Nice To Know You

Raft3r starts his new job next week.

After 15 years, I finally get to practice what I learned in school.

Yes, Raft3r is now an HR Practitioner.

I believe this is the first time I even blogged about what I do for a living. Someone actually thought that Raft3r's a traveling salesman.

Without much HR work experience, I have nothing to offer but my good looks. (You can puke now, if you want.)

But I'm excited as hell and craving for new challenges.

Hello, new job. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Please don't give me any reason not to like you.

Didn't We Almost Have It All

Quote of the day:

"Tito (Uncle), you can buy Siri. You can buy MacBook Air. But you can't buy me a $50 toy. Hmp."

- Raft3r's 8 year old niece

All Falls Down

It's January and no travel plans have been made.

Nothing has been set in stone.

This is alarming. Since by this time, my family should be in Hong Kong. We always celebrate my niece's birthday there. Always.

In 2011, Raft3r traveled like a mad man. Sadly, that won't be the case for this year.

Armed with a limited budget, 2012 will be very boring.

Besides a winter trip to Colorado, I have nothing else.

Indeed, recession has finally hit home.

Cool Change

For a change, I did something good for myself.

No, you sickos. I did not masturbate, if that was what you were thinking.

I opened a savings account. It was more like an equity investment, according to Raft3r's banker.

The road to financial security has begun anew.

These Hard Times

Raft3r has 25 godchildren.

Buying presents for every single one of them is the quickest way to bankruptcy this festive Holiday Season.

Cheers!

Back To You

Raft3r was almost debt free.

I paid off all my credit cards and had them canceled.

How did Raft3r celebrate?

I hit the stores and bought 19 DVDs.

Back to the old drawing board, then.

Duplicity

Raft3r has (at least) two copies of:

• Guess Who;
• Janet Live In Hawaii;
• Behind Enemy Lines;
• U218 Singles;
• Bourne Identity;
• Charlie’s Angels;
• Number Ones;
• Scream 3;
• Black Hawk Down;
• X-Men: The Last Stand;
• Panic Room;
• Titanic; and
• Miss Congeniality.

Just don’t ask me why.

Happy Feet

With the year almost over, it’s time to start planning for 2010.

Travel is on top of the agenda.

By next month, Raft3r and his nieces will be going back to Hong Kong.

The younger one is no longer excited and wishes to go to Colorado instead. More on that on future posts, though.

The entire family is going. Therefore, I expect a lot of chaos and noise on this trip.

Hong Kong, you have be warned.

I also plan on going back to New York. Seriously, I have fallen in love with that city. It is no longer funny.

A return trip to Bohol is also in order. I miss my broas.

Of course, the regular weekend getaways to Tagaytay would still be there.

Batanes is still a dream destination and 2010 might just be year to invade it.

Raft3r has also been invited to visit Hawaii, Korea, and Australia. But I still favor Guam for its sick duty free shops.

Wherever the road takes me in 2010, only one thing is certain - money would be a very scarce commodity in the next 365 days.

Dazed And Confused

I almost forgot about this.

Raft3r is off to Macau in a couple of days.

Somehow my mind is not set on traveling. All I keep thinking about is the money I will be spending on this trip.

Suddenly, Raft3r has become a party pooper. Instead of making a list of what to buy, I have listed the things I needed to pay for this travel.

I am sucking the fun off this trip.

Either I am becoming a responsible adult or just simply turning into someone who refuses to enjoy life.

Take your pick.

September

September, for most Pinoys, is the start of the Christmas Season.

For Raft3r, September means something else. It’s the month when HUGE expenses come to haunt me.

On September 08, 2006, I purchased a car – by impulse.

At that time, I was amazed as to how affordable buying a car was. The monthly payment was the mere cost of a mobile phone. It was that cheap. So I thought.

Three years later, I struggle to make ends meet. It was a mistake to buy a car I don’t even need. In fact, the car I bought is seldom used.

Insurance, registration, and monthly amortization were all due first week of September. I had to shell out close to $550.

Raft3r is now dead broke.

Note to self: Impulse buying is no longer a luxury I could afford.

Working Class Hero

When I was kid, I originally wanted to be a detective.

On fourth grade and I became a teacher’s pet, I wanted to be an educator.

During my puberty years, I wanted to be a porn star.

In college, Raft3r took a double major course. That’s when tragedy struck.

I became clueless on what I wanted to do with my life. I did not know what direction to take with my professional career.

My folks wanted me to become a professional liar (i.e. a lawyer).

Raft3r somehow fell into working for foreign governments. It’s not a bad gig. In fact, the perks are awesome.

On Monday, both US and Canada celebrate their labor force.

Whatever job you have, be proud of it. Your job brings food money to the table.

She Works Hard For The Money

Raft3r now works 10 hours a day. I also work Saturdays – well, sometimes.

But that is nothing compared to my colleagues.

For instance, a female officemate logs in 12 hours a day plus weekend overtime.

Sunday overtime work has also been approved. But the office is having a hard time looking for supervisors who could pitch in.

Given this scenario, my female colleague will now work 12 hour shifts for 7 straight days. Does that make women more hardworking than men?

Folks from other departments are now envious of how much we earn because of overtime work.

Is money really that important?

Of course, I need money like the rest of the populace. In fact, I need it more than most people do.

But I would rather choose sleep over money any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Taking Lives

A dear colleague was recently hospitalized.

She underwent a major operation and it happened at a very bad time.

Our HMO is on the brink of filing for Chapter 11. Yes, another recession victim bites the dust.

With no assistance from our health care provider, my friend shouldered all expenses.

