It’s easy to get a credit card and it’s even easier to misuse it. Do you agree?

I had a chat with my former officemate last night who is now based in Texas, USA. She told me that she’s having a hard time in paying her credit card bills and other debts.It’s affecting her everyday life already because some creditors are harassing her through mails and phone calls. I honestly informed her that I don’t have much knowledge about credit card laws in the USA, but I shared to her my story on how I was able to clear my credit card debts. I even advice her to check on some plano credit repair company to assist and perhaps help her on how to clear her negative credit ratings too.

I used to have 6 different credit cards in my wallet. Whenever I want something, I just whip out my card thinking that I can pay it through my salary which I’m receiving every month. But it was a gross mistake on my part. What I always have in mind was my high credit card limit  but not the real cash on hand, and my monthly take home pay. And before I knew it, I was already buried in debt and unable to pay even the minimum payment.

This greatly affected my  credit history when it was time to get a loan.  Somehow, the banks knew that I defaulted on most of my credit cards payment in the past.

At first I did not inform my husband about my problem but since we need to get a loan from the bank, I disclosed to him what happened. My husband helped me by lending me some amount to gradually close all my credit cards. Yes, he wanted me to cut all my credit cards in two. Being a dutiful wife, I resigned to my husband’s desire. It was a struggle in the beginning  but when I was able to pay the full amount on the first credit card, everything became smoothly until I was able to settle all 6.

I don’t want to be in that situation again. So I followed my husband advice to drop everything. I even requested a certificate of full payment from the credit card companies just in case I’ll be needing them later on. I was glad I did. After some few years ( 2 years to be exact, I think), my credit report was on the positive side already and was able to get a loan for our house.

Lessons learned.

• Two credit cards is more than enough already.
• Control your spending even if you  have high credit limit.
• Don’t give in to installment basis if you can’t even pay the item in full cash.
• Pay the balance in full  on or before due date.
• If you’re having trouble paying your credit card debts, settle it as soon as possible.
• Tell your husband about your spending habit.

Funny pictures about real profile are circulating in Facebook. They may be true or perhaps “Photoshopped” by some talented designer who has all the time in the world to create this work of art to entertain us. Don’t quote me on this but I just saw these pictures on my friend’s link status.

I admit that I’ve found the pictures funny and sometimes hilarious too. See the samples here:

The question that is really bothering me is how true are the Facebook member’s profile. I guess our friend’s profile are absolutely for real but what about other people who are completely strangers to you but wanted to be your friend. How do you deal with them?

Prior to Facebook era and even before any social networking site were developed, there were already a lot of sites in the internet where you can meet and be friends with somebody who is totally stranger to you. Yahoo Messenger, ICQ and MSN are just some of the popular tools for online chatting. Of course there are also forums, and specific sites to meet the boy or the girl of your dream such as singles chat and other match making site out there. I even saw some sites that cater to divorce people and widows as well.Some are free while others are exclusive to a specific market. I swear, I haven’t even tried any of the  online dating sites but I don’t know with my hubby  (LOL). I think I will ask him tonight.

On the other side of the coin, how completely honest are you when writing your online profile on Facebook or any social networking sites? Do you claim to be somebody else? Do you pretend to be younger such as 20 or maybe 30 when you are already 40 going to 50? Have you lied on your profile? Do you upload your true profile picture instead of the sample pictures above?

I want to know your answers, please share them by writing your comment here.

Do you still remember the first time your husband laid his eyes on you? Do you still remember the feelings when you’ve finally found the “one”?

I was talking to my hubby the other night and we exchanged views about our first time. The first time we met, our first date, the first time he found me attractive…LOL. We also quizzed each other by asking questions starting with “what if…”  For example, “what If I’m not the really the one for him …?” or “what if my mom did not approve our relationship” and ‘”what if he marries somebody else…”, something like that. I’d even asked him what methods he used to get my attention. Did he read some dummy manuals on how to attract a girl like me (ahemm..), or did he take a course on dating,  or perhaps how to sleep with a girl. LOL.  I was actually curious from his point of view about our relationship.

