All Articles With Category : Personal Finance

The latest and the best financial news, tips and tricks.

Are you Financially Prepared for Christmas?

Christmas season starts as early as September in the Philippines. This includes planning where the entire family is going to spend the holidays, what presents to give to which people etc. Christmas activities are also known as the never-ending streaks of corporate and barkada Christmas parties etc. Between all the planning and the holiday spirit that comes with the unending playbacks of every single holiday-themed song and jingle, we forget that all this has a cost. There’s all this excitement that we get swept up in that ends up putting a strain on your finances. So what exactly should you prepare your finances for? Here are five things that definitely make the list. Noche Buena The meal with your family on the 24th is a fairly big deal. Prices of the food that is usually part of Noche Buena tends to spike between the months of November and January, so if you want to save money when getting ingredients, remember that certain items – like cured ham – sell for less per 300 grams (around Php 100) than if you got an entire kilo (around Php 550). If your office gives out holiday baskets, you can usually cut down on spending on ingredients. You can also switch up the usual fare of pasta, ham, and fruit salad with other dishes to get some variety to your holiday meals. Presents The rule of thumb with presents when you’re on a budget is that you can always give cash or gift checks instead of thinking too much on ideas for presents. This…

Read the Article

The Ultimate Money Remittance Guide for OFWs

If you’re a Filipino working abroad, every dollar (or any foreign currency you’re earning) counts. Without proper financial planning, the money you’ve worked hard for so many years could quickly go down the drain. This is why you have to manage your remittances. It starts with knowing which money transfer service can help you save money and send your remittance fast and safely to your loved ones in the Philippines. Before you choose a company to entrust your hard-earned money with, it’s important to compare your options[1] first. Factors to consider when sending money to the Philippines: Cost – How much will it cost you to send money to the Philippines? This includes the exchange rates, service fees, and any hidden charges. Speed – How soon will your money be transferred to your family abroad? Some remittance channels can transmit it in just a few minutes, while others take several days. Convenience – Is the money transfer service easily accessible to you and your recipients back home? Reliability – Can the provider transfer your money safely? International money remittance service providers come in three types: Traditional money transfer operators Banks Online money transfer services Let’s discuss each of these options in detail: 1. Traditional money transfer operators Photo by Ralf Roletschek via Wikimedia Commons Also known as traditional cash agents, money transfer operators have physical locations worldwide that allow people to send and receive cash in person or online. Pros: Very fast and convenient service Cons: More expensive than other remittance channels and more prone to fraud and scam because in some…

Read the Article

Richard Thaler Wins 2017 Nobel Prize for ‘Humanizing’ Economics

The American economist who proved that people make irrational decisions when it comes to money has won the 2017 Nobel Economics Prize[1]. Richard Thaler is synonymous with the term ‘behavioral economics’, a field of economics that explores the impact of social, psychological, and emotional factors on financial decisions. This article explains some of the key concepts introduced by Richard Thaler[2] in most simple terms. https://www.instagram.com/p/BaCrRzhBcHA/?tagged=richardthaler Mental Accounting One of the most important concepts of the field, mental accounting indicates that people tend to divide their money into separate accounts in their minds such as ‘party fund’, and not using such funds for more pertinent needs such as an impending loan installment. The Endowment Effect This effect says that people place a higher value on things they already own, compared to a situation when they don’t own the item yet. This explains why car owners place greater value on a car they are selling compared to the buyer interested in the same car. Status Quo Bias People prefer to stick to their decision once they have invested in a situation. This leads them to choose the default option. Status quo bias explains many other behaviors such as brand loyalty and the phenomena of ‘word of mouth’ (higher trust of familiar sources than unfamiliar ones). The Hot-Hand Fallacy This fallacy says that people who believe what is happening today will happen tomorrow as well. So if house prices are rising, more people will start buying houses thinking their investment value will increase. But often, the trend reverses and people end up losing money on their bet. This can also lead people to not save for their…

