The latest and the best financial news, tips and tricks.
During his time as a candidate, President Rodrigo Duterte made a promise to raise the pension provided by the Social Security System. The petition was originally denied by then-President Aquino’s administration but has been passed into law by the Senate as of November 9, 2016. Fifteen senators voted to pass the bill that would grant a Php 2,000 across-the-board increase in the pension of retired SSS members. Now that this bill has been passed, the extra Php 2,000 could go a long way. But what can you buy with the Php 2,000 SSS pension hike? Here are a few things the retirees in your family could use it for. Medicines While most retirees are hale and healthy, some will require medicines to maintain their tip-top health. With medicine prices fluctuating, it’s ideal to get the generic brands of medicine to save on costs. A bottle of ibuprofen that could be used to treat arthritis costs about Php 61.86, while adult multivitamins cost about Php 6 to 8 per tablet. Insulin, used to treat glucose imbalances in diabetics, costs between Php 341.90 to Php 420 for disposable injections. The extra amount added to a retiree’s pension could potentially help offset these costs. Groceries According to Numbeo, the cost for at least two weeks’ worth of groceries for a family of four averages at about Php 1,500. That accounts for three meals a day, plus coffee for the adults, and snacks. The additional amount could mean a few treats for grandchildren or additional supplies around the home for the retiree who loves to cook or bake. This is a welcome addition to many households that are made up of retirees and younger adults that are in the workforce. Given the rising cost of living, the extra Php 2,000 added to the minimum Php 1,200…
Your food selections each day affect your health. It has an effect on how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future.Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, healthy products available in your favorite grocery store can probably be costly. But did you know that there are superfoods available in the market the provides very high nutritional value which are cheap? Here are some great foods you can buy under P20 which will boost your health. Malunggay Malunggay leaves can help boost one’s immune system about 10 times more than those commercially-made vitamins and other health supplements. It also acts as your “invisible dermatologist” as it can flawlessly restore your abnormal skin conditions without any aid of a plastic surgery. More than this, it also effectively controls your blood pressure, as well as your migraine and headache attacks. Tomatoes Tomatoes contain a considerable amount of calcium and Vitamin K. Both of these nutrients are essential in strengthening and performing minor repairs on the bones as well as the bone tissue. Tomatoes contain a great deal of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. This is primarily because these vitamins and beta-carotene work as antioxidants to neutralize harmful free radicals in the blood. Okra Okra has been found to lower cholesterol levels in diabetic lab mice. Foods with high fiber content and antioxidant qualities are recommended for those with diabetes because they lower cholesterol. When high cholesterol levels are combined with diabetes, the outlook is not good. That’s why it’s so critical to make sure that your diet…
With the long weekend fast approaching, it’s highly likely that you’ve already been invited to a Halloween party or two. If you weren’t already preparing for it at the start of the month, fret not. There are a lot of costuming opportunities out there, and a lot of them can be done at a low cost. Of course, the fact that a lot of places are going on sale for Halloween can help you right along. If you plan on some Halloween haunting on a budget, here are some things you can do. Ghostly DIY costumes Almost anything can be a costume, you just have to think a little outside the box – or be the box. With a little bit of creativity and a few items that don’t even cost as much, you can be a character from a TV show, or an everyday object, or even a play on words. Costume concepts are easy enough to think of, and a lot of them can actually be fairly hilarious when you think enough on it. For example; get a rubber chicken, some cord, and a blue shirt – you’ve already got a costume that’s also a pun: chicken, cord, on blue or chicken cordon bleu, like the gentleman below. Some costumes can be constructed purely out of items already in your closet. Go as a stickman by wearing all black or all white and sticking (pun intended) white tape or black tape on your clothes to form the stick figure. Your mask can be a white paper plate with…
