedding? Here in Manila, weddings are a million-peso (even billion-peso) industry, and couples go through great lengths to make their wedding special.
It is only but right that as guests, we do our part in making their momentous event very special. So here are a few tips that I’d like to dish out when choosing your attire for Filipino Weddings.
Dresses
Couples nowadays inform their guests ahead of time if their celebration has a certain theme, in some cases, they also include the details in their wedding invitation. I personally only have one rule about dressing up when attending weddings — and that is to never ever wear WHITE, OFF WHITE or BEIGE. Wearing such takes away the “limelight” from the bride. It is but respectful to wear another shade that is far from the color of the bride’s wedding gown.
Generally, I’d wear knee length cocktail dresses for lunchtime or afternoon weddings, while long dresses or gowns for evening weddings. As for colors, I’d like to use fresh pastel colors for lunchtime or afternoon weddings, and darker colors for evening weddings. A bit of caution in using black or dark navy blue, as some people (generally the grandparents and parents) are very superstitious about it, so better ask the couple if you can get away with wearing these colors. I have plenty of dark color dresses as these are the easiest to mix and match, with jewelry, bags and shoes, as well as re-usable to other occasions like parties. And yes, I am plus size. You can buy plus size clothing off the rack or online that can be used for weddings too, all at a wallet-friendly price.
Pants (not jeans) and skirts of appropriate lengths are also acceptable. Just pair it with a nice dressy or girly blouse and you’re good to go.
Shoes
Two choices in height – flats and heels. Filipino weddings take a long time, after the church ceremony, there is normally free time of about 1 to 2 hours to make time for post ceremony pictorials and touch ups for the bride and groom. This lull is also considered the time for the guests to mingle and get to know the rest of the family and friends of the couple. Personally, I’d advise to use flats just because of the duration of Filipino weddings. But if you plan to look good in photos, and get photographed for full body photos, then go for heels. For beach or garden weddings and receptions, I strongly advise to use flats, you don’t want your heels to get trapped in the sand or grass, right? If you can’t veer away from heels, make sure to bring flats or slippers so you can change into them if you get tired.
For me, the colors of your shoes should play around silvers, champagne, nudes and blacks, which are also the safest to mix and match. Opt for classic or strappy designs, this can be your fashion statement.
Bags
Another fashion statement accessory are bags. For me, I like using clutches because they can be easily matched with any dress that I have in my closet. It should be large enough to carry my necessities but small of enough to not “over power” my dress. The colors I use are pretty much like my shoe choices, in fact, I only have 3 clutches – silver, champagne and black.
My bag content necessities are lipstick – to touch up after eating; powder or oil blotting films – to remove the shine; fan – as it is almost always hot in the Philippines and air-conditioning is not always available in churches and reception venues; mints and crackers – to save me from hunger while waiting for the reception after the church ceremony.
bag necessities – powder, lippie, mints and fan
Weddings are generally formal events, unless otherwise specified on the invitation, we should steer clear of the following:
I am sure that the tips I gave above pretty much covered the bases. I do hope you enjoy guesting in a Filipino Wedding because they are one of the best!
Shameless plug:
I made a video about this, if you’re Filipino, then this video is for you!
Til next time Loveys!
Maruth
A Student of Life 