Simple Ways To Maximize Your Family’s Savings

Just 32.8% of Filipino families have some form of savings, according to a survey from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Their survey results also revealed that these individuals were able to put aside at least 10% of their household income each month. However, this is a far cry from the 30% that experts advise Filipino households save every month. So, other than making savings on your household bills, how can you increase your family’s savings?

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Are you up to it? Make way for Happypinaymommy.com’s Month-long P100.00 Weekly Filipino Budget Meal Plan Challenge.

Like my Filipino weekly meal plans, this Month Long P100.00 Weekly Filipino Budget Meal Plan Challenge is long overdue. I may have not promised you a timeline as to when Ill publish this, but this has been in my “to write” list for the longest time. As you know, we have been publishing annually P100.00 Budget Ulam Ideas, and these blog entries have consistently been topping our stats. Which now brings me to this four-week meal plan challenge.

Four-week P100.00 Weekly Filipino Budget Meal Plan Challenge

The Filipino meal plans that I will be featuring in this blog post all cost P100.00 to prepare. Hence I call this set – the P100 Meals Month Long Challenge. Yes, all the dishes here can be prepared under P100.00 – enabling you, my fellow homemakers to stretch the family finances further.

Disclaimer though in these P100 meal plans is that there could possibly be some variations in pricing depending on:

1. Cost of Living in your area (for instance, groceries in the Makati area are much more expensive versus those in the provincial areas)
2. Where you choose to buy your food or ingredients (supermarket prices and wet market prices vary).
3. The season of the year – Fish and other seafood are usually pricier during lent. Meat is pricier during the Holiday Season, and Chicken is on sale during the New Year.
4. The year you read this post – I published this in Feb 2018, so if you are reading this after three years, well, costs have changed definitely.
5. The number of family members partaking of the ulam recipe. These cheap ulam recipes are for a family of four – two adults, and two grown children (not babies or toddlers – if you have babies and toddlers, they sure can share with the ulam too!). Of course the rice is not computed along with the P100.00 because it is for ULAM alone.

Another helpful way to achieve the P100.00 target expense for every ulam is to have a pantry that is well stocked. Condiments like pepper, salt, paprika, soy sauce, cooking oil, vinegar, bay leaf, hot sauce, patis or whatnot is assumed to be available in the cupboard. Other ingredients like black beans, cornstarch, flour, peas, raisins, ketchup, oyster sauce, or butter can be considered “investment ingredients” because you do not get to use up all of the contents of a single package for the recipe, and you can use the remaining contents for future dishes. Ingredients though like a whole can of evaporated milk, all-purpose cream, pineapple juice, tomato sauce, pineapple tidbits or slices, cheese, soda, or the like are computed together with the other ingredients to make it to the P100.00 ulam target.

So what I am saying is the cost can be a give or take P20.00 less or P20.00 more due to the above-mentioned factors. If you are not convinced that the recipe will just cost you a hundred, then by all means skip it and just browse our other pages for more budget meal recipes or choose from any of the meals in the weekly Filipino Meal Plan included in this challenge and just make a “repeat performance” the day it is scheduled.

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You may also want to read:

• One Month P100.00 Weekly Filipino Budget Meal Plan Challenge
• Budget Ulam Recipes under P100.00 – 2018 Edition
• Eight Filipino Recipes under P100.00 — 2016 Edition
• Seven Filipino Recipes Under P100 — 2015 Edition
• Lunch Baon Ideas for Kids Part 2
• Filipino Lumpia Recipes under P100.00
• Filipino Dessert Recipes under P100.00
• Filipino Veggie Dishes under P100.00
• Meatless Meals for the family
• Past Weekly Meal Plans
• How to Start Meal Planning

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So without further ado, here are the four meal plans, representing each week of our four-week P100.00 Weekly Filipino Budget Meal Plan Challenge. Pinoy weekly meal plan #1 features yummy heavy breakfasts that will surely perk up the whole family. It also features veggie and meat recipes. A great budget saving tip I have learned as a mother of three is to utilize left overs. Either you serve it a second time, or re-purpose the food for the next meal. Just make sure that left overs are immediately packed in a vacuum-sealed container and refrigerated or frozen accordingly.

Week #1 Meal Plan: P100.00 Ulam Recipes Month Long Challenge:

Week #1 Meal Plan: P100.00 Ulam Recipes Month Long Challenge

If you find it hard to save the meal plan from the website, please do not hesitate to head over to our Facebook Page because most likely, by the time you are reading this, I have already uploaded the album for this 100 Peso Ulam Monthly Challenge of ours.

Going back, here’s the matrix for our second week.

Week 2: 100 Pesos Pinoy Budget Ulam Guide for the week (second week of the four week long P100 meal challenge):

Week 2: 100 Pesos Pinoy Budget Ulam Guide for the week (second week of the four week long P100 meal change)

If you notice, I have included afternoon merienda in our weekly meal plan. This is because this is is really one thing that we cannot skip especially if we have children coming home from school. Most of the merienda items that I have specified are either available in groceries, supermarkets, and palengkes or your neighborhood panaderia or bakery.

Here’s our third meal plan, in our month-long P100.00 Budget Ulam Recipes.

Week 3: Filipino P100 Budget Ulam Recipes:

Week 3: Filipino P100 Budget Ulam Recipes 

Our last meal plan also has select Pinoy recipes, that could even be comfort food for some. For vegetables, check out blanching techniques, or even wrapping veggies in brown paper to keep it fresher for a weekly shopping interval.

Fourth Weekly Meal Plan for the Budget Meal Plan Challenge:

Fourth Weekly Meal Plan for the Budget Meal Plan Challenge.

So there you have it. I hope I have somehow helped you plan budget-friendly meals for at least a month-long period. If you have suggestions or new P100.00 budget meal ideas do let me know, you can reach me via FB or IG.

Again I will endeavor to resume my weekly posting of meal plans. I will be updating as well the meal plan album on our FB Page so if you have time, and you want a compilation you can save on your mobile devices, please check out our FB album here.

Meantime, if you wish to scour great dessert recipes, you may want to check out Good Housekeeping’s Dessert Cook Book featuring Brownie Recipes — buy it here

Please drop by my facebook page or Instagram Account for feedback, comments or recipe suggestions. Check out as well on Pinterest!

Looking forward to hearing from you. A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with this video tutorial on how to cook a P100.00 meal idea – Arroz Caldo — from Kitz Clutzina, the husband of my favorite vlogger, Anne Clutz:

Under P500 Buffet Restaurants for Baptismal and Birthday Parties (Part 1)

The post Month-long P100.00 Weekly Filipino Budget Meal Plan Challenge appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Know more about DIY Candy Buffet Preparations in this Guestpost from outreachmama.com.

DIY Candy Buffet Preparation Checklist

As you all know, our little blog’s newest section is its Do-It-Yourself Parties – a very useful resource if I may say for us practical happy pinay mommies. That is why I am so thrilled when fellow writer Wendy Dessler of OutreachMama got in touch with me to share with you the How To’s in creating DIY Candy Buffets particularly through a DIY Candy Buffet Preparation Checklist.

Hope you will learn a lot from her guest post below:

DIY Candy Buffet Preparation Checklist. (Photo Credits)

DIY Candy Buffet Preparation Checklist

By Wendy Dessler

Candy buffets have reached the height of popularity in recent years. It’s really fun for moms, dads, and the kids to create beautiful candy decor perfectly designed for their upcoming birthday party, Halloween party, Christmas party, or any other type of party imaginable for that matter. Plus, this decoration also doubles as an amazing treat for partygoers! So it has a dual purpose and also creates an amazing feeling of nostalgia.

