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 active. Amazing, isn’t it?!

Update: I encash my money on BDO and open another account on BPI. I opened BPI Maxisavers. The downside of withdrawing my money from other BDO branch is that I need to pay them 100 pesos for the bank fees which is kind of sucks because that amount is not that small. So yeah, If ever your withdrawing cash let's say 50,000 pesos above do it in your BDO branch where you open your account.

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 you know memories. I also want to travel to different places here in the Philippines. Ang ganda talaga kasi ng bansa natin di'ba. Of course, this has been a planned trip because I don't want 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 heat of the sun! Until now I have tanned 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.

Eto yung una kong inakyat na lubid-lubid. Maraming ganyan ang inakyat ko pati dyan nagsimula ang hingal galore!

Smile pa rin si ghorl kahit nginig pata na sya dyan! Kunyari di halatang hirap sa pag-akyat.

Taas kamay kunyari! Haha. Nakapikit pala ako?! Nakakalula kasi.

Eto kasi yung dinaanan ko papuntang gitna. If may pagka'final destination ka mag-isip  like  if maputol ang mga wires na yan alam nyo na kung saan ako matutusok. Hehehe. But no guys, our park ranger assured us that the materials that they use here are super tibay! Pwede ka tumalon talon sa gitna pero wala kaming lakas na loob na gawin yun. Nakakalula kapag gumalaw-galaw ang net! Juskolord!

Obligatory group picture tayo syempre!

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

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

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