Moonburst-tones...Get advice on ways to make some money and blogging tips!!

Welcome back, it's been a while since I have posted. This is my first post for the New Years. I have been thinking of new ways or other ways of making money online actually. So, here it is. I followed the Master Plan of Mr. Carl O. Cab at http://www.carlocab.com/. So far, I am in between set-up your blog and monetize your blog. Hopefully following this system will work. Check it out for yourself if you have time, who knows, maybe you could also make some decent money online. Good luck to all of you. If you need some advice with your blogger blog, blog or just want to make extra money online come visit this other site http://www.moonburst-tones.blogspot.com/. Real friendly site. Thanks!!

Making ends meet and meat....

Every time I sit in front of this computer, I always have my hopes high even though I know that most likely it's going to be the same old thing everyday. Searching for a better thing for your family is a weekly or monthly activity or even a daily crusade for others like myself. I know I'm not supposed to be on the Internet while at work. But, I guess I am trying to save money (by not having to got to the internet cafe after work) and be productive at the same time? Somewhere I read that blogging or any activity taken 1 hour off from work increases productivity. So, I decided to give it a try.

Living from paycheck to paycheck isn't something new. For many, it's everyday life and some either have embraced it or tried to find another way. At least, they tried and succeeded or failed, I tip my hat to them for breaking the mold. Where I live right now, everything is going up. The gas (lpg), rice, vegetables, meat and other everyday stuff that you would end up buying at the marketplace. Living below your means is not always easy, but it will help you survive. You won't have to end up wondering or worried about where your next meal will come from after you've paid all the bills. Believe me, those bills will never go away!

Here are some tips that you can use to save you some money. Either save it or spend it, but spend it wisely. After all, you are the ones who sacrificed for it.

1. One of the most obvious and helpful tips. Live below your means. That means differentiate the items that you "need" vs. "want". For example, you "want" that awesome car stereo for your car (save for it instead) but you do "need" to pay your rent on time. Be a good "spender and earner at the same time".

2. Make a list of "needs and wants" that way it will help differentiate the two and you can always refer back to your list if you "forgot".

3. Pay the bills that you do have on time. This avoids you having to pay surcharges and interest. Imagine, all the money you can save, just by avoiding this!!

4. Bring your lunch to work if time permits. It's a lot more frugal to bring a sack lunch instead of having to buy your lunch at a restaurant. (Eat out on special occasions or when you "have" to).

5. Research on the internet about ways to save your electrical consumption (using fluorescent bulbs etc.) and water usage (controlling leaks, baths). It might bring those utility bills a little lower "to a much more manageable state at least".

6. Open a savings account and set aside at least 20% of your final pay. At least you will have "emergency" money or money set aside if you need it.

7. Learn how to cook. This can go along with #4 above. This will help you bring those eating costs down and it might be fun!!

8. Always research the various companies when buying insurance for your home, car or whatnot. There is always a lower price out there, you just have to look.

9. Have your partners, be it your wife, husband, roommates or whatever chip in and help you. They will learn to be better at saving and be better spenders also.

10. Carpool- it helps you save on the gas money or car maintenance expenditures and will get you to work on time and safe. You are also doing the earth a favor by lessening pollution.

11. If you own a vehicle, keeping it tuned up and running great will help you avoid costly repairs, thus saving you a trip to the grease monkeys.

12. Have a garage sale and throw out all of that junk. You don't really need those ugly sweaters anymore do you? Having a garage sale will help alleviate expenses and maybe you might find stuff that you can revive from the dark abyss called your closet.

13. Use coupons when you can. Companies didn't print them out for nothing. A hefty discount can be had if you use them frequently. You would be surprised I betcha!

The above list is by no means complete, maybe there are some good tips I missed or didn't list, but these are some that I have implemented into my life and am now just recovering from debt. Abide by these tips and they will help you save. Living frugal doesn't have to suck. You just have to adjust and see where you are free to move.

Blogging for beginners...

O.k. so I'm fairly new to this whole blogging thing (actually really new). But, during my times of surfing the net and various blogs, I have come to this conclusion and beginner's guide to blogging. It's not complete and maybe I missed a few concepts, but it will still help a little, especially for the beginners. Here they are, enjoy and good luck!!