Kimchi or kimchee is a traditional fermented Korean delicacy which is made from vegetables including cabbage and a range of spices and seasonings. It is the national dish of Korea and has been a staple of their food since ages. The term “kimchi” has been derived from a Korean word ‘shimchae’ which means ‘salting of vegetables’. Did you know the Kimchi brings the best value for your money? Here in the Philippines, you can buy a small jar of Kimchi for as low as P75 to P95 and enjoy its awesome benefits. Amazing Nutritional Value Kimchi is a low-calorie, high fiber and nutrient. It is packed with vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin C. The famous Korean side dish is also rich in essential amino acids and minerals such as iron, calcium, selenium. It has an amazing assortment of antioxidants and provides an additional benefit of probiotics as well in the form of lactobacillus bacteria. It contains numerous healthful components including capsaicin, chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids and isothiocyanates with low amount of fat and sugar. Anti-obesity Like the famous Yakult, Kimchi is a good source of healthy lactobacillus bacteria which the body utilizes for its healthy functioning. It contributes in gaining less weight by controlling the appetite and reducing the blood sugar levels! The fiber content present in it keeps your body full and hunger satisfied for a longer duration preventing you from frequent and over eating. Produces radiant skin and shiny hair Kimchi does not only make you healthy on the inside but also helps…
Most people have a misconception that it is expensive to sustain a healthy lifestyle. This might be the case if you opt for high-end healthy food or enroll yourself into pricey fitness classes. This is not the case all the time since you have a choice to live a healthy lifestyle without breaking the bank. Here are some of my tips which I have personally done and found effective: 1. Champion your breakfast. Our diet makes up 80% of our fitness and it is not necessary for you to starve your way to fitness. That would in fact be a situation where you would starve yourself to malnutrition. There are a lot of expensive supplements or fancy foods in the “eating healthy” section of grocery stores that can be heavy on the wallet. I propose that you eat what you like with limits and structure your meals correctly. A lot of people don’t eat breakfast as they may be late for work or take something on the go as they are traveling to work. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it starts you off and is the source of your day’s energy. Have a heavy breakfast followed by a light lunch and a light dinner. This will keep yourself from slipping from the diet and have you /using the nutrients to be burned during the day. 2. Have 30 minutes of mandatory exercise everyday. Most of the time, we get so involved in our day that we forget to take care of our own needs. If…
Office Holiday parties are an eventuality, really. Some will go the Secret Santa route and exchange only one gift on the day of the party itself, with everyone’s code names and wish lists up on the bulletin board, or sent around via e-mail. Some will dispense with the code names and the wish list and just have a gift exchange between people, which is less exciting. But without wish lists and in the case of larger offices, not quite knowing everybody, how are you going to wow #TeamOffice? Most holiday parties will limit the budget for the gifts to a certain amount, usually between Php 250 to Php 500. If you’re running out of gift ideas though, here are a few ideas that should help you along. Something handmade Nothing says ‘thoughtful’ like putting something together just for the person who’s receiving your gift. If you’re working in a larger department in the office, try to get a feel for the person’s interests and go from there. Coffee is an obsession for a lot of people, and sometimes a mess happens on one’s desk. You can get handmade cork coasters from MA/DE Manila, and the best part is that the products start at Php 80. If you’d rather see the products for yourself, you can also visit The Craft Central in Greenbelt 5, where there are handmade items that you can put together for a present. Something handy Gifts for your friends in the office are easier to handle when you give something practical and useful for their daily tasks. Tea lovers will get a kick out of a kitschy…
If you’re planning to go on a road trip soon, you’re going to need to make sure that your car is in excellent shape. If there’s one thing that could definitely spoil a road trip, it’s car troubles. That, and maybe people flaking out at the last minute. When you’re getting your car ready for a road trip, there are more than a few things that need to get checked, and it’s ideal to get this all done in a week or two before your trip. If it’s the first time you’re driving to the place, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with routes, or grab Waze and plot out the best possible way to get there. When it comes to the car though, here’s a quick rundown of things you need to check. Insurance Odds are you’re up to date on all your car insurance covers at this time, but it never hurts to get a conversation in with your provider to double-check your covers and if you feel the need to adjust on certain aspects of it, such as your covers for weather-related problems. Exterior and Interior If you’ve been letting your car care slip, now might be a good time to pick it up. Check your car’s exterior for any dents or scratches that might need a little care – head for the car wash, or make a day of it for yourself. If there aren’t any pressing issues, you can hold off the wash until a few days before the trip itself. Chances are you might have…
