Barely eight years ago, I invested in low-cost housing in our area. Back then, the equity is very low since it was on its pre-selling stage. So, what I did, I loaned the equity payment in the bank instead of having it in monthly amortization. But then pandemic came, there was a delay in the turnover. The promised three years goes on four then five and until now the said unit was not yet turned over to us. We were able to sign the supposedly contract between us and the Philippine government agency (PAGIBIG) that offers housing loan but until now, the turnover of the unit was keep on delaying due to some technical concerns.

A friend advised us to have our unit assumed by somebody else. But I was hesitant because I know that the equity by now would be doubled compared to what I have paid. If I have to calculate the take out amount of the unit, it would go as high as almost one million compared to that original price of Four Hundred Seventy Thousand Pesos. Indeed, investing in realty could be a good decision since the value of the house won't depreciate. Though the house wasn't turned over yet but I am patient enough to wait for it until the company could settle the things between them and the government agency  that offers housing loan. I was actually planning of leasing the place since the unit is too small for my growing family so I rather have it leased to couple or individual that would love minimal kind of lifestyle.

In other countries, investing in realty or being a realtor is among the best lucrative business that one could engage on. Personally, I know I still have much to learn about this business, but one thing is for sure, all of my friends who were into this kind of business are indeed prospering and gaining much financial freedom at their own convenient time. Processing papers for prospect clients won't be that easy but it's all worth it. It is also of great advantage that a realtor should be knowledgeable enough to know the basic Math in this kind of business like how to estimate mortgage loan (you can click the link to gain knowledge about it), how does loan repayment works and a whole lot more.

So, why do we need to invest in realty? Because in there, there's a real money!

  

 

When my hubby lost his job due to political reasons, I have to accept the fact that I'll be facing realities. Becoming a breadwinner mom is a journey that involves balancing your finances to mitigate the needs of your family without depriving yourself from your "personal needs". Empowered is how I consider it, but somehow would give you greater responsibility, not to mention, the pressure and , maybe, stress, that goes with it. Being the sole financial contributor to our household is something that is overwhelming and totally challenging!

Empowerment and Fulfillment

The ability to provide for one's family financially not only contributes to a sense of independence but also serves as a source of pride. The satisfaction derived from achieving professional success and ensuring the well-being of loved ones creates a powerful sense of purpose.

However, this empowerment is not without its complexities. The elation of career achievements is often tempered by the realization that the expectations and responsibilities have multiplied. The pressure to balance career aspirations with family obligations can be daunting, creating a delicate emotional equilibrium that requires constant attention and adaptation.

Challenges and Guilt

The challenges faced by breadwinner moms extend beyond the boardroom. Juggling the demands of a career with the responsibilities of motherhood can be emotionally taxing. Guilt often becomes an unwelcome companion, creeping into the corners of the mind during moments of professional focus and family absence. The fear of missing out on significant milestones in a child's life or not being present for crucial family moments can weigh heavily on the hearts of these women.

Societal perceptions add another layer of emotional complexity. The judgments and stereotypes that persist regarding the ideal roles of mothers can instigate feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. The internal struggle to reconcile societal expectations with personal ambitions becomes a constant emotional backdrop.

Triumphs and Resilience

Yet, amidst the challenges and emotional complexities, breadwinner moms experience triumphs that are uniquely theirs. Overcoming obstacles, shattering glass ceilings, and excelling in both professional and familial spheres instills a profound sense of resilience. The ability to navigate a path less traveled, defy stereotypes, and emerge stronger on the other side becomes a testament to the inner strength of these women.

The feeling of triumph extends beyond individual accomplishments and permeates the broader societal narrative. As more breadwinner moms share their stories, challenge stereotypes, and redefine the conventional understanding of family roles, a collective triumph emerges—a triumph that contributes to the gradual dismantling of gender biases and the fostering of a more inclusive society.

The feeling of being a breadwinner mom is a nuanced and multifaceted emotional journey. It encompasses moments of empowerment, challenges that test the depths of resilience, guilt that tugs at the heartstrings, and triumphs that redefine societal norms. Through it all, these women navigate a complex emotional landscape, shaping not only their personal narratives but also contributing to the broader narrative of gender roles and societal expectations. The feeling of being a breadwinner mom is a tapestry of emotions—a rich, intricate, and evolving story that continues to unfold with each passing day.

Yes, I just turned 42 and I felt good!

Indeed, 42 years and I wonder how much I've achieved so far. I can't really tell because there's still  a lot on my plate that needs to be consumed, there's still more unchecked items on my bucket list, and there are still lot of plans on my head being held in abeyance.

Well, the truth is, I just don't have any idea where this life would lead me. I have so many things that I want to accomplish and yet failed to take even one single step to do it. 

I procrastinate a lot! 

My graduate course is unfinished because I am still up to Chapter 3 on my thesis concept proposal. 

I finally had my passport (after years of planning to secure it) hoping to realize my dream to become a JET instructor in Japan yet haven't finish what I have started because of some "reasons" that I am not really sure if it could justify. 

Good thing I was able to work on my application for promotion at school. Yes, I deliberately made efforts to do it since I failed my Japan plan.

I am constantly reminding myself that I am far from achieving my goals and that I need to work harder.

But guess what, I have health issues that somehow stopping me in reaching my goals. In fact keeping myself healthy is among my frustrations! I have lot of attempts to lose weight,  but I am just too inconsistent!

