Archive for March 22nd, 2010

It seems shopping for the baby is more enjoyable, convenient but more expensive than before. From baby furniture to breastfeeding equipment and accessories, bottles, carriers and clothes, there are just more choices, variety and stuff that makes you think you need it.

I am not baby expert nor a great one to ask for advice on spending and saving money, but I do know babies grow up fast, so I would rather not buy the adorable yet expensive outfit that a baby might wear for only three times before she outgrows them – babies grow fast! I would invest on on quality baby furniture like a baby crib that can be converted into a toddler bed. Not only should they stand the test of time and a baby’s destructive ways, it would be a smart move if they can last as long as you will be having babies so you do not need to buy every time.

You would need a crib, changing table, drawers and perhaps a rocking chair for you to rest and cuddle with the baby in her room.

You might also consider getting bassinets for your room or a busy place in the house where you might put the baby all the time while you are doing chores.

I can say it was Starbucks and the crazy commercialism it gave to consumers with their brilliant invention and promotion of the frappucino that made me addicted to coffee, but the truth is I have been addicted to it, before I even discovered Starbucks. Back in college, when students went to the mall or to a bar after school, me and my friends would go to a coffee shop and hang out there. We were amongst college professors, med and law students.

It would be convenient for me to invest on a great coffeemaker, really. Given how much I pay for coffee every week, I am better off stocking up on coffee blend I can purchase at the grocery. I have never tried whole coffee before (read: I do not have a coffee press).

I did my research and came up with three great coffee makers under $50:

The Manual Filter Cone

This a plastic cone that sits on the top of your cup. Place a paper filter in the cone, add ground coffee and then pour hot water over the coffee grinds. Perfectly cheap!

The French Press or Press pot.

It’s simply a glass beaker with vertical sides, with a plunger that includes a mesh filter.

You can buy a French press for anything between $10 and $30, depending on the size.

Best of all, it’s easy to use and will make a better cup of coffee than many brewers that cost several times as much.

A regular drip brewer. You can use coffee pods – coffee beans in their own filter here.

Sunday Stealing: The Eight Tens Meme

TEN TO START.
1. Are you single? No.
2. Are you happy? Yes.
3. Are you bored? Not really.
4. Are you naked? No.
5. Are you a blonde? No.
6. Are you moody? Yes.
7. Are you a lover/hater? Lover.
8. Are you hot/cold? In Between.
9. Are you Irish? No.
10. Are you Asian? Yes.

TEN FACTS.
1. Name: Jane
2. Nicknames: Mrs. Yoo
3. Birth mark: None
4. Hair color: Black peppered with white.
5. Natural hair color: Black
6. Eye color: Dark Brown
7. Height: 5’7”
8. Facebook Mood: In FB Hiatus.
9. Favorite color: Blue, Pink, Yellow
10. One Place to Visit: Boracay.

TEN THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE.
1. Do you believe in love at first sight? No.
2. Do you believe in soul mates? No.
4. Have you ever been hurt emotionally? Yes.
5. Have you ever broken someone’s heart? I hope not.
6. Have you ever been cheated on? No.
7. Have you ever liked someone and not told them? Yes.
8. Are you afraid of commitment? No.
9. Who was the last person you hugged? My daughter.
10. Who was the last person you kissed? My husband.

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I have never been good with numbers. While I admit I excelled in school, Math answers always came to me by a lot of hard work, intellectual guesses and countless prayers hoping I got it right. It is a good thing we didn’t get to study Calculus in high school as I would have needed more than Calculus help – I would have needed a miracle to pass. Precalculus help was available after school hours though but I sincerely doubt it would have helped me.

Math homework help was always offered by one of resident Math geeks who turns out to be one of my best friends. Algebra homework help was one of the few Math-related subjects I didn’t need help with because I actually excelled in it (maybe because it has letters in the equations).

When I went to college, fortunately, College algebra problems were still easy. Free college algebra help was always available online though, at Tutor Vista. They have tutoring and assignment help services whenever a student needed one, and since they are online, you can always get the help you needed even if it’s the middle of the night!