Our Frugal Christmas Tree

In the Philippines, we had a taller tree, with coordinated decor and accessories from the export overruns we source from the VV Soliven building.

Here in the States, the tree of choice in a perfect world is a fresh one. My Tita Lou had a 15 ft fresh tree with long pine needles last year. And it was grand, decked out with reds and golds and the loveliest pine smell.

Back to reality, we have opted to buy a small 6-ft plastic tree, complete with 1000 lights last year, for $9.99. I scoured dollar stores and craft stores for some close-out decor. Out cute tree is so small, that when our family comes infront for a group picture, you can hardly see the tree!

This year, our tiny tree seems fuller, with more personality, regardless of its size. I get comments from my friends about how cute our tree is, devoid of sophistication, but full of life. "You can almost hear your kids' laughter," said my friend. (That's also because cute tree is also made photogenic by creative angles and slow shutter speed causes the sparkles! Thanks to my friend Rikky A. who taught me how to do this).

Since our theme is whimsical toyland, all the small stuffed toys of my kids went up there. We also got a white elephant present last year of carousel animal decorations that blended nicely with the theme. My kids love carousels! In Salvation Army, I got a bunch of wooden toys for $1. And in an interview I did with a former teacher, she handed me a box full of wooden toys--for free. She was even glad she found them a "good home," she said.



I also gathered my kids' arts and crafts to put on. My favorite is the popsicle frame my youngest and I put together (decked out in beads) in her free preschool class. We put a picture of them in there, and look, it makes one of the best decor in the tree!




The most expensive accessory on this tree is the ice-cube snowman that changes colors for $3.99 but it was worth it as it is the kids' favorite as they remain fascinated with the LED bulb that changes from green, to pink, to orange, to red. . .



It is hard to find a belen here, or a parol. And the Christmas traditions my children will remember will different from mine. We won't be able to join my other relatives in my lola's house and I have lost my chance to attend Simbang Gabi. Here, Christmas Day means brunch and opening the gifts--less stressful than Manila's frenzy of dinners and Christmas parties. Different, a bit lonely, but a chance to catch your breath.

I like grand Christmas trees and I hope we can buy a bigger one, or a fresh one next year. In the meantime, our frugal Christmas tree is just as beautiful to me.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Don't forget the Spirit. . .

A Frugal Vacation

My husband chanced upon a free hotel voucher from his cousin. So we took off for Seascape Resort in Santa Cruz.

Since the key word was FREE, we were overjoyed by this manna from heaven that befell us: a vacation to recharge and reconnect. We decided not to bring the kids and take advantage of this bonus.

The suite was charming, with a stocked kitchen, living/dining room, and with a view of (hold your breath!) the Pacific Ocean. At night, we fell asleep to the sound of powerful waves. In the morning, we woke up to the smell of the ocean and the most crisp day filled with sunshine.




Our luxury of choice was time. I tried to catch up on reading a novel but fell asleep again. So we lazed around until noon and ventured towards lunch. I wanted to be smart about spending for lunch because my husband was planning a real dinner in a real bistro. So we gawked at the soup and salad bar, cheese selection, and sandwich deli at Gourmet Food--a specialty grocery store/deli. We bought a tub of New England Clam Chowder $2, split a Lucky Seven sandwich(with layers of ham, cheese, and pesto) $7, Ghirardelli chocolate blocks, and Iced Tea. Total cost: $12 for two.









We drove to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk--a carnival by the ocean, lined by beach-volleyball and strollers. Sounds romantic but we came from California Adventure last year, where they have a glorified replica of the Boardwalk, that well, is a better version.




Refusing to be frugal the whole day, my husband's more upscale appetite led us to Bittersweet Bisto. He enjoyed his cod thoroughly and promised to move to Santa Cruz. I was happily twirling my Pasta with meatballs (only because it was a specialty of the house). Yum!

The next day, we had to debate whether we would toast our baon bagels with cream cheese again. Since we were on vacation mode, we explored the Brunch Buffet of the resort with no contest. And at $20 per head, we ate what we could to tide us all the way to dinner. Considering it was the only meal for the day, I think we did well. . .

I combed a couple of antique shops (got a 40-year old divider screen for $10) while my husband checked out the boats at the nearby marina. And then we took the scenic route home. That was 2 more hours of road trip, filled with conversations between 2 people, not 2 parents!

But what we really gained from the vacation is the connection, the energy, the clarity to get back to the routine that can really dull the mind and spirit. I felt like we went on retreat because it has been a long time since we took a vacation without the kids. We were able to talk about deeper stuff about ourselves, our dreams, our fears. I realized my husband's strengths all over again. I re-confirmed his kindness, his generosity, and his sense of humor.

Watching the sunset made us miss their vacation house in La Union--the one we took for granted. Sleeping late was a luxury I can almost never afford. And when we came back, the room was clean, the beds were made.