Are you attempting to create your own DIY candy bar in the future? Here’s our checklist of five things for every amazing candy buffet.

DIY Candy Buffet Checklist

The checklist includes:

• candy selection
• creating signs
• candy containers
• table decorations
• accessories

As you can see, this is a lot to consider when creating a DIY candy buffet. We will explain each section in greater detail right now to give you a better understanding.

Candy Selection

With every DIY candy bar, selecting the candy should be the best, most exciting part of the process! We highly recommend getting the kids involved at this stage of the game. They’ll want to choose their favorite candies for the candy buffet.

When buying candy please consider the following:

• Buy at half a pound of candy for each guest – this may be a lot and you may have leftovers but at least you know that you’ll have enough for everyone.
• Be careful of candies that melt – chocolate and other types of candies can melt if the conditions are hot enough. Be aware and consider other candy options if the buffet will be in a hot environment.
• Guest allergies – some guests may be allergic to certain types of candy, so keep this in mind during the candy selection process.

Creating Signs

Signs can serve a threefold purpose for your candy buffet.

They can:

• Act as additional decorations.
• Let partygoers know about certain ingredients that they might be allergic to.
• Let partygoers know when the candy buffet is open or closed.

Decorate your signs so that they match the candy buffet and make them beautiful additional pieces to this gorgeous candy decor.

Candy Containers

Buying the right candy containers is also another fun part of the candy buffet creation process. You can get cute, attractive, and unique candy jars for just a couple of dollars online or in your favorite thrift stores.

Table Decorations

To truly bring out the beauty of your candy buffet, it’s best to decorate the display table. Mix in colored ornaments and vases around the candy jars and you’ll have a beautiful display that everyone loves.

Accessories

Candy accessories are a must at every good candy buffet. Plastic scoops and tongs to grab candy are a necessity to promote good hygiene. Find them online or at your local thrift or convenience store.

Conclusion

Creating an amazing DIY candy bar doesn’t need to feel impossible or overwhelming. Use this checklist and your next candy buffet creation should go off without a hitch.

Outreachmama’s Wendy Dessler

Wendy is a super-connector with OutreachMama who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.

Twitter Handle: @outreachmama

Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/outreachmama

Website URL: http://www.outreachmama.com/

So there you have it, I hope you have learned a lot from Wendy’s article.

To my dear readers, let me know if you would like to contribute an article, a poem, or even a song you composed, so that we can share it with our fellow moms – this goes whether you have or you do not have your own website. You may get in touch with me by dropping by my Facebook page. Hope you can also hit the like button while you are there so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with this video on DIY Candy Buffet Tips:

Where to order Smash Cakes

The post GUEST POST: DIY Candy Buffet Preparation Checklist appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Looking for Tofu Tokwa Recipes Under P100.00? Here is a list! (Photo Credits)

If you want to serve your family a protein-rich and nutritious dish without having to resort to meat – either for health reasons or to help save on expenses, the best way to go is to cook tokwa or tofu based dishes.

Apart from being nutritious, Tofu and tokwa are really easy to cook, and does not require much seasoning for it to taste really yummy.  So for those of you searching for tokwa recipes to add to your repertoire, here are —

Easy Tofu Tokwa Recipes under P100.00:

1. Tofu/Tokwa with Oyster Sauce – All you need to do here is pre-fry your tokwa or tofu, then saute onions and garlic, and add oyster sauce and other ingredients. Very simple. Here’s a great recipe from Casa Veneracion.
2. Tofu Sarciado – Uses extra firm tofu, eggs, and other pantry staples. Super affordable and easy. Check out this recipe from Panlasang Pinoy.

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You may also want to read:

• Eight Recipes under P100.00 – 2016 Edition
• Seven Recipes under P100.00 – 2015 Edition
• Seven ways to save on grocery shopping
• Filipino Lumpia Recipes under P100.00
• Ways to save on your Electric Bills
• Filipino Dessert Recipes under P100.00
• Happy Breakfasts that will cheer up your mornings
• Fried Rice Recipes under P100.00
• 10 Quick Meal Recipes
• Filipino Veggie Dishes under P100.00
• Meatless Meals for the family
• Filipino Soup recipes for breastfeeding mommies
• Past Weekly Meal Plans

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3. Tofu Sisig – If you are head over heels in love with Max’s Restaurant’s Sizzling Tofu Sisig, then you will definitely love this recipe from Kusina 101. Yes it can still be made under P100.00! Here is the recipe.
4. Adobong Sitaw at Tofu – Want a filling veggie ulam? Then this is the dish to cook. Just do not serve it to familymembers with high uric acid because of the high soy and bean content. Here’s a link to Filipino Style’s website where the recipe was published.
5. Kangong and Tofu with Oyster Sauce – Is a stand-alone vegetable dish that becomes a filling ulam when paired with hot steamed rice! Get the recipe and procedure here from Kawaling Pinoy.

So there you have it, I will be researching for more nutritious and affordable recipes for our families, and will come up with more posts like these. Hope you can check out our under P100.00 Series. Meantime, if you wish to scour great dessert recipes, you may want to check out Good Housekeeping’s Dessert Cook Book featuring Brownie Recipes — buy it here

Please drop by my facebook page for feedbacks, comments or recipe suggestions

Looking forward to hearing from you.

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with this video one yummy recipe:

https://happypinaymommy.com/2016/05/30/natural-baby-safe-ways-kill-ants/

The post Easy Tofu Tokwa Recipes Under P100.00 appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Saddled with too much expenses? Here are 8 Ways to save when you have a newborn baby. (Photo Credits)

Expenses pile-up when you have a newborn baby. From the pre-natal check-ups, pre-birth shopping, to hospital expenses, it is really easy to break the bank especially when the budget has not been thoroughly planned.

Once the baby is born, expenses continue to accumulate. From his basic needs, to monthly check-ups and immunizations, up to other miscellaneous expenses. Thankfully there are a good number of ways to scrimp on the monthly expenses upon the arrival of your new addition.

Here are —

Ways to save when you have a newborn baby:

1. Breastfeed – It is the most natural thing that you can do to provide the needs of your baby. You do not need anything special, just a clean breast and a hungry baby and say goodbye to the many expenses brought about by Formula Feeding. Apart from not spending on Formula (which can rack up up to more than P3,000 pesos a month even more when you’ve got a kid with a sensitive tummy), you also get to save on feeding bottle expenses, regular purchasing of teats and bottle-feeding accessories, the expenses that the daily washing and sterilizing of bottles entail. All these plus of course the best benefit of all – your newborn becomes less-susceptible to illnesses – that means less hospitalizations, medications, and future diseases. Know more benefits of Breastfeeding here. And in case you’d have to go back to work and invest in an efficient and hardworking pump, your expenses for such can be recouped within two to three months.
2. Use Cloth Diapers – You can save up to P2,000.00 a month for choosing cloth over disposable diapers. Newborns are notorious for using 10-12 nappies a day so imagine buying these disposable diapers at P8.00 a piece? Yes cloth diapering can be a one-time big time expense (except when you get addicted to it), but the P4,000++ that you will spend for cloth diapers can be used until potty training time and can be passed on to your future babies. In case you are planning to just have one child, these cloth nappies can be re-sold to other moms at half the price returning half of your investment! What’s more is that if you cannot afford the initial investment, you can start from buying pre-loved from other moms. And to add more icing on the cake – you are helping the environment by not adding garbage to the dumpsites! Here’s where you can buy cloth diapers for your newborn.