As we enter the ‘ber Months, people’s Holiday plans begin to take shape. Some have already put plans together for huge family reunions, organizing flights into or out of the country, finding a venue, booking hotels – the list is endless and tireless, all for a few days’ quality time with family. It takes suave organization in order to ensure that everything goes off without a hitch. It’s not to say that travel planning for the holiday season is an impossible accomplishment, but even the best laid plans tend to have a few hiccups. Here are a few ways you can limit those hiccups and have a successful holiday. Read More: The Ultimate Travel Checklist: What to Pack for Your Next Trip Best Cheap Staycation Places in Manila Under PHP 3,000 Don’t procrastinate Planning and paying for flights in advance of your travel date is always a good idea. It allows you to avoid exorbitant booking fees and lets you take advantage of seat sales through various carriers. Book your flights as soon as possible, and if traveling with connecting flights, you’ll want to plan these connecting flights as well. While you’re at it, a skeletal itinerary of activities at your destination is an ideal thing to write down, leaving room for small eventual deviations. Avoid peak travel dates When you’re booking flights, it’s ideal that you leave at least two or three days ahead of when most other people will be traveling. It’s less stressful all around. The same rule applies even if you’re traveling by car or bus….
In a referendum on June 23, 2016, the people of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. The controversial decision was reached after many months of discussions between the people of the United Kingdom, including a demonstration on the River Thames by politicians on both sides of the argument. With the United Kingdom home to an estimated 200,000 Overseas Filipino Workers, many have been questioning the effect of Brexit on OFWs. How could it happen? Prof. Manuel Enverga III of Ateneo de Manila University’s European Studies Program said in a CNN report that Filipino migrants may be affected. He was quoted as saying that should these workers be sent home, or if the UK becomes more stringent with its entrance requirements, it may be more difficult for Filipinos who wish to work there. Given that a considerable percentage (70%, to be precise) of the country’s GDP comes from OFW remittances; it may be affected by Brexit. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, remittances from the UK amount to $1.54 Billion, accounting for 5.97% of the total remittances in 2015. Many experts, however, are confident that although there may be effects caused by Brexit in the long term, the impact will be minimal. British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad stated that owing to the fact that most OFWs already in the UK arrived under a different immigration regime, it is unlikely they will be affected by any future changes to the immigration policies that may be enacted. Effects on the economy When the decision was finalized, investors…
Travel is one of the best ways to broaden your horizons. You get to learn about different cultures, maybe mark a few things off your bucket list, and interact with all kinds of people. Traveling has its costs, but the trade seems pretty fair for all the new experiences you gain. In an article on why young Filipinos should travel more, Aaron Palabyab wrote that “if you are young, and have the freedom to, you owe it to yourself to make decisions that will open your world as opposed to narrowing it.” It doesn’t necessarily mean that only the young can travel, but as long as you have the means and the freedom, you should give it a go. There are ways to avoid breaking the bank while traveling, and here’s a look at a few travel tips to help you achieve it. Before you go Research your destination months ahead your departure to figure out the area’s busiest months. You’ll save more by traveling off-season. Yes, you will wear more layers if the destination has winter, but then the tourist crowd is much smaller. You can also plan activities in the area. Read More: The Ultimate Travel Checklist: What to Pack for Your Next Trip You’ll save money booking a flight during the off-season and during a seat sale. Cebu Pacific have “Piso Fare” promos that let you book tickets to and from most international destinations, sometimes at half the cost. Round trip tickets are cheaper than booking one way two times. Flexibility is your ally. Whether it’s being flexible over when you travel or your destination, one of the two will have…
