BPI Express Credit Advisory

Just received this advisory text from BPI.

Shop anywhere and get a free weekend shuttle ride from mall to mall (TriNoma to Glorietta to Robinsons Manila) for a minimum of PhP1,000 charge slip.

Not to sound offensive but with this promo, BPI is just being true to its slogan, “We’ll take you farther.”

Christmas Gift Idea #3: Kikay Kingdom

Work hard. Shop harder.

That’s the motto of the women behind Kikay Kingdom. Think of these three sisters as your personal shopper. They scout designer stores, look for great designs and knock-out prices. Some of their items can be a bit pricey but if you have the money for it, then go ahead and splurge once in awhile.

Check out their Multiply site at kikaykingdom.multiply.com. They have a wide array of designer shoes, bags and everything kikay.

Anvil Publishing’s Book Sale on Nov. 24

Anvil Publishing is holding a book sale from Nov. 24 to 30 at its office in Pioneer St. Pasig City (near Pioneer Center).

I have been to its book sale for the last three years and I can vouch that its prices are really cheap. Last year, I bought several Archie Digests for PhP30 each and they were in brand-new condition! I also bought about 10 copies of Velveteen Rabbit at PhP10 each and some Sweet Dreams for PhP15 each. My best buys last year include brand new copies of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Isabel Allende’s House of the Spirits for PhP30 each.

Bring your kids as well so they can choose from the children’s books. This book sale will surely give you great buys for you, your kids, nephews and nieces, and godchildren.

Anvil Publishing is located at 8007B Pioneer St. Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

Christmas Gift Idea #2: Myra-E Shine-Free Face Powder

Here’s something nice and affordable for your girlfriends or your teen daughters—the Myra-E Shine-Free Face Powder.

Just as the entire Myra E personal care line boasts of its vitamin E, its new face powder is also vitamin-E enriched. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body fight off free radicals, by the way.

I particularly like this gift idea because aside from the vitamin E, it’s hypoallergenic and has SPF 15. It’s nice for women who are conscious of the shine on their face. It’s also very compact and you can just flip it open anytime you need it.

The price is affordable, too, at PhP133. Check out major beauty outlets like Watsons and SM Department Store.

Christmas Gift Idea #1: pH Care minis

If you’re looking for something cute, something small, something usable and something affordable (cheap!) for your monito (if he’s gay) or monita this Christmas, check out the mini pH Care (feminine wash).

The package contains four different variants of pH Care at 30mL bottles. It’s just PhP99 and can be purchased at Watsons’, Mercury and SM Department Store.

How cute is that?! It’s a great gift for your Kris Kringle. And best of all, these will be used and wouldn’t just gather dust in your desks.

Can layaway work in the Philippines?

Layaway is making a big comeback in the US, thanks to the US recession. This is the first time I’ve heard of this and so I searched what the fuss is about.

The layaway plan is simple. You are in a store and something catches your fancy. You make a down payment and ask the store to set it aside and then you arranges for regular payment. Once you complete full payment, you can take the item home.

Layaway was first implemented during the Great Depression in the last years of 1920 and it’s making a huge comeback in the US. It is the answer of many US stores to their declining sales. Many store merchants no longer want to touch credit cards with a 10-foot pole. So rather than accepting credit card charges, store merchants choose the layaway plan.

Methinks this a great plan, which I hope can also be implemented here in the Philippines. In the last few years, our banks have become more aggressive in marketing their credit cards. Even students nowadays have credit cards. To avoid duplicating the US recession and economic mess, let’s not get over our heads and just charge everything away.

I do hope that layaway catches on in the country. Times are also hard here and we need all the help we can get. It would be very nice if I can see SM implementing this. Paging Henry and Hans Sy!

Avoid the Christmas mad rush

In a few days, it will be November already. Right after All Saints and All Souls Day, this is officially the start of the Christmas season. And have you started your Christmas shopping?

To avoid the holiday rush, better get started on your shopping. Early trek to the malls and preparation will make a difference in your sanity and wallet. You don’t have to wait in long lines, you can budget your Christmas money well, and you don’t have to push your way in the mad crowds.

Here are just some tips to ensure that you have a headache-free Christmas:

1) List down the names of people you would like to give Christmas gifts to and estimate how much money you will spend for each person.

2) If Divisoria and 168 is not your thing, consider shopping online. You can try buying items from Ebay.ph or from Multiply sellers. Just make sure you check the feedback of the sellers first.

3) If you’re the artsy or culinary type, consider giving personalized gifts.

4) Shop early. Be at the mall when it opens in the morning. Shopping early means less people, shorter lines and sales staff are more helpful.

5) Check your budget. Don’t blow your 13th-month pay in just one shopping spree. Make sure there is enough money for your Noche Buena or, if you can, save a portion of your bonus for emergency.

6) Consider giving group gifts, example, a batch of brownies for your office friends.

7) Consider giving to charity in your friends’ behalf. More and more people are practicing this trend. Instead of giving individual gifts, many choose to give charitable donations in behalf of their friends. These charitable institutions, meanwhile, will give you Christmas cards for free, which you can then send to friends.