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EXTRAS Quick Recaps

SavingsPinay February Quick Recap

Monday, February 29, 2016

February has been the worst month for SavingsPinay because I failed to blog everyday and I feel so guilty that I didn't publish that much content. Anyhow we still have some highlights of the month so let me share to you a quick recap of how February went.


  1. We reached 109,000++ Pageviews. Whoo... last month we just reached 100k pageviews and now we are so near to 110,000!!! My goal for March is to reach 115,000 so hopefully it would happen. Pageviews are important for me because it means the blog is getting noticed and being seen by people.
  1. Mt. Manabu Hike. I still can't believe that this happened. I hiked for the first time!!! And I shared my experience in my personal blog IzzaGlino. Here in SavingsPinay I created an Expenses and Itinerary post so if you want to read that one please go over my archive.
  1. First Out of Town Trip. I went to Pampanga last last week and it was a blast. I set a budget for the trip and it's my very first time to go out of town. It's a nice experience and I will be doing an expenses and itinerary post.
  1. First Event Host of the Year. Just like what I mentioned in my SavingsPinay January Quick Recap I wanted to go back event hosting. Last February 20 I did my first ever event of the year and it was a wedding at Island Cove Cavite. I felt so much accomplished and can't believe how much I miss hosting. 
POSTS PUBLISHED THIS MONTH


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EXTRAS My Finances

My 2nd Year Anniversary Working in Makati

Friday, February 26, 2016

February 26 marks my 2nd year anniversary working in Makati. I can't believe I will last this long in my current company considering how I easily used  to things. I lasted only 1-3 months in my firs two jobs before I finally settled in my current work. READ: My Life, My Job, My Career and 6 Things that Helped Me Succeed.

Today I will try to celebrate my second year by providing the lessons I learned, the highlights of my career and probably future plans. I hope with this post you'll learn something. 


Lessons and Pieces of Advice
  • Respect/Authority is something you earn through time. 
Currently I am part of the Management Committee at work. I am happy to gained such respect and authority over time. Though we are of the same age bracket, kitang-kita how people sees you as superior to them in terms of experience at work and expertise in what you do. Respect and Authority at the workplace are important factors especially when you have already stayed for a couple of years. 

  • Time Management is the only key
Over the last six months of 2015 I was going to work super late. I always blame the traffic or it's just that I have bad luck commuting. Then 2016 came and one goal I made is to finally go to work on time ( I do this "No Late January, No Late February etc. tracker on My Bullet Journal). I realized that all it takes is discipline in how you use you time to be early at work. I didn't have to do any magic. At the moment I seldom go to work late and if I do it will always fall in the grace period. My trick? I set an alarm in what time I have to go out of the house. 

My Roll Out Family
  • Don't be hard on yourself
I have the tendency outdo myself. I feel like I needed to do things on my own and have a hard time letting others know that I need help. Then realized that I have to stop being hard on myself. It is okay to let others know that I can't do it. Hindi naman ako si Wonder Woman. I can't be a martyr all the time. 
  • It's okay to commit mistakes
I can be a bit of a perfectionist sometimes with my kind of work. I don't tolerate mistakes. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do my work right all the time. But then I realized that it's okay to commit mistakes. There's a lot of things that I have to improve in terms of what I do and I have to be an open cup...always ready to take knowledge from people around me.
  • Be Prepared for Sudden Changes at Work
My second year at work is a bit of chaos to be honest. We had a sudden change with the management. I mentioned our former President, Sir Joel had to leave his post since the ownership is now 100% sealed and signed. 

Currently we are in complete hiatus at work. There's no concrete plan or even organization chart being released. Though I am still compensated well still it's hard knowing how blurry the path ahead is. We have no idea what will happen to the company in 6-12 months. 

That's why its important that you prepare yourself mentally, financially and emotionally. Whatever happens you need to be smart with your career decisions. Have enough savings ready and make sure that your emotions won't affect your job at all times.

Highlights of My Career so far


1. Transferred to sister company

On my first year of work I was rendering my service with SysNet as technical writer then I got transferred to WiFun as Technical Documentation Specialist. Though both companies were sisters and highly connected with each other it is still a new working environment, with new workmates and new job description. It started a little tough but now after five months I am getting used to the transfer that happened. 

2. The WiFun Family x Christmas Party x Holloween Party


Last December we celebrated WiFun Christmas Party with a Tropical Party. I hosted the event and prepared the program. It was so much fun and I believe I have blogged about it in Goodbye December, Hello January 2016 post. 


We also celebrated a Halloween Party!!! We decorated the office and brought the kids of our employees for some games. It was super fun event too. 
I love my WiFun Family so much and I feel blessed to be surrounded by amazing individuals who always make me feel loved and wanted. 

