Fourth goal- Health Insurance (Be Healthy & Save Money part 3)

Like what a commercial ad of a vitamin product says, “Sa panahon ngayon bawal magkasakit.”For a minimum wager like me who works for 50 to 60 hours a week, everyday & every hour counts. "Bawal umabsent kaya bawal magkasakit, e pano pag magkasakit, di pa rin maiiwasan paminsan minsan nagkakasakit tayo, absent na, bawas sahod pa, dagdag gastos pa sa consultation at gamot.”

That’s the reason why I decided to prioritize my health over my financial goals. I need to strengthen my body at the same time prepare for the unexpected circumstances. It is also part of my back up and emergency fund that I plan to set aside every payday so I can concentrate on my goals.

Today, as we age we encounter some health problems that are stress related, age related and unexpected. No matter how we prepare ourselves we need to set a back up plan for those unexpected circumstances that may occur in our daily lives.


1. AGE RELATED - For a women age 30 yrs old & up single or married ones we are required to atleast  have an annual check up with our ob-gyne and an annual examination - papsmear, breast or transvi-ultrasound. As for me I'm 39 years old I've been regularly visiting my ob-gyne for the past 6 years. It was only last year that they found out that I have an endemetriosis cyst. So I bought a card at Philcare for only P 670.00 which will cover one (1) ob-gyne consult, one (1) papsmear, & one (1) breast or transvi-ultrasound.

Why I bought this card? let's review:
(I've made some research on the prices from other hospitals & here's what I found )
Consultation fee for ob-gyne ranges from  P 300.00 to P   600.00
PAP Smear  costs around                              P 250.00 to P1,000.00
Transvi Ultrasound/Breast Ultrasound       P 650.00 to P2,000.00
                                                                    ---------------------------
Total cost                                                    P1,200.00 to P3,600.00

So Philcare womens healthcard @ P 670.00 = Reasonable enough :)

2. Stress Related - I work 6 days a week from mondays to saturdays with an additional overtime of 3 to 5 hours a day for 3 days (monday, wednesday, friday). "Umulan o bumagyo, tag-init o baha, me tulog o wala" I need to work. There were times that I feel that my energy is draining due to stress and whenever that happens I feel that I am more prone to diseases. My stress diversion --- chocolates & candies thats when tonsilitis attacks. Last year I had a fever due to tonsilities I needed to consult a doctor to ask for new antibiotic but I was hesitant - 300.00 na naman ang consultation plus laboratory examination and antibiotics so I resorted to taking just paracetamol & some natural methods I usually do until my fever fades out.

3. Unexpected - I'm not prone to coughs, colds & flu since I'm taking more of vitamin c & vitamin b complex but last year I experienced a back/pelvic pain for almost a month. I wanted to go to the doctor but I was hesitant again due financial reason, so I just bear the pain until it fades out without knowing what the real cause of it.

4. Monitoring - Since I got a positive result on my endemetriosis cyst last year monitoring is required so I will be going back to my ob-gyne for check ups.

These are the reasons why I bought another health card in Philcare Clinic - This Consult to the Max Card covers 1 year unlimited check up with -- Internal Medicine, Family Medicine/General Practitioner, OB-Gynecology, Pediatrician , ENT ( Ear, Nose, Throat). Plus a 10% discounts on xrays and other laboratories examination.

 

Why choose Philcare ?
Affordability - I think is very affordable & reasonable.
Proximity -  It's one jeepney ride from my office so it prevents me from being absent at work.
Quality - Philcare staffs are approachable, the place is cool & the most important factor is I'm confident knowing that my ob-gyne works also at makati medical hospital too.

(My doctor also advises me have a cervical vaccine and a flu vaccine --- as of now I'm saving for it i'll be adding this in my goal list this 2014.)



There are also other bundle health products you can choose in philcare, you can just visit their clinics to buy those cards. You can check their websites for other health cards too.
http://www.philcare.com.ph/products/





Now that my first, second, third & fourth goal are already set I'll be focusing on my next goal.

Third Goal - Exercise (Be Healthy & Save Money Part 2)

Third Goal : Exercise, Exercise, Exercise !!!

I have three motivations here:

1.)  EXERCISE KEEPS US HEALTHY - Our body needs at least 15 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise everyday according to Harvard  Health Publications.

2. ) EXERCISE & SAVE MONEY -  And that 15 to 30 minutes of walking can actually save me three to four rides of my transportation allowance everyday:

Morning

From Home to C5 road                  =  Tricycle ( P 8.00 )  = 15 minutes of walking

From C5 to Bayani Rd (optional) =   Tricycle ( P 8.00 )  = 25 minutes of walking/jogging

From Gate 3 to Petron station      =    Jeepney ( P8.00 )   = 10 minutes of walking

Evening

From C5 to Home (special)            =  Tricycle (P25.00)   = 15 minutes of walking

3.) EXERCISE HELPS ME TO BE MORE PUNCTUAL AT WORK - Last year I really had a hard time battling lateness at work. So this year, I decided to to adjust my morning rituals to cover my 15-30 minutes walking activities everyday. – The result is good --- lesser deductions on late means higher salary :)

"My morning route to work instead of riding a tricycle I prefer to walk & jog in front of Heritage Memorial Park where people in our place use to jog & exercise every morning."

Second Goal : Be Healthy & Save Money Part 1

I once read this "If you want to save money, go on diet". It's like hitting two birds in one stone
 -  we save money by keeping our body healthy.

