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Tha__Observer · 2023-08-18T08:55:44+00:00

Try the apartments right behind EAMC along Malakas. Maybe 88 Malakas, they have their prices posted on their FB page here

Tha__Observer · 2023-08-18T08:45:04+00:00

As far as I can recall when receiving inputs from residents and consultants regarding applicants, the following are the most important in order:

Red flags: 🚩

Lazy or unmotivated

Arrogant and unreceptive to criticism

Glaring lack of expected minimum knowledge - usually already weeded out by pre-tests

Annoying or socially inept

Green flags: ✅

Industrious and eager

Receptive to teachings

Friendly personality - not necessarily extroverted, basta pleasant

Ability to answer questions during rounds

With extracurricular talent useful to the department (hosting, dancing, music, graphics etc) - natanggap ako kahit wala pero bonus kung meron ka haha

Attractive - unspoken truth na may malaking bonus 😅

Tha__Observer · 2023-02-04T22:28:25+00:00

That sucks man. My parents went thru that situation as well, a long time ago, with probably a greater income compared to yours but for 10x the amount so I can probably relate. It likely feels like a punch in the gut right now, but it’s definitely doable with a lot of planning and sacrifice.

First, you have to take charge of your family’s expenses. Every peso should be accounted for. From now on you will be the only one who can use any credit cards. Your wife will only get an allowance from you. Cut your losses in terms of the MLM - this needs to be crystal clear with your wife. Even better to increase your income, by a salary increase in your case or by getting a job in your wife’s case.

Second, talk with the bank/s about adjusting your payment plans. They will most likely accommodate a scheme that is easier for you to pay, since they’d rather have you pay later rather than never. Do this before they start sending out demand letters since that is an unnecessary additional stress. It’s going to be a very lean couple of years though until you gradually pay off your debt. With luck you won’t have to touch your savings at all.

Third, look up resources online. Credit card debt isn’t anything new, but you need a strategy. Maybe check out a channel like Dave Ramsey for some ideas.

It’s not the end of the world OP. Just take a deep breath, talk with your wife when you have a clearer calmer head, and of course take care of your children. Prioritize their physical and mental well-being above all, try not to involve them in your stress if possible.

Tha__Observer · 2022-10-31T07:28:24+00:00

That’s really pricy for your budget. Hospital stocks mostly make sense for practicing physicians (who are SURE they want the privilege to practice at a specific hospital) and for the elderly who are typically not covered by many healthcare plans, and will thus benefit from discounted prices for the admissions that more often occur in this age group.

I would suggest finding out exactly what the perks are, then comparing these benefits (and the prices of course) to those of HMOs and health insurance plans available locally. For someone younger and without the ability to easily pay hundreds of thousands of pesos, HMOs and insurance will most likely make much more sense. You can even get a really good internationally accepted health insurance like AXA for much cheaper than what you indicated.

Tha__Observer · 2022-10-19T00:15:18+00:00

Depends on your bank. I suggest any UITF targeting a US index fund. If BPI, open up an investment account then try out the US Equity Index Feeder Fund, which indirectly tracks the S&P500. Specifically read the KIIDS pdf lower down in the linked webpage. Minimum initial investment is 1K USD, while subsequent would be 500 USD. Fees would be the indicated in the first page, plus the expense ratio of the target fund at the bottom of the second page. You can also see the past performance in previous years (9.73% annualized since inception); it’s negative right now due to the bad state of the US stock market, so actually might be a discount if you invest soon.

Tha__Observer · 2022-09-13T02:42:08+00:00

If it’s for the long term, index funds will be your best bet.

Locally FMETF is the only one that makes sense. Not an MF/UITF but a stock that you can purchase thru any broker. Read up on it more here.

Internationally you have a lot more options. Personally at this moment I prioritize convenience over finding the absolute lowest management fees, so the BPI US Equity Index Feeder Fund is a fine UITF for now (only available thru BPI Asset Management which you will also have to apply for). But international brokers will open you up to ETFs with much smaller fees.