1. I cannot underestimate this enough. Write good content!! If you have good content and a unique writing style that people love, it will work out great for you.

2. Don't forget to sign up your URL with various search engines. If you have an awesome blog, but no one can get to it or has even heard about it, then what's the point?

3. Share the link love. Linking to other people's blogs is a great help. If you leave great comments on their site, then they will want to know and be interested in finding out who that person is. Get my drift?

4. Join a community blogging group. By reading other people's blogs and immersing yourself in that community, then they in time will find your blog and read it also!

5. Always check your grammar. This is very important you know. Who wants to read a blog with a lot of misspellings and grammar usage?

6. Be patient!! You can't expect to set-up a blog for one week and then think there will be hundreds of people coming to your site!!! This also goes with no. 1 above.

7. Build a loyal following. If you write about a certain subject and people respond to it, great!! But don't forget your other audience also. Try to have a broad aspect on all views and subjects. always have a "special spot" for your other readers. ALbeit, there might not be a lot of followers, but at least they will be loyal and keep coming back for more.

8. If you come across a great blog that stands out in your memory, plugging it doesn't hurt. You never know, the blogger might just come to your site to see what you wrote about them or their site! Visit other blogs for advice and tips to arm yourself with the arsenal and knowledge of making a great blog. Experience helps!!

9. Connect with your audience. Let them know that they are appreciated and their comments noticed. It takes just a little time, but it will stick in their memory. Encourage feedback from your visitors about anything.

10. Have interactive "zones" in your blog. People like to read, but they also like to take time out and have a break!

These are just a few tips...If you would like to donate more tips, please comment!! That would be appreciated. Good luck and blog furiously!!

Stop smoking 30 day challenge!!

So, you're probably wondering, is it possible? You bet it is!!! Two years ago I was blessed by God for giving me a wonderful and beautiful daughter. Every morning she always looks for me to see if "daddy" is next to her when she wakes up. After hearing her voice in the mornings, I started wondering to myself...what if "daddy" wasn't there anymore? Especially, if the reason was one that I could have prevented. We all have our time and I wanted to extend mine to be with my family and my daughter so I could share more of those "special" times with them. Of course, I want the best for my daughter and her future. That is the major reason I had decided to give up smoking. It was either smoking or my daughter, I chose the better reason!

If you "just started" smoking, you have an easier chance to quit. If you are a long time smoker, you can also quit, but will take a little extra effort. It's an effort well worth your life. Here are a few facts about smoking, maybe you've heard of them or not.

Smoking causes lung cancer and emphysema. Emphysema slowly breaks down your lung function to the point where the person always has battles with chronic bronchitis among other infections and diseases affecting the lungs.

When you smoke, the little cilia in the lungs (hair like structures that help take out the bad microbes) cease to stop working and are damaged. But, all hope is not lost! After a person quits smoking, the little cilia start to repair themselves and function normally. Smoking again damages them over time to the point they don't work anymore.

Smoking raises your blood pressure, constricts your veins and can contribute to stroke. When your veins get constricted, the fatty deposits built up over the years have more chance to block the veins and you can have a stroke.

Carbon monoxide, (the stuff that comes out of your car) which is a colorless, odorless gas is harmful to your lungs and body. What happens is, your lungs are more likely to take in the carbon monoxide than oxygen. It has an easier time to transfer. If the carbon monoxide is high enough, you can get carbon monoxide poisoning and possibly die.

Smoking also causes cancer in your mouth or throat and the yellowing of your teeth.

Here is a listing of commonly found chemicals in cigarettes. Ammonia (yep the stuff in toilet cleaners and other cleaning agents), formaldehyde (the chemical used to preserve corpses) and acetone (nail polisher remover anyone?). These are just a few, but the most dangerous ones. There are over 4,000 chemicals found in cigarettes.

Smoking also makes you make that awful noise like your gagging when you cough, ewww.

Here are some ways you can stop:

You have to have the desire to quit, be it for yourself or your loved ones. No one has the power to make you quit except yourself.

Chew gum (sugarless) when you can. It will help fight the cravings. Candy also helps, but will contribute to slight weight gain!

