I used to dislike working from home because I always ended up falling asleep in the afternoons. I used to think that I liked the structure that going to a physical office gives me, not to mention being able to socialize with workmates-turned-friends. But now that I have been working from home for more than a year now, I realize that if there is an option to work from home, I would always choose this, mostly because I cannot imagine going through my everyday commute again. Heh. I am blessed to be employed by a company that has a work from home setup, even before the pandemic.

Working from home is a great way to save money, but if you're like who always adds to cart, it can also be expensive. How do you work from home without spending too much? Here are some tips that will help keep our working-from-home costs low.

#1 Skip the commute

By working from home, you can save on your transportation costs. One doesn't realize how much money you spend on gas just going to and from work every day, and how much other things you can do with that money instead! Also, by using your car less, you'll probably save a few bucks on your car insurance as well, seeing as you won't be putting yourself and your vehicle at risk as much as you would've if you had to drive on the freeway twice a day, every day.

#2 Consolidate errands

I really avoid going out as much as possible in that even my groceries, I do online, but if you do happen to need to leave your house during the day, try and consolidate errands into one trip. Not only will this help save gas, but it'll also allow you more time at home! For example, if there's a centre close by that has all the stores you need to do your monthly grocery shopping, try and set aside enough time to slip away for a while and buy everything you need in one outing? The less time spent outside of your working space means fewer distractions and more hours to complete tasks that contribute to earning money.

#3 Free lunch

Who doesn't love free food? If you have a fridge, microwave, and some water to boil things in, there are plenty of recipes that allow for healthy meals at little-to-no cost. Some people buy lunch every day of their lives, whether it be at a nearby food truck that's conveniently located next to the office or even at a coffee shop. Unfortunately, these small expenses add up to quite a bill at the end of each month because it's not as if you can run home to your fridge at lunchtime and have a quick snack. By working from home, you'll be saving on all those coffee and lunch bills, ensuring you have even more money saved each month that you can use to buy other things!

#4 Save on utilities

You may be wondering how you can save on utilities when you're at home more often and use more electricity to work and get everything that's needed done? Well, that's where technology and innovation come in. Now, you can utilize the cost-effective option of solar power to cut your utility bills in half and save tons! Sure, you don't want to spend a bucket load of money on solar panel installations and only start saving a few years down the road when the installation has paid for itself through savings, but that's where this gets even better. You can learn more at www.choosesolar.com and find out how you can reap the fruits of solar energy without needing any solar panels! This is one of my dreams for my future home, too.

By utilizing the above steps, you’ll be saving a ton of money while working from home and amping up your productivity at the same time - it’s a win-win situation! 

Do you have any more work from home tips? Let me know! :)

In yet another failure of our governance to provide hope in this seemingly never ending quarantine, the other best thing we can do aside from demand more from our leaders and vote better in the coming elections is explore other interests. These are truly stressful times and if I did not have anything else to divert my attention to, I would have gone crazy. I am listing here some activities you can do in our nth form of quarantine.

Skating

Thanks to J's sister C and her forming a skating squad, I took an interest in roller skating. It's a really fun activity whether you are just practicing on your own or trying to find some friends at the park, or, in my case, skating with a squad. Heh. My dream skates arrived the other day, and I cannot wait to dress her up!

Look at my Luna Princess!

B-E-A-UTIFUL!!

Start a Blog

It's easy to start a beauty blog, really. What's challenging is maintaining it. But I guess if you are passionate about sharing what you know and experience, then you should be okay. Look at this blog, it's been here for more than a decade now. :)

Learn New Recipes

One thing that I am proud of is that I was able to learn how to cook! If I can do it, believe me, so can you. Quarantine isn't the time to let your creativity die. It's a great time to try something new. if you have been itching to learn how to cook, now is the perfect opportunity to try something new. Try learning how to cook a new dish each week. Make sure you ask your friends and family what they like or don't like when it comes to food so that way you can make recipes for the whole family, or if you live alone you can prep ahead for the whole week and save so much time and effort!

Host a Virtual Party 

I am an extrovert and I thrive in interpersonal relationships so you bet this quarantine has hit me hard. Hosting a virtual party is a great way to keep yourself and your friends entertained during the quarantine. Invite as many people as possible so that you can play games or watch movies together even though everyone might not be able to meet up in person. Also, make sure someone takes pictures of all the fun things happening at the party. This will help those who couldn't make it feel like they are still part of the fun. This is also a great way to connect with friends and family even when we can't be physically together.

Journaling 

Since you can find yourself in some phase of quarantine you can pen either a journal about what is happening around you or what's going on in your life. You can also write notes to yourself that may be helpful for the future, like how you felt during quarantine and any tips that worked well for you.