The best vacations are those that give you back your strength, your purpose, your resolve. And so regardless of the free price tag on the suite, what we took with us when it was time to go was simply priceless.

I urge my mom to take her promised trip (with me!) to Lourdes! And for anyone caught in the dull routine of life, please. . .take a vacation!

Trigger Happy

More picture posts from an experimenting and frugal photographer. (I keep reminding myself to take as many pictures--look, no film!):

Columbian jewelry made from seeds, nuts, shells, and tagua nut found in the Amazon jungle

Experimenting with my former wide-angle lens



Of course, tomatoes from the garden . . .


Wines from local vineyards around Brentwood

Happy, happy, picture-perfect day!

Buying Refurbished

Check out my newet darling--a refurbished CanonEOS Rebel XTi 350D 8MP digital SLR. Refurbished because it was returned by buyer (for no particular reason, sometimes, they just want to try it out) and then sealed and certified by Canon for resale at a lower price. I was warned to expect some scratches but I was lucky. This piece was spotless!

Retail for this baby is usually towards $1000 (lens and body). But because I bought it through Preferred Photo.com, I got it for $538.00 (yep with Canon's lens), with a 90 day warranty. I got it about 3 months ago and I have been very happy with it--happy with a digital SLR because of the convenience and the quality. I mean, no more anxiety about whether I got the shot or not, plus the color, clarity, and depth cannot compare talaga with point and shoot (sorry!)

And so you won't think my baby is just form, here's proof that he has quite a lot of substance:

Frugal Reading 2

I am honing my talent in finding the best-priced reads. I'm thinking, new or old, a book or magazine contain the same text--so my motto is to buy at the best price possible.

I used to allow myself a subscription to O Magazine, until I found out that I could borrow them from the library--for free. Now, I don't have to spend about $20 a year , and I don't have to deal with who to give the magazines to after I read them. In our public library, I borrow the magazine for a week and simply return it for another edition.

Today, I came away with Psychology Today (long before I wanted to write, I wanted to be a counselor), Popular Photography, and O. And you can be sure, I will be back next week for other titles. I also borrowed a couple of chapter books for the kids to read. And let me tell you, it sure beats buying them. For after a couple of days, the books are practically useless, after they are read.

(As a bonus, there were bags of free children's books by the library door. I took one big bag and flung it into the trunk of my car. After the kids read them, I will send them to Philippine public schools.)

If I really have to buy, I scout around the used-books first. I have chanced upon used books in Amazon.com too. Lately, I found Book Closeouts.com too, where one can save up to 80% off!! I also chanced upon Behavoral Science Books, where psychology/psychiatry books are sold for $1.99 (originally about $150 each)each if you promise to buy 2 more books in 12 months. Just check out the website for the intersting resources. You don't have to buy. I don't think I will. It's just nice to know what's out there.

Don't forget online editions, too: PsychologyToday.com, Oprah.com, etc, etc, etc.

Happy (free)reading!

Growing Our Own Food

It has been my dream to live in a farm. Meanwhile, I tend to my vegetable garden in our backyard.

We have harvested spinach last season. I also planted a lemon tree last year and it has baby lemons already! This summer, we haven't had to buy tomatoes, zucchinis, bell peppers, and squash. Even if I had lots of money, I would not want to buy supermarket vegetables after tasting fresh-picked ones. My organic tomatoes may not be perfect and deep red but I promise you that it is juicy and delicious--the most natural freshness I have tasted. Fresh from the branch, I can eat them with salt and feel tingly.



I am preparing to plant for fall. Salad greens will thrive and I am planning an herb garden. I failed with basil twice but I am determined to try again, if only for home-made pesto.

By the way, check out our clothesline, behind the garden. We may be the only family here with a sampayan, but our electric bill is also probably the lowest at $30 (average bill is about $60 in non-summer months) because we don't use the dryer or central air/heat. (We got window-type AC units instead!--not bad for 8 people who live in this house.

Why Frugal Living?

In the land of plenty, many Americans are waking up to the murky future of insecurity. There will be taxes to pay, Social Security, pensions, and 401k funds might not add up. The retirement future has started to look bleak for Gen-X'ers and Gen-Y'ers.

I read in the newpaper today that these Gen-X and Y'ers have started to defy the trend of maxing out their 401K (retirement) fund and have started saving the old-fashioned way, as in putting money away, one dollar at a time. Normally, these same people would blow a whole paycheck on a brand-new plasma TV or on a flashy designer bag inspite of having pending student loans to pay. Today, they are buying 10-year old beat up cars (no more monthly payments!) and building their savings and investment accounts.

Not wanting to die making money before retiring, these 30-ish crowd wants to make their money without the long and tedious hours of a mundane job. Many have turned online, selling things in eBay, or nursing a small business in the weekends.