My husband and I were classmates during college. Although we’ve known each other for more than one semester, there was actually no “first attraction”.  He confided that even if he found me beautiful, he was not attracted because I’m a bit snobbish or should I say bitchy.  It was only during our beach outing in Calatagan, Batangas where he saw the potential in me. Hahaha! He told me the true love ignited when he saw me talking and playing with some kids in the beach. And because of that event, I’ve captured his heart unknowingly.

I felt sorry for him because at that time I still had a boyfriend and I don’t have the feelings for him, so to speak. However, I did not understand myself too why I said “yes” to him when he finally confided his feelings to me. Was it due to sympathy or pity, or perhaps he was really meant for me?

But I was really very thankful to the Lord because He gave me my husband. I can’t ask for more because he was the perfect husband, family man and a friend to me.

It’s nice from time to time to talk with your husband or partner your first time.It’s like a barometer of your relationship. More than reminiscing the memory lane, it gives you the perspective on where you are now and how far you’ve been in your relationship as husband and wife already.

How about you? Can you share a bit of your first time? I’m excited to know about it.

I received this email the other day and I really want to share with all the readers of PinayMom. The message is so powerful that will make you think, as a parent, how do you treat your children. Do you shout at them?

We always notice the graft and corruption happening in our government but do you practice honesty and transparency at home?

Well, I hope you can learn a lesson or two from the message below.

It is in the home that we learn how to treat others. The way a person treats his or her family affects how he or she treats other people. Therefore, parents are responsible in training their children on how they should treat family members. Matthew 7:12 says, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

How do you treat your family properly? Here are five ways to apply this principle.

Be Respectful. In order to be respectful you cannot be moody. This means you have to keep your emotions in control. Use kind words, words that can build up a person. As parents, you have to respect your children even though they are subject under your authority. Respect them so they will learn to respect others.

Be Forgiving. Conflicts are inevitable but in Ephesians 4:32, it says, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Those who have experienced God’s forgiveness through the redemptive power of the blood of Christ ought to forgive as they have been forgiven. Jesus says to even forgive your brother “seventy times seven”. Kindness is the evidence of forgiveness. You cannot afford to be kind if you have not forgiven. Parents are responsible for creating an environment of joy, forgiveness and acceptance in the home instead of tension and anger.

Be Givers, Not Takers. By nature we are selfish. We think that we’re entitled to many things. But the Bible says: “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”(Philippians 2:4) As parents, you should train your children to learn how to appreciate the blessings they have so that they will be givers and not takers. Allow them to see the realities of life and give them opportunities to serve others.

Be Accountable. The Bible tells us, “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27: 5-6) Practice honesty and transparency at home. Avoid discussions by raising your voice or by crying. Be humble enough to listen and then clarify your position. If you are wrong, learn to admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness.

Be a Dream Releaser. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Allow your children to be stretched. Give them wings to fly. Put courage in the lives of your children, as most of them are afraid to fail and lack confidence. Your role is to build in courage by pointing them towards Jesus. In the same way, for young people be dream releasers to your parents also. It is never too late to tell your parents what they can become, too.

This post is supposed to be posted a month ago but due to unseen circumstances – no, not world ending events – but last minute family vacation took most of my time in writing it. Well, a precaution in reading this post, put your fears and biases about the end of the of the world scenarios and just enjoy my post.

A certain religious group lead by Harold Camping declared that the end of the world or so-called Rapture day will be on May 21,2011 at exactly 6:00 pm. He was very sure that the rapture will happen. He also stated that it’s not a prediction but a declaration.  As to what the bible stated, even Jesus Christ doesn’t know the date and time of His coming.

I did not take the prediction seriously because I believed what is written on the bible, but I did prepare a Rapture Day for my husband Eric on that same day and time – May 21, 2011 6:00 pm-his birthday.

