Managing my Budget

If I was born rich, I wouldn't have to budget. My blog for today is about budgeting. Let me define BUDGET. The simplest definition is-- an estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time. Modesty aside, Tony and I have a good flow of income every month. BUT we still have money shortages, no savings and it feels like I am so poor.

One night, my cousin visited me for a Financial talk. It feels awkward talking about personal things with her but when she bid herself goodbye that night, I went to bed feeling better because I learned something new about SAVINGS. Do not get me wrong, I can eat at restaurants, buy the stuff that I want. I am living a comfortable life. I worked my whole life after I graduated college, lo and behold I am as broke as I was before.  What happened?

I love budgeting. I list down my expenses to make sure I know where my money is going and I am also hoping that  I can save. For a time, my savings worked. I opened a savings account but it wasn't enough because eventually, I had to pull it out. It didn't multiply coz I was merely saving and it neither helped me secure my future.

I will share a few bullets of my bad practices that prevented me from effective saving.

• I spend more than I earn.
• I dont stick to my budget.
• I look back to my expenses instead of looking ahead.

Right now, I have found a  system that's so far is the best. It worked for me and I couldn't be more thankful to my cousin Ate Ana for sharing this to me!

• Write down your expenses and projected budget.
• Once you get your pay, withdraw all your money.
• Allocate funds for each expenses and put it in an envelope. Eg. if my budget envelope for GAS  is 2000, I have to make sure my gas will last until the next payday. Otherwise, I will have to ride the PUJ.  
• One of my envelope should read as  FORCED SAVINGS. 

Right now, Tony and I am planning on investing on Life Insurance and Educational Plan for Cassie. This is on the works since we're also planning on maybe going to the US to work and live. I just hope and pray that with God's guidance and mercy, He will help us by giving us hints on which path is best for us. 

I hope this short blog will help. I would love to see you truly save too!! 

Dinner After A Long Work Week

I’ve been wanting to cook PORK STEAMED RICE again ala dimsum style of course. When I was in SG and according to some friends, STEAMED RICE abroad equals to plain rice here in the PI, isn’t that sad. This aint my first time to cook the dish and I can’t remember the last time I cooked steamed rice so I kinda forgot how it’s done. Thanks to the power of internet. Gone were the days that the only option is to go to the dimsum restaurant to satisfy my cravings. I mean to be honest, the thing I cook at home isn’t exactly the same when it comes to taste but I’m assured that mine doesn’t have MSG on it and that makes it a whole lot better than those at Dimsum restaurants.

Anyways, to be a bit trivial  DIMSUM means  a Chinese dish of small steamed or fried savory dumplings containing various fillings, served as a snack or main course.