A great idea for parents: Online Group Buying for New Parents

New parents quickly realize that with a new baby brings with it a whole slew of accessories from diapers to baby rails to car seats.   With safety concerns being raised on a fairly regular basis on various items,  we are deterred from sifting through garage sales to get bargains.  Fighting my way through the horde during sale day isn’t my cup of tea either.  I would rather sit in the comfort of my own home and click a buy button.  =)

Thanks to Springwise.com,  I discovered a wonderful site which focuses on new & expecting parents – helping them enjoy the benefits consumers can enjoy when they team up and buy baby & children’s goods as a crowd. 

CrowdSprout lets groups of consumers interested in purchasing the same item band together to get a better price.

Product categories on the site include car seats, carriers, diaper bags, furniture, high chairs and strollers; for each product included, the merchant lists a reduced price, the minimum number of buyers needed and a deadline. Consumers then spread the word about their planned purchase, with the goal of increasing that group’s size. Once enough buyers have joined the group, they then make their (reduced) payment through CrowdSprout and receive the item they wanted. If, on the other hand, the minimum number of buyers is not achieved in time, no one pays and the group disbands.  Not bad,  not bad at all!

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Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials. ~Meryl Streep

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A special invitation for guilt free luxe shopping at Gilt.com!

Have you ever pushed and shoved your way through a sample sale?  Endured the crowds at the mall looking for the perfect bargain item?  Waited patiently until your favourite designer or luxe brand has an end-of-season sale? 

Well,  that could all change courtesy of gilt.com.  This wonderful website features fairly current items from your favourite designers and brands at a fraction of its retail cost.   Get that gorgeous Donna Karen Tote you’ve been drooling over at over 60% off.  How about  that Valentino dress at 75% off?   Items range from dresses to shoes to jewelry,  children’s items and even stationary.    The only hitch is that shipping is currently only offered within the U.S.    

How does Gilt.com work?

All sales (women, men, children & home start at Noon ET/9amPT and last 36 hours.  You’ll receive an email  when each day’s sales start.  Additionally, each Monday,  a digest is emailed to all members of that week’s upcoming sales to help you plan ahead.   All items are available at the beginning of all sales and prices don’t change, so log on at the start of the sale to get the best selection.  [I kid you not.. it’s like ebay at its peak]

 

Membership is by invitation only.  Our sister site has been extended a special invitation which we would like to share with all our readers.  Go to this page to sign up.  =)

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Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials. ~Meryl Streep

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2008 Christmas Bazaar Schedule

Ahh… the “Ber” months are upon us and the shopping frenzy has begun.  I’ve compiled a list of those bazaars which I think should be interesting, historically offering unique items at a fairly reasonable amount.  I’ll expand the list as soon as I get updates on the others.  =)

The 7th World Bazaar Festival
World Trade Center, Metro Manila
Dec 5-16

Karl Edwards International Bazaar
NBC Tent, Taguig
Sept 13-14 / 27-28
Oct 4-5 / 11-12 / 25-26
Nov 8-9 / 15-16 /22-23 / 29-30
Dec 6-7 / 13-23 /27-28

American Women’s Bazaar
World Trade Center, Metro Manila
Sept 8, Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 2

Casa Y Jardin
Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City
Oct 12 & 18 (9am-9pm

Woodrose Family Bazaar
Cuenca Community Center
Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa
Oct 11-12

The Network for Enterprising Women Bazaar
Delicacies Village, Tiendesitas.  Admission is FREE.
Oct 25-26
New concessionaires still welcome.  Email mbci.events@gmail.com or go to www.mbcievents.multiply.com for more details. 

Urban Bazaar Series
Rockwell Tent,  Powerplant mall.
Oct 24-25; Nov 28-30; Dec 12-14
For more information, please call 898-1702 or log on to powerplantmall.multiply.com.

Head on to Luxe: 1st shopping soiree
Rockwell Tent,  Powerplant mall.
Oct 30-31
For more information, please call  (02) 480-5667 or visit http://luxeshoppingevent.tripod.com.

