Getting a ‘Manager’s Check’

image by Jeff Belmonte via Flickr

When my mom said ‘You’re on your own’ when enrolling period began, she wasn’t kidding: she didn’t really lift a finger to help me out in any way. To cut the long story short, all summer long I had to remind myself of all the important dates, all the procedures, negotiations and transactions needed to finally move on from High School and into College.

One of the many things I needed to do was to pay my tuition. I’ve gone over several options (including e-banking, phone banking and even withdrawing every bit of money I had in my bank account to pay it all in cash) but everyone else in the family suggested I pay using a ‘Manager’s Check’. Simply put, a Manager’s Check is a Check issued by the bank. It’s either they get the money from your Debit Account or you pay it in full right then and there. And in addition, it’s as good as cash.

I chose the former and went to the bank early. Excited? Not so much. I just needed more time with my computer back at home. After going through the long and tiring process, here’s what I can teach you guys when you’re going to the bank (alone) to get a Manager’s Check:

1. Bring your statement of account/tuition assessment with you

Unless you want to memorize how much you’re going to pay, down to the centavo, I suggest you bring it with you. It’ll be easy to check later on.

2. Know your account number

When you chose the option ‘Debit from account’ (just like me), you’d have to know your Account Number because you’ll have to write it down. Bringing your Debit Card or Passbook with you can help you with this.

3. Bring your Passbook… if you have

When I got my savings account in BDO, my mom got me a Passbook so I could ‘monitor’ where my money went – yes, you can write on it, so don’t be afraid. During the transaction, the bank teller relied heavily on my Passbook: she had it from start to finish. So if you have one and that’s where you’re getting your money, bring it.

4. Remember how to write numbers – in WORDS

This. Oh my, I TOTALLY forgot how to do this, so I ended up sitting and staring at the form I was supposed to fill out for a long, long time. Remember how to do this before-hand to save yourself from the embarrassment and, of course, time.

5. Double check everything – twice (or even thrice)

It won’t hurt if you check things again and again until you’re completely satisfied. Remember, you’re dealing with money – you can’t be too sure. Check the number, the person (or institution) you’re going to give the Check to, the amount – absolutely everything! Do this twice at least before you hand in the form.

6. Relax – There’s no need to panic!

As long as you’re alert, and you know what you’re doing, then nothing can go wrong. If you have questions or if a problem arises, you can always talk to the bank teller and he/she’ll help you. Trust me on that, they really know what they’re doing.

I don’t know with you guys, but being able to do these kinds of things actually make me feel a bit happier – Less dependant and more outgoing, in a way.

‘I Love you, Ma’

Image by Edwin Dalorzo via Flickr

Before we all get eaten alive with campaigning, with the elections, the gossip, the news, the internet, and everything else that we deem important in our lives, let’s not forget that May 9 is also on the calendar – yes, Mother’s day.

As teenagers, we’ve already developed a sense of ‘parent immunity’ – meaning, we’ve become accustomed to their prattle about ‘sleeping earlier’ and ‘stay in the house for once’. We’ve also become significantly cold, and don’t start denying it: when have YOU kissed/hugged/told your parents the words ‘I love you’? (Guys, that phrase isn’t just reserved for your girlfriend/boyfriend – remember that ._.)

So maybe we sometimes do, but we do those half-heartedly. That hurts more than you think it does, but your mothers understand… maybe.

So do yourself a favor and trek to the mall (secretly!) to find your mom the perfect gift that you think she’ll like – don’t just grab anything off the shelf and say ‘this could do’. Or if you’re more into cooking, start thinking of a menu and buy the groceries you need as early as today. And if you don’t have money, a heartfelt, hand-made letter is always a good thing – just make sure it really did come from the heart and not from someone else’s.

Mother’s day only happens once a year – think of it as Christmas, and if you haven’t said you loved your mothers, then it’s high time you do.

Taking the Big Leap

Oh you know what I’m talking about.

You’ve been madly in love with this certain person for how many months. 3? 8? Maybe a year even? And yet, you’re still there, just another spectator of his/her brilliance–always hiding in the shadows because your heart can’t take the nervous beating.

photo by Brandon Christopher Warren via Flickr

Get a grip.

I DO know the feeling, don’t get me wrong; and I would admit that it is definitely one of the best things you could ever feel. Unrequited as it may seem, loving someone secretly is like a thrilling little experience that you’d want to do over and over again. Everyday–even at any given hour.

You feel like goo when he/she passes and you’d want yourself to look really cool and awesome once that happens. Because in your eyes, your crush looks like the most perfect thing God has ever created. His/her voice sounds like your current LSS song that you’ll never get tired of hearing and to add more to the ‘I can’t stop thinking of you’ stance, let’s add that he/she just has to have the most adorable smile that has ever graced the planet. [Read more]

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