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You may also want to read:

• Places to Shop for your Newborn
• How Pregnant Moms can stay cool this summer
• Where to buy Cloth Diaper for Newborns
• 15 Breastfeeding tips for New Mommies
• Newborn and Baby Photo Studios in the Philippines
• Where to have your Maternity Photo Shoot
• Aircon-free ways to Keep Toddlers and Babies Cool this summer
• Baptismal Requirements
• Where to buy Christening Gowns and outfits
• How Pregnant Moms can Stay Cool this Summer

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3. Use cloth wipes – Before I discovered and mustered the courage to use cloth wipes, we spend up to P500.00 a month for disposable baby wipes for our eldest during her newborn phase. Thank goodness for fabric stores that sell Flannel, we now have wipes that are good for two to three days wash, which also go in with our diaper laundry. Check out my past entry here on where to buy fabric for wipes. Alternately you can also use old shirts, old receiving blankets for this purpose. Recycle an old wipes container, and mix in a wipes solution either in an old sprayer or a mason jar-like container. Pour some drops of baby oil and shampoo in a cup of water, and you now have a wipes solution that you can spray either on the cloth wipe or directly on your baby’s bum.
4. Take care of the Baby Yourself – This may be hard, but if you can savor the chance to take care of your newborn on your own. Forego getting a nanny (It is hard to find a good one anyway), and take advantage of your maternal instincts! It is a journey you will never forget. By the way, by choosing not to get a Yaya for your baby you get to save at least P5,000.00 in monthly expense which represents her salary, benefits, as well as living (food, toiletry, utility) expenses.
5. Say yes to Hand-me-downs – Yes it is your first baby, but do not hesitate to say yes to the Hand-me-downs well-meaning relatives and friends give you. If you are OC and it is an article of clothing, you can always disinfect with a hot wash. Same goes with baby gear that are still in great condition.
6. Hold-off on the shopping – This is one lessons First-Time Moms usually earn the hard way. There are a lot of stuff and baby gear that the baby will not actually need and use in her lifetime. Like how many booties does she need? And how many times will she be wearing those cute onesies? In reality all your baby needs are just clean clothes, a blanket, diapers, and you!
7. Never hesitate to buy pre-loved – Most budget-conscious mothers are learning that there is nothing wrong with buying pre-loved. Buy/Sell and Trade groups are aplenty now and moms should take advantage of it. Baby Gears that hardly get used and are still in mint condition get sold over the internet surplus stores and the like. You will be surprised at how much savings you can garner with using or buying pre-loved newborn stuff. Here are some alternative places where you can shop for your newborn.
8. Take advantage of what the government has to offer — It may be a hotly debated topic in local parenting forums, but the fact is our government offers free immunization shots for babies. Drop by your Barangay health center and ask for an immunization schedule. Discuss the pros and cons with your family, and if you decide to take advantage of the taxes that you are paying for, the just bring our baby to the HC as scheduled. Your private pedia can always administer the shots for vaccines that are unavailable in the center, so you would not have to worry about your baby missing a dose or an immunization. Also, if you are fine with it, monthly check-ups for babies are also free in barangay health centers.
9. Buy Generic – With my eldest I buy everything labelled “baby.” Baby detergent, baby dishwashing stuff, baby whatever only to find out later it costs up to four times more than the regular products. I’m sure they have a more sensitive formula, but there are generic items that work as good as those that can be bought for a more reasonable price! Like Calla detergent. At P74.00 per kilo, it can wash a lot of cloth diapers compared to a baby brand that will cost you up to P200.00 for every kilogram. Discernment is definitely the key.

So there you have it, I am sure there are other ways to save on your newborn’s expenses. Ill be updating this post as soon as I discover more. Hope you can drop by my Facebook Page and hit the like button, so you can receive Regular Updates from Happy Pinay Mommy.

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with this tips on caring for your Newborn Baby:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsA2hm8CecM

Eight Filipino Recipes Under 100 Pesos 2016 Edition

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The post Eight ways to save when you have a newborn baby appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Planning to buy fabric for curtains in the Philippines? Check out this list. (Photo Credits)

If you are looking into doing DIY curtains to save up on money, or purely to have an outlet for your creative homemaking prowess then this post is for you.

I have earlier written about where to buy curtains in the Philippines (both for physical shops, and online stores) but I understand that some of you might want to go the DIY route.

The usual fabrics used for curtains are Brocade, PolyCotton, Thai Silk, and the like. All these can be bought in both local and physical online stores.

So here is a list of —

Where to buy Fabric for curtains in the Philippines:

1. Divisoria — brave the streets of Ilaya and Juan Luna in Divisoria and you will see stalls after stalls of telahan where you can find cheap but good quality fabric for curtains in the Philippines. Tabora also has some stalls where you may find curtinahan and telahans so check it out too. You may also check out the stalls in the Tutuban Mall.

2. Taytay Market — you can buy fabric for curtains here by the kilo so prepare to be overwhelmed with the many choices and the low cost fabric for curtains! They also sell sewing machines there too, so if you want to take your DIY Prowess up another notch then withdraw some moolah and ride the shopping bug!

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You May also Want to Read:

• Places where you can buy cheap curtains in Manila
• Online shops that sell ready-made curtains
• Where to buy Sewing Machines in the Philippines
• Online shops that sell sewing needs
• Where to buy Fabric for DIY Cloth Diapers
• Online shops that sell materials for headbands and hair accessories
• Where to buy Mason Jars in the Philippines
• Where to buy Knitting and Crocheting Accessories
• Business Ideas for Moms in the Philippines

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3. Kamuning Market- QC-based mommies, you can choose, buy and even look for curtain seamstresses in this palengke that me and my mom frequent back in the 90s. Yes there are still stalls after stalls of fabric shops here, and if you don’t know any mananahi, the tinderas and shop owners for sure can reco a good one too!

4. Mall-based fabric stores — not exactly the cheapest places to find fabric for curtains in manila but is basically the most convenient especially if you are yaya-less, you have kids in tow, and you are somehow willing to pay for convenience. Greenhills has Fanbi and Fabric Warehouse. Glorietta 5 has a lot of fabric stores for you to choose from. Shangri-la Mall in Edsa has Expressions and another fabric store, Megamall also has some fabric stores, along with a branch of Carolinas. Libis (almost across Eastwood) has a Fabric Warehouse branch too!

5. Online –– if you can’t get out of the house, or you have allergic rhinitis and sadly can’t go to physical stores then online shopping is your best bet! Here are some online fabric stores that have telang pangkurtina. —- Curt N Master – They actually have a shop in Tabora, (click here for a map of their exact location) and the good news is they have an online store! You will love the many choices here of fabrics and ready made curtains, so go ahead and browse their online store here. Centro Texstyle Curtains Has brocades, linens, and polycottons! They also have curtain accessories. Check out their store here.

So, there you have it. I am sure there are other curtain fabric stores in the Philippines. I promise to update this post as soon as I get to discover more.  Hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Leaving you with this video on DIY Curtains:

Online Shops that sell Curtains in the Philippines

The post Where to buy Fabric for Curtains in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Where to buy curtains in the Philippines. (Photo Credits)

If you are looking for cheap curtains in the Philippines then this post is for you.

There are a lot of places to get cheap, but good quality curtains in Manila and i have listed here some of the places that you may check out. I am writing a separate post on ONLINE shops where you may order curtains from, so this particular post is for physical stores you can actually go to.

I will also soon come up with a post on where to buy fabric for curtains for those of you who may want to do a DIY or buy one to be sewn by your favorite seamstress.