Cubao Expo Holiday Bazaar
Cubao Expo (formerly known as Marikina Shoe Expo.
Nov 8, 15, 22, 29.  Dec 6-7, 13-14, 18-24.
New concessionaires still welcome.   “No pirated products, fakes, imitation, or replica goods” policy. For more information, please visit http://cubaoexpogroup.multiply.com/journal/item/11/CUBAO_EXPOS_Y.E.S._08_Year-End-Series_of_Events_2008.

International Bazaar
PICC Forum
Nov 16

RELATED POSTS:

Holiday Shopping Tips

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Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials. ~Meryl Streep

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2008 Manila International Book Fair

I’m so sad that I’m stuck here in KL in the upcoming week.  

Booklovers across the Metro have been counting down the days to the 29th Manila International Book Fair will be held from September 12 to 16, 2008, 10:00 A.M.to 8:00 P.M. at Halls 1-4, SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The MIBF 2008’s theme is Words without Borders. It celebrates the power of literature to cross boundaries of time, place and culture.  MIBF showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature, textbooks, educational supplements, general references, religious and inspirational titles, self-help books, management books, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, children’s books, art books, graphic novels, rare and hard-to-find titles, magazines, audio and e-books, multimedia, teaching supplies and services, publishers’ technology, and travel materials.

This celebration of books and all that it contains is one of the longest-running in Asia. It is also one of the most accessible and affordable, Through the years, it has welcomed millions of Filipinos to the Manila International Book Fair, which is for everyone of all ages, of all tastes and means and dreams. This year, the Book Fair becomes more international opening up to other cultures while continuing to champion the best of what Philippine publishing has to offer.

The world and the word comes to Manila this September for the sharing of stories and the meeting of minds. Come and join the conversation.

The 29th Manila International Book Fair is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Communicators, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines. For details, call 890-0661 or 896-0682, log on to www.manilabookfair.com, or e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com.

Many local publishing houses will have their booths there and hosting workshops at SMX.  I was particularly excited about the workshops being offered by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBYP):

A Thumbnail History of Children’s Literature in the Philippines
A lecture to be delivered by Prof. Lina Diaz de Rivera
9-12 noon, September 13, Meeting Room 8, SMX

25 Ways to Entice Children with Stories
A workshop on storytelling; Facilitator: Manolo Silayan
1-4 pm, September 13, Meeting Room 8, SMX

Library Magic
– 25 Steps to Building a Mobile Library
– 25 Ways to Survive and Thrive: Managing Change in Libraries
– Setting Up Children’s Libraries
Facilitators: Nina-Lim Yuson, Zarah Gagatiga, PLAI
9-5 pm, September 13, Meeting Room 9, SMX

Tong Tong Tong: Tinig, Tunog, at Talino ng Tulang Pambata
Facilitator: c/o Linangan ng Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA)
9-12 noon,September 14, Meeting Room 9, SMX

Creative Effective Visuals for Children’s Books
Facilitator: Totet de Jesus
1-4 pm, September 14, Meeting Room 9, SMX

Reading, Responding and Reviewing
A workshop on reviewing children’s literature; Facilitator: Neni Sta.Romana-Cruz
1-4 pm, September 15, Meeting Room 9, SMX

Each workshop has a fee of six hundred pesos (Php 600.00), except for Library Magic which costs one thousand pesos (Php 1000.00).  For inquiries or registration, please send an e-mail to pbby.ncbd@gmail.com or call 3723548.  Also visit www.pbby.org.ph.

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Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials. ~Meryl Streep

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Stumped for a baby shower gift? Give a diaper cake!

Showers, whether they be wedding shower or baby showers, can be stressful situation for attendees. What can you possible give which will be both functional yet funky?

For the past few years, my stable baby shower gift has alway been diaper bags. Those of Baby Couture and Nappy Sac come to mind. =)

Nowadays, I tend to turn my eyes on what’s INSIDE the diaper bag ever since I attended a party in which one of the gifts was the cutest diaper cake I’ve ever seen.

