Online Shopping Made Easier with iprice

I have been shopping online since college, and I became almost fully dependent on it when I became a mom in 2012. I mean, who has time to go to the mall with a baby just to buy baby-friendly insect repellent or nature-approved household stuff? I certainly did not.

There was a time in 2013 when I had packages coming every week. I went to malls every week, too, but I did not have to buy there (except when there are sales). Almost everything we needed was taken care of by online shops.

However, despite the convenience of online shopping, I found myself wishing for one thing. You see, it can be frustrating to go from shop to shop to look for a particular thing. There were also times when it is difficult to accurately compare prices between shops. Sometimes, I wished there was a website that took care of this need and listed everything sold in major online shops so that we wouldn't have to waste precious time shop-hopping.

iprice must have heard this wish.

On Shopping and Leisurely Spending

Background image: http://www.funnelove.com/

Like any other warm-blooded woman,  I adore shopping. But I also write passionately about personal finance. Can I do both at the same time?

I don't see why not.

I have heard about spending diets where you shouldn't shop for a period of time; a fellow blogger, Edelweiss, does that. I am amazed at their willpower because I simply can't stop shopping.

You see, I have come to terms with myself that I will always like shopping. Blame that on reading Clueless books in 6th grade. For me, budgeting and saving will be futile if you feel you're being deprived. I think it will just cause burn out,  which leads to quitting.

Just like in a diet where you sometimes go on cheat days, I believe it's healthy to occasionally spend on ourselves, too.

My Expo Mom 2014 Fun Finds

I try my best to be a wise shopper. If I pass by a clothing store sale, I can easily ignore it. Promise.

But I have two shopping weaknesses: food and kid's stuff. Biglang bumababa ang financial IQ ko jan. So when I received an email last week about Expo Mom coming to Davao, I knew I had to mentally prepare myself to practice restraint. Haha!

Looking back, it was a good thing that there weren't too many booths so it was not so overwhelming. Because of that, I was able to examine all products and decide 3x whether I absolutely needed to buy them or not. Which was not hard because I came with a checklist!

Yes, ako na ang prepared. Anyway, I promised to talk about my finds today so here they are:

1. Kiele Anti-Mosquito Cologne

Upon entering the expo, I made a beeline to Kiele's booth for two reasons. First, our last bottle of GIGA insect repellent is almost gone, and second, I'm curious to use a good-smelling repellent. Relate?

A bottle costs P199

Verdict: Woah I didn't know a mosquito repellent could smell this nice! And the scent lasts long ha; in fact, you can use it as an actual perfume. As for its mosquito repelling power, I'm glad to report that Yuri hasn't gotten bites since he used it last Sunday. I'm definitely buying this again!

2. Human Heart Nature Loot

Finance Friday: You Need an Accountability Partner

Image from Google

Left to my own devices, I would have probably wasted my money on beautiful but unnecessary things.

But I did not.

I may be a master of delayed gratification but that doesn't mean I have self-control of steel. To be honest, I think of shopping all the time! One of my favorite pastimes is online window-shopping where I admire beautiful things. Bags, shoes, furniture, books, homeschool supplies - these are only some of the things in my perpetual want-list. But I haven't given in to buying any just yet.

Why?

Because I have an awesome accountability partner: my mother.

My New Samsung Wi-Fi Camera (UPDATED)

After 48 years, my new camera has already arrived! I've been feeling bad because I needed to review some products, one of which was delivered to me more than a month ago. However, I could not properly review them because my almost 2-year old camera already died on me.

So I scoured the online market for a replacement. True, it was very scary to buy gadgets online, so I made sure to look only at big and reliable websites. I found a camera that I really loved, Samsung WB150F. The first thing that attracted me to it was its huge lens. Next, I found out it had Wi-Fi. Finally, I read the online reviews and saw that most reviews were positive. I was sold.

Photo: http://tweakers.net/

Unfortunately, the camera was out of stock! I was waitlisted for more than a week, but I patiently waited for it. I prayed so hard for that camera. Last Thursday, I found out that the camera was already available, so I immediately reserved one. However, we were only able to pay for it on Saturday afternoon, which means the camera wouldn't be shipped until Monday.

Fortunately, they employ next-day delivery. Happiness! Yesterday, Tuesday, it arrived. Behold, my Samsung WB150F:

I had my eyes on the white one, but I still dig this black version. I think it's the only color available. Check out its lens. I'm sorry; my phone is the only other available camera than can take a photo of the Samsung. The photo below shows the camera with its maximum zoom setting:

It's no telephoto zoom, but I love how it can still take crisp photos of subjects 5 meters away! Nice!

Okay, so I'm supposed to upload the photos I took during that day. However, the internet connection is soooo slow! I don't have time for this! (flips hair) Charot. Anyway, I'll be out later to go to UP to claim my diploma (after 48 years din). Gagawin na kasi daw nilang pataba sa lupa. Charot ulit. Because of that, I really couldn't wait for the photos. Hopefully, I will update this post once the photos finally get uploaded!

PS: If you want to know where I bought this camera for cheap, feel free to shoot me an email.

A few minutes before I was about to leave the house, the photos were finally done uploading. Here they are:

Awesome zoom work: The photo above is shot from my office table around 5 meters away from the subject.