Anyway, here is a list of places–

Where you can buy curtains in the Philippines:

1. Department stores — if you want to physically see the curtains and choose from a wide selection then head over to a mall near you and hit the home sections of your favorite department store. Worth checking out are the selections in SM home — especially the one in Makati, as well as that of Landmark.

2. Divisoria –– The Divi malls like 999 have a lot of stalls that sell curtains. Head on to Divi and choose! In fact even street-level sellers sell cheaper curtains, but if you want cheap but better quality and nicer prints/fabric type/designs then go inside the malls.

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You May also Want To Read:

• Online shops that sell curtains
• Where to buy Sewing Machines in the Philippines
• Online shops that sell sewing needs
• Where to buy Fabric for DIY Cloth Diapers
• Online shops that sell materials for headbands and hair accessories
• Where to buy Adult Coloring Books
• Where to buy Knitting and Crocheting Accessories
• Where to buy Fabric for Curtains in Manila
• Business Ideas for Moms in the Philippines

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3. Baclaran — has a lot of ready-to-hang curtains and if you just choose carefully, you may just be able to buy one that is cheap and cheerful! After stopping by the Redemptorist Church, go through the back parking, park your vehicle there and go through a tiny gate out into the back and you will see a palengke packed with stall after stall of dry goods. Just ask around for the curtain stalls and the friendly tinderas there will point you to the right direction.

4. Ilaya St., and Juan Luna in Divisoria — you will find a lot of curtains here, and these streets may just have the widest and cheapest curtain selections that you will see.

So, there you have it. I am sure there are other places that sell curtains in the Philippines. I promise to update this post as soon as I get to discover more.  Hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Leaving you with this video on This year’s trends on Curtains:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbbBtzOCVfg

Where to Buy Bento Tools and Accessories in the Philippines

The post Where to buy Curtains in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Looking for Banks with deposit savings accounts for kids in the Philippines? Read on. (Photo Credits)

It is Christmas time and most of our kids will most likely receive an “aguinaldo” in the form of money from their god parents, relatives and even family friends.

You will be surprised because when you pool those crisp bills they got, they can more or less open up a savings account for themselves. And if your child already has a concept of money, then now is the best time to open up a savings account for them.

Most major banks have kiddie savings account which are basically just joint accounts with their parents but the packaging is aimed at encouraging kids to save up. For instance, they have pass books, kiddie IDs, Kiddie ATM Cards, and some even have welcome gift item for kids

Anyway, if you are looking to open a bank account for your child whether to deposit Christmas Aguinaldos, pooled coins from his or her alkansya or coin bank, or simply to teach your kid to save up money, this post is for you.

I compiled a list of some of the banks that offer kiddie savings deposit accounts. Most of these accounts will require a legal identification for your child like any ID – school ID, government issued ID such as passport, or birth certificate etc. They will also require two valid IDs from the parents, two copies of photos for both the parent and the child, and duly accomplished application forms. Some banks may have additional requirements, hence I have included a link to their website.

Anyway, here is a list of Banks with deposit savings accounts for kids in the Philippines:

1. BDO Junior Savers– Banco de Oro has the Junior Savers account open to children aged 7-12 years old. Their initial deposit is at P500.00. Minimum balance is at P100.00. Your kid can get a shopping card in SM, a passbook, you can also apply for an ATM. Click here for more details through their website.
2. PS Bank Kiddie and Teen Savers Account – This one is open for kids aged 0-12 years old, while the teen savers account is open to children aged 13-18 years old. This deposit account does not have an initial deposit requirement, and does not also have a required maintaining balance. Apart from the option to have a passbook account, you can also opt to give apply for an ATM which is perfect for teenagers, especially those living in dormitories or away from home. Check out the requirements here.

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You may also want to read:

• Where to buy Tawa-Tawa for Dengue in the Philippines
• How to make your own DIY Baby Safe Mosquito Repellent
• Tips on how to avoid food poisoning
• How to get a US Visa for your Baby
• Requirements for a Philippine Passport for your Baby
• How to baby-proof your bathroom
• Filipino Soups for Breastfeeding Mommies
• Christmas Gift Ideas for 2015: For teachers, for little girls, for babies
• No-Entrance Fee Christmas Attractions for kids in Metro Manila

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3. BPI Jumpstart Savings Account – Is open to kids 10 years old and up, and has an initial minimum deposit of P500.00 and required daily balance of P1,000.00. Check out their website here for the requirements.
4. Eastwest Cool Savers Kiddie Account – Well if you wish to open an account in a bank with less lines and shorter queues, plus cleaner bank branches to boot then you may want to open an account for your child in Eastwest bank. They may not have as much branches as other banks but your chances of getting stressed while inside a branch is lower versus other branches that are kind of toxic. They have here the Cool Savers Kiddie Account offered to children from 0-18 years old Initial and minimum deposit though is higher than most banks – it is at P2,000.00. Click here to find out about the branch nearest you.
5. Metrobank Fun Savers Club – Metrobank may seem old school compared to most of the banks that I have mentioned, but yes they have a deposit account meant for kids. Initial deposit and maintaining balance is both at P500.00. They offer various perks such as welcome gifts for the kids, insurance and more. Check out the other perks here in their website.

So, there you have it. For sure there are other banks with savings deposit accounts for kids in the Philippines. If your bank is not in the list above, just ask any of their representatives if they offer kiddie savings deposit account products. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Leaving you with this video on teaching kids to save on money:

https://happypinaymommy.com/2015/12/03/where-to-buy-christmas-dresses-for-babies-in-the-philippines/

The post Local Banks with deposit savings accounts for kids in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

How to make homemade DIY Fabric conditioner in the Philippines. (Photo Credits)

My regular grocery shopping list usually comes with a big pouch of my family’s favorite fabric softener. Lately though I want to venture on making my own homemade version, not only to save on costs, but also to be more gentle on our trusty washing machine.

You see, according to Engr. Google, the black specs that I recently discovered in the bottom of the WM drum can be attributed to excessive fabcon use. I was able to remedy the situation by running a hot soak, with some vinegar solution. I figured, if we will be able to use more natural ingredients, the problem may no longer recur.

You see, for Shobs’ diapers, we only use vinegar as softener when the inserts get kind of stiff. For the kids’ clothes we hardly use any. But the mister and I long for soft and mild smelling clothes, hence the use of fabcon.

Anyway, as always, I’ll be sharing with you what I have researched on how to make homemade fabcon.

How to make homemade DIY Fabric conditioner in the Philippines:

1. Vinegar-Based. Ladies who are kind of apprehensive about using vinegar, listen up. The smell evaporates after 15-20 minutes and will just leave your clothes smelling fresh. This recipe, meantime, has an improved scent because you will be using the essential oil of your choice. Here are the ingredients: Three Cups of White Vinegar, half a cup of baking soda (baking SODA not BAKING POWDER), and about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil scent – you can buy it here, in the scent that you like. If you however want a pure, strong essential oil, then you may want to try this line, which you can buy here.

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You may also want to read:

• Homemade DIY Dishwashing Liquid
• How to make your own Laundry Detergent
• DIY Homemade and Baby-Safe Anti-Mosquito Spray
• Seven ways to save on Grocery Shopping
• Legitimate ways to earn money from home
• Seven Filipino Ulam Recipes under P100.00
• Where to find Katsa or Flour Sack Cloth for DIY Cloth Diapers
• How to Disinfect your Washing Machine
• Where to buy washable Menstrual Pads

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2. Super Cheap. If you do not want to spend anything anymore and just want to source ingredients from your own home, then this is the recipe for you. It just uses hair conditioner, white vinegar, and water. Get the directions here as shared by one of my favorite homemaking websites, One Good Thing by Jillee.