If you say, "well I will gain weight if I quit" that's not a good answer. You can get yourself into a fitness program or start exercising to lose that extra weight. Besides exercise is great for you, speeds up your metabolism and makes you feel and look better!! You can also walk with your family around the block or to the park. That way everyone benefits from this and you get to bond a little more with your family.

Think of all the money you will save!! In the states, the cost of cigarettes are getting to an outrageous price. If you add up all the cigarettes smoked by you in one year, you might be surprised at how much you can save. I think that money would be better off going to your kids, don't you think? Or to yourself if you have no kids.

Try not to put yourself in the situation of having to smoke. I know for a fact that if you stand next to someone that is smoking, you are likely to want to smoke also. Distance yourself!!

If you are a heavy smoker, try cutting down on the smoke time for each cigarette. Putting it out let's say halfway or three quarters of the way down will help you. This is to gradually decrease your nicotine cravings that your body has.

Instead of lighting up first thing in the morning, do some morning stretches. Go for a brisk walk (even 5 minutes only) helps.

Here is a tip for the new smokers. It usually works and is great!! One or two sticks in an hour won't do anything to you, in fact that's the way of putting yourself on the road to lung cancer. Smoke yourself sick!! If you caught your kids smoking, this is an idea that will surely change their mind. Smoke the whole pack non-stop. When I say non-stop, that's exactly what it means. You will end up not feeling too good and hopefully the feeling and impression will stay in your brain.

Find a hobby that keeps you busy and away from smoking. Starting crafts or joining sports can be a great way to start. Playing with your kids also can contribute to your daily routine.

If you put this advice into action, I guarantee you will feel better (even within one week) of starting this regiment. If you need help or support, please feel free to e-mail me. I would like to know how you are doing with this regiment. Going "cold turkey" might be good for others, but if you are having a hard time, here's another method.

O.k. here is the hard part:

Let's say you are smoking 20 cigarettes a day (one pack). We will use the month of November as an example since it's coming up and you can start already!! On November 1 (Thursday), you will still be smoking 20 sticks a day right? O.k. on November 2 cut that down to 18 by implementing at least one tip that I gave you above. November 2-4 repeat previous steps. From November 5-9 cut your sticks to 16 and keep on implementing a tip. November 10-14 cut it down to 14 sticks and implement a tip. From November 15-19 cut it down to 12 and implement a tip. O.k. after November 19 cut each day by one stick while implementing an above tip and by November 30 you will have smoked your last stick. Congratulations!!! Starting Dec. 1 you are no longer a smoker. Keep on with the tips and get your family or friends to join you for an easier time. Hope this works out for you!!

Knowledge from the blogosphere...

I was running through my usual searches one day, when a search tag stood out and got me wondering. So, I clicked on it and lo and behold a great site! This site is none other than http://www.pinoyblogero.com/ that is run by Mr. Karlos. This site got me hooked by reading just one of his articles. There are tons of informative advice as to how to better your blog. Reasons why no one reads your blog and so forth. Anyways, I have to give my props to Karlos, he's got it going.

Good thing na lang, he is willing to more than share his knowledge with us. So if you're new to blogging or not there's alot of neat advice and a comic strip to boot! For the beginners, you should really read this, it will help you out on a lot of questions you have. There are technical expertise/advice and the "truth" behind blogging. Especially if you are Pinoy, support each other in the blogosphere. Who knows, I might even read yours too if I come across it!

Well if I come across another great blog, I will post it and its specs. But, for now I will have to log off and go back to work. If things are not going the way you want with your blog, keep trying and eventually it will be great. Even though it's Friday, there's still a little work to be done!!!

It's almost haunting time....

It's almost haunting time!! Little ghouls and goblins running amuck in the streets from house to house. What a scary thought! Well, it's near that time again, Hallow's Eve or Halloween as we call it. Here are some tips for your little trick or treaters so that they may have more treats than tricks...

1. Always keep an eye on your kids. It will be dark and there will still be automobiles on the road.

2. Check and double check again all candies that are given out. Better to be safe than sorry. Try to moderate also the intake of all that sugar. Cavities are expensive as we all know and a toothache just doesn't feel too good, know what I mean?

3. Always bring a flashlight so you can see in the dark and pedestrians and drivers can see you easily.

4. Try to give out candy at home or have a Halloween party instead, so your kids can enjoy the occasion as well as the grownups.