3. Meeting Nica and the Coffee Monday


I found the best people in the company that made such an impact in my life. Nica, our HR/Admin Representative whom I treasure the most as my bestfriend. Meeting Nica has been one of the best thing happened on my second year at work. We've been through a lot and I am excited on what else will happen. 




Coffee Monday on the other had are my barkadas at work. They were the very men whom I shared a lot of laughter and stories with. I still remember our Star City Adventure as well as our coffee Monday sessions. They even gave me a cake on my birthday.



So What's Next, Izza?

I want to be honest with you as my readers and I do feel a bit "50:50" whether I will be staying in my current work or not. I finally reached a point when I am not satisfied anymore on how things are going on in terms of the management. I feel like there's no opportunity for growth anymore and I owe it to myself, my family and my future family to establish a better and surer career path. 

But I do love my WiFun Family and I have established memories and friends there so it's really a tough decision on my part.

Soon if I have made a decision I will surely blog about it and inform you. 

Thank you for reading this post.

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FRUGAL TRAVEL Itinerary + Expenses

Easy and Cheap Day Hike for Beginners at Mt. Manabu

Friday, February 19, 2016
If you go over my personal blog IzzaGlino you know that I had my first ever hiking experience last last week. It was one proudest moment of my life. I reached the summit together with my hiking group that includes my high school classmate Jevy and her other mountaineer friends. My Mt. Manabu Day Hike Experience is memorable for me and today I want to give you a detailed guide on an easy and cheap day hike for beginners at Mt. Manabu. If you are looking for a budget-friendly adventure then this could be for you. 


Below is the breakdown of our Itinerary + Expenses

6:00 am. This is our call time at Mcdo Buendia. I also had my breakfast here which is my favorite Sausage McMuffin

Mcdo Bill: 89pesos

7:00 am. We depart Buendia through DLTB bus going to Batangas. Our drop-off point is Brgy. Sta. Cruz

Bus Fare: 99pesos


8:30 am. We drop off at Brgy. Sta. Cruz and rode a jeepney (same side where our bus dropped us). Our next destination is Fiesta World Mall Lipa.

Jeepney Fare: 8pesos

8:45am: Arrival at Fiesta World Mall Lipa. We walked a little to the tricycle terminal that goes to "Sulok"

Tricycle Fare: 40pesos each


9:00am: The tricycle stopped for awhile at the Brgy. Hall. We paid for registration fee and payment for the plants that we were obliged to plant on the mountain to give back to Mother Nature

Registration Fee: 20pesos
Plant: 25pesos

9:30am: Arrival at Sulok Base Camp. Bought bottled water to rehydrate. 

Bottled Water: 20pesos

9:45am: Start Trek



If you want to read the stories of how our trail in Mt. Manabu went click HERE. I shared my experience as well as the lessons I learned in my very first hike.

2:30pm: Back at Base Camp. The base camp is actually a house turned bathroom and pahingahan. 

Ligo: 15pesos
Hugas Sapatos: 20pesos
Tsinelas (since I need to change my dirty rubber shoes): 70pesos


3:00pm: Lunch at SM Lipa 

Bill: 139pesos

4:00pm: Bus to Alabang

Bill: 90pesos

Mt. Manabu : An Easy and Cheap Day Hike for Beginners

Mt. Manabu has the difficulty of 2/9 perfect for those who are beginners. I am beginner myself and if not for the rain that made the trail muddy and slimy I believe it would be easy an yet enjoyable adventure. The registration fee is just 20pesos and you can also bring your own food and water to lessen the amount you'll pay. 

There are 8 Stations across Mt. Manabu. Stations 1-3 are the easiest of the trail. At Station 6 you'll find Tatay Tino's Kapehan, it's the are where hikers relax for awhile with free Civet coffee. It's a famous site in Mt. Manabu. The most difficult part of our hike was the descent. The trail is steep plus the area became muddy due to rain. 


You can extend your adventure with a swimming since there are a lot of public and private pools available in Batangas. Commute is also easy because there are jeepneys and buses always available. 

Click My Mt. Manabu Day Hike Experience to view more pictures and read complete story on my first hiking experience. 

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FOR PINOYS Rewards Card

My GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card by Cebu Pacific

Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Remember my iBlog 11 experience? I went to this amazing blogging conference last Decemer that I will never forget. It was a 2-day event filled with lessons about blogging and social media. 

One of the sponsors during the event was GetGo Lifestyle by Cebu Pacific and they willingly gave away free rewards card membership to the attendees. I haven't used the card yet but as a rewards-obsessed person that I am, I thought it would be nice to give you a detailed introduction an information about the GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card by Cebu Pacific.