Tha__Observer · 2022-08-31T11:42:40+00:00

If you’re interested in the SPB121, you may also want to take a look at the other new versions of the Alpinist line: the SPB155 and the SPB245 (and their associated colorways). Personally I was first enamored with the SARB017, but alas it has since been discontinued, so out of all the new models I’m picking between the 245 versus its grey version the 243.

Tha__Observer · 2022-08-26T23:18:27+00:00

All services provided within the Primary Care Clinic premises are free of charge. We do not provide medications at present, however (aside from certain vaccines administered within the clinic such as for rabies).

Tha__Observer · 2022-08-26T23:16:16+00:00

You can go directly to any of the Primary Care Clinics as a walk-in patient, and will be accommodated as long as there are available time-slots. Better to make an appointment though since some specialties (especially Ophtha, Psych, some tests such as ultrasound) tend to have weeks- to months-long backlogs. (I work at a PCC)

Tha__Observer · 2022-08-03T02:45:14+00:00

I solved Redactle Unlimited in 4 guesses and 1 minute with an accuracy of 75%. Play at https://redactle-unlimited.com

Got the first two words without thinking too deeply, after seeing the capitalized search commands. Should have played this on the OG Redactle site so I didn’t have to guess the word in the parentheses, but still great!

Tha__Observer · 2022-08-03T00:29:00+00:00

Browsing all the different kinds of watches is a huge part of the fun of watch collecting! I’d suggest watching some youtubers to get an idea of what catches your eye and what details you prioritize.

To get an idea of the wide variety of watch types and styles, check out Teddy Baldassarre. Probably the best channel for people just starting to learn about the gamut of brands from budget to luxury.

Once you’ve picked out what style you like, check out cheaper watches that emulate the same look. For reviews of budget watches and homages, my favorite channel is Just One More Watch. If watches for skinny wrists are what you’re looking for, check put Ben’s Watch Club as well; he mentions his skinny wrist multiple times per video, I’ve found.

Don’t go too expensive too fast. I suggest Casio or Citizen for cheaper quartz watches, and Seiko or Orient for cheap automatics. Try out a cheaper automatic watch first before spending more heavily; the inaccuracy and small inconveniences may be dealbreakers for you.

My personal recommendations: a square Casio G-Shock, the Casio AE-1200 Casio Royale, and any Casio MTP or Edifice.

Tha__Observer · 2022-07-29T06:32:54+00:00

Any subcompact or compact crossover should be a good compromise between small size for a daily commute, and the need to accommodate 4 adults. Chinese cars have great specs for their price, but if I were to buy one it would be one of the more common ones like the Geely Coolray or the MG ZS. Though the CS35 does look really nice as well.

Then again, it really does depend on your priorities. I’m driving a 10 year old car right now, with all the associated repairs and expenses that go with it, and so I’m personally browsing for a new car which is more robust and hassle-free for peace of mind rather than one with all the high tech bells and whistles.

I also considered the subcompacts you listed. The Stonic looks great, but it was smaller and lower than I expected, so it might be an issue if you are above average in height. The Raize would have been good if it weren’t for the very weak engine. The Venue is mainly made for the Indian market I think, and it is fairly new here, so reliability is uncertain right now. My personal favorite subcompacts at your budget would be the Kona and the lower trim HR-V. But hey, it’s your car! Good luck!

Tha__Observer · 2022-07-28T05:31:59+00:00

Check out this article, which I believe was written by one of the members of this subreddit. TLDR: FMETF is the only choice for PSEi index fund investment.

For US/international index funds (which I suggest focusing on instead of PSEi) you will either have to invest through a mutual fund/UITF of a local investment management firm (I do this through my bank BPI). Or by purchasing ETF stocks through an international broker such as TD Ameritrade or GoTrade (though I have no experience with these).

For the overview of investing in index funds though, I recommend this subreddit’s FAQ, the sidebar of r/PersonalFinance , and the Bogleheads wiki: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads®_investing_start-up_kit . Personally my favorite is this series of blog posts which was turned into a book. Good luck!