She has contacted our HMO several times to no avail. As to her inquiry if she can be reimbursed, this was the company’s reply: “We don’t know. We’re not sure.”

That’s scary. Imagine being in her shoes. That is certainly not a fun ride.

Moral of the story: Always save for a rainy day.

Pay It Forward

Raft3r cut off his credit card today.

Finally.

It is one of the best feelings ever – almost close to an orgasm.

The goal is to be debt free.

One down. Three more to go.

The Man Who Sold The World

Raft3r always had good business sense.

When I was younger, I put all my Marvel and DC comics to good use. I had them rented to next door neighbors for a buck each.

Toys I received as gifts and did not appeal to me were sold in an instant.

A prepubescent Raft3r enjoyed manning his grandparents’ sari-sari store. I would jack up prices of goodies sold for my own benefit.

As I got older, the more entrepreneurial I became.

I had my VHS tapes rented and had a garage sale for all my old cassette tapes and Archie Digests.

A yuppie Raft3r once sold siopao (Chinese dimsum), ham and tuna sandwiches at the Canadian Embassy. That was a hit.

I hit pay dirt selling DVDs online. Yes, there are folks willing to shell out hard earned money to buy original stuff. Take that, pirates!

Raft3r is now in the business of leasing out cars and selling gift certificates of various establishments.

For those interested, you know where to find me.

Fly Away

During a recent gathering, the hot topic for discussion was overseas employment.

It seems everyone wants to get the hell out of the Philippines. I don’t blame them.

Times are hard. 

I, for one, live from paycheck to paycheck. That wasn’t the case, say, five years ago.

Most of Raft3r’s friends are now based abroad - some in Singapore, a couple in Canada, a few in Australia, and a good chunk in the United States.

When they are here for a visit, their stories of success are such welcome news.

Now, one of my best friends wants to try his luck overseas. He says he has given up all hope in finding a decent way to make a buck in Manila.

A part of me wants to strap him to a chair and tell him not to go. Selfish as it sounds, Raft3r does not want to lose a good party buddy. I have been constantly losing friends to immigration.

Raft3r is sticking to his guns and staying put in the Philippines.

Unlike most of my friends, I am not giving up on my country. I still think there is hope.

How's this for irony? Raft3r's not even a part of the Philippine labor force.

The Price We Pay

With raising prices of gas and other basic commodities, folks are having a hard time budgeting their expenses. Raft3r is no exception.

I am going crazy with the ever changing fuel prices. These days, a P500 weekly gas allowance is simply not feasible.

Now more and more people are resorting to fast cash payday loans.

I don’t blame them. Times are hard. It doesn’t help that the US economy is on a downward spiral. Go Bush!

Indeed, a global financial crisis is upon us.

Prices are on the constant rise and salary increases seem to be a distant thing of the past.

The sudden emergence of cash loan centers is a strong indication of how weak the world economy is. At least, they offer convenience and a quick fix to monetary problems.

Cash Flow

One of the perils of traveling is running out of cash.

On Raft3r’s first week in Baltimore, my company sponsored credit card did not arrive on time. I had to initially shoulder all my expenses, including paying for my hotel accommodation.

Boy, was it stressful.

My own credit card couldn’t pay for my bills. So Raft3r had to find other ways to cover all expenses.

An office mate provided me with the perfect solution: cash advance.

It’s the fast and easy answer to any financial need. Raft3r immediately filed an application and received his money right away. Problem solved.

It’s hard enough to be stranded in a foreign land. To be totally penniless is nerve wracking. It’s something Raft3r would not want to experience ever again.

A cash advance is a life saver. It's the modern day super hero.

Shake Your Money Maker

Raft3r has always been good with money.

For instance, I always make sure the bills are paid on time and the monthly budget is strictly followed.

When Raft3r applied for a car loan a couple of years bank, the car dealer was impressed by the terms given by the bank. The dealer said I must have a pretty good credit standing with the bank to be approved of such a low interest rate.

Friends have approached me on how I do it. They ask for tips on how to repair credit. I always tell them to keep it simple. Never spend more than what you earn.

The rule of thumb on credit repair is discipline. Money, like everything else, is a great tool. But it can be subject to abuse. I know. I’ve been there.

If you do not know when to stop spending, there lies the problem.

Good credit repair services can be beneficial to people who are struggling with their finances. They can give a sensible and practical solution to every complex money matter.

Bad credit repair is possible. There are services available to those who need them. Armed with the right information, you can well be on your way to financial freedom.

A friend of mine can attest to this. He is now on the road to recovery.

Think of this as rehab for the financially distraught.

Cute Boy Discount

Who doesn’t want a good bargain, right?

Raft3r has found a gold mine!

Every Sunday morning, I make it a point to go online and check for coupons on weekly sale items in my favorite stores.

I have been patiently waiting for Janet’s Why Did I Get I Married? DVD to get a price markdown. It’s been six weeks and counting. So Raft3r looked through Amazon coupons and tried to find a good deal.

These days being a bargain hunter pays off big time. Unless you are filthy rich, never settle for a full price. This is the modern day golden rule.

Raft3r recently purchased Armani Exchange sunglasses. Retail price is $70. I got mine for a mere 30 bucks. Now, that’s a steal.

For the upcoming Labor Day weekend, my friends and I have tickets to the US Open. 

NY hotels, as we all know, can be quite pricey. So Raft3r is now searching for hotel accommodations using coupons from Expedia.

I just love discounts.

Call me a cheapskate or even a tightwad. But I will be laughing all the way to the bank.