Read the Article

4 Uncommon Uses of Credit Card Payments

In terms of credit card payments, billings, and the number of cards issued[1], the Philippines’ credit card industry has indeed grown significantly in recent years. Online shopping plays a huge role on the rising number of credit card users. Studies have shown that majority of online shoppers prefer to use a credit card for their purchases. Commonly, credit cards are used for buying items such as clothes, flight tickets, and hotel accommodations, but in what other ways can Filipinos use credit card payments? Here are four uncommon items that you can use credit card payments for: 1. Ride-sharing apps Finding efficient public transportation in the Philippines can be a challenge. Luckily, the emergence of ride-sharing apps such as Grab and Uber has made the commute easier. Riders have the option to pay not only in cash but also through card. Cashless options such as GrabPay let riders pay for their trips at a later time, providing ease and security to commuters on the go. Credit card use for ride-sharing apps also prevents the hassle of carrying change every time you book a ride.  Simply type your card details on the app and you are good to go. Note that Grab and Uber only accept Mastercard and Visa credit card payments at the moment. 2. Tuition fees Handing large amounts of cash can be inconvenient when paying for tuition. Luckily, through credit card payments, you can now pay by installment when settling school and university fees. BPI’s Special Installment Plan[2] (SIP) allows cardholders to pay BPI-accredited schools in full and repay at a lower monthly installment plan….

Read the Article

Filipino Pride: Why the Philippines is an Attractive Retirement Destination

What usually comes to mind when you hear the term “Filipino pride”? Do a quick online search, and names like Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, and Pia Wurtzbach would pop up. Also, a great source of pride is world-famous Philippine beach destinations like Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, and more. And, of course, the Pinoys’ cheerful nature puts the Philippines on the map of the world’s happiest countries. Did you know that the Philippines is also one of the best Asian countries to live in for retirees? Its low cost of living makes it a top choice of foreigners and global Filipinos who want to retire comfortably at affordable costs. It’s more fun—to retire—in the Philippines Food, transportation, utilities, healthcare, housing, and other living expenses are generally cheaper in the Philippines compared to many of its Asian neighbors. Data from Number show that as of mid-2017, the country has the lowest cost of living index in Southeast Asia. It ranks 11th in Asia and 24th in the world. The cost of living index measures the difference in living costs (in percentage) between a location and another. Cost of Living Index by Country in Asia (ranked from lowest to highest) Cost of Living Index by Country in Southeast Asia (ranked from lowest to highest) Living in the Philippines is 58% cheaper than in Japan, the most expensive Asian country. On the other hand, it’s 35% more expensive to retire in the Philippines than India, the top low-cost country in Asia. In the 2017 Annual Global Retirement Index, the Philippines ranks 19th as a favorite…

Read the Article

Know About These Young Self-Made Pinoy Billionaires!

Building wealth requires time, patience, hard work and strong will. Some are lucky to born in a rich family but some great Filipinos have made themselves millionaires with their own hard work. Most of the Philippines’ richest persons are over 50 years old but in this article, we will be discussing those who made themselves a billionaire before they reached 50’s. Edgar “Injap” Sia II View this post on Instagram A post shared by Entrepreneur Philippines (@entrepreneurph) Age: 40 years old Net worth: $820 million He runs one of the most successful young businesses in the Philippines that is a trailblazer in the fast-food industry sector.“Injap” was born in Iloilo City in 1977 and grew up in Roxas City. He was nicknamed, “Injap”, a portmanteau of “Intsik” or Tagalog term for Chinese and “Japanese”; as his father, Edgar Sr., is half Chinese, while his mother, Paz, is half Japanese. He was studying architecture but dropped out to start a small business in their province. He reinvented the fast food industry by founding one of the most famous fast-food chains in the country, Mang Inasal. Earlier fast-food industries in the Philippines typically offered western food like burgers and spaghetti but Mang Inasal[1]was a huge a hit by offering food that locals loved known as Chicken Inasal which originated in Bacolod. The ‘Unli’ rice offer of Mang Inasal also helped it to make its name in the industry. He started Mang Inasal way back 2003 and it was eventually acquired by Jollibee in 2010. Currently, he is the chairman of Double Dragon…

