The Lesson I Learned from Snubbing Citibank Promo..

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 Actually, I could have gotten more... had I paid particular attention to the text message alert I received from Citibank.  In fact, I just shrugged it off and proceeded to delete it.

You see, I have been having cash purchases for my christmas shopping recently and I get to use the magic card only at shops with that payment facility, including online transactions.  But then in such cases, to avoid confusion especially come payment due dates, I limit my usage to a maximum of 2 credit cards only.. out of 6.  Unfortunately, of those 2, Citibank is not one of them.  :(

Bad move.  Few days ago, I received again a message from Citibank, this time, thanking me for spending at least P2,500 last December 12-18, 2012 and for that, I am now qualified to purchase 1 Purefoods Jamon de Bola for just P2.00.  My first reaction was, Citibank must have sent me the wrong message!  I don't remember using my Citibank card as I did not shop during that period.  But then, I purchased online a Cebu Pacific ticket costing P8,200+ and I didn't think online transactions are included in the promo.

I was wrong.  I was so bothered with that text that I checked online the terms and conditions of the said promo.  And there I found out that online transactions are not among those listed as not qualified for the promo.  Tsk! Tsk!

But then I remember, I made at least 3 more online transactions during that period that could have qualified me for another 3 Jamon de Bola.  My loss.. Well, that is the price that I have to pay for being a snub. Huhuhu!

I hope Citibank has more to offer for its credit card holders in the future.  FYI, to ensure that I won't miss any of its upcoming promo, I just clicked "Like" its FB page.  Hope that helps.  Huhuhu

Thanks Citibank!

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I called up Citibank last Monday to request for the reversal of my annual fee of P2,800.  I admit I was nervous because I was unsure if my request will be granted considering that I rarely use my Cebu Pacific card.

I repeatedly asked the customer service representative of what remedies do I have for them to waive the annual fee.  And she politely answered that I have none.. Huhuhu!

Actually, I could afford to lose this card.  What I was worried about, however, is that I might be billed for pretermination fee should I decide to have my card cancelled.. :(

FYI, few months ago, I purchased a travelling bag which I opted to pay for 6 months at zero interest rate charged to my card.  I was thinking, if I let go of my card, I will be forced to pay one time my outstanding balance and worse, the pretermination fee. :(

And there, I took the risk and told the customer service representative that I just want my card cancelled and, I am willing to pay all the outstanding charges except for the annual fee.  After a few agonizing seconds, she finally offered for the reversal of the annual fee.

Yes!  All it takes is to ask and, based on my experience, it was given.. :)

Meatless Monday..

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My auditee's BOD recently approved "Meatless Monday", which is in line with its health awareness program for its employees.  Participating canteens are therefore required to prepare meatless menu for its clients every Monday.

Actually, the said program was launched on November 5.  I got my first taste of veggie meat when on that same morning, I decided to have breakfast at the canteen.  I was offered veggie longganiza.  Judging by its appearance and smell, I thought, it must taste good.

Before my mouth started to water, I picked the longganiza with gusto and savored it.  Much to my dismay, it is far from being delectable and, I must add, indescribable.  At that time, I experienced a flashback of my childhood days when my mother forced me to eat something that I extremely did not like and therefore, yucky!  I felt I was going to have a fever then.. :(

Don't get me wrong.  I have nothing against veggie meat.  In fact, I welcome the prospect of patronizing it in the future, for my health's sake.  But then, for now, my appetite is not yet ready to like it.  And I really mean, NOT YET.. ;)

My Ultrabook Review.. the Finale

This is a continuation of my previous post:

Just when I was already resigned to the fact that I might just buy an ultrabook which, for me, is too expensive for its worth, I suddenly came across with Asus Zenbook.

What's good with it is that, it is cheaper than Toshiba.  It costs P59,995.  Its features are comparative with other high-end ultrabooks but then it is made in.. Taiwan!

