Why Mommy Loves Barney

While I was having lunch with a friend the other week (who's a father of an 8-month old baby girl), I told him how my baby Mikeila adores the show Barney. He immediately asked if Barney is recommended for babies because of rumors he heard way back criticizing the purple dinosaur's 'sexuality'. This is the reason why he never have his baby watched it.

I've heard this rumor too when I was still single (I think same rumor surfaced about Spongebob). Personally, I think Barney is one of the BEST kids show that ever created. Here's why:

• The show teaches good manners like sharing, being loving, being polite, being fair with your friends and even the proper way of sneezing hehe! 
• They teach children how to count, learn ABCs and identify shapes and colors
• It also teaches kids practical stuffs like how to cross the street (always stop look and listen, hold hands with a grown up, etc), rules when playing balls outside (always ask a grown up friend to get the ball if ever it goes out on the street, etc)
• Best of all, they teach all of that thru a language kids would easily understand - with MUSIC!

I'm actually grateful for this show because Mikeila have gained an interest in singing. At her tender age, she was able to sing along with her favorite Barney tunes complete with dance moves. She comes rushing to hug and kiss me or her daddy whenever she hears the "I Love You" Song play on TV. She already knows how to count from 1 to 10 and sing the ABC song although I'm sure she doesn't understand it yet. She's been watching Barney since she's 3 months old although she have discovered and loved other characters now like Tinkerbell or Barbie, she never grew tired of Barney, Baby Bop, BJ and Riff but I'm not complaining.

Infographics: Sad Facts About Filipinos Saving and Investing Habits

Today, July 20 is the start of the 2-day 2012 Money Summit and Wealth Expo held at SMX Convention Center. It is the biggest investing conference in the country where various finance experts teach Filipinos on how to be successful on various investment mediums like stocks, real estate, forex, etc. I really wanted to come but my schedule won't let me. :(

Anyways, the organizers of the summit released a shocking and sad facts about Filipinos' Investing Habits. Here are some of it:

Only 2 out of 8 Filipino households have a bank deposit accounts..

43.8% of Filipinos spend more than their income..

< 1% of households in Metro Manila owns stocks, bonds, mutual funds or government securities

Check out the whole infographics below:

Pay Yourself First

We always hear an advice saying that we should save at least 20% of our salary before we pay for our expenses and I absolutely agree. But where do we put this 20%? Do we just leave it at the bank? Piggy banks, anyone?

In the book “Wealth Within Your Reach” by Francisco Colayco, he explained what we should do with the 20%. According to him, this should be allocated among 3 funds namely emergency fund, insurance and investment.

1. Emergency Fund – Half of the 20% must go to your emergency fund. As the name implies, this should be used in case of emergency only (i.e., losing your job). You should save an equivalent of at least 6 months worth of your monthly expenses because it is assumed that that’s how long you can recover from an emergency (e.g. finding a new job). 
2. Insurance – This is an item we Filipinos normally pay no attention to. But personally, I believe that if you are generating an income and your family is relying on it, then it is vital to protect yourself by getting an insurance. We don’t want our loved ones to carry the financial burden when something unexpected happens to us. According to some financial advisers, the amount of insurance coverage must be at least 2-3 years worth of your annual income. 
3. Investment - After allotting for emergency fund and insurance, the balance should be invested. Always remember to invest your money where you can earn higher than inflation which is about 5%, otherwise your income will just get eaten by it. You might wonder, the balance will probably be just a small amount, where in the world can I invest it and get good returns? I always suggest to invest your money in mutual funds. I thank God for the person who invented it. :) Mutual funds lets you invest in stocks or bonds with at least P1k (but initial investment must be P5k). Professional fund managers pool all investments and place it in blue chip or good performing companies and generate good returns, around 10% at the lowest. I'll discuss more about mutual funds in my succeeding posts. 

 Those are the things that I religiously do every payday. It will be challenging at first. But my goal to be able to provide college education for my kids in the future and retire with enough funds keep me fueled to pay myself first every single day.

Snapshot at Gymboree! Wall Photo Contest

I just want to share Gymboree and Nivea Baby's ongoing promo called Snapshot at Gymboree (Wall Photo Contest)! Prizes at stake is a free 12-week once a week class valid at any corporate brances (Shangri-La, Sofitel, Manila Polo Club or Rockwell Club) plus P5,000 worth of Nivea Baby Products.

Mechanics:

• Like Nivea Baby Philippines FB page at http://www.facebook.com/Niveababyphilippines
• Upload a photo of mother and child at any Gymboree branch with the theme of "Touch Bonding". Photo must be taken within the premises of any Gymboree branch (playfloor or classroom)
• Participants should indicate the following details: Parent's Name, Child's Name, Child's Age, Photo Taken at Gymboree ____ (branch), Contact Number and Email Address
• Participants should input a statement that includes experience in Gymboree or a story to tell about the photo (i.e., My Baby and I love Gymboree because...)
• Photo must be uploaded on your own Facebook site, then post the link of the photo on the wall of Nivea Baby Facebook page
• Moms with children aged 4 years old and below may join the contest
• Maximum of 3 entries per mother and child
• Contest is only open to all Gymboree Play & Music Members. Please inquire at your nearest branch on how to be a Gymboree member.
• Promo period is from July 1 to August 26, 2012.

Good luck mommies!

Plants vs Zombies The Musical - Live at Ayala Malls

For kids and kids at heart who love the game Plants vs Zombies, here's a sure treat that will make your weekend FUN! Ayala Malls and PopCap bring you Plants vs Zombies Live!

Watch your favorite PvZ characters as they come to life to sing, perform and make you laugh during their 23-minute show at the following Ayala Malls:

July 6 to 7
11:30AM, 3:00PM & 6:00PM
Glorietta Activity Center

July 8, 2012
11:30AM 3rd Level Greenbelt 5 Kids and Teens Zone (meet and greet)
3PM and 6PM Greenbelt 3 Park

July 11-12
Pavilion Mall Activity Center

July 13-15
Alabang Town CenterActivity Center

July 20-22
Marquee Mall Activity Center

July 27 - 29
Abreeza Mall Activity Center

August 4-5
Trinoma Activity Center

August 13-15
Harbor Point Activity Center

August 17-18
Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center

August 24-26
Market! Market!Activity Center

See you guys there!

CHILI GARLIC POTATOES

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg baby potatoes
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3tbsp olive oil
• 6-8 cloves of garlic, diced
• 4pcs jalapeno chilis, cut in to rings
• 3tsps balsamic vinegar
• salt to taste

How to Cook:

1. Wash the baby potatoes very carefully. Boil potatoes in their jackets until tender then cut it in half. Be careful not to overcook so that it won't break when we stir fry it later.
2. Heat the butter and olive oil in a skillet. It's important to have both in order to achieve a nice golden-brown crust.
3. Saute garlic and chilis until the garlic turns brown. Add the potatoes. Cook until the potatoes have a golden brown color.
4. Add the balsamic vinegar and salt.

This goes well with pasta or porkchop or roasted chicken. Enjoy!