A quick online search yielded a treasure of a site which features adorable baby shower gifts which are extremely useful, presented in a whimsical fashion, enough to delight any mom-to-be.

For those who are searching for personalized baby gifts, lilbabycakes has diaper cakes to suit all tastes. Feel like taking a walk on the wild side? Get a safari cake! Having twins? Take your pick of twin boys/twin girls or combi boy/girl cakes! You name it, they have it. If they don’t, just give your wishlist and they can design it for you.

If diaper cakes aren’t your thing, the site also has other baby gifts ranging from teddy bears to baby golf sets.  Ahh… choices choices…

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Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials. ~Meryl Streep

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Kid’s Furniture: Choices Choices Choices

I’ve always taken the view that the bond between parent and child is strengthened during the infancy years through co-sleeping. At the same time, a child must learn to be independent and be able to enjoy his or her own space. What age that should be is up to the parents and child.

At this point in time, my 5-year old son co-sleeps with us but we are preparing him for the next step: his own room. It was only when we starting exploring the various department stores and furniture shops that we realized that there are so many different choices: bunk beds, twin beds, loft beds.. ACK!!!!

A quick search of the net yielded a gem of a site: www.simplykidsfurniture.com. There are Kids Bedroom Furniture, Kids Desk, Armoires, complete Bedroom Sets. The site has so many options to choose from and caters to all tastes: from fancy to classic, but at all times remaining functional. I fell in love with the classic Wooden Childrens Furniture in particular.

Now if it isn’t furniture that you’re looking for, the site also presents creative ideas for playtime: knights & castles, bed tents, rocking horses, wooden toys, puppets and theaters, doll furniture and accessories. Ahh, truly a one-stop shop for our kids rooms.

We now have another problem: how to whittle down our choices. =)

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Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials. ~Meryl Streep

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Nappy Sac: Not Your Ordinary Diaper Bag

As a new mom, one of the first things I did after giving birth was look for a diaper bag which wouldn’t crimp my style. No cutesy plastic-y bags covered with bears and bunnies for me. =) I found a nice cream and white bag at Whimsy which was spacious and stylish but didn’t have enough inner pockets. Thus started my quest to find the perfect locally produced diaper bag (in terms of specs and price). My favourites so far are Baby Couture and Nappy Sac which have become my staple baby shower/christening gifts to close friends and relatives.

Baby Couture produces bags which were great for moms. I’m now using one (Madeline) as a gym bag during the weekday. Visit their kiosk at the Shangri-la Mall to see the different designs.

Nappy Sac is another new local brand which is a hit for those who love a splash of color (read: no limited to pink and blue). My favourite is the brown “Gabby” bag with its orange lining – perfect for the funky dad out for a stroll in the mall. I also like the “Jell” bag made of brazilian leather.

Newly launched a few months ago, the makers of Nappy Sac are negotiating with various retail outlets and the bags should be publicly available soon. For those who want to get one now, contact Jell at 0917-522-6349.

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Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials. ~Meryl Streep

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Trimming Expenses

Now that Christmas is just around the corner (and hopefully the shopping list has been accomplished), it’s time to make lists for the New Year. Let’s count the ways in which we can save on a few more pesos.