Forty-two yet I am still confused. I have lots of fears, worries, and questions, not for myself alone but for my family, my own small family. My husband and three kids were looking up to me, as if their life depends on me that is why I have so much pressures within me to the point that I do not know what to do first.

Good thing I have my God, otherwise, I will fall into the trap of DEPRESSION...

Yes, I am already forty-two but not matured enough to live on my own.

I have mentioned in my previous post that I love exploring online games, particularly those which are free and have no ads at all. Then I stumbled upon another online gaming site which is solitaire.org (feel free to click for more options!).

The site is not limited to solitaire games only. There are other options like cards, mahjong, hidden object, match 3, logic puzzles, and words. Personally, I love playing Solitaire. In fact, I have one app installed on my tablet which is the Solitaire Jackpot. Needless to say, it comes with so many ads after every game.

So back to this site, I just realized that apart from classic solitaire, there are other variants of solitaire that are available, some are just so new to me like Solitaire Tripeaks and Golf. I tried to play each variant and guess what, I just cannot win any two of them, too difficult! I don't want to use Easy Mode because I want to challenge myself, however, it is really difficult LOL!

Imagine the emotional damage I have to go through because I lost a couple of times!

But I am not that easy to give up, I should win this game- I have a very competitive spirit by the way...

But then, again and again, I lose. I lost count of how many times I lost the game LOL!

Klondike Solitaire is so hard to win if you chose 3 decks of cards instead of 1 so I choose 1 LOL. 

Tip of advice: Go for Easy Mode instead of the Normal one to have a bigger chance of winning.

For Spider Solitaire, choose 1 suit for easier chances of winning, but if you want to challenge yourself, go for more than 2 suits.

Free Cell Solitaire, is by far, the most difficult variant to win! I didn't win this game even after so many attempts.

The Pyramid Solitaire on the other hand is quite easy to play. All you need to do is to match two cards that would sum up to 13. But I have quite more attempts before I won this game.

Aside from Solitaire, you can play hundreds of other ad-free online games. There are even sites that allow you to play with other gamer. Just see to it that all your house chores are done before you start playing or you'll end up getting hooked on it.

Right now, I still have the luxury of time for this since classes have not started yet. How I wish I could install an app with so many options on my tablet just like what this site has to offer to keep me busy during idle moments. I often play online mobile games while in a long queue, or waiting for my husband to fetch me, and many other scenarios.

Next game to try on- Words!

People are getting crazy making content right now to earn dollars on various Social Media platforms like Facebook, Tiktok, and Instagram. There's no wrong in trying to earn such a way, but what's disturbing now is that some so-called "influencers" post unlikely videos showing off their bodies, almost naked, and doing dirty dancing. I was like, "Hello people, Facebook is not limited to adult viewers, there are kids out there browsing Facebook most of the time! I just don't understand how they normalize stupid acts via Social Media. They can actually choose to make relevant and wholesome content online. 

Easy money huh?

Why not choose to become a motivational, inspiring, and wholesome influencer instead?

This summer heat keeps my family indoors most of the time. As a Mom, I always see to it that my kids, ages 7, 10, and 11, will spend quality time inside our home. My youngest, in particular, is currently undergoing Occupational Therapy thus I keep her busy by letting her play with the Montessori-inspired toys that would address her impulsive behavior. My eldest daughter loves to sketch and paint thus I provided her with coloring materials and a sketchpad. She's into digital as well using the painting app. My eldest son, on the other hand, is into mobile games. However, I don't like the games that he's playing. He used to build using his favorite Lego toys but right now, as he age, he doesn't want to play with them anymore. As a teacher, I am fully aware that there are games that could be addicting to young minds and I don't want it to happen to him. I am a gamer too thus I love exploring online games that would be entertaining but not detrimental to the mental health of my kids. 

A lot of options!

I've been trying XBox Games but it's expensive, so I explore more for free games then I stumbled upon this site that have multiple games and all for FREE! What excited me most is that there are so many options to choose from! And unlike any other free game site, definitely, there are no annoying ads in the game!

In particular, I like their Lego City Adventures Build and Protect game because it is a game by Nickelodeon! (You can actually click the link automatically to try the game). When I showed it to my son he was so excited to try it. Of course, I tried it first before I let him play with it. So far, the game runs smoothly, it was just too tasking to collect the coins. Hope there's only one button to click to collect all the coins generated from the buildings. 

                                                                                Another game that I find amusing is Merge Blocks. You need to strategize your moves or you will run out of space! So far, the Best Score I got is 2760 played within 20 minutes and 52 seconds! There are still other games like Business Simulation Games where you will play as Store Cashier. You should be keen enough in giving the right change. 

I am just so glad that there are developers who initiated these types of games which are educational in nature. Right now, I am letting my son explore the other games. Of course, I need to limit his screen time or he might get hooked on it. For now, I highly recommend that you'll try this site and I could guarantee that you will really have fun. Besides, all the games are free. I also suggest using laptops or desktops for a smoother game time.

Indeed, as a Mom, I need to think of many ideas to keep my kids busy. I made it a point that there's no idle time for them, except during nap time. However, classes will start soon so I need to limit their game time. 

The next idea to explore is online cooking tutorials and perhaps some DIY home hacks!

Have a fruitful school break everyone!