3. Simple and Neat. This one is fairly easy, just substitute Epsom salt with our usual rock salt. Again, you can get your essential oils here. Check out the procedure as posted at Everyday Roots here.

So there you have it. Hope you could indulge your inner DIY Diva soon and try out these homemade fabric conditioner recipes.

Also if you have the time, please drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with this DIY Video on Homemade Fabric Conditioner:

Where to Buy Cheap Nebulizers in the Philippines

The post How to Make Homemade DIY Fabric Conditioner in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Where to buy cheap nebulizers in the Philippines. (Photo Credits)

Having a nebulizer in the home is handy especially if one of your kids are asthmatic. If you are looking for an affordable yet effective nebulizer for your child then this post is for you.

I have compiled a list of places where you can buy nebulizers at a cheaper cost. I have included as well some places where you may get pre-loved or second-hand nebulizers, as it is safe to use one PROVIDED that you buy a new kit (Mask and Tubing) for hygiene purposes.

Anyway, here is the list of shops where you can buy cheap nebulizers in the Philippines:

1. Bambang – This area, which is just super near DOH, and PGH is popular for low cost medical equipment and supplies. If you will be taking public transportation then just alight at the Bambang Station of the LRT. Nebulizers here can go as low as P750.00
2. Pharmacies – Watson’s, Mercury Drug, Rose Pharmacy, and even The Generics Pharmacy sell Nebulizers. Those in Mercury and Watson’s are usually branded and you can find more affordable ones in pharmacies like Rose.

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You may also want to read:

• Local Breastfeeding Information: Malunggay Recipes, Where to buy Breastpumps and Pumping Accessories
• DIY Kiddie Activities: Home to make homemade bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and play dough
• EDSA is robbing me of Family Time
• A Busy Mom’s Guide to Daily Meal Preparation
• Philippine Passport Requirements for Babies
• Easy and Quick Cooking Filipino Squid Recipes
• Where to buy Cloth Diapers in Manila
• Filipino Fish Recipes even your Meat-Loving kids will Love

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3. Lazada – If you would like to beat the epic traffic situation, and pay on a cash-on-delivery basis then Lazada is your best bet. They have nebulizers for as low as P1,179.00 which you can buy here. One of the more prominent nebulizer brand, which is Omron is now on sale from P5,999.00 it is now at a discounted rate of P3,499.00 which you may buy here.
4. OLX – You can find pre-loved or second-hand nebulizers through this website. You however have to exercise usual caution in your online transactions as some of the sellers there do not have an online shop where you can make follow-ups or after-sales inquiries. Here is a link to their website. — REMINDER: WHEN BUYING A USED NEBULIZER, MAKE SURE TO REPLACE THE HOSE, FACE MASK AND ALL DISPOSABLE CONTRAPTIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY. MOST LIKELY THE PARTS FOR THESE MACHINES ARE AVAILABLE AT MEDICAL SUPPLIES STORES, OR EVEN IN PHARMACIES.
5. B/S/T Groups – You can find Buy, Sell or Trade groups whose members may be reselling their used nebulizers.
6. UPDATED: JULY 8, 2016: Kenko World — this Korean houseware store is a great outlet for Korean-made products, and these includes Nebulizers. They have units ranging from P880.00 to P1,880.00 as of last checking. Here is a link to their website.
7. UPDATES: Jan 04, 2016: Berovan Medical Supplies is a store where you can buy nebulizers, and nebulizer parts and a host of other top of the line medical supplies and equipment. Check out their list of branches, nationwide in their website here.

Hope I was able to help you in your research on where to buy a nebulizer for your child or family member. I promise to update this post, as soon as I’ll be able to discover more areas where you can buy one. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

If you are bent on buying a pre-loved nebulizer, then you may find this video helpful:

Happypinaymommy.com’s WAHM of the WEEK#10: Mommy Lan San Juan-Perez

The post Where to Buy Cheap Nebulizers in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Yummy and Affordable: Filipino Lumpia Recipes under P100.00. (Photo Credits)

Lumpia is one distinct Filipino food that is both delicious and economical to make.

It is so distinct that my hipag tells me, this is what is usually being requested  as potluck contribution from pinoys whenever there are gatherings in the US.

Anyway, for families who are trying to stay within the budget i compiled Lumpia recipes that are under P100.00 to make and can feed at least a family of four.

Here are Filipino Lumpia Recipes that are under P100.00 to make:

1. Lumpiang togue. So yummy yet so cheap. Lumpiang togue is so good that it can be eaten as ulam or meryend. In fact it is being sold by ambulant vendors with the signature spicy suka in used mineral water bottles. Check out this recipe.

2. Lumpiang Tuna – i know lumpia is not the healthiest of food because it is deep fried but you can somehow balance it out by filling it with fish. Consider prepping this recipe but omit the jalapeno so that it would be kid-friendly.

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You may also want to read:

• Filipino Budget Ulam Ideas below 100 Pesos 2017 Edition
• Seven Filipino Ulam recipes under P100.00
• Eight Ulam Ideas Below P100 — 2016 Version
• Easy Filipino Fried Rice Recipes under P100.00
• Quick, Easy, and Cheap Filipino Dessert Recipes under P100.00
• Seven Ways to save on Grocery Shopping
• Past Weekly Meal Plans
• Eight ways to Save on your Meralco Bill
• All About Cloth Diapering

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3. Lumpiang Hubad — This does not cost much especially since the main protein used is firm tofu which you can get for less than P40.00 for a big block. Besides, i think it is the healthiest among all the recipes i have compiled for this post since no deep frying is involved. Check out the recipe here.

4. Lumpiang Chicken — This is another cheaper and healthier alternative to the pork lumpiang shanghai. It has not too much ingredients too. Here is the recipe.

5. Dynamite Lumpia — This is definitely not for the kids, but if your older kids have a penchant for something spicy the go ahead and make some. Bonus because it is cheap to make, that you will only need cheddar cheese, lumpia wrapper, and siling haba. This is also a super easy bar chow to make when surprise visitors come over. check out the recipe here.

Hope you’ll be able to try any of the above mentioned recipes. If you are on the look-out for more Lumpia recipes, why not check out this e-book on “Top 50 Most Delicious Spring Roll Recipes,” The kindle version is just less than P150.00 or 3USD. You may buy it here.

Hope you could drop by my facebook page and hit the like button so you could have happypinaymommy.com updates straight from your newsfeed.

Thank you and till next post.

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with a video of one of my favorite chefs, Chef Boy Logro cooking his own version of Chicken Lumpiang:

https://happypinaymommy.com/2015/09/02/quick-and-easy-ways-to-clean-and-disinfect-toys/

 *This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting happypinaymommy.com

The post Filipino Lumpia Recipes under P100.00 appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Want to know where to buy cloth diaper sewing materials and supplies in the Philippines? Read on. (Photo Credits)

Looking for some supplies for your Do-It-Yourself cloth diaper sewing project?

Wondering where to get sewing supplies or materials for this?

I compiled a list of some of the places where you can buy your DIY sewing supplies needs.

Where to buy cloth diaper sewing materials and supplies in the Philippines

1. Divisoria — sewing supplies stores in Tutuban and Ilaya Street will tickle the DIY Diva in you. It is a long stretch of stores and pasilios so be prepared for all the super bargain finds! Head on to divi, and any sewing enthusiast will tell you it is worth all the hassle!