It doesn't even have to be very long at all. Two sentences will do. Just write a few quick notes about what you did or thought during your quarantine period. You can always go back and add more later on, too. It's up to you how much detail you want in your journal entries, so feel free to get as detailed as you'd like. Besides, doing something imperfectly is better than not doing it at all.

Take care of a pet

Our front yard has become a home to cats and these adorable kittens, and they will be coming with us to our new home when it's finally built.

Hopefully, this list has given you some ideas on making the most out of your time in isolation or quarantine. Just note that there are tons of other options to explore for those who aren't interested in spending their stay inside playing video games or mindlessly scrolling through social media, although I know we have our owns ways of coping. You are doing amazing. :)

Yesterday I saw an Instagram post about wanting to put up a tree and call it a year, and I realized that I've lived away from home since I was 22, sometimes with roommates, most times alone, but it was actually the first time I felt excited to decorate for the holidays. It also got me thinking about my blog post back in 2008 when I first decided to move out. The years flew, and I have had a lot of growing up to do since then.

Are you contemplating relocating? It is definitely challenging at any given time, more so now that we're in a pandemic, but not entirely impossible. After all, I was able to do it! I moved out on February this year, and before I knew it my first contract is due to expire next week! That was quick! We were able to renew it already though, so I should be here for another year. :) And I am telling you, it has done wonders for my mental health and sense of self.

Now whether you are moving across the street, across town, or across the globe, it is important to plan ahead of time. One thing is certain no matter where you are going: you will need to organize your move in a systematic and effective manner. Here are some suggestions for making the transition from one location to another considerably smoother.

1. Allocate money

It will not be cheap, so set a budget and make sure to stick with it. It is easy to get lost in Pinterest but you also have to note how much you are willing (and capable) to spend.

2. Make a detailed plan for your relocation

The most important thing you can do to ensure that your move is as cost-effective as possible is to plan ahead of time. This will provide you with the opportunity to ensure that every little element of your relocation is meticulously thought out in advance. You will save a significant amount of time, effort, and money as a result.

3. Pack all of your belongings in advance

One other key thing that you can do to make your relocation go more smoothly is to pack all of your important belongings in advance. There are numerous "how-to" guides available on the internet that can provide you with this critical information. The aim is to simply ensure that all of your belongings are packed in a manner that will keep them safe and secure during the relocation.

Packing up all of your belongings well in advance of the moving date will also benefit you throughout the actual move. As a result, the crew that comes in to load your belongings will have a much more efficient and straightforward time of things. All of this will contribute to keeping the overall process running smoothly, on schedule, and under budget. It is the most time-saving strategy available.

4. Use the services of a professional moving company

The last thing you need to do to make your move complete is to hire a professional moving service such as Mybekins.com. I am stingy and I had my boyfriend to help me, but it would've been easier with a professional moving company like what we used when they moved from Taguig to Parañaque a couple of years ago. This is an absolute must if you want things to proceed in a smooth and efficient manner. You can contact the company in advance to arrange the move and make sure the price is right.

These professionals understand how to pack items in the proper manner to ensure that nothing is lost or damaged. They are also well-versed in managing relocations on behalf of business owners. There will be adequate insurance coverage and the transfer itself will be carried out at a high level of efficiency.  

If this post helped you in a any way, you're welcome and congratulations! :)

Hello, friend! I hope you are doing well and keeping safe. I am okay, all things considering. I guess there's really nothing left to do now except to wait the pandemic out, all the while hoping to elect better leaders and not die. 

Aside from buying little treats every now and then to distract me from the everyday reality that I am in the Philippines, I am also immersing myself into new hobbies, one of which is rollerskating that I also blogged about previously. 

My precious quarantine quads have arrived, and it really is so pretty!

Chaser Whip Roller Skates

I also got a bunch of accessories as well as safety gear so I can hopefully learn how to skate unscathed. I have a helmet, pads for my wrists, elbows, and knees, a skate leash, toe caps, and other stuff to prettify my skates with. 

Adorable!

I am at that stage in my life when peers in my age group are starting their own families. While I am happy for them and am even reduced to tears of happiness whenever a friend breaks news that they are pregnant, I myself do not want kids of my own. I think I will be content to becoming a cat mom someday.

Look at that sweet face! He's one of the stray cats my family takes care of

We also have plans to get a turtle. We have a name and everything, and we have arranged the layout of this place to accommodate him when he arrives. The only thing left to do is purchase him.

Anyway, if you're the parent of a newborn, you've probably been there - that moment when your baby is fussy and they won't or can't sleep. So, what do you do? If this has been happening for more than an hour, it's time to take action! This blog post will discuss different hacks that may help soothe your fussing infant.