Haggling is an art, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It’s a time-honored tradition among the best bargain hunters out there. It’s complex and full of moves and counters that liken it to chess or go – all in an effort to save you a little extra cash where you can. If you know how to haggle, then you’ve got a grasp of negotiation tactics. In most negotiations, the point is to come to a decision that is mutually beneficial, but not wholly equal. According to an article for the Harvard Business School by Katie Johnston, haggling as a negotiation tool involves both seller and buyer with all their cards out in the open – as opposed to both parties holding fast to their cards and beliefs. If you want to master the art of haggling, here are a few tips to ensure that your purchase is mutually beneficial to all parties involved. The goal When haggling, the goal for you is to buy the item for as small an amount as possible. The goal for the seller is to make a sale, naturally. Remember to relax; this isn’t you negotiating peace talks or the safety of the world. The point of price The nitty-gritty of haggling is the price, really. A price that worth the item and is agreeable between you and the seller is where the negotiation happens. If there’s an item you’ve got your eye on, sellers will hone in on that and offer a certain price that might be anywhere from 30% to 50% more than…
Isn’t it nice to treat your parents out regularly or gift them with an experience or an item they’ve always dreamt? What about giving back to your parents by taking them out on a dream vacation? It sounds like a dream rather than reality. The real picture is that it’s still common practice for Filipinos to live at home until marriage, and full-fledged independent 20-somethings are only a minority. Then, as the years go by, it becomes even more difficult to take your parents out on their dream vacation because you’re neck deep in other financial responsibilities. For others, not only do they have a responsibility to themselves, but they also have a responsibility to their parents like becoming their retirement plan. Is it possible to give back to your parents and thank them for all those years of raising you without funding their lives completely and putting your own on hold? The answer is yes; it’s possible. MoneyMax.ph interviewed two Filipinos who were able to give back to their parents. Norman Brito works as a Landscape Architect, and last year, he was able to take his parents out with him on a vacation to sunny Singapore. Through Norman’s hard word and frugality, he was able to give his parents an all-expenses paid trip (pocket money included). Karlo*, on the other hand, works in the Construction industry as a design-and-build contractor. Instead of flying his family out overseas, he did an overall renovation of his parents’ house to create a modern abode and a living space they’d be excited to come home to. So what did Norman and Karlo do to…
Weddings – it’s an event every woman thinks about at any point of her life. When you were back in high school, you probably thought of a fairytale wedding, complete with your dream destination and a designer princess-esque dress. When you got to college and entered a serious relationship, your friends were probably teasing you and your partner and asking when your wedding was going to be. Then, you joined the real world, and working a 9-to-5 job made you realize that you needed to work hard and save harder if you wanted that fairy-tale wedding you dreamed about when you were young. Even years or decades after the big day, there are still moments where your memory brings you back to that time you were walking down the aisle. Weddings have a special place in a woman’s heart. It’s a magical event where anything you want goes. That is, of course, if you have the budget. You want your dream wedding, but you know you’d have to shell out large amounts of money. The costs of celebrity weddings go well into the millions. How is it possible to have your dream wedding on a budget? Below are easy ways you can save big on your dream wedding. The tips require you to put in the time and energy to make these happen, but on the bright side, they will largely trim down the cost. Collect and then select No, this doesn’t pertain to your husband to be. Just like you have a ‘Top 3’ when it comes to shoes, clothes,…