1. Pay cash whenever possible. Psychologically, it’s harder to spend cash than use plastic.
2. Research before travelling. There is a wealth of knowledge AND bargains to be found online.
3. Plan your purchases. Don’t buy on an impulse. Patience is a virtue. If you see something you like in a store, chances are that it will be included in one of the many midnight madness sales which come at least once a quarter. Why pay full price when you can get it for 20% off? =)
4. Open a separate savings account (preferably one of the higher interest money market accounts) for big-ticket items such as appliances, travel, or house.
5. Use a budget, especially for gifts.
6. Track your spending on paper. If you write it all down, you’ll probably spend less.
7. Ask if there are discounts (before ordering in restaurants or checking out at the counter). You’d be suprised at the number of freebies you can get in restaurants if only you ask.
8. Quit the cigarettes and the booze.
9. Save all your change and use it to buy gifts next year.
10. Have pot-luck dinners. Rotate the hosting.
11. Have semi-annual garage sales. If you haven’t used it in over a year, chances are you won’t use it in the years to come.
12. Only use ATMS where you won’t be charged service fees.
13. With the rising cost of oil, look at fuel-efficient cars when considering your next purchase.
14. Pay off your credit cards monthly and avoid paying interest.
15. Take advantage of your company benefits — take that annual medical/dental exam. Health is wealth.
16. Buy term instead of whole life or universal life insurance.
17. Take advantage of VOIP for your long distance calls.
18. Cut back on eating out.
19. Buy energy-efficience appliances. They’re cheaper in the long run.
20. Keep up maintenance on cars. It may prevent costly future problems.
21. Pay your bills online. Check out the online bills payment facility of bancnet.
22. Buy an e-pass or EC Tag. It will save you time and remember, time is money.
23. Brown bag it or scout out the inexpensive place to buy lunch.
24. Do you REALLY need that capuccino? =)

Holiday Shopping Tips

Red shouldn’t be the financial color this Christmas season. These tips should help keep you in the black till the new year.

1. Pay Cash. Not only that, pay in big denominations. It makes you think twice when you go to buy something with a PHP1,000 bill. There are a lot of cash cards in the market. Load them and stick to the limit. Once you’re out of money, you’re out of money.

2. Read the fine print. Do you know how much your credit card charges as penalties if you either pay late or don’t pay off the full balance? Does your credit card company have a two-cycle billing policy?

3. Keep a running total of your non-cash expenditures. You’d be amazed at how much money you can burn in just one day in the mall. At the end of each shopping expedition, just tally your credit card receipts to see if you can still splurge on another pair of Zara jeans without going over your credit limit.

4. Have a plan. Ok, so you fell off the wagon. If you overspent your budget this Christmas season, come up with a REALISTIC repayment plan. Try to go back to a zero balance by the end of the first quarter. You don’t want to have this debt cloud hanging over your head for too long.

5. Get easy gifts out of the way. Put aside the money to pay the 13th month bonus of your household angels. Try to get this out early so that they don’t form part of your December shopping budget.

6. Make a list. Check it twice. Trim it down if you have to. If you can, match each item with the store you’ll visit so you can get your shopping down efficiently (with minimal temptations). Your feet and your wallet will thank you.

7. Think outside the gift box. In a previous post I mentioned more often than not, it is the small activities we do with our families which mean the most, not the expensive trinkets. Build memories, not possessions.

8. Gift yourself with financial freedom. Take the time to go to the bank, not just to withdraw money, but also to look at financial products which you can use to jumpstart the savings habit AND/OR lighten the spending. Open an savings (for a rainy day) account to which you can autotransfer funds come payday. Once the balance reaches a sizeable amount, you can then transfer to higher yielding investment instruments.

9. Keep the change. Don’t knock the value of the peso. I’ve been keeping all of our change in a Winnie-the-Pooh piggy bank for Andre. Last year, I deposited over P3K in coins in his savings account. For the singletons, that translates into 6 gift packs from Body Shop. =)

10. Shop on a full stomach. The worst shopping decisions I’ve made were done either on a panic spree (gotta get a dress for a wedding) or on an empty stomach. Everything looks so much nicer when you’re running on fumes.

A Budget for Today and Tomorrow

Anyone handling the household finances knows how hard it is to balance the books and ensure that at the end of the month, our wallets are filled with money, not bills. In my own quest to take control of our expenditures, I’ve devised my own spreadsheet, plotting out expected big ticket items (spending AND saving). Quicken or Microsoft Money doesn’t do it for me.

Kiplinger has come up with the simplest yet most effective worksheet that I’ve seen. It’s perfect for newlyweds and young families. Sometimes, simple is best. =)