Dozens of these young adults have also grouped together to blog their stories, tips, and strategies on saving, investing and avoiding debt: Budgeting Babe, Frugal for Life , and CNN's Millionaires in the Making.

It is refreshing to know that the excessive consumer lifestyle has tipped the balance, making the people realize that it is, well, excessive--and cannot be good for a long time. Kung baga sa oil, hindi siya sustainable.

My paternal grandmother left me with the wisdom of "Simple Living," she would always remind me to live below my means and she frowned on frills and excess. My maternal grandmother taught me the value of saving money. She saved too much money that when she died, there were hundred-peso bills stuck under her mattress, in the pockets of her jackets, and in her many prayer books.

All in all, it is easy for me to be frugal because they have taught me that happiness is not in acquiring things, rather, happiness really comes from a security from within--the knowledge of your self-worth "as is, where is" my dad used to say. And no amount of money or no size of plasma TV can ever buy it for you. . .

WinCo Super Grocery

Move over, Costco!

I found WinCo--a mega grocery store with probably the lowest prices on the basics--meat, eggs, milk, ice cream, cheese, bread, and rice. They keep the prices down by keeping a bare number of employees (so you must bag your own groceries), simple warehouse lay-out, and robot cart collectors. They have an in-house brand, Flavorite, that is lower in price than most: catsup, canned goods, pasta, spices. They even have buy-in-bulk--where one can buy the quantities suited for your needs, big or small. And since buy-in-bulk has no brand or packaging, it is almost half-the price on the average. Good deal for those who can't store the big Costco quantities. And in WinCo, you don't even have a member. Plus, it is open 24 hours a day!!



I can spend a lot of time in between these wide aisles and spotless vinyl. There are magazines, inspirational books, and there's also a small pizza counter (Their pizza has become a family staple) for hungry shoppers.

The dizzying selection took my breath away: cashews, almonds, peanuts, pecans--honey raosted or plain, bread flour, pancake flour, whole-grain flour, candy, popcorn, snacks, cuury powder, all-spice, cinnamon, pizza seasoning, croutons, raw pasta (rotilli, radiatore, penne, linguini). Most interesting near the fresh honey section is the almond and peanut butter churner--turning the nuts into butter before your eyes--nothing added. Talk about natural!



And the most fragrant section of all: coffee! Take a load of their in-house Cascade Pride brand Mocha java, Guatemala Antigua,Colombia Supremo, Sumatra Dark Roast, Mexican Altura, Double French Roast, and Viennese Blend, among others. And if that doesn't give Starbucks a run for their money at $5.98/pound, check out the irresistible Butterscotch Praline, Caramel, Choco Macadamia Nut, Vanilla Nut, Irish Creme, hazelnut, and Chocolate Raspberry (Yep, still coffee flavors).



WinCo is definitely a winner with their wide grocery selection, their prepared food (fried chicken, fries, deli sandwiches, sushi packs) and their salads: Ginger chicken Salad, Krab Salad, Jalapeno Artichoke, macaroni, Chinese Chicken Salad) for the hurried homemaker who is too tired to cook at $2.98/pound.



Okay, I have to grab a barrel of chicken and a tub of salad now as my big brood awaits!

Barnes and Noble

My two avid readers deserved a treat--books for their advanced reading class. I took them to Barnes and we went through a sea of books. I taught my kids how to reverently handle books--scanning them carefully, not to crumple the white pages, putting them back properly. My daughter washes her hands and smells the pages before reading her books (just like me).

On hand were the Northern California bestsellers including (for fiction): Special Topics in Calamity Physics, The Kite Runner, and The Time Traveler's Wife, and (for non-fiction) Fiasco, The World is Flat, Freakonomics (hi, eric!), The Price of Privilege, An Inconvenient Truth, The Glass Castle, Running with Scissors, and The Tipping Point (my current read). Next on my list is, hopefully, The Time Traveler's Wife. Woo-hoo!





And if that isn't enough of a wonderland for you, I also noted the slew of magazines in the forward section. The mags were not sealed in plastic and anyone is free to browse them. They say there are thousands of magazine titles in circulation--a far cry from just several titles in the Philippines.

I lamented the lack of crafting, more specifically crocheting mags in Manila. So I was in an altered state of consciousness as I flipped through many patterns and resources in the abundant craft mag section. There were the usual fashion mags, food and wine, family/children, interior/outdoor design mags. You want business? There was Fortune, Entrepreneur (we have in Manila), INC, Success, Consumer Report, Small Biz, Millionaire, Shop Smart. You want music? There was Magnet, Punk Planet, Harp, Fretboard Journal, Acoustic, and AMP. Science? There was Psyche Today, Astromnomy, and Scientific Mind, among others. Computers and Gadgets? Check out Linux, Mobile Entertainment, TechNet, Web Design.