Swinging Them To Imitate the Womb

This one is for the parents who are sitting on a chair, and their infant starts fussing. You can swing them in your arms to imitate being back in the womb or dangle them off of you like they're going down a slide. 

Seek Help From Professional Medical Providers

Suppose you feel that your baby may have an ear infection. In that case, they're not producing enough wet diapers or are sick with another illness and seek help from a professional medical provider.

To increase your baby's comfort while sleeping, you can look up Baby Pillows And Safe Sleep Recommendations from the internet or previous mothers.

Warm Bath

A warm, calm bath may be just what your baby needs to go back to sleep. Add a few drops of lavender oil or other calming oils if you have them on hand. It can make the water even more relaxing for both of you! 

Play Tunes or White Noise

If your infant is fussy, you can play tunes or turn on a fan with static; this will help soothe them and block out other noises around the house that may be bothering them - it's much easier for babies to sleep when it's quiet! 

Keep Them Warm

Babies are sensitive to the cold and may not sleep well if it's too cool in their room. So be sure that they have enough layers for warmth and block out any light or noise from outside sources like street lamps. 

Delegate House Chores to Others

If you're the parent of a newborn who loves their house and independence, the chances are high that you'll try to do every chore. But it's okay to ask for help! Delegate tasks like cleaning and cooking to other adults in your household who may be eager to lend assistance--they'll likely feel better about it too.

Never Shake Them 

Shaking your baby can lead to traumatic brain injury, so be sure not to. However, if they're fussing and you need help calming them down quickly, try one of the methods in this blog post!

Do not use any of these hacks if your infant is unresponsive or their breathing becomes irregular - this could indicate a severe illness. Instead, seek professional medical advice immediately.

Shushing

When they're sitting in your arms and fussing, place one finger over their lips and cover your finger with the other hand. This gentle shushing sound will soothe your infant because it sounds like what they hear in utero when you're talking to them!

Many parents find that gently patting or stroking a baby's back can help calm an upset infant; this is called "the stroller method.

Swaddling

Place the baby on their back and wrap them tightly in a light blanket, securing it with safety pins at chest level. This position immobilizes your infant's body to help calm them by reducing sensory input like vision or sound that can be overstimulating for an upset child.

Babywearing

Wearing your baby in a carrier or wrap allows them to feel the warmth and security of your own body, which can help calm an upset infant. If you are wearing them on your chest, this will also provide a gentle rocking motion that may have calming effects.

Bouncing

Sitting with your back straight, hold the baby in your arms and gently bounce up and down.

Pressing Fingers to Nose and Gently Rubbing Them Together

Doing this calms babies by reminding them of their smell from inside the womb; this is a perfect technique to use if you have a colicky or congested newborn.

Massaging

Massage your baby with gentle strokes, starting at the head and continuing down his body.

Nuzzling

Hold your newborn close to you and nuzzle their nose with yours. At the same time, gently rub the baby on the back or tummy.

Letting the Baby Crawl Around

Give your little one a safe space to crawl around. For example, you can use a blanket or towel on the floor and make sure there are no sharp objects in their path. The crawling motion triggers your baby's instinct to explore, which is great for cognitive development!

Conclusion

Soothe your fussing infant with these baby hacks that are sure to take their cries down a notch.  

One of the great blessings brought about by my new job is that I became excited for weekends again. There was a long period before when weekends didn't matter to me because it's all the same anyway, I would still spend most of the day in front of my laptop, working. The only difference is that there would be no meetings. Don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge my workmates nor my immediate superior, but I have to admit it was very easy to be jaded and get burnt out. 


I remember dreading Sunday evenings because it would be Monday in a few hours and the cycle would start all over again.

Happy to report that I no longer dread Sunday evenings anymore. In fact, I am excited to start my work-week, now that the weekend really gave me time to recharge and refresh.

This weekend, my friends and I, led by J's sister C, formed a skater girl gang.

Yep! New hobby alert! This time next week, I would have already tried to skate again (after soooo many years since trying it out as a pre-teen), with hopefully little to no scars.

Look at this beautiful thing that will arrive in the mail in the next few days:

My quarantine quads! Ugh. So cute! It comes with pink shoe laces, too! Teal and pink, my favorite color combination!

I am so excited I cannot sit still. I bought a helmet, toe guards, colorful shoe laces, protective gear, and even cute thingamajigs to jazz my new skates with!

Now I only need to look for cute outfits to skate in, but that's another shopping list for another pay day.

How are you? I hope you are taking care of yourself and are keeping safe!