I started planning this event around March 2011, I  wanted to give my husband a present, a new bike for his birthday without him knowing it. I’d asked a friend to be my accomplice- Jom, my husband’s  biking buddy to build a new bike that fits my budget. We were thinking of how to give the bike in the most memorable way.  My husband, Eric,  was supposed to go to Isabela on the night of his birthday to attend their family reunion. Fortunately he decided to cancel the trip, right there and then I called Jom to commence our plan. I also called my sisters and asked them if they can help on preparing the food. As time were on our side, I’ve learned that our church Sabbath service will be held in Manila that day, it gave me more opportunity to arrange the party without being suspected that I’m preparing one.

Then the big day came, I try to concentrate on our church service and not to think much of the surprise party. Everything was already set, at around 4:00pm after our church service,  I informed my husband that we need to be back home by 6pm because I reserved a dinner in Tagaytay but he told me that instead of driving there, we should just have special dinner in our home. I was waiting for him to halt my plan and he did.This was exactly my plan and it worked!

When we reached our village ‘s gate, I sent a text message (SMS) to my sisters informing them that we’re 5 minutes. away. When we got home, I told my husband to open the door and to his surprised, he saw our biking buddies inside our house.  He thought that it was just a simple party but a much more grandeur surprise was waiting him inside our youngest sons’ bedroom. We  told him to go our son’s room and opened the door.  To his surprise, it was dark inside. When we opened the light, he was speechless when he saw his new shining bike.

Everyone present was so happy…as if they were the one who were surprised. It was good feeling. I know my husband wanted so much to upgrade his 1 year old bike or buy a new one. Being a hard working and a very good provider, his needs and wants are always in his least of priorities. It’s my job to make sure he gets whats he needs.

Below is my husband with his new bike, we named – The Rapture!

First, let me state that this post is not about me but about my hubby whom I’m encouraging to take a higher degree. When I say “higher degree”, I mean a postgraduate academic master’s degree and maybe a doctorate degree, but not for now. Well, I have ambition too,  but personally, I want my husband to have more laurels than me. Do you feel the same way too for your partners in life?

Higher Degree in Education

I think, again at least  on my own views,  most wives will feel the honor as well when they’re husbands finished a higher education.

So from time to time, I tried to talk about this topic to him. He always tells me that he wants to get a higher degree but not on the same field of interest where he is now. He actually went into mba admission process once, when we were planning to migrate to another country. This is in preparation for, hopefully, a better job when we migrate. I actually even helped him to look for MBA admission guide on the net. Unfortunately, that didn’t materialize because the area of expertise he wants to get into is not one of the in-demand jobs in the country where we are planning to migrate.

Why does it matter to get higher degree in education?

According to a  survey done by a business group,  it reveals that one of the most difficult parts of the job of a business leader  (the boss) is to surround himself with the right people; people who think and work like the business owners – caring and doing something to help the business survive, improve its profitability and find new opportunities for growth and expansion. These people help the company to reach its goals and visions. This is the very main reason why a lot corporations are recruiting people with high degree of education. They want to surround themselves with people who has the same wave length, someone they can trust and will perform like a true business owners. In short, thinking like an Employer and not an employee.

My husband has the passion and mindset of an entrepreneur. He always explore business ideas which he thinks will aid us not only financially but to help other people too. He wants to generate jobs. He told me that mastering business is not complicated; you just need to know what to focus on.

Truly, business greatest lessons are learned outside the classroom. Getting a higher degree where most students belongs to different  industries is an added factor so you will be exposed to different business models as well.

My husband was furious when he learned (or forgot) that he was not able to pay the amount due of his credit card on time. He told me that he did not received any billing statement from the credit card company and because of this, he was charged with interests and late charge fee as well. My hubby usually pays on or before the due date but because we were on vacation for almost two weeks and my eldest son got sick just some few days after that, he was not able to check the payment due date of his credit card.

He was so mad when he received the bill or statement of credit card account for the past two months only today. I don’t know whose fault it is. The courier or the credit card company. What made him more irritated is that the charges and interest is even more than the minimum amount due.