There were also many pet mags, saluting a $30 billion industry: Bark, Animal Fair, Dog World. Most interesting were travel mags--from budget to luxury. And my new favorites: Writer's Journal, Pages, and Publishing Weekly--for writers of all sorts.

I can't buy a brand new book today for myself but I am sure I can indulge in a magazine. Okay, I will have to close my jaw now, lest I salivate more.

The Benefits of Crochet

I must be truly homesick, as I have turned furiously to my crochet projects. Crochet really rests my mind and my spirit. Mabuti na itong crochet, instead of eating, smoking, or alcohol. The repetition of the stitches has a true calming effect on me, and I take advantage of this natural relaxer, this new-age yoga, everytime I can.

I am proud to post my latest projects--a bonnet and a poncho for my 7-year old daughter. Very timely, I must add, as we are about to enter the Fall season. I will be very happy to see her wear these hand-made knotted patterns, so she may be wrapped around my love all day.

All day is also what I can spend crocheting if I didn't watch it. Time flies so fast when crocheting, it is so amazing! I taught my mom and my cousin recently. I keep telling them I started with uneven and ugly squares also. Now, they keep complaining that they just can't stop! My mom, at least, finds relief for her insomnia. And I can't tell you how nice it is to have your yarn while you wait for someone or when en route on the bus or BART.

I don't know if I saved money by crocheting my originals but I know for sure that crochet saved me a lot of despair and confusion by steadying my spirit, ridding me of many angry feelings, and connecting me with my inner self.

Check out fellow crocheters at Crochet Blogs and
Save the Children.

The Economics of Working from Home

Here in the States, I have been torn about going to work full-time somewhere. But something always keeps me home. Even in Manila, I nursed a clothing business that was viable enough so I had more free time. I think I have come to realize that my priority is raising my children first and a career has been always and only secondary.

In the States, it is hard to live on one full-time income. There is always pressure to work. But then, it is also hard to live with angry and wayward children, missing out on their wonder years--those innocent and smiling chubby cheeks when they still want to cuddle up to you. So between two full-time incomes and full-time homework tutoring and teaching them how to wait their turn, I continue to choose the latter. I am a full-time mom and a part-time writer.

Sometimes, my husband and I bicker about the lack of money. But since he is the one working, the argument usually results in my realization to be more creative about the budget. I have cut down on every possible unnecessary expense. But now, it is time to think of ways to bring in more money by working from home.

My writing income has tided us over but I have given up my health insurance for swimming and violin lessons for my kids. Believe me, I have stalled them from these activities but they chorused, "you said this year!" Heart-breaking naman, I had to make good on my word. In Manila, my kids had all sorts of activities--sports, ballet, Kumon--and they all thrived. I said no to ballet and Kumon here in the States. I conceded to my 5th grade son who is a wonderful swimmer and has been bugging me about violin lessons since 2nd grade!

So the violin and the swimming tempted me again to go get a full-time job. But then I realized, if I work, I will have to spend on clothes, gas, food. Baka abonado pa ako! Plus the fact that I will be beat up when i get home--and inevitably masungit. I remember when I was single and working and just crashed onto my bed after a long day at work. But with kids. . .not possible.

There is homework, dinner, rest time for my weary middle-aged bones. My secret weapon is Syrel--for without her, I won't even be able to work from home.

So I think it is more economical to for me to work-from-home. Uneasy with just taking the state's subsidy at first, my family is eligible for milk and cheese for my youngest. The kids are also eligible for free medical coverage from the state's Medi-Cal. If I work full-time, we will have to pay for these benefits and end having the same bottom line.

Meanwhile, I try not to be lazy and passive. I volunteer twice a week in the free public school to aid the overloaded teacher. I also help make crochet blankets for winter giveaway with the craft store group. My favorite articles are about pro-active groups helping the community.

And as for my full-time mothering job,I don't miss out on the opportunity cost to raise my kids to be kind, productive, and un-wasteful citizens. Many say my (Student-of-the Month)kids are confident and "good." My oldest son knows the value of work and money and is loved in school at his part-time job. He puts himslef through college now. In the long run, good work ethics will be instilled in them and they can go out and earn and pay taxes that will help out low-income families that need help, in return.

Though not monetary, my contribution to this county and state will be the strengthening of the already weak American family systems citizens that care for other people and or the world they live in. And my biggest return on investment of this time spent with them, money cannot buy and can be brought to my death-bed. It is a privilege indeed to know that the full-time and effort,love, sweat, tears, compromise, and no-sleep nights I gave were, not for some low-life boss/employer, but for my precious children.

And although I admire all the full-time working mothers out there, (wow!), I don't waste my energy navigating through office politics for a paycheck. Plus, an added bonus that money can't buy--I get to take a nap at 1 p.m.

What my husband would give for my privileges!