Information

The GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card is a product of Cebu Pacific. It is a lifestyle rewards program that gives you free flights by flying with Cebu Pacific. The program is open for all loyal members and is a point system where in each flight you avail generates a point and is then convertible to buy free flights and add-ons in Cebu Pacific. 



How it Works

With GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card you will earn 1 GetGo points for every 5pesos you spent with Cebu Pacific and Cebgo. 

Aside from flights you spent you also earn points for add-on products like prepaid baggage, seat selector, pre-ordered meal and sports equipment. 

GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card also has list of partners where you can earn points for every transaction. 

Redeeming Your Points

If you book a flight for 5,000pesos fare then you'll get 1,000 points. According to a blogger that had already tried redeeming his points LINK the conversion per points is only around 30 cents. So your 1,000 points  could be more or less 300pesos only.

The conversion of points also depends on how popular the flight is. If its a popular flight then the conversion per points will be much lesser. 

You can redeem your points for any Cebu Pacific Air or Cebgo flight (including add-ons). Cebu Pacific didn't publish any conversion table for the public to see. You have to check it yourself as you login on your personal account at the www.GetGo.com.ph website and then redeem. 

You can use your collected points as follows:
  1. As payment for a flight
  2. As payment for taxes and fees associated with your flight booking
  3. As payment for add-ons like prepaid baggage allowance etc. on your flight booking
  4. As payment for someone's flight as long as you add them on your Sharing Circle.
Redemption is not yet available to partner outlets but updates regarding this will be posted on the GetGo website for sure. You can only redeem your points.

Check THIS LINK to know about the partner outlets/services of GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card. Among on the list are BDO, BPI, Petron, GoHotels.ph and Summit Hotels and Resort. 

How to Apply for a GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card
  • Membership to GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card is open to anyone regardless of nationality or residency.
  • Minors under the age of 18 are required to provide membership number of their parent or legal guardian during enrollment. 
  • Enroll via website. Just visit 
  • You can also enroll via email. Just email GetGo Team at   
  • You can also enroll via Phone by numbers 714-3846 (71GetGo)
  • You can also enroll via SMS. SMS to 0922-114-3846 (092211GetGo) in this format:
    • getgo,reg,first name,last name,dob(mmddyyyy),email Example: getgo,reg,david,cruz,01011970,d.cruz@gmail.com
    •
  • Pay a membership fee of 150pesos. Details on where and how to pay the membership fee will show after logging in to the GetGo website or depending on the method of enrollment you chose.


About the GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card

The GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card is a physical identifier that you are a member of GetGo. The card will be included upon your enrollment. You can choose to deliver it on your preferred address in the Philippines. 

The waiting time for the card to be delivered is within 20 business days. While waiting for your card to be delivered you can start earning points with the online partners.

For those outside of the overseas, you can choose to deliver the card to any Philippine address of someone you know. Click THIS LINK to know more about GetGo Membership Card.

About the GetGo Lifestyle Card Account

Once you become a member of the GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card you will can now access your online account. This is where you can view the status of your membership from how many reward points you have to any other transaction you did with your GetGo Membership Card. 

You can access your account via logging in to the GetGo website with your email address and password. You can update your profile information, reset your password and other website account functionalities.

About the GetGo Earning Circle

GetGo has this Earning Circle which is a group feature that allows you to combine your GetGo points together with seven (7) other members of GetGo which makes earning of points easier and faster. 

  • One member of the Earning Circle shall be the Head and invite other members to participate in your Earning Circle
  • You can start an Earning Circle by yourself (hence becoming the Head) and invite other members to participate in your Earning Circle
  • Or by joining an existing Earning Circle by sending an online request to the Head of that Earning Circle

Click HERE for more information.

About the Sharing Circle

GetGo also has the Sharing Circle which is a group feature that allows you to redeem your GetGo points (from either your personal balance or Earning Circle balance) for a reward flight on behalf of the people you have nominated as member. 


Pros:
  1. Perfect and great privilege for travelers and Cebu Pacific patrons who want to maximize what they pay for their 
  2. No expiration date on points
  3. 5pesos = 1 point which is a big point
  4. Has a lot of offer! With the inclusion of partnered establishments you can earn points in less time. 
  5. There are a lot of ways to become a member
Cons:

  1. There's a membership fee of 150pesos
  2. May not be necessary if you are not a patron of Cebu Pacific

Overall

I am excited to use my GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card especially this year that traveling is part of my priorities. I think its a great addition for my rewards card collection. I love that there's no expiration for the points to use. I also love how the GetGo website is filled with information. Almost everything is in the website. 

Comment below if you are using the GetGo Lifestyle Rewards Card. Share also your experience using the card.

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