Read the Article

Life and Money Lessons from Game of Thrones

There’s something to be said about the way that the hit HBO series Game of Thrones has influenced the way stories are told and the way people think about things. From a certain perspective, there are lessons that can be picked up from it. In its seven (of nine) seasons, people have taken to adapting characters or plotlines from Game of Thrones and applying what they’ve learned from the show into their daily lives. There are even entire academic courses on breaking down the series of life and money lessons. One such course is conducted by Donald Riggs, an English and philosophy professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Here are some of the life and money lessons from Game of Thrones that you can apply to your life. The Success of Daenerys Targaryen Dany – played marvelously by Emilia Clarke – is someone who’s gone from fugitive to the queen. While some may argue that she’s developed something of an ego throughout her ascent, but that’s not exactly without merit. Sure, she started out as her brother Viserys’ bargaining chip (more on him later), and nothing but her name, but she turned all that around with her dragons and building up an army. It’s no small feat because it took six seasons for her to build an army and resources to take her fight to Westeros. The lesson here is that a good, stable career and source of income won’t be handed to you on a Valyrian Steel platter. Patience, hard work, and good financial decisions are going to be…

Read the Article

5 Ways to Get Your Money Back From Friends

It is a frustrating fact that Filipinos have the wrong concept of debt or utang. It is a common norm for Filipinos not to pay their debt from their family and friends. When Filipinos are short in cash, the first thing that pops in their mind is to borrow money. In fact, Manila Times cited that high levels of personal debt (excluding mortgages) are overshadowing Filipinos’ increasing financial discipline. But if you are the lender, it can be awkward to ask your friends to return the money they borrowed. Oftentimes, Filipinos avoid asking for their money back because they are afraid to destroy their relationship with their friends and relatives. Some people are also not aware that government institutions like Pag-IBIG and SSS offer various salary loans, helping more Filipinos financially. In this article, we will discuss the most effective ways to ask for your hard-earned money without affecting a relationship. 1. Remind them politely Make use of polite words when you are reminding someone about their debt.  Simply ask if they recall their debt and ask humbly when they can pay it back. Instead of using SMS or chat, call or talk to them in person so you can express your politeness. 2. Ask for an update  People borrow money for a purpose and they usually communicate this ahead of time. Remember the purpose of that person. If the money borrowed, for example, was used to pay tuition, ask that person who owes you how the school is. This will help them remember their debt as you begin such a conversation. 3. Ask them to help you If it’s a small…

Read the Article

How Credit Card Companies Make Money

You might’ve wondered how credit card companies make money off of you if you’ve never had to delay payments, or left an outstanding balance on your credit card. Part of the curiosity could stem from the fact that you get all these benefits and points that you can use for just about anything. There’s a catch to those: it’s one of the ways the companies make money off you. Creditors will profit from your shopping and from the places you shop at. Here’s how credit card companies make money, and how they affect your usage. 1. Interest The first, and arguably most obvious way that credit card companies profit off their consumers is interest. The revenue is pretty handsome, especially when it comes to missed or late payments. This is where the majority of credit card companies’ revenue comes from, but their systems aren’t designed to trick cardholders – in fact, issuers would prefer that their cardholders don’t spiral into debt by providing options to set up automatic payments and send out reminders way ahead of due dates. [click here] to see credit cards with lowest interest rate. Let’s say that you’ve got a balance of Php 63,887 and an interest rate of 3.5% per month, the table below shows how much interest is tacked onto your transaction each month: Read More: Credit Cards with Low-interest Rate in the Philippines 2. Merchant fees When cardholders pay for something with their credit card, a portion of this purchase is split by credit card interchange fees, meaning that the retailer gets a part…

Read the Article

How to Improve Your Credit Score and Secure a Loan

There are a lot of factors that influence bank approvals and credit score is one of the biggest factors. But what is a credit score and credit history? What’s the difference? A credit score is a statistical number that depicts a person’s creditworthiness. Banks and money-lending institutions use a credit score to evaluate the probability that a person repays their debts. Think of it like your GPA back in school, but instead of displaying your academic competence, it displays your creditworthiness. On the other hand, a credit history is a record of a person’s ability to repay debts and demonstrated responsibility in repaying debts. A person’s credit history consists of information such as; number and types of credit accounts, how long each account has been open, amounts owed. These are two items that factor into whether or not lenders will grant you a loan. In order to improve your credit score, there are steps that you will need to take. Avoid late payments While it sounds easy enough to pay your bills on or before the due date, there are going to be times when you won’t be able to – life isn’t cut black and white, and sometimes things will happen that force your financial focus elsewhere for a while. It’s ideal to avoid late payments as much as you can, if only for the simple reason that you prevent any amount of debt from gaining interest. Late payments on debts owed are considered one of the things that can affect your credit score negatively. If you do fall off the wagon…

