Ahh… Divisoria. Where brave men dare not tread. But get a couple of mommies together, throw in some single ladies looking for a good bargain, and you are good to go.
A lot of people think going to flea markets saves quite a bundle of money. In December 2006, when the economy was scraping the bottom, Agence France-Presse reported that Filipinos flocked to places like Divisoria, Baclaran, Quiapo and other bargain shopping areas instead of glitzy shopping malls. For many, it was the worst Christmas in years.
And these are not just the masa you are talking about. There are a lot of Divisoria divas in the rich mommy club. Take Melanie Marquez-Lawyer and Tessa Prieto-Valdes, for example.
I make it a point to go to Divisoria at least once a year. Believe it or not, to me it’s more of a therapy, hehe. But to get the most benefit from flea markets, you need a strategy. You need a plan. Saving buckets of cash will not happen just because you find yourself sweaty on Ilaya street. In fact, if you are not careful, you’ll end up losing a lot of money!
First, compute the value of time and gas you spend going to these flea markets. It will take you at least three to four hours to navigate through the streets. What is the cost of three hours to many of us? That doesn’t count gas.
Second, five mommies I interviewed said they ended up buying bargain items they did not need. One said up to 50% of the things she bought were not immediate needs – they were just good bargains she couldn’t pass up. Until now, bolts of good quality cloth bought at 70% discount are still taking up space in her closet. Bargain or no bargain, they are unnecessary expenses if they are of no use.
This doesn’t mean nobody can make or save money going to flea markets. Just be aware of the pitfalls. At the least bring a list of things to buy – and stick to it! There was a time I balked at making a shopping list. It sounded too OC for me. Many overspending months after, I decided that taking the time to write a shopping list is worth the effort.
(Email me at lightdream@gmail.com if you want to submit your own tip.)
May 26th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
real brave men dare venture into divisoria ^_^
but of course if they do so, it’s strictly for business purposes (I think, not for window shopping).
May 26th, 2007 at 10:22 am
salve and nina, my ukay purchases were done about 2 yrs ago before i started reading on financial independence. after that, i have barely bought anything new really.
and it is shameful, nay, sinful actually, to own so many things when majority of the world lives on so measly, even less than the basics.
so, getting rid of all these unnecessary stuff and not buying some more will serve 2 purposes : it will save me some money; more than that, it will make me sleep better knowing that i am now using my money wisely - only for the needs and a few wants - and not feel guilty about having more than enough while many more barely have anything. better to put someone thru school or help feed an orphan or give a few meds for a charity patient with a little money set aside monthly supposedly for frivolities
May 25th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
My mom is a Divisoria diva, she can haggle to the point of embarassment! Most often she gets the item at a price she wants, which is usally 50-75% of the original price. Some mommy do’s and don’ts you may find helpful while shopping at divi:
1. DO visit divisoria early - you can get better bargains if you are the stall’s first costumer.
2. DO make a list of the things you want to buy and STICK to it! - It will save you both time and money.
3. DO bring your own carry-all bag. - Zippered bayong bags in divi can cost as much as P50-P70 - imagine that!
4. DO visit Divisoria mall - its farther than 168 but items are cheaper
5. DO haggle! Start at 50% off…
6. DO use body bags/shoulder bags and swing it in front of you.
7. DON’T bring a car.
8. DON’T bring your cellphone and other tech gadgets.
9. DON’T bring your kids!
10. DON’T buy any item at its tag or initial price! You can definitely bring the price down (except in Tutuban mall shops)
11. DON’T forget to eat before shopping. Visiting Divisoria will suck the energy out of you!
May 25th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
to curb spending habits? dont go shopping for the sake of window shopping. shop when you actually need something and buy that one particular item only. pag nag-window shopping kasi, chances are may mabibili kasi nagandahan, namurahan, something unique, baka magamit sa futur, sale kasi, itatago na for gift for the future,etc. then we end up with stuff we dont really need, or dont really need just now. next problem is storage. or clutter, or how toget rid of them….vicious cycle.
May 25th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I truly agree that it is so cheap shopping in Divisioria! But we usually go there when we are buying primarily for cloths to sell as my mama is so much into re-selling cloths (comes in pair, one printed cloth for blouse and one plain for trouser). Many of my mama’s co-teachers are so in-love with the cloths we purchase from Divisoria!!!
Also, it is very true that Divisoria is a good place for buying nice but practical cost of souvenir stuff. “Dun namin nabili yung give-aways namin for our second baby’s christening!” They were so cuteeee!!!