Get all your accessories and put them in a pile. Think you could have spent all that money on more important things?
Here’s a discovery that will give you your kikay fix but won’t put a dent in your wallet. For guys, pay attention. This is a sure way to serious pogi points from your sweetheart. For balikbayans, here’s where you get unique pasalubongs and trinkets that will not cost a fortune.
Still in Quiapo, walk down Villalobos street from Plaza Miranda and look for a shop called Wellmanson on your right side. Hobbyists and jewelry-makers get their materials from this place. When you get in, make sure you have a shopping list or else our frugal tip will be suspect because believe me, you won’t be able to resist buying the eye candies in this store.
(Headbands for P55.)
Prices are a fraction of the cost compared to malls. Some kikay bracelets for everyday wear (no precious stones) that sell for P250 in Market! Market! stalls are sold there for P85. That’s the average price differential on their goods.
(Bracelets for P85 and little rocking horse for P35. I saw some of these at Hobbes and Landes EDSA Shangrila with a P150 price tag)
You can also opt to make your own accessories, as they sell everything from beads, South Sea Pearls and Swarovski pearls, stones, pendants, Mother of Pearl… the options will make your head spin. You can make an accessory today and give it away tomorrow and think nothing of it because you bought them at low, low prices.
For accessories with precious stones like Swarovski crystals, I recommend the NBI mall, where I bought these nice designs.
(The pink one cost P500 wholesale price and the pearl and silver one cost P800.)
I discovered these places two years ago through my friend Janet Dorotheo, who started to make jewelry as a hobby but who is now receiving orders for them regularly. So yeah, you can even add to your stash of moolah by doing this as a sideline! It’s a good place for buying wedding favors too. I think of my periodical trips to Wellmanson to buy Christmas gifts, birthdays gifts, etc. as a stress-busting experience heh. I have a small stash of little trinkets at home just in case I need to give a gift and forgot to buy one (gasp). That way, I can still give something of good quality but don’t have to buy in the malls where the same items sell for three times the cost.
Some out-of-the-way shopping places may be crowded and jologs to some, but they hold a lot of treasures that attract those who are trying to be money-smart. And it’s amazing how simple and inexpensive gifts can give big statements and warm the heart of even those who are used to receiving real diamonds.
Planning, really, is the one of the secrets of frugality.
P.S. I neither know the owners of these stores nor am I being paid to recommend them. I just like them, period.
November 5th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
edmaya, thanks for the tip. that’s really interesting
November 5th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Hi Salve!
“Pahangyu-a ko beh” means, “bigyan mo naman ako ng tawad”. Haggling the Cebuano way.
And yes, if you shop in bazaars or tiangges, items will usually be discounted on the last day, especially the last few hours before closing. I know because I used to sell in bazaars.
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
ukay ukay
ang alam ko kahit bagsak presyo na ang mga ukay ukay ay may mga panahong mas mababa ang presyo nila lalo na kapag may bago silang “delivery” hehe!! kaya kapag may nakita kayong natipuhan ninyo eh ihanay ninyo sa pinakamalayo o pinakailalim, malay ninyo kapag ON SALE na ay mabalikan pa ninyo (in my case, works every time!)
sariling ukay-ukay
summer na at ito ang panahon para maglinis ng closet. ilagay sa kahon lahat ng mga pinaglumaan, masikip/maluwag na mga damit na wala ng pag-asa (hehe!!). maglabas lang kayo ng isang mesa at silya. ilatag ang ilang mga damit sa mesa. huwag kalimutang maglagay ng karatula at baka pagkamalang napapatuyo lamang kayo ng sinampay. Maghintay ng mga daraan. Ngapala, pakiayos na lamang po ang pag presyo. Ang blusang nabili ng 500pesos ay hindi na mabebenta ng 200pesos khit anong mangyari. Gamit na po yan kaya parang awa ninyo na “let the darn blouse GO!”
malinis na ang closet ninyo, may pera pa kayong maidadagdag sa susunod ninyong mall raid o pang-merienda.
p.s. maaari ninyong itodo at bisitahin rin ang imabakan ninyo ng mga kung anu-ano. sigurado marami kayong mahahagilap dun na maibebenta. =)
April 1st, 2008 at 9:27 pm
C_A, oops thanks for the info. I didn’t know that. And i broadcasted it for the whole world to know, huh? Apologies to the authorities. Won’t download anymore. Yikes.
April 1st, 2008 at 5:37 pm
@Salve : re “…. i watch great movies and tv shows by downloading from torrentz”
btw, those torrentz downloads (or downloading torrentz files) are generally illegal as well (as those material that people share are copyrighted). keep in mind, you’re digital signature can be traced back to the machine that you use.
fyi.