After settling in my new apartment and dealing with some tasks (installing Wifi and buying a dining table), I decided not to wait and sent a small balikbayan box in the Philippines.
I said before that I would refrain from sending balikbayan boxes to save and invest more. So why now?
Why during a pandemic would I send a small balikbayan box?
What a Perfect Time!
I figured why not. My family was able to receive ayuda or ration of canned goods and rice and cash.
Still it’s best to also send some goods because cities in Luzon are often in quarantine for weeks.
But my primary goal is to send my desktop computer to my sibling who wants to go back working online even before the pandemic started.
Fortunately I was decluttering and wouldn’t want my sibling to spend on gadgets.
At first I wanted to send the box next year when the pandemic is over or abated.
I am glad that I didn’t wait because right now some cities in Canada are having a second wave of COVID-19; thus, I want to buy grocery less frequent. Maybe, every two weeks will do.
How Did It Go
By the way, my friend who sent a balikbayan box from Canada gave me the confident that it’s alright to send a box in the Philippines.
It was a usual transaction with the staff of Forex Alberta other than placing cash ($70) inside an envelope and leaving the balikbayan size box (medium) by the door.
I was lucky to have enough space to pack stuff inside the box by the door because there’s no way I can carry it up a short flight of stairs.
Note: Make sure the top is flat or you’ll get an extra charge.
It was my habit to put bags on top and some pants. Well, it was impossible to avoid a bulging box unless I remove some items. No sir. All stuff must go.
Here’s a shopping tip. I bought some bags at Winners for my mom and aunt so they could use the bags next year or whenever it’s safe to roam the street of Manila. They only go out for checkup and laboratory exam.
Related Post: How to Send an iPhone in the Philippines
According to my sibling, our baby boomers are spending time watching on YouTube using my old iPad Mini 2 which is in perfect condition. My mom saw the iPad when I had a vacation last year in the Philippines and expressed her desire to have one.
And so she got what she wished for and more.
Let’s go back to bag. I had fun scouting a Herschel backpack ($50)for my techie sibling and a Herschel cap ($10) for myself. Perfect timing to grab on sale stuff.
I found the bag at Simons where I also spent $15 for my first organic sustainable T-shirt. I would love to get other stuff at Vision, the sustainable sections of Simons.
The Organic Basics T-shirt took a long time to arrive. While waiting I spent a little to start with my capsule wardrobe with mostly black clothes. I like black not because minimalist loves it.
Black is classic and plain.
How did we go from box to bag to T-shirt?
So can we go back to balikbayan boxes now although I wanted to tell more about the T-shirts that I’ve been eyeing for a long time.
How Long Should I Wait?
The box arrived in Manila after one month and a half.
Besides the juice box that burst everything is all right. The monitor wasn’t broken. I am becoming a pro at packing boxes considering that I included heavy gadgets in the box.
Having a fragile item in the box refrained me from buying foods with glass packaging like jam (which my dad loves) and salsa (which my sister loves). So I resorted to canned goods, oat meal, tea, and noodles.
Have you tried masala Indian noodles? Well you should. It’s good with or without rice.
I might send another box next year to send another monitor (I used to have two) and speaker and edible goods by summer. We’ll see.
Also I am getting free stuff at work that I don’t need. Another blanket, anyone?
Final Thoughts
Wherever you are, weigh the situation. Is it best to avoid as much people as possible.
For now, why not gather stuff that you can send in a balikbayan box but don’t go overboard. With the uncertainty of job (that’s why it’s best to have a side hustle), we should stash cash on an emergency fund.
Whenever I have a little extra cash, I buy a gift for future occasion. Right now, I am itching to give watches, affordable yet branded like my minimalist Timex watch.
That’s enough for shopping and saving tips. Stay safe everyone.
May the new year brings good news and better health to all of us.
Are you planning to send a balikbayan box in the Philippines? Do you prefer in-store shopping or online?
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