Wise Spending with Save 22

I am cheap… and you know what, I’m proud of it!

I am cheap from head to toe. I buy shampoo that comes with free sachet packs or a bar of soap. Most of my shirts were dug up from bargain bins of various malls. My pants were bought not because of their quality but because of its special price discount. My boxers came in a box labelled with a “bundle deal” sticker. My socks’ brand name is “Pack of 3 Pairs” to go along with my shoes that I picked up in a shop’s closing out sale.

You see, I am not a fan of anything with a 4-digit tag price. One of my shopping mantra is “999 is the limit,” if you know what I mean.

Call me a garage sale hunter, bargain bin king or even a cheapskate. I won’t mind as long as you treat me with one of those buy 1, take 1 burger offesr or eat-all-you-can deals. Did I tell you that I am cheap?

For a person whose definition of the word “saving” evolved from “rescuing” (toddler stage) to storing computer data (student years) to “spending less” (the very moment I became a dad), I believe that every peso that I can put aside will be useful in the future.

Ever since I became a family man, the art if budgeting has been a craft I continue to master to this date. After all, I am the CFO of our monthly family expenses, dictator of the shopping list and captain of the grocery cart. I can still remember in the past, I have to visit different stores to compare prices of products before making a purchase. Today, the best deal for your money is just a click away anytime, anywhere.

It’s no secret that many people have become dependent to the internet in so many ways. We read news online to be updated of what’s happening around us. We get tips and recommendations for our next family trip through blogs and features. Some people even met their future spouses online (this guy included).

The internet is a very helpful ally that makes life better is used properly. One way we can maximize its use is by tapping it as a guide or reference every time we will purchase something whether online or not. Let me introduce to you a website that I have been visiting regularly to get updates on the latest sales, promotions and exciting deals of my favorite merchants.

 

Save22.com.ph is a search technology in a form of a website that allows potential buyers to aggregate and compare prices of the goods or services from several stores.  Just a reminder: Save 22 is not connected with the stores presented in their website. So, if you have a query on a particular product, you need to directly contact the store that offers it.  Anyways, Save 22 provides the list of products with corresponding price along with the detail information of the shop location through Google Maps. Thus, saving you from the hassle of where and how to look up those information.

And did you know that Save 22 also offer a free downloadable app (Barcode Scanner) for your mobile gadgets that you can use to scan the barcode of an item and allow you to compare the deals with your friends and other costumers? Cool, right?

If you think I have already told you all the best things about Save 22, you’re wrong. I have not yet informed you the website is free and does not charge any access fee. All the information in the website are provided to all its readers at no cost.  You also don’t have to worry about online security or if the offers are scams because there is no monetary transaction in the site. You will personally visit the merchants featured and thus you can tell first hand if the promotions is real or not. Also, there is no pressure shopping since there is no salesperson involved in the transaction. You have all the time in the world to check on the prices of goods, compare with other products or merchant and buy only when you are finally decided what is the best deal for you. In the end, you’ll be a happy shopper who just availed of great offers from trusted merchants. Visit www.save22.com.ph to see how it can help you do some wise spending.

 

You might be asking why and how I have become the “cheap” person that I am today. Simple, I want a good future for my son that’s why I am already saving for his needs this early. We can’t tell what tomorrow brings so might as well think of ways that can help secure the future of my child. That’s why I choose to save. Well, I’m happy to share that at the young age of 4 years old, my little Charlie is turning out to be a sale hunter like me.  He knows it's not okay to buy something if I already describe it as "expensive."

Charles has been my favorite shopping and dining buddy and we're just hoping that our favorite shops will be featured at Save 22 along with some cool deals and promos. Here are some of our recommendations:

DAIRY QUEEN: There was a time that ice cream was a mandatory entry in Charles's breakfast, lunch and dinner platters. It just stopped when he got confined in a hospital due to Pneumonia. Don't laugh but this is a true story that other parents should learn from. But what the heck, we still love ice cream and can you please have special discounts for costumers 4-feet and below. I might be able to avail that promotion as well.  

TOYS "R" US: Even old people buy toys either for their kids or grand kids so your store should be on Save 22 whole year round. Charles wants to make a wish list for his birthday, Christmas, very good moments and just about any special occasion that comes. My wish list is already done and waiting for a response from my wife.