2. Carolinas –– this shop is more accessible but definitely not as complete as DIVI. Comfortable? Yes. Kinda expensive. Yes. But at least it will save you from all the hassle, sweat, and the epic traffic of trekking to DIVI.

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You may also want to read:

• Where to buy flannel fabric for you DIY cloth wipes
• Shops that sell Katsa or Floursack Cloth
• Where to buy Snappi Cloth Diaper Fastener
• Where to have your cloth diaper repaired
• DIY baby-safe mosquito repellent
• Easy Pasta Dishes the Kids will love
• Where to buy Sewing Machines
• Online shops that sell cloth diaper snaps
• Where to buy Fabric for Cloth Diapers
• Online shops that sell Tula Print Fabrics

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3. Kamuning Market –QC ladies, this is definitely the closest thing you could get to Divi and the Manila sewing supplies joints. I have memories of being in this market with my mom who just loves sewing stuff for us. They have velcros, pipings, threads, pelons, and whatnot. You may wanna check out the textile stores too while you’re there.

4. Online Shops — of course there are stores online that sell sewing supplies! Try iluvgailepaz and Fabrix Unlimited.

5. UPDATED MAY 13, 2016: ECO BABY CLOTH DIAPER SUPPLIES — Has the sewing supplies you need for your DIY Cloth diaper project. They have snaps, materials for soakers and boosters, as well as other sewing needs. Join their FB group here.

So there you have it. I am sure there are other places that you can check out, and I promise to update this post as I discover more stores. Indulge that DIY Crafty Mama In you and tell us about it. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy 

Leaving you with this DIY Video on Cloth Diaper DIY Sewing

https://happypinaymommy.com/2015/08/30/where-to-buy-flannel-fabric-for-cloth-wipes-in-the-philippines/

The post Where to buy cloth diaper sewing materials and supplies in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

How to make natural and homemade Dishwashing soap in the Philippines. (Photo Credits)

As a follow-up to my recent post on natural and DIY homemade detergents, here are some DIY dishwashing soap recipes that make use of ingredients available in Philippine supermarkets.

While most recipes that you will see in the internet call for ingredients like washable soda and essential oils, I am glad to let you, my dear readers know that I have tweaked the recipes below a bit so you will no longer need these hard-to-find ingredients. UPDATED: there are now local resellers that peddle some of the raw materials and essential oils needed in some of the recipes below. For the essential oils please see our updated post >>>here<<<<< and for the othjer raw materials, you may find the merchants over at Shopee.ph

Anyway, here are the recipes I found for natural homemade dishwashing soap in the Philippines:

1. EASY DISHWASHING LIQUID – onegoodthingbyjillee.com shared this very easy to make recipe of dishwashing liquid that only calls for soap shavings (I used ivory plain), water, vinegar, and glycerin (optional but you may buy glycerin from any Mercury Drug outlet, about P40.00 for a small bottle). Check out the instructions here.

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You may also want to read:

• Local Information on Essential oils — Local resellers, sellers of sampler sizez, where to buy bottles and rollers and opther accessories, where to buy castile soaps etc)
• DIY Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent
• DIY Homemade and Baby-Safe Anti-Mosquito Spray
• Seven ways to save on Grocery Shopping
• Legitimate ways to earn money from home
• Seven Filipino Ulam Recipes under P100.00
• How to Disinfect your Washing Machine
• Where to buy washable Menstrual Pads

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2. CHEAP AND QUICK DISHWASHING LIQUID – this recipe shared by hillbillyhousewife.com is just so frugal! It just calls for soap flakes (I used Perla), water, and white vinegar. Read the procedures here.
3. EXTRA STRONG BUT NATURAL DISHWASHING LIQUID – This dishwashing soap recipe shared by frugallysustainable.com calls for a bit more ingredients than the previous two. Just substitute the castile soap with Ivory plain and shave away (I use a vegetable peeler to shave soap), white vinegar, water, washing soda – can be bought from any Shopee.ph merchant, and then optional tea tree oil. The tea tree oil is for added anti-bacterial properties. Try it by following the procedures here.

So there you have it. Hope you could channel your inner DIY Diva soon and try out these dish soap recipes.

Also if you have the time, please drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, You may also follow us on our Pinterest and Instagram accounts so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Leaving you with this easy-to-follow DIY Video on Homemade dish soap:

https://happypinaymommy.com/2015/08/30/where-to-buy-flannel-fabric-for-cloth-wipes-in-the-philippines/

 *This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting happypinaymommy.com

The post How to make homemade Dishwashing soap in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here are some recipes for natural homemade detergent in the Philippines. (Photo Credits)

When the DIY, naturalista and frugalista bugs bite us, we would like to try out homemade versions of everyday stuff that we use.

Moms like us use laundry detergent all the time, and I am sure, I am not just the only one wondering if I can make a natural and homemade detergent in the Philippines that I can use. The frustration however comes when you try to research and most of the recipes you see call for ingredients that are not locally available.

For instance, washing soda is not widely available in our country (although you can buy it here), and essential oils are available but are not as affordable as we want it to be. (Check out these essential oils gifted to me by my US based sister in law, you may get it here too if you wish). UPDATED, there are affordable pure essential oils in sampler sizes in some of the shops mentioned in my updated article >>>>here<<<<<<

Anyway, allow me to share with you some of the DIY detergent recipes that I have discovered, experimented on and tweaked a bit so as to conform to what is available in our local supermarkets.

Recipes for natural homemade detergent in the Philippines:

1. LIQUID HOMEMADE DETERGENT — This recipe from tipnut.com calls for just three ingredients: Water, Grated bar soap (think ivory), and two cups of baking soda. Check out the procedure here.

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You may also want to read:

• Where to buy Essential Oils locally
• Where to buy castile soap
• Where to buy accessories for EO DIY projects
• DIY Homemade and Baby-Safe Anti-Mosquito Spray
• How to make DIY Dishwashing Liquid
• Seven ways to save on Grocery Shopping
• Legitimate ways to earn money from home
• Seven Filipino Ulam Recipes under P100.00
• Where to find Katsa or Flour Sack Cloth for DIY Cloth Diapers
• How to Disinfect your Washing Machine
• Where to buy washable Menstrual Pads

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2. COCONUT OIL BASED LAUNDRY BAR SOAP – This DIY recipe from mommypotamus.com is fairly easy to make, and just needs a super common ingredient available in our country which is coconut oil – not even the extra virgin that is quite expensive. Just the usual coconut oil. This actually reminds me of Perla. Anyway, you will also need Lye, which is available in hardware stores (Ace), and then water. You may wanna add an essential oil if you want fragrance but it is entirely optional (i love lemon EO for this particular recipe). Anyway, check out the procedure here.

3. POWDERED LAUNDRY DETERGENT — This recipe from wellnessmama.com calls for Washing Soda (I know, I know this aint available here, but you can make your own by turning your baking soda into one as shared by onegoodthingbyjillee.com here) UPDATE: THERE ARE SOME SHOPEE STORES THAT SELL WASHING SODA SO CHECK THEM OUT or if you want the easy way just get it here. Then you will need some borax – you can get this one from hardware stores but not the ones in the malls, the ones beside your subdivision or along the road! For some reason true value, ace, and handyman does not carry borax, but the small hardware stores do (PLUS AS AN UPDATE THERE ARE SOME SHOPEE MERCHANTS THAT SELL BORAX AS WELL). And then some grated coconut oil-based bar soap like PERLA. Click here for the step-by-step instructions.