5. Make your own costume! It's fun, you can be creative and get to spend time with your kids. You can even make it a tradition if time allows. If not, you can buy a costume.

6. Always make sure your kids have a responsible partner with them. It will be easier and safer that way.

7. Set a time limit on the hours for trick or treating, therefore ensuring they will be home on time.

8. Never venture into unknow neighborhoods, better stick to the neighbors that you know.

9. Please, discard all your wrappers and disposable items in the proper place! Littering is awful you know.

10. And last but not least, enjoy this occasion with your kids if you can. It will help you build a better bond with your kids and you can get some exercise while you guys are out there!

Hope this helps a little on the upcoming Halloween night. Enjoy, be safe and have a howling good time!!!

For a cleaner greener future...

Saving the environment doesn’t have to be time consuming! Here are just some simple tips on ways to help and do our part for saving the earth not only for our generations but for future generations to come…


Start a recycling program. Segregation of wastes in the forms of plastic, paper and others (metal) and bio-degradable/non-biodegradable can be of great help. You can also sell the aluminum or other various materials to recycling plants for extra cash!!

Form compost for use in gardens/lawn areas. The bio-degradable waste that you separate can be used to form composting compounds for fertilizer in your garden and/or lawn area and is especially great for trees.


Change your current bulbs to fluorescent or halogen bulbs. Incandescent bulbs give off heat better than they are at lighting areas. It will help out on your electric bill and you don’t have to see your meter spinning a hundred revs a minute!

Keep your vehicle clean. By that, I don’t mean on the outside!! Keeping your vehicle tuned up reduces the amount of carbon dioxide and other wastes produced by your vehicle. It also saves you money in the long run and makes your vehicle run smoother. Now you don’t have to hear the other drivers screaming “Smokescreen activated batman!” when they pass you by. For the old R-22 freon users, please replace with R-134 as it is less damaging to our ozone layer.

Try using alternative resources of energy. If you don’t know of any, just Google it on the net, there are many out there that you can read about. You can also try doing some of the projects yourself if you’re handy around the house and mechanically inclined. Instructions are included in most articles and it’s a great and rewarding experience to do it yourself!!

Always recover/dispose of used oil and other hazardous chemicals/materials. Do not dump them in the sewer, as it is illegal and unethical. One drop of oil can ruin thousand of gallons of water. Some of the effects are also detrimental to the health of animals as well as humans. You wouldn’t want to drink or take a bath in oil would you?

Spread the word….This is perhaps the most powerful tool in your arsenal for combating the greenhouse effect and the death of our planet. Read a lot and inform others…be a leader to others from your school or work place. Blog on the environment!

Always turn lights off when not in use and that goes for the water faucet also. Use a cup when brushing your teeth. Use a bucket for washing your car or other items. Water is of the key to life and without it, there is no earth or beauty anymore. Imagine a vast desert, that about sums it up what our earth would look like without water.

Plant a tree!! They are good for the other environment. You can do it yourself or join other people. When you plant a tree, you have left something behind that hopefully will bring other people joy and it will contribute to the healing of the earth.

Use of public transportation systems is a big help. Carpool when you can, or ride the bus. You might even be able to bike/walk to work, depending on the weather and how far it is of course.

Taking short showers instead of baths saves a lot of water not to mention savings on your water/electric bill except for the "once in a while-I'm really stressed and need a hot bath thing!"

Make sure all faucets and supply pipes for the sinks, bathroom fixtures, toilets etc. are not leaking.

Water only in the early morning or evening when the sun is not out so much. It reduces evaporation of the water and once again saves you money!! Remember, sidewalks and driveways don't grow no matter how much you water them, so keep water in the lawn or garden area.

Do not throw away styro-foam cups, plates or anything of that nature from your car. Use containers when you can for lunch items. Litterbugs are the worse pests out there for the environment.

Voting on environmental issues makes a tremendous impact on us all. Your vote counts, so go and vote! If you don't know what the current issues are, just visit your local Environmental Protection Agency and ask, they are always happy to help!


Well, these are just some tips that you can do to help our earth…there are a lot more which are not listed here. If you would like to contribute, comment on it! Every word of advice helps for a greener cleaner future!! Giga