On Being Frugal

If you are an expat, away from family and friends, and all you depend upon is your monthly income, it is important to be practical. It is necessary that you know how to identify a need from a want because there is now a very fine between the two. It also pays to be frugal, to save even some cents in whatever way because every little helps.

I am no expert but since I am all about savings, I might as well give you some tips on how to save.

1. Use promo codes and coupons. Whether you are shopping online or offline, promo codes are a great way to save money. If you are looking for promo codes on a variety of items, check out www.Savings.com. I have been planning on purchasing some electronic products and I was delighted to find that there are currently Sony promo codes that I can use when I shop online.

2. Carpool. If you are just like Hubby who drives to work instead of commuting, it would be smart to go on a carpool. You could ask your colleagues to ride with you on a scheduled basis. In the case of Hubby, he and a colleague drives alternately.

3. Shop for On-Sale Goods. Here, we receive lots of promo materials in our mail. They could be a nuisance sometimes because they fill up our mailbox unnecessarily but there are lots of good deals on these brochures. There are Savings Home Depot coupons, discount coupons for various items, and goods on special offer. If you want to shop for new stuff, check out the on-sale goods. You could always get a big discount if the item is on sale. 

4. Electricity, Lights, and Water. We know this is basic. This has always been what my chemistry professor says before we leave the laboratory. If it is not in use, turn it off. It helps save energy and prevents accidents too.

5. Don't be an impulsive buyer. It is okay if you treat yourself to something nice every now and then. But before you spend your money, ask first if you really need it. If you can still live or last the day without it, then don't buy it. It would also be helpful if you write a shopping list beforehand so that you don't just pick up stuff when you are at the groceries. More importantly, stick to your shopping list.  That way, you won't make any unnecessary purchases.

These are just some of my tips. Here's hoping everyone financial stability and well being.

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Visiting Lourdes, France

The city of Lourdes in France is one of the most frequented sanctuaries by Catholic pilgrims. It is famous the world over because it is where Our Lady appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous. It was in 1858 when the apparitions happened in the Grotto of Massabielle. She revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, asked that a chapel be built on the site of the vision, and told the girl to drink from a fountain in the grotto.

And so it is to this day that the Basilicas of the Holy Rosary and the Immaculate Concepcion have  been built at the site of the apparitions.  

Behind us are the Basilica of the Holy Rosary (on the ground level) and the 

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (directly above the Basilica of the Holy Rosary).

The scene of the apparition, a very beautiful mosaic found outside the Basilica of the Holy Rosary.

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus, one of the 15 

awesome and wonderful mosaic renditions of the 

mysteries of the Holy Rosary found inside the Basilica.

No fountain was to be seen, but when Bernadette dug at a spot designated by the apparition, a spring began to flow. The water from this still flowing spring has shown remarkable healing power, though it contains no curative property that science can identify.

It was a very beautiful experience for the family. We collected water from the spring and placed them in small and big containers. We also drank directly from it, in the faith that we will be healed from our illnesses. The waters tasted great and was very cool despite the summer heat. It was indeed a very refreshing respite from a long day of traveling. Too bad we weren't able to dip in the pools. Perhaps next time, when time permits again, we can go back and visit the pools.

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Shirts Never Go Out Of Style

If there is one thing that never goes out of style, that would have to be shirts. Originally worn as undershirts in the 1800's, they eventually became popular as fashionable, casual, standalone, outer-wear garments after the 2nd World War and after Marlon Brando wore one in the movie A Streetcar Named Desire. In the 1980s, t-shirts were becoming more of a form of self expression. To this day, custom tshirt is one of the flourishing markets in the garment industry.

From the plain white tshirt, we now have a myriad of colors, designs, and prints. So whoever you may be, there is surely a shirt that will suit your personality. There are sports tshirts for the sports minded, Death By Tshirt for some retro shirts and other great custom made designs for those who love to express themselves. 

So if you want to get your message across or want to have a marketing campaign, a tshirt will just help do the trick. The good old tshirt has been used to achieve the goal of getting people to buy a product, attend an event or even vote a president. Oh yes, the t-shirt has come a long, long way and it is without a doubt, going to stay in the years to come.

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