Are You Garbed for Travel?

Even travel-savvy people sometimes fall into the trap of wearing the wrong outfits and bringing the wrong items on their trips.

A friend of mine asked me what she should bring and wear for her trips. For her sake, and for many others like her, let me share these practical and easy tips to follow:

1. Wear comfortable flat shoes called slip-ons. Sneakers with shoestrings can be cumbersome, as you have to untie and tie the laces every time you go through airport security checkpoints. If you can find sneakers with Velcro or without any strings, they could become your favourite travel shoes. If you plan to travel soon, find at least one pair that can make your feet happy.

2. For people like me who love hats, keep your hats in a hat box while traveling. You will avoid constantly taking it off and forgetting it in the airports.

3. Avoid wearing baggy dresses. You could be subjected to unwelcome hand frisking if you do.

4. If you plan to bring a substantial amount of money, it is better to buy travellers cheques for your own security.

5. Bring a neck support with a snap, so you can attach it to your handbag. If it doesn’t have one, you can sew your own snap. This will ensure that you will not buy a new one for each trip.

6. Bring a self-help book or magazines that will feed your mind and turn your waiting time into productive and pleasurable moments.

  

7. Make sure you have at least two good writing and signing pens. You cannot always borrow one on the plane to complete your arrival cards.

8. Put all liquid gifts or souvenir items inside your check-in luggage. Airport security personnel will confiscate these items if they find them in your carry-on bags.

9. If you are travelling overseas, it will be wise to log on to your destination’s website, for specific guidelines on travel warnings, prohibited items and apparel, as well as local customs and traditions.

A wise man once said, “Traveling is the best education in the world.” If you can get educated, be safe and have fun along the way, that’s even better, isn’t it?

Third Image Forum a Roaring Success!

Hotel Celeste Makati was abuzz with interest and enthusiasm as members of the Philippine Chapter Initiative of the Association of Image Consultants International and their guests trooped to the fourth floor function room to attend the much-awaited Third Image Forum.

Extra chairs had to be brought in to seat the blockbuster audience.  Delby Bragais, the President, was beaming with pride and pleasure as she welcomed members and guests alike.  Karen Agustin-Ostrea, the President-Elect, hosted the event and called on Abby Arenas-de Leon to introduce the main speaker, Dina H. Loomis.

Dina regaled the audience with her action-packed and fast-moving talk entitled “Multiply Your Income with Presentation Mastery.” She called on one of the guests, Julius Magno, to deliver an impromptu talk using the outline that she presented.  Instant feedback and suggestions for improvement were given by Brooks Loomis. A great roar of delight came from the audience when they were treated to a fireworks display on the screen followed by a rain of confetti at the end of her presentation.

Karen introduced the second speaker, Toastmasters International Champion speaker, Orly Tugob, who spoke on the topic “Effective Negotiation Skills.” A quiz was given to everyone to determine each individual’s negotiation style.  Orly’s talk elicited a flurry of questions and comments and a high level of excitement.

Delby quipped, “Dina and Orly you have both gained an instant fans club tonight.”

Photo Captions from the Slide Show

1. Jewel Lobaton-Pimentel registering for the image forum, while Karen Agustin-Ostrea looks on.
2. Abby Arenas-De Leon, Ms. D, Karen Agustin-Ostrea, and Baby Doble prior to the start of the program.
3. President Delby Bragais, AICI, FLC welcomes the audience to the 3rd Image Forum. 
4. Ms. D gestures while demonstrating effective delivery skills.
5. Ms. D explains three opportunities for speakers.
6. Audience participation with Julius Magno, who gave an impromptu talk.
7. Ms. D ended with a bang…(Note fireworks display on the screen)
8. …followed by a rain of confetti.
9. Audience was asked to participate in a negotiation quiz.
10. Orly Tugob discussed the different negotiation styles.
11. Orly Tugob recommended reading selected books on negotiations before the end of his talk.
12. President Delby thanking the audience and inviting interested parties to join the Philippine Chapter Initiative.

Recession-Proof Shopping

 

 “I never have enough money for the items I need to buy.” Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? “Why did I ever buy that perfume? I have more than a year’s supply at home.” How about this familiar gripe? “Everything is too expensive. The only thing that doesn't go up is my income.”

The recession that started in America, spread to Europe and infected the rest of the world has caused so much anxiety among the average income earners and of course has stifled the ordinary shoppers.

There has to be a way to shop without going bankrupt. Here are a few suggestions to sail from payday to payday without spending everything you have earned.  In fact, you can still shop, save money and even have fun in the process.

1. Practice delayed gratification – Avoid buying on impulse. “This is a common weakness among people and can be avoided by making a list of things to buy ahead of time and crossing out items that are not absolutely needed.

2. Veer away from the “bargain syndrome” – I used to be “sucked in” to a buying spree every time I saw any of these signs: “Buy One Take  One,” “50% Discounts,””Closing Out Sale,” etc.  As a result, I ended up throwing it away when I discovered it in a secluded corner of one of my closets and noticed the expiry dates.

3. Canvass first – Take time to visit several shops first and compare quality and price before buying. Sometimes, cheaper is not always better.  Especially when it comes to clothing apparel, the best gauge to determine its value is how often you can wear it until it starts looking old. Food items are even more critical. Our stomach and health could be adversely affected, if we buy based on price alone. You may decide to buy the lower-priced item only if the other item is of the same quality.

4. Cook your own food – Eating at restaurants or buying food from delicatessens can add up to a lot of money. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much you have saved simply by eating at home or bringing a lunch box to your office. Others take their lunches at reasonably-priced canteens.

5. Bring bottled water – This will save you money and save your health as well. You will be tempted to buy bottled beverages or cans of soda if you don’t have bottled water with you.

This is just a short list to start thinking about buying only what you truly need and not whatever you want. It helps to ask God for will power to resist the numerous temptations to buy what you see on TV ads or huge billboards around town as well. The money that you save today could help build your “nest egg” for tomorrow.