Frugal Defined

Webster defines frugal as "careful management of money." In Tagalog, being frugal is a virtue called masinop--eliciting images of a barrio or village mother carefully mending her children's clothes and socks, so that they can last another schoolyear, or the same mother's recipe for recycling the day's cooked rice into fried, sweet "pop rice," just to extend what others would normally throw away already.

Aside from carefully managing money, being frugal to me is getting our hard-earned and hard-saved money to go all the extra miles to the gallon. Versus being cheap, being frugal means why buy a black Nike shirt for our badminton tournament for $45, when I found a wonderful black Danskin cotton-lycra blend in Walmart for $7??

My husband laughs at me for printing on "fast draft" mode. I nag him to turn the lights off when he isn't using them. We quarrel because he has habit of switching the airconditioning on and then leaving the room. He likes to get the unlimited cellphone plan for a big monthly bill. I got the prepaid plan and watch my minutes. I have to get him to understand that being frugal is a conscious choice versus a compromise. And that even when we have money, I will still be frugal.

In the States, dubbed the "throw-away society," I'm not sure if it is easy or hard to be frugal. At my kids' school, I chanced them upon lunchtime, and well the bell rang, the schoolkids just tossed their hardly touched sandwiches and milk into the trash! If only I could catch all those cheese quesadillas and bring to the kids I know in the Shaw/EDSA crossing! I instructed my daughter to carefully wrap her half-eaten sandwich and put it back into her lunchbag. I assured her that someone at home will surely eat it. Bothered by the throwing of food (my lola used to warn me that one grain of rice wasted equals one year in heaven--but of course, my motives were more mature than that),I remember seeing many of our poor back home, eating off the trash.

At the same time, because there are so many things you can re-use, it is easy not to
spend too much and make-do. Drying up markers can be dipped in water for another round of usage. The better quality disposable plastic cups can be washed after a party to be used in a picnic or as play things for the kids. And all that white paper to be shredded in my husband's office, he brings home so the kids can use as drawing paper for their art scribbles.

I will have to extend frugal to carefully managing resources to conserve the earth. I am staunch about composting kitchen waste into the soil conditioner, yielding an organic garden. I pack my kids' lunches in re-usable tupperware containers and jugs so that we don't waste ziploc bags and contribute to more garbage. The left-over adobo becomes adobo flakes for breakfast. I have learned countless recycling recipes.

I am also the designated "doggy-bag" taker. When we go out to eat, I bag anything that is left over from the super-sized portions. People snicker sometimes, some feel it will save me from cooking yet another meal. In Manila, there is no problem finding a street-child to take the doggy-bag. Here, you can't just give it to the homeless man under the traffic light. He will demand that it is hot. And he will sue you if he gets a tummy ache.

Whatever, I just cannot throw food away. I teach my kids a valuable lesson (even if they keep whining) by not buying them new toys often. They learn the value of patience and of appreciating what they have. Many say that a person who has everything is often unhappy because he cannot appreciate what he has. My kids learn how to play with berries and leaves for play cooking. They learn how to share and how to wait, which is not common here--where you get what you want right now--because your parents are guilty and give you whatever you want.

My grandmother is 92 years old and she is in great health, with 20-20 vision. Everyone asks her her secret, and she says "simple living" all the time. I know that she managed her resources well and lived within her means, even is she is quite wealthy. I guess, that's it: she is wealthy beyond money, too. I believe that if everyone managed their resources more carefully and efficiently, there will be less hunger and poverty in the world. I also believe that kids that are taught how to be frugal will be more emotionally mature and better citizens of our planet.

But wait, I better get my girls a new set of markers--sobrang luma naman yata itong mga 'to!

Frugal eating means a buffet

When you are frugal, you make sure everything is worth it--specially eating out. I helped my mom and her husband sell their car in Craigslist.org and as a bonus, she treated us out to lunch. We chose China Buffet in Concord, legendary for its more than 150 food Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and continental selecations--from sushi, an unbelievable fruit and salad bar, chinese favorites (sweet and sour pork, general's chicken, kung pao chicken, dimsum and gyoza), roast beef, italian goodies like pasta sauces, stuffed pasta shells, pizza, calzones. But I zeroed into the seafood display and piled myself a platter-full of fried crabs in salt and pepper, and some shrimp in garlic. Yipee--specially because I went back three times!

This was a good time as I knew exactly what I wanted and didn't get disoriented with the abundant display. Many times, the sheer sight of all that food is enough to overwhelm me to lose my appetite. Well, not when you are frugal--the experience should be worth it and more, remember?

The food was just so good! And there were so many Pinoys around, parang nasa Cabalen. "Anong masarap?" said one. "Damihan mo yung roast beef!" said the other.