It’s a constant issue that many OFWs continue to struggle even though they enjoy an increase in salary working abroad. On the one hand, they often have to send money back home to their family who enjoy a higher standard of living; on the other hand, there is a lot of temptation to spend excess cash such as a pay increase or a bonus on the luxurious offers that are unneeded. OFW Guru recently spoke to a bunch of OFWs and rounded out their opinion on the matter of spending. OFW Guru came up with a list of 10 things our modern day heroes should not be spending their OFW salary on or should be spending less on. Expensive/Designer Clothing It is common to have giant sales in countries like UAE, Hong Kong and Singapore. Some of these deals are great, but OFWs buy designer goods and branded clothing as they believe that it’s a great deal to buy all the bags and shoes that have been priced down; however, in hindsight, it’s just excess spending. Personal finance tip: Make a list of the necessities and stick to it from reasonably priced fast fashion store sales. Electronics It’s a myth that electronics cost cheaper abroad than in the Philippines. A lot of OFWs believe this and tend to spend large amounts of their hard-earned salary for the latest tablet and smartphone. While in some cases the discounts are true, in reality, most products are priced the same with prices set globally. Personal finance tip: Live below your means. A simple smartphone and…
The pursuit of happiness in the modern age is an interesting one, to say the least. In the digital age, nearly everything you could possibly want can be yours with a few deft clicks on your computer, or a few swipes on your smartphone. The fact is society these days lives off of consumerism. There’s so much information on nearly anything anyone could possibly want thrown at you that you might be inclined to believe that material wants can fill any void. It’s not to say that buying something new and shiny isn’t good for your soul every now and then, but there are always a few very good reasons to spend money on experience. Reason #1: Enriching Yourself Life is one gigantic, continuous teaching experience. At some point, you go from being taught to seeking knowledge for yourself. You’ve probably thought to yourself that you want to learn to speak another language, and balked when you saw how much it would cost. But when the debate is between language lessons and spending frivolously, the better bet is the language lessons. A new language gives your resume a boost, and brings down the language barrier when you plan on traveling. It’s not just languages, spend your money on skills that you want – cooking, or maybe an accounting course. Reason #2: Perspective Spending your money on an experience can broaden your horizons greatly. While travel is an undeniable way to do so, you don’t necessarily have to leave the country to do something new and mind-opening. Take a road trip, do…
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile once stated that OFWs are the country’s biggest export, hence his decision to vote against the Reproductive Health Bill. The fact remains that over 2.2 million Filipinos work abroad, many of whom have their respective families’ financial well-being in mind. There is a difference between having a family member help you build a better financial path, and being completely dependent on them for your financial needs, which can be somewhat problematic. Dependence on OFW relatives for every little financial aspect can create issues within the family, not to mention that it creates a financial problem for the family member working abroad. If you’re looking to prevent dependence on OFW family members, here are a few tips. Family Dynamics It’s uncommon to hear how OFWs support their extended family members. Studies by the International Monetary Fund stated that many families with members working abroad tend to rely solely on remittances, refusing to find their own sources of income. An important conversation that needs to happen in your nuclear family is the one regarding financial support. You need to discuss how and who receives support, to set clear boundaries between what your OFW family member will need to provide. Take note that they will have their own needs to contend with abroad, and cannot provide your family 100% financial support. Your Own Finances Think about your own finances, or how you can help bolster the remittances sent home by your OFW family member. There is a need for a family to discuss learning more about finances. It’s…
Summer has begun, and the heat is starting to become unbearable. If only you were on a beach, dipping your feet in the water with a glass of fruit shake in one hand. Or if you were only in a colder place overseas to escape the summer heat for a short while. For today’s Deals of the Week, here are different international and domestic airline promos for the summer. If you’re the type who enjoys travelling and believes in spending on experiences instead of material things, jetting out to a new place, whether local or overseas, is a good way to spend your hard-earned cash. You can expose yourself to different cultures, cuisines, places, and meet new people. SkyJet Airlines If you book a SkyJet flight, you can explore the different places in the Philippines. With the summer at its peak, you can enjoy a beach trip to Boracay for only Php 1,600 (Caticlan) or Coron, Palawan for Php 4,400. If you want to fly up north, you can book a flight to Batanes for Php 9,900. Take note that prices vary depending on travel dates and times. The prices above are for weekday flights for the month of May. Jetstar Airways If you prefer travelling abroad instead of exploring the various islands of the Philippines, Jetstar Airways offers discounted fares to Japan and Singapore. You can book a roundtrip flight to sunny Singapore for Php 5,500 this May. If you want a much cooler destination, you can opt for Japan. Through Jetstar, you can book a flight to Osaka for Php 8,700 (August) and Tokyo for Php 9,000 (August). As mentioned above, the fares will vary depending on the day and times you fly out. Weekday flights in the evening usually come at…
