2014 52 Week Money Challenge

It's July, I can't believe that we're past half of 2014. I feel like time flew by so fast and I can't help but ask myself what I've achieved so far. There's one thing I know I was able to achieve perfectly as part of my New Year's Resolution and that's the 52 Week Savings Challenge. By June 28, 2014 I should have been able to save Php 7,020. I almost emptied my savings account and deposited my savings from the challenge. I initially planned on opening a passbook savings account from BDO but due to time constraints I opted for this one instead. Here's proof that I did: 

I can't wait to keep on saving more and achieving this savings challenge to perfection. I have no plans of spending this money at all. It'll be some sort of retirement fund. 

Morning walks and my neighborhood

I recently signed for a 12 week fitness challenge from our company. It's called Step Up and the main goal is for us to develop a wellness and fitness habit by walking, jogging, or running. The more steps we make and log in a day, the company will donate a certain amount to certain philantrophic partners that cater to food and nutrition for those without access. I truly enjoy this challenge because I love walking and seeing my pedometer screen counting my steps make me happy. Add to the fact that I'm producing endorphins by exercising. 

The challenge doesn't exclude other fitness regimens because Zumba, Crossfit, Boxing, and every other workout regimens can still be logged and converted to a certain amount of steps. It's inclusive because not everyone fits into a certain workout mold. I knew then that I wouldn't want to walk in a treadmill so I decided that apart from the walking I make on my way to and from work, I'll walk or jog around my neighborhood. I've had many happy surprises on my morning walks after work. It delights me on certain days that I get to attend early morning mass or I get the church all to myself and I get to pray the rosary in a certain type of serenity that only a church can create. I also enjoy knowing about certain areas that I only see and read on the tricycle terminal signages and seeing shops among other things. I also like  looking at nice houses, it gives me ideas of what I like and don't like just in case I move out of my parents and build my own house. I even enjoy seeing plants and flowers on the roadside. These are smalls joys that make up my morning walks. There are just a number of things I've noticed though that annoys me. 

I'll be discussing those things but don't get me wrong. I Iove my neighborhood and there are a lot of things that made me call it home for the last 16 years. These are what I find annoying in my morning walks:  

1. Dead ends created by sectionings made by Homeowner's Association: 

 

These unnecessary dead ends are momentum killers! 

2. Lack of proper sidewalks: 

This is a pretty common situation in the entire Philippines. I know not much can be done especially that the houses in the area are already set on where it is constructed. This just illustrate lack of planning and foresight. There was a study I read some years back about areas without proper sidewalks and pedestrian lanes; people are fatter! 

3. A lot of cars are honking their horns unnecessarily and occupying what little piece of the road a person can walk in: 

Inconsiderate drivers who don't even think that they may have just damaged someone's eardrums early in the morning should be banned or hanged (You choose). 

I won't stop walking though. I enjoy it. This post is me "just saying you know!!!".