We definitely love to get a good bargain on great items this coming holiday season, considering that the world is currently facing an economic crisis. A feature on “Good Morning America Weekend” should help you on saving up on holiday gift spending.
• Purchase refurbished items: Trustworthy sites such as Sony, Amazon, Apply and Best Buy reportedly offers refurbished products. These are still in very good condition and can be bought at lesser price. The good thing is that these sites offer full refunds and return periods just like when you buy new items. In this case, rely on a reputable retailer rather than those fly-by-night sites.
• Buy gifts in bulk: Chances are, you will get a great discount for buying a lot of items in your preferred retail store. Check out the store’s gift packages because you can buy a lot of items with a reasonable price. You can segregate the items into individualized gifts when you get home.
• Big inexpensive gift for kids: Kids find it more exciting to find a large gift waiting for them this Christmas. You can find a lot of large yet inexpensive items at the retail stores.
• Use the online search engine: Several online retails are offering the so-called “promotion code” which you can use when purchasing items online. These codes usually take off a reasonable chunk off the total price of your purchase so check it out before you shop.
LikeA U.S. survey recently revealed that the consumers are setting aside an average of $832 just for Christmas shopping this year. However, due to the global financial crisis, the said amount may seem too expensive or steep. Financial experts say that one doesn’t have to overspend this holiday season. Seriously, there’s no need to overspend on gifts!
Here are the top 5 tips I can share on Christmas gift shopping:
1. Make a written plan: Be realistic when it comes to how much you can spend for the holiday gifts. As much as possible, don’t allot more than you can afford!
2. Spend on sentimental gifts: Gifts such as picture frames with memorable photos will be for sure more valuable for the recipient. A personalized scrapbook highlighting your travel photos for this year will be for sure more treasured by the recipient.
3. Practical thinking: Think of gifts that are of practical use to the recipient.
4. Go and shop at secondhand stores: Don’t cringe! Believe me, you will find a lot of unique, very interesting and not-so-expensive stuff in second hand stores.
5. Do not buy for yourself: You could throw a hint or two to your loved ones as to what gifts you yourself would want to receive this Christmas. This way, you get to focus more on buying gifts for your loved ones and let them think of what you probably need or what.
Remember, we should all start controlling our expenses! Shopping smart is a must these days.
What about you? Do you have any tips to share?
Like I mentioned in this post, I was at the Social Security System (SSS) office in our area early this week because I had to secure my SSS ID card. Although I’m a longtime SSS member, it’s only now that I finally had the time (and finally ran out of valid excuses not to go! LOL) to visit and have my picture taken and stuff.
Here’s the procedure on how to secure your very own SSS ID card:
- Go to the Forms Issuance Counter and ask for the Social Security ID form (SSS Form E-6)
- Fill up the form in ONE copy only
- Proceed to any receiving/verification counter (usually counters 1-6). The teller will validate your form. You are required to bring two (2) valid IDs for verification purposes (valid IDs include your company ID, passport, TIN etc)
- If the application form is in order, the teller will stamp the form with “Qualified” and you will be told to proceed to the SS ID Data Capture Station
- Present your form along with your two valid IDs to the capture machine operator
- Wait for your turn
- Once you’re allowed inside the station, you will be asked for your fingerprints (index finger and thumb prints) and digital signature. The operator will also get a live capture of your facial image (fancy way of saying, really, that the operator will take your picture). I actually noticed a personal identification number (PIN) keyboard but I wasn’t asked to key in my PIN. I guess that’s not necessary anymore.
- After the data capture, the operator will hand you a stub. You need to keep that stub for future reference.
- Your SS ID will be mailed to you.
Interestingly, the operator told me that it might take MORE THAN TWO MONTHS before my ID is sent. This is because the machine, accordingly located at the SSS central office in Manila, is broken. Isn’t that funny? The SSS is supposedly one of the “moneyed” branches of government and yet they can’t even serve their contributors well.
Ahh…that’s the Philippine government to you.
I’m a longtime Social Security System (SSS) member but I figured I’d share these tips on how to secure your SSS number. I was at the SSS office in our area early this week because I had to get my SSS ID and found a couple of how-to tips that I hope some of you might find useful.
Here are the steps on how to secure your social security (SS) number:
- If you’re employed, get the SS form E-1. If you’re self-employed, secure the SS form RS-1. Get these from the Forms Issuance Counter.
- Fill up the form in two (2) copies.
- Submit the accomplished forms together with the supporting documents at the counter. The list of supporting documents can be found at the back of the form (some of the supporting documents include your original, National Statistics Office-certified birth certificate, ID pictures, passport, baptismal certificate, marriage certificate etc)
- Wait for the verification of your documents. If found in order, an SS number will be issued to you and the duplicate copy of your form will be given back to you.
Remember, you can only use BLACK INK in filling up the forms. You should also bring original copies of the supporting documents – these will be returned to you after verification.
The ten digit SS number that you get will be your lifetime number.
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