Shopping

Grab. Scan. Go.

We have new vending machines at work. The old ones required you to pay first before you get the product, while the new setup lets you grab your food item before you even pay.

Some employees have already taken to calling it an “honesty store.” You could, after all, just grab your snack and leave without paying for it first. But a warning has been posted in the premises: CCTV cameras are activated. But I think it's too public, who would even dare steal from it?

Apart from the novelty of a cashier-less store, what I like about the new vendos are the healthier snack options. There are sandwiches (none today because those apparently sold out already), fresh apples, pears and bananas, and creamy yoghurt.

Pricing is comparable to convenience store prices.

There are two ways to pay. One can register for a card that comes with free PhP 35.00, and you can top it up anytime. I think that's a good way to budget your snack money. If you runout, then you can't get anymore junk food, juice or soft drinks until your next scheduled top up. No need to go far to top up either, you can do it on the same machine. I think free snack card top ups could be a new incentive idea for our agents.

But one can also use paper money and coins with the machine. It works like the classic vendo where you just feed it bills or drop in coins and you're given the appropriate change too.

I was going to try out the machine today, but when I went back to it, the scanner/cashbox wasn't working. I guess there are still bugs. Hope they fix it before tonight's shift (and restock too).

Have you seen or used a Grab-Scan-Go system? What are your thoughts about it?

 

The World of Lisa Frank

Who doesn’t know Lisa Frank? Saw this video on the Brit List, and it immediately took me back to a younger me. I wanted this huge Lisa Frank binder for school but it was freakishly expensive. Unfortunately.

I think I only ever managed to get stickers out of my allowance.


Was that a young Mila Kunis in the video? Haha!

Hmmm. Like Lisa, I’m still a kid! So maybe it’s not too late to start a collection at my age πŸ™‚

SMAC at Watsons

SM Advantage Card holders had a treat last July 31: a ten percent discount for pretty much anything inside the department store.

Alfred and I shopped for clothes the previous day. We didn't get 10 off for all items, but there was enough discount that it wasn't such a loss not waiting til next day to do it. I was wearing one of my new tops in this photo, taken on Friday afternoon:

It's gray and that heart in the middle are sequins. It has 3/4-type sleeves. And the material is light enough to wear on an afternoon.

Since there was no additional budget for a second round of clothes shopping, I just went toiletry shopping on the 31st to still take advantage of SMAC sale day. Here's my loot from Watson's:

The only item missing in the photos the second big bottle of body cream wash which I already started using before I thought of photographing the lot. You'll notice two types of a few items like the day pads, tissue, and even wet wipes. These are essentials that I need daily. I got a pack of the more expensive and less environmentally-friendly, individually-packed Carefree so I can take them with me in my purse of vanity kit. For hygienic purposes I need them packed but I really actually prefer buying the packs that use one plastic for all 15 or 20 pieces.

I also got travel tissue packs that fit in my regular bags, but also the mini ones that would be perfect for days/nights I only carry a purse/clutch or small bag. I also get big boxes of 100-200 pulls for my desk at work. When my current box runs out, I'll get the set of three boxes again. Big savings on those bundles.

My wet wipes also come in two sizes. I've been caught without wipes a lot of times and let's just say I feel better knowing I have some with me everytime.

Not only did I save 10% from each item, the huge 250ml bottles of body cream wash were on buy 1 get one offer. I got them in lavender and frangipani, smells soooo good. πŸ™‚

To top it off, I also redeemed my SMAC points (all 659 pesos) so my cash out was only 99.46 pesos πŸ™‚ If you're not yet an SM Advantage Card or BDO Rewards card holder sign up now! Get points for every peso you spend shopping (also saving and charging for BDO credit card holders) and eventually use the cash equivalent for future shopping sprees. I've bought toiletries a lot of times before with my points, or sometimes I get other items I wouldn't normally buy with my cash.

 

15% Off from Your Zalora Purchase

Most people who know me also know how much I love shopping – online and offline. Recently, perhaps because of my still recovering back and leg, I have taken to online shopping more. No need to walk so much and no waiting in lines. Sometimes I worry I’ll get off balance while trying on the clothes I wish there were always tubular handles I can hang on to everywhere. In June, I got this small box of happiness from my favorite local online shopping destination, ZaloraPH:

Zalora box

No, it wasn’t a surprise box, I ordered it after all. Alfred paid the delivery guy directly, we didn’t have to use a credit card nor rush to a bank or to 7/11 to make the purchase. I paid cash on delivery. So convenient!

What’s in the box? Happiness in the form of earrings!

Zalora earrings

These pieces are bound to stay in my jewelry box for awhile, to be taken out and worn over and over again. They add a nice boost of color to my outfits, and puts a smile on everyone who notices them. Lakas maka-sosyal kasi.Β πŸ™‚

Since my first Zalora loot last year, Β all I have are positive experiences from this online retail store. Delivery only takes 2-3 days, and they make sure to contact you via SMS or thru a phone call for updates. Truly feels like there’s still a personal touch to the service.

If you have yet to sign up at Zalora.com.ph, let me give you a good reason too. Sign up now and enter your order. Use this coupon code to take 15% off your first purchase:Β ZBAPMzr. Easy peasy. Share the code with your family and friends too. πŸ™‚

Piso Fare!

We are booked for a trip to Cagayan De Oro (and Camiguin!) in February next year. Thanks to Cebu Pacific’s Piso Fare promotion, everyJuan can fly! πŸ™‚

CebPac promotional banner from http://www.cebupacificair.com/

CebPac promotional banner from http://www.cebupacificair.com/

The seat sale is still on going. Heard about it at work yesterday morning and I kept getting kicked out, server errors are common when so many people try to get cheap flights. I don’t always luck out with these things so I figured I’d try when everyone else had the pickings. 1AM apparently is a good time, and since flight dates are January to June 2014, there’s still plenty of available flights.

Where would you like to fly to?

 

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