I have nothing against Asian-made products.  It is just that, well maybe, I am still illiterate as to which manufacturer to trust.  And if the Asus Product Guide (shown below) is to be believed

then, I have nothing to worry about.  The said magazine claims that Asus has the lowest malfunction rate as illustrated in the bar graph shown on the right:

I remember, the first laptop that was assigned to me was an Asus.  It costs around P115,000 then (about 10 years ago).  Don't ask me if it's overpriced as I had nothing to do with its purchase.  I was just too happy and thankful that my former boss entrusted me with the said gadget.  I should say that I did not encounter any problems with it except for its slow speed, which by the way, was common for most computers then.

I was almost convinced and was ready to hand in my credit card when I, out of the blue, changed my mind.  That is, I decided to put off my plans of buying an ultrabook, maybe until the time when the laptop I'm using right now will no longer serve its purpose.  And to keep up with the times, I might have another ultrabook review by then. :)

My Ultrabook Review..

My daily one-week trip to the Central Office earlier this month made me realize that the laptop I was carrying is too heavy for me.  My colleagues advised me to buy a lighter and smaller size instead.  Two of them recommended an HP Pavilion DM which they are currently using.  A senior auditor purchased hers somewhere in the U.S.A which costs around 20 grand in Philippine Peso equivalent.  The other colleague, on the other hand, bought hers for P25k at SM-Cebu.

Somebody suggested a Sony Vaio T series and my recent stroll at SM MOA revealed that I have to shell off P50k for that.  Huh?! That much?!

That's when I was introduced to ultrabooks, an improved version of netbooks.  My online search for the top 10 ultrabooks included the Sony Vaio T series as one of the most affordable unit but equipped only with the basic features as compared to other brands in the market.

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Hmm.. not my thing, even if it weighs only at around 1.5kgs.  If I have to invest on something, I have to make sure I get value for my money.  Besides, I have already one with the same brand.  Although I can attest for its good quality, I rather opt to try other competitive brands, for comparison.

And there's Toshiba.  Over the years, it has maintained its reputation for being one of the top brands in the computer industry.  My inquiry at SM Megamall Cyberzone trimmed down my choice between Portege Z930-2002 and Satellite U840W-1000 which, by the way, are priced at P69,990 and P54,990, respectively.  Both contains 3rd generation processor and Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium.  I don't know exactly what that heck means, but as explained to me by the sales rep, it is summed up in 4 words, "it is the latest".

Toshiba Satellite 840W-1000

I was about to choose the cheaper one, as its ultra-wide screen allows simultaneous side-by-side pop up of up to 3 windows (e.g., watching Youtube while busy working on an Excel spreedsheet). But then, I was disappointed with the length which has the same as the netbook's.  Again, not my type..

Which leads me to the more expensive Toshiba ultrabook, the Portege Z930-2002.  It weighs only at around 1.2kgs.  I guess the lightest ultrabook one can find in the market.  However, online reviews disclosed that due to its weight, it is still considered as fragile despite it being advertised as durable.  Hmm.. :(

To be continued..

Philippine's Public Holidays for 2013

I got excited when I learned that Malacanang has recently announced the public holidays for 2013 thru Proclamation No. 459 dated August 16, 2012. I was dismayed however when i found out that Chinese New Year is not among them. :(

As compared to the present year, said event was declared as non-working holiday and if I'm not mistaken, it was on January 25, 2012. But then, the next Chinese New Year, which will be February 10, 2013, falls on a Saturday. Waah!

Needless to say, I guess I won't be able to enjoy the non-working holidays next year as compared to this year.

The Best Credit Card

Just yesterday, I was observing the cash count conducted by the Internal Audit while listening to their conversation about credit cards. I was taken aback when i was suddenly asked which one is the best for me.

Hmm.. Actually, I have at least 7 credit cards. And it is not something to be proud of considering the responsibility that goes with it. In fact, it is damn scary to maintain credit cards that many.

I was planning to let go of about 5 of them. Two of which from HSBC had already expired just early this year. But then, i was offered a deal that i could hardly refuse since the two had been with me for about 8 years already. Also, it is noteworthy to mention that i especially like the convenience of their online banking.

I should say, i guess i'll be with HSBC for a very long time.