Read the Article

Handling Your Love-Hate Relationship With Credit Cards

Think about a credit card’s perks and how it connects to you. Credit cards with low interest rates allow you to minimize the risk of falling in debt, while rewards cards let you get extra perks and freebies when you spend. Criteria like payment terms, annual fees, and reward systems will let you root out the cards that won’t work for you and lead you to the credit card that best suits you. Here are three tips to help you improve your relationship with credit cards. Tip #1: Choose wisely Making the right choice on a credit card isn’t life or death, but it can be the decision that separates you from building a good or bad credit rating. It isn’t so much about being able to read the fine print on every credit card gimmick that’s shot your way as it is determining the functions that you want. Travelers will want to stick to air miles credit cards, for example. People who tend to do most of their shopping will want a credit card that gives perks and exclusives because they’re co-branded with the store in question. Hate paying credit card annual fees? Look for cards that waive annual fees for the first year or for life. You’ll save around Php 3,000 each year. Don’t have much time to do your research? Speed up your search for the best credit card for your needs with the help of a free online credit card comparison tool. Tip #2: Check your spending On its own, a credit card doesn’t do anything…

Read the Article

Thinking of the Future Will Make You Save Money Less

Do you have a savings account? If yes, how much are you saving per month? You’re a lucky one if you have a savings accounts since 8 out of 10 Filipino households are unbanked[1] according to Monetary Board Member Felipe M. Medalla. Out of these 2 households, there was a median balance of P5,300 in 2014. That’s only equivalent to 10 medical consultations considering the usual rate of P500 per doctor’s appointment today. Contrary to popular belief, most Filipinos are not liquid due to keeping their cash in the house instead of the bank because there is no cash for keeping to begin with. But what’s stopping Filipinos in saving despite having an increase in salary or knowing that they should be saving for their retirement? Why aren’t we handling our money logically? This may be because the notion of saving for the future makes your financial goal too distant. Saving for retirement will do you good 30 – 40 years from now but you derive pleasure from spending in present needs and wants such as that new Samsung S8. But you make the money appear when saving for your overseas trip in 6 months’ time. There are a lot of short-term goals that make you find concrete ways to make the money come in. Have you also wondered how you didn’t have money to spare for saving before having credit card debt and now that you’re knee-deep in credit card charges, you now find a way to pay P5,000 per month to avoid the interest charge and late fee…

Read the Article

How Can I Find Out How Much My Property Is Worth?

If you are having thoughts about selling your house, you must first know how to properly arrive at the estimated worth of your property. What most people do in such a case is to readily consult a professional real estate appraiser for sound advice as they have access to private industry databases, but it would be better to have your hand in the matter as it is your property that is at stake. No one wants to lose in a deal, particularly a financial deal as risky as a real estate property. There are countless ways you can turn to ensure that your house is properly appraised. However, note that property valuation as much as any valuation process existing in the real estate industry is always an estimation. Accuracy is never the name of the game as the worth of your property is never fixed and is valued differently at different times. Real estate listings website MyProperty.ph has put together three common approaches are identified in appraising the worth of a property. Income Capitalization This approach is the most technical of the three approaches and is commonly used when buying an investment property (e.g., commercial, residential, or industrial property). It values a property by evaluating how much income or monetary return it is capable of producing. Four factors figure in this method: Anticipation: The current value of the property is dependent on the anticipated benefits the buyer will accrue in owning it. In this principle, you should be skilled and updated in analyzing national, regional, local, and neighborhood trends that…