Last year I was so busy working that I sometimes forgot to drink water in between meals.
When it comes to food I eat and drink whatever I want --- burger, fries, spaghetti, pizza, softdrinks ( I'm addicted to it),etc. I eat veggies too but more often I eat what I feel like eating with softdrink as a partner. But I noticed during those days I always feel that my back is aching. After my annual check up ( papsmear & ultrasound ) they found out that I had endemetriosis cyst - so they scheduled another ultrasound after two months to monitor its size. What I did was researched on the cause of this cyst & know what the right foods to eat. And one of the main cause of it is dioxin that are usually present on the animal products. So I monitored what I eat-veggies & fruits specifically, I drink 2-3 liters of water a day, green tea in the morning as much as possible.
After 2 months I've got a positive result my endemetriosis cyst got smaller so my ob advises me to continue a healthy living lifestyle, no medication is needed just monitoring.

As I start the year 2014 I started journaling everything regarding my health.
From the foods that I eat, the amount of water I drink, my vitamins intake, check up etc.

My Second Goal:

*Eat Veggies & fruits daily---this two should always be present in everyday meal, its cheaper and its healthier than meats. And instead of softdrinks I turn to fruits-- 1 piece of banana, an apple, an orange, a slice of watermelon or pineapple, they only costs 10-20 pesos each or per slice. These fruits are always present in the market or in the place where we eat.

Another healthy foods that I eat during sundays are kamote tops, kamatis, mangga at bagoong with fried galunggong.....this is my favorite meal ever :)

I also love sitaw, malunggay, kalabasa but I don't eat okra & ampalaya, waahhh but I'm trying now :)
"Basta kailangan ng prutas at gulay everyday, lessen meat intake."


*Drink 2-3 liters of water a day ----our body needs at least 2 liters of water everyday and an additional 1 liter to help us look younger & fitter. This is really helpful and its free at home & in the office, so I always bring water while travelling. I also have a friend also who's on diet & he advises me to drink water first before meals in that way it'll lessen my food intake.


" No to softdrinks & other artificial drinks --- plain water muna atleast 3 liters a day."

This is an easy goal to achieve but it also needs discipline to come up with good results, anyway veggies and fruits are cheaper and water is free so make the most of it.



Our health is our greatest assets if we don't take care of it---it'll be our biggest liabilities.

"Stay Healthy & Stay Focused".

First Goal : Go to church every sundays

I believe that whatever plans we have we should pray to God first.


I remember 18 years ago I was so down, that moment when my father told me to find a job.
I had a phobia on my first on the job training that I decided not to work anymore instead I just made rugs at home since its our family business and my plan was to study again. But my father told me " Nag-college ka pa ---gagawa ka rin lang pala ng basahan". I cried a lot that day, feeling so down and depressed, I prayed tearfully---that I may find a job --- "di man malaki ang sahod basta mabait ang mga boss."

On the next day I went to church and pray again, on my way home I bought a newspaper and looked on the classified ads. Then monday morning I applied & the next morning I started working already - an answered prayer. Im still working today on third company with the same nature of job. I feel blessed everyday because everything I've asked 18 years ago were answered -  working in a company with an atmosphere like a home where we act like a kids and with a boss who allows our childishness but still implements a certain rule to discipline us. And though life is full of ups & downs I'm thankful that my family is still complete and that we are still enjoying a peaceful and wonderful life today - these are the things that money can't buy.


Last year there were times that I was not able to go to church during sundays, but this 2014 I will complete my attendance here, not only on sundays but also during weekdays.


                                                  @ STO. NINO CHURCH TAGUIG

This is my first goal - Best effort talaga kay GOD muna :)


"Commit to the Lord whatever you do & your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

January 17, 2014

Date of Birth : January 17, 1975 , Time of Birth : 7 pm - Happy Birthday Anak! - a text message I received from my mother…….waahhhh, I am now officially 39 years old and still single, a realization hit me as I feel now that I’m nearing middle stage of my life. So now I need to set a new goal & a new attitude before I reach 40.
 
1.)  The immature grace should me more mature now – I cant change the childish grace inside me but I really  need to, di na bagay sa age :(.

2. ) The sensitive grace should more insensitive but sensible enough - ang gulo no? -- ako na lang nakakaintindi nun,

3.) The pessimistic grace should be more realistic – Instead of worrying now I just need to figure out the best solution to all the problems that I think will come my way.

4.) The quiet grace should be more bold in expressing what I had in mind --- good luck to me hope I can do that at work.

5.) The silent grace should be more expressive now --- perhaps little hug to my mother will do – I need more oxytocin hormone now :)

  

 

My short term goal :

1.)  Go to church every Sunday—need to make a perfect attendance here.

2.)  Be healthy - fruits & veggies / day and at least 3 liters of water a day.


3.)  Exercise, Exercise Exercise !!! 15 min. to 30 min.walk  /exercise .

4.)  Have a health insurance - at least short term/1 year check up---done with it.

5.)  Kill Debt - one of the most difficult thing to do - not to use credit cards :(.

6.)  Budget, Budget, Budget - Live below means.

7.)  Have my 365 method short term savings--- need to start today 2014.

8.)  Have an emergency savings fund – ( for my health / family).

9.)  De- clutter my mind / simplify things --- hirap kasi ng maraming iniisip e.

10.) I will learn to cook ---- ang hirap ng hindi marunong magluto--sinaing lang sunog pa, hehehe
                                               kidding aside ---promise I will start to learn how to cook every sunday.
11.) Open a mutual fund ---- my latest goal this 2014


As of now, eto pa lang list of goal ko, more to follow.

Long term goal – on process pa.

Still needs a little time, to think of other things that needs to be done.


On my next post I will be writing about my short term goals to be more focused on achieving it.