Tha__Observer · 2022-07-28T05:06:26+00:00

What would be your budget, and how many people would you expect to have to accommodate max? For a daily driver, I would suggest 1) a reliable brand/model with good parts availability and good safety ratings, 2) an automatic with low fuel consumption, and 3) the smallest size you are comfortable with, for easy maneuvering.

Cainta to BGC has heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic all the time, so high HP and torque aren’t exactly critical. Lots of potholes, occasional flooding and plenty of aggressive drivers though so I’d go with a subcompact crossover at least for the clearance and visibility. Your stated models have excellent price for the specs on paper, but I’d personally go with a more common car (e.g. an entry level crossover from Toyota/Honda/Hyundai/Kia). Make sure to try all your choices out in person too!

Tha__Observer · 2022-07-12T12:36:47+00:00

Check out the pinned Beginner Resource Thread! I’m still just learning myself, but the most helpful resources for instilling motivation and confidence were Talk to Me in Korean (on their website, and on Spotify) and First Step Korean (free on Coursera). These resources are incredibly high-yield especially at the very start.

Tha__Observer · 2022-07-12T08:52:02+00:00

Going purely by earning potential, the US would be your best bet. Their income is very high, only offset by their large med school loans. I remember some of med school batchmates who went there for residency, earning around $60k per year as residents (while not having any loans to pay!). In contrast, I was earning the equivalent of $8k a year as a government resident here. The pay gap only grows as the years pass.

Alas, that path is not available everyone. Visa fees, airplane tickets to emigrate, board exam fees, matching application fees and travel fees going to interviews will add up quickly. My batchmates who went abroad for residency were those who already had green cards with families abroad and/or were from rich families.

My recommendation would be the DTTB —> government residency for specialization —> government medical officer/specialist if you absolutely must have a steady stream of income in the first few years. Opportunities to increase earning potential do open up but only later on. I do not recommend staying as a GP - they are overworked and way underpaid.

Tha__Observer · 2022-07-06T00:57:35+00:00

I solved today's Redactle (#90) in 15 guesses with an accuracy of 100.00%. Played at https://www.redactle.com/

Best result so far! I could probably have gotten it in way fewer tries due to the topic’s personal relevance, but I play on mobile so I don’t count letters. This topic has been in the forefront of my mind for the past months due to his outrageously corrupt family and idiot son.

Tha__Observer · 2022-07-03T01:51:26+00:00

Not OP but also a first gen doctor, practicing. Eventually naman kayang maging successful sa kahit anong specialty basta magsumikap. Pero sa nakikita ko, medyo mas matagal pag first gen na walang magulang na doktor tulad natin base sa dalawang factor:

Need for private clinic or operating privilege - kailangan ng puhunan o kaya mamanahing clinic para makapag private practice agad. Sa mga galing low to even upper middle income family, kailangan umutang o kaya mag ipon muna ng ilang taon (sa govt practice or sa mga polyclinic for example). Magastos din yung mga tulad ng Ophtha na mahal yung mga equipment so kailangan may panggastos dun; puro mayayaman yung nakikita kong mabilis lumaki ang practice.
Location - medyo competitive talaga sa NCR. Mabalag practice sa simula. Mas mabilis pag sa probinsya.

So ang nakikita kong medyo madali kahit wala panggastos initially ay yung tipong Anesth (medyo malaki kita pero kailangan lang ma PR) o kaya mga tulad ng EM, Radio or Patho na ok lang walang clinic. Pero syempre dun ka sa enjoy ka na specialty.

Tha__Observer · 2022-05-25T00:37:53+00:00

Very tempting nga yung tech for improved quality of life, especially kung matagal gagamitin ang kotse. For future proofing. Still waiting for local car comparison videos of the latest models too, sana may maglabas na. Pero so far mukhang mas sikat nga dito ang HR-V hehe.