URATEX: Charles is a big fan of pillows, beds, stuffed toys and anything soft. We hope you can post all your factory price sale because our little boss is growing so fast that he thinks he is big already to still share a bed with his parents. He believes he deserve a mattress of his own. Daddy totally agrees!!!

MUSIC 21 PLAZA FAMILY KTV: Charles would love to belt out songs inside concert-like atmosphere. A complimentary drink or kiddie meal would do for every two adults who will get room. I meant a KTV room, of course.

STARBUCKS: It was always my dream to take out my boy for a drink but my wife would only allow us in a coffee shop. Charles prefer your mocha frappucino over others. I hope you can come up with some treats for the young fans. Buy 1, take 1 on it's initial offering will be a good start. Let's drink to that!

Save 22 is definitely making an impact to many consumers looking for the best deals in town. It influences consumers to what and where to buy it, to check online first before buying offline. It also offers the best options for buyers and most of all, Save 22 lives up to its name and vision of helping people save money in every money spending adventure.

The Shopping Man (SM) in me

 

You know how significant and dependable a brand is when it becomes synonymous to something people love. Take the case of The SM Store. You’ll definitely think about shopping when you hear the two-letter name, right? That’s why we often hear the phrases “Nag-SM ako” or “SM tayo mamaya.”

SM has been a part of many Filipinos’ everyday lives. From dining to family bonding, to shopping adventures and new great discoveries, everyone has an exciting story to tell about his or her SM experience unless, of course, that person happens to live under a rock. 

My favorite shopping mall is everywhere and have become landmarks and preferred meeting places of people binded by a goal of finding quality products at reasonable prizes. Personally, I have great memories about The SM Store growing up. From top to toe, there’s a touch of SM in me since birth. That’s why I can proudly say that, “Laki ako sa SM.”     

I’ll tell a chapter of the great SM experience I have by opening my closet, literally. I want to share my fashion finds and why I love to shop at The SM Store. 

I am SM all over! If not for the company-issued pants and polo uniform, my outfit everyday is likely 100% bought from the largest mall chain in the country. Every working day, I wear a black slip-on and lace-up leather shoes interchangeably every other day (and soon to be added is a pair of Milanos shoes that I can’t get over with since I saw it last weekend) along with long BioFresh casual socks.

Oopps, I almost forgot to mention that I am also wrapped with a Walker boxer shorts and Yacht Club undershirt every weekday.  For my fashion gears, I flaunt my cool Giordano sunglasses and Alba wristwatch (I am a fan of the brand since the 80’s) to complement my leathers--- Hickok wallet and McJim belt.   And you’ll definitely stare on my behind every time I carry my hip Jansport bag.

Come dress down Friday and the weekends, I can mix and match any of my fave tops with my Uniqlo pants. Almost every Sunday, we spent our family date at SM Cubao, Megamall or to the newly opened SM Aura since they are near to our house in Pasig. Every visit there, I see to it to grab a new shirt either from the men’s or teens' section. I love statement shirts and also those with movie-inspired prints. I am also fond of the brand Tribal because I dig their designs and find them very comfortable on my body plus the fact that it’s wash and wear.

I have two pairs of footwear still in their boxes waiting for the time in case any of my active casual/ rubber shoes will show sign that they already need to retire. These shoes I bought all from The SM Store--- Converse Chuck taylor, World Balance running shoes and Fila sneakers--- are durable that looks like they will still last for a long time. This is just a proof that when you buy it from SM, you'll definitely get the quality product they promise to their customers. 

 

I am just grateful that I there is one store in our country that basically provide the needs of every person entering their very inviting glass doors. I am already in my mid-30’s and I can say that the store has also grew up with me and continues to capture my taste and sense of style. It still offers things my generation are accustomed with and at the same time present new products for us to try thus we’re up to date with the latest trend.

I remember asking my 4-year old son once if he gets tired going to SM every weekend.

He quickly answered, “No!”

I asked why and he said, “Because SM has everything.”

I couldn’t agree more.

For updates and promotions from The SM Store, please like their Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/TheSMStore