Read the Article

Habits To Help You Build A Fortune On A Small Salary

Many of us assume that if you have a small or average salary, you cannot build a wealth out of it. Nevertheless, have you hear about ‘it’s not how much you earn but it’s how much you save? Imagine two employees, one with high income and the other with an average income. The employee with high income spends all of their paychecks quickly, while the other employee saves at least 30% of their salary. At the end of the year, who do you think has more savings? Live ‘secretly rich’ Some people want to show off their material possessions. It’s a mix of lifestyle inflation and trying to keep up with unrealistic societal standards. Instead, focus on your own lifestyle, and let go of the need to satisfy others. Think of it this way: even if other people look wealthy, they might be drowning in debt. You, on the other hand, live a frugal life and keep most of your money saved up for the future. Think of it like you’re living “secretly rich”. Set a saving goal higher than 20% If you ask personal finance experts on what is the ideal percentage of savings to what you are earning, their common answer is 20%. This is the set standard and can be considered as balance. Nevertheless, if you want to save more than usual people do, save higher than 20% and boost your savings in no time. Multiply your savings We all know that banks offer very low interest rates on savings accounts. Aside from this, another enemy of your savings is inflation….

Read the Article

4 Unique Traits of a Smart Shopper

Smart shoppers are not the usual shoppers you will see in the market who shops around as a means to have fun and satisfy their needs and wants. They are the keenest shoppers who enjoy looking for the best deal, price, and product in the market to satisfy their standards. Fundamentally, smart shoppers have 4 unique traits in common: Loves variety Smart shoppers like to collect different product information from different brands before they make a decision or purchase. This lets them feel comfortable that they are able to make the right decision, especially for expensive major products. Therefore, they never buy on impulse. Seeks for quality but only willing to pay at a reasonable price They have this very strong desire to get the best quality product. They think that most of the time, top brands usually charge unreasonable prices. Various smart shoppers put the time to study the product, look for detailed information, and also seek other’s feedback. You will sometimes see them at the grocery stores carefully reading the product information of each brand. They will not put a product in their cart unless they read the description. Never afraid to explore Smart shoppers have this consistent eagerness to explore different products in the market. They are not afraid to try something new as long as it meets their expectations and standards. They think that because of competition, brands are producing better and better products in the market. Compare to Save They never miss comparing products before making a final decision. They believe that through comparing, they…

Read the Article

What is a Debit Card? Your Guide to Cashless Transactions

With the recent popularity of online shopping, it’s hardly surprising that Filipinos increasingly use debit cards and credit cards to pay for their purchases. Moreover, two-thirds of Pinoys prefer automated payments and cashless transactions mainly because of safety, according to The Visa Consumer Payment Attitudes Study 2015. Tired of standing in long lines just to pay your bills, an item you bought online, or your airline ticket booking? Paranoid about carrying around a large sum of cash? Then having a debit card makes an attractive option. What is a debit card and how does it work? If you look up “debit card meaning” on Google, you’ll see results saying one thing: it’s a bank-issued card that you can use to pay for a purchase with money from your bank account. But it’s more than just that. Pros: Safe to use – No need to worry about your money getting stolen or lost. If you lose your card, you can simply call your bank to have it blocked and replaced. Easy to use – When you pay in-person, you simply present your card to the cashier who will then swipe it on a point-of-sale terminal. You may be asked to key in your PIN. No more waiting for change or scrambling for coins! Online transactions are easy as well—you just enter your 16-digit debit card number, and you’re good to go. For more flexibility in your online transactions, just link your debit card to your PayPal account. Convenience and accessibility – This simple yet powerful card allows you to purchase from…

Read the Article

Top 3 Money Problems of Filipinos and How to Solve Them

Although there are various options for saving money and finding the best credit card for their needs, personal finance is a serious problem among Filipinos. So much so that their top concerns involve money issues, aside from fighting corruption and crime, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey. If you’re worried as well about your financial situation, know that you can get yourself out of it. Here are three common money problems that Filipinos experience and how to address them. Living paycheck to paycheck Every payday, many Filipinos treat themselves to a splurge. But when come Petsa de Peligro, they skimp even on essentials like food just to get by until the next payday. And then the nasty cycle goes on. The danger of depending solely on salary to cover all your expenses? Having no spare cash for emergencies (like an accident or illness) and falling into the debt trap. How to break free from the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle: Track your expenses. List down every monthly expense on a spreadsheet. Consider downloading a free budgeting app on your smartphone, so you can manage your finances anytime and anywhere. Resist the temptation to overspend. Even when you get a salary increase or your 13th month pay, the economy is doing well, or you’re celebrating a special occasion, you don’t need to impress anyone with expensive gadgets or signature items. Learn to say “no.” If you keep on lending money to relatives and friends, your generosity won’t help them. Instead, when people borrow money from you for a reasonable purpose such as for…