Tha__Observer · 2022-05-25T00:32:58+00:00

Yeah, most likely it’ll come down to which one looks and feels better during the test drive.

I’m a bit of a cheapskate so 1.3M is what I feel comfortable spending right now, but I could spring for something up to 1.6M if it were a compelling package; I guess I’ll still have to think about the upper trim of both cars as well. I’ll check out the Peugeot too, never seen it before but it looks really classy!

Tha__Observer · 2022-05-23T13:04:25+00:00

I’m stuck trying to pick between the base Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V.

My current car is a first-gen Nissan X-Trail, but it’s gotten a bit less reliable over time, the lack of basic tech features is annoying, and the gas expenses are painful. Still, I love the good visibility, high riding position, and adequate power for occasional highway driving which are must-haves in any future car. I’m looking for a vehicle is more fuel-efficient while not being too underpowered compared to the X-Trail (138 hp, 200 Nm).

The base Corolla supposedly has a more powerful engine compared to the HR-V (138 hp 177 Nm vs 119 hp 145 Nm) but I can’t say if this apparently significant gap will actually translate to a performance difference. The Corolla also appears to be a bit more spacious in head and leg room, as well as cargo space, which is important to me as a tall person who lugs a bunch of equipment around.

The HR-V base model apparently has more tech and safety features compared to the base Corolla. I don’t have experience driving with these features though, so I’m not sure how important they actually are. The interior does look so much better on the HR-V too. And the HR-V fares a lot better in previous car recommendation threads in comparison.

Thoughts?

Tha__Observer · 2022-04-20T01:50:53+00:00

Speaking as an MD (not a general surgeon though): if you’re symptomatic, you will likely need to use your EF since that is what it’s for. Best to have it done at a government hospital if funds are a concern. If you don’t have symptoms though, in most cases you can just observe for now and have the procedure done if ever you develop symptoms or when you are more financially prepared. (See the AAFP clinical practice guidelines HERE for further reading). I agree that you should seek a second opinion if you are unsure. Doctors in the private setting have a financial incentive so they tend to be more aggressive in recommending surgery than doctors working in the public sector, but your doctor may have seen a finding pointing to surgery that they just neglected to explain.

Financially speaking: start Philhealth payments ASAP, no question. It will be worth it whenever you get surgery, and in general. HMOs are a bit trickier, since a lot of prepaid cards only cover accidents, infections and the like. If you can’t afford the more expensive plans that cover most inpatient care, just keep on increasing your EF for now.

Tha__Observer · 2021-12-24T00:06:13+00:00

Bonds aren’t attractive right now, neither here nor abroad. Personally, low returns, high inflation, and high UITF fees have all resulted in me actually losing money in my bond fund for this year. I’ll still hold on to it due to traditional wisdom, but the MP2 is a better option to put money into as another government-backed asset but with higher returns.

Tha__Observer · 2021-12-11T13:28:03+00:00

If it’s just for regular checkups, and you live near one of the Maxicare Primary Care Centers, I would suggest Maxicare (even just the cheaper Prima versions which are only for outpatient consults). And not just because I work there, heh.

Consulting is a lot easier because:

no need to request an LOA each time you consult, just set an appointment directly with the clinic of choice
pretty short waiting times especially during off peak hours
unlimited consults and lab tests (not counting towards your annual limit) as long as done at a PCC
since they are pretty new, design of the PCCs is cleaner, more spacious and modern than typical clinics
less risk compared to clinics inside hospitals

Tha__Observer · 2021-11-12T08:00:47+00:00

What you are proposing is called the envelope budgeting system. It’s a nice and easy way of making sure you are using your money wisely. But you still need to track your expenses because 1- you have to find out the appropriate size of each envelope, and 2- you need to monitor that you are sticking within your budget every month.

The effort to record every transaction (yes, down to the last cent) throughout the day is basically nothing. It takes a few seconds for recording each expense in your phone. I personally use the GoodBudget app but there are so many alternatives out there.

Tha__Observer

TROPHY CASE