My sons attacked the Chinese food and then went back for the Italian. Ah my sons, laging lugi ang buffet anywhere in the world sa kanila. And if I could remember what they got for dessert, ice-cream sundaes (make your own), pastries, sago, jelly, cakes, . .But I was busy licking my fingers! Was the food fantastic or is it the fact that we just don't eat out often enough to be this thrilled?

Here in the States, there is no pressure to finish your food or else pay double price--like in Manila. But then, the boys are trained to get only what they can finish, and what a nice lesson, I thought. reinforced by Manila buffets. At least, in our table, there was practically no wasted food left-overs.

Well, the buffet's price is nothing to rave about, specially since my Manila friends rave about the P100 all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets in Eastwood. China Buffet will have to do for now.

It has been our life aim to bring the dealer down, as it were, when it comes to buffets. Even in Manila, we don't pile rice or soda to distract us. My dad used to call my boys the "first team sa kainan." "Lugi sila sa atin," said my son.

"Okay lang," I said. I am sure the restaurants can afford a few big eaters. But the most enjoyable part was the coming together and seeing how much my mom pampered her grandkids on this sunny day; where everyone was in a light and happy (albeit hungry!) mood.

Frugal Reading

Ranking high up on my creative entertainment list are trips to a used bookstore. My favorites are Half-Priced Books in Berkeley and Concord. That's my mom amidst the books at Concord.

The first time I entered HPB in Berkeley, I was so dazed and excited, I felt like a 10-year old kid in Disneyland. I didn't know where to start! Though the books were in pristine condition and they were systematically organized, I had to keep closing my jaw lest I drool all over myself. There were books that were controversial, some wala lang, some I have been wanting to see in National Bookstore for a long time. Finally, I gravitated towards my favorite sections: Religion, Philosophy, and Psychology. I grabbed maybe 6 books and sat on a small stool by the corner and began scanning.

The downside of having not enough time to scan the books led me to buy some, which I did not intend. But then, 'it's half-price!' I told my frugal self, and consoled myself that I was not in Barnes and Noble. So I paid for my used purchases: Searching for God (knows what!) and (hard bound) A Life With Purpose (The Story of Reverend Rick Warren) for $4.98 each. Okay na, even if you convert to pesos. Oh, but the best buy were the on-sale kiddie books I got for my 2 girls who love to read, 50 cents each!

Hurrying back to pick up the kids from school, do homework, fix dinner, tuck the kids in for bedtime, I finally found time to scan the books more that night.

The rewarding part of being frugal is enjoying the fact that I got a good deal, that I am reading books that cost double in Barnes or Borders. (Although buying there will be another story and just as rewarding, too--depends on the book.) Knowing that I stretched my money an extra mile--I got books for me and for my kids,too-- is important to me at this stage of my life. And there are many ways to acquire what you want without breaking your financial plan.

Surely, the best things in life are free, or half-priced!

Being frugal is an enjoyable exercise in creativity.

Free Kiddie Concerts

monica and selena enjoyed free kiddie concerts--and were featured in the papers, too!




The beauty of writing for the local paper is that I find out about good deals and activities to do. I took my kids to the Saturday concert series for kids sponsored by the Antioch Arts and Cultural Foundation. Here in the USA, they make sure the families have many things to do on week-ends. It is the mission of the Arts and Cultural Foundation to propagate arts and culture in the community.

This is the initial year for the kiddie concerts but the all-age concerts have been around for more than 10 years,” Foundation CEO, Diane Gibson-Gray said. “The concerts are free and the kids get to interact with the artist at such close range, it’s fun.”

My kids went up on stage with the other children to make animal sounds and move to the beat of the many kiddie songs. Selena wore a chicken headpiece and Monica wore the cutest corn-row wig I have ever seen. To see them confident and learning while having fun was the biggest highlight.

This is what is so interesting (and progressive, if you will) in the States. If you are creative enough, there's so much to do without spending a lot. Attending the kiddie concert sure beats hanging out in the mall, where you are sure to spend and sure not to learn much. Attending the free concert ranks high up there with visiting the library, the bookstore, and the park.

The second biggest highlight was that the girls were featured in the Contra Costa Time, Antioch News! I also got to meet my idol photographer, Tue Nam Ton, carrying a hi-tech NIKON, versus my small tourist-y camera. Considering he was from THE biggest newspaper in the county, he was very friendly and generous. He sent me many pics of me and the girls and gave me wonderful tips when taking pics, "just point and shoot!" being the most logical.

Many of the people here in the States keep to themselves. There seems not to be enough time to be kind and talk to others in a connecting level. My belief that there are many kind and wonderful people everwhere in the world has been reinforced when I met Tue Nam. He is then a real idol.

Bread!

In Manila, there is a bakery in every corner. It is a custom to have the local "Pan de Sal" with coffee for breakfast. People line up to buy a bag of bread as early as the crack of dawn. There are also sweet rolls, cheese bread, cupcakes, "pan de coco" (coconut filled), lipstick and ube breads, and "kababyan" (sweet muffins).