Read the Article

10 Power Saving Tips for The Summer

In a tropical country where temperatures can easily hit over 40°C during summertime, it’s easy to rack up a huge electric bill. Naturally, if you’re using your AC unit and other power-hungry appliances all throughout the summer, this trend will continue to dig a hole in your wallet until the rainy season comes. How exactly can you survive this heat without breaking the bank? Fear not, because here are some helpful power saving tips for the summer you should check out. 10 Helpful Power Savings Tips for the Summer Use natural light and energy-efficient bulbs It’s time to get closer to nature by relying on sunlight as your main light source. It is best to reposition your furniture and appliances so the sun doesn’t glare up on anything with a screen. And when the night falls, it’s time for your energy-efficient bulbs to shine, literally. Use light emitting diode (LED) bulbs since they consume way less energy and last longer than most. On the cheaper side, get compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs that are energy-efficient and bright enough to replace outdated incandescent lamps. Avoid using large air-conditioning units It’s true that larger AC units will cool your home faster, but they also consume way more power. According to the Meralco’s energy calculator on their mobile app[1], using a 2.5 HP AC unit for eight hours a day, seven days a week will cost you around PHP 1,200 per month while a 1.5 HP unit will only cost at least PHP 600. Sure, the smaller one will take longer to cool a…

Read the Article

Achieve Financial Success With These Tips from the Experts

During the recently held Philippine International Entrepreneur Conference and Expo, many industry experts in business gathered to share their knowledge to budding entrepreneurs. There were a lot of lessons about business that they discussed which you can also use to help you achieve your personal money goals. Here are some notable lessons shared by the speakers of this event: Moritz Gastl This was discussed in the context of venture capitalists and private equity, this can also be applied to your personal money decisions as well. Work hard to get money and do not fall for investment scams that promise you maximum return for the least amount of effort and money. Most of them are not legal and cannot give back the guaranteed amount that they promised you because they are just out to get your money. You will feel the most rewarding when you get your money through hard work and dedication. Chinkee Tan Money is an integral part of our everyday life and while some Filipinos have a negative connotation to being frugal, it has a lot of effect on everyday living because every aspect of our life is affected by the amount of money we have. What we do with our money is a big factor on what kind of life we’ll live, so it’s a must to save for our retirement and invest it in our personal growth as well. Janette Toral Earning more money as you progress in your career means giving more value to your employers and clients. Keep in mind that most clients do not pay solely for your services offered but for…

Read the Article

Investing in a Condo? Get the Best Rental Yield Out of These Projects

Note: This article is a guest post from Zipmatch.com, an online real estate marketplace in the Philippines that aims to empower home ownership. What makes a condo, townhouse, or house and lot for sale in the Philippines a good investment? Any real estate broker or agent will tell you that a good investment property is the one that offers a high rental return, in the shortest possible time period. In this article, we will discuss how to compare the best properties in Metro Manila using the rental yield concept. By definition, rental yield is how much rental income a condo, townhouse, or house and lot produces each year as a percentage of that property’s value. The formula is as follows: Rental Yield = Annual rental income/Property Value Now, why should you determine the rental yield for a specific property? This is because rental yield helps you determine how fast you can recover your investment in that specific property. A higher rental yield means that you can recover your investment in the property faster and generate more profit after it has been paid off. The Data Science Team at ZipMatch took a look at the most investment worthy properties in Metro Manila in terms of rental yield. In the next paragraphs, we demonstrate how we use rental yield as one of the factors to rank which properties in Metro Manila are worth your investment. The Data Science team evaluated one year’s worth of sale and rental listing data on ZipMatch.com to get an estimated average of rental yields for projects in top…

Read the Article

Compare the best deals in just one minute!