My husband is actually using a  money budgeting software to keep track of his expenses and budgets (and not so much of his savings…LOL). He was using the program MS Money Plus before, unfortunately Microsoft stopped the support for it already and no longer available. He’s using another program but this time it’s a free budget software.  He even let me see how it works. This new software is easy to use that even a busy mom can set it up in just few minutes. Unfortunately, for me,  I don’t have the patience to keep tracking my expenses or should I say I hate looking at my expenditures. Moreover, I don’t want to see If I’m overspending already or not.

I’ve told my husband that he will do the savings and I’ll do the spending. Fair enough, isn’t?

By the way, please, lets keep this post secret and don’t tell my husband about it.

I’ve mentioned in my other post that my husband wants to retire (or resign) early and just want to spend his time in putting up his own company or do some investing. By the way, so the readers may know, my hubby is still young . He’s just in his late 30s.

As if  somebody knows what’s running on my hubby’s mind, he received an email from a company that sells stocks online. They’ve send their proposal, the background of their company and the penny stocks portfolios they’re managing. They also   invited my husband to look at these penny stocks. Fortunately, my husband  knows if this company is legit or not because he had a background in stock trading. He was once hired as an I.T. consultant for one of the companies who had developed a brokerage software connected to directly to  the  Stock Exchange.

My husband told me that the company is a legit, unfortunately penny stock trading is a bit volatile and risky at this moment due to the death of Bin Laden. I’d asked my hubby how Bin Laden’s death is related to the stock exchange. He answered me that a lot of people (businessmen) are currently holding to their stocks and are on a “wait and see” period. Oh well,  his explanations even made me more to wonder so I just stopped asking. Better to keep myself quiet than to look dumb.

He just told me in the end, that he’s plan to retire or resign soon is also on a “wait and see” period. Well, I guess whatever happens, happens. I just hope that it will be for the better.

I’m pretty sure that most of PinayMom.org readers already know that my husband is a compulsive blogger – if there’s a such term for it. Currently, he’s managing more than 10 blogs already. 3 or 4 of these blogs are owned by his clients.

And now, he’s thinking (or already planned) to put up another blog – this time for his real estate business sideline. FYI, my husband is a Real Estate Broker licensed here in the Philippines since his college days – even before we met.

During our vacation in Donsol, Sorsogon, he informed me that he’s planning to retire from his work as a software consultant and would just concentrate on his own business. For this to materialized, he told me that he wants to go back to real estate business and at the same time still working on his online endeavors such as his multiple blogs.

We decided to combine  his skills, the real estate selling and blogging. We planned to put a blog wherein he can put up his real estate listing with eye-catching images. Being a WordPress expert himself, he will be the one to install it  and on the other hand, he gave me the assignment to search for the right theme. Fortunately, there’s already a compilation  and a review of the best real estate wordpress themes in one place. It makes my work easier!

By the way, he’s projecting for this online business to be self-sufficient in 3-years time and will give us  the food in our table in 7-years time. I’ll be the first to announce the URL here as soon as he’s done with his assignment – choosing the right domain and installing the WordPress and the correct theme for it.

My husband and I are both active in biking. We make it sure that we bike together with our friends every Sunday. Since our house is the nearest to the regular biking trails we go to, our house was designated as the “unofficial” hangout of the gangs after every ride. I usually prepare lunch and snacks for the group.I even used to cook breakfast but since our group is growing, I don’t have the luxury of time anymore to prepare for it.

And since our house was the “unofficial” hangout, I make it certain that some of the rooms are orderly specially the bathrooms. We let our biking buddies to use our rooms after a long and tiring ride so they can relax, and take a nap too, before going back to their respective homes.

Our house is  almost 10 years old and it’s time for  repairs and improvement. My husband has finally agreed with my idea of renovation as long as we will prioritize the bathrooms. He wants  a simple but  better and stylish bathroom. What I want is actually a bathroom suite with modern toilet and basin sets just like those that can be seen in a luxurious hotels.

I hope we can do the renovation soon before my husband changes his mind.

Got to hit the sack now because we have a long biking day tomorrow.  I hope you’re having a nice weekend.