It was while I was driving around town that I followed the familiar freshly-baked bread smell. The vanilla and butter aromas led me to a Mexican bakery here in Oakley--the Panaderia La Michoacana. It seems that bakeries are popular in Mexico, too. I was led to their showcase with rows of colored and festive bread and pastries in unusual shapes and texture. For 50 to 60 cents a piece, I was giddy over 30 varieties of sweet breads like the conch-shaped “conchas,” horn-shaped “cuernos,” cream cheese and jalapeno-filled “bollios,” or the brown-sugar cookies shaped liked pigs. I also found my favorite churros filled with custard, chocolate, or strawberry, doughnuts, muffins, bisquits, pink cookies, apple or pineapple-filled empanadas, and bread pudding, among the yummy selection.

So I piled a couple on a tray and sampled Mexican-style breads. The churros were a treat, different from the ones we buy from the Disneyland carts. They are heavier and sweeter and the fact that they were custard-filled was heaven!

The pink cookies had the taste and texture of polvoron, how interesting. The empanadas, though, were bready, not flaky, like I am used to.

Overall, it is a discovery that I will put on my list. I have to go back and try the other varieties. For the price and the exotic experience, Panaderia La Michoacana is an overlooked gem of a bakery.

Free Preschool

In Manila, my children started going to preschool or play school at age 3. It was a privilege to start them early and I took it for granted that giving them an early start was just a given. Kids in Manila start preschool at 3, Kindergarten at 4 and Prep at age 6.

In America, preschool is very expensive. Public kindergarten starts for kids aged 5 so they can go to 1st grade at age 6. If you are not creative, you child will just have had one year of preschool before first grade.

Here in our small county, there is a free preschool program sponsored by the local YMCA and the proceeds of the Contra Costa County First Five tobacco funds. I believe that those who go to preschool have a better chance of finishing college and they also do better in school. So I took my youngest, Monica, aged 2 1/2 every Tuesday morning. The once-a-week program was just right for her. They started with Free Play, usually in a play kitchen with a toy microwave and sink that looked real, complete with realistic sounds. Then they had Art, under Teacher Ruben, (an artist from Oakland)where he taught young chubby hands coloring, cutting, pasting, and finger-painting. They even had a free snack of cookies or crackers. Nutter Butter was Monica's favorite.

Teacher Maria gathered them for "sports," which was stretching, bending, learning the rudiments of jumping rope, catching/rolling/kicking a ball. When the weather was nice, the kids ran around in the park or they played games like ring toss and lawn bowling.

Teacher Amy then brought them back in for Music--singing songs, with bells and tambourines tapping to the rhythm, dancing with scarves, marching, dancing with changing partners--probably the first interaction Monica has had with other kids.

Monica was tentative at first. But she enjoyed preschool a lot and she has learned that kids come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. They also have different temperaments, language, and culture. And it was wonderful that she adjusted to them right away. Shy at first, I watched her confidence blossom, even getting the guts to sit on Teacher Ruben's lap!

This program may have been free but I did not notice. With the quality of teaching and commitment, and the materials they freely allow the children to use, it is up to par with very expensive and private preschools in Manila.

I am so glad we joined the program. We look forward to the next season's module.

Check out the First Fiveprogram to marvel at their commitment to the children's preschool welfare.

Spare the Air Free Rides

It was a hot, hot 105-degree afternoon when I caught the Tri Delta bus to Pittsburg and then the BART to Fremont. The only consolation about the sweltering experience was the fact that the rides were free, and that maybe there was a significant number of commuters who chose to park their cars today and not contribute to the already hot, stagnant, and polluted air quality.

Last Friday, July 21, was the sixth and final budgeted Free Fare day of the year for $7.5 million Spare the Air program. Though it was the last free-ride day, it certainly is not the last of the program which runs from June 1 through October 13 for the summer Spare the Air season.

I saved $12.40 round-trip to play badminton and kept one more car off the highway.

Established by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, in 1991, Spare the Air aimed to reduce air pollution and provide advance notice when a "bad air day" (when ozone levels exceed the federal health standards) is likely to occur, alerting the vulnerable seniors, young children, and those with lung and heart problems.

On Spare the Air Days, Bay Area residents are asked to fight pollution by driving less, taking public transportation, trip-linking, walking, biking, choosing not to use gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, and avoiding polluting household products. People who are especially sensitive to pollution are advised to limit their time outdoors, particularly in the afternoon hours.

In perhaps their biggest effort to lure commuters leave their cars, this was the first time the Spare the Air program offered free rides all-day, instead of the past free rides during the morning commute only. Jeannie Krieg CEO of Tri Delta Transit has disclosed that ridership has increased 19% during the free Spare the Air days, with a record of 11,144 riders—their highest ever—last Thursday, July 20.