So there you have it. Hope you could indulge your inner DIY Diva soon and try out these recipes. J

Also if you have the time, please drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with this DIY Video on Homemade detergent:

Where to buy washable breast pads in the Philippines

 *This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting happypinaymommy.com

The post How to Make Homemade Detergent in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Want to buy flannel fabric for cloth wipes in the Philippines? (Photo Credits)

If you are a cloth diapering mama and you have seen the benefits of using cloth on your baby, then you will mostly be swayed at one point to use cloth wipes as well.

Most cloth wipes in the market though are imported, and are expensive nonetheless. That is why when you ask any experienced cloth diapering mama, she will recommend that you just go the DIY route.

Well if you are too busy you can always ask your favorite local WAHM to make cloth wipes for you, or buy some OsoCozy Unbleached ones here, but just in case you are willing to experiment then go get some old shirts, old receiving blankets and what not, and turn it into cloth wipes.

But if you want something more uniform, then you may wanna get yourself some flannel fabric to use.

Here is where you can buy Flannel Fabric for Cloth Wipes in the Philippines:

1. Fabric Stores – Most fabric stores have flannel by the yard. Some even have printed ones so go ahead and try going to the Fabric Warehouse (mostly in SM Malls), Cotton Depot (they have branches in MOA, Festival Mall in Alabang, and Glorietta). Among the malls that I have scoured, I think it is Megamall, Greenhills (V-Mall), and Glorietta that have the most number of textile stores so you may wanna trek there. Maybe SM North has its own share of textile stores? Haven’t been there in ages, sorry.
2. Divisoria (Particularly along Ilaya Street) – Set aside a whole day for this because of heavy traffic (human and vehicle – haha!), plus of course, to give yourself time to shop because I am sure once you are there, it will not just be flannel that you will be buying! Ilaya is a frugal shoppers haven when it comes to fabrics. You may want to check out the Tutuban area as well.

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You may also want to read:

• Where to buy Katsa for Cloth Diapering
• Shops that sell Cloth Diaper Covers in Manila
• Physical Stores that Sell Cloth Diapers
• Where to buy Newborn Cloth Diapers
• UPDATED Ongoing Cloth Diaper Promos
• Passport Requirements for Babies and Young Kids
• Seven Filipino Ulam Recipes under P100.00

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3. Kamuning Market — Yes there are many textile stalls in there and you may wanna check it out. If you do not have time to go to divi, and you are from QC, this is the next best place to get cheap flannel.
4. Supermarket/Hypermart/Ace Hardware – I do not know if id want to admit this, but our cloth wipes stash is made of the colorful flannel that I bought from hypermart! Yes the cut up ones that are supposed to be all-purpose rags. I got it for less than fifty per pack. I got some three packs. I cut them up and hand-stitched some, and left the others to just fray and no, I am not afraid of the sanctimommy judgements. I disinfected all these, and after that I have colorful cloth wipes to use for almost everything that I needed to wipe baby and toddler related.
5. Online Stores– What can’t be bought online nowadays? Check out these online fabric shops: Fabrix Unlimited has printed flannel fabrics at P145.00 per yard, and P75.00 for half yard.  You may also want to ask Fabric Depot if they have flannel, as well as Taytay Fabric Depot if they have some.

So there you have it. Again as I usually say, I have provided the links to the FB Pages of these shops so you could personally check out the availability and the pricing of these items that I have mentioned. It may have changed by the time you are reading this.

If all else fails, do not beat yourself too hard if you can’t make your own cloth wipes. You can buy ready made ones, or these organic baby wipes which are made from natural plant extract — get it here.

Also if you have the time, please drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

Let us spread the love for cloth!

Leaving you with this easy to follow DIY Video on how to make your own cloth wipes!

Where to buy Menstrual Cloth Pads or Mama Pads in the Philippines

 *This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting happypinaymommy.com

The post Where to Buy Flannel Fabric for Cloth Wipes in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here is a list of some quick, easy, and cheap Filipino dessert recipes under P100.00. (Photo Credits)

As most pastry chefs say, “life is short, eat dessert first,” and so we mommies, no matter how budget conscious we may want to be, have to set aside a little extra for an added sweetness in our life.

Hence I thought of compiling a list of some quick, easy, and cheap Filipino dessert recipes under P100.00

These are all easy to whip up and could serve a family of four. Here is the list:

1. Saba con Hielo – What could be more delicious than glazed or minatamis na overripe saba, with evaporated milk and shaved ice? Who could resist this? For an added oomph, why not add some sago balls. You can buy a piling of Saba for less than P40.00, half a kilo of brown sugar, a can of evap milk, and i am sure, you will even have some extras for meryenda. Here is an easy to follow recipe.

2. Mango Sago – When it is mango season, and you see a lot of overripe bananas in the supermarket, and even in streets, take advantage! Make a smoothie out of the mango, grab and boil some mini sago balls, and you’ve got yourself some Mango Sago! For those who want measurements and procedure, here’s a quick recipe to follow (you may want to omit the condensed milk since the mangoes are usually very sweet, just use evap or whatever milk that is available in your ref — but you can do away with the milk altogether).

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You may also want to read:

• Filipino Budget Ulam Ideas below 100 Pesos 2017 Edition
• Eight Pinoy Recipes that cost under P100 — 2016 edition
• Seven Filipino Ulam Recipes under P100.00
• Seven Ways to Save on Grocery Shopping
• Yummy Soups for the Rainy Season
• Weekly Meal Plans
• Filipino Soups for Breastfeeding Mommies
• Requirements for a passport for your baby

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3. Chocolate Clusters – You can buy those very affordable oishi-brand cereal that looks like coco crunch. Buy as well the plain chocolate bars over at the baking aisle of your favorite supermarket, and you’ve got yourself ingredients for chocolate clusters that your kids will surely love to make and eat! If you’ve got change for your P100.00, you can buy some colored sprinkles over at the ice cream section or still in the bakery aisle. Here is a recipe you may wanna follow.
4. Fiesta Ice Candy – Buy a small can of fruit cocktail, a small can of evap milk (or even fresh milk if that is what you have in the house), and presto! You’ve got yourself ingredients for your fiesta ice candy. Just add some sugar and ladle on your existing popsicle makers or ice candy plastic, and you’ve got yourself a healthy popsicle for the kids all under a hundred pesos. I am sure the kids will love helping you out too, and bonus points for another day’s supply of this yummy and cheap dessert!
5. Iced Coffee Jelly – Of course you would not want the kids to have this lest you will be chasing them all day! Anyway, head on over to your favorite supermarket, buy those unflavored gelatin, and two sachets of 2-in-1 black coffee mix (so that you do not have to add sugar). Make this into your gelatin mixture. Pour into a container, let it rest, and then refrigerate. Once the gelatin is set, cut into little squares. Make iced coffee out of three or four sachets of your favorite three-in-one coffee mix, get a shaker, and mix with cold water and ice cubes. In separate glasses, add the coffee jelly and pour in the three in one mixture and put in some ice cubes. Serve! For kids, you may want to substitute the coffee mix/flavor with any kool-aid or tang juice flavor (strawberry?), and then instead of unflavored gelatin, just get strawberry flavored gelatin instead! All under a hundred bucks. If you’ve got an extra change from the one hundred, why not buy those fat colorful straws? 

If you want to know more easy, quick, and affordable recipes, check out this book 

So there you have it ladies! Hope you’ll try them soon, and if you have time, hope you can head on over at my facebook page, and hit the like button so you can get regular happypinaymommy.com updates directly unto your newsfeed.

Thanks and enjoy the sweet life!

