Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior by Amy Hua is causing quite a stir. I had heard about this article days ago but had no interest in really reading it. Until I kept seeing it being re-posted over and over on Facebook, so I finally had to take a look.
Such an eye-opener. I was raised this way (we're Filipino). But growing up in Western society with an Asian mother was like playing a tug-o-war game of life. Now that I'm raising my own kids, I feel like I need to find a good balance between both and that's challenging, knowing I'm being judged. But should I care???
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Money-Saving Resolutions for a Healthy Happy New Year
According to a recent survey by TD Ameritrade, the top New Year’s resolutions for 2011 reflect a new focus on quality of life. Saving money is still one of the top three resolutions though, and there are many ways to do that with just a little effort. Here are our suggestions to combine money-saving ideas with your plans to improve health, reduce stress, and have fun this year.
1. Avoid impulse shopping. Shop end of season sales. Always check for coupons for your planned purchases. That should be easy for Buxr enthusiasts, who already love coupons! Never leave the house until you’ve made a shopping list and had a chance to check out the available coupons. There will be even more savings options in 2011, as merchants offer more mobile coupons, as well as coupons loaded onto grocery store loyalty cards.
2. Lose weight and save money, too. With this plan, you can reduce your waist line and your bottom line at the same time! If you resolve to eat more healthy foods, consider eating at home more, and pay cash when shopping at the grocery store. A recent Dunn & Bradstreet study found that people who pay with credit cards spend more, and those who pay cash at the grocery store buy less junk food. Augment regular shopping with the many online offers for free samples. Frequently you’ll get full size samples, and there are plenty of opportunities to request deodorant, coffee, dog food, lotions, or detergent samples. Brown bag your lunch or take a hot meal in a thermos; brew your own coffee instead of buying expensive lattes. And when you want to eat out, you can cut dining costs with group buying deals or discounted restaurant certificates.
3. Save gasoline or find cheap fuel. The best way to save gasoline is to use public transportation. If possible, take the bus or the train to work and leave your gas guzzler in the garage. If you live too far away to take advantage of city bus services, try park-and-ride services or a carpool. If you do have to drive, find the best fuel prices in your area with Gas Buddy, Fuel Me Up, Automotive, Gas Price Watch, Mapquest Gas Prices, or the MSN Gas Station Finder.
4. Conserve energy. Turn off or unplug unused lights, appliances, computers, and other gadgets when you’re not using them and encourage your family to do the same. If you want to cut costs even more, switch your incandescent bulbs for some long-lasting, high-efficiency compact fluorescent bulbs. While you conserve energy, you’ll save on your utility bills.
5. Bank online to save time, paper, and postage.
6. Cut down on disposables, and replace them with reusable items. Repurpose old clothing and recycle jars or containers for storage. Clean out your closets to donate, swap, or sell your old clothing.
7. Quit smoking to improve your health and save on your insurance premiums, too. Insurance companies offer lower rates to nonsmokers, and you’ll save the cost of buying tobacco products.
8. Trim your expenses by canceling unused memberships and magazine subscriptions. Get your exercise by riding a bicycle or walking instead of working out at the gym. Read the news online and take advantage of free or discounted magazine subscription offers.
9. Pay down any credit card balances to save on costly interest charges. Transfer your credit card balances to a card with a lower interest rate.
10. Set a budget. If you choose a moderate plan, it will be easier to stick to it. Try a 50/30/20 budget – use 50% of your income for necessities, spend 30% for extras, and set aside 20% for savings. Some mortgage lenders allow “recasting” so you can cut your mortgage payments. If you pay a lump sum toward the principle and keep the interest rate and loan term the same, the reduction in principle can result in lower monthly payments and savings on interest. Then, with these savings you’ll be able to start an emergency fund to cover a few months’ worth of living expenses, like re! nt or mortgage payments, car payments, utilities, and food. You can compare your expenses and possible investments with Bankrate’s finance calculators.
Choose the plans that you can easily implement. By making a few small changes you can happily reach your long term goals for physical and financial health.
This blog post was kindly borrowed from Buxr.
1. Avoid impulse shopping. Shop end of season sales. Always check for coupons for your planned purchases. That should be easy for Buxr enthusiasts, who already love coupons! Never leave the house until you’ve made a shopping list and had a chance to check out the available coupons. There will be even more savings options in 2011, as merchants offer more mobile coupons, as well as coupons loaded onto grocery store loyalty cards.
2. Lose weight and save money, too. With this plan, you can reduce your waist line and your bottom line at the same time! If you resolve to eat more healthy foods, consider eating at home more, and pay cash when shopping at the grocery store. A recent Dunn & Bradstreet study found that people who pay with credit cards spend more, and those who pay cash at the grocery store buy less junk food. Augment regular shopping with the many online offers for free samples. Frequently you’ll get full size samples, and there are plenty of opportunities to request deodorant, coffee, dog food, lotions, or detergent samples. Brown bag your lunch or take a hot meal in a thermos; brew your own coffee instead of buying expensive lattes. And when you want to eat out, you can cut dining costs with group buying deals or discounted restaurant certificates.
3. Save gasoline or find cheap fuel. The best way to save gasoline is to use public transportation. If possible, take the bus or the train to work and leave your gas guzzler in the garage. If you live too far away to take advantage of city bus services, try park-and-ride services or a carpool. If you do have to drive, find the best fuel prices in your area with Gas Buddy, Fuel Me Up, Automotive, Gas Price Watch, Mapquest Gas Prices, or the MSN Gas Station Finder.
4. Conserve energy. Turn off or unplug unused lights, appliances, computers, and other gadgets when you’re not using them and encourage your family to do the same. If you want to cut costs even more, switch your incandescent bulbs for some long-lasting, high-efficiency compact fluorescent bulbs. While you conserve energy, you’ll save on your utility bills.
5. Bank online to save time, paper, and postage.
6. Cut down on disposables, and replace them with reusable items. Repurpose old clothing and recycle jars or containers for storage. Clean out your closets to donate, swap, or sell your old clothing.
7. Quit smoking to improve your health and save on your insurance premiums, too. Insurance companies offer lower rates to nonsmokers, and you’ll save the cost of buying tobacco products.
8. Trim your expenses by canceling unused memberships and magazine subscriptions. Get your exercise by riding a bicycle or walking instead of working out at the gym. Read the news online and take advantage of free or discounted magazine subscription offers.
9. Pay down any credit card balances to save on costly interest charges. Transfer your credit card balances to a card with a lower interest rate.
10. Set a budget. If you choose a moderate plan, it will be easier to stick to it. Try a 50/30/20 budget – use 50% of your income for necessities, spend 30% for extras, and set aside 20% for savings. Some mortgage lenders allow “recasting” so you can cut your mortgage payments. If you pay a lump sum toward the principle and keep the interest rate and loan term the same, the reduction in principle can result in lower monthly payments and savings on interest. Then, with these savings you’ll be able to start an emergency fund to cover a few months’ worth of living expenses, like re! nt or mortgage payments, car payments, utilities, and food. You can compare your expenses and possible investments with Bankrate’s finance calculators.
Choose the plans that you can easily implement. By making a few small changes you can happily reach your long term goals for physical and financial health.
This blog post was kindly borrowed from Buxr.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Happy New Year!!!
After this most long drawn out year, I am sooooooooooo happy that 2011 is finally here. I didn't make any resolutions this year, atleast not yet. I created some goals and hopefully I will be able to list them all in this handy dandy blog sometime soon. But in the meantime, I thought I'd share some awesome photos of our New Year's eve celebration. :)
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