Kuripot Adventure

Hello my dear readers, let’s go back to the normal programming of this blog which is about my financial independence. I wanted to share with you guys, my experience of opening a savings account from BDO. I have two reasons why I chose to have an account with them: First, their SM Bicutan and Makati branch is near from where I live and work so it’s easier for me to deposit cash, second, it’s easy for me to withdraw money from them in case of emergency which is of course I don’t want happen but it’s still better to be prepared for those unfortunate events.

I have my own payroll account on BPI but I notice that if I put my savings there I tend to spend the money and lose track of how much I save for a particular month and I also became lazy saving 20% of my salary that’s why I come up with the decision to open another savings account. FYI, I open my savings account at their SM Bicutan branch. Below are the requirements that I brought:

1.    2 government ID’s. I use my SSS national ID and Philhealth ID

2.    1 Company ID

3.    1 Utility Bill. I showed to them our electricity bill from Meralco and they photocopied it

4.    Initial Cash Deposit. You have two options for the savings account: 2,000php cash deposit is for ATM card account only while 10,000 cash deposit is for ATM card with passbook. I have 5,000php with me that day so I chose the first option.

I was given three forms that I needed to fill-out. The bank teller who assisted me is very friendly and she answers all my inquiries. She also informed me that I am not allowed to deposit a check on my savings account which is totally fine with me since I can use my BPI account for those kinds of transactions.

The good thing of opening an account with BDO is that I don’t need to give them a 1x1 or 2x2 photo of mine which are required to other banks. They just took a picture of me and it’s done! I was advice to wait for 5 days before I claimed my ATM card. After I got my card, the first thing that I did is to register my debit card on their online banking so that I can monitor how much money I saved. Here's the link of their online website click here.

The only drawbacks that I experience banking with BDO is when I created an account online, the amount of money has not been reflected on real time basis on my first registration. I freaked out and went to the nearest ATM to check if my money is there. I also find the One-Timed Password (OTP) a hassle every time I logged-in on my account which I understand it is for my own account security but I don’t get the point of it. 

It just eats time on the part of the end user to stay longer on their platform. Unlike in BPI, all transactions there are recorded real time and they don’t require OTP.

Anyhow overall, I will still recommend BDO because you can open a savings account with them for only 2,000php cash deposits. The said amount is also their maintaining balance to keep on your account so they won’t close your account. Amazing, isn’t it?!

How about you? Where did you put your savings? Is it in the bank or do you own a piggy bank? Share your comment below.

Hello guys, yup I’m bouncing back to blogging sphere! I have so many stories to tell you but first let me share to you my Masungi Georeserve experience. This entry is off topic from my usual post about finances and savings but still I want to impart it here because I want to travel to different places this year especially our local tourists spots! Ang ganda talaga kasi ng bansa natin di'ba. Of course, this should be plan ahead of time so that I will not put a hole in my pocket.

So sino ang mga kasama ko? I went trekking with my sister and her friends last April 22, 2017. It’s my first time to try this kind of activity so I am thrilled. Gosh, I can still remember the “pagod” and all because we trek 9 trails of Masungi (Sapot, Ditse, Patak, Duyan, Yungib Ni Ruben, Tatay, Nanay, Bayawak) under the extreme hot of the sun! Until now I have tan lines pa.

Our day is jampacked with activities because in the morning we went to Masungi then we headed to Pililla Wind Farm and our last stop is the Daranak Falls but I'll save that on separate post of this blog. It was an exhausting day but I can say the trip is worth it and every penny that I paid is sulit! We planned this escapade one year in advance because making a reservation in Masungi isn’t easy. They are fully-booked always so if you wish to go there plan ahead of time and make early registration now on their website here.

You should also refrain from buying visit requests from outside sources. When we went there other groups has to stop their trail halfway because they make their reservations through a travel agent. There will be no refund ha so take note of it. Anyhow, I will stop talking and share to you some of our photos.

Ayan eto yung una kong inakyat na lubid lubid. Kung masasabi nyo yan lang ang inakyat ko, nagkakamali kayo. Umpisa pa lang yan!

Kunyari di halatang hirap ako sa pag-akyat. Ngiting natutuwa pero sa isip ko omaygash yung pata ko nanginginig. Charot! Eto lang ba ang aakyatin ko?? Joke. Madami pa palang mga ganyan sa trail namin so wait for more photos!

Taas kamay kunyari! Haha. Ay baket nakapikit ako?! Nakakalula.

Eto kasi yung dinaanan ko papuntang gitna. Kapag may pagkafinal destination kayo mag-isip at naputol ang mga wires na yan alam nyo na kung saan kayo matutusok. Hehehe. But no guys, our park ranger told us that the materials that they use here are super tibay!

Obligatory group picture

Yungib ni Ruben. Infairness mabango dyan sa kweba na yan. Nagsindi kasi sila ng scented candles. May mga ibon din kaming nakita. Pagpasok namin sa kweba ang lamig guys parang may aircon.

Wishing fountain! Di ako nagwish. Wala akong dalang barya that time. Charot!

At the end of our trail we went to Silungan and we are provided with  complimentary light refreshments courtesty of Masungi.

Hi, everyone! It's been a month since you haven't heard about me. Gosh, I missed blogging! I took time off because of my freelance job took more of my schedule. But now I am back and will be more active here (hopefully).

I have so many stories to share with you guys let's start off with my stupid action that I did on Upwork. This is sad news because my account has been deactivated permanently on the website. Here's the story: 

I message one of my clients to work outside of Upwork; little did I know that our conversations are filtered by the web admin. I received a notification that I got banned because I violate their "terms and conditions". I have panic attack when I read their email because I haven't cashed out my money there.

I am really scared that I will no longer transfer the funds to my local bank account. I thought all of my hard works and sleepless nights will put to wastes. Luckily, I can still access my profile and I wasted no time cashing out the money. A sigh of relief is what I felt when I see the money from Upwork reflected on my bank account. No more freelance job for me now, therefore, more time to blog! Haha.

I plan to use the money that I got to buy color paints. Do you remember my house renovation stories which I shared on houserenovation update 1 and house renovation update 2? It is not completed yet because I run out funds but now I have the budget to do it. So yeah, I'm still thankful after a series of unfortunate events from Upwork. 

Anyhow, one of my friends told me to try Freelancer.com. I signed up an account but I'm not that active on looking for side line right now because I got exhausted juggling 3 clients last month. I plan to rest for now and focus on my full time job.

If you're an avid reader of my blog, October is special month to me because I will be celebrating my birthday. Aside from using the funds on beautifying our house, I will also treat myself by buying new shoes, bags or perhaps make-ups that are still amenable to my budget. I will be turning 17th years old guys!!! LOL. Okay, I'm just joking. I'm 17 years old 10 years ago. Just do the math and you'll get my current age but shhhhh it's our secret.

With my updates on my stocks, to be honest, I haven't put attention to it these past few months but I'm surprised that I earned a cash dividend when I logged in into my COL account today. 

Overall, there is more good news than bad news that happened to my life while I'm away here. What about you? What happened to your life during the month of September and this month in terms of work, budget or whatnot? Share your stories at the comment box below. I want to read them! 

Photo Credits:

Pixabay.com: https://pixabay.com/en/woman-girl-people-female-hand-792162/