Summer is usually when people like to get out of the country, but that means that most tourist destinations will increase, and the price of everything tends to balloon. There’s the question of how much money you’d be willing to spend for your next vacation, even if it’s just in Asia. There are countries you can travel without exceeding Php 20,000, it mostly hinges on the tickets, though. The increase of low-cost carriers and discounted flights has made it easier for people to go abroad, in addition to fewer restrictions on acquiring a visa. But yes, you can travel in Asia on a Php 16,000 budget and enjoy that much-needed vacation. Read more: Traveling Abroad? Here’s a List of Visa-Free Countries for Filipino Tourists Hong Kong Hong Kong remains one of the most accessible among destinations that appeal to Filipino travelers. It’s a vast enough melting pot of both Eastern and Western culture in an urban landscape that you’d almost want to call it home. It’s also the closest and easiest way to visit Disneyland, but is expensive if the trip is not well-prepared for. Carlo Dominguez of Travelosyo has a pretty awesome account[1] of his 4 day-3 night stay in HK (and a side trip to Macau) that cost him a total of Php 15,607 – all in. Note that he also sets aside a little cash for pasalubong. What trip abroad wouldn’t be complete without a few souvenirs for your loved ones? South Korea Many Filipinos have visited Korea, and it continues to be a top destination for us. This could be for a lot of different reasons, like experiencing the culture, or just exploring the…
Say goodbye to the nightly winds and the rains because summer has officially started. You just want to trade your cardigan for a t-shirt or sleeveless top and your ankle boots for slippers or sandals. It’s too hot to use your wardrobe during the rainy season – you’ll sweat buckets – so you’re thinking of buying new clothes. Not to mention you can use a new pair of shorts for your upcoming beach trip. However, buying a whole new wardrobe is costly and sometimes unnecessary. If you must spend on non-necessities, one way to curb your expenses is to look for sales and promos. For today’s Deals of the Week, here are shopping discounts for the summer, so you can get a new look for the new season. Offline Sales Until March 18, you can get up to 40% off on Under Armour products in the Bench Tower, 30th Street, BGC. Dri-fit shorts for around Php 1000? It’ll be hard to get your hands on that kind of deal once the sale ends! Bazaars are another option to buy more for less. During this month of March, there are numerous bazaars around Metro Manila where you can buy trendy clothes for a fraction of those from retail stores. Here are 3 bazaars where you can buy clothes to beat the summer heat: Bazaar for All Season Where: Eton Centris, Quezon City When: March 18–20, 2016 Fisher Mall Easterrific Super Bazaar Where: Fisher Mall, Quezon City When: March 14–22, 2016 Summer Heat Sale Bazaar Where: Commonwealth, Quezon City When: March 19–20,…
Article by: Gourmet Society Lots of articles nowadays talk about how we should spend money on experiences instead of material things. And while we wholeheartedly embrace the idea of visiting foreign lands (I mean, who doesn’t want to travel?), the idea of spending hard-earned cash can deter some of us from fulfilling this dream. If you think about it, you do have to spend on a lot of things, starting with your airfare ticket. And then, of course, there’s your hotel, food, and pocket money. But did you know that you can actually save a lot on food when you’re abroad? No, we don’t propose on starving yourself. After all, you’re supposed to enjoy your holiday. What we suggest instead, is to spend your money wisely by considering some of these tips. Here are 8 ways to save money on food abroad: Research first Aside from researching must-see places, make sure to also research the average cost of living of the country you’re about to visit. That way, you won’t be shocked to find out that a bottle of mineral water may cost twice as much compared to your home country. Bring your own airport snack Airport food is absurdly expensive, so the easiest way to save money is to avoid them. But then, if you’re worried that you might get hungry while waiting for your flight, you can always pack your own snack from home. It doesn’t have to be fancy. You can prepare simple snacks like sandwiches, fresh fruit, or even some chips. Read more: Trip to Asia 2022:…