Here’s a video of my favorite dessert Chef Anna Olson, which you may wanna check out:

https://happypinaymommy.com/2015/08/27/requirements-for-a-philippine-solo-or-single-parent-id/

*This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting happypinaymommy.com

The post Quick, Easy, and Cheap Filipino Dessert Recipes under P100.00 appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Natural DIY Baby-Safe Insect Repellent Sprays. (Photo Credits)

It is Dengue Season once again, and one of our major concerns is not the non-availability of repellents, but where to get repellents that are effective and safe enough for babies and very young kids to use.

I have compiled some homemade mosquito and bug repellent solutions that you may want to try making in your own home. All you have to do is follow the recipes, and buy a couple of those little atomizers or even those home sprayers. Please note that I held off on recipes that call for essential oils since it is not really that affordable and available in our country.

Also you may want to exercise some caution in using on your infants as it would be a lot better if it is just sprayed on their clothes, stroller or bedding instead of directly spraying on their skin.

Here are some Natural DIY Baby-Safe Insect Repellent Sprays:

1. Super Strong But Natural Insect Repellant. WellnessMama.Com shared this recipe (which according to her is stinky at first application but will eventually smell better as the strong odor evaporates) made of Apple Cider Vinegar, Dried Herbs, and Rubbing Alcohol. Here is the link to the Procedure.

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You may also want to read:

• Tips on how to avoid food poisoning
• How to get a US Visa for your Baby
• Requirements for a Philippine Passport for your Baby
• Ongoing Cloth Diaper Promos (UPDATED)
• How to baby-proof your bathroom
• Filipino Soups for Breastfeeding Mommies

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2. Lemon Based-Insect Repellant – GMANews.Com shared this very easy-to-make spray recipe which you however have to spray every hour. It only costs P15.00 to make  especially if you have old atomizers/spray bottles to use.Check out the procedure here.
3. Effective Baby Oil-Based, Filipino Invented and Home Tested Repellent Spray – This insect repellent spray shared by Casa Veneracion just uses ingredients that may already be available in your home: Baby Oil, Cloves, and Rubbing Alcohol. Four days to make but definitely worth it. Check out the instructions here.

Again, it is better to just SPRAY ON TO YOUR BABY’S CLOTHES instead of spraying directly onto their skin. The vinegar or rubbing alcohol may still irritate their skin.

Anyway, if going the DIY route is not for you, let me share with you a frugal way of getting an all-natural insect repellent that is safe for kids. This on-liter natural mosquito repellent is on sale via Lazada. Originally at P2500, it is now selling at half the price! Just use your old spray bottles or atomizers! Get it here. If you are not keen to the idea of spraying anti-mosquitoes even on clothes, then might as well get something like this.

So there you have it, apart from the usual advice of keeping surroundings clean, and throwing stagnant water away you may also want to try planning some herbs. Yes, if you have a pocket garden, a balcony, or even small spaces in your house where a pot or plant box could sit then plant these to help you get rid of mosquitoes: Citronella, Basil and Rosemary, Marigold, and Mint.

Stay healthy and safe mommies!

Here’s a video on a DIY natural mosquito repellent:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6RRqc92DP0

https://happypinaymommy.com/2015/08/19/tips-to-avoid-food-poisoning-at-home/

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Wondering where to Buy Katsa or Flour Sack Cloth in the Philippines? Read on. (Photo Credits)

It is a common question of some Cloth Diapering Mommies. This is because time and again, we get advice as well as comments from middle-aged mommies, and the elderly who may have used cloth diapers on their children, that this is the time-tested fabric for cloth diapering.

But what is Katsa or Flour Sack Cloth? As the name suggests, it is actually the packaging used for flour. Some US-based moms use the flour sack towels as flat diapers too and they usually buy it from the kitchen section of most supermarkets there —  like this one.

Anyway, back here in the Philippines, the per yard katsa, and the sack version is still being used by some moms. Usually as flat diapers, but with the advent of modern cloth diapers, crafty mommies use them now as as inserts in their pocket diapers, or some as soakers for covers — whatever their DIY Spirit may fancy. In fact there is a local WAHM that fashions Hybrid Fitted Diapers using Flour Sack Cloth. Head on over to Bebe Bottom’s Facebook page to ask if they have on stock, or could customize one for you. Cutie!

The problem however is that not all mommies (especially urbanites) know where to buy it, hence this post.

So where can you buy katsa or flour sack cloth in the Philippines?

1. Local Bakeries — Yes some local bakeries still sell the sack their flour came with, so try your luck there first if you have one nearby Who knows they might even give a piece or two for free if you are a regular customer! If and when you will need a lot, my Inay asked a neighborhood bakery near their place and she said they will more or less charge you P150.00 per dozen.

2. Telahan in the Palengke — For those living in North of Metro Manila, your best bet is the Kamuning Public Market where there are lots of Textile Stores. What they sell though is the per yard version and not the actual sack cloth.

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Related Posts:

• Where to buy Cloth Diapers in Manila
• Local shops that sell Cloth Diapers for Newborns
• Where to buy Flat Diapers
• Where to order custom-made diapers
• Online shops that sell fitted diapers for presko time
• Facebook and Online Cloth Diaper Stores
• Where to buy BumGenius Cloth Diapers locally

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3. Fabric Warehouse — If your nearby bakery and palengke do not have Katsa, then for sure you will find it here. Fabric Warehouse has a lot of branches, if i remember right they have it near acropolis (across Eastwood), and then in most SM Malls. Last time i asked i think it is 60-70 per yard. Will update the post once i get a more accurate pricing information.

4. Textile Stores — Try your luck as well on other textile stores scattered in malls, even their textile areas in their department stores. You may want to check out even those stand-alone shops.They sell of course the per yard version.

3. Divisoria — This is where you could find the cheapest Katsa ever. The one i saw is in a big fabric store in the Divisoria Mall, and although that was like how many years ago, Inay said fabric stores there still sell Katsa by the yard. She also mentioned that they also sell Katsa in Quiapo. Of course by the yard and not the sack version.

4. Bambang, Manila — Sorry for the scary vibes, but they sell Katsa by the yard in Bambang — the medical supplies mecca of metro manila — because it is being used to help preserve cadavers. If i remember right Bambang is near PGH, San Lazaro and the DOH Main Office.

So there you have it. Whether you’ll use it as an insert, a DIY diaper, or as flat diapers just make sure to wash it at least three or four times to soften it up and increase absorbency. Some actually dye the Katsa to make it look fancy, so you may wanna try that too.

If you know somewhere else where katsa can be bought, please leave a comment below or drop by my facebook page and leave me a message so i could update this post.

Happy DIY CD Sewing!!!

Leaving you with this Flour Sack Cloth Flat Diaper Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMdSgxZzUZQ

https://happypinaymommy.com/2015/08/13/where-to-buy-hemp-inserts-in-manila/

**This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting happypinaymommy.com

The post Where to Buy Katsa or Flour Sack Cloth in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Seven Filipino Recipes Under 100 pesos. (Photo Credits: Arjay Garcia Cayetano)

Here are Seven Filipino Recipes under 100 Pesos:

3. Banana heart patties — My friend G introduced me to this, and boy it tastes so yummy you’d think it is made of meat! My handsome and carnivorous laundryboy a.k.a man of the house, mistook it for my homemade hamburger patties. I used this recipe. A large banana burger can make up to 12 patties! left overs can even be eaten for meryenda or baon the next day. truly, Saging lang talaga ang may puso

Please drop by my facebook page for feedbacks, comments or recipe suggestions

Looking forward to hearing from you.

*This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting happypinaymommy.com

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