“It’s too early to tell the impact on pollution or if people will take their cars less. But we are hoping that Spare the Air will have achieve their desired impact,” Krieg said.

The best things in life are definitely free. . .or low-cost--and that's my point.

Visit Spare The Air for more details on how to fight pollution or for air-alert advisories in your area.

My $3.14-dollar-a-week Day-Off

Even in Manila, I used to take a "day-off" which means time with myself. I used to go to Red Ribbon (for ther tocino and rice meal, great coffee!))on Hemady or Figaro's (for their ham and mushroom omelette) on Tomas before going to work.

Here in the USA, I continue my small tradition, usually on Thursdays, when I start my day early with a "day-off." After bringing the kids to school, I drive around, looking for leads. I find that I am constantly led to a couple of hours to have coffee and breakfast somewhere in the area. So I budgeted $5 to find a decent place and meal.

I have tried all the donut places around. Giant Donuts in Oakley has good donuts and good coffee (not so strong but lots of flavor). Peter Piper Donuts in Antioch's donuts are a little too sweet for me and their coffee, a little thin. I also tried the discount breakfast in Country Waffles in Brentwood featuring toast, eggs, and coffee for $3.99 but the bread and eggs were ordinary, (medyo lutay nga yung bread) I could have made better at home. I also discovered a festive Oakley Mexican panaderia (bakery), similar to Philippine bakeries. Panaderia La Michoacana sells colored breads and custard or fruit-filled churros for 50c each. I tell you, the Mexican-made churros are rich and decadent.

Well but you see, aside from breakfast, I was also looking for ambience--a place to be alone with my thoughts and writings for a couple of hours, without my baby (safe with Syrel)tugging at me every 2 minutes. Country Waffles had good ambience and the smell of coffee and waffle syrup wafting around was quite inspiring.

But my latest find is Sylvia's Country Kitchen. Intrigued that it bore my sister-in-law's name, it seemed quite popular for brunch. I went in and scanned the pricey menu ($7 average for eggs, ham, toast, hash browns and coffee). When the price is above $5 here, make sure there are two of you to split the big servings.

I decided to get a small meal to fit my budget. I saw an entry "homemade muffins" in bran, raisin, raisin-nut, cinnamon-coconut. Tired of sweet donuts for breakfast, and because I can make a mean omelette, I tried a raisin-nut muffin (because it was homemade) with coffee. The muffin was surprisingly moist, almost like a banana cake but with lots of natural textures--walnuts and plump raisins--and lots of fiber. I put on some of the butter and orange marmalade tubs on hand and they enhanced the muffin in a pleasant way. Sarap!

I ate alone and savored every minute of peace and pampering as I read the used book I ordered at Amazon.com "Angels 101." I might have been alone but I felt so connected! Many people ask me how I can eat alone. I say, sometimes, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sabi nga ng credit card company, "Muffin and refillable coffee: $3.14. A couple of hours of inspiration and Me-time: priceless."

Adjusting to a Land of Excess

Moving to the USA was a hard decision. Coming from Manila where the lifestyle is laid-back and there is always a beach an hour away from where you are. Labor is cheap (and I say this with much fondness) and friendly in our hometown, too--there is always someone to help you out: to cook, to take care of the kids, to drive, to carry, to line-up, or to give you a massage(for about $6/hour)--and they are always smiling, like you were doing them a favor.

Coming to America is challenging because we brought in our hard-earned pesos that were converted to dollars. And at P52 pesos to a dollar, everything in the USA seemed very expensive, even in a SALE.

Here in America, they make it easy for you to want to buy. There are mark-downs almost every week and how can you not buy something that you don't need when the price is so low? I heard of a mother who bought 13 Easter outfits for her toddler because it was on sale --but never got to use them all next Easter. How many Easter outfits can you actually wear? Did she end up saving money on the mark-downs?

Did you see the Oprah episode on Debt Diet? There was a couple with 2 kids making $102,000/year but had a debt of $170,000, $80,000 on their student college loans. They live in a house they cannot afford, have 2 new flashy cars, their celfone bills are $394/month and they spend $100 a day on take-out food because the wife won't cook, and spends $7000/year on her hair!

The average American also has $8,000 in credit card debt.

It's not that I am judging them. It's just with so much, I am hoping to catch some of the money they throw around.

Well, for a family with 5 kids starting in the States, with an income of about $55,000/year, that's a lot to think about because our standards are way lower. I remain in a constant struggle to balance our budget by living frugally but comfortably and as debt-free as possible.

There are some standards that I won't concede, though, like a decent house (rental) and cars with good AC and will not conk out on me on the highway. I also will not allow my kids to look kawawa (unkempt) or go hungry. Other than that, I am willing to live beneath our means.

Kaya kaya? Count the ways of frugal living with me and who knows what we will find?