We're both on the same page if you can't plan your summer well because you think you will run off of vacation leave balances or well, you just can't because you have a lot of stuff to do at work. Loosen up a little, girl! Summer is here and you should enjoy it while it lasts! We all know that Philippine weather is always hot but there's this thing about summer that makes it good in the mood. Just like how Christmas season gives me extra chills and good vibes. After all, who doesn't like vacations and traveling with good company, right?
I've been working for almost two years now (fresh grad represent!) and yes, planning my vacation should be meticulously done as I don't want it to be wasted on unimportant events and some of us have this buy back benefit from our company where they'll double your salary for VLs that aren't used. So in the past months of planning, these is what I mostly did:
1. Plan ahead.
Planning is your best friend. Most companies require you to plot your VL 2 weeks before or even a month before your scheduled VL. So even before that, plan ahead. It's better if you plan like for a whole year instead for just a single vacation. You want to have a beach trip on summer? Plan at least 3 months or 5 months before especially if you're like me who's always on the hunt for cheap packages. After all early planning doesn't hurt you.
2. Download an airline promo app.
Yes we're always broke. We budget everything. If you're on the look out for airline promos and you're busy ask someone from your group to do that thing for you or.. download a mobile app that tells you when there's a promo for a specific airline. Try "AirlinesPromo". I don't know if this app is available on Android but it is working nicely in iOS. It's very helpful I swear! You ignore your phone, do your work, app does its job and gives your notif about the airline promo. And ta-daa! All you need to do is book your flight on your preferred date.
3. Team up with the gang.
Summer doesn't have to be an out of town event. You can do it in the metro or in the comfort of your own house. Sometimes it's not the place or the beach or the resort, it's our companions that make our summer worth while. You can enjoy the friendly condo pool or you can always have food trips during Friday nights especially now that the food business is growing. So many new restaurants opening. Must. Try. Them. All.
4. The summer essential products.
For gals or even guys, don't forget your SPF (this doesn't only apply on summers but also for the whole year) as Mr. Sun is extra hot during this days. What is vacation or trip to the beach when you don't have your bikini's, sunnies, hats, and selfie sticks to go with you, right? It's time for boho fashion and sundresses. Woohoo!
5. Complete your work before going on a leave.
You don't want to receive calls from your boss asking where are the papers he needed due last week during vacations, right? It is only necessary that before you take your much awaited leave, all your pending work must be finished so it wouldn't affect anything related to the business while you're gone. It's better to finish all your required tasks and be stress free rather than receiving calls every 5 minutes from your boss asking details from the work you left unfinished.
6. Pasalubong for the workmates.
I get it. We're all broke but you have to bring in some pasalubong to the office because they all know you went somewhere awesome. As much as we want, keychain seems to high schoolish to give. I'd suggest you bring in food. It may be the specialty of the place you visited or you can never go wrong with chocolates if you went international.
7. Enjoying the short vacation.
You planned this well. You need to destress. Whatever reasons you have for vacation, it must be treasured and enjoyed. It's a privilege we cannot enjoy all through out the year as an employee. We must be very thankful for this. Lol. After this vacation, it's back to reality and it might take up months again before we go for another vacation.
8. Work hard. And try not to have vacation hangover.
After all the fun from the vacation it's back to business as usual. I know the feeling!!! It's when you ask yourself where did your vacation go. It's always bitin and as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. It's back to the real world. Do your job and try not to procrastinate about your recent vacation. Ughhhh. There must be more VL balances!!
9. Repeat all the steps.
Damn. Why everything is so different when you're just a student and when you're already an employee? Summer vacations are the best. Bring me back to school. *cries*
Bonus: Book your accommodation through Airbnb instead of booking a hotel room to save some bucks. Use your saved money in tours so you'll have more experiences to look back to. ;)
Bonus: Book your accommodation through Airbnb instead of booking a hotel room to save some bucks. Use your saved money in tours so you'll have more experiences to look back to. ;)
23 comments
What you got here are really nice tips. When I went on vacation before (I am a full On my way! Mom now), I always have pasalubong for officemates esp bosses so they will let me have my vacation the next time I ask For it. Ihihi.
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HAHA! Yes! Pasalubong are important for the officemates! =D
Deletegood tips for employees! I also liked the comment of Berlin, don't forget the bosses, para next time mag avail ng leave, approve agad, ahahah! - Sonnie
DeleteYou are such a traveler and I envy you for being so organized even at an early age. You use technology very well in managing your trip. When I was your age, hay ewan...haha most of my trips were related to work so it was all planned. But I don't think I can do it as detailed as yours. :D
ReplyDeleteHaha! I'm not yet even organized at this level. lol. I just really had to plan it 'coz budget travelling is everything. hehe.
DeleteI wish I went travelling back when I was younger. It's hard to do now with a kid around. I'm looking forward to travelling with my son though :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not yet too late Nina! Travelling is for everyone! And yes, travelling with the ones you love is one of the best feeling! <3
DeleteGreat tips! Travelling is fun when it's done with those who you are close with. Sometimes, they can save your pockets!
ReplyDeleteTrue that! You should have the best travel buddy with you. hehe.
DeleteI have to agree on all of these. Number 1 is the most important. Planning is the key to a successful and smooth vacation. For pasalubong before I always give my officemates pasalubong but lately I cut it out on my budget hahahahaha
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! cannot do that with my officemates.. they will always ask "where's our pasalubong?" lol.
DeleteThis is certainly for me!!! I'm a corporate junkie and these quick tips on planning are very helpful :) Sometimes, good planning really makes a difference :)
ReplyDeleteYes it is! :)
DeleteThe picture of you on the rock looks amazing! I can only imagine how fantastic that holiday was for you. Great tips, it's hard to find the balance and everyone says 'I need a holiday' but often doesn't take the bull by the horns and just disappear on one. I especially agree with point 8, live in the moment is a must on holiday, enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteIt really helps to have vacations once in a while. :)
DeleteThese are great tips!! Couldn't agree with you anymore!! Thanks for sharing!!! Beautiful photos by the way!!��
ReplyDeleteGreat tips!! Thanks a lot for sharing <3 (btw pinabasa ko sa mom at dad ko kasi employee edition hihi, they told me that the tips are helpful hihi)
ReplyDeleteWhenever we travel, at least most of the time with my family, I do all the planning. I enjoy it a lot and I want to plan ahead and do a lot of research! I'm planning for a travel this year, so thanks for the tips!!
ReplyDeleteIt has been 9 years since I last work in the corporate. The usual problem I encounter when going on leave is the amount of work waiting for me when I return from vacation. Kakabalik ko pa lang, stressed na ulit ako :)
ReplyDeleteComplete your work before going on a leave is a must. Nice tips. these are essentials for career women. :)
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Wonderful tips you have here. I will definitely be applying these steps for my future trips this year since in my past trips, I was fortunate not worry a cent. :) By the way, thank you for sharing the app. It would really be a big help for budget restricted travelers like me.
ReplyDelete❤ Louise
Plotting your leave is very difficult when you are on the BPO industry :( that's why me and my workmates plan way way ahead of time if we want to go on vacation. I agree with the hangover. When we returned, reality slapped us and we don't want to ever return to work again. Hahahaha
ReplyDeleteReally thoughtful tips Maaya. I agree summer vactipns are lot of fun but need proper planning and care too. You know when I go on a vacation in summer, I always use lot of sunscreen and prevent my hair too with harmful sunrays. All you need to do is just dilute sunscreen lotion in watwr and spray on your hair. Let it dry and you are good to go. Do try it.. You will love it too..
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Nimi
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